The New York Age du lieu suivant : New York, New York • Page 9

3 I i' MV when the others are just a mem ory. Does talent still get a break in our day? Is it mired in anonymity in some church choir or some off beat cafe? Not for The" success of our former Yonkers neighbor, lovely, young Diahann Carroll, is a good example. One year ago she wis a skitterish "girl Friday" to WOVs disk jockey, Walker. At this writing, she is at a swank Las Vegas nightclub, repeating the triumphs she has enjoyed in Palm Spring, Calif. For another glowing example, tune in your telivision set to channel 4 (WNBT) this Saturday night at 8:30.

You'll be in on the "Original 1 TO HEAD SHOW Roy Hamilton, who gained stardom with his first record, "Yonll Never Walk Alone" on the Epic label, has been selected to star in the second edition of the Gale agency's "Biggest Rhylbm and Blues Show," which starts a crosscountry tour on Aug. I. Supporting acts will be Ersklne Hawk ins' band, the Drifters, the Spaniels and the Counts, mm TALENT VS GIMMICKS The alarming dephts to which modern show business has sunk Is proportionate to the incredible popularity enjoyed by an increasing number of persons with no talent whatsoever. They, have survived, If nnly for a moment, because of the judicious employment of "gimmicks," and the unbridled enthus iasm of well paid press agents, Amateur Hour' Rattle of direct from Madison Square Garden, and may see the birth of many new, young and talented stars, who only needed a break. THE EXCEPTION Definite fact that we are an adamant champion of "talent" over "gim micks," we frankly faced an im I iiMimi; mcTU mi Hie problem came to light at our n.

Ult lbt. The "bone of uwbwu javuillC UlUm nier. Snecs Powell. envarM in spirited dispute over the compara live merits of "talent" and "gimmicks." The friendly 1 dispute resulted from our unashamed adoration of N'at Cole, as exemplified by the possession of three times as many Cole "cuts" than' any other record artist. We reiterated the view that Nat is undoubtedly the greatest exponent of "pop" music in the world today.

Everyone agreed, but Specs noted that the original King Cole trio was the gimmick employed by Nat to attain greatness. "He was and is a piano player," the typanist opined. "His voice would never have made him without the start offered by the ljio." Powell went on to say that many Negro enter'ainers with talent have been lost in the shuffle during the last three decades, sim ply because they were Negroes e6ntention" was Eartha Kltt'i remarkable performance in the final show to be booked into La Vie En Rose. The diminutive, raw boned star kept an overflow audience right here, in the palm of her hands and did it without the benefit of voice. Just gimmicks alone.

Even Eartba's most devout fans (of which there are hordes) must admit that she is the most amaijng "no talent" on the boards. It seems incredible that anyone of her meager years could have garnered so much of the art of stage "know bow." Not endowed with a voice, good looks or a particularly distinctive figure, La Kitt is still able to electrify an entire audience with her inbred animalism and sexi ness. "Suggestion" is her most formidable tool, and no craftsman is anywhere nearly as adept. What has she got? Beats me. But what ever it Is, it's worth $15,000 to the operator of the El RanchcVeeas.

and didn't have a gimmick to and more than $100,000 to the nro catch th public eye and ear. ducers of the film "New Faces." Rowe immediately refuted the) You may argue that it's talent, claim by pointing out that Bert' and We can only agree in the Williams, Ada Brown, Florence; sense that Willie Sutton was also Nulls, Bill Robinson, Adeliade Hall "talented," in his own way. In and a few others made the top our eyesight, Eartha is a star be despite their race, and on talent' cause she fills a need. The en alone. He further observed that; tertainment world was long over light skinned Negroes had no cor due for a gimmick such as hers, ner on talent, or to and she's a smart one for getting wtucn tne redoubtable specs snot it wmie she can.

back that the artist of 20 to 30 years ago seldom attained any sta PEER Just 24 hours later, ture in show business, unless he we were in on the Broadway re was coarse and dark, to fit the turn of one of the all time greats, white audience's impression of the. Lionel nampton. The dynamic mn Negro sidan orchestra leader, riding on THIS IS TALENT? As was: the crest of the most satisfying to be expected, noining was re 1 triumphs enjoyed by any Ameri wji.cu uj we uupuw, unci can penormer in Europe, was estingly enough, the subject of taleit vt gimmicks again came the next night (June 7) when we stopped by the Riverton apartment of Billy and Lois Williams. The popular leader of the Billy Williams quartet told an amazing tale about one of the country's biggest white vocal stars, who Is nothing more than a puppet Believe it or not, a coach Is ton by the "star" before the footlights This is talent? What does this all prove? You've still got a Nat Cole who has hit the top without (in our opinion) resorting to gim us sme perpetual motion self before a responding first night hawks and Just plain "Joe's." Now here's a star who resorts to gimmicks only 'as coloring. Inaugurating Bermuda shorts at another Big Street cellar last year was showmanship, not a substitute for talent.

1 The first New York stage show sianuy in me wings provroinj ine lng of Bernard Shaw's "Major hand and ixy movements, epie; BaAara" since the original Thea tre Guild production in 192 open ed at the Greenwich Mews theatre (141 W. 13th st.) last night. Wednesday, June 16. Kenneth Ma nigualt, still remembered for his outstanding stage characteriza micas, men jou nave tyou snouia tions of Langston Hughes' "Sim pardon tne expression) and Heien Martin (also Kay, wno is noi oniy a travesty upon the performing arts, but has the nerve to be a "bam" as well. Even our own Billy Daniels, with an inherent talent which doesn't need it, is resorting more and more to tricks (vocal and gymnastic) in order to win audiences.

Frank Sinatra can be forgiven for this; he had to find something crowd pleaser) have featured roles in the opus. Edwin Gordon has the meaty role of the amazing munitions maker, while lovely movie star Karen Morley is cast as his Salvation Army major daughter. Now is as good a time as any tn extend another hirth to replace a fading voice. But the daT to the horde of friends under likes of Nat Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, the sign' of Gemini, especially Perry Como, Tony Martin and those who cut cakes from June Dons Day will still be wun ns 5 to June 11. These include.

Ber nice Rivers, Gordon "specs" Pow 20h iiAiiiHa ixtiai "CALYPSO CRUISE" Color ty Otliiii A ClMmtScop Skort Subjrctl NewMambo Festival On Apollo Stage About a month ago, the 125th St. Apollo theatre, staged a "Mambo which was one of the most talked about, most successful shows of season, with an all new cast, the Apollo is now ready to present this show's successor, a rhumba mambo spectacle, more excling. flashier, i I MACHITO more thrilling than anything you nave ever seen. The cast will Include the Incomparable Machito and his band (featuring Grazeel); the sensational Fccundo Rivero quintet; in addition to such Apollo favorites as emcee comedian Leonard Reed; skate dancer Harold King, and new singing ar i a rd Cannon. TOE TAPPING Machito, the show's number one star, is the leading maestro in the current crop of Latin American favorites and good reason.

He was the first to achieve stardom, and has achieved a musical com bination of the best Latin American rhythms with the modern jazz movement. The result is a band which will keep you toe tapping all day long. Picture, if you can, two exotic girls who work like Diosa Costel lo; plus three men who dance at lightning speed, and you have only a fair approximation of the dynamic Fecundo Rivero quiniet. Actually, this is one of those acts for which a description of their routine cannot do it justice; it must be seen to be appreciated. MIRACLE SHOW Leonard Reed, all around showman, comic and ringmaster will emcee the show, take care of the comedy chores and bring on the supporting cast which will in clude: Richard Cannon, fast ris ing new singing star; Grazeel, great Spanish singing vocalist with the Machito band, and Har old King, skate dancer supreme.

You believe in miracles, 'Here it is; the miracle show of the year; starting this Friday at the Apollo theatre. ter Donald, Zack Freeman, Dick Barry, Sam Sokal, Gwendolyn Brooks, Randy Dolores Gray, Glen Gray, Lois Williams, Arline Sunshine Hal Yates, Peggy O'Neil, Mary Archer and Richard Bourne Vanneck. If you were left out, drop us a line next year around June 7 (boy, is he an optimist). MANY THANKS Can't close without a special note of thanks to the Age staff, publisher Louis ell, Leslie and Audrey Williams, Martin; general manager, Julius Guy Lombardo, Bill Dickey, Pe Adams, X'1 m. nn nn CinemaScope as an entertainment media reaches a new dimension in "Demetrius and the Gladiators," Twentieth Century Fox'a tremendous sequel to "The Robe." Movie goers who visit the Roxy (his Friday will be afforded a double pleasure; the finest action story yet filmed in the new process, and the realization of the promise shown by acton William Marshall in "Lydia Bailey." Though not starred in the movie built around the slave in the Lloyd C.

Douglas best seller, Marshall as the courageous African king, Glycom, must share acting honors with no one save Jay Robinson, who as Caligula, the cruel Roman emperor, again trots off with "Demetrius," as he did in "Thei Robe." STRONG ROLE Despite his many years as an actor, Bill Marshall's role in "Demetrius" is only the second screen part offered him. The powerful, deep voiced thespian scored a personal triumph last year when cast as King Dick in "Lydia Bailey," his screen debut. In the current Roxy fare, Marshall has the strongest role ever meted out to Voice, of Firestone'' in addition to the regular screen attraction, when the stage of the Paramount theatre becomes the regular weekly scene of the simulcast beginning Monday evening, June 21. In order to permit morning re jjrr BEGINS WHBRE Tjobe LEFT OFF? The pnntiniiatinn of the greatest story of love and faith in the history of entertainment! 'vko 1. Color by nCHNtCCXOt Mm 4 Indi, RfMiMitr, Kic SkKtiMtl JTtMOfHONK SOUHO Tht UmptrttA Mnialmo nfk( I Otmttrivt to dy I vtera tiiM A5' V.

MICHAEL RENNIE DEBRA PAGET ANNE BANCROFT JAY ROBINSON a turn JOHN wuua mttmtu FRANK ROSS TDEIMER DAVES? PHILIP DUNNE HI VIHIll' Cf NOW! IR02CYr Imm I tM 1M (Ml HN Ml tm U. MARSHALL as "KING DICK" a Negro actor in a non Negro production. For those movie goers who have long decircd the sterotyped and menial roles handed to Negro players by Hollywood producers, "Demetrius and the Gladiators" is one of the most heartening prospects to come out of the Cinema City; and to Marshall went the honor of opening the doors even wider. hearsals of the simulcast the theatre will open its doors at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and patrons at tendlnguifter 4:30 p.m.

may wit ness "The Voice Of Firestone" the radio and tele vision networks of the American Broadcasting company from the theatre's stage from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. At the conclusion of the simulcast, the Paramount theatre will continue its regular film program. The first film feature to share Monday evening honors with the Firestone program will be Warner Brothers science fiction picture, "Them" which began its engage ment at the Paramount on Wed nesday, June 16. Succeeding pic tures planned for early showing at the Paramount include "The High and the Mighty," "Ring of Fear," "King Richard and the Crusaders" and "Dragnet." North Dakota leads the U.

S. in production of spring and durum wheat. Cast as a fellow prisoner to star Victor Mature at the dreaded gladiators' school, overseered by Ernest Borgnlne, the sadistic Sgt. "Fatso" Judson of "From Here to Eternity," Marshall puts his tremendous physique and booming voice to good advantage. Although assuming the character of a fear less swordsman and warrior, Marshall succeeds in injecting some of his own warmth, faith and humility into the part.

Mature, given a romantic interest in the persons of seductive Susan Hayward and innocent Deb ra Paget, is also hard pushed to hold his own, not only from Marshall and Robinson, but the utter believability and restraint of Michael Rennie, perfectly cast in the role of the Christlike fisherman, Tetcr. WORTH PRICE Although receiving no credits, and the scantest dialogue, famed ballerina Carmen DeLavallae nonetheless (tarries off her role as personal maid to Miss Hay ward with a quiet dignity and assurance. It's worth the price of admission alone just to see how beautifully Miss DcLavallade photographs in the pew CinemaScope process. CAMERAMAN TURNS COMPOSER Dramatic actress Hlld, Simms turned disk Jockey, over WOV (While Evelyn Robinson vacations) In time to scoop American musical circles with a broadcast premiere of "Symphonic Set" by Life pho tographer, Gordon Parks. The noted photog Is a newcomer in the classical music field, and his "Symphonic Set" a piano rhapsody was introduced in Venice last summer by conductor, Dean Dixon, with Vivian Rivkin as piano Paramount Offers TV In Addition To Movies The Paramount theatre on Times Square, with a long and proud record of in the world of entertainment, again establishes itself as a leader in showbusi pess, by an epochal "wedding" of contemporary entertainment the merger of the two most popular forms of mass entertainment under one roof for a single admission ticket.

Robert K. Shapiro, managing director of the Paramount theatre, announced last week that the public will have the opportunity of witnessing, for the first time in leading Broadwav movie thea tre, the simulcast of one 'of ra dio's and television's oldest and most important shows "The i 5 tWMtasWsMicJssss4 if "I hi I.I COPA TO CATNE Former Co pacabvna entertainer, brnnette Donna Lee Hlckey, won the hotly contested feminine romantic role in Columbia's "The' Caine Mutiny" produced by Stanley Kramer. She will henceforth be known by the name of the girl she plays In the film May Wynn. Mniiii Ik JOAN WELOQII UMES AKNESS Comfortably Cool Air Conditioned VICTORIA MHKt WW in MGM's PIER ANGEU CARLOS THOMPSON Today Thru Sunday WIDE VISION Serin WHO WAS THIS MAN IN HER PAST? Hl Dorothy IMcGUIRE Stephen McNALLY "MAKE HASTE TO LIVE? (L to sisaw iiiiaaiiw i i Art mmsosu mimmm upem By EDWARD MURRAIN The Cabaret theatre's current presentation of the Comet production "Of Mice and by John Steinbeck, just misses being a terrifically exciting piece of theatre. 'Adapted by Lofton Mitchell for an all Negro cast, and presented on the floor level in arena style, the company has many obstacles to overcome.

Des pite these many handicaps, "Of Mice and Men" emerges as an exciting drama. The play follows closely the or iginal story of George and Len me, migratory worker's out West who live in hopes of one day own ing a "little farm with rabbits, chickens and maybe a Die." onlv to see their dream end in frust ration and tragedy because the big, lumbering, simple minded Lennie can resist the temptation to fondle soft things. Chuck Gordon, remembered for his portrayal of Loean in the re cent Current Stages production ef "Climate of Eden." plays Georee. and though he gives( an honest portrayal of the role, 'he seldom captures the poetic dreaming that so facinates Lennie. Clayton Smeltz, formerly of the Karamu players and most recently part of the Drama trio enacts the role of Lennie.

The THE SENSATIONAL LEONARD REED N. Y. AGE DEFENDER June 19. 1954 "5 11 1 9 Graduates With Honors SALISBURY, N. C.

Benjam in of Brooklyn was graduated with honors at college here recently. 1 i vf 7 MARSHALL AS "GLYCON" 'Near Miss' Is Cabaret theatres 'Mice, Men'i great potential of this actor is really put to the test to sincerely portray his "lummox." It'a you awareness of this struggle that tends to tire the audience SraelU is most successful in the scene where he crushes the first of the arrogant Curley. Howard Augusta, a veteran character actor, as a the one banded farm worker is best when he recalls the time he had 23 years a in a "cat He well might allow his shirt sleeve to cover more of his am, putated hand. Bill Gunn, who recently completed a run in "The Immoralisf on Broadway and a Television of "Carmen," was something ef.n disappointment as Cnrley. Hw failed to convience you that te ever really seriously though of himself as a would be afraid of hurting his hands.

He wa( suspicious and nasty, hut hardly a "littie braggart." Yolanda Gaffne, formerly ra dancer with Talley Betty and Jean Leon Destine, and last seen on Broadway in "A a Russell's Little Show," has a pleasing stage presence that should in time take her places in dramatic circlet, Curley's wife, she did an adquata job for the most part AIR CONDITIONED "si FACUNDO RICHARD CANNON WED. NITE: AMATEURS COOLING PLANT tiCVllriopirailon TO' GALA WEEK beg. FRI. JUNE 18' new! RHUMBA MAMBO SPECTACLE BflACH AND BAND RIVERO 5 HAROLD KING ii SAT. MIDNITE SHOWr I I 111 1 I fel ll I "IM I Vt ties r1 1 IIAIII HAmiSm MM I 1 1 iiwii i Him tl.