New York's Paramount Theater - Frankie Laine 1950

Frankie Laine with the Elliot Lawrence band at the Paramount Theater. Billboard Magazine May 27, 1950 review; "Latest spread in the house is one of the best-paced and most entertaining Stern presentations of the past few months. It figures to do solid box office, with headliner Frankie Laine belting out the sharps and flats in the flesh, while Humphrey Bogart does some belting of his own on the screen. Too, the bill brings to light a coming star in the person of thrush Patti Page. Laine, who has been doing big on his personals and well as with his consistently sock Mercury records, caps this show with a powerful turn which lays heavy emphasis on his disk hits. With his potent delivery, Laine is a winner from the fast-stepping 'River St. Marie' opener to a flippantly delivered closing 'Mule Train,' with which the husky hollerer makes laugh-provoking use of a whip prop - tho he scores heaviest with a thrilling 'Lucky Old Sun.' As great as Laine is, he is pushed for honors on this bill by Patti Page, who appears about as ready to blossom into a big-time performer. The singer, who has come along slowly in the past couple of years, has begun to score on her Mercury disks and on this date shows she's ready to do as well on personals. Miss Page stopped the show cold on the second slot - a rare event these days. Her opening 'I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine' drew an ovation which wouldn't let up for the remainder of her two tunes, and a deserved encore. Miss Page, a husky-throated chirp with a walloping style, could find stronger closers than 'Oklahoma Blues' and 'Goody Good Bye,' but, this is secondary now that she has found poise and finesse to go along with a handsome appearance and tasty gowning. Comic Pat Henning, a Paramount regular, has tightened and trimmed his act into the most successful form to date. He's focused the routine around his baldness, cut down on his audience milking routines, and sharpened his satirical impressions. The comic picked up plenty of yocks and a strong mitt. Lewis and Van, a slick tap dancing team, opened the show brightly with some arresting precision dancing. Elliot Lawrence's crew had little to do aside from cutting an exceedingly good show and a bright, pace-setting 'Strike Up The Band' opener. The young pianist-maestro officiated acceptably, but could have been handed at least a brief spot to display his pianistic ability. Pic, 'In A Lonely Place.' - Hal Webman."

Pictured is Frankie Laine introducing his pianist Carl Fischer at 1:17.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Frankie Laine
• Elliot Lawrence
• Paramount
• Theater

[slowdream101]

He almost swings