Movie Critic Frank Quinn Reviews the Stage Shows at the Roxy and State

In The Sunday Mirror Frank Quinn reviewed the stage shows accompanying the movies at the Roxy and State.

Established jazz singer Connee Boswell and popular comedian of the day Jackie Miles headlined the Roxy show, where the Gothic romance "Dragonwyck," starring Gene Tierney and Vincent Price was the screen attraction.The production numbers had a Gay Nineties theme with songs from the Buccaneers, a sextet of male singers joined by a chorus. Then dancer Lee Sherman's ballet version of "Frankie and Johnny" was performed in a saloon setting. Quinn called it "a departure from the usual routine, and a welcome innovation....Music, narration and costuming give it a smartness." Boswell "sings in that torchy groove" and comedian Jackie Miles "never lets up in a fast patter-chatter routine." The Lane Brothers contributed their acrobatics, with the addition of a rope-skipping routine, and Paul Ash led the house band. Variety felt that the Roxy show was the best of the movie palace presentations that week. See here for more on the show.

Quinn reviews the vaudeville show at the State where hypnotist Ralph Slater got audience members to "sing a la Sinatra, play imaginary instruments and reveal amusing incidents to the delight of all. Hypnotism was popular in the US in the 1940s. Slater would later become embroiled in a court case in the UK over the possible dangers of his act to his subjects. The Lisbon Clippers, a trio of women singers, featured Yvette, a "petite blonde songstress" who "captivated with her slick vocalizing and personality." The Diacoffs, a three-woman bicycle act, and Johnny Woods, who satirized "popular personalities" rounded out the bill. Robert Walker and June Allyson starred on screen in the romantic comedy "The Sailor Takes a Wife," a second-run feature. They made way on April 18 for a return engagement of "Miss Susie Slagle's," a nostalgic romance starring Veronica Lake and Sonny Tufts. Jazz musician Herbie Fields headlined the new stage show.

There is more here on the stage shows and movies being presented at the Broadway movie palaces that week