Evening star., 1947-02-04

You couldn't have found two hap
pier Russians anywhere in town last
Wednesday night than Mischa Ber-
senef and Sacha Lucas. Micha, who
has been conlmuning with nature
and chickens on his New Jersey
farm most of the time since the
Troika fire, once again was guard
ing the entrance Of a rapidly filling
night club, Sacha, who has devoted
most of his energies during the past
year to arguing with contractors and
beIaboring workmen, at last was
presiding over a night club to which
his own name was attached. This
elimination of a dream came with
the official-and definite-opening
of the Coral Club of the Moulin
Rouge. This, as you no doubt know,
was a long time in coming, but
Sacha has hopes now that his Coral
Club will become leading After
Dark rendezvous.
It is of the intimate type of cellar
haunt that Russians seem to have
a natural affinity for, done in un-
questionable good taste. The dance
music is subdued and rhythmic and
the entertainment is polite and OF
high quality. 1t consists at the mo-
ment of songs by Don Lamont, a
sort of wice Sinatra OF good voice
and personable manner; more songs
3 by Sue Milroy, pretty girl who has
a fetching way with tune, and
Sacha's own violin.
1t is, of course, the Lucas violin
that will be the major magnet at
tracing people to the Coral Club.
Sacha has had a host of followers
around town for a number of years,
first at the Troika. later at the Old
New Orleans. They will find him in
rare form now. Last Wednesday
when he stepped out on the floor
it was evident, from the first notes
of Glare de Lune," through that,
'Malaguena" and the Brahms 'Lul-
laby," that 1t does his artistic soul
good to be his own boss.
x
Bandleaders know there are more
ways Of getting song in the books
than just by ordering it from the
music store. There is international
intrigue, too. There is a lively affair,
for example, played by Johnny
Robb's Madrillon orchestra, which
he may or may not introduce as
1.-THE Madrillon Stomp" 1t isn't
really that at all. Tt actually is
something called ''Djangology," COM
posed by Django Rheinhardt. the
famed jazz guitarist. Johnny came
by it because Lonny Wilfong, who
used to be a local musician, con-
ttnued to arrange. music for the
Madrillon orchestra after being
shipped off to the ETO as member
of the Air Transport Command
Band. Lonny heard the tune one
night as it was being played by
Django for the customers in a
Paris histro, thought 1t would be
just the thing for the Madrillads
and whipped off a suitable arrange
ment. Turned out to be good
thought he had. ,
X X
There are several things we know
about Deane Carroll, the featured
singer in the Club Cairo's show,
that you don't know. One thing is
that she often is the target for per-
picked stares from fellow artists
and musicians between shows. A
student of philosophy because she
likes it, she sits around reading So
crates. Another thing is that, in
stead of talking in her sleep, she
huns in her sleep. That's what
her mother says, anyhow. Her
mother says she has heard Deane
hum the entire score of a musical
comedy without waking herself up.
It's possible. Some musical COM
edies are easily slept through.
X X x X
It's Strange World Department:
Instead of considering it skele-
ton to be well-hidden in the back
of the closet, those involved in the
origin of "Open the Door, Richard"
are arguing over who was first. Ac-
cording to Variety, the trade pa
per which watches over all show
business, four claimants to the
honor of being responsible have re-
ported in at this point. Dusty
Fletcher, who has recorded "Rich-
ard" claims ownership because he
used the phrase in vaudeville
skit. John Mason, another comic,
says he used it before Dusty did.
The sheet music version, put out by
Leeds Music, was the work of Jack