1932
BRIGHT AND CLEAN – Luxor Presents Snappy Show – (By “Grease Paint”)
This week’s show at the Luxor Theatre is bright, snappy and clean. The first half finale has an Hawaiian atmosphere in which Dixie and D’Raine and Cliff Adam contribute several melodious numbers on the ukulele and guitar, while Desiree Maurice, Nat Hanley and Joe ValJi supply the humor. Other bright and popular numbers in this half are songs by May Webster, Joe Valli (the Un-canny Scot), Fred Moore, Kath Esler and a male quartette, comprising Joe, Hughie, Cliff and Fred and Thelma Pittar. Cliff Adams and the ballet present “Ballet Artistique.”
The second half introduces some real clever work by popular Nat Hanley who showed his versatility on the piano (he had to give several encores), and some first class work is done by Desiree Maurice and Joe Valli in a sketch written by the latter entitled “Not a Word to the Wife.” A number that received long and sustained applause was that of the “Clifton Duo” (Bootsie Williams and Cliff Adams), step and tap dancers of outstanding ability. A clever kiddie in Thelma Barrey puts over a good contortionist act. The revue written by Nat Hanley and called “Cowboys and Clues” is built around the exploits of two comical cowboys (Nat Hanley and Joe Valli) who expose a supposedly-wealthy Mexican Don as a card-sharper and murderer. Some splendid acting is seen from Desiree Maurice, Dot D’Raine, and Charles Baker (Don Pedro Garcia); the latter’s fine voice was also heard to good effect in that one-time popular song “Marcheta.” A brightly-frocked and clever ballet, good support from the talented Luxor orchestra and colorful and artistic backgrounds (the work of Alf Maurice) help to make this week’s show one of the. best yet presented to Luxor fans.
New Call (Perth, WA : 1931 – 1934), Thursday 14 April 1932, page 17
“SHOW GAME PERSONALITIES – What They Do Outside The Theatres No. 7.— “The Versatile Duo.” (By D.M.S.).
AN act that has been receiving well-deserved applause at the Luxor Theatre is provided by that versatile couple, Bootsie Williams and Cliff Adams. Both are exceptionally fine and versatile exponents of the terpsichorean art and are comparative youngsters in both age and length of time spent in team work. But their work is well up to the standard of any yet seen in Perth. Both were born in the West and are also former pupils of Miss Emmie Gable.
“BOOTSIE” WILLIAMS had her first lesson at the age of thirteen, and besides being a classy stepper is also in a class of her own as an acrobat and wire-rope walker. V, hen fifteen she went on a two-years’ tour of the North West as a member of the Sylvester Co., and whilst on this tour, had with the other members of the company the unenviable experience of being lost for three days. Returning to Perth she and a partner appeared at Hoyts’ Regent Theatre in a dancing act which included exhibitions of the “Black Bottom,” and “Varsity Drag.”When When the Ambassadors opened she was a member of the ballet and remained with it for two and a half years. Th? last six months she has been a member of that sextette of bonny steppers around at the Luxor, and just recently teamed up with her partner.
KNOWS A LOT: Cliff Adam like his partner is not confined to dancing alone. A clever musician he plays the ukelele, guitar and banjo, and has appeared in numbers with Dixie and D’Raine (well known and popular entertainers with Luxorites), he can sing a good song and is also a good acrobat. His first stage appearance was as a juvenile in the Nellie Brainley Co. some years ago. Three years ago he received his first dancing lessons, and has appeared at the Ambassadors, Regent, Capitol and suburban theatres. He was a member of the Prince of Wales male ballet and then after a season at the Capitol Theatre joined up with the Milton and Adams Co. at the Luxor. When Brock and Thompson (whose whirlwind dance was an outstanding number in the “Golddiggers of Broadway”) were in Perth, Cliff Adams’ ability as a tap dancer was favourably commented on and both predicted that in a few years he would be among the top-notchers. Both Cliff and his partner are quiet and unassuming types of young Australians and the sort who wherever they might be will always bring credit to themselves and Western Australia. and the wish of “The New Call” is good luck, good hunting and the greatest success in the near future.
New Call (Perth, WA : 1931 – 1934), Thursday 21 April 1932, page 6
1933
LOCAL BAND HONOURED. – Engagements in Eastern States.
For the first time in broadcasting history a West Australian band has been engaged through the Australian Broadcasting Commission to give performances over the air in the Eastern States. Ron Moyle and his ‘Westralians,’ a combination of local performers, will leave for Adelaide by the Great Western express on Saturday, night, and will be absent for about six weeks. The ‘Westralians’ will be heard over the air from 5CL, Adelaide, on December 21 and 22, and from South Australia they will go to Melbourne, where they will broadcast from 3LO- between January 6 and 27. It is possible that the band will also visit Sydney.
Ron Moyle himself is wellknown to listeners in Western Australia, having been connected with broadcasting in this State for many years. His band, which is composed of the following players, was heard from 6WF during last dancing season: — Ron Moyle, A.C.T.L. (pianist); Bob Gibson, L.A.B. (alto saxophone, clarinet and violin) ; George Caro, A.T.C.L. (tenor saxophone, clarinet and violin); Allan Gough, A.T.C.L. (alto saxophone, clarinet and violin); Viv. Nylander (trumpet and trombone); Kem Fimmel (trumpet); Charles Thompson (trombone and’ trumpet); Wally Hadley (banjo, flute and guitar); Cliff Adams (guitar, tap dancer and vocalist); Eddy Roberts (drums and vocalist); and Tom Bennett (bass). The band will give a final concert at the Ambassadors Theatre on Friday night.
West Australian (Perth, WA), Wednesday 13 December 1933, page 5
1934
CLIFF ADAM DOING WELL – Perth Boy’s Success
Cliff Adam, a Perth boy, is doing exceptionally well in Melbourne just now. Cliff will be remembered for his supers dancing turns at the Luxor and elsewhere. Some time ago he went East, but was compelled to break his engagement and return West owing to illness. He is now at his top again in Melbourne, and is one of the most popular performers at the New Embassy in that city, where his items on the guitar and his clever dance numbers ARE A FEATURE of the programme. Cliff, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Adam, of Beaufort street. Perth, is the cleverest stepper of his type that this State has yet produced, and ‘The Mirror’ predicts a big future for him. His many W.A. friends will be delighted to hear of this unassuming young Perth lad’s progress.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 14 April 1934, page 7
1955
Cliff Adam Band one of best on WA radio
Heard and enjoyed often on local stations are popular members of the Cliff Adam Band (below from left to right) Jack Pope, Harry Wicks, Cliff Adam, and John McCaughan. Leader Cliff Adam -something special with a guitar, a song, and formerly a tap dance – is among the most experienced of WA musicians.
He left Perth to tour the Eastern States with. Ron Moyle’s “Westralian” in 1933 and, finding things over that way to his liking, stayed for several successful years.
He played in famous Melbourne cabarets and toured with the Bert Howell band, one of Australia’s best in Sydney. He played with the tuneful Jay Whidden unit and had success on the air with the Colgate – Palmolive, Fred Hartley and other well-known radio bands. Now he broadcasts with his Hawaiian ensemble,, the 55-60 Show with the ABC Variety Band and. of course, his own Cliff Adam show.
Drummer and vibraphone player Harry Wicks moved here from Sydney two years back with the smash-hit Moreton and Kaye show He liked the place, decided to stay, and is heard in many local commercial shows. Harry hails originally from New Zealand but he has the Australian “bounce” in abundance.
Trumpeter Jack Pope, a member of Harry Bluck’s ABC Melodians, is heard
also on commercial stations. So does tenor-sax maestro John McCaughan, a momentous Melodian with the ABC. The quartet play together several times weekly in Cliff’s dance band. Other members of the band, pictured, are Russ Shepgeard pianist, and Ralph Filmer, bass.
Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1955), Sunday 9 January 1955, page 20