The St. Louis Star and Times from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 10

TENr ST. LOUIS STAR-TIMES SATURDAY EVENING, AUGUST 7, 1943. ST. LOUIS STAR-TIMES 4 a-- i i a r- TO Two Metropolitan Stars Making Park Bows In Revival Of 'Merry Widow' AN old friend in new raiment comes to town Monday night when the Municipal Opera presents, aa the 10th and next to the last of fering of its silver jubilee season, Franz Lehar's immortal "Merry Widow" with a cast headed by Irra Pttlna and John Gams, stars of the New York Metropolitan Opera Co. The final performances of the annual children's show.

Victor t-ou Costello Cheerful Despite Illness That's Costing Millions Bf FREDERICK OTHMAX. HOLLYV700D, Aug. 7. iTJP) Today we called on the cheer -fullest invalid in these parts, a little guy who's been flat of his back since last March. Lou Costello is his name.

He took to his bed on his birthday, last March 6, with rheumatic fever, and he's been there ever since at a cost of about $20,000,000 to the morle-makers. when you figure that the average Abbott Costello niftllt- IoVm In tlllflnAflnA tk. Iwnr office and that the boys now are two be- run a. r. 1 1 Herbert's "Babes Toyland." will be given tonight and tomorrow night.

"The Merry Widow." making its sixth appearance in the park, is to be succeeded on the night of August 16 by the oriental masterpiece. "Chu Chin Chow' which win conclude the summer's repertory with a two-week stay. Aside front Miss Petlna and Carria, two of the most illustrious figures in the realm of opera and operetta today, the new line-up will include Helena Bliss, Robert K. Shafer, Jack Sheehan, Joseph Macao-lay. Edmund Dorsay, John Chmj, Robert Stuart, all of have been seen In starring roles this summer, and such, other favorites as Frederic Persson, Madelyn KiEleen and Sadie Gaines.

As befits a revival of such a sparkling musical romance, the new production will be sprinkled from overture to finale with ballet and dance numbers, with the choreography by Ballet Master Theodore Adolphus and Dance Director Dan sir i 1 Bud Abbott dropped in on the bedridden Lou while we were there and they engaged In one of the most vituperative battles we ever heard about the merits of their respective restaurants. Bud said, in an aside, that there was nothing like a. good argument to get Lou's mind off his troubles. They are real troubles, too. Seems his rheumatic fever left him months ago and he feels fine.

Only the doctor insists he stay in bed until all the germs have disappeared, so that he wont risk injuring his heart. So all right. Except that it's not all right at alL Costello claims he's rapidly going nuts trying to think of things to keep him busy. He argues interminably with Abbott. He has a loud-speaker system at his bedside, as in a large office, so that he can Fboa.

I 1rNVai 1 1 him Girl the WeeUt 'f V.wm.u uimwwHMHMMHMHBaaHHnBIHB 1W A'A -MX-Vi Mt 4 I law fSv't Jk i 'k -'rV jla-irK Rulik Cuntltf Bwua lira Petirut Low Costello. push buttons and talk to the cook, the wife, the daughter, and whomever he pleases. He also has a movie machine and almost every feature picture produced in the last two years by Universal Studios, which made 16-miHimeter versions of them, the bad as well as the good, for bis special benefit. Mighty nice of Universal, says Lou. Costello has a bed with- wheels on it and a nurse to push him around: here lately he's been supervising construction work on his house in the San Fernando Valley.

He changed the garage into a library and built a new garage which opens its doors automatically, when he says "Boo." This took considerable time. Only trouble now is that the whole job is finished and Lou has no more carpenters to DOfcS. He couidnt sleep the other night. He spent the whole night trying to think of some way of improving his den. which is in the shape of a steamboat cabin.

He could not think of a single change. 1TE AND ABBOTT ARE SCHEDULED TO RESUME their radio program on October 8. Lou's now beginning to worry about that, thus pasting a portion of his spare time. In November. Abbott Sc Costello are penciled In to begin movie work at Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer in "Harem Scarem." The doc says there is considerable doubt about this.

He hardly thinks Lou will get to making pictures again before next year. Costello worries about that, too. Ee and Abbott hope the powers-that-be will see fit to re-release their first surprise hit. "Buck Privates." which turned them into big-time movie stars overnight about two years ago. Their idea Is that the customers otherwise are likely to forget them.

ALL THIS. OF COURSE, IS TRIVIAL compared to Lou's big worry. That's his mail. He's receiving hundreds of letters from other rheumatic fever sufferers, mostly children, all wondering whether a rich and prominent man like himself has been able to avail himself of any new cures. He hasn't.

There doesn't seem to be any cure for the disease, except months in bed. So he writes his correspondents to grin and bear It. He also is negotiating for the purchase of land at Palm Springs on which to establish a hospital for youthful sufferers. He and Bud fisrure that if folks will give dimes to Presidcntt Roosevelt for his infantile paralysis foundation, they'll also contribute to the cure of rheumatic fever. They're serious about this.

And when you remember that they're a patr of comics out of burlesque, you've got to hand It to them. You really do. Eckley. This weeK's specialty dancers are Harris. Claire and Shannon, one of the nation's best known baDroom ensembles.

The trio, consisting of two girls and a man, was show-stoppers at the Municipal Opera in productions in 1937 and 1933. AT HIS BEST WHEN ASSIGNED to create Parisian atmccphere. Art Director Watson Barratt has recaptured the spirit of the Lehar original of 1907, added incidental embellishments and working in new Ideas to present a lavish panorama of scenic beauty. Each of the three settings Is laid in Paris, the first being the ballroom of the Marsovian embassy, the second the grounds of a country estate, and the third Paris' famous Maxim restaurant. For it presentation this week, "The Merry Widow" ha been thoroughly modernized, but retains much of the old world, pre-war flavor for which it is famed.

All the lovely Franz Lehar with freshened dialog and lyrics, will be played and sung under the leader ship of Musical Director Isaac Van Grove, Including the ever-enchant-mg and gracious "Merry Widow" waltz. "Dutiful Wife." "Love in My Heart," "Romance." "The Can-Can," "I Love You So" and "You May Study Her Ways." The waltz scene in the musical romance's 1943 version will be one to remember according to Municipal Opera officials. The number will involve use of the revolving stage. Still another. "The Girls At Maxims," will feature eight ladies of the chorus Edith Lane, Lucille Floet-man, Geraldine Botkin.

Dorothy Newlund, Nora NeaL Elsie Steponick. Gay English and Vivian Chandler, in a gay. enchanting routine. OPINION MAY DIFFER AS TO WHICH LIGHT OPERA holds first place in the hearts of St. Loulsans, but there can be little question that "The Merry Widow" would be a logical contender for top honors as the most world-famous musical romance ever written.

First produced in 1907, it has been translated into 24 languages and has been given mere than 250,000 performances since Its Viennese premiers. "The Merry Widow" made Its Municipal Opera debut in 1923, and was revived in 192S, 1928, 1936 and 1941, with each successive engagement offering added proof that time has failed to dull Its sparkle. More than 273,000 persons have seen the show In Forest Park. Quite aside from the pleasant historic associations and the splendidly melodic and dramatic background of the light opera, next week revival will be an event of more than ordinary important because it will introduce two stars of the first magnitude Miss Petina and Garris. The former will sing the part of the alluring and flirtatious widow, while Garris will enact the role of the dashing Prince Danilo of the mythical kingdom of Marsovia.

Miss Petina has been acclaimed as "the great new Carmen" because of her brilliant success In New York last New Year's night. She is the daughter of a former Russian general, who at one time was personal escort to Car Nicholas II. The father, wife and daughter fled to Siberia at the outbreak of the revolution. She came to this country in 1930 to study at the Curtli Institute In Philadelphia, reversing the usual procedure by which American voice students seek their training in Europe. Before winning a contract with the "Met," Miss Petina apprenticed with opera companies in Chicago.

San Francisco, Buenos Aires and Philadelphia. Equally colorful has been the life of Garris. A native of Germany, his musical career first was slanted toward fame as a concert Turning to voice, however, became the leading tenor at the Munich Opera in 1938. For obvious reasons, he Tied Europe in 1939, and found temporary sanctuary in Greece. In Athens, he gave many concerts at the ancient Freilichs theater at the foot of the Acropolis.

Five days before the Nazis entered Greece, he again escaped, having secured passage on a small freighter. He landed in America after five months of adventure, uncertainty and misery, and almost immediately was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera Co. THE PLOT OF "THE MERRY WIDOW is based on a classical French farce, "L'Attache d'Ambassador," a novel by Henri Meihac Victor Leon and Leo Stein handled the gay adaptation. The complications of drama are built around this situation: Prince Danilo falls in love with Sonla, a penniless farmer's daughter. His royal uncle intrudes to prevent any matrimonial alliance with the attractive farm girl, and sends the prince to Paris as an attache of the Marsovian embassy.

Sonla, who believes she has been Jilted, marries an aged tility, she soon will be seen as Fred Astaire's newest dancing partner in "The Sky's the Miss Leslie has the feminine lead in "This Is the Army," which will be given its midwestern premiere next Thursday night at the Ambassador Theater here. FROM A HILLBILLY SWEETHEART of a World War I hero in "Sergeant York" to the glamorous darling of today's soldiers in "This Is the Army" describes the progress Joan Leslie has made in pictures since her debut two years ago. As a further test of her versa Farewell Bob Taylor, 32, Entering Navy HOLLYWOOD. Aug. 7, (INS With the servants sent away and with his wife, Barbara Stanwyck, doing the cooking.

Robert Taylor, of the movies, yesterday celebrated a quiet 32nd birthday. It probably will be the last he spends in Hollywood for the duration. He checks out of here tomorrow for a naval air training base in the east. At Taylor's own request, there were no farewell parties. The star had only one disappointment He didn't get to see his last picture, "Song of Russia." It's still being assembled in the M-G-M cutting-rooms.

Widow -Inspired Plays Bring Both Gaiety And Gloom To Broadway the town something to be proud of. DicigJit Fiske Headlines New SJioic At Chase Dwteht Fiske. song stylist, opened last night on the Roof at Hotel Chase with customers still demanding to hear his "Mrs. Pet ti bone" and "Ida the Wayward Sturgeon." But he also has a few new numbers that are good to hear. Fiske is a first-rate performer and his first-night audience gave him a hearty welcome.

Cantu, the magician, is still pulling pigeons out of his sleeve in the Zodiac' Room, and Joe Karnes plays some very tricky piano down in the Steeple Chase. Dancers Lauretta and Clymas do an amusing apache dance at Park Plaza's Crystal Terrace, and husky Marjorie Garretson is still shaking the rafters with song. Miss Garretson is a seasoned performer with much audience appeal. Maureen McCor-mack and her group offer a variety of melodies at the Merry-Go-Round. That's all there is that's new in the way of floor shows this week.

Amnions and Johnson are becoming fixtures at the Forest Park Hotel's Circus Snack Bar, ar.d Joe Mils teen, Ernie Jung and Mary Lou Roche still provide background music for diners and dancers at the Jefferson's Club Continental and Rendezvous. They are replaced on Saturday night by Al Tucker and his band, who play for dancing at the club. W. It has to do with a kept damsel who promises her benefactor to entertain an elderly friend of his while he is out of town. Preferring, however, to go off on a junket with a football player, she hired an innocent miss to impersonate her.

The elderly gentleman turning ill, he sends his handsome son in his place. The innocent miss is in quite a spot, but no worse a one than the IN A PINCH YOU CAN OPEN a can without a can-opener, so I suppose you can open a season without a play. In any case, Al Woods rang up the 1943-44 curtain Monday night with "Try and Get It," a tasteless, trashy bedroom farce that, when it wasn't peddling its few broad Jokes, was struggling with a slack and senseless plot. 'Dark Eyes' To Close Season At Roof-Top "Dark Eyes," the final production of the Roof-Top Theater's repertory, is approaching the dress rehearsal stage with plans for its initial presentation on Sunday night, August 15, on the Y. M.

H. W. H. A. Building.

It will continue for three weeks on Sunday and Tuesday nights. In the cast are: Jerry Cuquet, David Seslen, Hannah Garson, Elise Dumont, Alene Daly, William Miller. Billie Lou Watt. Susan Monti. Ann Polleck.

Emmet Dustin and George Sour is. New Tune Town Band; Di Pardo At Highlands A local band, Martin Alexander and his 280 pounds of rhythm, will replace Bernie -Cummins! orchestra at Tune Town ballroom Monday night. Featured performers in the group are Margie Kane, vocalist, and Joe Argue, saxophonist. Tony Dt Pardo's band will stay on to play another week out at Forest Park Highlands, where he first got his start several years ago. Anne Ryan is his singer, and Di Pardo also features a saxophone quartet, a brass trio, a drummer, a piano wizard, and a bass artist.

New York Parade millionaire, who obligingly dies after a week's honeymoon. She inherits 20 million, a love of adventure, and a determination to see all worth seeing in Paris. From that point onward, the plot resolves itself into a continuous round of comedy, song, drama and action. A week from Monday the Municipal Opera will present, as its final production, the season's only newcomer "Chu Chin Chow," an oriental spectacle of worldwide fame. The large cast will include Jospeh Macaulay, Pinky Lee, Helena Bliss, Robert K.

Shafer. Ruth Holden, Jack Sheehan, Helen Raymond, Jess Walters, William O'Neal. Madelyn Killeen and the dancers, Patricia Bowman and Robert Josias. BY LOUIS KRONENBEBGER. NEW YORK, Aug.

7. (Special) Credit "The Two Mrs. Carrolls" with Elizabeth Bergner, which is a good deal; and with a conventionally effective aecond act of slow-motion horror. Debit it with every uninspired dialog, a batch of cliches, and a tedious, inept and strenuously static first act. The play, which at length settled down as a sinister melodrama, certainly takes its time getting around to the goose pimples.

For the first three-quarters of an hour it seems destined to be one of those silly exhibits of sex and artistic temperament invariably laid (in pre-Vichy days) in the sun-drenched south of France. Mt-w Bergner and her violently artistic husband are a couple of love birds in their pretty villa; but there is a young widow two villas away. Then Miss Bergner turns wan and wobbly on her feet not because she in the least suspects that her husband and the young widow are carrying on, though they are. Only when the husband's first wife warns Miss B. that he is slowly poisoning her so that he can marry the widow does the point of the story emerge.

BY LOUIS SOBOL Plane Plant Drama Croup To Give Play The "MAC Players," dramatic organization of the McDonnell Aircraft Corp. (Personnel Activities Association), will present "The Haunted Hour," a three-act mystery drama by Adrian Lee, the week of September 6 at the St. Louis University law school auditorium, 3642 Llndell blvd. Production will be under the direction of Roger Williams, erstwhile professional actor, director and writer, now aeronautical engineer for the plane plant. Production and set design are In the hands of Norbert Schrader.

Stage management is to be handled by W. S. Walker. the river trip aie the St. Louis College of Pharmacy alumni, and the Choo Choo Club.

Music by Nick La Banic's orchestra is a nightly feature of the boat rides. Three Groups Planning Boat Trips Next Week The St. Louis Squadrons of the Civil Air Patrol are among the organizations planning excursions on the steamer Admiral next week. Other groups taking Where To Go9 What To See And Hear Muny Opera The all-star cast of Victor Herbert's "Babes in Toyland" in ita last performance tomorrow night. Metropolitan sinsers Irra Petina and John Garris will open In "The Merry Widow" Monday evening.

1. 0 Night Clubs i i 3 -V i NEW YORK. Aug. 7. Perhaps, some day in the year 2143, an hls- torian will search through the archives for a glimpse Into the past.

It may be that there will be a world war raging and he will be seeking a sidelight or two on the domestic life of a nation at war in the century or two preceding the one in which he is living. If he stumbles on to this column, he will learn that this is how New York fared in the summer of 1943:. There is no shortage of cigarets or tobacco, nor any exorbitant assessment for them Gasoline is available ostensibly only for essential purposes, but many citizens seem to be able to go places without too much interference The entertainment business is booming. Some nights you cant get into a night club or a movie house or legit theater The war is at its height, but there is no gloom in the faces or atDitudes of the citizens still concern themselves with and fret over trivialities On the whole they do not gripe too much over the heavy taxes altnoiigh from time to time there have appeared in the newspapers, accounts of the rebellion of chorus girls over the withholding tax. There is no food shortage True, New York seems to be getting a stlffer belting around than other sections of the country in the matter of its meat, milk and butter rations but the average citizen may ttill enjoy a varied and nourishing meal Restaurants seem to have plenty of fowl, vegetables, fruit, fish, bread (white or black), cake, coffee, tea and sugar.

Some eating places have only two meatless nights a week others have as many as four. But I've heard few people complain because instead of a steak they are asked to try broiled chicken or stuffed duck, instead There is no rationing of light or water in the homes or in public places The dlmout Is still In effect nightly, but more and more I have noticed midtown stores and hotels ignoring the ruling of shades down Almost every night is a New Year's Eve carnival on Broadway and during weekends you have to push and shove to Inch your way along the thoroughfare. German restaurants have fared badly and suffered boycott Italian restaurants have been doing land-office business Highlifers who never dreamed they would condescend to mingle with the rabble, now ride the subways and the trolleys and the buses, just like us common folk Onlv a few ef the town's saloonkeepers have come through for the war effort Scarcely a half dozen are In uniform Perhaps two dozen out of the many hundreds of night spot owner have bought their full share of war bonds or contributed to the Red Cross When they do contribute, they want the entire world to know especially the columnists Some day I'm going to discover the saloonkeeper who has contributed his real share without seeking publicity I promise to devote a column to him. A MAN" MAY STILL WALK INTO A STORE and buy a suit or two or even three A woman may purchase a dozen dresses at one time It's a bit more difficult if you have your apparel made to order not 6o much because of a shortage of material but because of lack of skilled help can woo the most difficult girl successfully with a single pair of nylons There is a black market which will provide you with all you can use at from $5 to $10 a pair No trouble buying hats At this writing, we're limited to three pairs of shoes a year which is all I can remember ever having brought in a single year but there is talk that within a few months, this situation will be eased and the limit raised to four There aren't as many varieties or as much ice cream to be had but you may still have your ice cream soda and you may still buy the box of candy for your sweetheart. On the uholr, the historian of 2143 will probably lean back and murmur: "What a soft time those people had during their war." Copyright, Show Starting Times TODAY AMBASSADOR "Frontier Badmen," Robert Paige, at 10:30 a.

12:50. 3:10, 5:30, 7:50 and 10:10 p. m. (77 itage revue, "Tons o' Fun." at 11:55 a. 2:15, 4:35, 6:55 end 9:15 p.

m. (60 Complete show 2 hrs. 20 min. FOX "We've Never Been Licked." Anne Gwynne, at 12:30. 3:40.

6:50 and 10.00 p. m. (105 "Honeymoon Lod3C." Harriet Hilliard. at 2:36. 5:46 and 8:56 p.

m. (62 min.) Complete show 3 hrs. 10 min. LOEWS "Du Barry Was a Lady." Red Skelton. at 10:29 a.

1:25. 4:21. 7:17. 10:13 p. m.

and 1:09 a. m. (Sun.) (101 "It's a Great Life." the Bumsteads. at 12:13. 3:09.

6:05, 9:01 and 1 1:57 p. m. (63 Complete show 2 hrs. 56 min-. MISSOURI "Dixie." Bing Crosby, at 12:30.

3:45. 7:00 and 10:15 p. m. (90 "Five Graves to Cairo," Franchot Tone, at 2:08. 5:23 and 8:38 p.

m. (96 Complete show 3 hrs. 15 min. ORPHEUM "Air Raid Wardens." Laurel Hmdy. at 10:15 a.

1:36, 4:57 and 8:18 p. m. (67 "Bataan." Robert Taylor, at 1 1:38 a. 2:59, 6:20 and 9:41 p. m.

(1 14 Complete show 3 hrs. 16 min. ST. LOUIS "Alaska Highway." Richard Arlen, at 1:00. 4:03.

7.06 and 10:09 p. m. (66 "Get Going." Robert Paige, at 3:03, 6:06 and 9:09 p. m. (60 Complete show 3 hrs.

3 min. TOMORROW FOX "Honeymoon Lodge" at 1 1 :30 a. 2:33. 5:36 and 8:39 p. m.t "We've Never Been Licked" at 12:34.

3:37. 6:40 and 9:43 p. m. LOEWS "Du Barry Was a Lady" at 10:20 a. 1:16.

4:12. 7:08 and 10:04 p. "It's a Great Life" at 12:04. 3:00. 5:56 and 8:52 p.

m. MISSOURI "Dixie" at 12:15. 3:30. 6:45 and 10 p. "Five Graves to Cairo" at 1:53.

5:03 and 8:23 p. m. ST. LOUIS "Get Going" at 12:30. 3:33.

6:16 and 8:59 p. "Alaska Highway" at 1:30. 4:33, THE MERRY WIDOW. Jn Kifpura nnd Marta Eegerth in thp New Opera production of the Prni Lehar operetta, presented by YoUnda Mero-Irlon at the Majentlo. There is nothing much gayer or more melodious than "The Merry and in the New Opera fresh and glamorous production it is far and away the best of the Broadway's recent revivals of operetta.

The Viennese charm of "The Merry Widow's" music and the Parisian chic of Its background fuse into a delightful period piece; and the opera company has wisely worked to keep it a period piece. Wisely, because Europe before Sarajevo was the last era that was truly glittering and carefree, and perhaps the last that had style. Much of that style and glitter were evoked opening night. Under Robert Stolz (who conducted the Viennese premiere of "The Merry Widow" in 1905) the "orchestra played with extraordinary dash and zip. Walter Flo-rcll's costumes flooded the stage with color.

TO BE SURE, IT WAS NOT all perfection. Most of the comedy is dreary, but at least it is not offensively skittish; and in the chief comedy role Melville Cooper is suave and relaxed. As an actor Kiepura Is as romantic as a carpet sweeper and as stiff as a broom though for my money a stick is no worse than a ham-Taste and talent have been combined in the production, which, like "Oklahoma!" gives wight FfcJce has brought his piano and his risque songs to the Starlight Roof at the Chasee, where Nell Bondshu and his orchestra are still plying for dancers. Cantu, the magician, continues in the Zodiac, and Joe Karnes goes on and on at the Steeple Chase. In the Crystal Terrace at the Park Plaza, Dancers Lauretta and Clymas and Singer Marjorie Garretson highlight the floor show, while customers at the Merry-Go-Round are still being entertained by Maureen McCormack and her musicians.

Ammons and Johnson play on at the Circus Snack Bar. Al Tucker's Orchestra is playing Saturday nights at the Jefferson's Club Continental. Art Museum Joseph Ternbach will lecture tomorrow at 2:30 p. m. on "The Art and Craft of the Armorer," sponsored by the St.

Louis Arms Collectors Club. The modern Dutch show, including 14 Van Goghs, will be up until August 15, and there Is a new exhibit of water color drawings from the Index of American Design. Radio KXOK: The Esplanade Concert, which replaces the Boston Potp. and to be conducted by Arthur Fiedler, with Jesus Maria San Roma as guest soloist, will be heard tonight at 7:15. Tomorrow afternoon, Howard Hanson will conduct the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra at 3:30.

and Soloist Patricia Travers will be featured in the Beethoven Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street, featuring Mildred Bailey and Victor Borge, will be heard at 8:15. Monday night programs include Freddy Martin on the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands at 8:30, and Alec Templeton at 9:30. KMOX: John Corlgllano. violinist, will be soloist with the New York Philharmonic-Symphony tomorrow at 2 p.

m. The program win feature music by Beethoven, Copland and Gershwin; Dudley Diggea will be heard during the Intermission. At 5 p. the Silver Theater will present Dennis Day in a comedy, "Niagara to and the Screen Guild, Monday at 9 p. will do an adaptation of Leslie Howard's last film, "Spitfire," starring Basil Rathbone, Heather Angel and Reginald Gardiner.

KWK: The Double or NoLhin? qui show is on tomorrow at 5 m. Monday at 10 o'clock Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce will be heard in pnother Sherlock Holmes adventure, "The Missing Leonardo Da Vinci." i 4 am 1 Is i i WHEN Movie Director Busby Berkeley ordered a shapely miss to decorate a bathing scene in a forthcoming picture Jo-Carroll Dennison (left), "Miss America of 1942," and Jeanne Crain, "Miss Long Beach," both appeared. Placed in that dilemma, Berkeley hired them both. i 7:16 and 9:59 p..