We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
Cliica^o Communique . . .
There are currently only three dramatic productions in Chicago, and even the
press agents can't think of THEATRE anything new to say about
them. There isn't any summer theatre season. A few months ago, the drama critics were hopping from opening to opening and yapping about a shortage of houses. Most of the legitimate houses are now as empty as butcher shops and the critics have been lend-leased to the obituary editor.
Of course, the Loop's trio of hits — "Dear Ruth," "The Voice of the Turtle," and "Life With Father" continue merrily. About the only thing new that can be said about them is that "Father" is as wonderful as ever and both "Turtle" and "Ruth" have made cast changes. Vivian Vance replaced Betty Lawford in "Voice of the Turtle" and Beverly Chambers relieved Augusta Dabney next door at the Harris.
The good word is that both replacements arc excellent. Johnny Neblett, the boulevardier of the Wrigley Building may miss Betty Lawford, but Miss Vance is an expert "Olive." She is a tall comedienne with an upswept burst of curls and a rangy bounce that takes laughter in its stride. Miss Chambers, a hundred feet or so away at the Harris Theatre, makes a delightfully bewildered fiancee.
That just about covers the current Theatre. Late summer ought to provide a couple of musicals — Billy Rose's "Carmen Jones" and an as yet unidentified fiesta destined to launch the remodeled and rejuvenated Majestic Theatre. In Chicago we are waiting and hoping as we beat our hands together to drive away the July evening chill.
Incidentally, anybody who wants to enjoy a nautical day or evening can indulge himself in the windy BOATING city. Those two venerable tubs, the City of Grand Rapids and the Milwaukee Clipper, arc now shuttling up and down the lake,
crowded with happy excursionists who are in turn crowded with hot dogs and beer. The ships have every modern convenience, including slot machines.
On the other amusement fronts, it's definitely a great summer. The Cubs are in first place in the National NITE League (subject to change withLIFE out notice) and Joe E. Lewis is back at the Chez Paree. Mr. Lewis is due to stay until evicted by Ray Bolger sometime in September. Chicago's favorite was never better — which means that Joe is tops as a night club comedian. And in addition to Joe E. there's a young Negro singer, Arthur Lee Simpkins, a holdover from Sophie Tucker's stay. You have to hear him to realize how good he is. The way he sings "On the Road to Mandalay" makes you wish Kipling were alive to hear his poem set to music — and that you hadn't heard half a hundred broken-down baritones ruin the same song.
Harry Cool's new band has already established itself in the Blackhawk. Harry himself is a friendly, big guy who looks like a stretched edition of Gary Grant and sings like Frank Sinatra with muscles. He first came to attention in Chicago with the Dick Jurgens band. Harry had the job of replacing Eddy Howard, who had built up a tremendous personal following at the Aragon and Trianon ballrooms. That Harry was highly successful in taking over a difficult spot is an indication