Evening star., 1933-07-15
PICCOLI SHOW
MERGES TWO
TYPES OF ART
'sMan Who Dared,'
on Fox Screen,
True Story.

nIFFERING from most OF the fab
ric that comes from the loom OF
the playhouse, the Piccoli show, at the
Fox Theater, is woven from two diff
ferent strands, each brought to high
degree of perfection. For the eyes, this
large-scale company offers the AMI
mated, mechanical figures representing
people and animals in action. For the
ears a group of expert singers brings
to the performance human element
that could not be achieved through the
manipulation of synthetic people Inc
warp and the woof are both needed,
each representing an approach to per-
fectiCn in its particular art. but COM
bined to make a notable piece OF WorK.
There is limit to what can be done
by the master of puppets, for even an
illusion must have behind 1t a reflec-
ton of life. 1t is to add the element
of life that the Piccoli company has
been assembled for the last touch that
makes the figures on the improvised
stage appear to be human. Yet with
out the breathing but hidden members
of the cast, the Piccoli offering would
rank as the most perfect OF its kind
in its representation of dramatic and
humorous incidents. The figures are
large, their nimble motions are well
timed and co-ordinated, and they pro-
vide the pleasure that is to be derived
from the knowledge that the whole
thing is manufactured. The adult finds
satisfaction in viewing an exercise in
skill, while the younger members OF an
audience must find the antics marvel
Gus from a different point Of view. 1t
is conceivable that this is perhaps the
only. attraction on the stage that stlrs
the enthusiasm Of all ages and with
widely different reactions.
The climax of the show, its most
pretentious feature. is made up OF Sc
lections from "Rigoletto," with pup
pet musician providing associate piano
selections in which real notes are
sounded The singers do their work
well. and the figures to be seen are
manipulated with good effect. Another
musical selection, earlier in the pro-
gram. is taken from the successful pro-
duction, The Geisha," offered IN con-
densed form. Another reminder OF the
operate stage is the classic ballet once
described as advertisement" Comedy
is provided in the representation OF an
American singer in Paris, who achieves
the tempting European style with rep
resentatlons of small company OF as
sociateS
Dancing and instrumental numbers
combined, and enlivened in part by the
strains OF Happy Days" are we'll ap.-
preciated, and numerous other musical
numbers are introduced, including Dull
fight in two scenes. with Spanish SET
ting which is spectacular in type.
Other incidental effects are tlght-rope
work. clowns in supernatural act ana
performing donkey.
The weeks motion picture presents,
under the name, THE Man Who
Dared" the inspiring story OF the career
of Mayor Cermak of Chicago, from the
time Of the family arrival from Eo-
hemia, in the early 70's, to the tragedy
in Florida and the association with the
President. The picture meets the
recognized taste of the moment for MS
torical fiction, and like an earlier story
dealing with the achievements OF a dis
tinguiShed President, is distinctly
American work showing supreme sue
cess for the public character who hghts
dominant corruption and wins pubic
support against great ODDS. preston
Foster. tn the chief role. scores heaVlly;
while Joan Marsh, Zita johnson ana
Irene Miller perform with charm. "A
large and adequate cast assists IN tell
inc the story. Among the Developments
are the great Chicago fire, the original
Worlds Fair, political campaign,
legislative battle and mine explosion.
Phil Lampkin's contribution with his
orchestra is a medley of various types
of music with Dixie as basis.
D. c. c.