Evening star., 1940-09-20

'"' No"'' MICKEY lOSSeS
off to the ecstasy of his pub
lie, there is primarily per-
sonality. AS a composer of popu.
lar songs, a number of people, one
of whom is named Cole Porter. are
much better. A dozen Cole Porters
however, could not create the frenzy
of delight that greets a Rooney
composition sung by Mickey in a
voice that represents no menace to
Alan Jones, Nelson Eddy or even
Don Ameche. What counts is the
Rooney zest, the spirit of dauntless
youth in devastatingly virulent
form.
Mickey's revue, called Andy
Hardy in Washington, is accom-
panied by a picture, wyoming -
which has good old Wallace Beery
cutting Robin Hood-hke capers be-
tween lusty CheWs of tobacco. 1t is
undiluted Beery, or hokum-to dash
off a synonym-but through Mick
ey's magic it may end up holding
house record at the Capitol The
boy inspires that kind of faith,
begorra.
In creating the revue for Mickey,
OF his great drawing power The
producers have surrounded him
with the kind of talent of which
they have no need to be ashamed,
the kind which can consume about
five-eighths of the revues running
time without creating the slightest
sense of loss.
Rooney's act probably is most
pleasing to his total audience in
that section in which he is mimick-
ing celebrities in such varied walks
of life as Clark Gable and Lionel
Barrymore, Glen Mccarthy of the
radio, and Joe Louis, the Louis who
makes brief radio statements after
fattening out opponents who
thought they would like to be
heavyweight champion of the world.
They are practically perfect imi-
tations, indicative of the fact that
other celebrities are safe from SINH
lar take-offs only because Mickey's
time is limited. Probably could even
do Elaine Barrie if time didn't fly So
Before Mickey comes on, the revue
introduces variety of performers
which includes Judy Starr, the four
Lazanders and the dance team of
Robinson and Martin. The "abso-
lutely impossible" acrobatics of the
Lazanders are some of the finest
acrobatics any stage has been lucky
enough to exhibit. That Mickey is
lying just beyond them in the pro-
gram does not make the audience
Inpatient, thing that probably
could be said of no other acrobats
that ever lived.
Tiny Miss Starr (85 pounds, NJ C.
Jack Beekman points out turns in
a couple of swingy songs as soloist
before she comes on to sing and
sway a duet, Our Love Affair" with
Mickey
The Robinsons are about average
as dancers.
In view of the movies recent pas
sion for doing biographies of States,
under the States name to make
them realistic, it probably should be
said of wyoming" that it is about
Wallace Beery. 1t presents Beery
as a sentimental old sinner who kills
bandits and other kinds of bad men
to keep his promises to little Wyom-
ing boys who like their heroes
slightly bloodstained. 1t is not a
bad thing of its kind, likely to be
made better for every one by the
presence in it of Marjorie Main.
Miss Main, the famous chamber
maid OF The Women" is cast in
wyoming" as a woman blacksmith,
whose rugged profession cannot
keep her from tendency to simper
in strong language - over so
charming an old moral wreck as
Beery. They have some violent ro-
mantle passages before Wyoming"
runs its course.
If neither Jack Jevne's script, nor
Richard Thorpe's direction have
been sufficient to move wyoming"
at a fast and even pace with a
suitable element of suspense,
M-G-M has compensated with some
nice casting of bit roles. 1t also
has turned out one of the finest
scenic jobs you ever saw.
After all, it's Rooney week at the
Capitol. 1t is something to celebrate
and remember.