Evening star., 1942-09-14

not be revitalized by the sporadic
efforts 20 a few name acts to group
and seek bookings in favored spots
1t will he hastened when a circuit
of theaters is available, providing
an incentive for magnetic perform
ers capable of bounding out and
dominating an inclosed area with
the degree of their skill and talent
the overwhelming appeal of the
gifted actor in the flesh. The band
acts for hip wavers and hey-hey
addicts will have a subordinate
place and, SO one hopes, will the
microphone Three more cheers for
the Army of the United States if it
hurries this happy day.
Army Stages Show
At College Park
Uncle Sam is in show business,
and one of his best attractions was
previeWed in the night air and open
fields at College Park on Friday.
They called it Action Overhead"
staged by the Army Chemical War
fare Service, presented by the War
Departments. Civilian Protection
School. This was a dramatic Wis
ualization, with theatrical effects,
of what happens when air raiders
move over community and drop
their death charges.
Erected in the field was the
equivalent of small village, with
cottages, stores and a country hotel
as targets for the enemy. First part
of the program was a demonstration
Of how to handle thermite and
magnesium bombs, showing exactly
what happens when the spray and
jet methods are used in the attack.
Co-eds from the University of Mary
land proved that the inexperienced.
with the right advice, can make good
fire fighters. The various types of
bombs used by the fighter planes,
including the block busters, were ex-
hibited. Two small Cape Cod cot
tages were fired to show that one
protected by modern OCD methods
is immune from damage. while the
attic used to store rubbish becomes
a prey of flames. The village drug
store. equipped with automatic
sprinkler, was fired to show the
efficacy of tms prevention method.
Fire And Flames.
Second part of the program had
all the thrills of Fighting the
Flames" at Luna Park, plus stirring
pyrotechnics. A Civilian Defense
Control center was set up center
stage and as planes of the Army Air
Forces flew overhead Stimulating an
enemy attack, bombs were detonated
within the buildings which had been
erected. Then the emergency police,
flremen, medical, utility, rescue
squads and other units were called
into action to demonstrate what
should be done in the event of a real
raid.
From the time that the plane ar
rived dropping flare bombs to light
the targets, until demolition ex-
ploslves turn small structure into
rubble, the action is trilling, the
nadir of excitement coming when
the hotel, hit by incendiaries. is
consumed in roaring flames with the
f1reflghters busy.
The final episode of the show gives
demonstration of a fame thrower
destroying pill box and other
chemical warfare activities. Eight
officers and 80 enlisted men were
perfect in their efficiency, and Capt.
Wilson gave a splendid running
commentary on the action over the
loud speaker.
A great show, to be given at the
Polo Grounds in New York on Sep
tember 18, 10 and 81, then go on
tour. Better than a dozen lecture
or books, is this eye and ear demon
stratlon of what to do and what not
to do in the event of an air raid. It
must impress civilian defense work.
ers with the Importance of their
jobs.