The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-03-02

New York, March 2.-What this
country needs more than a good
five cent cigar Is a general release
on Sons O. Fun" hilarity for use
everywhere. Our good friends, Olsen
g. johnson who start the ball roll
ing every night at eight and keep 1t
floating about long after the final
curtain at other theaters, are CIV
ing the show-going public lesson
in having fun with the things that
are nearest at home.
There is hardly new gag in this
craZy-house entertainment. Many
old stories are acted out just for
laugh. One should not estimate any
great expense In scenic effects. A
genuine goofy auction sale seems to
boast the most expensive. equipment
of all scenes because the material
has to be replaced at every per-
Torrance.
How the fun-makers can snip
mans tie with pair OF scissors and
make gift of one seven times its
value as well as pay out few dol
lars for the destructive urge, Is just
one Of the tricks Of the trade eX-
planned by every seat occupied at
every performance.
A good friend of mine secured on
fifteen cent bid, which Olsen and
Johnson later forfeited because he
was an army man, several things in
Guiding case Of forty-eight cans
Of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, a huge
box Of pretzels, n tin of Chesterfield
cigarettes and an order for two at
the Stork Club, with all the privi-
leges Of wines, champagnes, cock
tails or anything else that could be
squeezed on dinner check at that
swanky crystal gazing confluence we
hear so much about a la Winchell,
ct al.
Some people might think that
such tomfoolery Is performed by
stooges, whose winnings must be
turned back for the next show. I can
testify that 1t Is on the level for
the Pabst reposes in my Office with
the compliments OF the army officer
who was not able to take 1t with him
to his post More than that I was
one Of party Of five that descend
ed on the Stork Club and by obser-
vatio mean assure any doubling folks
that the "Sons O'Fun" order was
better than cash.
The headwaiter urged the spe-
cialty Of the house, minute steak
Billingsley on the winners. They
were pressed to enjoy every thing
imaginable, which anyone will con-
cede big Job who has seen the size
Of the Stork Club menu. In addition
to the order was a tempting bowl OF
scallions, fennel, endives, stuffed
olives, little bits Of burr sweet gher-
kins, celery, ripe and green radish-
es which made iniracElously quick
appearance at the right time and
would make q satisfying email to
many people.
After all good things had been Sc
lected and enjoyed, 1t came time to
say goodnight. The headwaiter APP
peared with a tray Of drinks. Some
one started to say they had not
been ordered but the stylishly
groomed waiter, hushed any COM
ment by q smile and a with the
compliments OF Mr.. Billingsley" re-
mark, he competently served them
without as much as What was
yours?"
1t was not my intention TO get
away from "scnS O. Fun" Civ
ing away all those gifts may be the
only method to make the customers
leave the Winter Garden. The ac-
tors won't quit until the patrons
do.
We would all be a little bit bet
ter of, II we took some Of their
chatter and example to heart and
practiced q share Of 1t in daily liv-
ing as Olsen g. johnson and his
crew do when of stage.
The preliininaries TO this show
are simple things that once were
common at every beach. In an ef-
fort TO be sophisticated, a lot Of us
have Just ignored such frivolous
stunts. NO wonder we all laugh
heartily at sophisticated men and
women plling In to standing room