Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-12-11

AS an added attraction to the Spe-
cial Services presentation of Gary
Cooper, Miss Una Merkel, and the
glamorous Miss Brooks, the Engl-
neer's Terrific Octette' orchestra
caused such excitement and thun-
derous applause it was necessary to
quell the soldiers lest an air alert
could not be heard. Even Miss Mer-
KEEL rushed to congratulate Leader
Pvt. Joe Cannon, New York City.
and turned to the audience eXclaim-
ing, tits the very best band I have
heard in months" Gary Cooper stood
and started again applauding which
was enough cue for the 10000 to
start yelling for more.
GARY is HEARD
The show was off with bang as
slow-talking, chin-rubbing elognat-
ed Gary finished his opening speech
with the sudden announcement that
Mr.. Franklin D. Roosevelt was still
President at home. and everything
is still as the soldiers left it. He
motioned Miss Brooks to verify his
statement. Wearing blue silk af-
fair which revealed far more than
it concealed, the glamuor girl blew
kisses for several moments to men
who have not seen those things in
skirts" for months.
She acknowledged applause by
smiling beautifully and called COM
edienne Miss Merkel For several
minutes they bantered, but it was
their looks rather than their wit
which moved the CTS clustered on
the rafters, standing on trucks, and
seated on the ground. 1t was beau
tiful tropical night, but faint rum
bling far to the north belied that
the weather would continue beauti-
full.
During his performance Gary
Cooper often stumbled through his
lines, explaining later that he was
not stage actor, but his re-enact-
ment of scenes from the motion pic
ture, Pride of the Yankees" show
ed him the great actor he is. His de-
liverance of the last Lou Gehrig
speech clouded the house with stark
silence, followed several moments
later by loud and long applause. The
tall actor bowed and requested that
the orchestra play.
PLAY THREE NUMBERS
Playing a medley of tunes, Star
Dust, Miss You, and White Christ
mas, the engineers showed unusual
ability Playing the solo in the lat
ter, Earl Hines former ace trum-
peter, Cpl. James Johnson, of Pitts
burgh, command of his instrument
was SO superb that Brigadier Cen
eral Connell, base commander, put
his chin on his chest, his head in
his hands, and shook his curly
locks. The audience stood and ap-
plauded. This time it was Gary
Cooper who expressed his satisfac-
ton by shaking hands with members
of the Terrific Octette.
Arranger and pianist Sgt. Walter
Francis. of New York City, and
formerly with Bonnie Carter, said
later the orchestra had not practic-
ed in several weeks because of a
tough schedule, and were only CIV
en- a six hour notice that they were
to play that night Many had been
working the day of the. entertain
ment and were muddy and sWeaty
They used a small truck and rode
eight miles over muddy road to play
"for the boys
SINGS THREE ENCORES
Singer Pvt. William Smith, of
Louisville, KY, sang 8 encores of
From Taps to Reveille,' with Fran
els accompanying on the "Chap-
lain's organ which proved that
sentimental music still reigns in the
hearts of soldiers so far away from
home.
Other members of the band in
clude drummer, Pfc. Joe Robinson
San Antonio, Texas; trumpeter, M
Sgt. Clifford Medley, New York City;
saxaphonists, Pvt. John Thomas, of
Los Angeles, and formerly with
Floyd Ray; Pvt. Arthur Beeler, of
Louisville, KY; Pvt. James Farrell,
Hopkinsville, Ky; trombone, Cpl.
Harry Chipchase, Key West, Florida
and formerly with Hatley Toots; and