The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-01-24
WAVELETS
By ED LEAMY

blonde and lovely Janet Blair ar |
riveS on the scene to trade quips |
with the master funsters.
When 1t comes to doing unpre-
dictable things Anne Thomas, the
popular Casey on NBCs "Abie's |
Irish Rose" is in a class by herself.
A proud alumna of the Children's
Professional School, Anne is also in
charge of soliciting advertising for
the schools alumni magazine. A
few weeks ago she wrote to Lieu
tenant Jack Chaplin, a former grad
uate who is now serving his Uncle |
Sam in Sicility, suggesting that he
take complimentary ad in an
especially dedicated edition. Jack |
approved and SO last week the ad |
having been run, the :lnpredictable |
crackle-voiced redhead sent the
Lieutenant an $11.O0 bill. She did
MT hear anything until the other |
day when she received a check |
from the officer with the notation |
that despite the fact that her bill |
arrived during an Axis bombing
and bad blizzard, he was taking
care of it promptly and hoped she
appreciated it.
There have been many stories
about loyal fans but no one can
claim the record of Mrs. Nellie Rev.
entlow of Brooklyn, New York who
hasn't missed single Guy Lom-
bardo broadcast in five years. Last
Sunday when the popular leader
started a new tobacco-sponsored
series Of programs, there was Miss
Reventlow as usual in her accuS-
toned spot-fourth seat, third row.
GroNcho Marx. star Of "Blue Rib
bon Town." deviSes unique ways of
warming up" his CHS studio audi
ence before broadcasts. Groucho
appears without makeup and makes
a special point of playing up to the
women present. For instance, he re-
Gently appeared on the stage at CHS
and asked:
How many women present would
recognize me without my mus
tache?"
About 100 raised their hands.
"Now," said Groucho, II want to
take poll of the married and I'M
married ladies-will all the married
women raise their hands, please?"
Three readily complied. A fourth |
raised her hand uncertainty, then
lowered 1t.
"Now the unmarried girls iden-
tify yourselves" said Groucho.
Five hands went up.
"A fine thing!" chided Marx, "Out |
of 200 women present three are mar
ried, one Is not sure and five are
single. Now I ask you, where is the
next generation coming from?"
While waiting to make his pres
entation speech of Redbook's award
to Bette Davis and Paul Lukas for
their outstanding performances in
Watch On the Rhine" Walter
Pidgeon told the Screen Guild
Players" cast about a commando
knife. a war veteran had sent him
for his collection.
ut was fine present." said
Pidgeon, "but it was sent to the
studio, and they had the razor
sharp edges dulled before it was
delivered to mel"
Whitley Ford, known as the hilar-
ious Duke Of Paducah on the NBC
Grand Ole Opry" each Saturday,
has always considered himself a
hunter, with proweSs approaching
that of Daniel Boone. The other day
he had to move out from under a
hickory tree where he had taken a
stand, as squirrels, unseen in the
heavy foliage, kept pelting him with
nuts. The Duke left without firing
shot.
Nuts to them. too" the Duke
muttered under his breath.
THE Chamber Music Society of
Lower Basin Street" has gone res
pectable! Uh huh, the pool tables
and spittoonS have been discarded,
replaced by crocheted doilies and tea
caddies. Mrs. Van Greevny has
given our gang a good going over
and from now on, the boys will have
to start washing behind the ears.
Who Is this dame with the fancy
monicker? Well. listeners to the
Blue networks Sunday evening tur-
bulent half hour will remember that
the Society's finances were in bad |
shape and its chairman, Doctor"
Milton j. Cross, was frantically try
ing TO raise some coin in order to |
get the musicians instruments out |
Of hook. Upon the advice of "Tsch-
aikowSky Jones'" porter, ticket taker
and sometime Notary Public, DR.
Cross put the bee ON Lulu Van
Greevny, widow of the hair tonic |
king (Van Greevny's Carbonated !
Hair Tonicyou rub 1t on. smear 1t
on or drink 1t straighD and |
she has endowed the Society. thus
assuring 1t of a little folding money.
The dowager, played by Lulu Nc
Council, Is Scripter Jay Sommers'
pet brain child. She's not exactly
straight from the Social Register,
for her voice is family reminiscent
Of a prize specimen in the Cattle
Breeders Gazette, but she has a
heart OF gold and a bank account
TO matchl
Romance. which had never before
blossomed In the Society's history.
Is thriving in Mrs. Van Creevny's
heart. She gazed but once at the
good Doctor" Cross and demanded !
that he announce their engagement
The chairman's reluctance 10 WOO
the lady was tempered a bit by her
gently worded hint. Said she: mo
engagement. no cashl"
What the new found patroness Of |
The Chamber Music Society OF |
Lower Basin Street" is going 10 say |
when she discovers that the sutry