The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-08-14
BY Dorothy kiIgallen

BY Dorothy kilsallen
II anyone still wonders why first
nighters invariably arrive late at
nrst nights, l think may be able
to cast q little light on the subject
by referring to this weeks gala
premiere OF Wilson" at the Roxy.
The papers said s o'clock, and the
invitations said $3.50, but anybody
who arrived at either time was out
OF his little pink mind, for at those
hours you could not have told
whether the lobby Of the theater
was the scene OF riot or a state
fair. and the lengthy reels OF
Wilson" were still in the cans.
Some people were seated inside
the theater, but the superlights
were playing on the biggest crowd
In the grande foyer. George Jes.
sci was grooming a steady patter
into microphone on the staircase
Ut was sheer pantomime II you
were more than 20 feet away and
a large part of the police force
under Mr.. Valentines command
was endeavoring TO prevent mobs
of screeching fans from demolish-
ing every celebrity who sought 10
get past the ticket takers.
At $40, rumor got around that
newsreel was being shown In
the theater, so some OF the foyer
crowd began to drift in. At around
300. the lights dimmed and the
feeling Here ii comes" was in the
air. but what came was a tableau
composed OF innumerable beauties
land they were beauties, and they
were innumerable) followed by
Fred Warnings orchestra playing
"Arkansas" followed by a series
OF glee club renditions, solos by
young ladies OF varying degrees OF
talent and exposure and some work
by a male trio.
BY 9:15. Wendell Willkie had
arrived and onstage some people
were singing. "Milkman. Keep
Those Bottles Quiet. Then a
girl essayed a comedy song and
the two elderly Wilsonian era ladies
sitting behind me began to make
comments indicating complete baf-
Element. Following this. young
man wearing eyeglasses stepped
forward and sang Long Ago and
Far Away.
About $50 there was a rushing,
rustling sound OF skirts and foot
steps hurrylng. Pin spots illum-
mated small areas in the aisles,
boxes, balconies and rafters OF the
theater. where stood the aforemen-
toned innumerable beauties attired
in stunning costumes OF white and
ice blue. For a moment OF deli
cious transport Il seemed that we
we're about TO get a Sonia Henie
picture. Then everybody-orches-
ira, glee club. trio, girl singers
and beauties-joined in a rendition
OF the Battle Hymn OF the Repub-
lie. Mr.. Waring took two bows, and
Wilson" was flashed on the
screen. The hour was 9:35.
am not suggesting that this
was any great departure-not for
a movie opening, anyway. go
10 almost all OF them, and know
from the experience OF many i'm
patient hours that you never get
the picture until you have first en-.
dured newsreel. Mickey Mouse,
sports short. speech from the
producer and a great deal OF lobby
nonsense involving speeches over
the radio. cameras wildly swapping
pictures which never see the light
OF newsprint. and a genesf push,
ing around by the sidewalk fans.
The legitimate attractions are
seldom given TO such elaborate de.
lays. but II IL very true that few
dramas ever start-on opening
nishts-at the hour when they are
scheduled 10 start. am sure mos,
producers and actors would like 10
have the curtain ring up on time,
because when n does not they are
nervous about the morning paper
critics leaving before the last act