Evening star., 1949-01-19
Entertainment World
Set for Its Big Night
AT Inaugural Gala

AT Inaugural Gala
s spotlights were in place for the
entertainment worlds tribute to
President and Vice President-elect
Barley at star-glittering Inau-
gural Gala tonight at the Armory
= The final group of stage, screen,
radio and concert artists and in
.srtrumentalists in the cast of more
sthan TOO arrived by train, plane and
automobile today for an afternoon
rehearsal for the 21a hour show.
Most of the others came in yes
terday.
= The spectacular "one-night stand"
will have an audience of $500, in
.eluding the President and his per-
,.sonal and Official family. Tickets
Hanging from $3.50 to $40 were sold
but days ago. The show is due to
sstart at $50 pm, with doors open
an hour earlier
Formal dress will be optional"
the Arrangements Committee said.
Margaret O'Brien, who left Holly
wood for Washington on her 18th
birthday anniversary last Saturday, !
was among today's early arrivals. /
When she and her mother, Mrs.
GLADYS O'Brien. stepped off a train
sAt Union Station, Margaret said she
had been here several times and
visited the White House three times.
: But I'm very much excited at the
chance to see an inauguration" she
said.
Others Arriving Today.
Phil Harris and his wife, Alice
Faye, were on the same train from |
Hollywood by way of Chicago. They
had is pieces of luggage. Miss Faye,
wearing q beaver coat and red boots,
said she and Mr.. Harris would con-
'tinue on to New York late this week l
for their Sunday broadcast. il
- Lum and Abner, whose real names 7
are Chester Lauck and Norris Golf,
were accompanied by their wives
when they came in today by train
from the West.
II Edgar Bergan, along with Charlie
Mccarthy and Mortimer Snerd. sent
word he would be here this after
noon.
- Tony and Sally De Marco, the
sdancers, were on their way to Wash
ington by train from Buffalo, the
Gala Arrangements Committee re-
ported.
Among arrivals last night were
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Joan
Davis and Jane Froman. Lucy
Monroe, who will sing THE Star
Spangled Banner" to close the Gala
tonight, also arrived here last night
from New York. Lena Horne came
from Philadelphia yesterday after
noon.
Kay Starr, due to arrive by plane
hast night, went on to Philadelphia,
she came here today by train.
Special Surprises" Promised.
Promising several special sur
prises" for the President, the pro-
gram opens with a Whistle Stop
Express" production number put on
by cast Of 100. Other production
numbers will include Il Love a
Piano" at the close of the first half
of the show, and the Parade OF
States" finale with music by almost
900 musicians from the Army, Air
Force, Navy and Marine bands and
other musicians.
There will be 81 variety numbers
on a Sc by 40-foot stage with special
scenic and lighting effects brought
from New York City. George Jessel
and Gene Kelly will work with Phil
Harris as masters of ceremonies and
will put on acts of their own.
The National Symphony Orchestra
has an important place in the pro-
gram. Phil Spitalny and the ALL
Girl Orchestra, Lionel Hampton and
his band, the armed service bands,
and an orchestra of 80 Washington
musicians, conducted by Sam Jack
occasion.
Gala to Be Televised.
The Gala will be televised and
broadcast, the committee, headed by
Carter Barron, chairman of the
Parade and Special Events Com
1nittee, said.
- Free parking facilities will be
savailable near the Armory for the
Gala tonight and the Inaugural
Ball tomorrow night. /
- Chauffeur driven cars will park in
sthe lot Immediately north of the
ssArmory. Motorists driving their
Gown cars will park in another lot
s8omewhat to the north. The en-
trance to the second lot Is at the
east end of Temporary Government
1a,,i1Sirnrr Y ,,nrfla Of the Arran0rN