Evening star., 1950-10-13

famous for her Washington
parties, and how she acts when
sent to a sweet little country in
Western Europe.
It is not really unlike an adap-
tation of THE Student Prince"
tailored to the roistering spirit
of Miss Norman.
This impression is intensified by
the fact that most of the action
of Call Me Madam" takes place
in the Duchy of Lichtenburg.
Here Miss Norman comes as
Americas representative. a big
hearted girl ready to mother any
apple-cheeked little country where
she happens to be assigned. Her
special weaknesses are. Lichten-
burg's prime minister, who has a
Fair Deal streak in his aristo-
cratic nature. and for the pretty
princess so closely guarded in her
tower.
Politically and romantically the
ambassador chooses these two as
her special interests in Lichten-
burg. In both relationships, her
behaviour is just what the fairy
tale formula calls for although
Miss Merman's style imposes its
own luSty notifications.
George Abbott. a director IA
nous for his pace, keeps Call Me
Madam" moving at a 1850 musical
comedy tempo. He swings it
through the streets and squares
of Lichtenburg, the embassy and
the palace gardens on the lit of
Berlin's music as if it really were
bound somewhere. In the center
Of almost every scene is Miss Mer-
man tossing off a. song, a politi-
cal quip, or a lusty Americanism;
and wearing in each a Main
bocher gown that no woman am
bassador could afford - except
possibly one.
Even a Lindsay-Crouse book
leaves the potential Of the theme
of Call Me Madam" short of its
possibilities. It's comedy flavor is
there but the situation seems to
offer more than is being realized
despite Miss Merman's heroic ef-
forts. This. of course, is the usual
fate of comedy that faces the con-
stant interruption of even music
as pleasant if not Distinguished
as Berlin's and dances as color
full and intricate as Robbins.
Best of Miss Merman's songs
are those which fit into her in
imitable robust comedy style, such
as 'The Hostess With the Mostes'
On the Ball" Cay You Use Any
Money Today" You're Not Sick,
You're In Love-" and "The Thing
For You Would Be Me" These
put a luster on Miss Merman's
ambassadorial portrait that makes
her far and away the most pre-
cious asset of Call Me Madam"
and make it seem worthy of run
ming so long as she will be
madam.
Less happy in his work and his
effect upon the audience Is Paul
Lukas as Lichtenburg's minister
Upon whom Miss Merman's Wild
owed eyes feast in Call Me Mad
am" The singing dancing Lich-
tenburgians are rather woefully
represented by Lukas through no
fault of his own but rather that
of the casting director.
He is much less useful than
Russell Nype as a romantic young
embassy secretary; Alan Hewitt
as a stuffy charge de affairs: Jay
Velie. Ralph Chambers and Pat
Harrington as congressional
trio; Galina Talva as the prin-
cess. and Tommy Rail and Muriel
Bentley as the principal dancers.
Raoul Rene Blu Bois has done
virtually exquisite job with the
splendorous settings and the cos
tuning of Call Me Madam" Like
Miss Merman's his work is worthy
of the relations between Wash
ington and Lichtenburg, which
are mildly happy if not as sensa-
tional as anticipated in that mil
lion dollar advance sale.
No food shOrtag ages, The Presi-