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^*MRVWBflPMJi A las ATigefes Here!*Examlner, Satortoj, Jin. 4, T9M B-7 ICE REVIEW 'Holiday' Zestful Funshow By DALE MUNROE Herald-Examiner Staff Writer The stunning 24th Edition of "Holiday On Ice" opened before a star-studded first-night audience Thursday at the Inglewood Forum. Among the personalities witnessing this dazzling extravaganza were Glenn Ford, Tom Tyron, Steve Allen, Gypsy Rose Lee, Ann Miller, Jack Oakie, Mor- ey Amsterdam, Paul Lynde and Jo Anne Worley. Filled with the zest of youth, "Holiday" revealed itself once again to be a treasured evening of pure entertainment for the entire fam- ly. The attraction throbs with the showmanship displayed by director Donn Arden, production director John Finley, musical director-arranger Ben Stabler, costumer Freddy Wittop, scenic designer Glenn Holse, vocal arranger Chuck Cassey and lighting director Dorothy Morris. From classical ballet to "dog play" on ice (the latter featuring a "Pooch Parade" of Madison Square Blue Ribbon Winners), the show runs ^iie gamut of splendor and spice. It's the closest thing today to the Ziegfeld Follies or the Busby Berkeley-style filmmu- sical of the Thirties (sans Berkeley's unusual camera , tricks of course). There are numerous high- TheS^Repower- ;:^YY^:'. lights, including salutes to George M. Cohan's Broadway and the Fred Astaire-Dick Powell-Ruby Keeler musicals of the 1930's. There is some excellent ensemble precision work performed by chorus girls dressed as Charlie Chap- lins, complete With floppy hats, canes, and that unique Chaplin walk?╟÷all back- dropped by a blow-up of the famed comedian himself. There are Irish colleens and Voodoo dancers; flamenco cu- ties and a pair of kooky gangsters named Connie and Glyde; there are hockey-playing chimpanzees and impersonators of such stars as Jean Harlow, Shirley Temple, Tar- zan, Al Jolson, The Marx | Bros., Pearl White and Valen- ! ?╟≤tino, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., j Gloria Swanson and Judy Garland with the Cowardly I Lion; even the famous little i Jackies?╟÷?Θ╝ooper and Coogan. The star of "Holiday On Ice" is Ronnie Robertson, billed as the world's greatest} skater (and he proved it opening night with his exciting; figure skating and sizzling | twirls.) Robertson is featured \ as Mr. Top Hat?╟÷Fred Astaire. Later he appears as The Prince of La Mancha in the "Gates of Granada" number and as Mr. Hollywood in the spectacular finale number, "Broadway Melody." ONE-POINT LANDING FOR RONNIE ROBERTSON ... .star of "Holiday On Ice" at Forum Monday, January 6, 1969 REVIEW HOLIDAY ON ICE The Forum The Forum is one year old this month and what better way to celebrate its first birthday than with the spectacular 24th edition of "Holiday On Ice," which opened Thursday evening with a delightful package of surprises. The theme of the show was remembrance of times past, and in keeping with it tributes were paid to Hollywood, including a special segment honoring Fred Astaire and his dancing, New York at the turn of the century and the Spain of "Man of La Mancha." It was evident from the start that no expense was spared in outfitting the many skaters for their lavish production numbers such as "Jungalero," highlighting costumes that radiated an eerie yet provocative glow under ultraviolet rays, evincing the imaginative and tremendously creative talents of Donn Arden, who is the man behind the successful Lido presentations in Paris and Las Vegas. The second half was dominated by a nostalgic look at the days of the silents and early talkies, saluting the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties and the Keystone Kops, Jackie Coogan, Jackie Cooper, Doug Fairbanks and the Marx Bros. Certainly the high point of the affair was the appearance of star Ronnie Robertson, whose skating expertise- has rightly earned for him the title of "the human blur." His dizzying pirouettes and dashing twisting leaps remain unmatched. Additional enjoyment for skating devotees was provided by the duets of Alfredo Mendoza and Darolyn Prior and Tommy Allen and Juanita Percelly. No ice show would be complete without comedy and although there was a conspicuous absence of clowns, "Pooch Parade" featuring "Mr. Hot Dog" (Alfredo Mendoza and John Ladue) and "Two on the Lam," focusing on "Connie and Clyde" (Paul Andre and Johnny Leech) with their marvelous trick car were hilarious, along with "The Chummy Chimps" who cleverly performed such seemingly impossible stunts on the skates as long jumps over a quadruple obstacle set among other fancy antics. "Holiday On Ice" was choreographed excellently and enhanced by the stunning costumes of Freddy Wittop and the scenic designs of Glenn Holse. The only sequence that could have been improved in this instance was "The Chaplin Ballet," as the impersonation of the famed silent star's walk was a bit rough, while the second half was too long to maintain maximum attention throughout, though the rapid and well-paced movements of the various stagings under Arden's guiding hands served to create enough excitement to offset the imbalance. "Holiday" will be presented through Jan. 12. ?╟÷Don Musco.