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THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. TUESDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER 30, 1969 At the Spectrum 'Holiday on Ice' Show Skates Into City By JACK LLOYD Of The Inquirer Staff Never mind what the calendar says, winter arrived in Philadelphia shortly after 8 P. M. Monday. That's when the silver anniversary edition of "Holiday on Ice" skidded out on the frozen floor of the Spectrum before an opening-night crowd of 5531, and the snow and bitter winds cannot be far behind. I^ot counting the big circuses, the lavish ice spectaculars have to be among the most popular forms of "family type" entertainment this side of the nearest living room TV screen. SAME SLICK AFFAIR Nothing much ever changes from year to year. The costumes are different and the themes vary, but the ice shows remain the same old slick affairs. This, of course, is not necessarily important. The old lure is still there?╟÷scads of scantily- clad young lovelies, beautifully colored pageantry, slippery tomfoolery and increditble displays of ice-skating ability. The stars of this particular show are billed as Ronnie Robertson and Marei Langenbein. And indeed enough cannot be said about their performances. SPINNING SENSATION When it comes to spinning?╟÷ that traditional showcase of fancy skating prowess ?╟÷ there cannot be many in or out of professional circles who rival Robertson, who appeared ip a variety of roles, including Pag- liacci, during a "salute to the operas" production. As for Miss Langenbein, she lived up to her role of the Golden Goddess in the "Roman Holiday" spectacle. But when it comes to highlights of the evening, it is impossible to overlook the contribution made by a contingent of performers who would not ordinarily be considered candidates for ice-skating wizardry. CHIMPS AMUSE Among the early crowd- pie a sers were the Holiday Chimps, directed by Werner and Denise Muller. The two chimps jumped rope to the tune of "The Mexican Hat Dance," demonstrated their athletic skills during a brief| hockey exhibition and showed off some fancy footwork by gliding over three barriers after a wild dash down the ice?╟÷all on skates. In short, the chimps made monkeys out of the average person when it comes to ice- manship. MULES MAKE FOOLS Later in the evening, Kossmayer's Mules trotted out on the Spectrum ice for their part of the evening's entertainment. And the mules' job was to make jackasses (all in the spirit of fun, of course) out of volunteers from the audience who attempted to climb aboard their backs as the mules gamboled around the ring. Among those who made gallant but futile efforts was Al Domenico, who serves as trainer for the 76ers basketball team when he isn't chasing after mules. SALUTE TO SEASONS The mule act had nothing to do with ice skating, but the! crowd loved it all anyway. Otherwise, the new Holiday On Ice production offered a spectacular salute to the seasons?╟÷and holidays of the year- spring, Valentine's Day, April, Easter, autumn, Halloween and Christmas. It's still the same old stuff, but that's what makes the ice shows so great.