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ent000658-021

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ent000658-021
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    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    RUISES #?::::' GROGAN It was on the advice of Barbara Ann Scott, that Producer Arthur M. Wirtz made a trip to Europe to sign this handsome leading man while he was still in the Army. Jimmy first met Miss Scott while skating in the North American championships in 1947. He was skating in a Gl show in Garmisch, Germany when Wirtz found him. He no longer needed the word of Miss Scott to see that he was a greaJ showman and a truly fine skater and persuaded Grogan to turn professional. Grogan finished second no less than 15 times in world competition and in the last two, he competed for the United States while still in service. His runner-up showings were especially phenomenal since he had only two weeks of practice compared to the usual six months needed to prepare for these events. Skating since he was 12, Grogan first competed in the Olympics when he was only 15. CI ik& J02&- %5r Geoffe Stevens, Sid Spalding and Monte Stott are examples of Arthur M. Wirtz' extensive system of finding icedom's greatest performers. The Bruises have proved the perfect counterpoint to icedom's most glamorous and elaborate settings. This slapstick trio began a hilarious career in England and have been associated with Wirtz productions since they came to America in 1939. They were stars in Wirtz' Rockefeller Center Theatre Production before joining the Hollywood Ice Revue in 1949. Their skit was born on a Christmas Eve in a London arena. They happened upon two char ladies busy at their tasks after nipping the boss' favorite beverage. The routine struck them as so funny that they invented a skit which has kept two continents laughing ever since. Critics have come to know the Bruises as the most copied act in the entertainment world.