ent000719-003

ramp so he could be "angled" up and out. A miracle he didn't break a leg, and, I don't mean the Sho' Biz expression, either. Next day on the bulletin board; a telegram. "Dear Crew. Thanks a million for getting me out of that G.D. HOLE." Signed, Your friend, Freckles. Circus wagons in the Finale breaking-down, and when manually pushed off ripping the large backdrop to which DeAngeles rushes backstage saying, "There goes another $20,000." When Arden says, "Put the orchestra in the Pit" ?╟÷ he means it! The Sound Room is three floors below stage level and they play via television monitors. Not an easy task, but, they were good. It sure takes care of the gum-chewing, bored look when they're Not playing, right Donn? (Oops, kidding guys, kidding!) Since the majority of the audience believes the music is recorded anyway, Marvyn thinks they should just FILM the whole show and run it twice a night. What a budget saver. A celebrated Oil Shiek in to look over the premises ?╟÷ an eye to future investment ?╟÷ news spreads fast. I overheard one girl to another. "Oh, you know who's out there? The SHIEK OF ARABY". HONEST - I'm not kidding! Ever try watching the baseball game in your dressing-room during the San Francisco Earthquake? Some of our favorite people up to see us. The Anthony Brahams from London's Magic Circle; Maki, the marvelous Japanese magician; our son Larry (or John as he prefers) and his friends Phil, Lisa and Julie; Phil Temple (of Peter Pit's "Knights of the Castle" fame); Gary Grayson, magician and stage manager for our "General Electric"; Dale Hindman (Ray Muse's grandson ?╟÷ Ray being Marv's Mentor), now S.A.M. President; and, my dear girl-friend (who's looking for a magician to assist) Ruby Andrade, ex-ice skater, from New York. Ron O'Neal our fine stage manager being asked how many boxes of aspirin he would need for two weeks? For the cast presumably; NOT just for him; tho it IS A rough job. Working again with some old friends from the Palace in Hong Kong; the Scala in Barcelona; the New Fujiya in Atami, Japan ?╟÷ called The Bluebell's there ?╟÷ the Kelley's here. Customers getting their checks Carol reverting to childhood one night I couldn't resist. I leaned over during the act and said, "Waiter, do it later." Marv says, "I've got a head-ache." In front of 2400 people. I just stared; which loosely translated means, "Who hasn't? Do the tricks." The big farewell for this overwhelming spectacle is SAMSON the Lion. (They must have left LEO in Vegas.) He sits high above all in the Finale ?╟÷ his own throne ?╟÷ The King. On rare occasions (and twice in one night) SAM had a slight bladder problem . .. which gave the audience the most spontaneous hilarious reaction of the whole she-bang! Really quite sweet and docile he is even put On Tape just in case he's not in the mood to Roar on Cue. OUTSTANDING HAPPENING: There's always one "unforgettable". Mine was Mr. Cary Grant. I know he is a "familiar" to most of the Magic Castle habitues as he is on the Board of Directors, however, TIMING being what it is Marv and I seem to be about the only Old Pros who couldn't actually "call him Cary" ?╟÷ we had never met. So, when I crossed stage with My Boys carrying the props one evening I came face to face with HIM. Even I was speechless. Especially as HE was standing EXACTLY where the "table" had to be. As I've mentioned it was WAR back there, and only one place ?╟÷ behind a Flat from the first production ?╟÷ was SAFE! Summoning up courage "beyond the call" I squeaked, "Uh, excuse me, Mr. Grant, but, you are where the Magic Must Go". Looking down from the heights with THOSE EYES behind THOSE GLASSES, he said, "Ah, Mrs. Electric. How are you?" Me ?╟÷ "Uh, uh, fine, thank you." (He knows me. He knows me. Little Carol Doris from Wichita.) Him ?╟÷ "And, where is Mr. Electric?" Me ?╟÷ "Uh, (I'm progressing down to one Uh) he's stage-right talking to the girls. Always gives him a lift before work." With that gorgeous smile he says, "That's a good idea. Isn't this a marvelous show?" Me ?╟÷ "Fantastic." By now I finally managed to answer without a single UH! A few more remarks and then I Had to Go, gads. Him ?╟÷ "If I don't get over to see your husband later would you please tell him ?╟÷ I've BEEN (try saying bean) an admirer of his for YEARS (try yeah's)." Have you EVER heard THAT voice say Bean and Yeahs? In Person? THAT WAS WILT TIME. In the middle of the act, corner of the mouth, I HAD to tell M. "I just talked to Cary Grant." That's Style. I wonder if Mr. Grant knows how much his sincere interest in Us Acts is appreciated? For example, his support of The Castle and by judging the excellent circus performers during the Monte Carlo Festival held each year under the sponsorship of Princess Grace and Prince Ranier of Monaco. These ARTISTS are each STARS in their own right as well. Unfortunately, so many "other" stars (Super is used far too often of late) of the business NEGATE any talent other than theirs ?╟÷ usually only comedy or singing ?╟÷ in the Great American Tradition of Nothing else being important in the VARIETY field. Oh, this does make me MAD ?╟÷ sorry readers. Anyway, THANKS from all of US who DO care, Mr. G? Oh, yes, I've about DONE the M.G.M., as per se my sub-title, but, "WHAT, you are asking, about Ben- Gay (Foreign friends that's a hot salve for aching bodies) and Bandages?" Well, a couple days before we left California for Reno I zinged down our stairs and turned my tootsie. It hurt, but, what the heck, a stupid thing to do. I'm never without the indispensible ACE (bandage) which I leave permanently packed with our one and only illusion ?╟÷ orginally "The Girl in the Lite Bulb"; now "The Lady in the Lamp"; probably soon to be known as "Gran'ma in the Filament". So, opening nite there I was. All gussied-up to work in this stupendously glamourous extravaganza with -50- GENII. The Conjurors' Magazine