Coral Gables Riviera

In One Ear...

by Wells Bruen You'd be surprised at some of the bilge that various pressure groups throughout the nation try to unload on newspapers—the sort of tripe they try to set before your eyes. Under the erroneous heading of "news," reams of tepid air fall on the editor's desk every day—and every paragraph has an ax to grind. Various bits of propaganda run the gamut from the somewhat sinister and dangerous to the downright absurd. There's a German Government release that gives the low-down on the way the war is going that would sound awfully strange to most Americans. There are news letters from organizations that specialize in roasting social and economic trends. And there are those who tell us what kinds of beans to plant in June. An entire paper could be put out with nothing but these releases—but, Gableites, you can thank your stars you'll never have to read the stuff. An unusual city item this week is the word that the three-phase traffic signal destined for the City Hall intersection has been delayed because the electrical firm which took the order is using its equipment to make defense materials. Seems strange to think of a homely traffic light and anti-aircraft rangefinders in the same bracket; but war makes strange bedfellows. If you want to enjoy yourself and do your good deed for the year at the same time, the President's Birthday Ball at the Miami Biltmore tonight offers a swell opportunity. There'll be a grand show, with all the talent in the area taking part, and plenty of famous folk attending. It's the best chance in the world to have an evening you'll remember, and take another swing at infantile paralysis at the same time. One of the funniest sights of the year occurred in front of Tilton's drug store t'other day. A power lineman, in full pole-climbing regalia, was engrossed in conversation with an innocent bystander—while a Coral Gables poiceman, wearing a look of unholy glee, was busily engaged in picking his tool crammed hip pockets! Right in front of all the taxpayers, too. Night life got another boost this week with a second opening up the Lost Lake Casino front. The first opening didn't jell, so the Casino changed personnel, put in some new floodlights and pulled a formal opening Tuesday night. I'm happy to say that they did a lot better this time. A good crowd attended and the place looks like a hit. More about Lost Lake later. Jimmy keeps about two city blocks ahead of us by changing his show weekly. There's another one coming in Saturday night, but I don't know the details yet. Look for a new theatre development this spring or summer. The Gables theatre will close down to put in a big program of alteration and redecoration. Looks like LeRoy Boone, manager of the house, has decided that his old girl friend needs to have her face lifted, with her sister, the Coral, right across the street. The Gables is a fine house now, and I'd hate to tell you what it costs to run its air-conditioning plant; but apparently we're going to have two spanking bright new theatres come next winter. The big favorite of the Fifteen for that after-show letdown is the Huddle Bar, where you'll see the cast about 11:15 every night. It's always a shock to see the recently sartorially select crew slouching around in sweaters, slacks and sandals. If you don't care about the drama, you can still enjoy the Huddle's order of shrimp and cocktail sauce, which makes a nice chaser for a seidel of suds. There was never a fuller house in the Friendly Bar than there was at 3:15 Wednesday afternoon when the Gables police dropped in for a little raid. A long bar, crowded with beer-ordering customers, did a thriving business, only slightly hampered by the constabulary hunting through drawers and cabinets, presumably for evidence of booking activities. In spite of policemen piled up around the end of the bar, the throng of interested onlookers, not at all upset, kept the cash register bonging away all the time the cops were visiting. The new Rodeo is catching on big with Gableites. Sunday night found a big crowd in the place, almost all of them from our town. If you drop in there, you'll notice the legend on one piece of cowboy art: "ITYWYBAD." Sorta, I can't tell you what it means, You'll have to get the management to translate. Oh, yes—and try some of the cracked corn they give you there instead of popcorn. Very tasty. Every time the Firemen's Benevolent Association says that Joe E. Lewis may be coaxed to attend their party Feb. 21st, if he can make it, you'll be sorry if you miss that show, for he is one of the funniest men, barring none of them, in the world today. Captain Reeves, guiding hand of the Gables police force, is worried over giving up 22-degree parking. "It seems to be the will of the people," he says, "so we'll put back the 45-degree parking angle—but I think we're doing the wrong thing." Wonder why the Chamber of Commerce can't set up a permanent committee to consult with Reeves on traffic problems which affect the merchants? Every time anything—no matter what—is done to change a traffic law, complaints pour into the chief's office. City Manager Curry gets his share of beefs, too. Wouldn't it be nice, when the city does something in the nature of the merchants, for the business men to weigh the kicks as well as the boosts? Maybe we could stabilize our whole traffic system with that sort of plan. Do I hear any volunteers willing to help out the city? It'll take men with broad shoulders and plenty of patience.

'Mr. and Mrs. Phipps' Rings Bell In Fine Performance by Fifteen

With three plays behind them this season, The Theatre of the Fifteen seems definitely to have hit its stride; and in "Mr. and Mrs. Phipps," the current week's offering, the group has produced a truly warm and witty comedy. In addition to bringing out all their laugh lines in a sure-footed way, the characters in "Mr. and Mrs. Phipps" are remarkably human, the more likeable for the foibles in their natures. The entire cast plays with a uniform competence that makes it difficult to point out a shining individual per formance, and the result of all this is an evening in the theatre that sends you home with a pleasant glow. Opening night was chiefly notable for the glossy work of Mary Greene as the wife of a movie hero. As Paula Leslie, Miss Greene seems for the first time this season to have been cast in a part suited down to per fection. Her performance, full of wiles and trickery, is of the broad type which only an extremely deft actress can carry out without appearing ridiculous. It is a pleasure to report that Miss Greene puts it over with the sort of bang that means everything in light comedy. Richard Sullivan, playing for the first time this season a character both intelligent and sympathetic, proves that he is not a hide-bound "heavy." His performance as Bill Hogan is rich in its wry humor, and is perhaps the keystone of the entire play. Willard Thompson and Barbara Parmlee make the Phippses human and very likeable people, while Thompson's infatuation with Miss Greene provides the greater part of the fun. Portraying the young couple who, having come into a bit of money, decide to go to California to live the artistic life, Miss Parmlee and Thompson are responsible for the feeling of warmth which the play exudes at every pore. It was a pleasure to see James Crow, very much at his extravagant best, playing a simply custody role. While Crow is an adaptable character actor, he has a quiet and easy way with him that builds up a small comic part into a full-blooded characterization. He takes the part of Erno B. Skeeter, civic-minded realtor, and wraps it about his portly form like an old vest. Frank Rollinger, playing a somewhat disillusioned cinema luminary, is human and only very slightly lecherous. Louise Long, as a second cousin of the Phippses, proves herself more than an extremely attractive legume. It might add greatly to the popularity of the theatre if Miss Long's phone number were listed on the program after her name. On glancing over the above notes, it seems odd that every one connected with "Mr. and Mrs. Phipps" is described as likeable or sympathetic. Well, that's the kind of a play it is. Leave your hisses at home, for there's not a villain in sight. It's time to put in a word for an oft-neglected, hard-working asset to the theatre. His name is Edward Sheffield, and the sets he designs and builds for the Fifteen would do credit to any production on Broadway. In the small, intimate theatre maintained by the group at the Douglas Entrance, his settings are not a bit less than colossal. Coral Gables will be fortunate indeed if someone with a heavy bankroll doesn't lure Sheffield away to ply his magical arts on bigger, though not better, stages. W. B.

Rodeo-Circus Draws Stars to Orange Bowl

Daredevil Billy Keen, of Ft. Davis, Texas, who does a series of hair-raising stunts while straddling two horses, will be one of the many features of Larry Sunbrock's Combined Florida Championship Rodeo, Great European Circus and Thrill Show to be held in the Orange Bowl, beginning Sunday Feb. 2, and continuing each day until Sunday Feb. 9. In addition to the sensational stunts performed by Keen, 325 cowboys and cowgirls have already posted their entry fees to compete in the Rodeo events of Bronc Riding, Bulldogging, Wild Cow milking, and calf roping Contests. A purse of $10,000 has been posted for the cowboys and cowgirls to compete for, and with the best hands in the country already signed, the finest Rodeo ever seen in Florida is expected in the Orange Bowl. Interspersed with the Rodeo Contest will be Barney Oldfield in person and his Hollywood Daredevil's in action, rolling cars over and over, crashing solid brick walls, touring motorcycle and jaloppie races, with a big aggregation of Circus Acts making their initial Florida appearance in the Orange Bowl. Hon. Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy, has been invited to address the Florida Waterways Congress at New Smyrna Beach, Saturday, Feb. 8, on the subject of national defense.

Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr, who furnish the romantic interest of "Comrade X," which plays at the Gables Theatre Sunday through Tuesday. It's a comedy romance of a reporter's escapades in Russia, and the feminine streetcar conductor who complicates his life.

Playmakers Slate 'Girls In Uniform'

"Girls in Uniform," the third public production of the Florida Playmakers of the University of Miami, will be presented in the University Theatre on February 6, 7 and 8 at 8:30 P. M. The play, by Christa Winsloe, will be directed by Opal Eduard Motter. Special music for string quartet, arranged by Alan Collins, instructor in the department of music, provides a beautiful background for much of the action. Charles Philhour, technical director of the Florida Playmakers, has designed elaborate settings for this production, which requires five changes of scene. The unusual story, which has its setting in pre-Hitler Germany, tells of a girl's love for her teacher in a German school, where the pupils are ruled with an iron hand of discipline. It presents a vivid picture of schoolgirl life, of groping adolescence, and of the need of youth for sympathy and love. Originally written in German, the play was translated into English, and has been successful both as a play and a movie. The four leading roles are those of Manuela, the lonely student; Fraulein von Bernburg, the teacher to whom she gives her love; Fraulein von Nordeck, the tyrannical headmistress who regards Manuela's love as depravity, and Edelgard, a student friend of Manuela's. These parts are played respectively by Mary Louise Ely, Grace Berg, Elizabeth Stone and Barbara Neblitt. Completing the large cast of thirty girls are: Alice Guenther, Evelyn Auslander, Natalie Allen, Ronnie Oberman, Bebe Fineman, Suzanne Watters, Dorothy Hailey, Charlotte Motter, Jean Williams, Phyllis Salter, Mary Ida Zeeman, Mary Elizabeth Anderson, Mary Alice Kirton, Barbara Beckstrom, Patricia Auerbach, Sylvia Locke, Beatrice Collins, Margaret Alanbrook, Helene Reich, Jean Small, Rene Greenfield, Shirley Haimes Dorothy Low, Penny Roth and Jane Knight. Tickets for the production will be on sale in the University Bookstore beginning Monday, Feb. 5.

Dade County consumed 7,134,810 gallons of gasoline in December, 1940, to hold its usual first position among the 67 counties in Florida. Dade's closest competitor was Duval County, with a consumption of 4,405,573 gallons of gas.

Jimmie's BAR and GRILL

All New Show OPENING SATURDAY REKOMA and LORETTA Old Soldier and the Nurse ANDREWS SISTERS Dancing Act GOLDEN GATE FOUR Harmony Quartet THE FEATURE ACT Sully and Clay 'Every Pose a Picture—Every Move a Thrill' EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTION FREDDIE TOWNES Master of Ceremonies 3651 SOUTHWEST EIGHTH STREET PHONE: 4-1313 American and Chinese Food --- Charcoal Steaks

Rodeo

NEW --- DIFFERENT The Cozy New Spot With the Western Flavor Featuring Aged Western Steaks Barbecued Spareribs 3488 CORAL WAY Telephone 4-9479

THE HUDDLE BAR

AFTER THE THEATRE THE HUDDLE BAR IS THE PLACE FOR A LIGHT LUNCH AND BEER HOME COOKING PIELS --- COOKS AN BALLENTINES Free Parking Direct Form the Keg Phone 4-1010

GABLES THEATRE

AIR-CONDITIONED MATS. 25c GABLES THEATRE Smoking EVES. 25c Loge-No Tax Included PHONE 4-1221 Charge FRIDAY—SATURDAY, JAN. 31-FEB. 1 THE MARX BROTHERS in "GO WEST" SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY—FEB. 2, 3, 4 CLARK GABLE HEDY LAMARR in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer PICTURE Comrade X WED., Feb. 5: JEAN HERSHOLT "REMEDY FOR RICHES" Jed Prouty Walter Catlett Thurs., Fri., Feb. 6-7: MIRIAM HOPKINS "LADY WITH RED HAIR" CLAUDE RAINS

NOW THE MAYFAIR CLUB

ON Flagler at 18th Ave. CHEF'S SPECIALS $1.00 FULL-COURSE DINNERS From $1.50 'The Ultimate In Fine Food' Tommy [?] Bar

ORANGE BOWL MIAMI, FLA. RODEO -- CIRCUS -- THRILL SHOW

ORANGE BOWL MIAMI, FLA. STARTS SUN. Feb. 2 SEE LARRY SUNBROCK'S HUGE COMBINED THREE-IN-ONE SHOW RODEO -- CIRCUS -- THRILL SHOW COWBOYS CONGIRLS INDIANS BARNEY OLDFIELD IN PERSON 55c GEN. ADM. SUN., FEB. 2 TO SUN., FEB. 9 SPONSORED BY MAHI SHRINE BUY RESERVED SEATS AT ALL WALGREEN DRUG STORES

CORAL THEATRE

MATS. 20c CORAL THEATRE PHONE EVES. 25c 4-4422 FRIDAY—SATURDAY—Jan. 31-Feb. 1 MARLENE DIETRICH -- JAMES STEWART in "DESTRY RIDES AGAIN" SUNDAY—MONDAY—Feb. 2-3 CAROL LOMBARD CHARLES LAUGHTON "THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WANTED" TUESDAY—WEDNESDAY—Feb. 4-5 WALLACE BEERY MICKEY ROONEY in "SLAVE SHIP" and WARNER BAXTER THURSDAY—Feb. 6 LUCILLE BALL DESI ARNAZ in "TOO MANY GIRLS" with FRANCIS LANGFORD ANN MILLER Watch for FREE SWIMMING LESSONS BIG CONTEST BY BUSTER CRABBE

DOG RACING WEST FLAGLER KENNEL CLUB

DOG RACING STEAM-HEATED GRANDSTAND * Only track in Greater Miami with Hurdle Races! ALL GLASS STARTING BOXES WEST FLAGLER KENNEL CLUB West Flagler at 37th Avenue POST TIME 8:15 P. M. ADMISSION 25 CENTS

MIAMI BILTMORE

DINNER DANCING in the GIRALDA ROOM RODNEY McCLENNAN Singing Star of the RKO Polies and the Manhattan Merry-Go-Round Maximillian Bergere And His Society Dance Orchestra Columbus and Carroll Dancing Stars of Metropolitan Comedy De Luxe Dinner From $2.00-Also A La Carte Ten Dance and Entertainment Novelties in Pat Patterson's Famous Biltmore Follies! Fred Triosi Sweetheart of Mexico Marimba Entertainment Every Sunday Afternoon Immediately Following Polo DAILY CASCADES COCKTAIL DANCE, 5 to 7 J. W. McDONALD And His Mystifying Magic Supper Dancing-Complete Floor Show at Midnight No Cover or Minimum at Any Time at the BILTMORE MIAMI BILTMORE Coral Gables

OPEN EVERY NIGHT MIAMI'S NEWEST NIGHT CLUB SENSATION LOST LAKE CLUB

Coral Gables' Next Door Neighbor On Bird Road - - Adjacent to Tropical Park Race Track CHESTER ALEXANDER PROUDLY PRESENTS 3 Sizzling - Dynamic Revues Nightly, 10, 12 and 2 A. M. Alma and Roland McConnell and Moore "Doc" Golden Mrs. Roosevelt's favorite magician Hilda Allison Reed and Mack Betty Ann Claire Sisters And Others and Danny Schrader's Orchestra and Ione Carroll's Six Spitfires After Theatre Specialties Buffet Suppers Our Famous Chicken in the Skillet Moderate Prices Throughout COCKTAIL BAR Ample Parking Space No Cover Charge

THE FIFTEEN

Present Their Professional Acting Company in THREE GREAT PLAYS BY HENRIK IBSEN In Repertory Beginning Tuesday, February Fourth "HEDDA GABLER" Feb. 4-5-10-13 | "GHOSTS" Feb. 6-7-11-14 | "A DOLL'S HOUSE" Feb. 8-9-12-15 THEATRE OF THE FIFTEEN Douglas Entrance, Coral Gables - Tamiami Trail at Douglas Road Seats Now $1.65 | $1.10 | 55c For Reservations Phone 4-6226 Last Two Performances "Mr. and Mrs. Phipps"