Revival

A quarter-century ago, ladies developed an enthusiasm for huge, beplumed headgear called "Merry Widow" hats. Their daughters now go in for cranial fillips known as Empress Eugenie hats, but The-Merry Widow, whence came their moth- ers' mode, is still tuneful and gay. Perhaps it is even more tuneful now, for a haunting nostalgia has crept into the lovely melodies of Franz Lehar.

Produced by Milton Aborn's Civic Light Opera Company, which has been presenting a voluminous Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire (TIME, May 18), The Merry Widow was revived in Manhattan last week. "Danilo." that reckless prince, is oHtime, dependable Donald Brian. Oldsters who recalled his appearance in the same role when the operetta was first brought to the U. S. applauded him to the rafters. Many of the jokes and quips are pitifully old, are made even more shabby when Mr. Aborn's company attempts to freshen them, but the Lehar music--lilting "Vilia"' and the charming "Cavalier" song, "I'm Going to Maxim's"--is still peerless.

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