Rose Takes Dix

Last week America's dwarfish No. 1 showman, Billy Rose, again earned his rank, solved the long-vexing problem of how to give shows for soldiers -- at least during the outdoor season. His solution was a combination of top talent plus a revival of the old rolling medicine-show technique.

To New Jersey's Fort Dix went Billy Rose with two big exhibition trucks bor rowed from General Motors' "road show" Parade of Progress. One truck opened out into an 18-by-20-foot stage with a green sequin curtain. The other truck was loaded with Fort Dix's Reception Center band, including hot ex-Broadway syncopators.

It took 20 Fort Dix workers and electricians less than 15 minutes to set up the stage and a mobile public-address system. Following an afternoon's rehearsal, Billy Rose rolled around Fort Dix, in one evening gave three fast 40-minute revues to a total Army audience of 9,000.

The bill included Comedian Milton Berle, Tap Dancer Bill ("Bojangles") Robinson, Singers Jane Froman, Ginger Harmon and Fifi D'Orsay -- who favored soldier assistants with lipsticky kisses. Proof of Billy Rose's success was the raucous approval of the previously hot, bored soldiers. Greatly pleased was the Citizens Committee for the Army & Navy, Inc., now in charge of all professional Army & Navy entertainment. Last week routes were being charted for seven show-mobiles.

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