New Revue in Manhattan

Angel in the Wings (music & lyrics by Carl Sigman & Robert Hilliard; produced by Marjorie & Sherman Ewing) is that rare thing these days, an intimate revue; and that even rarer thing, a gay one. Injecting the gaiety are: 1) Grace Hartman, 2) Paul Hartman, 3) Hank Ladd. The three of them are the whole show; or rather, and most unfortunately, they aren't. Included also are some pretty dreary gags and skits, and some fairly routine songs & dances.

For years, with their burlesque dance antics, the Hartmans have been bright spots in various night spots. But it has taken a full evening's workout, in Angel, to reveal their full stature as clowns. When the script is on their side, as in a lampoon of one of those Mr.-&-Mrs.-at-Breakfast radio programs, the Hartmans can be extremely funny. Grace's flat voice and frozen facial muscles are a perfect foil for her husband's oafish ardors and accomplished gaucherie.

Introducing the acts, running down the actors and confiding in the audience, radio-bred Hank Ladd chatters on & on in easy style and with admirable timing. Very often it takes all his personality to get away with his persiflage. But on he goes again, and even bursts into a song about how he left his girl on one--but which one?--of the Thousand Islands:

So I row, row, row, row, up the River

Saint Lawrence,

And I'm hollering "Florence!

Oh, where can you be?"*

* Copyright 1947, Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc.,

N.Y.

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