“Alice in Wonderland” Ballet

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1939, Page 14

“Alice in Wonderland” Ballet

In their search for cotourful ballet to climax the skating numbers in her current 20th Century-Fox picture, “My Lucky Star,” Sonja Heme and her dknce director, Harry Losee, turned happily to one of the most beloved story-book classics of all time Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.’’ £ll- -of -Carroll’s fantastic creatures have come to life —and all on skates. Sonja skims across the ice in the company of Tweedledee and Tweedledum (appropriately played by Jack and Bob Heasley who are identical \ twins) and the Walrus and the Carpenter, .. .■■■■■’ The philosophic caterpillar descends from his toadstool to join the dance, together with the King and Queen and of Hearts; there are the Griffin and v.tbe Dodo, 'the Mock. Turtle and the Doormouse, as as the Ugly

Duchess, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the White Babbit, the Red and Black court attendants. The ballet is worked into the story of “My Lucky Star” as part of a gigantic ice carnival which Sonja stages for a big department store. Contrasting with the brilliant costumes of the skaters is the formal wear of several hundred extras who appear as fashionable spectators. Even during rehearsals, the extras loudly applauded each scene, as did the scores of stars and studio, workers who took time off from other pictures to come and watch the ballet. “My Lucky Star” finds Richard Greene, last, seen in “Four Men and a Prayer,” sharing top honours with Sonja. The cast includes Joan Davis. Cesar Romero, Buddy Ebsen, Arthur Treacher, George Barbier, Louise Hovick, Billy Gilbert. Patricia Wilder and Paul Hurst. Roy Del Ruth directed, with Darryl F. Zanuck ifc charge of production and Harry Joe Brown as associate: producer

Although she has been offered many thoroughbred dogs as pets. Deanna Durbin still clings loyally to “Tippy.” a cocker spaniel that was her pet before she become famous in the movies. Deanna,"who is starred in Universal’s “That Certain Age,” says: “He’s the best dog that ever lived.'”