PLAIN AND UNVARNISHED

Opunake Times, 25 October 1935, Page 3

PLAIN AND UNVARNISHED

THE MUSICAL FESTIVAL i (By James Quealy). As state week, when the tke Garden office told me that Birmingham and Thayer and the two Irish pipers were across the river at Brooklyn, I left for there at once. In my hurry, I didn’t even wait for the elevator (the cihce was on the second door). As I dashed down the stairs I noticed the workmen were putting the finishing touches to the booths that were to house the musicians representing the different countries. Excited and hurried rs I wa s I couldn’t help but gaze in admiration at the scene before me.

With the lighting effects (all the lights were on) and decorations, the Garden seemed a veritable fairyland. Every uooth was gotten up and so designed as to make you imagine you were gazing on the actual spot it represented in Europe and was a a near the real thing as it vas possible for human ingenuity to make it! For instance, in the Swiss booth, the snow capped Alps, in perspective, looked so tangible and natural that jou half expected to see and near a little Tyrolese yodler, with a feather sticking out of his cap, step out and march'down the mo.mtainside any miuutel ’Twas that real.

The Irish section depicted a rural scene with what looked like Blarney Castle In the background. This was the largest and most attractive of all the booths for the big—the featured item of the programme, was to be the Irish musicians, Dennot_ and Malachi.

The whole thing vividly illustrated the truth of the old adage that “Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.” And it certainly paid Birmingham and Thayer, I thought, to get not only the very best but the highest priced contractor in the business to do the job, when they decided to have Edward J. Cusack, oil Philadelphia come on and tackle it.

Although in a hurry, I could not help but stand and gaze in admiration at the work. I suppose I must have looked like one mesmerised as I stood there seemingly entirely oblivious of everything! Suddenly a resounding wallop on the back accompanied by a hearty “Hey, wake rip I’’ brought me to. Startled I looked around and beside me stood J. Edw. Crossley the famous musician, and at his side Edward J. Cusack, both on from Philadelphia that morning. I told them I was on my way over to Brooklyn and asked if + they wouldn’t come along. “Too busy ! You know the show opens here Saturday night, and those Irish musicians landed yesterday,” was the answer 1 got. “I know,” I said. “Too bad I missed Birmingham and Thayer, they're gone over.” “You don't mean to say that you’d go over with them?” Cusack, in a rather surprised tone. “Why not, ” I asked. Just as I said this, Cusackstuck cut his right and accompanied the gesture with: “Congratulations on your courage, Shake!” - Although I somewhat mechanically held out my hand to the smiling Cusack, which he shook heartily, I couldn't for a minute understand what he was driving at. Both he and Crossley were laughing, so I asked: “What’g the joke?” “No joke—just congratulating you on; your courage! Anyone that don’t mind being' seen in public in the company of two gentlemen decked out like Birmingham and Thayer surely should be awarded a leather medal for bravery I What do you say, Cross ley?” “I second the motion,” answered the musician. “I thought the loudest dresser I'd ever seen was Pat Reilly, the burlesque comedian, until I got a squint at Birmingham and Thayer. Then, of course, I realised how mistaken a man can be. Why Pat’s togs seemed _ only humble in comparison, and as far as personal scenery is concerned, Mr Reilly had nothing on Tom and Morton. No! These two birds will never be mistaken for undertakers, that’s a cinch!” -Of course, I saw the point now and I was smiling myself. Though the humorous criticisms and comments were made in fun, what they said was the truth. Both Birmingham and Thayer always wore “loud” or bizarre clothes, and, although I was amused at Crossley’s and Cusack’s criticisms and remarks, I pretended I could see nothing un‘ usual or showy in the managers’ “Why,” I said, “you fellows don't know what you’re talking about. “Because Birmingham and Thayer are animated fashion plates and always dressed in up' A, to-the-minute style—that is for and men interested in the Iciness of amusement—you they dress loud, but I can’t s' ee it. I think they dress quite modest and humble, and, what’s more, always did!” “Oh, that’s it,” answered Cusack, “you can't see it, eh? Well, you certainly must be colour blind 'then. And, as for the men being humble, this, sure, is a new brand of humility to me—the kind that shouts out loud for everybody to admire! But, of course, you can’t see it that way 1 Why the clothes those shrinking violets wear, besides focussing

the eyes of the general public on them, can he both seen and heard, even by the blind and deaf —and the stone blind and deaf at that—a full mile away! “That brand of humility should be quite popular. AAJiat do you think, Crossley?”

“AA r ell, perhaps with some — but not with me! Joking aside, though, do you know it would take a lot of money to bribe me to parade in public in a rig like they wear, and I'm not a coward either!”

“Ditto here,” said Cusack. “If I had the option of going over tlie top or just walking down Broadway in the rigging of either one of them, I believe I d take over the top every time I” Of course this was all banter. But the extreme “loudness” of tlie attire tlie managers wore besides attracting attention gave rise to many humorous remarks. Both Birmingham and Thayer were men of fine physique, and on this score alone, without their fancy attire, would attract attenion anywhere. It was unusual to find such a fine and handsome pair in partnership. Birmingham, the larger of t he two, referred to by his intimates and associates as “Handsome Tom” was of dark complexion and wore a dark moustache, while Thayer was a blonde. Whenever you saw the two, for they seemed to travel together in all sorts of weather. Not only that, but they got along so well together as a business team tjmt no matter what one said, the other would swear to it. Both were great, advocates for advertising. Perhaps that was the reason for their rather spectacular dress and appearance and their evident love for the limelight. Should you frequent any of the principal night clubs of New York, there you’d be sure to find them —usually at a table well up in front or in the most conspicuous part of the building. The reason? Well, I suppose, ’twas music to their ears for them to hear remarks like: Say who’re those distinguished-look-ing fellows with the fancy clothes at the front table?” “Why Birmingham and Thayer, of course, the big show producers. ” Yes, if yon didn’t see them, you could hear them coming: that’s just about bow loud they dressed! ' (Continued nest Friday).