USO SHOW "CARNIVAL OF FUN" TO BE SCHpDUIED FOR ADAK VISIT
Watch the Adak Sun and the Plan of the Day for the exact date that the USO Show
Carnival of Fun will be playing at the Bering Theatre* This is one USO Show that
you won*t want to miss* It is tentatively scheduled to begin visiting installat ~
ions of the Alaskan Command on 8 January 1962 for a period of seven weeks*
Bob Hope, who is considered an expert on comedy, described Paul Bensons audien
ce participation gimmick as "one of.the funniest pieces" of show business today.
Billed as the "Laff Auctioneer", Paul Benson with' a cast of seven artists is head
ing a new USO Show called "Carnival of Fun" which will play at Adak sometime during
its tour of the Alaskan Command*
- Paul Benson broke into show business, as a performer, during 1944 in somewhat
of an accident. In those days when War Savings Bonds were being pushed in every
manner possible, Benson took to "auctioning" the War Bonds at public rallies and
the stunts produced laughter in the crowds as well as sales. He sold more War
Bonds in New York'.State through this device than anyone in the theater business &
the routine developed .into a howling audience participation act. Since then he
has been booked into conventions, industrial shows, theaters and clubs* When Billy |
Rose operated the Diamond HoreShow, Benton was held as a top act for eight months.
Assisted by Mrs. Benson, their program has a touch of "People are Funny" and "Truth
or Consequences", familiar to TV viewers.
More comedy is provided by Dick Kerr, who served three years in the Air Force
during the early fifties. A comic singer specializing in homely-philospphy he has
been successful in hotel and club bookings along the Pacific Coast including top
spots in Vegas and Reno. Born in Turtle Creek, Pa., not so many years ago, he,
promptly admits this fact and from this develops a monolog about the eccentricities
of home life in the small town. His formula works as well for him as it does for
Herb Shriner and Charlie Weaver — the difference being that Dick has not been ar
ound for that long*
Sandra Lee Nakin, who comes to the USO from the campus of USC is already a vet
eran singer of blues and ballads. She has appeared in 16 musicals staged in Summer
Stpck and has been a featured singer at the New Frontier Hotelfs Venus Room, in
Vegas. This is her first engagement for USO.
* Linda Davis, a' native of Pepperell^ Mass., is an acrobatic dancer making her
second tour for USO. The young and comely Bay Stater has been a professional
dancer for three years and her appearance in the European tour early this year
made her return to the GI circuit a must.
"■'* Music for the Unit is played by a trio featuring drummer Dave "Tico" -Robbins
who has played at the Coconut Grove, the Palladium, Ciro*s and The Flamiftgo in the
Nevada resort. His Mrs., in the trio if the former Dorothy Ming, popular accord
ionist' for TV* shows, hotels and clubs. . She sings and performs novelty music numbesr
and special arrangements for the concert accordion. Filling out the trio is' Frank
Rio and his electric guitar. He is making his first tour for USO on this trip.
Frank, tall and thin, began his career in the East shere he was known playing dance
dates in Pennsylvania. Since 1950 he has been on the West Coast working out of
Gardena, California. '* ‘
"Carnival of Fun" ib made possible for members- of the Armed Forces by the con
tributions of the American public to the USO for the private, non-profit organiz=
ation to continue its club facilities and its professional entertainment for the
exclusive benefit of servicemen and their families whereever the American Armed
Forces are statibned. Watch for "Carnival of Fun" coming to* the* Bering Theatre.
* -usn