| LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG |
| A Musical Comedy by L'zar Quimby |
| Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg is one those shows that tell us that there are some dim bulbs on the Great White Way. Bulgaria-born L'zar Quimby's first attempt at musical comedy may, in fact, be the low point of the fall theater season. This improbable tale of mistaken identity centers around a dull-witted Kentucky lad named Luke Sluggins, ineptly portrayed by newcomer Harry Saddleworth. In a try for realism, L'zar cast this unknown from a grade school production of "The Student Prince" that he attemded in Peducah. Saddleworth's accent seems out of place, as it is such a thick Southern drawl that many cast members seemed perplexed when he spoke. Equally out of place are Henrietta Pimpf and her fiance, Leonard Garnell, who play the parents of the lad. Their classical training in Shakespeare shows through as each displays a slight British accent where a "Down South" voice is needed. Longtime actress Mary Worthington seems no worse for the wear after her brain surgery, although things were arranged to better use her talents. The character of Mrs. Worthington was originally Mrs. Smith, but was changed so the actress could remember it better. The only highlight of the acting core was Dickie Wilcox, who played Prince Jean Paul. He had a delightful French accent, hit all his marks like a pro, and could sing like an angel. He would have had a long career ahead of him if he had not been killed walking down Wall Street after the show, where he hit by the President of Industrial Rail, Inc., which had collapsed that morning in the Crash. (See Obituaries) The acting is not the show's only troublesome area. The play seems plagued by problems: the unnerving habit of Mary Worthington staring towards the wings and yelling "Line!"; a group of escaped penguins from a zoo scene, showing up in a dining room in the second act, causing a waiter to trip and drop all his dishes (the only truly funny moment in the play); a xylophone solo that should have been cut from the first act; and a wordless "song" performed by Hamilton Yarnell as President "Silent Cal" Coolidge. With inept acting, problematic storyline and production difficulties, "Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg" will go down as one of the year's biggest turkies. However, with the Depression now on, there may be little money to spend going to the better shows on Broadway. So, if you have nothing to do this weekend, like selling apples or standing in breadlines, this is the play to see. |
| CAST Luke Sluggins -- Harry Saddleworth Mrs. Worthington -- Mary Worthington Mr. Sluggins -- Leonard Garnell Mrs. Sluggins -- Henrietta Pimpf President Coolidge -- Hamilton Yarnell J. Edgar Hoover -- Warren Peece Prince Jean Paul -- Dickie Wilcox King Louis -- Andre Holt Waiter at the Ritz -- Sully Roxburg Directed by Hilton DeBris Written by L'zar Quimby |
| --Variety, November 6, 1929 |