By Forrest Duke

Variety

1962

Debbie Reynolds has joined the Las Vegas sorority of femme film stars who have taken the leap into nitery headlining. From the way she was accepted by a celeb-studded first-night audience which gave her a standing ovation, she can headline here for months and months, doing brisk biz all the way.

Since Miss Reynolds is the prototype of America’s sub ingénue, she appeals to femmes of all ages. This is good news for the casino bosses, because it’s likely a large percentage of those femmes will want to see their heroine in person, bringing along gamblers who they will lend temporarily to the casino.

The star’s act was concocted by Robert Sidney, who also guided Mitzi Gaynor’s successful transition to the nitery scene. Again he uses singing-dancing boys (two this time, and they’re very good: Jerry Antes and Roy Fitzell) as teammates, and again the choreography is of a familiar pattern, but it manages to sparkle because Miss Reynolds sparkles. She sings, dances, mimics, and clowns – literally, with clown costume in one number – in a delightful manner.

A highlight of the turn is the bit where Miss Reynolds does devastating impressions of Zsa Zsa Gabor, Anna Magnani and Ethel Merman – with appropriate costuming for each carbon.

Songs include "I Want to Be Happy", "It’s A Lovely Night", "I Won’t Dance", and her trademark, "Tammy". She sings and dances with polished finesse, has a warm, winning personality.

Writer Shirley Henry and producer-director Sidney provide her with some very funny dialogue, and she wears some quite fetching gowns designed by Michael Woulfe.

Jerry Fielding conducts the Jack Cathcart orchestra with both drive and sensitivity. The superb arrangements were cleffed by Skip Martin and Fielding.

Hugo Granata’s lighting is a strong assist.