Hollywood Hocus Pocus—Free for Soldiers
pEATS of magic that leave them pop-eyed are being served up free to service
men and their girl friends in a big circus tent on n Hollywood boulevard
tricked up with flamboyant carnival art, in which Actor Orson Welles is holding
forth with his "Mercury Wonder Show." He has about 20 helpers, mostly pretty
girls in abbreviated costumes, and several Hollywood stars who take some of the
spotlight from Orson. One of them is Joseph Cotten, who is seen above going
through one of his acts with appropriate background. The girls are, left to right
Mary Rowland, Mary Battle, Linda Brent and Elenor Counts.
Popping into the Wonder Show here is Rita Hayworth—from a trunk in
which her presence defies all logic after Welles had roped her securely some
where else. At another point in the performance Rita suffers no pain or per
manent damage from being "sawed in two."
Linda Brent lifts the lid for another out-popping from the mystic trunk.
This time it's full of Cotten, magically transplanted there after Welles had
trussed him up somewhere else in all that rope.
The inevitable rabbit is produced
from the startled soldier's pants by
Prof. Welles, whose every gesture as
master of hocus pocus deepens the
eerie atmosphere of legerdemain and
prestidigitation.
Stars in the audience add to the lure of the show for service men Here
a sailor and soldier seize their big chance for autographs from Greer
oarson and get them. Civilians can see the show, too—at a price.
Vanished r»n<is from the audienc 3 reappear in the strangest places. Here a soldier finds his on the carter
of one of Welles lorely assistants. Looking on in his conjurer's robe, Welles a moment before had "ground up" the
ring with mortar ard pestle. *
———— -
Martha Raye (left) is the worried victim of the ring trick unfolding here. She registers agonized suspense as her
jewe ry isappears under Welles magic touch. A moment later Martha was delighted to have the rinq turn up again
ms.de a freshly-baked loaf of bread. * wide World Mu.uk