- Kleinhans Hall -

At Kleinhans Hall
Judy Out of This World, Takes 3000 Fans With Her
Audience Loves Her Singing and Dancing,
Embraces Her in Tumultuous Applause
By Ardis Smith, Buffalo Evening News

Miss Judy Garland sang 3,000 persons out of their seats and several score standees out of their tracks and over the rainbow Thursday evening in Kleinhans Music Hall. 

The event was reckoned conservatively to be the outstanding demonstration of human enthusiasm, since Lindbergh landed The Spirit of St. Louis on Le Bourget Field.

Mrs. Jack Grood, whose focus on Kleinhans audiences has been constant since the hall was opened, grades Miss Garland's idolaters as the most adoring and tumultuous in the institution's history. Architects have been advised to examine the joists and rafters.

For the bravos which too infrequently greet Maestro Krips of a great violin virtuoso, the Garland crowd substituted 'hey-there's' and 'hurrahs!'

Whereas fans of the longhaired immortals sometimes show their appreciation of a perfectly-played concerto by rising gradually to their feet, Miss Garland's extacized followers not only stood during much of her recital but finally marched en masse for the stage with the obvious hope of embracing her or, at the very least, shaking hands.

While Miss Garland sympathized with the idea, it turned out to be impractical.

Miss Garland, who began with a frog in her throat, forcing tears to her eyes, was in marvelous voice most of the evening and gaining all the time.

She unfurled her voice like a banner, flew it like a kite and softened it like a fresh snow for sad songs like 'Stormy Weather,' maybe the prize winner of the evening.

She played the microphone like a trout in a rambling brook. She danced and pranced, kicked over her head, quipped and clowned, and was lovingly patient with those enthralled listeners who insisted on drowning her with applause in recognition of such esoteric compositions as Swanee, You Made Me Love You, Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, Me and My Gal, One Man Woman, How Long Has This Been Going On.

There were all the special poignancies in her pianissimo. Her unique glissandi glittered.

Her comedy was gentle, kindly, seemingly impromptu - she has, you know, a wonderfully sweet way with words. Once she created a startling hilarious effect, singing "I shall never forget Jeanette MacDonald, singing in all those ruins" which turned out to be the introduction to San Francisco.

She Looked wonderful - cutest countenance in the country, including all Disney's Dalmatians. So - she batted out 48 vocal home runs and dealt pleasure lavishly, despite a really atrocious orchestral ensemble.

Only Judy Garland could have overcome such fumbled, fancy arrangements. Why she thought she needed 23 musicians is a mystery.

"We've got one more. Is it too boring - - because if it is . . . ?" The applause spoke for the 3,100 Judy Garland fans last night. 

Kleinhans Music Hall had seen the SRO sign go up at sponsoring Theatre Series Inc. some days before.

Judy Garland saw Buffalo for the first time when a solid wave of applause greeted her on entrance last night in the Kleinhans Auditorium.

A large band on stage conducted by Mort Lindsey, a microphone and double spot lighting were all the star of "Wizard of Oz" and "Easter Parade" reputation needed.

A black sheath gown with a bright blue jacket for the first half and black Capri pants with a multi-colored over-blouse for the second had an informal appeal that made the Garland eyeful an easy one.

And then came the fast catalogue of Garland tunes from film, record and stage.

Classy arrangements, a good baton and the Garland voice set each in a bright frame.

The tender touch of 'Stormy Weather,' The belt of 'Zing Went the Strings of My Heart,' the tear pull of the many film ballads and the jump and joy of those oldies like the 'Trolley Song' had a special bit of applause with each first line.

Several tunes with small combo found audience fervor and a tributory Garland kiss for Director Lindsey at the piano.

It was strictly an evening of Garland favorites for Garland's favorites.

At the end of two hours the perspiring orchestra received it's cue for 'Over the Rainbow.'

Miss Garland back-pedaled for exit and 3,100 stood, clapped and called for more.

Miss Show Business responded.