Page 16 - The Local Paper - Wednesday, September 23, 2020
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■ There were two major dancing teams in Hollywood films - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and then Marge and Gower Champion. Marge and Gower appeared in MGM musical films during the 1950s. Marge was born, Marjorie Celeste Belcher, in Los Angeles, California, in 1919. She began dancing and teaching at an early age. In 1935 Marge was hired by the Walt Disney Studios to be a live action model for Snow White in the animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In later years Marge also became a model for The Blue Fairy in Pinocchio and the Dancing Hippo in Fantasia. In 1937 Marge married Art Babbitt from the Disney Studios but the marriage only lasted for three years. Gower Champion was born in 1919 and worked as a dancer on Broadway prior to World War II in which he served as a member of the US Coast Guard. After the war he resumed his career and met Marge, who became his dancing partner. They married in 1947 and became popular through their marvelous performances in the MGM remake of Showboat in 1951. Their song, Life upon the Wicked Stage, was a standout in the film. This led to other roles as a singing dance team in films such as Mr Music, Jupiter's Darling and Three for the Show.
Whatever Happened To ... Marge Champion By Kevin Trask of FM of 3AW 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM They played the lead roles in Give a Girl a Break and co-starred with Debbie Reynolds. MGM had plans to use Marge and Gower in remakes of the old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers RKO films. This only happened once when Roberta was remade under the title of Lovely to Look At. They starred in their own television series The Marge and Gower Champion Show in 1957. They had two children together but sadly, their son Blake was killed in a car crash at the age of 25. Gower became a very successful Broadway director and won eight Tony Awards in his career. Marge had good character roles in films such
● Marge Champion
as The Swimmer with Burt Lancaster, and The Party with Peter Sellers. Marge continued to work on Broadway after her marriage to Gower ended in 1973. Four years later she married the director Boris Segal. In 2001 Marge starred in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Follies and sang four songs in the production at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. Sadly, Gower Champion passed away on the opening night of a stage production on Broadway in 1980. Gower had choreographed 42nd Street and after numerous curtain calls the producer David Merrick announced to the cast and audience the sad news that Gower had died that afternoon. Marge Champion was a member of the nominating committee for the Tony Awards on Broadway from 1991-98 judging all the shows. These days Marge Champion is 98 and lives in New York. Will we ever see this type of singing and dancing team in films in the future? Who knows - my guess is probably not. Kevin Trask can be heard on 3AW: • Mike Till Midnight - Saturday at 8.10pm • The Time Tunnel - on Remember When - Sundays at 9.10pm And on 96.5 FM • That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. www.innerfm.org.au
Festival action in the Northern Territory ■ The Northern Territory has plenty of festival action coming up in September, October and November: Parrtjima - A Festival in Light, Alice Springs, until September 20 claimed to be the only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima returns with plenty of live talks, events, music and light installations, set among the majestic MacDonnell Ranges. Artist and performers attending include Indigenous chef Mark Olive, journalists Stan Grant and Tracey Holmes, Southeast Desert Metal and more. Desert Mob, Alice Springs, until September 25- An event of national significance, Desert Mob represents the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Aboriginal art by artists from Desart-member art centres from the desert regions and communities of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. For the first time in event's history, the exhibition will also launch online. Darwin Street Art Festival, until September 20- Ten of the best local and Australian street artists will transform the walls of Shadforth Lane in Darwin's CBD. Guests can catch the rest of city's incredible street art in-person, with 45 murals and 13 augmented-reality pieces on display, or take an interactive tour through a newly released app. Kakadu Bird Week, September 26-October 3- With more than a third of Australia's bird species calling Kakadu home, the UNESCO -WorldHeritage- listed national park is a bird lover's paradise. Kakadu Bird Week features a packed itinerary for nature enthusiasts, including wetland cruises, bird watching expeditions, specialist lectures and Aboriginal bird experiences. For the first time in the festival's history, guests can also tune in 'virtually'. Rebound Festival, October 3One of the Australia's first major music events to go ahead since lockdown, Rebound Festival will delight music lovers at Darwin Ski Club. This year hosts an incredible lineup, including Lime Cordiale, Mallrat and Hot Dub Time Machine. Mango Madness Festival, Octo-
Travel
The trips will be fully run by Intrepid Travel, on the Ocean Endeavour Expedition ship. Antarctica, a vast wilderness far from the crowds, has been identified by Intrepid as a destination that will be highly desirable for people's first overseas trip. Visit www.intrepidtravel.com or phone 1300 458 437.
OK. With John O’Keefe Memories of Bay City Rollers
Rediscover Rockingham
with John Rozentals ber 25 - Packed with family friendly fun and entertainment, the festival showcases the best of Darwin's mango-inspired food and drinks, including tasting stalls, a cocktail masterclass from the winning Mango Cup team, Dom's Bar & Lounge, and mango-eating competition. Darwin International Laksa Festival, October 26- November 29 Darwin is dubbed the laksa capital of Australia. Over four weeks, Territorians will embark on a journey to discover different laksas across various market stalls, eateries and restaurants across the Top End, and vote for their favourite 'Golden Bowl'. Visit www.northernterritory.com
Antarctic adventures ■ A select range of Intrepid Travel's Antarctic adventures for the 2021-22 season can be had for up to 40 per cent off. The offer is available until September 30 on a range of over 10 Antarctica departures including the 11day 'Best of Antarctica' and the 15day 'Journey to the Circle and Giants of Antarctica' in partnership with WWF. While these departures are still over a year away, they will all operate under Intrepid's new Safe Travel protocols.
■ Rockingham is encouraging Western Australian adventure seekers to visit the area this spring, with the 'Rediscover Adventure, Rediscover Rockingham' marketing campaign officially launched on September 1. Throughout spring the campaign will promote a range of active outdoor experiences and adventure activities that are available within the Rockingham region. The campaign is spearheaded by the Rediscover Rockingham Adventure Holidays competition, with a prize pool worth more than $3500 available. Prizes include accommodation and meals, as well as opportunities for skydiving, wakeboarding, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, kite surfing and an aquatic wildlife cruise. Local tourism and hospitality businesses are keen to welcome adventure seekers from across state, especially those wanting to find out why Rockingham is known as the place where the coast comes to life. Visit www.rockingham.com.au
adventures ■ Visitors to Murujuga National Park in the Pilbara now have improved access to viewing culturally significant rock art with a new walking trail and signage. The $1.3 million Ngajarli Trail helps showcase the national park's array of rock art - with some estimated to be more than 45,000 years old. - John Rozentals NOTE: Potential travellers should check the status of individual events and establishments with regard to the coronavirus outbreak.
● Bay City Rollers ■ I well remember when the all boy band, Bay City Rollers, hit Australian shores. It was hysteria from coast to coast. One bubble gum member was guitarist Ian Mitchell, the only Irishman in the Scottish group. During his short stay as a Roller he played on some of the best selling numbers, Dedication, and I only want to be like you. After touring Australia, Ian quit the band and went to live and work in California. He took a day job as a computer programmer, combined with session work playing guitar. Next step was as a motivational speaker prior to his untimely death this month, aged 62.
Robbie changes address ■ Robbie Williams has packed up his favourite possessions, wife and four kids to relocate from Malibu to half way up a Swiss mountain in order to escape Coronavirus. Robbie does admit to becoming stir crazy with no immediate live appearances on the agenda yet he does admit he loves the company of his wife and kids. Please send us a postcard, Robbie.
New co-host for Studio 10 ■ Ten has announced Tristan McManus is to be the new co-host of Studio 10 alongside Sarah Harris. Who is Tristan McManus? His main claim to fame is as a judge on Dancing With The Stars. Trained as a professional dancer he is said to have an engaging personality and should interact well with the rest of the regulars on the morning show. Time will tell.
TV breakfast battle ■ For the first time for yonks Nine’s Today has beaten Seven’s Sunrise for audience share in Melbourne. Winning difference is 3000 pairs of eyeballs, Today has lifted its game of late and doing well in most markets, particularly on the eastern seaboard.
Judith Durham’s release ■ Our Judith has returned to the studio but without the rest of the Seekers. Judith has released a limited edition of a superb track All in a Day’s Work sung in conjunction with bush poet and drover Lance Lawrence. Superbly engineered you would swear you were in Arnham Land as the two recount life in the outback mustering cattle. The track runs for ten minutes and is available via theseekers website. Judith sounds as good as ever. - John O’Keefe