Rooney proves he’s still box office at Campbell performance

     When Mickey Rooney took the stage at Campbell University’s Turner Auditorium this week in “Let’s Put on a Show,” the years seemed to melt away. Audience members could still make out the compact package of energy and talent that wowed audiences in the “Andy Hardy” series, “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Babes on Broadway” and “National Velvet.”
     “He was his old self again,” said audience member Elaine Smith.
     Poking fun at his eight marriages, alimony and age (“Getting senile means you can hide your own Easter eggs),” Rooney danced, sang and did dead-on impressions of Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and Lionel Barrymore.
     “I’ve been on the road since I was two days old,” said the 85-year-old star. “I guess you could say I’m a natural.”
     Born Joseph Yule, Jr. in Brooklyn, New York in 1920, Rooney is the son of vaudeville performers Joe Yule, Sr. and Nell Carter. The Yule marriage didn’t last, but the divorce landed Mickey and his mother in Hollywood where he got his first role playing a midget in “Not to be Trusted.” A year later he became Mickey “Himself” McGuire for 78 short film comedies based on Fontaine Fox’s tough little cartoon character.
     In the 1930’s, Rooney signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and became one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. At one time, the famous “Andy Hardy” series in which Mickey played the mischievous but lovable son of a small town judge, accounted for 55 percent of Metro’s profits.
     “I was the Rambo of my day,” he laughed.
     Accompanied by jazz ensemble Tim Laushey (drums), Ken Seiffert (bass) and Sam Kriger (musical director and piano), Rooney and wife Jan Chamberlin Rooney performed musical classics like Cole Porter’s “Let’s Fall in Love” and George and Ira Gershwin’s “But Not For Me.”
     The show also featured film clips from Rooney’s legendary movie career and tributes to first wife Ava Gardner and his film love Judy Garland.
     A performer in her own right, Jan Rooney’s powerful renditions of Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and other country and western selections were some of the show’s brightest moments.
     Rooney is the recipient of two Oscars, Golden Globe, Peabody and Emmy awards and has five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the latest honoring Rooney and his wife Jan, but he proclaims the Bronze Star, presented him for his service in World War II, his greatest achievement.
     “The most important things in life are a loving wife, a good family and to be a good American,” he said in a press conference held earlier at Campbell. At 85, the man whose name was the inspiration for the cartoon character Mickey Mouse, appears to have achieved these goals and more.
     “Let’s Put on a Show” opened the Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts 2006-2007 performance season. Other events include the Moore Square Dixie Landers with Lawrence Welk stars Ava Barber and Bob Havens and the whimsical musical, “The Boyfriend.” For more information on upcoming performances or becoming a member of the Cape Fear Friends of the Fine Arts, contact the Campbell University Division of Fine Arts at (910) 893-1495 or (800) 334-4111, ext. 1495.


Photo Copy: Mickey Rooney and his wife Jan perform in “Let’s Put on a Show.”