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Page 22 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE November 7, 1986 Arts & Entertainment CONGREGATION B’NAI TORAH cordially inuites you and your guests to attend an ART EXHIBITION & AUCTION to be held at Congregation B’nai Torah 700 Mt. Vernon Hwy. Saturday, November 22, 1986 Exhibition: 8:00 p.m. Auction: 9:00 p.m. Donation: $ 3.50 per person Wine & Cheese will be served A piece of fine art given as Door Prize Checks for art purchased are made payable to: CONGREGATION B’NAI TORAH George Burns Getting better with age NOW OPEN SANDY SPRINGS FAVORITE CHINESE TO GO-NOW 220 SANDY SPRINGS CIR. NOW ENJOY ALL YOUR FAVORITES FROM OUR EXPRESS DELIVERY MENU 50% OFF BUY ONE DINNER GET SECOND ONE V* PRICE—DINE-IN ONLY SECOND DINNER EQUAL OR LESS EXPIRES 11/30/86 MON.-SAT. 11-1 OP.M. SUNDAY 3-10 P.M. 1 FREE DELIVERY (LIMITED AREA) MIN. ORDER: LUNCH $ 7 00 DINNER s 10 00 by Gerry Morris JT A —TORONTO You might say that George Burns is the Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Joe Dimaggio of the enter tainment world. He is a standout in every department—radio, tel evision, movies, records, night clubs—and is the author of six best-selling books. Burns hasn’t just improved with each of his 90 years, he has blossomed. Possessing impeccable timing. Burns manages skillfully not to cross the fine line that separates the naughty old man from the dirty one, although sometimes he comes perilously close. Like so many old-time Jewish- American comedians and song writers, Burns began on the sidewalks of New York. Born Nathan Birnbaum, he grew up on the Lower East Side of Man hattan and left school after the fourth grade. His pious father, a part-time cantor and synagogue function ary who emigrated from Poland, died when George was 7. “If 1 said my father was the worst provider in the world, I’d be lying,” recalled George, “but only a little. It wasn’t that he didn’t love us, because he did, very much so, but trifles like food, rent and clothing never even crossed his mind.” The family survived, Burns said, because “my mother was a re markable lady, with a great sense of humor, and she had a way of solving problems and you didn’t even know she was doing it.” The young Burns also helped. “When I was a kid, I had to hustle to make money for my family,” he remembered. “I was the bread winner in a family of 12. I went into show business and the oth ers went to school.” In fact, he began singing in the streets, sa loons and ferry boats at age 7 with the Pee Wee Quartet. He struggled with a constantly changing act until 1923, when he teamed up with Gracie Allen, then an unemployed 17-year-old Irish-American actress and daughter of a song-and-dance man. They performed five times a day on vaudeville, living out of a trunk. Initially, Burns was the comic and Gracie “the straight man,” but they reversed roles after the first performance—when she drew all the laughs. Burns, with his raspy voice and dry delivery, and the scatterbrained Gracie were perfect foils. They were married in 1926. They first entered the develop ing medium of radio as guests on Eddie Cantor’s program in 1931. She freed her husband from Dachau, saved her son's life, speahs 7 languages and maxes great chicken soup. Spend an euening with hen Her name is Annulla. Join her in her North London kitchen for an evening of history, humor and humanity. At the Alliance Studio, through November 22. For tickets and information call 892-2414. Performance times: Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 8:30. November 8 & 15 matinees at 4 p.m. November 9 & 16 shows at 2:30 and 7:30. Ticket prices are $11-17. Order now. Sponsored by: cu uy. ^ ivt northern telecom THE ALLIANCE STUDIO Annulla, An Autobiography. bv Emily Mann. November 5-22. Their audience appeal was great, and they were signed to appear on the Rudy Vallee and Guy Lombardo shows. The next year, they signed for their own CBS program, and they were regulars on radio and TV until Gracie retired in 1958. Her death, as well as that of comedian Jack Benny, were the biggest blows in Burns’ life. “Jack was my best friend for 55 years. He was always great,” Burns said. Benny had reciprocal feelings. “Everything George says makes me laugh. He is one of the funni est men in show business,” he said. Ironically, Benny’s death was indirectly responsible for the re surgence of Burns’ career, for it was Burns who inherited from Benny the role of A1 Lewis in the 1975 movie “The Sunshine Boys.” For his performance as the old- time vaudevillian. Burns became the oldest winner of the Oscar for best supporting actor. Next came the title role in “Oh, God” in 1977. The Warner Broth ers smash won him a new genera tion of young fans. He played in two other “Oh, God” movies, which prompted him to wave his ever-present cigar and remark, “I played God three times without makeup.” How does the doctor feel about his smoking 10 cigars a day? “The doctor died,” replied Burns. His best selling book “How To Live To Be 100 or More” is dedi cated to the widows of his last six doctors. Will Burns retire? “Never,” he declared. “What are you gonna do except sit there and play with your cuticles? I retired during those years 1 worked with Gra cie,” he said. “Comedians don’t quit. If they hear one laugh they keep going, which is exactly what I intend to do.” Burns said he hasn’t quit any thing. “1 haven’t quit smoking cigars, I haven’t quit drinking martinis and I’m going to stay in show business until I’m the last one left,” he said. “Don’t you see? I’m making old age fashionable. People can’t wait to get old.” He is already booked to appear at the London Palladium on Jan. 20, 1996, his 100th birthday. “1 can’t afford to die,” he said, “Not when I’m booked.” Gerry Morris, a freelance wri ter, profiles major celebrities. Caricature is by A l Hirschfeld. Correction The Ohad Naharin dance performances will be on Nov. 14, 15 and 16—Friday, Sat urday and Sunday evenings (not Thursday, as reported last week)—at 8 p.m. at the Dancer’s Collective Theatre, 1105 Euclid Avenue. On Sunday evening the audience is invited to a recep tion followingthe concert to meet the Israeli artist.