CONNIE’S ROYAL APPOINTMENT AT CITY THEATRE
American singer sparkled on a bill packed with a ‘variety’ of big names
WHEN Connie Francis performed at Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre in 1963, the American singer could have been in no doubt this was a “variety” show.
The star – who was the topselling female vocalist of the 60s – sparkled on a bill which also featured jazz clarinet player Acker Bilk, entertainer Max Bygraves, singers and dancers choreographed by Lionel Blair, Eartha Kitt and the Scottish cast of the Five Past Eight Show.
However, according to the Evening Times review the following day, none of the above had Her Majesty the Queen entranced quite so much as Excess Baggage, an unusual dog act.
“Although the Queen enjoyed everything in last night’s show… there was one item in it that had special appeal – Alma Michael’s dog act Excess Baggage,” said our reporter. “Here she leaned forward in the royal box in her interest. For a similar reason… she was interested as well as amused at Max Bygraves’s entry on horseback.”
Well, who wouldn’t be? The reporter concluded that: “There is no doubt Her Majesty is an animal lover…”
The fabulous Ms Francis, now 83, had flown from New York to Prestwick to take part in the Royal Command Performance. It was her first trip to Scotland in three years. At the airport, she was presented with a small doll dressed in Highland costume and told our sister title, The Glasgow Herald: “I was really anxious to come back here. And I am very anxious about the Royal Performance. It is the first one I have ever been invited to.”
Connie showed reporters a badly bruised right forearm.
“I had to have a blood test the day before I was supposed to leave and my arm was so bruised I couldn’t bend it,” she said. “I take diet pills and have to have a blood check every now and then to see if my blood is still clear.” Would that mean, then, no Scottish food for her during her three-day visit? “Oh no,” came the reply. “I shall cheat and not take any diet pills.”
Connie added she had already made albums for the IrishAmerican, Italian-American and Jewish-American communities back home, and she now hoped to make one for Scottish-Americans. “I love Scottish songs, they are beautiful,” she said.
According to our reporter, the audience was a little less lively than normal.
“How well-behaved a Glasgow audience can be!” said the article. “From the gods to the stalls, they were so conscious of the occasion as to be almost subdued. Their glances to the royal box were few and discreet and the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh must have been duly appreciative.”
The reviewer added: “The stars from America, singer Connie Francis and comedian Alan King, made it clear that their journey, if not actually necessary, was indeed worthwhile. Each gave a memorable performance.”
The biggest laugh of the night was for Jimmy Logan’s quip about his stay in a New York skyscraper. “On the umpteenth storey,” he said, “I was afraid to say ‘my God,’ in case someone heard me...”
‘I was really anxious to come back here’
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