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Rooney to meander on memory lane
By JORGE SANCHEZ, Times Staff Writer CRYSTAL RIVER -- From the big television screens Mickey Rooney uses to show clips from his famous films to his singing, dancing and piano playing, tonight's show at Rock Crusher Canyon will focus on one thing: "It's a trip down memory lane," Rooney said Wednesday, after arriving a bit road-weary at Rock Crusher Canyon. Called the "1 Man, 1 Wife Show,"the performance features his wife, Jan Chamberlin, as his co-star. During the evening, Rooney shows movie clips using a huge main screen that takes up most of the pavilion's expansive stage. Smaller monitors will give those seated to the sides a clear view as well. With about 300 films to his credit, the clips can cover an amazing selection of movies. Among these are National Velvet with Elizabeth Taylor, A Midsummer Night's Dream with James Cagney, Babes in Arms with Judy Garland and the Andy Hardy films. After showing the clips, Rooney will talk about his days during the Golden Age of movies and then launch into the music and comedy. He will meet fans for a short time after the performance to sign autographs. "I'll sing, dance, play piano," Rooney said. "And do some impersonations. My wife will join in some songs. She's a great singer." Rooney, 81, was tired after a rain-filled drive earlier Wednesday. As the media showed up for interviews, Rooney became a tad more grumpy, prompting Rock Crusher Canyon staffers to fret about a Hollywood style flareup by a major star. "We came up from Naples and it rained all the way and I'm really too tired to be doing this," he said. A true trouper, however, Rooney remained until the last question had been asked by the reporters. Rooney talked about the recent death of his friend, Milton Berle. The two acted together in the 1963 comedy It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. "I called (Berle's) house the night before he died," Rooney said. "His butler answered the phone and told me that Milton was lying down and couldn't speak. He'd never said that before, and that's when I knew it was bad, that the end was near for him. It was a very sad day for us." Rooney, a two-time Oscar winner, also spoke out about his mostly negative feelings about Hollywood. "I didn't see anything in the recent Oscar show which reminded me of old Hollywood," he said. "There's too much digital movie-making today." When asked why Rooney was doing a series of one-nighters on the road, his wife, Jan said: "It's doctors' orders. He needs to stay busy." "I just want to entertain," Rooney said. "Especially with the way things are in America these days following 9/11. I just want to give people a chance to have a good time, and that's all there is to it." When asked the inevitable question about a permanent retirement, Rooney said: "I always say: 'Inspire, don't retire.' " At a glanceLegendary entertainer Mickey Rooney brings his energetic stage show to the Rock Crusher Canyon Garden Pavilion, 275 S Rock Crusher Road, today for an evening of music, entertainment and memories. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner served from 5:15 to 6:45 and Rooney performs from 7 to 8:30. Tickets are $35. Call 795-1313.
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