Columnist Joe Delaney: Uncle Miltie as sharp as ever at 88

Joe Delaney

Thursday, May 15, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

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MILTON BERLE was in town with his family, holding court in his 23rd floor suite at the Horseshoe hotel-casino. ... Berle is promoting his new magazine, "Milton," which has as its slogan, "We drink. We smoke. We gamble." ... Still in top form, Uncle Miltie will be 89 on July 12. ... Our first awareness of Berle was in Philadelphia; the year, 1937.

Milton was headlining at the Earle Theatre. ... A new vaudeville show opened there every Friday. ... We cut classes with some friends and caught Berle's opening performance. ... After walking the Delaware River Bridge, we arrived just in time to miss the B movie.

Berle's comedic tour de force was overwhelming to this 15-year-old. ... He opened the show with a monologue, joined the Amin Brothers, an acrobatic act, taught statuesque, well-endowed Betty George how to sing, then joined forces with the Ben Yost Vikings, great slapstick.

Still vivid

Berle's closing monologue, delivered at a breakneck tempo, poked fun at the radio commercials of the day, the first time we had heard anyone do this. ... It was so impressive, our group stayed for all five shows. ... I returned on Saturday for five more, then attended all three shows at the Stanley Theatre in Camden on Sunday. ... We knew his act by heart.

During the early 1940s, we would take a bus to New York to see him in theatres. ... Tall and looking older than our years, we caught him in nightclubs as well. ... After World War II, in the late 1940s, Berle revolutionized television. ... Manhattan theaters -- stage and film -- were dark on Tuesday nights, "Closed on account of Milton Berle."

His Tuesday Texaco Comedy Hour was the greatest comedy hour on television, before or since. ... Only Max Liebman's "Show of Shows," with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, came close.

Down to date

During the period, 1946-62, we spent a part of each year in Las Vegas, commuting from New York City. ... If Berle was appearing here, we were there. ... In 1962, we moved here permanently. ... In 1966, we started hosting "Open Line" radio. ... The next year marked our debut on local television and the start of this column in the Las Vegas SUN.

Berle was a frequent and always welcome visitor with us on radio and television. ... Our favorite together session was a three-part interview for KLVX Channel 10 in the late 1970s. ... We told him that no one knew comedy as well as he did. ... His reply was surprising.

"I wish I had learned a little more about living and enjoying life and a little less about comedy," was his rejoinder. ... Berle, today, looks like a man who has finally learned the secret of enjoying life. ... He is an original with very few peers as a comedic performer.

Star-policy rundown

It's Anne Murray, closing tonight; Jeff Foxworthy, opening Friday for the weekend; Penn & Teller, starting Monday (Bally's); Natalie Cole (Caesars); Righteous Brothers (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Danny Gans (Rio); and Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell (Westward Ho) -- proven winners here.

Allen and his Karon Kate have been extended through the end of 1997 at the Westward Ho, along with Robbie Howard. ... Taylor Dayne is at Boulder Station, Saturday only. ... Comedian Pudgy is back in town, at the Tropicana Comedy Stop.

Don't miss the ubiquitous and indefatigable Treniers; they close this Saturday at the Orleans. ... Suggestion: Why not have Sam Butera & the Wildest alternating with the Treniers at the Orleans for an extended period? ... Let them sit and build.

Anent Liberace

The late Liberace's 78th natal date will be observed this weekend with members of the Flamingo Hilton's famed Radio City Rockettes helping to cut a piano-shaped birthday cake, Friday at 11 a.m. in the Liberace Museum. ... On Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., there will be a Liberace Impersonator Contest in Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens Restaurant. ... This is the Liberace Museums 18th anniversary as well. ... More on this. ... See you Friday.