The kind of fun which Ed Wynn provides does not vary much from play to play but he has a large body of followers for whom Ed Wynn, like Groucho Marx, is sufficient in himself. The personality is more important than the vehicle. In the case of "The Laugh Parade," which is small beer in its interludes of song and dance, this is especially true.
"The Laugh Parade" is simply a succession of vaudeville sketches featuring Mr. Wynn or elss a specially performer to whom Mr. Wynn is an expert feeder of situations, and the before mentioned song and dance numbers. At the performance which the Playgoer attended, the audience showed its excellent judgment by reserving its enthusiastic applause for the scenes in which Ed Wynn dominates. Apart from his other talents, this comedian has an excellent reputation for his ability to build up situations for his fellow-players. Many of the specialty numbers in the "Laugh Parade" draw their chief merit from the running commentary of Mr. Wynn in the background, and the peculiar funniness which he can impart to misfit clothing. Inspired by the success of "Of These I Sing," with satire on contemporary politics, "The Laugh Parade" directs most of its gags in the same direction, but with a success which raises it above mere imitation.
