Republican National Convention ,August 20-23, 1956

Hollywood To Have Big Role In Convention

SAN FRANCISCO - Hollywood helped open the Republican convention today with more entertainment acts than speeches because, actor George Murphy explained, politics is getting more like show business.

 Today's convention calendar looked more like a program for Hollywood's Oscar night than for a big political meeting. More entertainers than ever before in political history perform 20 numbers before the "footlights" of the cavernous Cow Palace.

 Murphy, head of the convention program committee, fashioned a "new look" for the Republican event because of this heavy emphasis on TV.

 "Years ago, 18.000 people gathered for a convention but now 70 million people look at it on television," Murphy explained in his "office," a silver trailer outside the Cow Palace.

 "You have to get people interested in the show so they won't turn off their TV sets.

 "Why, we have Irene Dunne doing the President's prayer. If people like Irene Dunne, they'll keep watching! The songs also break up the speeches and give a little relief."

 Murphy rounded up 11 Republican stars to perform for free from Ethel Merman singing "Great Day" to Dennis Morgan crooning "One Alone." Wendell Corey was recruited as master-of-cermonies, with Jane Powell to sing the national anthem.

 "Thursday is our biggest day," Murphy said,"We've got Nat Cole, Irving Berlin, Alan Jones--"

(The Oshkosh Northwestern, August 20, 1956)