>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Mickey Rooney will take the audience on a walk down memory lane. ().

Mickey Rooney and Jan Chamberlin Rooney will be performing their own brand of vaudeville at the Opera House in Elgin Jan. 31.

There will be two shows, one at 6 and one at 8:30 p.m.

Together the couple perform songs and comedy routines, and take the audience on a walk down memory lane with numerous clips from Rooney's 70-year career in movies.

He earns plenty of laughs as the golden-wigged Hortense from the Broadway play "Sugar Babies."

Rooney's motion picture debut came at the age of five as a midget in "Not To Be Trusted" and continued with movies from "Boys' Town" through the Andy Hardy films. As an adult his credits include more than 300 films and theatrical

productions.

Rooney was once quoted as saying, "We were on the road two days after I was born and I've been on the road since." His parents were vaudeville performers Joe Yule and Nell Carter. His first stage appearance came at the age of one when he crawled out on stage during his parents' act.

Although Rooney was known for his multiple marriages — eight all together — his marriage to Chamberlin has lasted for 30 years.

Chamberlin charms her audience with the Patsy Cline classics "I Fall to Pieces" and "Crazy," along with several upbeat numbers. In her repertoire are songs she has composed herself.

She began singing in church choirs and her career has included concerts, television, commercials, voice-overs and radio.

In their joint performances she plays along with the wife jokes, pointing out that the previous seven had diamonds and rubies as presents while she had wooden beads strung on dental floss, but the couple's devotion to each other is clear.

The energy Rooney projects over the footlights is astounding. He plays song after son, some original and some classic show tunes. He plays a piano duet with Chamberling "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby," they dance together and Rooney even manages a stiff-jointed soft shoe routine.

Rooney is an accomplished musician and can play almost any instrument in an orchestra. He has composed numerous pop songs, a symphony and several film scores. He is an avid golfer, sportsman and perpetual-motion machine. He loves horses and spends much of his time at the track watching races. He is currently a director emeritus for Hollywood Park, one of the world's leading racetracks.

Tickets are $20, $30 or $40 by reserved seating only. For reservations or ticket information call 437-3456 or the Union County Chamber of Commerce.