As Luck Would Have It »

This book covers the eventful years from 1938 to 1946 from the prelude to war to World War II itself. It is the story of this allCanadian show , the Canadian Army Show (CAS) that forms the bulk of the author's story as she explains its origins and brings its creators into the spotlight. She describes the shows they took to the front, tells of close calls for the units as they entertained Canada's troops in Italy and France, recounts her personal sorrow at the loss of her RAF fiancé, and then concludes with the remarkable story of CAS's last show overseas when, at war's end, 200 dancers, singers, actors and riders performed in the extravaganza, Rhythm Rodeo, entertaining more than 40,000 of Canada's soldiers waiting for transport home.This is a great story and one that needed to be told by someone who was on the inside, who was there when show biz practicalities clashed with army discipline, who witnessed the pain and hard work and laughter that was behind the exceptional success of this company, who can at last give these soldier/performers their historical due.