European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Of a r  a amps Randy Pruitt  Smith with the script for Quot pal Joey Quot one of the Many productions he organized to entertain the troops. Entertainment chief nears end of a Long Rugby Randy Pruitt staff writer Lou Smith likes to see everyone have a Good time. It s not just his wish it s his Job. It also happens to be his Lile. As Usa eur chief of entertainment Smith has devoted most of it to the men and women in uniform. Atler world War ii he built crude stages in France and directed plays that made service members forget they were tar from Home. L. Through most of the cold War he smoothed out the rough edges and did much of the same for military audiences in Germany and the . Smith will soon take his last Bow. At g8, the Dapper Man who oversees training and policy for Usa eur s 24 Community Heaters and other entertainment events is retiring in december. Along the Way. The graduate of the Central school of speech training and dramatic Art at the University of London has met a Galaxy of stars ranging from non Wayne to Vanessa Redgrave. But the real celebrities have been the military and their families. Quot entertainment is so important Beu urse it s a real morale Booster he said. Smith enjoys seeing soldiers and military family members cast in Community theater parts. Quot it gives them a change to develop Talent and leadership to meet people socially. Once you re in it you re hooked. You re recognized you re spotlighted in the Community. Some want to go on professionally Quot said the fort Worth Texas native. A Community theater groups have produced such plays As cabaret Angel Street the sound of music co spell Carousel you can t take it with you dial m for murder who s  Virginia Wolfe three Penny opera Dracula and steel magnolias. 1 he most colourful years of his career were at the beginning in 1953 when he was named entertainment director Tor the . Army in Verdun France. To entertain the troops he and his Crews had to make do with almost nothing. Planks were Laid across crates and cases to make seats. Quot some of the Heaters were built out of. Scrap lumber and had a Root Over them and Walls. Some did to Quot he recalled. Quot we had to set up All the lights run wires from anywhere we could irom a Generator and try to get the show on the Road. We were much too ambitious for what we wen1 really Able to do. But we  Smith rolled up his sleeves and did Quot everything inl11 makeup to stage construction. Stripes Magazine july 11, 1991