Dan Horn

The first time Dan Horn played the Laff Stop last August, he worked as a middle act, which made it all the more noteworthy that his performance drew a standing ovation. Standing ovations are rare in comedy and almost unheard of for middle acts. Horn opened a five-night stand at the Newport Beach club Wednesday, but this time he was a headliner. And while he elicited a strong response, there was no standing ovation. The two points are not unrelated.

Good-deed doers are the darndest breed. They're never quite what you'd think. You hear about a corner of the city where people are making a difference, and you expect, I don't know, some father figure in Hush Puppies who makes good eye contact. Instead, here comes an ex-actor in a T-shirt who won't shut up. "So hello! Are you lost? Welcome to our neighborhood! Nice to see you!" Principal Dan Horn bounds down the sunny, bougainvillea-flanked sidewalk toward St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Dan Horn has spawned an odd family. Cassandra, his first-born, was conceived to be brash and obnoxious. Orson, who is much older but came second (true story), was created to be grumpy and curmudgeonly. Little Gary, a wooden-headed sort, is a self-parody of Horn. Hardly the bunch Mr. Brady would assemble, but they all look up to Horn and turn to him for guidance.

Dan Horn has spawned an odd family. Cassandra, his first-born, was conceived to be brash and obnoxious. Orson, who is much older but came second (true story), was created to be grumpy and curmudgeonly. Little Gary, a wooden-headed sort, is a self-parody of Horn. Hardly the bunch Mr. Brady would assemble, but they all look up to Horn and turn to him for guidance.

Comedian-ventriloquist Dan Horn has earned a reputation as one of themost technically adept ventriloquists in the business, working with a cast of hand puppets whose arms he manipulates with a rod in his free hand. As one newspaper critic said, Horn's "visual effects are almost as stunning as the vocal ones." But Horn, an Irvine resident, is careful about how he is introduced on stage.

Good-deed doers are the darndest breed. They're never quite what you'd think. You hear about a corner of the city where people are making a difference, and you expect, I don't know, some father figure in Hush Puppies who makes good eye contact. Instead, here comes an ex-actor in a T-shirt who won't shut up. "So hello! Are you lost? Welcome to our neighborhood! Nice to see you!" Principal Dan Horn bounds down the sunny, bougainvillea-flanked sidewalk toward St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

MOVIES Talking heads are common in documentaries, but they're usually not made of cloth, wood and latex — as they occasionally are in "Dumbstruck," a new film following five ventriloquists and their puppets as they pursue professional success and personal happiness. Director Mark Goffman, producer Lindsay Goffman and film subject Dan Horn will participate in Q&A sessions after these select screenings. The film will also run next week. Regent Theatre, 1045 Broxton Ave., L.A. 7:15 p.m. Fri. and Sat.; 5:15 p.m. Sat. and Sun. $10.50.

Re "A school transformed," Aug. 26 I'm proud to be a 1966 graduate of St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City. My parents sacrificed to send me and my three brothers to this progressive educational institution.The primary focus then, as it is now, was on an exemplary education. We were taught discipline, values, character and a work ethic. Those educational and life lessons live on today with Dan Horn at the helm. Go Valiants! Suz (Rooney) Montgomery Ventura I can attest to the comportment of the students of St. Genevieve.

Having overcome their share of obstacles, students and teachers at the St. Thomas Elementary School would like to share the secrets of their success with President Clinton. The U.S. Department of Education recently recognized St. Thomas as one of the nation's Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, an award presented each year to outstanding public and private schools.

MUSIC Glee Live! In Concert! The TV phenomenon that has given choir geeks a good name seems to know no bounds, spawning multiple albums and a live show that's making another successful round on tour. The exuberantly named concert stars 13 members of the television cast, including Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer and Kevin McHale. Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., L.A. 3 and 8 p.m. $49.50-$89.50. http://www.gleetour.com. MOVIES 'Arabia 3D' The first major production filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia explores the extraordinary 2,000-year history of Arabia through the eyes of three contemporary citizens.

Comedian-ventriloquist Dan Horn has earned a reputation as one of themost technically adept ventriloquists in the business, working with a cast of hand puppets whose arms he manipulates with a rod in his free hand. As one newspaper critic said, Horn's "visual effects are almost as stunning as the vocal ones." But Horn, an Irvine resident, is careful about how he is introduced on stage.

The first time Dan Horn played the Laff Stop last August, he worked as a middle act, which made it all the more noteworthy that his performance drew a standing ovation. Standing ovations are rare in comedy and almost unheard of for middle acts. Horn opened a five-night stand at the Newport Beach club Wednesday, but this time he was a headliner. And while he elicited a strong response, there was no standing ovation. The two points are not unrelated.

For those wanting to treat the end of 1990 and the start of 1991 as a laughing matter, several clubs and comedians will be doing their best to accommodate. Comedy Nite, the Improv and the Comedy Store all have top talent lined up. Comedy Nite is bringing in Dan Horn, a ventriloquist-comedian whose dummies range from a sassy girl with frizzy hair to a 91-year-old dirty old man. Opening for Horn will be Kat Simmons and Benny Ricardo.

We could all learn a lesson from Dan Horn, principal of St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, who has made physical fitness as much a part of his school's routine as diagraming sentences or working math problems. Like many of us, Horn read about the alarmingly high rates of childhood obesity, which have doubled over the past two decades.