THE CHINA MAIL,
SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 1958.
JUST LOOK AT THIS! MEN IN WAR
The Rock bubble's
THE CYRIL STAPLETON COLUMN
SANITY has returned to the world of song! The
rock and skiffle bubbles have burst. Vocalists who wore the rock and skiffle tags are dropping them so fast that it sounds like a drum solo in an echo chamber.
While everyone was talking of trends toward this and Un- a crade for that, the real change has taken place. noticed.
Look at the pop record chart 'teacher's.
And though the
what do you nee? In a female of the species isn't word-vorlety. There are bal traditionally expected to show generosity to her own kind, off dashed Marion to her old bass, quartel leader Ray Ellington,
by
Jadi, instrumentals, girl singers, boy singers, evchi songs groups of boys and girls,
There is still also rock and kifle, you will note. That is Gn--so long as it doesn't hog the show,
girl," abe insisted earnestly, " you've got lo hear."
So Ray went to a talent contest at the People's Palace in Even the most robid anti- the East End, beat an obliging rerker wouldn't deny it a hear, ear and promptly signed young log. That no srusible record. Valerie för Ave years-which in buyer wants morning. noon, this hectic industry is a mark And night.
of some conádence.
aiming for.
she was
That's what we suffered. And 1 lightheartedly asked the pert recording mangers wallowed Miss Masters what helplessly in a foodtide of teen- age fervour, "We have to give the kids what they want, they gasped.
RESTORATION
The loundation
The eye she axed on me could only be described as severe,
"To be a really good singer." the pronounced. "And that doesn't necessarily mean being a successful one...." practically
That kind of old head on those cagulfed the whole of show young shoulders, plus a pleni buzines. Debs and dowagers tide of talent and a Mttle luck Pekted Tight-tronsered Teds it would add up to stardom, rolled. Noble setans skiffled,
Valerie's
record for crat But who restored the balance Fontana la "Secret of Happi- in the long run? Why, the much-ness" and "Sharing." maligned kids, of course. They
Verdict: distinctly promising got what they wanted-in for too much of it for their taste.
The craze subsided. Even the wile the movallsers deplored, craze for crazes sagged, That explain why neither Calypso nor rockabilly really caught on,
THE THEME SONG
star,
Today, It doesn't matter if you come from Clapham or Kalama 700-you can sim be Record fons aren't choosy at all, The Kwela beat? It has The talent-spotters are still at revelty value, but there are not, huuling forth hopefuls from signs yet of teenage hysteria,
We were to busy looking, out For that, the obvious was over-
leaked. Getting buck to normal ity is an spretacular..
Duc who may make the grade
suburban obreurity.
Harry has
Nineteen - year- old Barnett from Crouch End recorded their theme song. "All I Have To Do Is Dream," He was bitten early by the show- He was ple of business bug.
to real stardom is a 17-year-old the royal rood In the Drory
om the Mile End Road--ex- Lane production of "The King cretary Valerie Masters,
She was spotted by the right
and 1."
Let's wish him luck, for so
(2)
burst
The FIRST ELEVEN
"WHO'S BORRY_NOW."
Connie Francis, M-G-M.
2 "A WONDERFUL TIME UP THERE." Pat Boonie, London, (3)
3 "WHOLE LOTTA WOMAN." Marvin Rain- water. M-O-M, (1)'
"LOLLIPOP." Mudiar". Columbia. (10)
"WEAR MY RING." Elvi Presley. R.C.A, (4)
6 "TOM HARK." Ellas and his Zig Zag Jive Flutes. Columbia. (7)
7 "GRAND COOLIE DAM” Lonnie Donegan, Pye- Nixa. (8)
8 "SWINGIN' SHEPHERD BLUES." Ted Heath, Decca, (5)
9 "LOLLIPOP! Chordettes
London. (0)
10 "IT'S TOO SOON TO
KNOW." London, (13)
Pat
Boone,
The
11 TEQUILA."
London, (9)
Champs,
The 12th Man
THIS WEEK (t'n still Perry Come with "Magic Moments" -for the second week run-, ning.
I hail the closest-to-life dissection yet!
I
BOOKS .. BY NANCY SPAIN
HAVE been so sour about brave new writers fox so long that I have forgotten the rare joy of encountering new talent; particularly when it is not angry. So imagine my delight this week to be able to blow bugles, beat drums for M. K. Joseph, who has written a really good first novel, I'LL SOLDIER NO MORE (Gollancz, 16s.).
an army at all, saw things so diferently. And so for wo have had only comio
of the English view.
versionn
Did Hawkins' words seal the fate of the Armada?
For my snuncy "T Soldier THE No More han them all beaten hope some
to a pulp. I only intelligent Alm company will buy it for England, Otherwise
enn see an awfully good, part there for Marlon Brando.
courage,
He men.
INSPIRED
ENTERPRISE OF ENGLAND. By Thomas Woodrooffe. Faber, 250.
was at Tordesillas (away inland in Old Castile) that Pope Alexan- der VI divided the unrolling
I'
I am always fascinated by map of the world into two particularly of the spheres-Spanish and Por female kind. So I'd love to | tuguese. méel grandmother, university Far north, in England, Johnny feels it is a reflection When I had finally put it
graduate, ex-medical
stud Henry VII was at the time down I felt, "Oh yes. This on his manhood. Eventually the Cid Ricketts Summer, who, at time comes for him to be dow
the age of 64, suddenly answer saving money for ships, and is the real thing all right. mobbed, to face real life. ed an advertisement and went building the first dry-dock This is the way they really can't do it. He commits suicide. plunging off down the rapids of at Portsmouth. lived in the Army."
"Then there is Harry Gillies, the Colorado River with seven The brand new successful the Colonial conqueror.
comes from New Zealand, turns TRAVELLER IN THE novelist is Michael Kennedy into a really good N.C.Q. WILDERNESS (Macdonald, 108) Joseph, senior lecturer in (vallant In combat, tough in is a true story of a woman who English at Auckland Univer- love), full of generosity.
could write of herself cheer- sity. He is married, has five Alas, his girl goes off with a fully I am old enough not to be disturbed in the company of children, WILS born in crippled dance-band leader, so men (no matter what may be Chingford, Essey, in 1914, he dallies with
their physiol gical pecessities),” was educated in France, instead, and
who only blenched slightly rapida with namen like Upper, New Zealand, and Oxford some black market dicals. University.
Just when he is almost des- Middle and Lower Disaster, who dentist's and troyed and corrupted by the can dart into a He joined the Royal sleazy life of the Occupational lose a tooth the way you or Artillery in 1940, served in Army, he learns that the dance- might lose our glasses. France, Holland, and Ger. band leader is dead and his g write of the happy relationship book notable for conciseness,
A rousing cheer for pretty YOU FIXED FOR LOVE" Connie Francis, who took on (Capitol) Sinatra and Min all the beer and bounce of a Smitli make a duet debut well many male-dominated I Parade and worthy of encores. Sons, a poetry massacred the lot. Her "Who's swingy, sophisticated beat, is ended
a lily May Sorry Now" is now ruling the well isled by
bardier. And the style is masculine roost-making her arrangement, the first girl to make the grade nteely nostalgie of an old-time
So-f since Doris Day came up with duct team called Bing Crosby "Que Sera" 18 months agv, ала Соплеe Boswell,
THAT CASUAL gent Dean Martin has nipped back into the Amerlem Best Sellers after a
lengthy absener. He got back
on his estranged partner by be- coming a successful flin actor ju
the Young Lions" after. Jerry, Lewis had earned a gold record wilh his straight singing of
Rockabye My Baby."
Now there are whispers that they may team again for a show. Could the new Martin hlt record have
Rome significance? It's Return To Me."
TOP POPS
BY JOHN LAMBERT
For of people. Marion Ryan many of the discoveries will be **** FRANK SINATRA and heard the girl
own futed to fade away.
at her
German girl gets involved in
at
I
.and
who can, in the same breath,
tho established with n feld mouse.
Henry's money led afterwards to a fighting navy, run by officers who, though they were
by Senerally described their enemies as pirates, knew not only how to handle ships, but where to sail them, Prize, and trade, was their quest, not con- quest end colonisation; that was separate issue. Operations of war were expected to pay themselves, and indeed they sometimes did.
for
Good sense
anmander Woodrooffe, In A
colour and good sense, tells the story of the rise of modern sea- power in this country. Strange, This unorthodox, Eminent among his heroes are woman John Hawkins, a practical ship- fascinating, delightful is really sorry to end her un-wright who founded and or comfortable journey, for It hadganised the fleet of Elizabeth I; the scourge of the quality: the Drake, behind it a
Spaniard, and one of the most quality of inspiration.
skilful leaders who ever went to HUMANITY War; and Lord Howard of Effingham, the grander' who beat the "Enterprise of. England,” the Armada of 1588.
rare
will have him back. until 1946, write
Just in time, he and his cap all the time. He tain get away with a truckload the war a hom- of loot right under the nosey of
the Intelligence Corps.
K. anyone --M.
Through these two men, Joseph is well qualified to write through others, no less real, the about the war for his generation story of a whole Unit is traced. In English.
There is the unsure N.C.O. who ****** MICHAEL HOLLIDAY, " Soldier No More" is a never knows whether to order THE STAIRWAY OF LOVE" compulsively readable, deeply, the men to wear greatconts or (Columbia). Several versions of touching, most honest alory of n not... thure la the pay clea Cid Rickelts Sumner and this number are being showcased, small unit of men caught up in who spends his time singing torrent, whirling along between
The theme is famillor, but so This is by far the best because the unhercie scramble of war, pop numbers... the fascina- the brightly coloured cliffs of
are many which continue હ Holliday sings far better than
tingly awful malingerer .... the the canyons, she learned some- the others, Even to the diso is Joseph knows how men worry dreadful officers, Yet comehow thing that we all take a bit too arouse men's pride and wonder, most remarkable as a reminder and are brave, muddle and are
this little collection of indivi- much for granted. Our common and it is untaileringly told, with fairness, to those who came off of how original stylists are frightened, act diffident and duals becomes an Army team, humanity.
worst. slavishly
Holliday vainglorious all at copici
keenly through the same walloping
Cid Ricketts Summer and Scholars may
argue detaila; WO KEE them
Michael Kennedy Joseph have they are welcome to do so, but manages to sound even more time. Half the time they pose, Europe. Tacn like Crosby than Perry Como but the rest of time they do slacken and weaken in the de this thing in common. Their they can scarcely dispute the does.
iheir damnedest. to win their moralising atmosphere of Ger- Ilves were interrupted suddenly outcome of early success at sea, by a deep emotional experience. crowned by the overthrow of the most formidable sea-assault ever mounted, at least until our own nolay days..
qwn little war through six long many.
have
** FRANKIE VAUGHAN, grey years.
I think all this is done very But Joseph had to go to war. "KEWPIE DOLL" (Philips).
well. We
·THE SOLDIERS
have had so many Mrs Sainner need not Only the Voughan vitality Hifts
of pletures
American volunteered to go down the the this to any value. It puts him Kliend
For example, of the heavily boosted
here is poor Arms's point of view; most re- canyons. Particularly at the
nge of 04. of course, cent in mother's
my mind, and heavky
Perry Johnny Clarke, groaned
Young Shaw's "The
"Sixty-four is the right ago Como version. But the song, boy. He has married too young Irwin
to adventure," she says. Sho Lions," despite the bounor, is basically a really dreadful wife.
deceives him most sordidly with But the English Army, bat- Well, well That was the year brash and trashy,
the boss, with visiting Ameri- tered and dusty and a little I was rather hoping to
bit ashamed of itself for being weren't you?
SMITH, "HOW ARE TOP RATING: FIVE STARS cans KEELY
VIGNETTES OF LIFE
Red Light
the
By Harry Weinert
By chance
The scattering of the Armada,
for decided England's destiny centuries ahead; but it was not retire,defeated by chance, and the
reasons are made plain in 0 took which is fine reading.
"Serve God daily. Love one another. Preserve your dictuals, Beware of fire: Keep good companie." The author quoles these sentiments by Hawkins, [adding: "This was not an order produced for the benet of posterlly — something which would Inok well in the history books. It meant precisely what It said, and in those sentences of three words cach no more was needed for a woyage in Eliza- |belban times, when sailors were quarrelsome, imp:ovident end Coreless,"
OLIVER WARNER {Landum Express Sarvica),
YOU HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO TURN AROUND AND ADDRESS THE BACK SEAT DRIVER IN A FEW WELL CHOSEN WORDS.
"SO IT'S A RED LIGHT!
SO WHAT ? GOING-
TO PARK HERE
ALL DAY?“
THERE'S TIME FOR
QUICK REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS IF THE FACE · AND FIGURE HAVE LOST
SOME OF THEIR
GIRLISA CHARM -
AND FEMININE ALLURE.
IT'S A
MATTER OF
TIMING —— AND THE SHARP PRIVER
DOESN'T WASTE ANY.
GO AHEAD – JUST DON'T TRY TO
PAY THE FINE WITH THE HOUSE MONEY.
THE PAUSE.
ALLOWS A
FEW SECONDS FOR BLOWING
NOSES AND GENERAL. |OVERHAULING,
COPE_UNTY MIRURAL, PEAJUNS
„COR), SEWORLD RIGHTS RESBAYLA.
AND IF THE FAMUN, PET IS ON BOARD, YOU HAVE TIME TO SLAP IT DOWN AND.
MAKE IT GET OFF THE STEERING WHEEL.
A CHANCE
то
LIGHT UP-
IF YOU ROLL YOUR OWN,
SKIP.
KT
RED LIGHT SCREAMS THE FIRST MATE- THEREBY CAUSING- YOU TO STALE HALFWAY BETWEEN THIRD BASE AND HOME.
BOOKS IN BRIEF
• THE RING-GIVERS, by W. H. Cangway.... The Arst best-seller in Britain was the story of Beowulf, tough chleftali of the herole age, who was noted for fantastic deeds of strength among our flaxen- halred ancestores In Den- mark
and neighbouring lands before they brought their long-proved shipr
here to conquer. Years
Beowulf's
later
story
pagen
was still realled at meal-times in the monas
teries.
Now, it has been brought splendidly up to dale
this adult novel of blood and action—a kind of Anglo-Saxon Shane, in which our sixth-century forefathers "love, fight, and feud with all the ruthless- -ZURES of the old Texas caltic-barons. An exciting and enthralling book (Michael Joseph, 10s.)
● HEAD IN THE
CLOUDS. "by Muriel Hanning-Lee, There 13 sad double irony about this self-told story of tho Ute of an air hostess, First, in November 1957- while the book was' still st the printers-its author was killed 'on duty in the Isle of Wight air crash. It was scheduled for publica- tion on February ( 6.- On that day occurred f** the Munich air disaster. In the grim aftermath the book was barely reviewed at all. A great pity. Muriel's story is genial, informativo;: and despite the pathos) "which" surrounda jf, should please primaby renders. (Hodder, 128, 66.).