1954-03-22 — Page 4

THE CHINA - MAIL MONDAY,

· MARCH 22,· 1954.

MISERY MAN FINDS

TH

NEW

London.

HE sad, disconsolate

CUSTOMERS

#tom two-rcol slapstick

Buster Keaton comedies in 1917 he graduated

face of Buster Keaton is no longer the

Buddenly relaxed Into

a large, genial smile.

It

was as unexpected as finding forgotten

to full-length features during Bomo of which

A stand up as masterpieces of the comle art...

man Recent revivals of films like

something valuable In he was 15 years to

Lost Property Office. I had

"The General" and "Te Naviga- Tegall Оп extraordinary ngle comedian with the' mell. and the disdainfully rigid face in a lunatic world

just asked him how he had ago. Television culous Iming of a metronome

lost all hla money.

"Bad Investments, marriage auttlements (I gave my first

and

wife

£120,000) over drink," he adid almost ravel- ling in the memory of so much misery.

We had been talking about the days when Keaton, alusik with Harold Lloyd and Charles Chaplin, was ranked as one of Bo greatest clowns sicht einerna.

of

"had my own production company hen," Keaton went on,

has changed that. of

by MILTON SHULMAN

why should a slapstick comedian be chosen for such a part?

"The novelty of it. I guess," ank Keaton.

er the forgotten manı

a better

There is probably "aid I was worth about nion. For Renton is no long

he was million dollars. I lent a lot of It-int of them died before some 15 years ago, Television me has brought him fresh fame, a to paying they got round

B new backt. And I drank too much, comfortable Income and But I haven't wanted to go public.

feel

drunk for years. terrible afterwards."

Fame again

So

The features, 101 unlike these of an aging bloodhound, Bank back do their cornate

He state of glum resignation. sipped

lus liqueur cautiously and waited for the next ques- tion.

in

have worked on uvery major television show Amerien," he sald. They pay between £400 And £1,000 work. fo. Ybout eight minutes' That's more than I pad in pictures."

Was

ever

Keaton becomes even more whon mournful-fan he looks

ple- about talking he thinks turos.

of

to

man

Although he made a number they never of talking plotures achieved the popular success of his sent Alms. By the begin- ring of the war he was, earn- ing his living as a gag man and an adviser on comedy scripts. 1e has thought up laughs for char- such strictly non-comle Detors as Clark Gable Lana TumKT.

and

the war not Television after

on the only resuscitated him screen, but sent him back to vaudeville.

In 1951 he did a provincial Lour In England with a 20- only minute act that consisted of him trying to put his sleepy He never man- wife to bed. ngod to get more than her shoes off.

Wasn't happy

Despite friendly notices, About not happy Keaton was the foer. "I could never get a hot meal," he said. "It WDG other doo early or too late

hadi every hotel I stayed at. cold sandwiches for 10 weeks. And they never seem to have heard of room servicc,"

Nor was be

Our nack "They kille-t comedy. They developed come- At 58, Keaton has come

dlan who talk their heads off. London to play his first com-

I can retur un tolvivien That pletely

1 s a SUTKAES role.

i de- to the silent technique. short TV lm about a govern-

with no offelal

becomes liberately to routines who ment disillusionox with the work he dialogue. No dialogue is a great being billed with is doing in a police state. But relief to rudieners."

POCKET CARTOON

by OSBERT LANCASTER

"How ARE you, Admirat darling-no cables slashed, no and in your works!"

Smiles were out

Buster Keaton was born into a family of circus and vaude- ville acrobats. "I was an ec- centric comle

the age D four," he said.

of

The Keaton act was relatively brutal. One of the 招OKS he remembers was being hit in the

please.f about old-limers Ilke George Robey and Wee Georgie Wood. "It's like walk- Ing on your own grave," he explained.

He has just completed eight weeks with circuses in Brussels and Paris. He enters the ring dress suit trying to deliver a and

leaves being chased by half the clreus. He received

£400 a weak for his efforis,

ot

"Luckily I've kept my weight down 90 1 con still do the rough stuff" he said. He is, face with broom. Without moving

however, slightly surprised a iDelai

he muscle

in his continuing popularity would watt five or six seconda

"Maybe they're just and then

Europe. "Ouch!" It KAY taught him his timing and reeing me of my early pic- physical endurance,

tures."

As he shuffles up the stairs to Ke learned es a young man his hotel bedroom, looking very that if he laughed at what he small and very Ured, I thought

sad for him. Then did, the audience didn't, That bow Decounts for the permanently remembered congealed face. "In my ple- tures I didn't even smile at the girl," he said,

I

I

all those wonder- fully paid TV programmes. checked my sympathy. Perhaps he was feeling sorry for me,

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CONTINUING THE ADVENTURE OF

by Adrian Conan Doyle - and

John Dickson

Carr

Squire Trelawney, a rich landowner, has been found dead in bed. Dr Paul Griffin, the local medical 'man, refuses to issue a death certificate; a post-mortem reveals that death was not by natural causes, but cannot show how he died. Under his will Trelawney has disinherited his niece, who kept house for him, in favour of Dr. Griffin, who is now under suspicion of murder. The Rev. James Appley, uncle of Dr Griffin, calls on Holmes to ask for help.

For no recon, she is gratul- tously offensive to him. Worst of all, she shows her disilke in public."

"Aht And Mr Ainsworth?"

too good a "Ainsworth La

not to deplore his fellow Nancee's behaviour to my nep how. He takes it almost as a personal affrent."

"Indeed.

with

Most praiseworthy. But here, unless I am much mistaken, are our visitors."

The old door creaked open and a thil, graceful girl swept Her dark eyes, into the room. glowing

an unnatural brilliance, turned from one to the other of us with a long searching glance that had in it a glint of animosity and some- thing more of despair. A slim, fair-haired young man

With a moan

O

Landon Express Service

THE GOLD- HUNTER

The NEW Exploits of

SHERLOCK HOLMES

naively.

"Then, when he flew

off about his nightmares"

"Nightmares?" said Holmes, "Yes, Ho screeched, out that

t

my ear. But it was licking. gave the stem two Full turns by the until it was stopped

1 spring; but, in any case, should not have proceeded. Tho a harsh noise. winding caused

from Dolores an unnerving scream. I recall her exact words."

crer-ack, which drew

"Vicar!

Put it down! It is like-ike a death-rattle","

For a

In moment we sat silence., Miss Dale turned away her head.

"Mr Holmes," said Ainsworth earnestly; "these wounds are too recent. May I beg that you will excuse Miss: Dale from any fur- ther questions tonight?"

Holmes rose to his feet.

with a he suffered from nightmares, without are groundless things

she

buried her face in her hands

know

Wo know they fresh complexion and a pair of and that this was no night for UR ellent clattered dering devil.

the stairs. man, and we know the motive." singularly clear, shrewd blue the human sout to be alone." down

and "Then why are you here?"

oyes followed behind her "This is a some "Eccauisa there is cre thing greeted Appley with a friendly

he did it, what

word. curious lacking. We affair," said Holmes, filling right enough! But how did he his travelling pouch with shag from the Persian slip per.

do it?"

No lots than a dozen times did Lestrada osk the same question during the course of our journey, until it seemed to

throb and cho in my head with the very click of the train

wheels.

*

"Which of you is Mr Sherlock Holmes?" cried the young lady. "Ah, yes. You have uncovered fresh evidence, I imagine?"

"He grew calmer," continued Miss Dale, "when Jeffrey offer

twice ed to look in once or during the night. It was really rather pitiful. My fiance went in when was it, Jeffrey?"

7

"I have come to hear it, Miss "Once at ton thirty; once at Dale, Indeed, I have heard midnight, and finally at one, in everything except what actual- the morning. ly happened on the night your unclo died,"

"Did you

speak with him?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "No, he was asleep.” "Then, how do you know that

proof

Miss Dale," he observed. Taking out his watch, he looked at it thoughtfully.

"The hour grows late, ch. Mr Holmes" remarked Lestrade.

"That did not occur

to me. But you are right. And now, to Goodman's Rest."

A short journey in the Vicar's carriage brought us to a pair of into a lodge gates opening narrow drive. The moon had risen and the long glimmering before avento stratched away".

barred mottled and with the shadows of the great elm trees. As we swung round the golden the final curve, cones of light from the carriage on the lamps gleamed faintly face of a gaunt ugly mansion. All the dreb-painted window shutters were closed against

door WOS shrouded in' black the casements, and the front

it's a house of gloom,

all crepe. right," said Lestrade in a sub- dued voice as he tugged at the bell-pull. "Hullo! How's this! What are you doing here, Doctor Grifin?"

"I am glad that at last you see it in that light, my dear fellow," I remarked, "for it did seem to me that

"You stress the word 'died,' Mr Holmies.' you were a little impatient

"But hang it all, my dear, from tho first with the

what else could he say?" asked especially It was a long, hot day and worthy Vicar,

with an at- he was alive?" young Ainsworth when he strayed into his the after-glow of suns by ad tempt at a laugh. "You have

"Well! Like many elderly of super- early medical ambitions and the crests of the softly rounded

Somersetshire

hilla when We probably got a lot the probability that he alighted at

at the little stilous nonsense in your head people the Squire kept a night- on ght. It was a kind of rush- On the hill- because the thunder-storm would absent-mindedly have wayside station.

Tuesday night upset your uncle. light burning blue in a bowl on removed n patient's gall. eide beyond the half-timbered Tuesday night before he was the hearth. I couldn't see much, a loose-fitting Norfolit jacket

and gables of the village

but I could hear his heavy stones."

amkt noble elm trees from

"How do you know that?"

breathing under the howl of the whence, even at that distance,

storm." The effect of this casual re- the clear evening

"Doctor Griffin said that he air carried mark was extraordinary. After

"It was just after five on the tho cowing of tho homing didn't die until about three looking Exedly Into space, rocits,

there

share. ♫ great o'clock in the morning. Anyway, following morning" said Miss Holmes sprang to his feet.

he was all right in the early Dale, "when-I can't go on!" hours!"

aho burst out, ;"'I can'!!" "You seem very mure,"

"By Jove!" he exclaimed. “By Jovel"

ERO CEORGE >

in

There was a touch of colour and his high cheekbones that sudden gleam

in his eyes that I knew of old.

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"Ag usual, Watson, your help has been invaluable." went on warmly.

not

white house,

he Arms."

last

Bet

dead,

continue,

'door.

The door had swung open and a tall red-bearded man, clad in and knickerbockers, stood in the entrance. As he glared fiercely from one to the other of us, noted the clenched hands and heaving chest that told of some fearsome inner tension.

"Must I get your permission to walk a mile, Mr Lestrade?" "Isn't it enough that

"We have a mile before us," said Lestrade sourly.

"Gently, my dear," said Ains- he cried. "Ihould prefer not to go to the 12.01.190

asid at Arst.**

worth; who was looking at her your cursed suspicions have the whole countryside steadily. "Mr Holmes, this has roused

against me?" Holmes. "Does this vlage run

His great hand been a great strain on

my shot out and seized my friend by to an inn?"

in the Camberwell

shoulder. "Thera

Holmne!!! "You're looked st "Perhaps The young man

I may

be permitted the

the he said passionately. "I got your auggested to there, I Holmes in obvious, perplexity. "Then let us go

that you live up to your repute. "Though

yourself prefer to commence on neutral "Of course I am. As Mr Lest. Vicar. "Dawn was just breaking note, and here I am. Please God rade can tell you, I was in that when I was roused by a heavy o far as I can see, you are sli luminous, you are a conductor ground"

Holmes!" cried Lest-

room three times during of light."

"Redly

what a hava helped you? By men- rode,

night. The Spuire asked me to Astable boy had "I cannot imagine"

ed post-haste from Goodman's hanginan. There, now, Lioning the Vicar's gall-stones?" "precisely, remarked Holmes, go there,"

I am, I've frightened nows. It and not andher "Precisely."

word

"Then be good enough to let Rest with horrible

tho from he utter until we were all en me have the facts

appears that the "Really, Holmes!

With a low moan, Miss Date parlour beginning. Perhaps, Miss Dale carried up the Squire's morn had buried her face in her "At the moment, I must find geoncod in the private

ing fox as usual,

hande. Yes, une of the ancient hostelry. Holmes a certain surname.

A few lines in his

the sirain it's-it's questionably I must find a cer- ecribbled tain surname. Will you hand rotobook and tore out

horror unthinkable

think I was really

me

would

two

the pounding on the Vics patch that stands botween me and the

00 Very well, Mr Holmes. Tuesday night my uncle asked my fiance and Dr Crifin to dine Now, Mr Appley, if I might with us at Goodman's Rest,

the commonplace book leaves. under the letter

I had given him the bulky tako the uberty of sending. From the first he was uneasy. volume, one of many in which your groom with this note to he pasted press cuttings of any Goodman's

before

ملط

housemaid he

sho

sobbed, "Oh, very annoyod

while we

"On drawing. the curtains, with Holmes; for,

strode: Into the

Ball, Bar; Bartlett! Hum! Hat thoughts As for myself, I had honour improve matters when cluded his exám, con lens as he did so.

Good old indux.”

too

and the other put it down to the far-off

tering

of thunder, he loathed the screamed out in horror at gathered around the weeping Incidenta arresting his atten- to Mr Angworth

and feared

observed to Lestrade storms. But now I beholding her master dead in girl with words of comfort, he Lion, before I had time to re- "By all meRTIS."

we have am wondering whether, his un- the bed. Huddling on my merely mably the dead man's Excellent. Then flect.

his clothes; I rushed to Goodman's mind. or in Miss

casinoss, lay

he "But, Holmes, there is no one time for a pipo In this affair whose

sumame Delores er her flance join us conscience. Be that as it may, Rest. When I entered the Bed-body was inside. Turning his

1wo For some time begins with a 'B'"*

sat in our nerves grew more and more room, followed by Dolores and back on

of been summoned Quifs so. I was aware of it. alienos, each busy with his own tense as the evening went on, Jeffrey, Doctor Griffin-who had house, whipping out a pocket

nor did Griffin's, soNBO

DT

After a decent interval, I He has been dead for about hurried after him with Lostrade much confidence in my friend to accept the obvious ab lightning struck a tree in the

Do long as he cople. I've got to drive home two bands Baits the doctor. 98. my heble, Through a door on

"the" of mo "But Ito face value

'and. I: hope appeared to be purplexed in his tonight, he

nothing

happens to me in this understand how he died own mind.

"I had moved round to "Well, Mr Holmes," said storm. Dr Grimin is positively

other

to After a short perusal, turning Lestrade sternly, at best. "You Insufferable)"

myster over the pages with eagerness, have been sufficiently Holmes chased the book with a lous to satisfy even Dr. Watson bang and eat tapping its cover here. Let us have your theory,

no theory. I am with his long nervous Anger. "I havo Behind len tho tubes and merely sounding my Hacku,"*. beakers and retorts of the Your facts have overlooked chemical tabes glittered, in the the criminal."UNE wuslightly shNEKA

"That remains to be seen. By ***I had not all the data of the way, Vicar, what are the Course". he added musingly relations between Miss Dolores "Even now, they are not come and your nephew?!

you Lestrade caught my eye and thours mention; this,” replied **Their relationship. enough, hos begn- & source of,bain: to 11h a print, me for somn, time But in

the left of a great dark hall, wo can't

caught a glimpse of a candle-jit this room plled high with half-

withered Bowers and of Compo when

long thin figure stoop- Prelawney's

ing over a white-shrouded form

Holmes a the bed, of

of

Well, I'm glad that I'm ing/EVAHkziing it, ray in the open coffin. The confl

staying, laughed Jeffrey; we caught are sig enough with the good gold old lightning conductors,"""

of morning sunlight. The watch light twinkled on bis lens ar he was a stem-winder, without beat down until his face was key. It lay on a small marble only a few inches above that of of the dead man. There Whaia topped table, amid a litter patent-medicine bottles and period of absolute stillness linument bottle which diffured while he uthaired the place

features beneath him, Then gently be pulled up the; sheet and furnied

uncle leaped from his ja "strong" odour in the stuffy You young fooll! ho

you

that

lare: told;, that our mind

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