1958-02-28 — Page 4

Page

THE T.V. FEW

OMETHING is happening in the vast organised Industry of British entertainment, It may or may not prove significant but some of us are daring to hope. But perhaps my story should be put down in proper

Bequence.

You can Imagine there any marprise and shock to public television. Laste when it WAD announced demn that that Sadler's Wells was to pre- sent no less a revival than "The to which

It is easy to con- remarkable Inven-

brings into

our

would have caused Ilot they had been presented to the sergeants' mess in the 1914

Was war.

homes the great personalities Merry Widow." Eyebrows weral of tile world, which shows ralsed so high that it seemed

como down Prime Minister Mocmillan way- they would never

and agala. Here

were State-sub.ng to acclaiming crowds

leaves បទ Kazing nt studio #diset alagers and orchestral vandeville performances which players descending to a musical comedy albelt a venerable one, So the first night arrived and, wander of wonders, there a box office queue that nearly stopped the traffic. Everybody was telling everybody else those wondrous far off days when the lovely Lily Elle und the one and only Jue Coyne played "The Widow" until

the run would seemned that never end.

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Let me be honest as well as frank, I would not be without were my TV sct if its costs fifty times what it is at present. It brings companionship to the lonely, it mingles the first class with fems of no class at all; it amuses, and abuses but with its magic it brings great evenis

before our eye. One might as Despite Misgivings well try to stem the rush of

waters at Niagara as to limit the impact of T.V.

not

THE CHINA MAIL,

THE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1958.

THIS MAN was America's President four times. Now, 13 years after his death, he has grown greater In stature than ever before ... even his old anomlas admit he was a glant. His namo has become a Democratic election weapon. And all becauso " of a stage portrayal by THIS MAN

Ghost on Broadway

WILL IT SWING THIS

YEAR'S ELECTIONS?

DEAD President and a former President are exerting a strong In the Cort Theatre, off Broadway, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, America's war-time President, has come to life again in the person of Ralph Bellamy, the veteran actor.

A and strange influence on this Congressional election year.

The play Sunrise at Campobello, by Mr Dore Schary, is the story of four But who could possibly play

years in the life of the young Roosevelt from 1921 to 1924 in the family summer the role today? The choice fell Yci we would be guilty of home of New Brunswick. It was here that the confident, handsome, aun-tanned,

Thomas Round ex- irresponsibility if we did

an

supercilous Roosevelt, then 39, wna stricken with infantile paralysis. n count the and

intangible policeman, ex-airman

spiritual Imugine very good chap with a fine tenor cost.

for u momen! He had been Assistant Secre- voice. He is a likable fellow that the Messiah Is being per tary of the Navy and Vice- and we wished him well de.

formed at

at the Albert Hall or Presidential candidate. He had spite our misgivings. And what better stil Massey Hall. Sup money, power, personality, and a night 1 proved to be!

posing when the tenor had a famous name, and his eyes finished the solo "Every valley were on the White House. shall be exalted" that a pa

Then came the crippling pollo. wis with an unctuous voice came The play chronicles the years

Instead of gazing like dopes al animated igures and listen

on

ing to microphoned voices on the platform and informed of his private ordeal, of hi

screen We were

a television

us that the tenor always took actually heartn the human voice and looking on real people a dose of Pariline--ten shili- as God created them. Nor was ings a bottle at all drug stores that all. Here were pretty girls

Fellows

and handsome young performing for us and only us who were lucky enough to ket tickets.

The critics who had gene to patronise tell under the spell, and one of them

was actually

seen applauding at the end. In eldentally it was in keeping that the orchestral conductor was handsome young fellow in his twenties, in fact it was a night to remember.

triumph over his affliction 150

that he was able to stand up on steel braces, shuffle to the plot

·LONDON LETTER-

form at

DON IDDON'S DIARY

Campobello

fa

at Sunrise Madison Square Gar den and nominate Al Smith, much more than n play. It is an intense emotional experi- "The Happy Warrior," for the

ence,

and even the Roosevelt- haters are now agreeing that the Presiciency.

man was a glant comparable to Lincoln and Washington, dominating the. Democratie Party even in death.

by Sir Beverley Baxter M.P.

that

FLI

the

#

of

ot

RALPH BELLAMY

* Impersonation

là a night but triak...

MAN,"

only

1000 Meyner's Roman

and hia sliver hair are assets, and delivery is forthright, but to does not igalte his audiences.

term

114

And Menuen Willlains, selon of a soap and shaving family, seems unable to sot a meeting. on fire, even though he is prob- ably the handsomest man in politics, in his fifth Michigan Governor, is only 48, and a fervent disciple of F.DR. Both those Governors, and bearing down heavily on the business slump and joblessness that now cloud The battle will be the land.

over unemployment, fought and in the thick of it will be former President Harry S.

Frank talk MR TRUMAN

chin out in the Roosevelt man- tlon high command had planned cigarette-holder, to use defence setbacks as the ner, juis his and uses the high-pitched voice main issue. Now they have de

which cided on a broad assault against of Groton and Harvard

the Eisenhower regime on the was the voice of Rovervelt.

economic front. They think tha Bellamy studied Schary's present near-depression will be others, script for months and consulted a winning Issue in the elections, with Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt, when a third of the Senate and the President's widlow, for the whole of the House of Re- weeks before the play went into presentatives and several Gov- juoduction.

ernorships have to be filled Although Eleanor Roosevelt So the nome of Frankin Truman,

there are Roosevelt is being shouted approved the script, some false lines. Her children from a hundred political plat- say: "My mother and father forms, and the Republicans never said I love you' in front today are being compared with the Republicans of the disas-

cannot keep of other people,"

rous Herbert Hoover Admini-out of the news even if he And Mrs Roosevelt, after Cestration. and

wanted to, and he obviously that octress

does not want to, ing the play said Mary Fickett's portrayal of her

Here is Senator Gore, "is as much like me

Tennessee! "Bread lines are His extraordinarily frank talk

Some with Edward I. Murrow in the in my State, forming Every night at the Cort man in the moon." Theatre people sit hushed and

people close their eyes and turn See It Now programmo, which But that is unimportant- n deaf ear and a cold heart to millions witnessed on television, reverent. They leave the theatre like a congregation leaving D certainly unimportant politi- the millions who are unemploy- and which the B.B.C. is show

Sunrise at Campo- ed and the many more who are ing, is still being discussed. It In- cally-and church after hearing an

bello there champlon chosen

has become to lead the before going on the platform. lament decreed

nimo

́a campaign : partially unemployed and a pis has become spired preacher. be commerclal TV. "Take a tea spoon of Pariline should

as mighty Corporation against the

campaign document for the distress."

document in the election. a day well as the B.B.C. with water three times

He waited forces of Commercial Broad- The critics have already sald Democrats this election year.

Actually, the conversation be- of until the early

the pioneers had casting and Television? Believe about and you will soon get rid

"Moving play:

there that Gore, asserting burned their fingers and then he it or not it was no less a person heroic, inspiring, poignant and Bellamy says: that nasty cough."

"Hemember

were more bankruptcles last tween the two men was filmed Sir Arthur Bord bought time on commercial T.V. thant

made that in. (yes tender, eloquent, heart-warming, when Roosevelt

a year ago in the Florida Keys, rear than ever before la that and enlled his company with two fs). Headmaster of exciting, tense."

augural speech in 1932 and sald

America's history, forecast but much of the material will in to a disheartened country

not be released during Tru--- "Granada" after his early chain Rugby where the famous -De-

tonai Tom Brown was educat- What does Ralph Bellamy, the

5,000,000 unemployed as the re of theatres.

the gloom of the greatest de At Brst he conned his pro- ed.

man who re-creates Roosevelt

Senatory pression in our history: The Full of the Republicans' policies, man's lifetime.

Lyndon Leading glowing

Even so, what was shown and grammes to the Manchester area You might ask why such

Ray7 None of the such words the critics have used. He only thing, we have to frut Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, and heard was salty, blunt, and re- and learned by trial and error. man should be chosen

fear Itself? The words rang

vealing. Then he decided to

sits in his dressing-room face invade State's principal supplier of T.V.

across the land and across the Jack Kennedy have joined in the chorus of complala1. And globe and gave new heart

the Presidential aspirants are 've played cowboys the whole world

stepping forward. a courage and audacity beyond more than a schoolmaster. He caps. I've been bounced off

"They came out of his own. e which is praise he decided that there was is a member of the Council of horses and knocked off roofs,

During the past few days olu stituency of Southgate which is

parade rks publle for the first class even Law Society: In the Hitler war I've been slugged and shot and a lovely borough with parks

Nor can I imagine a clinical, on TV. So ho began a

pro- he was Under-Secretary of the given the hot-foot but this role heart and his own life."

display. Governor Robert Moy-

play such 09 and artificial lakes feft: over against the theatre of today and from the spacious days of the gramme called Chelsea at Nine Ministry, of Supply: in the-last of F.DR. is the toughest yet."

ner, of New Jersey, and Gov- searching also against television,

with the costly Under

and popular year of the war he was Under-

of Sunrise at Campobello about a Bellamy's performance has

error Mennen Williams,

being pro amateur the impact of the Angry Young Past, we have more

Douglas Fairbanks as compere. Secretary of the Treasury, and been called "magnificent," and

Michigan. Both men are hand British statesman Theatre companies and

Chairman even It has been a brilliant success became

and duced in London. But this thing John Men Cult headed by

the he is pleased with his triumph,

some, loaded with charm, than another even though, inevitably. opera companies Osborne there has been

there Cement Costs Committee at the An

excellent vote-getters in their has happened here, have been stars that falled to Ministry of Works. Could there but also puzzled.

Mr Truman thinks the Demo- ugly pessimism in the theatre, borough in England.

"Here I am playing at

States. But whether they have Osborne started it with "Look There young people meet. for twinkle from time to time. Ile possibly be a man better equip-

Presidential stature is doubtful. crats are bound to win Back in Ange" and Sir Lau- rehearsal for many weeks and has even engaged singers who ped direct the BBC. in its millions of people believe was

even forthcoming elections. Certainly they are not the and planists grim struggle with com- pretty near a saint. Maybe it's

in confident rence Olivier lent his power- then move on to Church House can really sing

Let us not mince words-the minor Roosevelts, although they party itself It only remains for too soon to get a proper per- ful prestige support when he which has an excellent stage as who can really play but behind merelais?

comedian where it all has been superb show some

from thespective, Anyway, how do you recession, which could turn into have embraced his policles, up with the help of the dead Rooso- agreed to play the lead of the well as dressing rooms

and velt and the very much alive the propriated his speeches, Palladium to bo

depression, is here la appointed play him? How does a man go drunkard. dissolute, cheap they perform plays and operas manship.

And lice United States now.

the occasionally aped his manner Truman, they will win in Os Incidentally these activities often Faced with this challenge Headmaster of Rugby School about playing vaudeville performer

Democrats have decided to use isms. borne's "The Entertainer" It result in the young people and indeed the growing popu and the circle would be come F.D.R.1"

Bellamy pauses and frowns, the stump and growing unem- for it is larity of Commercial T.V., the plete. the marrying each other,

main cam- was another drama set in

28 Well there we are. I began the "The problem, I see it, is ployment as their very dregs of hopelesents and stili true that people marry State controlled B.B.C. felt that despairing cynicism and it play- whom they meet. One of these it must do something desperate. London Leiter by the statement to suggest the man, not to im- paign ammunition and put the

personate him. cour- And it did. A solemn announce that something is happening in

Impersonation blame on President Eisenhower. that amateur societies is so ed to capacity. The fact

that a new the vast organsled industry of is a night-club trick" Ollyler did i brilliantly must ageous that it revived my play ment was issued

a sensational Governor-Chairman had been British entertainment

So there is no impersonation, Before the successful Jupiter- I hope be taken into account but the which was such

his C rocket launching, the oppos!- in appointed. And who was this that you will agree.

although Bellamy thrusts gonlus behind it all was Lon- flop at St James's Theatre don's Angry Young Man No. 1 1942. -John Osborne.

Next day there was along queue of people trying to book seats. Even now if you can get tickets for The Merry Widow"

I would like to think there would be a riot in the Albert Hall if such an incident took place but that is exactly what we accept on commercial

a prestige almost Television, Well-does it really you enjoy equal to the New Yorker who matter? had tickets for "My Fair Lady."

boust

in

with

I think that it does matter. London and take a peak time and broadcasting entertainment, ined, eyes bright, and chats

on commercial television. With Believe me, Sir Arthur is much easily. It may stem an exaggeration Therefore let me but I am

some pride that certain that the triumph of this charming piece is a spontaneous reaction

These young people refuse to become prisoners of the Tele-

But the story does not end vision screen. But alas! they are there. Lord Biaverbrook's Lon- a tiny minority even In South-

don Evening Standard always gate.

holds a gay and distinguished

supper party at the Savoy

onco a year to grant awards to

the best author, actor, actress

and most promising playwright

Sir Galahad

But la roturn to my main

of the London theatre year theme--the ad conquering T.V. Quite rightly Olivier was the No. 1 actor and the other win monster is no longer without its ners were equally deserving I hero. A Sir Galahn has ap- was given the pleasant task of peared on the scene; and he is the none the lens a gallant fellow proposing the health of

whose name is Sidney Bernstein. winning actor and actress, plus you will be certain to hear the author of the best play and lot about him so let me in also the most promising

ΟΥ two introduce author, No doubt, going beyond paragraph

him to you.

:

SANDYS BIG

а

DRUM

my brief, I pointed out that Sidney Bernstein was a young all four of them had camed man who made quite a bit of the awards in plays depling money by buying shall subur- with human degradation.

bon cinemas in the days when His

Perhaps it was becouse I had everyone went

come directly to from

the

to Blms.

Savoy system of buying we as un- **The

Merry Widow usust as it was successfull The where the charm and bumour owner would take him to the and of other days had reminded us cinema in the morning that, anilke the animal king- Bernstein would say: "But what dom, the relation of the sexes a lovely theatrel And how well in human beings is spiritual as it fe albusted... It is a charm- well as biological. Not content ing place."

Inevitably the owner would with that I

the deplored the modern raise the price in his own mind pozalism of

when suddenly Bernstein would thostro in its choice of sub-

offer him a mam so low that focta. It was some satisfaction the poor fellow reeled from the that Vivien Leigh called me on shock. Then they would haggie the telephone next morning and and eventually Bernstein would said that she egreat with every do the deal having got word.

In studying this curious trend to public tasto one'cannot jazvo out the overpowering impact of

theatre at a price lower than the owner ever contemplated.

*

"Nuclear Bangs"

>Massme Retaliation !

Russia! Beware!

of

mon

Waiting

to

for

ODAY Americans wall

similar words, There are the advances in science and there is the recession.

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Russian

Summit Songs

Reason

tho

THE WESTMINSTER BUSKERS

"London Kanresa, Strvios

When television came along Bernstein studied it until Par

·

I have seen

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and

British 1.cannot imagine a Prime Minister being so frank before the TV cameras or any... where else.

wolk.

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