1960-06-15 — Page 6

FROM THE MAN WHOSE SHOWS INCLUDE "LIFE

WITH FATHER AND ARSENIC AND OLD LACE':

THE MAGIC MIX THAT

MAKES A HIT

By ANTHONY LEJEUNE

TO a London still echoing with the dull, sickening thud of theatrical flops came the other week a man who writes and produces hits.

He is a quiet, elderly Ameri- can, with

greyin sandy hair, Spectacles, and a darte blue suit. He drinks bottled water even at the Savoy, because he doesn't trust the stuff which comes out of London taps.

should be nice characters; and they should be in trouble. Mind you, every author seems to have one play about a bitch in him." We talked about the angry young, authors.

"I never envy these successes." ssild Me Lindsay "They mostly need a kick the pants, and they often get it too late. Few successful play wrights really start until they're

THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1960.

MONARCH AND PREMIER IN ONE

EVERY leap year the United States, plunges into That's the man

an election contest more protracted, more com plicated and more animated than any other in the world.

Why is the contest so long? Why does it always fall in a leap year, come pestilence, was, civil war or "summit" talks? To find the answers we have to look at that remarkable document, the United States Constitution.

When, in 1776, the American caloules threw off what they called the tyranny" of King George III they created in his place the office of President. But realising that an elected president could be every bit as as дл hereditary

annous

monarch, they set a limit to his

term of office. He was to rule for four years only; then, what- ever the state of the nation's affairs, he was to step down and to the so- return his powers vereign people.

Was

50

So it was with Washington in 1792,

he though popular that he was re-elected yumgunopposed; so it was with Lin- coln in 1864, though it meant having ding-dong election when the Union was fighting for its life against the Con- federacy; so

with Franklin Roosevelt in the midst of the Second World War in 1940 and 1944; so it is with Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960.

His name is Howard Lindsay, That name may not mean much over here. but his shows dot "Life with Father,” which ran

"Arsenic and 35. or 40. for eight yeaHIN. Old Lace." which

for

"It's a very difficult modium. three: "Call Me Madam" and the new Rodgers and Hammer- There's no fine careless rapture

musical

of about it. You may have a good Sure, but the technical day. problems keep intruding."

"Sound stain Music," which is blacked-out at the moment only by the strike on Broadway.

The ghosts

I talked to him for a long out time. I

to find wanted

"where bis

magic, to discover the hits have gone.

And as we talked the ghosts of all the angry young authors from the Royal Court and Stratford East seemed to squeak and gibber in the wings,

For this is a man who actually believes in pleasing his ous..

tomers.

"The audience knows what it "I wants to see," he said. reckon the highest compliment is to be told you've made them forget they were in a theatre.

"don't

bellove there's any such thing as an artistic failure. I've had successes and I've had failures, and I believe they were in exact ratio to the merits of the play."

The formula

What's the formula? I asked

him. What makes a hit?

We

He smiled. "Luck, of course, and timing. We thought a lot about Lite with Father.' had the ingredients worked out: Nostalgia, warmth, young love story, old love story. But one thing we hadn't reckoned on. It opened just at the beginning of the war.

"It had a therapeutic quality. People lost themselves in it. Soldiers came and it was often quite difficult to make them Leave the theatre afterwards. They just didn't

want to go back to real 1100.

"But if you're asking me the ingredients of a good play, I'd say there were three. Organisa-

tion of the audience's emotions.

Plot structure. tion.

And drenalisa-

**CİM. of dialogue characterisation are nive not essential.

and

but

I remember say- ing to one young man: You're

a good linewright and maybe a

good soenewright but you're not

a good playwright." "

I asked him how some of the modern successes.

such as

I enjoyed talking to Mr Lindsay for he's a professional and he writes the sort of plays like and they're the sort of plays that audiences like and I the last think we shall have laugh in the end.-London Ex- press Service.

(London Exprea Service).'"

ARTIE

DRIVERS

BECOMING

SQ

POLITE

Matic-

London Express Service.

was

Democracy first

To the outsider it may seem a to subject the drawback thus

to the rigid political process

of the calendar. To dictation the Americans it appears just reverse. It is putting the democracy first; it is guarantee- ing that on the day appointed, whatever happens, the people shall have the chance to express their will.

who will

lead America

WHO'S FOR

PRESIDENT?

by

Herbert Nicholas, M.A.,

-Fellow of New College, Oxford-

Author and scholar, HERBERT NICHOLAS, an expert on political in- stitutions, has been to America seven times in the last 25 years visiting 46 of He covered the the 50 United States. 1952 presidential election from .coast to coast..

trol of the machinery of govern-

ment,

Lincoln, speaking after the election that cut right across the Civil War, said it was "a

He appoints the cabinet, gives necessity...If the rebellion

the civil servants, could force us, to forgo or orders to Dostpone a national election,, shapes foreign policy and has It might fairly claim to have ultimate control over the huge army, navy and air force of the already ruined us.”

United States,

So it is that in 1960 the eyes of the American people will in- creasingly be fixed on the events leading up to November 8, how- ever strongly happenings in the rest of the world compete for

their attention.

*

The essence of the federal idea

is simple. It is to retain in the hands of the States all that is truly local, while giving to the central government all that pro- perly concerns the nation as a whole.

1

Thus, state governments, re- presenting local interests (even though some states, like Texas, are bigger than any European country) are responsible for such matters as the administration of

the criminal law, local policie

local roads, health and public education and of social security, nothing to

do

deal

have

with trade, foreign policy, defence, relations between the states or the control of in- dustry and agriculture when they assume nation-wide pro- portions; all these are matters for the federal government at Washington.

But that still leaves a large area for state activity, and a great state like New York will easily have a larger annual budget than a sovereign nation like Belgium.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN RE-ELECTED DURING

A CIVIL WAR

of

Scope

In Washington it is Congress which is pre-ominently charged clastle enough to embrace with does not mean there is dead- with the responsibility for re-in itself some of the interests lock; it means only that there

is plenty

for presenting these diverse in- of all the particular regions, terests. The upper house, the

Ex, while the Democrats manoeuvre and compromis for the Americans call Senate, contains 100 senators probably have more appeal di what two from each of the 50 states, the poor and the Republicans "politics." including Hawaii and Alaska

rather more to the rich, both

fact to tailor But the situation does have The lower House of Repre- parties have in sentatives, which is often loose their approach so that it at certain consequences which are ly called Congress, is not unlike tracts above all the middle of strange to people used to the As a result British parliamentary system. the British House of Commons, the-road voters,

means that there is no same thing, looking Leader of the Opposition in the draw their legislative authority There are 437 congressmen re they come near to saying pretty

of roughly well the

It often means fran the people of their states, presenting areas

equal size, elected locally and for the same type of candidate, British sease, and districts.

Jargely concerned to look after and sometimes, when in office that the President may be say- Congress in fact represents the local interests and cares of behaving very much like each ing one thing while the most the federal character of the their constituents. United States. A country so vast could not possibly be governed as a unified whole, From

оп Washington

the It is a safe bet that the Atlantic to San Francisco on Senators and Congressmen will the Pacife is further than from all be labelled either Republican London to Constantinople, or Democrat. For any other

its supporters, Although there are great uni- party to get formities of habit, speech, and elected is ram. customs, there remain obstinate differences of climate, race, re. It is tempting to say that ligion and economic interests the Republicans are the Ameri

Conservatives and the which are just as great as those Democrats a kind of Liberal- He is not greater.

comprised in Europe-perhaps

Labour party; tempting, but dangerous. The size and diver

Too vast

It is no accident that the President does not control Con- gress, the American legislature. The Constitution, fearful that he might become too powerful, allows him to do no more than offer advice about the making of laws and the control of the nation's finances. allowed to have a seat in Can- gress, nor

บ

Safe bet

other.

mfluential figures in Congress Perhaps that is why, when may be saying something else. Americans are asked how they

Fersigners, unused to: the are going to vote, they will give their answer much mare American system, may easily often in terms of the man jump to rash conclusions about than in: bee of the party, In- what the official policy of the đọed it in 'n mooring United States may be. During for an Ameline từ élag 1 an election year, in particular, s a great many diverse and con- sonator of soe party an

de tradictory things will get sid ongresimam of slather, ́eren, wälle voling for a Ee and the air will be full of much publican Freadbut to try to sound and fury which will often return a Democratie Congress, signify nothing.

The man the American people choose to lead them will be the most powerful figure in the free world. In a real, sense, he is monarch and prime minister rolled into one, Monarch be-

That is exactly the position at cause, though an elected politi-

it im- present, where a Republican, are his cabinet The object of the federal city of America, meke clan, he is head of the Ameri- can state. Prime Minister be- ministers. Just as he draws system is to cater for this diversi- possible for any party to com- Eisenhower, sits in the White

while cause, though he does not have his executive authority directly ty while at the same time giving fine itself. within the limits of House control of his party in the from the people, by the process the country the benefits of a of a single doctrine or a single majorities rule, the Senate and

Interest; each group must be House legislature, he does have con- of election, so the congressmen central government..

SINGAPORE: ONE YEAR

Singapore.

THE first year's rule of the leftwing People's Action Party in Singapore has come to an end and the most outstanding factor is that a socialist government still rules Singapore and not a Communist one.

•

When the PAP first came to power last year on the overwhelming votes of the masses, it was darkly hinted both in Singapore and the neigh- bouring Federation of Malaya that the so-called "democratic socialist state" that the PAP proposed to set up in Singapore, which had just acquired internal self independence, would turn out to be communistic

within six months.

In bygone

the

OS

Tight rein

By GORDON HUNG

Our Correspondent in Malaya |

Democratu

TOMORROW:

of Representatives. It A long way to go

OF P.A.P.

various labour legislations enact- ed in the State, they still have not shown concrete confidence in the Government with capital in vestments on the island.

Although this quietened some of the fears of the civil service. their morale was shattered when there was a general pay cut for all government servants. The Ortegance of some of the minis- Whether the Government filters at the time and the inept fills its promise of achievement handling of the pay cute issue in the years ahead depends on dia not help. two factors.

cial

a

Achievements

Since then the "Government The first, and most im- has been trying to boost the portant, is whether the PAP can morale of the civil servants with remain united in spirit and pur- Political Study Centres where pose. It is essential to the the Government has explained The success of Mr Lee's 1980. Both laws, examined in State that the moderates rule, to them the purpose behind Government has been due to abstract, give the appearance of but at the same time the exire their various moves and diree- his party's political doctrine being heavily loaded in favour. mists must have a say in gov, tives. This belief was wide. changed and the Federal capital organisation of the Singapore John Osborne and Tennessee spread among

coming to terms with reality of labour. But a different vic- erning the island or Mr Lee and business is now considered the "clty Trades Union Congress, became

More and secretary of education.

-in this case capitalism, ture emerges as soon as one sets his cabinet will lose the support Williams, fitted into his theory section of the community, that paved with gold."

He said: "I'm puzzled about there was

To appease the extreme left Mr Lee has said on many them against the background of of the left and their backing Я mats exodus of more Singaporeans and Matayana

although they concrete reality.

for being too "unsocialistic" in

This has helped a little, but them, they're violent, they as capital from Singapore to the from other parts of the country wing' elements in the party, the occasions that fault the emotions, but I came Federation and when the PAP are flocking to the Federation's Government made most of the are a "democratic socialist gov-

Given the structure of the their purpose.

it is common knowledge that released detainees who belonged ernment," out feeling that these characters government started their aus- capital to seek their fortune.

they realised that

Without the allegiance of the there is still much reluctance to are not people I wish to spend Ferity drive there was a mass

to the party, political secretaries they ruled in a capitalist society TUC and the orientation of the

duekc time with.

movement of professional work-

great tendency to to the various ministries. Theita society which gives Singa- men who control it, as revealed extremists, industrial peace and exercise initiative, and there la

in their public statements, it la political stability will vanish, "Sure, you should rouse ers across the causeway to

job is to translate the directives port its wealth,

believed that both laws will be and when this disappears the responsibility by sheltering be-

hind general orders. sympathy for

your characters. Maluya.

But the political pundits were of the ministers to the civil ser-

used to ensure that the demands business community will cease to If they killed this society But I don't recognise these

years, Kuala proved wrong in their pro- vice and see that they did not

the

A major achievement during they would kill Singapore, so of the left are kept within give the Government verbal political people. There but for the Grace Lumpur had always been con- phesies about Singapore's poli- misunderstand of God I don't go.

sidered a very poor sister of teal future. After one year the elements behind such directives. the Government, he said, limits, which will not discourage

ganisation of the police force. commercial city of island is still ruled by a "demo-

had the task of being capt the potential investor and to compliments as well as finan- the past year was, the reor know the big

As a group they were not very

make possible the peaceful solu- audience must "The

and the determined effort to There Singapore. But now times have cratic socialist government" al- powerful until the Government

talistio in certain Waystation of those disputes which

The second factor which wipe out vice and crime in the whose side they're on.

though it is a well-known fact reorganised the TUC, and now

couraging free enterprise - cannot be avoided.

will determine the ability of the island. The triad societies were that there are many extremists most of the political secretaries

and socialistio in others.

Government to carry to fruition pushed underground or they in the People's Action Party hold executive positions there in

Its first year's gains, is whether moved to the Federation. The itsall.

addition to their Government

of True, there is still lots

they can marshal the civil ser- drive against "yellow culture" Jobs,

suspicion and one still detects

This view appears to be vants to efficiently implement closed the massage houses and occasional rattles, of the sabe largely accepted verbally by its programmes.

brothels, banned the publication on the left as well as words the business community. - For

Unless they can communicate of many Chinese scandal sheets moderates in the party ant bas As most of this extreme left that smack of economic black- the leaders of all the local kept a tight red of the extreme wing elment is now concen mail on the right, but it is quite chambers of commerce as well their enthusiasms to the civil and stopped the import of many loff the majority of whom trated in the TUC, only time will inevitable that there should be as spokesmen for foreign inter- service, the ministers, plans, will foreign saucy magazines.

after ests have indicated their will wither in the files.

The Women's Charter gave are trade unionists who were de tell whether they will use their an emotional hangover

ingness to take the Government

the fairer sex. better legal tained under the previous new power hold the Govern five years of open wartare.

The PAP started off on a bad rights in regards to matrimonial government but released when ment and industry to ransom in a

The fact, remains, however, in good faith the PAP came into power,

struggle to oust the moderates that differences have stopped efforts to achieve a commodity service with their trades and feudal systems of polygamy ex- De Goh'a tax polley, his fooling by allenating the civil affairs, doing away with the from power,

short of the point of conflict, common market with the hate campaign against the When the PAP released these

But all this is for the future, and for the 12 months Singa-bderation and his recently an English-educated -last year. And as a-stop-gap solution to What has the PAP achieved dur- pore has dijoyed a political and mixed 1988 million develop Almost one hundred per cent of

the problem of unemployment-- bigger following with the cles ing their first year's reign apart industrial calm that is remark plans over the next five the civil service is English according to the latest Ogures, torate than Lee Kuan-yew him from keeping the extremists in able by any standard and is years have all demonstrated educated and although the 53,000 people are out of work

the background?

quite miraculous against the the Government is anxious firades were directed against the and 24,000 receive social aid— One thing that is to the credit background of Singapore's re to create a climate favourable English-educated who voted

the Government has set For instance, there is the

to irakunta investimenti, t against the PAP in the last elec Workers' Corps to help on na- youngish extreme-leftist trade of the Government is the political cent history.

Be a dr the quality of tions, the campaign got out of tional projects. uniorist, Lim Chin-iong, 28, a and Industrial stability that it

couple injounia, to only hand founder member of the PAP, has been able to establish on the-

and nearly became a who joined the trade union island movement in 1958, faret in the

“I'll bet other wives don't have to put ups security then: theg aal: their husbands, for a band

But Mr Lee Kuan-yew, the Prime Minister, has gathered around him

best-wing

„deboduses last year, they recog-

nised that many of them held a

self

The future

Efficiently

Its promise

cept for Moslems

up

a tiny fraction of wint le need "witch-hunt" with the ex- People here all agree, no those matter what their political Mr Lee and his Government The centre of the stage has ed if llyling standinds are to be tremists, expecially Bus Workers' Union and then have been able to restore the been jointly occupied by the maintained in the face of the edicated in Chinese schools in learnings, that the PAP in the State, booting the drums the terms of intelligence and in- secretary-genertă, Factory public's condence in the Gov- Minister of Labour and Law, Mr rapidly rising population.

And my apointer to the pre- hardest:

tegrity at the leadership level and: Shop Workers Union and, ernment. During the past year K. M. Byrne, and the Minister

and of genuing democratie sup-. Spinning Workers Union. He there have been no divil dis- for Finance, Dr Goh Keng Swee s politibel and industrikl

When the PAP hierarchy port at mass level tower over wes detained for four years by turbances compared with the The former has efficiaty laid climate her, the only big in-

amberk dering the previous fourstations upon which the distrial projects which are realised that was happening, their political rivals, but the under construation are a rolling they immediately backe main question that arises L Tulen, ka novo the idol of ming govoranett and the gover latter his buliz

pedalled with various English whether the party can continue Sop Bidports schoolchildren ment has been able to put Mr Byrne is the author of by mill and refinery which

cabinet membert to be united and whether the MOORELDRE the Chice through the Legislative Assern- far the most important places of being built with foreign fums educated

explaining that the campaign Government can win over the Pansemen of acuze (ions. He is now bly a number of retums that logitiation of the year the In- and not local' capital

was not against the cell complete confidence of the but polisi starwar

WICE COMIKERIlations Ordinines and Alosant-looki buddyweigh

Craftinos have given Up-service to the

news stelmiinity". the

Union