The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-09
TALKING
ITOVER
BY JOE WILLIAMS

NEW YORK, March al am
~ surprised that none of the
prize fight reporters was moved TO
strike back at Representative Whoo-
sit, Washington statesman with the
45-point gothic tonsils. who spoke
sneeringly Of their critical gifts.
It appears that the gentleman. speaking
euphema tically. does not care for the way
the modern critic deals with the current
drama. In fact he doesn't care for the
but what can you expect?" he. asks in
effect. when you have prize fight re-
Well. II Representative whoosit was at
al familiar with his subiect-which sub
seqUent disclosures proved him not 70 be
in highly competent hands IL entrusted TO
the fight reporterS-to say nothing OF the
There is nothing in the Broadway
lyceums. where bloom the make-believe
episodes Of life that transcend. the prize
ring and the wrestling mat in illuSorY pic
lures and theatrical allure.
Moreover. the dramatic critic has II
comparatively easy. once he has squeezed
himself into dinner jacket and adjusted
his boutonniere, All that he has 10 do Is
TO effect a scholarly mien and decide
whether the presentation is or is not
adequate.
TINE critic at the ringside is
Il burdened with much greater
responsibility. His perspicacity
must extend far beyond the simple
judgment of effect and impression
The adequacy of the performance is
the least of his concerns. Con-
stantly he must ask himself: Are
those mugs leveling?"
His life would be soft. indeed, If after
reviewing an ONeil opus land who can
called pays? he could sit down to his
typewriter and hang out a piece without
giYlng SO much as a yaRrant thought TO
inc possibility that the actors weren't IN
there trying.
To my memory. no critic Of the stage
has ever deemed IL necessary to question
the legitimacy Of Barrymore portrayal,
whether John was carrying an opponent,
Ethel pulling her lines or Lionel making II
SOCK aoH ' og st fnss'@sni
that the whole thing is on the up and up.
But consider the ringsde critic. He
goes to see Mr.; jim Londos wrestle for the
often because Mr.. Londos Wrestles for the
HEAVYWEIGHT, championship four or iye
Mr.. Londos IS very dramatic athlete
lie does everything but die in his own
combination Of CLANCY Warheld Bennett
and Hampden with the best features of
each discriminatory retained
What is the critic to say OF such a man
know what the stage critics would saw
but the ringside critics almost invariably
manage to employe admirable restraint and
9cuteness; their observations usually TAX
ing this form.
odd jim put on another swell show for
the suckers last night, and, boy, how they
fell for it."
VXTHILE I wouldn't commend
w such a criticism as being
entirely fair, since it fails to take
into consideration the high artistry
of Mr.. Londos as a poseur, still it
is not without merit as a frank,
outspoken opinion of the moral
character of the show.
In still another respect the critical duties
severity OF eXactitude to those of the ring
side critic.
The fight reporter is expected to tell
you DAYS in advance whether Sharkey can
The drama reporter on the other hand.
isn't expected to tell YOU whether Strange
Interude''. is flop or WOW until he
believe It is a matter Of theatrical
record that some Of the boys wrote ''Abie's
Irish Rose" wouldn't last week.
The point make here Is that 1t would
Tunnev instead of Dempsey after the
tenth round at Philadelphia.
In fact. as l recall the occasion. 1 think
7 did suggest somewhere in the story the
following day that Tunney did whip Demp-
sev and at the same time I generously
conceded that he would have to be reck
oned with in the future