Evening star., 1932-03-14


ture law to be drawn up on something
or other,
Critic Robert Coleman. in fiowery
language, exponent Of the almost
vanished school of oratory, speaking
from gigantic sheets OF paper spread
before him, thereupon announced IN
the midst of dead silence, "A critic
is not rnade-he is born1" And point
ed to such spectacular lights OF the
critical world as q. B. Shaw. whose
words of wisdom were not thrust upon
him." but born with him.
Thus the final hearing which has
focused the attention of the world on
the first open forum in congressional
records on the waywardness of critics.
And but for q few choice words, the
red carnation on the lapel Of the chair
man Of the committees coat, the cigar
which Critic Coleman brandished from
time to time, the occasion was an anti
climax for an expedition" Of this kind.
The promised trainloads of drama
scribes from Rev York, Chicago. Bos-
ton and Pittsburgh seemed TO have been
mislaid.
Misiaid also was the battle for which
Representative Sirovich had prepared
himself
Weeds, Thorns and Thistles."
The most violent expression Of the
mornings session (aparG from the re-
iterated statement from Representative
Sirovich that ne had been tortured and
abused" in everything that he had said)
vas that tine weeds, the thorns. the
thistles must be removed from the the
ater." Critic Coleman agreed with Siro-
yich on this. He agreed with Repre-
sentative Sirovich on everything. He
himself spoke about weeds, thorns and
thistles." He said the chairman had
been fair in everything that he had
said. He further added that his speech
over the radio last night had been par
ticularly enjoyable. He also looked
somewhat surprised when Representa-
tive Cole asked out of the clear sky, Is
this fishing expedition"
Words of fair and foul play on the
subject of the theater had been ex-
changed between the chairman and his
chief witness. After Coleman had
passed his critical examination and
proved himself q l--ajor scholar Of the
theater by having been tn high eShc d.
college for one year, to Columbia or
four years studied little :r.eAter mov--
ments and also been abroHl AT which
he was extolled by Snovich rs being
the kind of critic with a background"
which the theater wants-the Discus
sion Of "wisecracking among the crit
les" and the school Of slander was
brought up. do you approve of such
wisecracking?" asked the worthy chair
man of the worthy critic
No, do not" said Coleman. Wise
cracking Is the refuge Of the w,tlesA
And furthermore" ne added, with Q
sweep of his hand in the manner of
a ccnsummate thespian. II don't ap-
prove Of anything that is against the
dignity of the theater"
The dignity of the theater was then
put temporarily away. In its place the
callous critic was scourged, the question
OF the Commute revue was brought
up. and the defense of hrevity in COM
position upheld by Coleman, who states
that '.Hark, Hark, the ark" had been
composed in jiffy, and the vague gen
eralization Of thought among those
present, We'll. what's going to be done
about it?" ,.a
Nobody denied Mr.. sirovich. Every
one seemed to be for him. Represen-
tative Coles suggestion that this was
perhaps not leading to much seemed
very much to the point. Mr.. Coleman
seemed an.-icus to .ai-s. So ola &c.,
sentative Sirovich. Up until a late
hour they were still taking. But where
we're those critics Who haa called o, tors
hams? And Why wes the IT, atCE
declining. Nobody knew. In act,
Critic Coleman made the startling an
ncunceuaent that the theater has been
more prosperous than ever this year.