The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-24
In New York
iss7. NEA
By GEORGE ROSS

Typewriter:
 Songsmiths along Tin Pan Alley like to tell you that their best numbers are banged out in a hurry. And relate instances to prove it. George M. Conan. they remind you, wrote "Over There" in ten minutes.
 De Sylva, Brown and Henderson wrote Sonny Boy" for Al Jolson while they were abroad a ship re- turning from a vacation cruise. Al Jolson had cabled them in mid- ocean for tune needed urgently i'll his picture. Cole Porter scrib- bled What Is This Thing Called Love" while watching the strange gyrationS of snake charmer on a street in Bombay.
 "Ten Cents a Dance" was writ ten by Rodgers & Hart in half an hour for Ruth Fitting, on. short or der from the late Flo ziegfeld George and Ira GershWin penned "Wintergreen for. President. for Of Thee I Sing between rehearsal acts. Noel Coward composed the haunting 'I'll. See You Again. on the back of an envelope in a taxi Scooting from 67th St. to Times Square. And, of course, the inn mortal Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key in historic double-quick time.
 Tuned to Laughter
 Musicians, too, have sense of humor. After dance tune was played at LaRue's the other night, the bandleader turned to one of his union men.
 Pardon me-" he said, ""jilst what key were you playing, in?" Skeleton key" answered the musi- clan readily. Tt fits anything" And he Stif1ed yawn.
 Emil Coleman's Smiles: As big as a restaurant check when you dis cover you've left your money in the other suit. As nimble with his feet as an embezzler with his f1ng- gers.
 A stage comedian regaled an audience at the. Friars the other night with tales of his last tri- umph. "What an audience" he raved, mot a rustic out of them. Not a murmur. Not a flicker of an eyelash." "Uh, huh," interrupted Jack Pearl, land not laugh" Big Opportunity
 Helen Menken has been married twice. Upon each occasion, her dreams of a traditional ceremony with bridesmaids, page boys and a gorgeous gown were thwarted. Fit full activities of the theater n re- hearsals. road tours and conferences with producers only permitted her enough leisure for a nasty cere- money. But when she read her radio script the other day and saw that it called for etherized marriage" she decided to have all the trim mings this time. Which is why au- ditors at her program were startled to see the star of "The Old Maid read her lines while wearing beau- tiful wedding gown.
 Critical Situations v, t@st 4@
 The critic baiters are at it again. Two drama reviewers, submits Jules Levine, we're sitting around night club the other morning. Suddenly one of them yawned. Gosh" growl- ed. the other, "can't you think of anything but business2
 A contribution by faithful Benno speaks of the critic who advised the playwright that his manuscript was too dry. What" asked the dramatist, would you suggestp i That you toss 1t in the river" re- piled the critic.
 And by way of winding up the subject, show producer is sup posed to have called 8 critic the morning atfer to ascertain why his show was banned. Last night at the theater, you told me you liked It." the impresario said with indi- nation. Did I?' calmly asked the juror. T must have been taking in my sleep again"
 and Just People
 The British caste system, as re. ported by visitor recently returned from the Coronation: Over the various entrances and exits to the grandstands, the, human race Grit ish section) was divided into the following categories. For males "Peers, Gentlemen, Men" For females, '.Peeresses, Ladies, Women
 South Africa will attes:spt to ship