The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-02
In New York
BY GEORGE ROSS

New York, Mar. 2-This is tht second time Alexander Woollcott has daubed his roly-poly cheeks witt greasepaint, and now he can b, seen, along with other actors, il Wine of Choice"
 The Town Crier couldn't resist He even bet lady friend of his a new dress that he couldn't bt hornswoggled back to the stage The dress is on him (beg pardon) he lost his bet. He already has ordered the garment from ritzy store, and next month it is going to be described in the style col umns of popular fashion maga- zine.
 On the whole, the critics-The Town Crier used to be a critic himself once-were kind. But ii one were reading between the lines, it is plain that the critics didn't hail him as the next Bar rymore or Orson Welles or the White Hope of the American stage. They said he was all right that he did his job the best he knew how and that in effect, he is Great Guy. I hope the cri- tics haven't been informed that MT. w. hasn't read a single line of what they wrote about him They are sensitive lot and might feel hurt.
 Shrinking Violet
 Not only is the rotund Woollcott impervious to critical screeds about himself, but he doesn't like inter- viewers. The lady who publicizes Wine of Choice" is having hel hands full, indeed, turning away the inkstained wretches who would have word with him. He is so re- porter-shy that, to present tht world with true picture of Wooll- colt, the Actor, the Author, the Ra- contour and the Man, she sat doWr and tossed off a word-picture her self. This is what she wrote:
 "As sentimental as his idol Charles Dickens. AS sophisticat- ed as his friends, Dorothy Parker and Noel Coward. AS caustic as his prototype. Dr. Samuel John- son. AS genuinely warm of heart as his apostleship of "The Seeing Eye suggests. AS high-brow as Harvard professor. AS blasting to the phoney as is his pal, Harpc Marx. AS esteemed by the book. ish as he is popular with radio jet NnYsc. c niu y,t royalties as he is to personal sometimes irrational, dislikes." The Food Is Good, Anyway
 Backstage of "Wine of Choice, they tell you that The Town Criel insists upon eating real food in tht show, and has gained fifteen pounds since he went into it. He ought tt gain a great deal more before he i! through Because he isn't needed onstage great deal, he spends tht spare time in his dressing room dictating articles or letters or note. to his secretary, unless visitors in. trude. When they do, he generally detains them a long time, while ht repeats an anecdote in great detail And sometimes he becomes so ab. sorbed telling a story that he almos misses his cue in the play.
 Nothing has flattered him nor, than the report that lady came ur to the box office when "Wine o1 Choice" was in Boston and solemnly said, T am so glad my Alexander is in the play. Oh, never met him. but just feel that way about him. He is delighted that while he wa! being an actor again, his neighbor. in Vermont, where he lives on ar island home, proposed him for tht political post of Head Librarian. Hi epicurean penchants between show are pate de fois gras and anchovies He sends out for them frequently And, incidentally, he doesn't, thinl that he is another Barrymore. And, oh yes, did I mention that "Winc of Choice" isn't very choicei