Evening star., 1942-06-21

I learned in the Army that disci-
pline did not depend on morale,
but that morale depends on dlsci-
pline. And the wise father imposes
discipline on his young at an early
age There is nothing worse than
a spoiled child. He suffers for 1t
because the world does not spare
him"
The modern technique of allowing
the child to mature without strict
rules of behavior, to follow his
or her natural bent is not proving
as beneficial as expected, in the
opinion of Mr.. Lindsay.
"A Government official told me
recently that it is now possible to
Judge the results of progressive
schools" he says. They are not
as good as disciplined schools. The
children are not mature enough
to make decisions. It's expecting too
much of them when so many adults
cannot make decisions"
Don't Be Practical.
Stage Father Lindsay has bone
TO pick with the usual present be-
slowed on father on the one day
of the year when he is supposed to
come into his own. He is against
the useful type of present.
Give him something he doesn't
need, something he would never buy
for himself A shirt or pair OF
socks is nice to have, but he usually
has loads of shirts and socks. The
other day my wife, Dorothy (Stlck-
new. gave me a bound set Of Thea
ter magazines which is something 1
would never buy for myself but was
very pleased to have"
Miss Stickney, in addition to play
ing Mrs. Day to Howard's Mr.. Day
in Life With Father" performs the
same role in private life. She mar
ried her actor producer playwright
husband in 1927. The couple are
without children of their own, but
both get vicarious thrill OF parent
hood from the succession of red
headed boys who have passed
through the play since it first opened
in New York in November, 1889.
1--WE had thought of adopting
some children Mr.. Lindsay tells
me. but our working hours are not
conducive to raising family OF
our own. We don't get up in the
morning until noon. We have lunch
at 6 pm, then nap for half an
hour before going to the theater,
have dinner after the performance
and got to bed around 3.
One Natural Red Head.
But we get fond of the boys in
the show They treat me with a
great deal of respect, not so much
because of my Feasibility as their
stage father, but I'm the one who
decides whether the kids shall be
in the show The young ones are
always outgrowing their roles.
The youngest in the New York
show is Ben Cooper Harlan), he is
years old. During his first week
there was a minor accident. His
catechism book was missing. The
boy playing Whitney was also new,
and when he said to me with a GER
tain amount of agitation, The book
isn't here" l sent him off to get it..
Meanwhile, I had to fill in with
Ben. so you want me to read to
you?' said desperately to Ben. He
nodded. What would you like me to
read?' continued, playing for
time. He thought for a moment,
then said, 'Gulliver's Travels You
know he might have asked for 'Su-
perman.' Afterward he said to me,
I was careful to ask for something
in the right periodr"
All members of the Day family in
Life With Father" have red hair
So far there has been only one ma
tural head of red hair among the
cast-Richard Simon, now play
ing Clarence. But the youngsters do
not resent the hair-dying. Ginger
locks on male students at the
professional school is an advertise
ment that means. I have job in
Life With Father"
Life With Father" is on the way
to creating a special theater record.
There are two road companies, in
addition to the parent group in New
York, and the three companies have
crossed more than $4,7500 900. Both
Lillian and Dorothy Gish have
played the Mrs. Day role on tour.
Scared Of Hollywood.
Lindsay, in coiie torstic1 wis G--5-