Evening star., 1943-04-12

and faults. It even has seen few,
notably those of Walter Kerr and
Leo Brady at Catholic University,
which have been good. But Father
Gilbert v. Hartke's claim to the dis
covery of both was so definite as to
make challenge, even a weak one,
| foolhardy.
In the mail today is the first tiny
bit of encouragement that ever came
of all that searching for a play
wright to discover. It is the news
that Bretaigne Windust, whose name
always looks as if it needs transla-
ton, is coming here today to discuss
with Clinch Calkins the production
of her play. Independence Square
in the autumn.
This department does not want to
be misunderstood on that project.
1t does not claim to have discovered
Miss Calkins, who is Mrs. Mark
Merrell of Mclean. Va, in private
life. 1t feels, however, that she is as
close as it will ever come to discover
ing a playwright and would like to
set forth chronologically its part in
the Calkins-W -Windust enterprise
1t was a windy afternoon at the
corner of Thirteenth and E streets
couple Of years ago. The light on
the northwest corner of Thirteenth
street said not to walk, so a bunch
of people were standing there, obey
ing or cursing the law.
Hey" said voice, II want you
to meet Mrs. Merreu."
Everybody bowed and said how
do you do and Mrs. Merrell-whom
we would say was an intelligent
looking woman If it did not imply
tact or concealment, which it does
not-said she would like to talk to
this department some time. This
department said that would be fine.
The light said Walk" then and
those going across Thirteenth street
walked. while the Merrells went
down the street the other way to
get the MerreH car. (That was two
years ago and people could get
their own cars)
A few days later, Mrs. Merrell,
whose professional name we dislike
because it sounds harsh and unlike
her, came into the Office. Unlike
most playwrights, who will talk
their own, and your, head off, she
was IN a hurry. She stayed only
long enough to say a few words
about the play, remarking that
Brock Pemberton had script and
was considering it, and ask would
this department like to read it.
The answer to that was yes and
Mrs. Merrell went away.
The next time she appeared it
was to say that Mr.. Pemberton was
growing cold and what did this de-
partment think of the script. It said
1t thought the script was lot bet
ter than many being produced at
the time and that it seemed very
remiss Of Mr.. Pemberton to grow
cold like that.
The further dealings on the sub
ject were to introduce Mrs. Merrell
to couple OF producers, to mention
her play to couple of others, and
to wonder what was happening.
The thing came to a stop as far
as this department was concerned.
but Mrs. Merrell and the others
have carried on quite successfully.
So there Is no chance to claim to
have discovered her. which is one
more failure to be like Nathan,
This department is writing her down
as near miss" however, probably
the nearest it will ever score.
Mr.. Windust, to come back to
him, is turning producer for the
first time in Independence Square"
Heretofore, he has been a we'll
known director, Life With Father"
and arsenic and Old Lace" having
contributed mostly to his well
knownness. Associated with him is
Lee Simonson. who hitherto has
confined himself to stage design
and writing very good book on
stage design.