Laurel outlook., 1944-03-08
Liqhts Of New York
by [. L. STEVENSON

ment's close friends is a gentleman
of the old school which, of course
means that he is meticulous in re,
gard to his linen. Only in recent
years has he deigned to wear shirts
with collars and cuffs attached ano
he still insists that the only proper
thing is for both the collar and
cuffs to be starched stifny. A little
while ago, his shirts came back
from a laundry, which he had pa
tronized through the years, with the
collars and cuffs limp, in fact fac
cid. When that happened a second
time and then a third, he was so
irked that he changed laundries. His
luck didn't change, however. So,
tormented by collars that could not
stand up for themselves and cuffs
lacking in stamina, he made an
investigation. His finding was that
in the past, laundries used six diff
ferent kinds of starch. But now, I'M
der the OPA regulations, they are
restricted to one. Thus, reason for
lack of stiffness, but no remedy.
No Foolin': That wit blooms in
the war theater as we'll as on the
home front is the contention of "Sen-
ator" Ed Ford, who tells a story re-
lated to him by a member of the
U. S. maritime service, now home
on leave after taking part in the
Italian campaign. The service man
and a fellow fighter were stationed
on gun watch on n of the ships in
a convoy waiting in Salerno harbor
before the signal for invasion. Both
men heard a plane approaching but,
because of distance, couldn't tell
whether it was enemy or friendly.
"That's one of the 81 planes" as
serted the fellow fighter.
"Never heard of a b Plane" de-
clared his companions; whats
that?"
"Well, it's going to 81 too damn
bad if it isn't one of ours" came
the retort.
One Way: Joel Ashley, who played
the young lead opposite Margaret
Lindsay in "Another Love Story"
was well started in the films before
he joined the marines a couple of
years ago. (He's out now with an
honorable discharge and a pension
after a bad accident.) His first
chance came when he was working
with Warner Bros. as a studio cleo
trician. One day he slid down a
rope, from the top of the stage,
practically into the lap of Michael
Curtiz, the director. Instead of bawl-
ing him out, Curtiz promptly signed
Ashley for a part in the picture he
making. 1t seems that he had
been searching for actors who could
slide down the rigging of a ship and
Ashley, all unconsciously, had given
an exhibition of what he could do
in that line. In short, he slid right
into the movies.
Turnabout: Speaking of the NOV
les, petite Connie Haines comes into
Six years ago while Miss
Haines was singing on the stage of
the Roxy theater-at that time she
was using her real name which is
Marie JaMais-her manager brought
back a talent scout. An addition
was given and at the conclusion,
the scout opined: "She's just fair,
and I'm afraid she will get
And that was that. Now
Miss Haines is the singing star of
the Abbott and Costello program.
a recent broadcast, that
same talent scout was in the audi
ance. At the conclusion, he wasted
10 time in rushing to Miss Haines.
You're a wonderful picture bet!"
le exclaimed, Somebody should
AVE signed you a long time ago."
Music Lovers: Bidu Sayao, Bra
lillian soprano of the Metropolitan
Opera Co., whose recent singing of '
he Melisande role in "Pelleas and Z
brought high praise :
rom the critics, gave her maid two
tickets to the opera the other eve
ing. The next morning, Miss Sayao
4sked her how she had enjoyed it.
1t was fine, Madame" answered
he maid, Except for two women
n the back of me who discussed
all the time"
"Why didn't you tell them to keep
asked the singer.
II did," replied the maid mourn
lilly, "but they told me anyone who
!; really listening to the opera should
OF be able to hear them talking.
O what was l to do?"
Around the Town: About Arlene
rancis selling war bonds and
to customers in the Lyceum
,bby before %retreating back stage
!, make up for her role of Russian
in 1.-THE Doughgirls." .
Early to Be" Jane Deering lin
on-stage after every perform
III A. L~lL..