The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-04-12

lowing from employees OF the ripper
Aircraft plant, in Lock Haven, Pa,
will come to New York and be fea-
tured on the broadcast.
Music for the program will be
supplied by David Mendoza's ORCH
estra, and Thomas G. Sabin will
direct.
The 20lSt anniversary of the
birthday Of Thomas jefferson, April
18th, will be honored Monday the
seventeenth by Cavalcade Of Amer
lea, NBC at 8 p. m. That evening
Cavalcade's radio play, in tribute to
jefferson will dramatic signifi-
cant episode in his life. Entitled.
"A Mask for Jefferson" it will star
Walter Huston, distinguished actor
of the stage and screen as Jeffer-
son, and will portray Jefferson's ex-
periences as Ambassador from the
United States to France. and what
occurred at the firing of the first
shots In the French Revolution.
jefferson, the writer of our
Declaration Of Independence, third
president Of the United States,
founder OF the University Of Virginia,
and shaper Of the destiny that has
made America a free country, in
1889 was asked by influential
French partiots headed by Lafayette
to help write a constitution for
new France similar to the one that
built the foundation of our country.
The constitution did not stop the
French revolution, but 1t did more
to win for jefferson the acclaim
of the French citizens. The dra-
matte events that occurred on the
first day Of bloodshed in 1889 form
the basis Of Cavalcade's play.
"A Mask for jefferson" was writ
ten for Cavalcade's April 18th
broadcast by Arthur Aren't, and
Julian Boyd. historical advisor OF
all Cavalcade broadcasts acted as
authenticator Of Historical data.
DR.. Boyd, librarian Of Princeton
University is a noted historian and
Jeffersonian authority who last
January started work on o 50-vol-
ume project 1.-THE Papers Of Thomas
Jefferson" which will be a COM
plete collection Of everything JEFF
ferson wrote. Dr. Boyd is one Of the
committee working on this postwar
publication, which Is headed by
Douglas D. Freeman.
Did you know that Lionel Barry
more, in addition to being a top
ranking actor, is also a composer?
Neither did I. But apparently
that is so; for George Crandall and
Arthur Perles have passed this
along to me:
One Of Lionel Barrymore's fond
est dreams will be realized when
Eugene Ormandy conducts the
Philadelphia Orchestra Saturday,
April %, over the Columbia network
$3.50 p. n.) in the world premiere
of "In Memorialn'', an orchestral
tone-poem by the famed actor who
took up composing in recent years.
The work is dedicated to the
memory Of LionelS brother John;
and the world first learned Of the
existence OF the score in Good
Night, Sweet Prince" Gene FoWler's
memorable biography of John
Barrymore.
Lionel Barrymore showed Fowler
another FUSED to be a newspaper
man myself"-the score and re-
marked wistfully, UNLESS my friend
Eugene Ormandy and his Philadel-
ptia Orchestra play 1t, we'll just file
it away. Or1nandy would under
stand better than anyone else what
1t means"
On reading this passage in Good
Night Sweet Prince" James H. Fas-
set, director Of the CHS Music d.
vision, asked Ormandy to take a
look at the score. AS a result. Or
mandy will conduct the composition
on the CHS network In broadcast
from Philadelphia; and Lionel
Barrymore, speaking from Holly
wood, will comment on the piece
during the program.
Although Lionel Barrymore has
never met Ormandy, the actor has
long been greatly enthusiastic about
Ormandy's broadcasts and records;
and he has been studying music for
a number Of years with Ormandy's
close personal friend. Eugene zador,
well-known Hungarian composed
now living in Hollywood.
In addition to his film work, his
radio appearance Che plays the title
role in CHS 1.-THE Mayor of the
Town" Saturday evenings) and his
composing, Lionel Barrymore also
has done good bit Of painting and
etching.
Apropos "In Memoriam" Barry
more told Fowler, that writing the
piece was just like having long
visit with Jack" Gene Fowler has
this to say of it himself: IN Men,
oriam' contains nostalgia melodies
Of Iione's own contr1varce; and
through 1t there persist gypsy
airs, both sad and gay. and little
song Blue F'orget-me-not'; which
the brothers used to sing when they
were young and eager and touched
with dreams :"
That's enough for me. If there's
any possible way in the world for
me to be at a radio Saturday, April
22nd, at $3.50 p. m. I shall glue
myself to 1t, not to miss a word, or
note. For I have always liked
Lionel Barrymore and I have a
great respect for Gene Fowler. not
alone as man, but as q darned
good writer, and critic Of other
mems work.
What a whale of a difference
Just few words makeI
Back in the days when The
Hour of Charms" current Singing
Cinderella" contest was In the
formative stages. the committee
which drew up the rules, followed
one Of those happy lunches, and
crossed out a phrase calling for
finalistS to broadcast from New
York; instead they substituted the