The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-10-20
Star Of Play On Negro Soldier Believes In 1t
Reprinted From PM

For five years Barbara Bel
Geddes adorned a number of
minor plays and was known
mostly as the daughter of
Norman Bel Geddes. famous
designer. Now at %. Barbara has
emerged as one Of the finest new
actresses on Broadway in Deep
Are the Roots"
In Sardi's before Wednesdays
matinee, Barbara said ayes, she
was very happy about those Won
derful reviews. She said il in a
Fortnight, attractively eager way
with lively. earnest gestures. You
sort OF figure that when the movies
get her-it seems inevitable
there will be one scene in every
GeddeS picture where Barbara
stands on sunny. Windswept
mountain. her fine blonde hair I'M
covered 10 the breeze. her face
radiating youthful exultation at
SO m e out-of-ths-world, out-of-
camera-ranse vista.
She was happy Barbara went on
to say, not merely over her own
personal success but also over the
enormous popularity OF Deep
Are the Roots, in which Arnaud
DUsseau and James Cow are con-
fronting theatregoers with the
problems arising for a young Negro
returning from the war TO his home
town in the deep South.
Il think it's tremendous. very
tremendous" said she Of the
play. Tim glad II was written.
I'm glad it's a hit so that what
il has to say will reach many
people. You know. it's the first
time . Negro has been put on
stage as an intelligent citizen.
Everyone in the cast has a very
strong belief in the play. Ella Ka-
zan. our director. said re never
wanted any play 10 succeed the
way he did Deep Are the Roots, -
because il was more than just a
play
He'd bring articles to rehearsals
there was one by Lillian Smith
that was really fine" Barbara
paused, Il want 10 save il for my
baby TO read when she grows up"
She smiled. Yes. have an eight
month-old daughter Susans her
name.
Il read a lot. Not really enough
but already felt the truth Of what
We were reading.
How did come 10 feel that
way? don't know" Barbara said.
She leaned back against the dark
leather bench. Il don't know" she
repeated after a moment. When
! VAS growing up, had the regu-
lar things said 10 me against Jews
and Negroes. Strange. I've been
brought UP with. with all those
gals'-there was trace Of con-
tempt in her voice-"the same
right schools, the same right up
bringing. and they're all preju-
diced and l don't feel that way at
all.
Il remember once years ago
must have been very little
went to . friends house. I had
just seen Romeo and Juliet" and
! talked excitedly about the &C
tor who had been Romeo But
he's Jewish someone said. l felt
shocked, sick at this talk.
How do people get that way,
where DO they get II FROM" she
asked suddenly. moving her hand
ansrily The smoke from her
cigarette swirled violently. From
their parents But their parents.
where do they get il FROM / don't
get H." she said frowning, Il just
don't get H.
Her thoughts seemed far away.
Even my mother was preju-
diced" she went on. I don't
think she would have liked
Deep Are the Roots" Maybe I
got 10 understand q little from
my sister. I remember she would
come home sometimes and make
speeches at the dinner table. She
was much older and smarter. my
sister. I would just listen. I
didn't discuss IL very much Or
thing about II. Or maybe inside
vas thinking about IL more
than I realized.
Because Of her beliefs. Barbara
said Il was particularly gratifying
10 be in Deep Are The Roots"
Her acting career started in 1910
when her father secured an APP
premiership for her in Summer
stock.
My mother died when was Is"
Barbara said. then went 10
boarding schools, II meant a lot
70 ne when my father got ne the
Summer ;heater thing went back
10 boarding school after II but
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