The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-07

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To which another member Of the
cast retorted: "Oh, life-what q
theaterl"
The late Percy Hammond, one
Of the top Fighters, admonishad
showmen who quarreled with critics
this way: Everyone would love q
critic II he praised everything, But
II he praised everything-he couldn't
be Q critic"
The same Mr.. Hammond could
roast thespians until his targets felt
like they were made Of charcoal, ).
When No learned that one OF his
pet hates was Hollywood bound
Percy numbered: He should do
well. Hes had lot Of experience
acting without audiences"
when Che membership committee
of the Players Club decided that
they must give the late John Barry
more the old heave-ho because OF
his renorSeleSs and unrepentant
prankiShnesS, he was called on the
mat TO hear a solemn i7-page ac-
count Of his crimes. Az the end OF
the last dreadful accusation the
star was asked II he had anything
to say. Looking Up from q scratch
pad, he blandly said: Gentlemen,
was sketching, DO you mind read
ing that again2"
When stage-struck stripllngs came
10 w. s. Gilbert (of Gilbert and
Sullivan) and requested his advice
he offered this counsel: Success
is Q wonderful thing. But one-half
Of knowing what you wants. know
ing what you must give up before
you get IT."
The current revival Of ''Pygmalion"
recalls the time Mrs. Patrick Camp
bell starred IN the play. shaw wrote
It for her Mrs. Campbell's con-
tract called for o private railroad
car when she went on tour. The
producers pointed out that they
couldn't afford O private car--but
she insisted on 1t In each
city the producer brlbed the sta
tlon-master to shift the car through
the yards during the night. After
= few sleepless weeks, Mrs. Camp
bell decided to stay ct q hotel.
When George Amsheil's 'Ballet
Mecanique" q work that calls for
whirring motors, strident airpIane
propellers, etc. was introduced at
Carnegie Hall two decades ago, one
critic" stood up and raised his
cane high in the air Attached
was . white kerchief!
Despite his great success Noel
Coward has been q victim Of many
severe paintings. Noel penned this
comforting observation about criti-
cism: II hereby render deep thanks
to those booing, historical gallery
ties and those exultant, unkind cri-
tics and journalists for doing me
more constructive good than any Of
their cheers and their praises have
ever DONE"
That's q slice Of philosophy all
thespians should frame.
Ne A3e @AA4AW Aus Vac UkARQUC AQGd
that sex is q hopeless basis for per-
manent relations THE ideal
love-" he once insisted. "is conducted
~ mail" Shaw added that
his passionate correspondence with
actress Ellen Terry was q wholly
satisfactory love affair 1T could
have had her." he said, "at any
time. but / did not wish to COM
plicate such q delicate intercourse.
She tired Of five husbands but never
Of mel"
Fer some curious reason the
rapier-snappers Of critics are quoted
IN theatrical histories, but their
Communications are seldom mem
toned. However, here Is q rare
example that aisle-sitters can be
pleasant Reviewer William
Hazlitt was once reproached by a
pretty young thing for failing to
remember her name Hazlitt
was equal to the occasion. He ex-
planned with~a low bow: II didn't
recall your name, because when we
last met ] was sure your beauty