Evening star., 1954-11-30


pect that it will, a certain num-
ber Of newspapers will be able
to boast of their film reviewer:
"Criticizes freely under water"
This was inconceivable until
Howard Hughes came up today
with the idea that Jane Russell's
underwater" should be shown
underwater at Silver Springs,
Fla, in January. The project is
described as "the most unique
world premiere Of a motion pic
ture in history" and for once
those who know that unique can
not be qualified will give up with
out a fight.
This is the uniquest thing of
its kind. ever. It is also a num-
ber of other things, which are
clearly better left unsaid in a
family newspaper.
X X y X
The device that makes it pos
sible for CRITICS to sit under 10
feet of water looking at a motion
picture of Jane Russell, with
Jane Russell, is the aqualung.
This Is what Miss Russell wore
when making the picture and
what is good enough to keep her
inflated should at least give
critics confidence.
The precise. lulling words used
to summon guests to this Lore
lei's lair are:
". will view the film while
sitting comfortable in chairs 10
feet beneath the surface of the
warm and crystal clear waters
of the famous Florida spa. They
can stay underwater, in perfect
comfort and being gently Ca
ressed by the warm waters for
hours"
Critics whose sense of adven-
ture is inferior to, or saner than,
Mr.. Hughes own will not be
required to don aqualungs or
sit there for hours being gently
caressed by the warm waters.
For these "six electrically driven
submarines, equipped with large
portfolios (naturallly), will be
available"
AS for a possibly distorted
impression Of Miss Russell due
to disturbance of the waters, or
the intrusion of schools of
curious male fish, Mr.. Hughes
has checked on this. Engineers
and technicians report that
projection underwater is not
only possible but is a delightful
and unusual experience" There
is no room for quibbling about
that word unusual" .
X X y X
Although the subject is un-
mentioned in the announcement
of the underwater premiere, 1t
is possible that the project will
: reveal an important and hereto
fore elusive truth about Mr..
Hughes pictures.
These latter, from "The Out
law" through 1.-The French Line"
have left reflective reviewers al
most spectacularly dubious of the
producers taste.
It is not impossible that ev-
cry one will now discover that
they merely were pictures made
to be seen under water. Water,
after all, is the original clean
ing fluid and neither science
nor art can afford to be indif-
ferent to the discovery of its
limitations in this respect.
X X X X
NEW AWARD? It seems a
long time since Thomas Quinn
Beasley wrote us q letter, but
he remains one of the most quot
able correspondents we have
ever had. It is fine to have him
back, as follows:
LAS usual, both enjoyed and
concurred heartily in your re-
view tonight Of Sitting Bull
except for the very last sentence,
which proves you have not seen
the site of Clusters last stand,
because scenically it's about as
dreary q landscape as America
offers.
"The picture, consequently,
was shot elsewhere-so should
have been its script writer's and
producer! Perhaps fatally. Which
reminds newly not a COM
panion award yearly, a turkey