Brattleboro Union High School - Colonel Yearbook (Brattleboro, VT)

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Y 0 VIRGINIA PERKINS 'ss HERE ARE YOUR BLOSSOMS ON BROADWAY! ET'S exchange our ski suit for a white tie and tails, or, if we are a member of the fairer sex, for a dazzling gown. Let's change our clumsy, square- toed boots and slip into shiny, patent leather shoes, or small, silver sandals. In place of ear muffs, let's don a Juliette cap or a tall, top hat. fSpray a bit of that perfectly divine Christmas perfume on your hair, and, you, mas- culine fans, try that new hair tonic that Aunt Cynthia gave youlj All ready? All right! Let's take a look at the billboards and decide where to go! ae if a at at From the pen of an Irishman comes a symbolic drama which represents a true interpretation of Ireland, Its au- thor, Paul Vincent Carroll, speaks thus, concerning his play, For years I had been studying the Augustan period of English literature, and always have been fascinated by its chief characteriDean Swift. My mind always has been filled with the currents and cross-currents of the mental struggles going on in the hidden Ireland that you fellows know absolutely nothing about. The outcome of his research is SHADOW AND SUBSTANCE. Dean Swift is resurrected and made a learned interpreter of Catholicism. The dean is thrown into the modern mental turmoil of Ireland. His contact with the above comes in the form of a schoolmaster. These two represent the con- flicting forces that crush between them the spirit of the nation. QFrom an autobiography by Paul Vincent Carroll, the reader gathers that he hasn't much affection to bestow upon American critics. In no uncertain terms he de- nounces publicity reporters. It is quite evident that he thinks we Americans are quite ignorant of the signifi- cance of symbolismsj All in all, Shadow and Sub- stance is considered the finest play to come out of Ireland in some years. -1- as :sf fr as QNCE a charming play house where many an enter- taining and delightful evening was spent, the little Princess Theatre has for several years been pretty badly snubbed. Last year, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union foften abbreviated I. L. G. W. W.-so, if ever you see those letters, and I'm sure you will at some time, don't show your ignorance by asking what they stand for! Prosper by another's misfortune! And I couldn't possibly guess whoselj took it over and dubbed it LABOR STAGE. For its first production it revived STEEL, which is primarily concerned with strikes. The course of the working class drama has been followed with a great deal of skepticism. PINS AND NEEDLES is Labor Stage's answer to the superstition that working class drama must be humor- less. fAnd some of it would be greatly appreciated as an improvement on some of the hash Broadway serves its customers!Q It has a touch of all types of life. Romanticism is shown by a Sunday afternoon in the parkg politics are represented in two burlesques of fascism and dictator- ship, low comedy is presented with a sound labor motive. The actors are all amateurs, belonging to the afore- mentioned union. But they are under the direction of persons who really know the theatre. fThe programs proudly declare They look so fresh and bubble over with energy and good spirits because I. L. G. W. W. members work only thirty-tive hours a weekly But, personally, the fact that while they're in a play they're on leave of ab- sence is the main factor in determining their good spirits! is fr at at 4- THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY is another new- comer. It is a gay piece of cultural whoopee. The play has three outstanding elements: a kind of lyrical tenderness, a sweet opportunity for song and dance, and a lot of rough, rude and boisterous funf' Hiram Sherman and Beatrice Lillie play the leads. One critic complains that it isn't fair of an audience to laugh with and at an actor simultaneously. This is a strange play in that the actors themselves wink at the audience to get laughs on the side! The same critic points out that the bawdiness is over- stressed, the belly laugh of Tudor England is there in plentyg the music that is the food of love fand where have I heard that before ?j is wanting, the lyric and jig, so characteristic of Shakespeares age, are forgotten. But, despite his comments, I think that The Shoemaker's Holiday would prove to be a delightful entertainment! BLOSSOMS ON BROADWAY Cut by Nanrifznne Slmw '40 I 131

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Cut by Natalie Gerry '41 No FRIGATE LIKE A Book ' All who like New England history as well as the gen- eral reader will surely wish to read this book, Yes, and you, too-you who usually shy away from historical reading! va af as -r ae IMAGINE, to yourself, a penniless man, sent to America by Benjamin Franklin, introduced as a noble, thus dazzling all society, and said to be a resigned lieutenant- general and indispensable aid to the King of Prussia, when in reality he had never stood any higher than cap- tain! Such was General von Steuben, a mixture of Baron Munchausen and Don Quixote! A man of such character would be expected to have a curious and amusing history. Although the secret that he really wasn't what he was built up to be was confided to Washington, jefferson, and Laurens, they maintained the fiction. Their reason? They truly believed in Steuben's ability to reform the army-and he needed prestige to do so. Faithful to their beliefs, Steuben made good. A strict disciplinarian, quick in temper, and also in sympathy, courageous, a man able to swear in three lan- guages-all of these qualities endeared him to his soldiers. Later, when he had completed his work, had made a fortune, and was ready to leave for his native country, he found that he couldn't do so. He was too deeply at- tached to America. His friends were here. His interests were here. So here he stayed! He settled in Steuben, a small western community that took his name. Thus, john McAuley Palmer writes this biography and military work - General von Steuben. It is a vivid tale of the con- tributions made to American independence by the inim- itable General. Remember the book Way of a Transgressor P Now, a sequel entitled TmnJgre.fmr in lhe Tropirf' has been written by Negley Larson. The spirit of adventure that you liked so much in the first book is dominant in the second also. A noted critic writes: The reader gets a volume of pleasant, happy-go-lucky travel-writing spiced with shrewd observations on and interpretation of political, social, and economic affairs on the north and west coasts of South America. It is not too profound, perhaps, but neither is it too simple, 'journeyman journalism' you could call it and hit it oE fairly accurately. In my opinion this short paragraph completely sums up the entire book. Of course, to catch the atmosphere i I2 of the places, such as the high mountain streams, where Mr. Larson fished, where he froze in the wilds of the Andes, and where he sweltered in hot, tropical ports, one has to read his vivid chapters. TEAM! TEAM! TEAM! fCanlinued from page 102 kindly obliged by dropping the ball through the Purple hoop and giving us two extra points. Coombs tried the same trick a minute later, but missed. Smith's passing and defense surpassed ours, but both teams were ragged and neither deserved a victory. Hammarlund made 16 points to top all scoring. a 2: sf -1: af -1- The tilt with BELLOWS FALLS was Number One in attendance, thrills, and desire for victory. Teamwork and plenty of whole-hearted spirit led Brattleboro to the laurels, 21-15. An impenetrable defense beneath the bas- ket held the B. F. scoring attack to only four field goals, and six points each by Hammarlund, Fairbanks, and Wil- son piled up the Purple points with no individual honors necessary. The crowd grew wild as B. F. drew up to within one basket of the Purples in the last stanza, but three field goals put B. H. S. safely ahead and out of danger for the remainder of the game. as ar at a aa Brattleboro supposedly took a rest in the form of a re- turn game with LELAND GRAY. What resulted was some kind of a hog wrassle or football game, out of which the Purples emerged victorious, 31-15. Blocks and flying tackles were numerous, and players sailed through the air with the greatest of ease. However, Brat- tleboro apparently tackled harder, and won the game. The second team once again saw service in the last few minutes of play, and neither team was able to score. Pls is wk 111 14 vi: Another rough scramble, this time at KEENE, pro- duced an Orange victory, 30-21. Keene made a business of fighting hard, getting possession of that apple, and then bringing it in to score. The scoring was consistent on both teams, and both took plenty of time out when necessary. Playing all over the court, fast breaking, and sharp shooting told the story for Keene. Left forward Dedo scored 14 points for the Orange, while Rudy Ham- marlund made 9 tallies. Benny Cox's effort and de- termination in the back court was also outstanding for the Purple. l

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WHAT's this? The British can't take it! YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, America's sen- sation of last season and this, opened in London andvery quietly closed again! The British applaud American hu- mor when they can do so, but this was too much for them. They imitate American slang, they copy the wisecracks. But this play is much wilder, more fantastic than the English comedies. Against the more subdued London background, it probably proved too shrill for the jolly, ole Englishmen. Therefore, You Can't Take It with You was a complete failure in dear old England! at 1: is as fr Speaking of the British theatres, a major point in the art of drama is being proven. HMOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA is the play in question. Its success will de- termine the importance of the tragedy. That fact, that it is a tragedy, and even a tragedy without relief in exalta- tion, gives to the success of Mr. O'Neill's play a special interest. There is a notion that tragedy is unpopular in this age. Therefore, it will prove that this dramatic form can succeed. Secondly, it will prove that plays without laughter are not doomed. And, last, it will prove that the play goer is not such a conservative, as many managers assume, concerning the time, length and type of play produced. This last is most important. So, let's watch the outcome of this British venture! as is va as as Hear ye! Of interest to all those with dramatic aspiraa tions! Because of the thousands and thousands who weave their way to the Big City in hopes of making good theatrically, an EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE has been established. The ambitious aspirant is given an inter- view, is advised, and is helped in any way possible. He may choose any scene he wants. Each actor is appraised by tive to ten auditors who sit in a darkened theatre many seats apart. The auditors take notes and their notes are put upon one card and are filed away. Groups have been formed. They are given rehearsal space and as much help as can be spared. Three months is usually the period of practice. Then, a performance is arranged by the committee, if the would-be actors have shown themselves capable. The participants are of many and varied types. Some want experience, some are professionals and want a little relief or diversion, others are out of work tempo- rarily and want to practice up a bit. Those who write for interviews range from college graduates with a diploma of excellence in dramatics to stage hands in a summer theatre. The Experimental Theatre was formed, quite re- cently, in hopes of finding new talents, of helping those already discovered, and of being a contact between the immediate stage and an inexperienced actor. I think that all those who are behind this movement deserve a mighty lot of praise- Speedy Success to you! is Sk is its 41 The most outstanding movie of the moment is Walt Disney'S SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFSI' Primarily, it is a fairy tale for adults! fAnd how they love itlj Although, in our real world wars are being fought fas the picture unreelsj, although crimes are being committed, although hatreds are being whetted, all worldly trials are forgotten when the spell that Walt Disney has woven begins to take hold. The picture has been three years in the making and it cost 31,500,000 Two million five hundred thousand pictures have been drawn, and the piece runs one hour and twenty minutes. In Snow White, Mr. Disney has attempted to blend the realistic and the fantastic. Nothing more need be said about this amazing movie which has taken the heart of America-except that England's censors have ruled that it cannot be shown in that jolly old isle because it might frighten young john Bull! Alack a day! ak as ff ak sk Latest reports, however, say that after a few changes have been made in several of the sequences, the picture may be shown to Little Britain-provided that he is ac- companied by an adult, or that he is over sixteen years of age! if at :ie as at a: And how would you like to get 351,666.66 for every word you wrote, my pretties? Perhaps you heard Lionel Barrymore and Robert Taylor on the radio, tell a story of a forthcoming picture and ask for a title. And you probably thought you might send a masterpiece in. Well, it's too late now, for a frizzy-haired, high school boy, Roy Harris, has won the prize. The three words which brought him 35,000 and a marvelous trip are OF HU- MAN HEARTS. Roy has been very busy-on the go everywhere. In Hollywood, he met such celebrities as Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, He's been a guest of honor of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at the Brown Derby, College Inn and other celebrated spots. Of 1 32,000 entrants, the chief runner-up in the contest sent this title, These Human Hearts. QWe can just bet that the author of this is kicking himselflj But it seems to be an of year- Of Mice and Men, Of Men and Music. KContinued on page 201 swf-' -swf' ' - xi fa- 11 u ,lf f In x EN : ' 1 Yx l' 9 ws, . --swf, Q X New 1 M It IH W 'III tx , 1, ,ii ,A xx! I JI.. rp 'f' P fi 4 Cut by Nanrianne Shaw '40