Eleanor McMain High School - Echoes Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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Reel Review . 4- Men of Boys Town THE sequel to the memorable Boys Town which remains a pleasant -memory, is a drama based on an original story, fictitious except as to the setting of Boys Town in Nebraska and the character of Fath- er Flanagan. Spencer Tracy again takes the part of Father Flanagan, without whom there would be no Boys Town. Mickey Rooney por- trays Whitey Morgan, the dynamic boy-mayor of the school. These two stars are the first to repeat real academy award perform- ances in a sequel to the original pic- ture. Spencer Tracy made a fine and touching gesture in presenting his academy award statue to the real Father Flanagan with the message, It is really yours, for without your inspiration and example ever before me, I could never have successfully played such a role. As able as Father Flanagan fSpen- cer Tracyj may have been at look- ing after the moral and spiritual well-being of his boys' characters, he was much too engrossed to worry about finances of the institution, and gradually the financial situation be- came critical. Father Flanagan could think only of the dire necessity of more room for the accommodation of the many homeless lads he was compelled to turn away daily. These boys, dejected and disappointed at the failure of what seemed their last hope, resorted to criminal offenses and consequently were thrown into reform schools which served only as places to learn more clever ways to outwit representatives of the law and order. Eventually those waifs grow into confirmed criminals, resentful of human society, shunning and hating people everywhere. Mickey Rooney's performance was excellent as usual. His admiration for Father Flanagan was so intense as to be almost akin to worship. Father Flanagan had taught Whitey a decent respect for God and man, and had developed in him the desir- able qualities so necessary for suc- cessful manhood, yet so lacking in some of the youth of today-unfail- ing loyalty, respect for right and truth, consciencious performance of E-C-H-O-E-S duty, and a love and understanding of his fellow man. In the course of the story ample opportunity is presented for Whitey to prove how well he has learned to apply Father Flanagan's teaching. When such a time came, he did not fail the man who had put so much trust and faith in him. Little Pee-Wee, Whitey's sha- dow-pal at Boys Town, supplies some of the humor of the picture. This was essential to the movie's success, for today more than ever before, Americans need to laugh for laughs are precious in these serious days. Whitey, Father Flanagan, and Pee-Wee played vital parts in the recovery of a boy who had a broken back and needed will-power more than anything else to recover. He was an example of what the unmerci- ful cruelty practiced in some of our reform schools does to its inmates. His bitterness against the world and utter indifference to life is at last overcome through the combined ef- forts and patient watchfulness of these three. The story blends the financial dif- ficulties of the school with a deep human understanding -of boys' minds and an expose of reform school bru- tality in America. It is a highly ef- fective message for good. Rosalyn Mitchell, '41 ,lf Pls if The Dcvil and Miss jones IN The Devil and Miss Jones, Jean Arthur as 'Mary Jones is out once more to lend a helping hand- this time to her fellow department store employees whom she is trying to unionize with the aid of her friend Joe fRobert Cummingsj. The dev- il who has made -organization neces- sary is J. P. Merrick fCharles Co- burnl, the richest man in the world and owner of the store, a fact he remembered only when the dissatis- fied employees hanged him in effigy. Becoming impatient with detec- tives who fail to discover the ring- leaders, Mr. Merrick goes into his own store as a shoe salesman. Re- maining there incognito was an easy matter because he had never allowed his photograph to be taken. Mary Jones gives him fifty cents, believing him to be destitute, and Elizabeth fSpring Byingtonb shares her lunch with him. Without the least bit of 'effort on his part, Merrick gains their confidence and finds that the real troublemakers are Mary and Joe. He also comes to realize that they are not mere agitators but are struggling to gain the employees some measure of security. His own disagreeable encounters with the store authorities convince him that it is they who are at fault and after many hilarious scenes, particularly to one in which he is compelled to eat the very paper with the list of names that was his objective, peace and tranquility are restored. Mr. Merrick's opinion of Joe chang- es completely when he saves him from jail by reciting the Constitu- tion and Declaration of Independence to a bewildered police sergeant who is so confused that he drops all charges in self-defense. The human interest side is well cared-for too, and as for affairs of the heart, there are two romances progressing side by side-those of Mary and Joe, and J. P. and Eliza- beth, whose tunafish popovers had earlier made J. P. forget all about his graham crackers and milk diet. The picture ends happily with a dou- ble wedding and J. P. making up to his employees for his neglect by tak- ing them on a cruise to Honolulu. Though the plot is not unusual, skillful directing and capable acting make The Devil and Miss Jones an amusing performance. 9 Daphne Roy, 42 That Night in Rio 1941's great glamour-musical, That Night in Rio, in which Alice Faye, Don Ameche, and Carmen Mi- randa are involved in some very re- freshing nonsense, is superbly pho- tographed in technicolor in the land where revelry rules. Recounting the adventures and misadventures of this joyous trio, the film provides exceed- ingly amusing entertainment. Appearing in a dual role, Don Ameche is seen as an American night club entertainer who impersonates a Brazilian aristocrat, Baron Duarte, so successfully that he is called upon to take the gentleman's place when a business crisis threatens the noble- man's fortune. During his imperson- Forty-tbree V5

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the Buddhist proverbs which repre- sent a rare quality of philosophyg Japan is rich in these sayings. We note with interest that, al- though the burning of incense is em- ployed in religious rites and cere- monies, the costlier incenses are manufactured chiefly for social en- tertainment. To fascinate the reader to an even greater degree is the skill of the author in portraying excel- lant descriptions, and -revealing more and more interesting facts, always with a personal touch, indicating his. own familiarity with the Far East. Lafcadio Hearn gives us a tangible understanding of a novel people, hav- ing queer customs, ideals and philo- sophies of life. Virginia Mazza, '42, Out of the East Lafcadio Hearn REVERIES and studies of Japan make this book most entertain- ing. As a resident and teacher of Japan, the author beautifully explains and describes landscapes, customs, religion, and beliefs of the Japanese. Some of their practices are better understood because they are demon- strated by interesting anecdotes taken from the queer and weird practices of Oriental life. Through many luminous descrip- tions, we understand, know, and love Japan more than we ever have be- fore: our anxiety to visit it grows greater and greater at the turn of each page. While reading this book, we are taken on a tour through Japan, stop- ping to meditate on statues, people, and strange facts about this primi- tive country. One of the fascinating parts of the book is a story of two unhappy lov- ers.--Taro and O-Yoshi, who finally forfeit their lives because they were destined not to marryg incidentally, -many lovers of Japan meet this same tragic end. Out of the East is a well-balanced and easily digested diet on the whole subject of Japan. Its style is simple and direct. It is not merely another book on old Japan-it is an- other book in the sense that it con- firms the record of others. Because Lafcadio Hearn was an excellent journalist, as well as an alert observ- er, his stories are most stimulating. Eileen Waltzer, '42, Karma By Lafcadio Hearn IN recent years the works of La- fcadio Hearn have been greatly popularized and have been made practically immortal. His writings possess alluring details and one of his rare talents was the combining of a tale, usually true, with an essay on an abstract subject. In Karma , Lafcadio Hearn has illustrated an ideal love basing it, perhaps on an experience of his own, to interpret his feelings. It is a very bewildering tale in which there are only two charactersg a strange situation arises when the heroine, in reply to the hero's pro- posal, states, Go home now-write down everything you would not like me to know. And then I shall tell you whether I will marry you. At first this seemed very simple to the young gentleman, but when he attempted the letter, the task grew exceedingly difficult. All youthful follies became criminal offenses and the young man suffered the mental agony all lovers seem to endure at one time or another. His courage won out however, and the letter, fi- nally written, was sent. It was now that he was to suffer even more, for his true love, determined that he should make amends for his greatest sin, would not consider him until this task of making amends had 'been ac- complished. lile endured a severe but just punishment for his youthful folly, and earned his reward-his true love didifinally consent to mar- ry him. This is an extremely mystifying tale and in many respects similar to those of Edgar Allen Poe. Although it lacks morbidness and gruesome- ness, there is much left to the read- er's imagination and much to be con- cluded in his own manner. The tale is absorbing because it keeps one in continual suspenseg it also teaches a moral. Karma is a realistic and in- triguing story and truly one that will continue to be widely read. Jack Souderes, '43, Kwaidon Lafcadio Hearn UKWAID0N, Meaning Weird Tales, consists of a group of quaint Japanese stories, taken from ancient books of that country, de- picting the legends and beliefs of the simple natives of the Far East. So simply and vividly are the stdries presented, that the reader feels he is hearing them from the lips of an old Japanese farmer and is soon lost in the mysteries that so swiftly unfold themselves before him. The evenness of expression, and the eloquence with which he presents the stiring episodes, help us to understand why Lafcadio Hearn's contributions to literature are considered unique. One of the most interesting of the short stories is The Story of Mimi- Nashi-Hoichi, or Hoichi the Earl- ess, which portrays the terrible ex- periences of Hoichi, a blind man who was famed for his skill in recitation. He was under the impression that he was playing for a distinguished audi- ence in a magnificent ho-me, but when his friends found him, he was sitting in front of the memorial tomb of a wealthy nobleman, having an- swered, unknowingly the call of the dead. He is told 'by his friend, a Buddhist priest, that he is now under the power of these evil spirits and that, unless he is able to resist them the next time he is called, he will suffer a gruesome death at their hands. After covering every inch of his body with sacred prayers except his ears, he goes on the veranda to await the arrival of the spirits. The ghouls are so infuriated when they discovered that they have been thwarted in their plans, they rip off the only exposed part of Hoichi's body-his ears. This is only one il- lustration of the many weird and ter- rible scenes which occur in Kwai- don. As we continue to read these lucid descriptions, we find ourselves car- ried out of everyday existence, into a life of mystery and wonder, under the influence of old Japan. Ann Jones, '42. Two Years in the French West Indies Lafcadio Hearn RECAPTURING all the charm and color of a sojourn in the West Indies, this book by Lafcadio Hearn presents a Vivid picture of the cus- toms and everyday life in these ro- mantic tropical islands. The reader is taken abroad a steamer and, by this medium, is transported to a magical fairyland, minutely described fContinued on page 441 Forty-Iwo E'C'H'0'E'S

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ation at the home of the Baron, the aristocrat himself returns and mat- ters become exceedingly complicated, including difficulties which arise be- tween the Baroness, portrayed by Alice Faye, and the American. Eventually, however, all tangles are adjusted. for the Baron's busi- ness is saved, and he and his wife are reconciled and resolve to start life anew together. In addition to beauty of scenery and costume, there are many touch- es of humor. Much of this humor- ous element is in the role of the one and only Carmen Miranda with her Nsouse American way. Then, too, special flavor is added by the song hits of the year: I' Yi, Yi, Yi, Chica, Chica, Boom, Chic, Boa Noite, They Met in Rio, and The Baron is in Conference. To those who enjoy beguiling Lat- in music and the potentialities of technicolor, to those who find lavish fashion displays particularly pleasing, to others who wish to find nonsensical entertainment, and to those who wish to spend one glorious night in Rio, this film is heartily recommended. Mollie Rurh Marcus, '43 Alumnae ' CContinued from page 401 er's Day and, as usual, lived up to their remarkable reputations. Mildred Burkel graduated from Tulane and now works in the clerical department of the Southern Bell Telephone Company. Helen Char- bonnet was on the sub-committee for the arrangement of a show for the purpose of purchasing ambulances for the soldiers of Britain. Back to Newcomb again! This time we dwell on the dean's list. On the freshman list we find Louise Ellison and Thaia Leopold. On the sophomore list are Dorothy Ecuyer, Magarita Hofstra, Marjorie Karsten- diek, Esther Levin, and Phyllis Wat- son. I think we owe them our hearty congratulations, don't you, girls? The Women's Auxiliary of the Louisiana Engineering Society gave a Pan-American Fiesta at the South- ern Yacht Club one Saturday night. A girl was dressed to represent each of the Pan-American countries. One of those girls was Shirley Dunlap! Elleonora Perriliat was elected president of the sophomore class at Forty-four Newcomb. She is a member of the Glee Club, the Dance Club, and is active in the university theatre. Donal Jones won the award for the organ division of a music contest. Nellie Mae Gunn is a member of the Elizabethans-the Newcomb a capella choir. Members of the honorary biological fraternity- Lampyrids-are Eve Heinemann and Evelyn Stolaroff. Yvonne Anderson has recently been elected treasurer of the New- comb Y. W. C. A. and recording secretary of the Beta Sigma Omicron Sorority. She is also on the business staff of the Tulane Theatre and the Jambalaya. Well, girls, this is the final issue before graduation. About two hun- dred of us say good-bye to our be- loved McMain and become creditable alumnae fat least we hope so, any- way, for it will be rather difficult to live up to the splendid records of those who have gone before us1. So, it is with mingled grief and joy that I recall the enjoyable times I have had preparing this column and leave to my successor the best of luck! Sincerely, E. H. French West Indies fContinued from page 421 by the author in a way that com- mands our attention and holds us enthralled to the very end. Perhaps no other book, written about these islands, is so educational and so thoroughly enjoyable as this. Probably the most interesting sec- tion of this book is the one in which the porteuses are introduced to us. These are young native girls or women who carry on trade with remote villages or sections not easily reached by pack train or coach. Simply clad, barefooted, these wo- -men carry packs of either one hun- dred fifty or two hundred pounds. Through snake-infested swamps, through forests, over mountain trails, they carry on unceasingly, perhaps never realizing their importance in the life of the island. Although these islands have been inhabited and cultivated by white men, the devastation wrought by na- ture where man has yielded, is astounding-parks, once beautifully kept, are now hidden by dense trop- ical foliageg lovely cemeteries, once cared for in memory of the dead, are still, folorn shadows of their former selves. In his account of the French West Indies, Lafcadio Hearn has recaptur- ed the spirit of the islands he loved so well, presenting their charms and attractions in an enjoyable manner which will delight any reader. For his numerous stories which he has left to us, he well deserves the im- portant place given him among the great names in American literature. Dorothy Sullivan, '43. Edward MacDowell fContinued on page 441 music. Perhaps by becoming a musi- cian, he deprived the world of a great artist. Unlike most great musicians, Mac- Dowell did not manifest his genius as a childg his ability to compose was brought out only after many years of difficult study in France and Ger- many. It was while studying and teaching in Germany that he met the girl, a pupil of his, who was to 'be- come his severest critic and staunch- est admirer. She was Marion Nevins, his future wife. This superb book justifies the author's purpose by bringing to our attention the powerful influence for good which MacDowell, the spell- binder, possessed. Vesta Prohl, '43. Quiz Column fQuestions on page 341 1. Among the Hills -John Green- leaf Whittier. 2. In School Days -John Green- leaf Whittier. 3. Song of Hiawatha -Henry Wordsworth Longfellow. 4. Contentment - Oliver Wendell Holmes. 5. Israfel -Edgar Allen Poe. 6. English Proverbs--John Ray. 7. Professor of the Breakfast Table -Oliver Wendell Holmes. 8. John Keats. 9. William Thacke1'ay. 10. Woodrow Wilson. 11. Coleridge. E-C-H-0-E-S