Books Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 589, 15 February 1929, Page 14

Books Reviewed

STARS AND SPANGLES. MR BEVERLEY NICHOLS here—the United States of America there. “The Star-Spangled Manner” is the result of Mr Nichols's laying aside his new novel to take notice of New York. But we forgive America for interrupting the stream of literature. Dam the stream of literature, by all means, since Mr Nichols so infectiously enjoyed the occasion. It enabled him to meet “Big Bill” Thompson, Chicago’s Mayor, and press him mercilessly hard with questions about ‘ King George, who was to be.“busted [ on the snoot” if he showed that snoot ' in Chicago. He met Lindbergh and ’ felt in him “something of thr spirit l o x f the Crusades,” a spirit so .nfluen- ’ tial even upon Mr Nichols, with his _ “Bostonian reputation as a flippant and decadent person,” that “when I played him my most immoral song. 'Libido Baby,’ 1 had only to catch his eyes to turn quickly iDto the more appropriate measure of ‘My Heart Stood Still.’ ” He met Miss Anita Loos, who convinced him of the amazing truth that “Barely ten per cent, of the Great American Public who flocked to buy ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ had the faintest idea of what the book was all about.” This is because the G.A.P.

“have not got such nasty minds as you or I.” An old lady in the Middle West wrote to thank Miss Loos for her “beautiful book”—she loved it “because it reminded me of my daughter, who is dead.” This is true. Mr Nichols saw the letter, and he would not tell a lie about a thing like that. He had a delicious interview with a Mr Sumner, whose business and pleasure is suppressing vice; and he saw a murderer on trial chewing gum. while the young men and women enjoying the show ate candy. He had a talk with Cal. Henry. Pa’m Beach. Hollywood. Amy. And lots more. Much of this book is spangled frivolity; some is cheap; nearly all is ever so cleverly Beverley; but Mr Nichols is a very shrewd fellow, whose superficial manner has certainly not been cultivated at the expense of his understanding. He has that “bottom of good sense” which Dr Johnson once spoke of, and it is conspicuous in this amusing book. "The Star-Spangled Manner.” Beverley Nichols. Jonathan Cape, Ltd. Our copy from the publishers. ~