WHAT WE WOMEN THINK

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 44, 15 May 1931, Page 39

WHAT WE WOMEN THINK

{The Inimitable Arliss. A HERE’ are pictures and ‘pictures, and it was with certain misgivings that I prepared to witness representation on the sound film of "Old Eng: lish," derived from the stage play by Mr. John Galsworthy, whose name is extremely near and dear in the history of one’s literary experience. Frow past painful experience, one dreaded what the moying picture might do in the way of sacrilegious treatment. It turned out, however, that criticism Was silenced. As the exponent of the ways and works of the eighty-year-old bon viveur, with his Latin tags, his strong vein ‘of sentiment and entire absence of sentimentality, Mr. Arliss was a miracle of histrionic force and subtlety. . L’audace, ’audace, toujours Vaudace might well be the motto of one who faced financial crisis, blackmail, and_ threatened exposure of doubtful de with a wit, bonhomie and decisidW that needs must raise instantaneous admiration in a race of which "Old English" is typical. In an effort to give financial help to children of a natural son of an old and illicit love-story, a "sharp" transaction is put through, which results in impending disaster.': The old man gamely rises to grapple with emergency, refuses to be under the heel of unpleasant progeny of lawful marriage, and courts certain death with magnifi cent savoir faire. . Excellently well chosen as is the entire cast, embracing admirable butler and maid, volatile and frothy widow with attractive son and daughter, and mean- spirited hound who "chivvies" an enfeebled-and dying man; yet each _performance is subservient to Mr. Ar: liss’s tour de force as the arrogant old autocrat, who, despite unquenchable zest for the world’s ways, with heroic bravado wilfully dares his Nemesis and waves defiance at death. The play has the advantage of unexceptionable staging, providing fascinating picturisation of England in the ‘nineties, with "toppers," hansom cabs, old street scenes, and strange and distressing coiffures and costumes of female protagonists. ACU COTTE

Another View of the Eternal Feminine. DZDOES Mr. Jacob Epstein ste us as we are, as he wishes us to be, as the eye of modern art envisages the mother of men, or as we "never was’? One wonders whence came inspiration for the extraordinary statue of "Genesis." latest work of this sculptor of original genius, which has raised storm of comment in England, most of it of a vituperative character. The statue represents the figure of a. woman several times larger than life, remarkable for uncouth strength of modelling, and an entire absence of grace or beauty as these attributes are understood by its critics, who in a mental morass of dislike and bewilderment, endeavour, without success, to glimpse the symbolism of Mr. Epstein’s great and terrible achievement. Work of genius as it may be, artistic problem as it undoubtedly is, "Genesis" has found * purchaser, and is to be added to a notable collection of ancient and modern art. Pack up Your Troubles. (CULLED from an English paper is the following excellent suggestion that might. with advantage be followed in our own country these cheerless times. At Home, where most. people, e’en as we ourselves, continue to harp gloomily on general depression, a cheerful optimist has arisen in the originator of a series of "diners de bon espoir" in a favourite restaurant. For once the universal grumblers of being "almost bankrupt" and "just existing on three separate overdrafts" were resolutely banned, and everyone put COUPE EEE oo

aside worries for a few hours, entering resolutely into the spirit of the evening. So successful was it that the experiment is shortly to be repeated. Women Writers, HREE books to be recommended: "Overture," by Anne Stanton Drew (pen mame of a well-known actress), is a story of stage life by one who. knows it well, and writes of what she knows with sympathy and charm, "The Diaries of Daisy, Princess of Pless,’’ deal with interesting phases of the diversified career of the beautiful and unfortunate writer, and through its pages flit many famous political and social -celebrities of England and Ger-. many. "The Loving Spirit" is a family chronicle, tells the story of four generations, and is the best of the three books mentioned. It is by Daphne du Maurier, who, judging by her portraits, is as pretty as her name. Amusing Decor. . N the modernist house the back-to- ’ nature trend has been driven from the lounge and bedroom to the bathroom. Here the "Hickling Broad" frieze tells the artist’s story of a real bit of seagull life on the Norfolk Broads. There is another, "Ocean Depths," with realistic fish, rocks and seaweed. Blue is the most popular colour for the bathroom walls, and the second favourite is green. The modernist aim is to weld the room into one from the point of view of line as well as. colour. A lounge scheme with the wallpaper in one of the numerous neutral tones bordering on sunshine, that strike a cheerful note as well as proving the

perfect. background, has an interesting substitute for the overmantel in 2 cubist, semi-circular frieze in golds and browns that just takes ‘the space over one of. the wide low modern fireplaces. The Gay City Grows Triste, ; GOOD deal of ink is now being spilled: .concerning the changes which ‘have come over Paris since the war. Many people have declared that. the capital is now very dull by cémparison with the days when habitues of the: boulevards strolled gently along, dropping into a eafe here and there for a little drink seasoned by music’ and conversation. The boulevardier now seeks some of his old haunts in vain. Where once there was a lively cafe he finds a -bank or an insurance ~ office. Some Parisians have raised the'cry that Paris is losing her old gaiety. Many others ‘simply smile at this: and ‘declare that the real: Parisian can find all the old spirit if "he takes, the trouble to look. for it. Fashion, the Jade! QVERBLOUSES are more pecoming: than the ttick-in vatiety, and look excellent with jacket suits when. well fitted under the waistline: The shortsleeved vest simulating a waistcoat is smart and sporting, fashioned in silks, gingham, pique, linen, "plaid taffetas, and striped silks. Tunies vie with overblouses and hang to the knees or. to within six or eight inches of skirt hems. The most popular versions choose a .waistline on° the higher hip-bone level and smooth fitting skirt depths. They are effective in satin and heavy guipure lace. From England comes tidings that trousers are popular, Not, perhaps, . says the writer, for the street as yet, but for games and indoor wear. She wonders men do not rebél against this feminine invasion of the garb that has been their monopoly, as it looks as’ though we may become even more enterprising in other directions than mati fers sartorial.