- . Sixty-Sixth Year EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNDER AUTHORITY OF BOARD IN CONTROL OF STUDENT PUBLICATIONS STUDENT PUBLICATIONS BLDG. * ANN ARBOR, MICH. * Phone NO 2-3241 Editorials printed in The Michigan Daily are written by members of The Daily staff and represent the views of the writers only. This must be noted in all reprints. UNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1955 NIGHT EDITOR: MARY ANN THOMAS Leaders Lacking Motivation Looking Back At 1955 Season A REVIEW OF YEAR'S DRAMA, MOVIES, TELEVISION THE HAPPY TIME -- Michael Staebler shows off player piano to Nancy Obneauf in scene from summer Speech department play. NATIONAL Students Association President Stan Glass hit the nail on the head Friday when he questioned student motivation for at- tending the Students-Faculty-Administration Conference. He hoped motivation stemmed from a sincere interest in University problems and recognition of students' responsibility and desire to help find solutions. But secondly he thought students might have felt required to attend because it was part of their responsibility or job as student leaders. A few smiles resulted from the remark but it struck home to many students and may have stimulated some mental reflection beneficial to the University's student government. Students' participation at the University this year has all too often been motivated by Glass' latter consideration. With few exceptions the philosophy has been - take care of my mini- mum responsibilities and commitments in ef- ficient fashion and then go home. Emphasis seems to be on retaining all the old lines of thought and working on all the old projects and making the best of them. Extensive thinking and research on issues with the resultant original ideas has been sadly lacking among the Univerity's student leaders. MAYBE it's the fault of the system where the emphasis is on competition up through the ranks to top posts. Students have worked hard as dfreshmen, sophomores, and juniors to reach number one positions and figure upoa attaining the rank they have reached their ultimate University goals. But the fact is senior student leaders have the leadership responsibility for expressing en- lightened student opinion at the University. It demands more than administrating Home- coming Dances, pep rallies, and passive obser- vation on current all-campus and national stu- dent problems. It demands voluntary and intense considera- tion of the bigger issues concerning men and women of student age. It demands the moti- vation to which Glass referred. Student leaders attended the Students-Fac- ulty-Administration Conference. But yester- day with a voluntary opportunity to attend the Michigan Region Conference of the National Students Association senior student leaders were conspicuous by their absence. The Con- ference provided the type of intellectual dis. cussion (NSA President Glass, NSA National Executive Committee Chairman Clifford Sheats and former NSA vice-president Phil Berry) on student problems that might have stimulated some of the necessary incentive among student leaders. Weekly attendance of SGC meetings, over- concern with individual organizations adminis- trative details will not give the University forward-looking student leadership. Student Government Council will be a long time rising out of the realm of internal organization while respect for student opinion will correspond- ingly suffer. --DAVE BAAD, Managing Editor OLDTIMER GUS (J. Carrol Naish), boss in "Memory of Two Mondays," one-act play in Mil- ler's "A View From the Bridge." COMEDY IlT "Bus Stop" open- ed with star performance by Kim Stanley. The William Inge play went on to win a variety of awards for the best play of the season. -Daily-John Hirtzei POLICE DETECTIVE Ernie Roberts (Thomas Crane) asks Tommy Albright (Russ Brown) what pro- yoked him to kill; a scene from the Hopwood-winning play, "The Worlds of Tommy Albright." DAC Leads'5 Local Drama China Veto Danger to Peace By ERNEST THEODOSSIN Daily Drama Staff Writer The Dramatic Arts Center domi- nated the local drama scene dur- ing the first half of this year. DAC productions may not al- ways be the most outstanding en- tertainment, but they are gener- ally the best of the little theater work done in this town. Once, at the close of their first season, they achieved top profes- sionalism in an exciting reading of Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist play, "No Exit." Speech Department students continued in their two-year plan, giving selections from Western playwriting through the ages. Their one-act playbills, designed to allow novices an opportunity to get experience, were often ama- teurish and dull. But it was worth a season of one- acts to witness Paul'Rebillot's "The Foolish One," a satirical fantasy about mankind. Rebillot directed his work and brought his cast to perfection. Decor and costuming were the most original and strik- ing seen in years.; There was also Anna.Russell, in special concert, joyfully and gently tearing to pieces the whole of Western music. Comedienne Rus- sell was delightful in her usual zany style. Drama Season consisted mostly of Broadway flops, but Eva le Gal- lienne was a sellout in "The South- west Corner." As in the past, Drama Season continues to prom- ise much more than it delivers. Summer saw the Speech Depart- ment carrying the local drama load and striking home in Samuel Taylor's homespun "The Happy Time" after several dismal at- tempts at sophisticated Broadway comedy. There were enough plays to see, but not enough worth seeing; and one or two good productions seem- ed like very little to compensate for the many poor ones. THE threat of Nationalist China to use her veto power in the Security Council of the United Nations to block admittance of Outer Mongolia may tend to seriously harm peace prospects in the Far East. Outer Mongolia is part of a "package deal" to admit 18 new members to the UN, five Com- munist and 13 pro-Western states. Russia has said she will veto the plan if any of the five fail to make the grade. The question is why, In the face of 52-2 votes in favor of the plan in the General Assembly and Special Political Committee, and two direct appeals from President Eisenhower to General- issimo Chiang Kai-shek not to use a veto, would Nationalist China decide to take such a risky step? Diplomats have suggested two answers which seem quite logical. The Chinese may feel that their days are numbered n the UN whichever way they turn. On one hand, if they veto the deal, it is re- ported many countries would make an effort to unseat the Nationalists in the General As- sembly. On the other hand, the admission of 18 new members might undermine the For- mosa regime with possibly as many as 10 of them voting in the future to seat Red China, with others abstaining in a showdown. THERE seems to be a growing sentiment in the world that Red China is the country that is best suited to represent a "China" dele- gation. While it may be argued that the Reds are merely a grown-up satelite of Soviet Russia, it can also be said that the Nationalists are little nore than an extension of the United States. Without U.S. support Formosa prob- ably would have already fallen under the Red Chinese flag. The thing Chiang fears most is the creation of "two Chinas" with the Reds on an equal level with the Nationalists. Communist China is developing economically and politically very rapidly and is eventually destined to share the world position now held by the Nationalists. Anything Chiang can do to injure relations between Red China and the U.S. will delay Western recognition of Peking. If Red China continues to develop at her present rate, eventually the West will have to recognize her. Possibly the U.S. believes this point is already at hand and wishes to increase further her relations with the Reds. If Formosa makes this impossible by her ac- tions, the U.S. might take a second look at the aid and support being directed in Chiang's direction. However, since Formosa is strategically i6- portant from a military standpoint, this coun- try cannot afford to completely leave her to the mercy of the Reds with the precedent already set, it would be in a rather embarrassing posi- tion. 'Any effort to eject the Nationalists from the UN could probably be blocked by the U.S. but the bargaining power of China's UN seat, which this country needs so badly in its con- ferences with Red China, would be greatly diminished, if not destroyed. WITH Red China developing as she is, her chances of obtaining world recognition is not inconceivable. However, in the event that Formosa does sabotage the "package" plan in the UN, the Reds may well try to remove her competitor on the globe by the only means left -- by force. While war is not likely to get approval from UN member nations it would then look a little unrealistic to have no existing Chinese repre- sentative in this world body. More important, however, is the fact that a war over Formosa could erupt into a world war. Thus, if Nationalist China carries through her threat, she may deal a serious blow to the effort for world peace. -DAVE TARR Since September... By DAVID MARLIN Daily Drama Staff Writer THIS HAS been an eventful, if not entirely praiseworthy, dra- ma season to date. Student audi- ences have been offered a variety of theatrical forms but have had to rely mainly on professional acting and long-accepted plays for quality. It is further to be regretted that there are only four permanent dramatic groups in a thriving uni- versitY community such as Ann Arbor. Considering the talent, real and potential, that exists on cam- pus and the available paying cus- tomers, it seem shameful that there have been so few plays pre- sented and such a small number of them artistically rewarding. The Dramatic Arts Center heads the list numerically as well as in quality. These professional players have met the chief need of our critical audiences-excellent pro- ductions of intelligent plays writ- ten by contemporary as well as classical dramatists. University communities are traditionally re- ceptive to the works of such authors as Checkhov, Moliere and Shaw. The DAC productions of "The Seagull" and "The Physician In Spite Of Himself," as well as Anouilh's "Thieves Carnival," ful- filled these needs. Their next pro- duction, T. S. Eloit's "The Confi- dential Clerk," should be eagerly awaited. * * * A SPIRITED production of "Gondoliers" represents the sole offering of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society so far but more of the operatic repertoire will follow. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre has at- tempted, with dismal results, "My Three Angels" and "The Night of January 16th." Perhaps their ability will increase in proportion to their selections for Inge's "Pic- nic" and Wilder's "Our Town" are on schedule. The Speech Department import- See DAC, Page 5 PULITZER PRIZE went to Wil- liams' "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof," starring Barbara Bel Geddes. EVA LE GALLIENNE appeared here in May Drama Season, in "The Southwest Corner." 'HITS' OR 'NEAR-HITS': Broadway Drama Fare Best In Years By DAVID NEWMAN Daily Drama Staff Writer BROADWAY'S theatrical season is at its height. Marked by a wealth of new stars, exciting performances, and acclaimed productions, the current season has more to offer to the practiced and the occasional theatre-goer than past years. Practically every play or musical now playing is a "hit" or "near- hit," an exceptionally large number of young actresses have achieved overnight stardom, and both the old veteran playwrights and the new dramatists have produced a surprisingly large number of experimental, unusual, and successful works. In the lucrative realm of musical comedies there are only two new productions added to the five. carry-overs. Rodgers and Ham- merstein have come up with "Pipe Dream" based on John Steinbeck's "Sweet Thursday," and although the reviews were mixed - most of the critics feeling that the two masters had turned out a pleasant but SON ACCUSES FATHER in this story of conflict through the ages, "The Skin of Our Teeth" presented by the Speech Department in March. Left to right: Paul Rebillot, Valerie Schor, Norm Hartweg and Henrietta Hermilin. TV HERE TO STAY: Color Leads Teevision Advances; Martin Tops By LARRY EINHORN Daily Television Writer TELEVISION, like sliced bread and chocolate-covered halavah, is here to stay. This is largely due to the advancements made by the young television industry during the past year, the greatest since the in- stallation of the nation-wide coaxial cable in the late '40's. Better programming, the addition of color and a greater audience are the major factors in this big forward step. An additional 2,000,000 TV sets put into use in 1955 brought the number of sets in American homes to the amazing total of 38,000,000. This means that there is atele- vision receiver for almost one out rl of every five people in the U.S. M aterial And advanced transmitting facili- > ties have brought television to al- abroad where it was used as anti- most everyone in the country who American propaganda. desires it. r p n But the major advancement this THERE WERE other pictures year hasrbeen in the realm of mak- which were partial artistic success- ing color television a reality. Last es. "East of Eden" introduced the year at this time a color show was late James Dean and some novel an infrequent event that occurred shots with CinemaScope photogra- possibly twice a month. Last week phy. While it was sensitively per- there were over thirteen hours of formed, it was dramatically obvi- regularly scheduled color shows. ous; and its intelligent perform- * * * , __ I TODAY AND TOMORROW: The Trying Times Bly WALTER LIPPMANN i W HAT, we cannot help wondering, is Khrush- chev up to in his tour of India and Burma? He is violating all the rules of diplomatic inter- course among governments. He is treating the governments of India and of Burma as if they did not exist, as if he, not they, had the right to lead their peoples in their relations with the rest of the world. There seems to be no bounds whatever to the insults, and to the downright lies, which he is directing at the Western gov- ernments with whom he has so recently been talking peace. What, then, is he up to? If the smiles of July weie calculated, what is the calculation behind the venom now? Or is there no calculation? Is Khrushchev, as Disraeli said of an opponent, "inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity?" If it is that, what has happened to Bulganim who, so close observers at Geneva have been saying, was a restraining influence on Khrushchev's exuberance? Or is it both calculation and intoxication? It looks so to me-as if the Kremlin had reached a decision of high policy to take the initiative in resuming the offensive in the cold war and that Khrushchev, who is an uncouth and ex- uberant man, is following the new line in his uncouth and exuberant way. the smiles in July was that we would "lower our guard," the danger 'of the Khrushchev agitation today is that it will provoke us to react unwisely. In act, it has, I am afraid, provoked Mr. Dulles into making a serious mistake in regard to the dispute between India and Portugal over Goa. This territory is legally a province of Portugal. Geographically it is an enclave on: the western shore of India. Khrushchev has been making inflammatory speeches about In- dia's right to annex Goa. Our position has been and, according to Mr. Dulles speaking on Tuesday our position still. is, that we do not take "any position on the merits of the matter." Our interest, in other words, is to remain friends with both Portugal and India, not to be entangled in their dispute, and to do what we can to encourage a peaceable solution. AFTER Khrushchev's speech about Goa in which he backed India unreservedly, it might have been useful for Mr. Dulles, speaking for the United States, to re-state our position of disinterested friendship. Instead, he allowed himself to be provoked by Khrushchev's in- sults. Khrushchev having taken the Indian side, Mr. Dulles agred to a joint communioue not very exceptional show -- the reputation of the authors com- bined with the box-office power of star Helen Traubel gleaned a million dollar advance sale. The other new musical comedy is a Carroll Channing vehicle based on the silent movie days, called "The Vamp." Although Miss Chan- ning gained praise for her' per- formance, the show itself did not fare well at the hands of the critics and the star is here the major, per- haps the only, attraction. IN THE FIELD of serious dra- ma at least three new plays have been accorded raves from every member of the critics circle. "The Diary of Anne Frank," by the Harketts, has been termed an electrifying and beautiful play, and has made a star out of young Susan Strasberg who plays the title role. Christopher Fry's adaptation of Jean Giradoux's "Tiger at the Gates," a play based on the efforts of Hector to prevent the Trojan War, may well be the best play of the season. English actor Mi- chael Redgrave's performance as Hector has earned him great praise, and Diane Cliento as Helen of Troy has suddenly become a major acting personality. "The Lark," a careful and sensi- tive study of Joan of Arc, penned by Jean Anouilh and adapted and translated by Lillian Heilman, has been hailed in all corners, and the players, especially the star Julie Harris, have garnered ex- tremely favorable comments. 'MARTY' BIG SURPRISE: Movie Techniques Replace By ERNEST THEODOSSIN Daily Drama Staff Writer LIKE a cracked mirror, the 1955 Annp Arbor movie scene reflected the confusion of Hollywood, The film yesterday was still battling over technical processes. Producers were wondering if tele- vision was useful for anything be- sides advertising. Stereophonic sound threatened to start a war between producers and distributors who did not want to install extra equipment, and color film methods were in heated competition. Hollywood was grinding out movie corn by the bushel. Biblical spectacles, super-duper musicals, and westerns were common. Branches of the armed services received full length propaganda treatment. But originality was a scarcity. * * * IT WAS therefore very startling to find a little low-budget, stand- ard-screen, black-and-white effort, "Marty," heading the list of American cinema products. "Marty" was an honest repre- sentation of American social prob- lems. W riter Paddy Chayefsky conceived his people in universal terms. His picture was basically realistic; but as realism is not al- ways art, so "Marty" was not al- ways art. "Marty" could nrovoke auiienep TOP FILM - Ernest Borgnine and Betsy Blair in the tender, moving "Marty." for Delbert Mann achieved an over-all sensitivity. REALISM SEEMED to be the quality producers were most striv- ing to achieve, hoping that it could pass for greatness. The British-Italian production (f Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" was done in just such a style. Filmed in Italy in Medieval cathedrals and palaces, it startled the viewer into believing he was actually seeing Medieval Italy. But its emphasis onddocumenta- tion destroyed Shakespeare's mon- umental words, and while Susan Shantall was a lovely Juliet, nei- ther she nor Romeo Laurence Har- ances could not overcome its weak script. "Mister Roberts" sacrificed its original drama for straight com- edy. "Night of the Hunter" offer- ed arty weirdness. Again acting surpassed the integrated whole. "Daddy Long Legs" was the most appealing musical, despite its weak score and its heavy emphasis on 15-minutes ballets. Fred As- taire danced with indestructable ease and grace. Greta Garbo's "Camille" was re- vived, re-establishing her great- ness. There were some new and some old foreign pictures. Two French comedies, "Beauties of the Night" and "Mr. Hulot's Holiday" displayed the subtle comic sense of the French. Strindberg's "Miss Julie" was also revived and remains an over- powering experience, as does Coch- teau's "The Strange Ones." Both are by now considered screen class- ics. If the local movie scene was BETTER VARIETY, quiz and dramatic shows are now seen on TV than at any previous time. And a 'brand new conception in entertainment, the "TV Specta- cular," has found its place in the reegular weekly-schedule of shows. The most astronomical rise of a single show in the history of television occurred this summer when "The $64,000 Question" made its debut. "Question" has been the top show on television ever since it gave away its first dollar to a winning contestant. Over one-third of the nation was seated in front of their TV sets one night last spring when Mary Martin starred in "Peter Pan" on the "Producers Show- case." This presentation was not only the -finest show of the year, but television's greatest single ac- complishment to date. , Old-time movies, so-so local shows and wrestling matches are slowly but surely becoming things ;C ',