Page 2 University Daily Kansan
Editorials
Academy Awards Called 'Annual Farce'
Hollywood's biggest annual farce, the awarding of Oscars by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was held last Thursday night with the judges showing only slightly better judgment than had been expected.
The major awards for this year's pictures went to Vivien Leigh as the best actress; Humphrey Bogart as the best actor; and "An American in Paris" as the best picture. Of these three choices, only the first had been predicted.
For some reason, Miss Leigh's performance in "A Streetcar Named Desire" seemed to make her a sure bet for an Oscar. It was her first American picture since 1940 and the second time she had been awarded an Oscar. The first was for her role in "Gone With the Wind."
Miss Leigh's part in "Streettear" was a watered-down version of the stage production which she grew up into during three years of staging. Many critics at the time of the picture's release considered her role considerably overshadowed by the brilliant showing of Marlon Brando and Kim Hunter. Miss Hunter received an Oscar as a supporting player.
Mauron Brando, however, was nosed out of recognition by Humphrey Bogart, who said the award didn't change any of his previous opinions about Oscares not meaning a thing. According to him, his wife, Lauren Bacall, was more excited by the award than he was. "I'm going out and get loaded" was his final comment.
The reviews of "The African Queen," the picture which won "Bogie" his Oscar, condemned it as a weak story which is saved mainly through the acting of Katharine Hepburn and Bogart. His work in the picture, they say, is the best of his career, but Miss Hepburn's performance is the more outstanding.
Looking at the awards from this point of view, one wonders why they didn't go to Barlon Brando and Katharine Hepburn. It's a good question and just as unanswerable as many of the questions aroused by presentations of the preceding years or many of Hollywood's other quirks.
The academy, on the other hand, can hardly be criticized for its choice of "An American in Paris" as the best picture of the year. Its closest rivals are reported to have been two "heavies," "A Place in the Sun" and "Streetcar." All three are fine motion pictures. If the award is to be given truly for motion picture art, however, it could hardly have gone to "Streetcar," which is merely a filming of the stage production: "A Place in the Sun," however, was considered a very commendable production, not only in story but also in acting and photography.
To decide between "A Place in the Sun" and "An American in Paris" would be a hard decision in anybody's book. They are essentially different, however, in what they are trying to present to the audience and could be judged only on which picture best accomplishes its purpose.
"An American in Paris" no doubt owes its victory to the ability of Gene Kelly, who received a special award for his dancing and choreography in the movie, and the appeal of George Gershwin's music. Together they made the most colorful and thoroughly pleasant musical to come out of Hollywood in years.
Assisted by newcomer Leslie Caron, Kelly's lighthearted treatment of the picture's slender story and his presentation of Gershwin's best left most viewers feeling completely satisfied.
—Roger Yarrington.
POGO and his friends
From the Minnesota Daily comes proof that Shakespeare's writings can apply to just about anything. Here's what that talented gent had to say about examinations:
Studying in the library: "More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up, And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot." Romeo and Juliet.
Comments . . .
SHAKESPEARE ON EXAMS . .
Cramming at 3 a.m.：“How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world.” Hamlet.
Cramming at 7 a.m.: "It is not for your health thus to commit your weak condition to the raw cold morning." Julius Caesar.
Teacher hands out tests: "O most permiicious woman! O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!" Hamlet.
Composition exam: "Why, I will fight with him upon this theme until my eyelids will no longer wag." Hamlet.
Foutain pen leaks: "Out, damned spot! out, I say!" Macbeth.
MORE CHARGES AT N.C. . .
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has charged the University of North Carolina with discriminating against five Negro law students and threatens suit if the charges are proved.
An NAACP said the school is trying to prevent the Negro students from graduating by purposely giving them poor grades. The five students, two of whom led their classes at North Carolina college, admitted they have done poorly in law school, but would not name the reason.
Said the law school dean: "They've been treated like any other student in grading and scholastic performance."
PATHOS . . .
To the editor of the Michigan State Daily from several coeds; "During the four years that Gilchrist hall (a dorm) has been in existence, we have won only one small trophy. About two weeks ago some happy little soul filched it. We were going to buy a trophy case for it.
"Now we would like our little trophy back again. Won't some noble heart return our treasure?"
The petroleum industry, has become one of the major customers for nickel alloy steels, where severe corrosion is a problem.
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Mail Subscription rates: $3 a semester or less, $5 a semester or less, Lawrence), Published in *Kan., Kan.*, every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays, University of Kansas, Lawrence, as second class matter Sept 17, 1910; at Lawrence, Kan., Post Office under act of
March 3, 1879.
"I think it's fish. Bruno. Got C.O.D. marked on it!"
Interpretive Articles
South African Development Hampered By Segregation
South Africa's future lies in the hands of one man and his plan. That man is Prime Minister Daniel Malan of the Nationalist party. His plan is apartheid, or racial segregation.
Dr. Malan's plan is to divide South African cities into three sections: white, native, and colored. Colored are any who are neither white nor native. Through this departmentalization each race will live in its own section all over the country.
Not only is there racial segregation, but the plan is constructed to separate the people economically, politically, socially, and in all other aspects of life.
Work camps have been set up. A man goes to work in his own section according to his race. At the end of his work shift he must hurry home because if he were found in a race section other than his own after a certain hour, trouble might arise.
Under the recently passed Group Areas act, non-Europeans are not allowed to live among white people, cannot work, ride or socialize with them, nor may they vote, receive education or attend white churches.
The results of the plan have been the Negroes fighting the colored groups. Both are competing for the same jobs. One of the most troublesome cities is Johannesburg. Here most of the white citizenry is constantly armed in face of the threat of armed assault by the natives.
Dr. Malan's apartheid doctrine is a factor in holding back the economic development of the country. Natives, as trained or semiskilled workers, could provide the needed manpower to man the nation's industry.
In addition to the segregation program the government is attempting to subjugate British political influence. The ill-feeling between the Malan-ruled Nationalist government and Britain has even tightened regulations on immigration of English-speaking persons. This regulation has cut down the supply of trained workmen needed in the country's economic expansion.
Apartheid may be a plan to better race relations by actual separation, but it has been only a plan of riot and violence.
—Lou Fry.
Short Ones
Testifying before a joint congressional committee, Mutual Security Director Averell Harriman said that the seven billion dollars for foreign aid was a "very small sum." It depends which end you're on—the gettin' or the givin'.
Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy accused government housecleaner Newbold Morris of being either a dope or a dupe At least Mr. Morris has an alternative.
Sen. Estes Kefauver may be wearing a coonskin cap but he's not 'playing possum.'
Mrs. Bess Truman still wants to get out of the White House and go back to Independence. It's now evident that Democrats in New Hampshire share her sentiments.
One man who was overlooked at the annual Academy Award/dinner: Willie (the actor) Sutton.
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