Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 3
By Julia Kaufman
“Pieces of pleasantry and mirth have strange power in them to allay the heats and tumults of our spirits” — Benjamin Franklin
Picture Magic — With a few strokes of the pen a cartoonist can tell a story with humor, satire or pathos. The chuckles from Dad and the giggles from junior usually emanate from reading a favorite comic strip or panel. Since an estimated 98 percent of all people who read newspapers follow at least some comics, I felt a little research into this field would be of interest, so I paid a visit to the studios of cartoonist and writer Bernard and Jordan Lansky.
Both brothers have their own features which are syndicated nationally and internationally, as well as appearing in local publications. On the day of my visit, Bernard’s “Seventeen”–a witty panel on teenagers — added Helsinki, Finland, to its list of foreign distribution. Bernard, who is self taught, said he always wanted to be a cartoonist and remembers drawing his first cartoon on a frosted window.
Jordan, a graduate of S.D. state College, and a sports enthusiast, conceived the idea of an instructive comic strip on golf and thus his brainchild “MacDivot” was born. Jordan writes all the text and is assisted by Mel Keefer on the cartooning.
Equipped with up-to-date information supplied by the brothers, I proceeded to delve into the past through the reference books they recommended. My own earliest remembrance of the “funnies” was lying flat on my stomach, systematically working my way through large colored sheets twice my size. Tuesday evening was preview night and open house for the neighborhood kids. My father, then with the “N.Y. World”, would bring home the Sunday comic sections of all the current papers five days before they were released. Remember “Little Jimmy,” the original “Katzenjammers,” “Mutt & Jeff,” “Happy Hooligan,” “Bringing Up Father,” “Krazy Kat” and a slew of others too numerous to mention? Some of these old-time favorites have enjoyed runs as long as 50 years.
The Funnies Become Big Business– The history of the comics and their creators turned out to be fascinating reading and I wish space would permit all the side stories connected with them. Since their inception 60 years ago, humorous sayings and catch phrases have passed into our everyday speech direct from the comic strips. Good or bad, it certainly has made our language more colorful.
Cartoonist Outcault’s “Yellow Kid,” (NY World-1896) is credited with being the first colored comic strip. Cartoonist Outcault later achieved further fame as the creator of “Buster Brown.” Other founding fathers were James Swinnerton with “Little Jimmy” and Rudolph Dirks with the “Katzenjammers.” Each cartoonist made valuable contributions in developing the cartoon strip as it is known today. Because of their popular appeal, comic strips became the most important weapons in a war of circulation among outstanding newspapers of that day, and cartoonists were selling their services to the highest bidder.
Moses Koenigsberg, in 1913, founded the Newspaper Feature Service Inc. (the first syndicate to supply a complete budget of features seven days a week) known today as King Features.
Comics were used to direct the reader attention to certain sections of the paper. One example of this was Ken Kling’s “Joe and Asbestos,” a strip on horseracing, in the Baltimore Sun. His intention was to portray the two dollar better at the races, who sometimes wins but most often loses. In using the names of horses actually running, his character kept picking winners. Excitement mounted as fast as the Sun’s circulation and as the strip became more popular, Kling started to worry when his character lost. Finding the strain too great he did not renew his contract when it expired, rested for a year, and then started another strip called “Windy Riley.” His object was defeated because his readers refused to believe that he wasn’t giving tips and read something into everything –including the date. Eventually he resumed his “Joe and Asbestos” strip which is still galloping on the sports pages.
Another interesting episode was the time Walt Disney’s “Mickey Mouse” ran into trouble and was censored in Yugoslavia, in 1937, because the strip was interpreted as being anti-monarchist. There are cases when the texts of certain comics were changed because the readers would find it “offensive.” Readers will recall that our own local papers tampered with Al Capp’s “Lil Abner” during the 1952 campaign by putting a mustache on the Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson so he wouldn’t be recognized. However, these cases are unusual.
Little Mirrors –Comic strips and panels (individual cartoons) have central characters and employ either a gag-a-day or continuity form (humor and adventure). Their popularity is due to the fact that they reflect the intimate habits and feelings of their readers. Chic Young, creator of “Blondie,” one of the top favorites, said “I use the greatest, simplest and most interesting continuity of all, the continuity of life itself, and add a little humor, the spice of life.” Other favorites of today are “Dick Tracy” and “L’il Abner,” who leads with an estimated public of about 40,000,000 readers.
Bernard Lansky was one of 25 cartoonists in the syndicate field who met in Washington recently to set up a program to illustrate booklets using the cartoon medium. Foreign cartoonists will be invited to this country and their American counterparts will visit foreign countries with the object of recording their impressions in the combination of text and pictures known as the comic strip. Al Capp, chairman of the Committee, believes this will be instrumental in promoting mutual understanding and good will among the peoples of the world.
Don’t apologize for reading the comics — the better ones are being recognized today as a form of literature. A good cartoonist pinpoints the frustrations of all of us, so that we recognize either ourselves or our friends, and are able to see the humor in a situation. See you in the Funnies!
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Now I know where the Montezuma Gardens are. They are between the new parking area and the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. Esther Moorsteen informs me that the Montezuma Gardens were famous during the 1935-36 Exposition. Thousands of flowers of one specie are planted periodically in these formal gardens. Certain times of the year you can see all Zinnias, other times, all pansies, or all roses. See them for yourself.
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Proofreading last issue, I found that the linotypist had written “Blintz Diet” instead of Blitz. A natural mistake for a man who has been linotyping for the Jewish Press for 25 years.
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Bravos for Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Patrice Munsel, Nell Rankin and the balance of the talented artists in Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte”, who delighted the audience with their brilliant singing and their artful handling of humorous situtions. I remember the time when Divas sere synonymous with avoirdupois. Maybe that is why Hel Traubel reduced herself to the night club level … she probably found it easier than losing weight.
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Flash
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 3
The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles has receive direct word from Israel reporting the complete success of security action of the Israel Defense Forces against the Egyptians at Sinai Peninsula… A full Egypt is now in progress… Col. Nassar (sic, Nasser) personally ordered the general retreat.
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Brandeis–100 Years Ago Today (Editorial)
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 3
One hundred years ago today Louis Dembitz Brandeis was born in Louisville, Ky. Lawyer, social philosopher, humanitarian, author and Supreme Court Justice, he completed Harvard Law School before his 21st birthday. Keen minded, he had a similarly keen sense of humanitarian principles which led him to find guides for living that were far ahead of his times that they remain modern today.
He was a champion of the little man — “counsel for the people.” He constantly fought to protect the rights of the individual against the encroachments of mammoth industry or mammoth government. Clearly establishing the principle that men make law and that they do not exist for the law, he asserted they make it to serve their purposes rather than suffer it as its slaves.
Although he died in 1941, shortly before his 85th birthday, the spirit of this famous Supreme Court justice lives on in his writings, biographies, and most actively in the institutionalization of his ideals at Brandeis University. The University bearing his name was opened in 1948 at Waltham, Mass., and is currently sponsoring a Brandeis Centennial Year observance. Its idealism, appropriately, is the most fitting and enduring tribute to the memory of a great man.
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Nasser and the Israel Crisis
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 3
By Pierre Andre, Member of the French Parliament
Colonel Nasser exercises his dictatorship over a country comprising 20 million inhabitants and 2 million pairs of shoes. Like all dictators, Nasser, having promised more than he can carry out, is now trying to distract the attention of the Egyptian people away from the misery of the Fellahin by means of external demonstrations in which violence vies with the grotesque. In violating the tenets of International Law, Nasser gave the West an opening for firm and swift intervention. But France and England, instead of acting in close cooperation and with the least possible delay, have allowed themselves to be drawn into a series of international conferences and give the star role on the world stage to the Egyptian dictator, while the Suez situation slowly and steadily deteriorates.
History has taught us that concessions breed catastrophes. Peace at any price has unleashed limitless wars upon this world. Firm action on the part of international police can stop bllodshed. A dictator’s lust for poer cannot be curbed by talk. The summoning of conferences is no answer to aggression.
In 1936, when Hitler reoccupied the demilitarized zone of the Rhine, immediate military intervention on the part of France and England would have forced the Nazi dictator to capitulate and put an end to the Hitler regime. The 1939-45 war would not have happened.
Now, in 1956, under the shrewd direction of Bulganin and Krustchov (sic, Khrushchev), having consolidated her positions in Central Europe, having set up Communism in China, having organized the neutrality of India, Soviet Russia is out to conquer the Arab World from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean. Making a play on the conflict of interests between the Americans and the British in the Middle East, the Russians began to move their pawns: Tito, Nehru, Nasser.
When Moscow-dominated regimes are set up in the Eastern Mediterranean, the defense positions of Europe will then be in the South: which means the end of the Atlantic Pact, since the defense of Europe will no longer be practicable. In order to destroy the Western positions, Russia’s best move is to drive France, England, Belgium, Portugal and Spain out of Africa. To paralyze, at will, the economic activities of the West, Russia must gain possession of Middle East oil, or halt at will the passage of the ships, that transport it. For what would happen to Europe if, in the event of war, its oil routes were to be blocked? And so, systematically, after Central Europe and Asia, Russia is now trying to control Africa.
The tacit acceptance of the fait accompli with which we are being confronted can only lead to war and enslavement under the guise of preserving peace. It is the bounden duty of France and England to rouse the Western world to the danger that threatens it. Their resolution and their courage can still prevent a general conflagration. Their capitulating to Nasser’s aggression — for whatever reason — would be a signal for a general revolt in Africa, the destruction of Israel in a very short time, and mark the complete decline of the West.
If France and England would decide to reoccupy the Canal Zone militarily, Nasser would fall sooner, the agitation would die down in North America, and the threat would be removed.
Editor’s Note– This release was received before the present crisis.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
An overflow group of Guardians surged into the “Blue Chip” table at Lou Lipton’s — there were the customary remarks regarding the menu–“I had cheese blintzes so many times already I’ve got snow blindness” –“Eh, maybe the corned beef today is lean” — “the chopped liver looks a little dry” — etc, etc. To Doyle Kahn fell the task of gambling on the “today’s special — minute steak.” As Doyle looked appraisingly at this “special” the wave of wisecracks began, but Dave Block hurriedly assured Doyle with: “It’s OK–they call it that because for a minute it looks like a steak.”
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Our favorite barrister Frank Pomeranz (we’re not too sure about the spelling) submits the following sequence which took place in Superior Court last week: The white haired defendant stood with bowed head — a sign of the doomed — he awaited his sentence — jury had brought in a fast verdict — guilty of murder in the first degree–the judge, knowing that a mandatory sentence was in order, spoke softly and compassionately to the dejected oldster: “I hereby sentence you to 99 years in the State prison.” The defendant, already drawing old age security, looked up and said to the judge: “I’ll never live out that sentence your Honor” — and our Judge, demonstrating judicial temperance, answered encouragingly: “Just do the best you can.”
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The Guardian membership joins in sending its deepest sympathy to the Steinbaum family.
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Sankary Praised For Work in Assembly
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
Wanda Sankary, Assemblywoman, has won the regard of the Jewish Community by her action in supporting several resolutions in regard to th State of Israel. One dealt with the resolution sent to Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, which urged that Israel be permitted to buy arms from the U.S. Mrs. Sankary has received a letter of commendation from Histadrut for her efforts.
The other resolution which Mrs. Sankary joined in with, was one praising the State of Israel for its accomplishments in the fields of labor, education and industry, and as a bulwark of democracy in the Middle East.
Mrs. Sankary while in office has represented the interests of her constituents in a fair and equitable manner. Her voting record in the State Assembly has brought her praise from labor and industry.
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Hillel News
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
Dr. Howard Sachar, Associate Director of the UCLA Hillel Foundation, will be the Hillel speaker at San Diego State College, during Religious Emphasis Week.
The Seminar will be held on Thursday, November 15, at 3 p.m.
Dr. Sachar is the son of Abram Leon Sachar, President of Brandeis University. He has just completed a book, which will be published next year, concerning the Jews in modern times.
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City of Hope Senior Auxiliary
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
Get busy and fill your banks. Put them on your TV set and let your friends get the pleasure of giving to the unfortunate who need cares and treatment for Cancer, Tuberculosis, Leukemia or operable heart disease. This service is given free at the City of Hope without any cost to the patients or their families.
Then bring those bulging banks to our luncheon on Tuesday, November 20th, 12 noon at th Beth Jacob Center, and you’ll get a delicious lunch gratis. And you can spend the afternoon at your favorite indoor sport — no meeting.
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Urges Vote for Proposition C
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
A final plea to the citizens of San Diego to vote Yes on Proposition C was made this week by C. Arnholt Smith Jr., general chairman of the Citizen’s Committee for Passage of Proposition C.
Proposition C will raise the mayo’s salary from $5,000 to $12,000 per year and abolish his expense account. Smith pointed out that the mayor’s salary was set n 1932 when san Diego was a town of less than 150,000 population.
“Today,” Smith said, “San Diego is a major city with a population of one-half million and the mayor’s responsibilities and duties have accordingly increased. What was adequate pay for a part time 1932 job is manifestly unfair for a full time 1956 job.”
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Gaylarks Host Los Angeles B’nai B’rith
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
A weekend of fun and activity is in store for the single adults Gaylark group when they host the Los Angeles Southwest B’nai B’rith Chapter Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4. On Saturday evening a gala dance will take place at the Center headquarters, 4056 University Avenue. On Sunday the two groups will picnic at El Monte Park at 12 noon. A theatre party has been arranged for Sunday evening to the Temple Beth Israel’s Sisterhood “Follies of 1956.”
The Gaylarks have had a series of get togethers with various B’nai B’rith young adult chapters and are considering becoming a Center –B.B.Y.A. Chapter.
In new elections held October 23 Mr. Burt Epstein was re-elected president; Mr. Julian Kainer, vice-president; Miss Roscha Belfor, secretary; and Miss Reitha Stokes, treasurer.
Home hospitality has been arranged by the Gaylarks for their visitors.
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Will Durant To Speak at Forum
Southwestern Jewish Press, November 2, 1956, Page 4
Dr. Will Durant, a favorite with San Diego audiences, will speak on “What Are the Lessons of History” when he appears at the San Diego Open Forum on Sunday, November 11, at the First Unitarian Church, 1541 Sixth Ave.
The San Diego Open Forum is a non-profit corporation; funds are raised through membership subscriptions of $5.00 each and by basket collections at meetings. Doors are opened to the public, admission free, at 7:45 p.m. after members have secured their seats.
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Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a regular feature until we run out of history. To find stories on specific individuals or organizations, type their names in our search box, located just above the masthead on the right hand side of the screen.