Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Press Notes
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 11, 1957, Page 3
By Julia Kaufman
London-U.S.A. A friend of mine occasionally shares London newspapers with me. Last week I gave their “Sunday Times” a thorough going-over. I noted that out of twenty-five cinemas listed in the amusement section, twenty-two had American produced pictures… their film critic in the first of a series of articles on “London to Hollywood” gave her reaction to sights, people and customs on her visit to New York City. (The “Cabbie’ makes good copy even for a London paper.) … In the classified ad section, luxury flats at Royal Turnbridge Wells were advertised as having American-style fully fitted kitchens…”America Thinks again,” a piece by their Washington correspondent, headed their editorial page and the first “Letter to the Editor” was on Anglo-U.S. Relations. I put the paper aside with an added awareness of America’s vast sphere of influence and our responsibility as leaders in a troubled world.
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In their “Letters to the Editor,” I noted that the English intersperse tidbits of odd information with the more serious and typical problems of the day. The following in an example: On the occasion of a visit by the Japanese Ambassador to the Rothschild seat at Gummersbuy, he was shown round the Japanese garden of which his host was very proud. At the end of the tour the distinguished visitor was asked: “What does your Excellency think of it?” “It is marvelous,” came the reply. “We have nothing like it in Japan.”
Native Tongue: A London movie audience was surprised when, in the midst of “Guys and Dolls,” Marlon Brando suddenly began to address Jean Simmons in fluent Italian. The stars spoke to each other in Italian and sang in English for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, an Italian audience is in for a shock. An M-G-M official said there is no doubt that the missing English reel had gone to Italy.
The foregoing reminded me of my own experience. I found that the best temporary relief for homesickness, in a foreign country, was viewing a film from the States. In the darkened house — seeing and hearing familiar actors and actresses — it was easy to imagine myself back in the home town theatre. For that reason, I was never happy when the sound was dubbed in. Hearing Donald Duck “quack” in French was funny but seeing some typical American action synchronized with French or Italian dialogue completely flabbergasted me.
Within one’s own country there is also an affinity between individuals with similar accents — and I don’t mean a foreign accent. Introduce a Texan to another Texan and watch their eyes light up, followed by a lively conversation on the merits of the “home town.” I have a friendly feeling for Birdie Sinatra, one of the girls at our telephone-answering service, simply because the first time we said “hello” we spotted our mutual New York accent. It broke the ice and we could never be formal again. We have never met but she delivers the messages like an old friend. I haven’t seen the new Broadway show “Bells Are Ringing,” a musical comedy about the telephone-answering service, but I’m quite certain that Birdie has a counterpart in it.
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Telephone Service Plus: The study made recently on service to telephone subscribers should offer a challenge to companies in the United States. The most versatile system was found in Vienna. By dialing the proper numbers a Viennese receives a four-minute summary of world and local news — changed five times daily between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., fairy tales for children, menus and best food buys for mother, puzzles and stock market quotations for dad, racing results, shorthand practice for novice secretaries, bus schedules, weather service for skiers and suggestions on where to stroll in the Vienna woods. In France Switzerland, Austria and Sweden telephone boxes are installed along their roads. In the event of a breakdown the motorist dials for assistance in changing a flat or worse. The American service of using the phone to report a fire or ask for a policeman or ambulance is extended to a number of countries. In these places, dialing a number will get you the name and address of the nearest doctor, druggist, vet or midwife.
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The telephone figured in a not-so-amusing typographical error which caused The Reporter Magazine a great deal of embarrassment. The headline on their January 10th cover reads, “Our Gentile Diplomacy,” instead of “Our Gentle Diplomacy.” The error occurred through telephone transmission of the heading to the printing plant. 100,000 copies were mailed before they caught the mistake.
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“Not” to “Knot” — This “knotty” problem has been solved by lovers in Israel who have found their “Reno” on the island of Cyprus. Hundreds of couples, denied the right to marry in Israel have been going to Cyprus to be wed in civil ceremonies barred in Israel. Even renewed guerrilla fighting has failed to stop them. Lovers began to go to the island of Cyprus in 1948 when the State of Israel was created. Absolute authority in matters of marriage and divorce was placed in the hands of Israel’s Rabbinate. Religious courts composed of rabbis passed on the eligibility of all applicants for wedlock and performed all ceremonies. For most engaged couples there was no problem. But many couples could not marry because of the Rabbinate’s irrevocable ban on intermarriage and the nonexistence of civil marriage in Israel.
There is no favoritism. Members of diplomatic staffs desirous of wedding Israeli sweethearts find their requests for performance of civil ceremonies even on embassy premises denied. Diplomatic immunity does not rate in such cases.
Symbolically, no better place for lovers could be found– according to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, goddess of love, was born in Cyprus.
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A news item released by Science Service in Washington opened up an interesting train of thought. It stated that Dr. Ronald Ribbands of Cambridge Universiity, England, found in his study of a beehive that the bees share the same food. A single sample of sugar or nectar, brought into the hive, makes the round of the entire bee colony. Sharing the same menu also results in sharing the same smell. This odor is a “scent language” that is a basis of the extremely complex bee social life. It enables members of the colony to recognize each other. The honey bees use this odor differentiation as a burglar alarm and password, thereby protecting their hive and food against bees from another colony.
Our society be(ll)es use the same method, much to the delight of purveyors of rare perfumes.
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As the Psychologist Sees You
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 11, 1957, Page 3
By Irving R. Stone, Psychological Consultant
Pleasure Before Business.
There seems to be something wrong with the statement just above this sentence. It isn’t quite the way we see it in other places or heard it from our teachers or parents. It seems to be just the reverse from the usual presentation.
Well, this wasn’t a mistake in writing or printing. It was intended to be pleasure before business. You see, too often, we are so engrossed in the fun and pleasure that we lost sight of our obligations. The word “Manana” applies to north-of-the-border as well as to the south. We call it procrastination.
As has been mentioned many times in this column, only extremes are considered abnormal for so many of the things we usually thing as being strange or unusual as done by most people. It is only when it becomes excessive in degree and frequency that we consider behavior abnormal. This applies to the factor of pleasure before business. Most of us, at one time or another, have put aside some responsibility or obligation in favor of a pleasurable pursuit. We expect to make up for it at some time in the immediate future, even saying to ourselves that we will put in extra effort or time to compensate.
However, when pleasure is our business and we follow it without compensation, then it becomes abnormal and needs consideration. We find that our schoolwork suffers as we put aside our study or homework, if that is our level of business, and then wonder why we are unable to meet the expectations of our parents, teachers and even ourselves. If we are in the field of what is known as gainful employment and that golf game, visit to Las Vegas, or fishing comes before the care of our task at plant or office then that, too, becomes abnormal. This is especially true when the practice becomes habit.
So often, many of us budget our money but not our time. we lose track of routine obligations and then wonder why it is that we have so many things to do that we cannot catch up. I do not wish to imply that the sacrifice of business in favor of pleasure is all bad. There are times when we should put aside business because we have been concentrating too much on it and our pleasure has suffered. At other times it may be because of some unusual function that we should attend even though it means putting off some business project for the time. Or maybe we need to share some time with our family and as long as we budget our time we can catch up on the work. But all these should be the unusual and not the rule. There must be a proper proportion of business and pleasure and one should neither encroach upon nor supplant the rightful place of the other.
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With the Guardians
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 11, 1957, Page 3
By Morrie Pomeranz
In pursuance with the policy of permitting civilians to witness personally our first line of defense, Guardian Ralph Feldman received a written invitation (from the Admiral) to accompany the carrier Hornet on its recent cruise. Ralph, along with 19 other Southern California civilians, enjoyed the luxurious thrill of seven days of quasi-combat operations. The purpose of this trip, with officers assigned to explain in detail the technique of take-offs, landings, etc., is to familiarize the citizenry with the actual mechanics of our fighting vessels. So, as the huge 900-foot carrier returned majestically by Pt. Loma, there stood Ralph Feldman guiding a jet plane in for its fast and safe landing.
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One of ur younger members, but a veteran Guardian, received a well-known electric razor for his birthday — the modern razor is the rotary type with the twin cutters. Our boy was elated with the fine shave he received each morning. Then one A.M. about three weeks later, there was a definite and very noticeable dullness in the performance of his gift — the razor skipped merrily over the blonde stubble gut with little cutting effect — this goes on for four consecutive mornings –until he opens the razor and finds one blade missing. With compassion and tolerance borne by a true love, he turns to his wife and asks: “Didja use my razor?” and the wife answered honestly: “Yes hon, I did — and I cleaned it real good — and here is an extra blade I found for you.”
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One of the few remaining hold-outs among the stalwart Guardian bachelors succumbed to the inevitable — for this member has given his name in complete marital surrender. The Board of Directors joins this column in extending Mozzel Tov to Bernard Jacobson and his bride Belle Samuels.
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Hi-Lites of the Dec. 6th meeting — Maxell Kaufman installed the panel of officers — tributes and plaudits were in order — last member to arrive (invariably) won an exceptionally fine door prize — a dozen golf balls plus a fifth of stimulating beverage calculated to loosen up a conservative gin player — the winner was George Solomon — guests included Karl Reiner, Tony Procopio, Dave Rubin, and Irv Grant. Tarry Townes joined the Guardians to help boost the membership.
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Hunt With Boomerang
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 11, 1957, Page 3
The Hopi Indians in the southwest portions of the United States still hunt with a boomerang, the S-shped throwing stick that returns to the thrower if the target is missed.
(Underwater tips)
Southwestern Jewish Press, January 11, 1957, Page 3
Crocodiles and turtles do not breathe under water. They hold their breath until they surface again.
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