Letters, Feb. 16, 1931

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Flash Extinguished

Sirs:

In your Jan. 26 issue appeared a photograph of "Mrs. Hoover" and "Secretary Hoover' with a news item to the effect that these characterizations would appear in our forthcoming picture Up for Murder (title may be changed). I wish to inform you that this "flash" never got beyond the projection-room stage at which time it was ordered destroyed by our executives who did not consider it in keeping with the policy of this corporation to use it as a bit of atmosphere. The news item also states that the story was , apparently laid in Washington during the Harding era and that wise Washingtonians might recognize a certain amount of historical realism. The locale of this picture is not the National Capitol (an international ball takes place in another metropolis) and the action of the story is entirely modern. As to the "historical realism" I must profess ignorance. Of course analogies in real life can always be drawn from motion pictures. . . .

CARL LAEMMLE

President

"Universal Pictures Corp. Universal City, Calif.

President Laemmle's "flash" came to TIME from Universal Pictures' Manhattan office. The publicity release mentioned "an international ball at Washington" and "Hoover ... as Secretary of Commerce." The note of "historical realism" seemed so obvious that TIME supposed it intentional.—ED. Old Joe on Annette Sirs: Your word picture of Bermuda—great! One mistake though—Annette Kellerman didn't give any exhibition in Prospero's Cave, at least no swimming or diving exhibition. The place is called "Devil's Hole" by both tourists and natives. A hellish name, if you ask me. Anyway, the "Hole" is populated with a specimen of every fish found in the surrounding waters from turtles to octopi. "Old Joe," the keeper, secretly told me, as he told every other tourist that ever visited the place, "Annette Kellerman had some movin' pitchers tooken as she sat on that 'er ledge throwing bread crums to the fishes, she did!" But she didn't dive or swim—oh no—not into that mess! Authority: "Old Joe." THOMAS D. RICE

Dorchester

Calles Babe

Sirs: TIME, Jan. 26: "Born to Plutarco E. Calles, 52, . . . and Senora Calles (Leonora Llorente), 28, a son. . . . Senor Calles married Senorita Llorente last August." August—September— October — November — December — January —???? ELIZABETH FRAZIER

Sirs: In TIME, Jan. 26, under Milestones you have an article about the new son just born to Senor and Senora Calles—then the statement that Senor Calles married the present Senora Calles just last August.—How come? Is this a mistake or are things different in Mexico? Please let me know. MARIE G. O'BRIEN

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Sirs:

TIME, Jan. 26, p. 48, Milestones:

"Born. To Plutarco Ellas Calles . . . and Senora Calles (Leonora Llorente) a son. . . . Senor Calles married Senorita Llorente last August."

Qu'est ce quo c'est que cela?

FRANK C. TOMLINSON

Ironton, Ohio

Sirs: