University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

know where he stands! But only if
the Cavalier Daily and other media
like it begin now, advertising and
pushing for Mr. McGovern's
candidacy, will he be assured of
sweeping the polls next November.
And when it's all over, the Cavalier
Daily will be able to boast proudly
that it supported a man, as much a
winner as the Cavalier Daily itself!

Examine the opportunity.

Remember, the best defense is
an early offense.

Edwin Carlisle
College 2

Mark T. Ellis
College 2

Partying

To party or not to party, that is
the question facing the fourth-year
class. Some fourth-year men have
argued that the money saved from
not having graduation parties could
be used more beneficially by our
library. They say the joys of a party
are terminal, and after all rather
base while the intellectual joys
gained from new books are longer
lasting and more significant.

I disagree. I think the
fourth-year class needs at least one
big party to culminate its social life
at Virginia. The graduation
ceremonies take care of our
academic training. Doesn't our
social life deserve the honor of a
decent culmination? For me the
answer is yes. In many cases out
experiences outside the confines of
course work will be our most
cherished ones. Why make these
experience subservient to our
formal academic life?

The simple joys felt at a party
can be just as intense and just as
lasting as the purely academic ones
experienced in the library. Those
who don't think so are missing out
on half of life.

Battering History

For six months I have suffered
through Paul Chaplin's column (or
should I say "chopping block?") as
he has bludgeoned, battered, and
butchered the film fare of the local
theaters. Until now I have hold my
pen, believing Mr. Chaplin's
criticism to be at most well
founded, at least conceivably just.
However, after his latest assault I
can no longer contain myself.

Having grown accustomed to
persistently negative reviews, I was
not totally shocked with the inspection
of "Cromwell" until I read
the criticism of Alec Guinness.
Having faithfully followed Guinness
from bridge-building in Burma
through heir hunting in Russia, I
have come to respect and admire
his abilities as a very versatile actor.
Therefore, I could not believe that
Mr. Chaplin would say, "He looks
and sounds as if he were completely
blotto during the entire filming"
[of "Cromwell"].

He bases this criticism on the
fact that "Guinness stutters
through his speeches and frequently
seems to forget where he is.

Obviously, the reviewer is not
up on his English history (and
perhaps this accounts for his
dislikes of current English historical
productions.) If he were he would
know that Charles I, whom
Guinness portrays, was a very
unhealthy baby and was
unfortunately left with a speech
impediment for the rest of his life.
In short, he stammered.

If Mr. Chaplin finds a faithfully
and accurately portrayed role
"Perplexing", I suggest he retire.
The least he can do is provide
legitimate criticism.

Lewis Martin, III
College 2

Mr. Chaplin responds:

I did investigate further into
Charles I's background, and will
admit my error concerning his
speech impediment. I do not,
however, consider Guinness'
performance to surpass the
weaknesses of the script. One
would expect an actor of Guinness'
distinction to be capable of creating
a more memorable screen portrait
than the one we now have. I thank
you, Mr. Martin, for writing about
this matter: I encourage written
criticism of my film reviews, as this
is the only way I can hear opposing
views, and have historical errors
revealed to me.