A MATCH FOR SHAW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22393, 14 April 1936, Page 11

A MATCH FOR SHAW

LOS ANGELES COMEDY QUEST FOR AN "INTERVIEW" LAUGHTER REPLACES ANGER [from our own correspondent] SAN FRANCISCO, March 25 Stopping over in Los Angeles, during their world tour, George Bernard Shaw and his wife went to a quiet hotel for lunch. As they sat down a young man approached and said: "I'm Heinrich Glutzspiegel, representing a Hollywood movie magazine; got to get an interview with you." "I saw all the reporters I am going to see down at the train," Shaw replied sharply. "But that was old stuff you gave them; you only repeat yourself—" "What —what, why, you—" "I've got to get this interview, or I'll be fired." "What business of mine is it that you get fired? Wo are just about to have lunch." "Thanks; I'm not hungry." "Nobody asked you to stay," said Shaw, a dangerous light in his eye. "Why do English producers raid Hollywood for stars? Where do they get the money? Does the English Government subsidise them?" "Why do American editors persist in misusing the word 'subsidise'?" Shaw asked. "What about this religious persecution in Mexico?" "I didn't know there was any." "You ought to keep up with current events better than that." Shaw laid down his fork. "I make current events," he exploded, "and do you realise that I've given you the longest interview I've granted in months? And, naturally, you'll go and add something silly to it in your paper." "Did you ever hear of Vince Barnett, Mr. Shaw?" the interloper asked. "That clown, ♦ that ribber, that insulter of persons —yes," said Shaw. "Well, meet him!" Shaw paused, held up his hands, and laughed heartily, then shook hands warmly with Hollywood's premier comedian.