Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Monday 22 September 1952, page 4


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HikiililMliWilllllU

Now . . . the new

Bailey

T ONDON, September U 21.— The Old Bailey — London's Central Criminal Court — ought

to he called the New Valley now. Thrice damaged by bombs, the court, whose gilded figure of Justice is second only to St. Paul's as a city landmark, has opened its present session in bright new dress. Its courtrooms are panelled now in fine light oak indirectly lit, and furnished with excellent hearing aids. The entrance' halls have had their murals repainted, and the lofty central dome has been redecorated with the classical figures of Truth, Learning, Art, and Labour (hard, perhaps). 'Not bad,' says the old lag in the cartoon, 'but not so homey as the old place.' The Old Bailey gives

me impression of dealing with crime clinically, as a hospital deals with disease. But some tradition remains. The ancient sword ? of Justice hangs reversed above the senior judge's seat.

British battle— but

U.S. star The Rank organisation has made a British picture about Communist terrorism in Malaya — with American Claudette Colbert as the star. Why an American? Because the film, 'The Planter's Wife,' is a bid to show American audiences just what Britons are doing in the jungle war against the Reds. And, the Rank organisation tells me, Miss Col. bert's box-office draw ensures that 'The Planter's Wife' will be shown throughout America. This, I suppose, is a fair example of politics in the elnpmn

They squeal ! That it may prove ef- \ fective is indicated byi Communist reaction. i The Daily Worker yells: ' 'This is the most vie- ! iously dishonest war pro- ] paganda picture yet made i in Britain.' , Husky Jack Hawkins ' and lovely Claudette, ' looking very un-jungly— ! shoot themselves out of ' horrific jungle situations and are reconciled as man and wife by their ordeal.

'/Vein' Bailey

'/Vein' Bailey

Claiidptle Colbert

Claiidptle Colbert