Saved from Embarrassment

Sirs:

You may be glad to know that a recent article in TIME proved timely indeed to the Walt Disney Studio and saved us from considerable embarrassment.

The article (TIME, Dec. 12) described a Brooklyn divorce trial where the most important testimony concerned a gesture made by raising the hands to the forehead, extending the fingers like horns, and making an ugly face.

I was horrified to learn that this gesture, called cornuto, is a well-known symbol for cuckoldry in Latin countries--horrified because I had in my ignorance and innocence used the identical gesture as a gag in a forthcoming Donald Duck picture, The Hockey Champ.

I planned a scene where Donald emerges from a snowbank with icicles sticking on his head like horns. His three little nephews mock his appearance by making the "horns" gesture at him.

This gag got by every one in the Studio, who apparently knew as little about cornuto as I did, and would have appeared in our finished picture but for your illuminating article. Needless to say, if this had happened, the film would have got loud, unwanted laughs in Mexico, South America and Italy and would have aroused the censors. We passed the information along to the Hays office, incidentally, and they were very glad to have it.

I enclose a sketch of Donald's nephews as they very nearly appeared on the screen.

HARRY REEVES Story Department Walt Disney Productions, Ltd. Hollywood, Calif.

Jobs Wanted

-- TIME herewith winds up its experiment as a job broker. The following columns of job-wanted letters were chosen for their human interest from among the hundreds TIME has received. Let prospective employers remember that TIME, not equipped as an employment agency, can make no guarantee of any applicant.--ED.

Sirs:

I have been an editor on the WPA Federal Writers' Project for more than three years. I take work relief because I need it but I want permanent work.

Who's Who in the Zoo, a natural history of mammals, Birds of the World and Reptiles and Amphibians, in press -- are Federal Writers' Publications planned, edited, designed, and partially illustrated by me. Previous to WPA I owned a half interest in a Florida zoo since deleted by the Depression; served on expeditions of the New York Zoological Society to the Galapagos, Cuba, the Okefenokee Swamp;* worked between trips as a hardware salesman, ship's purser; wrote and published scientific articles and a children's book--Strange Animals and Their Ways. Appeared in 5th edition of American Men of Science at 25, just-published 6th edition bringing biography up to date.

Parentage on father's side stems from Bolivar's Spanish aide, General Juan de Sola; on mother's side from Pennsylvania German and Huguenot stock who settled here in 1632 and fought in the Revolution--1776 not 1917.

Aptitudes include editing, photography, research, mechanical ability and willingness to adjust to any occupation or environment. Assets--wife and twins. . . .

RALPH DE SOLA

Federal Writers' Project 110 King Street New York City

Sirs:

Ex-associate member of American Society of Civil Engineers, registered state engineer, World War veteran. Always have worked, always want to work. Am out of work because the organization which for 15 years I sweated for, swore by, and took pride in, turned into a political football. Will go anywhere. Want a chance to give unlimitedly of work and loyalty. Held a U. S. Civil Service rating as construction supervisor for several years but apparently Mr. Farley misplaced my address!

J. H. ROBINSON

Bloxom, Va.

Sirs:

After several jobless years, punctuated by pavement-pounding, a two-letter word of negation, and the dissonance of discouragement, I am still convinced that there is a niche (not in a mausoleum!) for me where I can be useful and at the same time self-respecting.

Here, "curt, clear, complete," is my record: University graduate with B.A. degree and Phi Beta Kappa key; editorial staff member of metropolitan newspaper; editor and manager of monthly magazine; advertising copywriter; researcher; writer of publicity, book, theatre and cinema reviews, editorials; author of feature and travel articles, biographical sketches, monographs, essays, fiction (appearing in more than a score of publications in the U. S. and England) ; young enough to be inquisitive; old enough to be acquisitive; adaptable; resourceful. Can boss or be bossed as the occasion demands; can type; can--with a little brushing up--operate a switchboard; with the key to the ignition, drive a car.

Surely there must be someone who has been looking for

EDNA I. ASMUS

215 East Chestnut Street Chicago, Ill.

Sirs:

. . . The plant in whose office I am employed is now shut down due to labor difficulties, of which this instance is one of many. The office force, though never involved in the disputes, is perforce out of work.

If you will publish it, here is my "Want Ad:"

Young Texan, uncorrupted by any form of government charity, will faithfully serve any American whose business demands loyalty and hard work and also offers real advancement in proportion to ability and experience. Married; no children; college trained; teaching experience; four and one-half years payroll, junior accounting and general office experience. Freemason, former Boy Scoutmaster, writing experience, general aptitude for mechanics, capable amateur pilot, now president of local flying club and ground school lecturer, good public speaker, excellent physique, like people and know how to get along with them. Prefer connection with up and coming company in aviation, but will consider any opportunity.

GEORGE E. TUBE

708 Earnhardt Street Raymond, Wash.

Sirs:

... I am free, white & 21, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Within a few months I must leave the Corps, when my service time-limit expires. ... I am a cartoonist ; naturally my work speaks louder than my words [see cut]. . . .

My ad:

WANTED: Position as cartoonist with newspaper or magazine art department. I am American born, a high school graduate with character, good sense of humor, and ambition to earn and hold a cartoonist's job. Have studied subject five years, done mimeograph and pen-and-ink work, sold a few cartoons. Further samples of work and complete personal history, with references, upon request.

DICK BOTHWELL

Company 2765, CCC Fort Meade, S. Dak.

Sirs:

... I am a woman in my forties, in need of work.

For twelve years I worked for one concern in New York City as assistant to the District Sales Manager, having general office supervision, dictating much of the correspondence, and was trained as a sales representative handling sales by mail and telephone. Four years ago this concern dispensed with District Managers and the New York office closed. Since then I have tried continuously to reestablish myself in the same field, and in others. Briefly, in these efforts I tried all the recognized methods of obtaining employment --to no avail.

I am a widow, unencumbered, Protestant, well educated, and world traveled. I am healthy, trim, energetic and alert.

Having sound judgment, breadth of view, enthusiasm and a background of good experience, I can offer an employer responsible, dependable, loyal assistance. I would welcome work that offered pleasant conditions, mental activity, and an opportunity to become again a self-sustaining individual. . . .

BERYL W. FINCH

200 East 49th Street New York City

*Okefenokee is in The Yearling and Suwannee River country between Georgia and Florida.

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