THE LIFE OF THE PARTY

Appearance within the last decade, and especially this year, of a deluge of pictorial magazines, newspapers, and other publications presents a problem far too significant to be passed over. At first such literature was limited to two distinct groups: the tabloid sheet and the more refined but less exciting photographic magazine. Although the tabloids freely admitted that their aim was to give the public photographs of intimate and compromising situations, only those people who were notorious for such activities were bothered. Now, however, the outgrowth of this seems to be more far-reaching in its scope. Everybody who could possibly become involved in a compromising or intimate situation is eagerly sought after as good copy.

The resounding click of the camera and the somewhat more violent flash of the bulb are rapidly becoming familiar disturbances to the formerly pacific routine of daily existence. Basing its policy on the age-old concept that the little things in life are after all the most important, Life Magazine has commenced to invade the home, the theatre, the dance floor, and many less agreeable places where these little things may be seen to crop out. Feeling that the nightly American practice of undressing was a valuable and instructive field to attack, Life presented its million and a half readers with the proper and important methods of disrobing. In order to promote good feeling among Harvard undergraduates, Life published a picture of an obscure corner of the Hasty Pudding Clubhouse alongside a sparsely clad dove girl. Life's crowning achievement, however, was its invasion of the famed House dances.

Breaking in on the festivities of Leverett House Thursday night photographers armed with suit cases full of flash bulbs and tiny candid cameras kept publicity hounds on their toes most of the evening in an effort to waste no longer their fragrance on the desert air. Although for this type of person the photographic mania may present no menace, to the modest, shrinking violet type it is definitely a disturbing element. Life may have been an invited guest to Leverett's party Thursday night, but to most of the other guests it was certainly unexpected. It is the forlorn hope of many, however, that when the preferred list is again made out, a reservation such as that maintained by the HAA will be made: Kindly deposit all candid cameras or any other sort of photographic devices with the doorman.