(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)

B.G’s Cy Grant gets top role in Fox film
B.G’S Cy Grant has landed a leading role in the new Twentieth Century Fox film, ‘Sea Wife’.
The film tells of the wartime adventures of three men and a nun adrift on a raft in the Pacific, sole survivors of  a torpedoed ship fleeing from Singapore after its fall to the Japanese in 1942.
Cy plays ‘Number 4’, the fourth member of the party on the raft.
Cy, who flew with the R.A.F during the war, came to Britain 14 years ago.
He is a barrister, who has found his way into the entertainment world.
As a singer of folk songs to his own accompaniment on the guitar, he is much sought after by London night clubs, the B.B.C., and television producers.
Cy has just flown to a Jamaica location for the new film.
Shooting will take about six weeks in Montego Bay and Kingston.
The cast includes Joan Collins, Richard Burton and Basil Sydney.
(Daily Argosy: July 1, 1956)

Fort Groyne claims another August victim
-Police drag river for drowned girl
EIGHT-YEAR-old Waveney Hicks of 13, Water Street, Kingston was drowned off the Fort Groyne, Demerara River about 9.30 o’clock yesterday morning.
The river Police were notified and were quickly on the scene.
Members of the Fire Brigade River Crew in the Lady Woolley also joined the search.
Waveney, reports state, accompanied her twelve-year-old sister,  Loretta, to Fort Groyne  to bathe.
Waveney, it is understood, was standing on some rocks at the Groyne when she slipped into the river.
Her sister jumped in to rescue her, but a cross-current hindered her, and she soon got into difficulties and had to be rescued.
The Police were informed and rushed to the scene.
Men from the River Police Station, under retired Harbour Master Capt. C.H. Walcott, and the fire float, Lady Woolley, manned by river fire-fighters, joined the search.
Up to late last night, the body had not been recovered.
(Daily Argosy: September 1, 1956)

Your mattress?
A NEW striped blue-green mattress was found in front the gate of Mrs. Cuff’s residence at 217 Lamaha Street.
Apparently, the mattress was dropped there by a cart-man.
The owner is invited to call at Mrs. Cuff’s residence.
(Daily Argosy: September 1, 1956)

Sam Chase at the Globe today
VAUDEVILLE show fans will ‘rock ‘n roll’ in their seats in the Globe Cinema today when Sam Chase plays the leading role in the ‘Virgin Births’ .
He will be supported by Jack Mello, Zeda  Martindale, ‘Shavo’, Fats Waller and the unknown soldier.
Featuring on the programme too are ‘King Sparrow’ and ‘Lord Melody’, Calypso  ‘Kings’ of  1956  and 1955 respectively, and Monica, who has just returned from a Trinidad tour.
(Daily Argosy: September 2, 1956)

‘Would-be’ groom dies
-Breach-of-promise suit off
AN ‘ASTONISHED’ cake-maker of Kitty, through her counsel , yesterday told the Hon. Justice Miller, in the Supreme Court, that she was discontinuing her claim against a man who had promised to make her his wife.
The reason: He died some time after she had served him the writ.
The woman, Agatha Harris, of 198 Thomas Street, Kitty, East Coast Demerara, had originally set out a Court Order for $500 damages against Gussy Rodney, who had lived at 211 Thomas Street, Kitty, for breach-of-promise of marriage.
Harris’ story was that Rodney had written her on January 5, 1954 asking her hand in marriage, an offer which she accepted.
Then they became “closely attached” to each other.
He visited her regularly at her home between January 5 and May 6, 1954.
On May 6 that year, Rodney agreed to assist her financially to carry on the entire preparations for the marriage, which finance he said he would give her during the last week in June, 1954 to get married during August that year.
But Rodney did not return to her home after that time, nor did he keep his promise.
She wrote him, but he did not reply.
“To my astonishment, the defendant got married to another person on June 30, 1954.”
When the case was called for hearing yesterday, Mr. T.A. Morris, solicitor for Harris, informed the Court that the defendant had since died, hence he (Solicitor) requested that the order for discontinuance be entered.
The Court granted the application.
(Daily Argosy: September 4, 1956)

Satya Harishchandra
THE STORY of ‘Satya Harischandra’, to be staged at Queens College on September 14 and 15, 1956, at 8 and 6:30pm respectively, has influenced the cultural life of Indians for thousands and thousands of years.
Whether Harishchandra is a historical figure or not is immaterial for one who wishes to tread the path of the spiritual world.
It was this very idea that inspired ‘Mahatma’ Ghandi to write about ‘Harishchandra’  in his autobiography:
“I tasked myself day and night to follow truth, and to go through all the ordeals  Harishchandra went through. This was the one idea that inspired me.”
Production of the play is proceeding satisfactorily, and there is no doubt that something new will be added to the dramatic world of B.G. on the day of the presentation of the play.
(Daily Argosy: September 9, 1956)

Chairman of Consolidated Gold Fields, Potaro Electric Co here
SIR ROLAND Robinson, Chairman of the B.G. Consolidated Gold Fields and Potaro Electric Company, arrived yesterday from Trinidad on his annual routine visit.
Robinson will fly out tomorrow to observe the work being done by the dredges at Tumatumari, and to see the progress of the hydroelectric power project.
Sir Roland said yesterday that the Company was very anxious to start work as soon as possible, but starting depended on the hydroelectric power, which was now held up due to weather conditions.
The water in the Potaro was so high, that they were unable to get on with the work he said.
(Daily Argosy: September 23, 1956)

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or by telephone: 657-2043)