Duello

A whole dramatic library has flowed from the devious but prodigiously brilliant pen of Professor Luigi Pirandello. His academic intimates know him as an erudite philosopher philologist. But to the world he is the playwright of Six Characters in Search of an Author. Last week he contrived in actuality at his Roman villa a drama as "Pirandellic" as any of his numerous plays--famed for his knack of creating characters (like his Henry IV) who are not what they seem. Early in the week Signor Pirandello had received a visit from two friends with a mutual grievance: Playwright Massimo Bontempelli and Author Giuseppe Ungaretti, both Italians of note. They desired to adjust a minor point of honor by the duello. But a Fascist decree forbade. What should they do? Philosopher-dramatist Pirandello cogitated, frowned, beamed at last upon his honorably quarrelsome friends, invited them to a garden party, suggested that they bring swords. . . . At the garden party last week, Signor Pirandello announced that to divert his guests he would direct a scene from a motion picture now in production, a duel scene. While two cameras ground, and unwitting female guests idly twirled parasols, Massimo Bontempelli "laid on" with Giuseppe Ungaretti, pinked him at last in the right arm, walked victorious from the undeadly field of honor.

Director Pirandello subsequently led his actors in a tricornered toast to the cinema.