The Archives of The University of Notre Dame 607 Hesburgh Library Notre Dame, IN 46556 574-631-6448 [email protected] Notre Dame Archives: Alumnus L^Ai^ ; ^.^^yM^nm^immmmm THE NOTRE DAME ALUMNUS "Knute Rockne— All-American" (Pages 2 and 3) University Affairs (Page 4) N. D. Metallurgy (Page 7) m Student Notes (Page 8) Football News (Page 9) Spotlight Alumni (Page 11) Main Entrance, Rockne Memorial Building Vol. 19 NOVEMBER, 1940 No. 2 The Notre Dame Alumnus Thousands Attend Premiere Festivities —South Bend Tribune Picture A crowd, estimated to number 28,000, crowded into South Bend's Michigan Street, between the Granada and the Palace Theaters, to see and hear the movie stars who were present for the world premiere of "Knute Rocltne—^All-American." A bridge, erected in the street between the theaters, provided a temporary stage. (See story on opposite page.) The Notre Dame Alumnus This magazine is published monthly from October to June, inclusive (except January), by the University of Notre Dam.e, Notre Dnme, Indiana. Entered as second class matter October 1, 1939, at tiie PostofBce, Notre Dame, Indiana, under the act of August 24, 1912. Member of the American Alumni Council and of the National Catholic Alumni Federation. JAMES E. ARMSTOONG, "25, Editor; WIIJJAM R. DOOLEY, 76, Managing Editor Vol. 19 NOVEMBER. 1940 No. 2 Rockne Picture Has South Bend Premiere South Bend and University- Join Facilities to Give Picture of Rockne's Life Memorable Introduction; General Reception is Tribute to Lasting Genius The world premiere of the Warner decorated. The week in South Bend and theaters unable to gain admission. Brothers' picture, "Knute Eockne — elsewhere was designated as National Hollywood dug into its roster and Ail-American," held in South Bend on Knute Eockne Week, with many special sent out Pat O'Brien, star of the pic­ October 4, proved one thing conclusive­ programs featured, leading to the pre­ ture, with his wife and his mother. Gale ly, that Knute Eockne's genius was rec­ miere itself. Page, Donald Crisp, Eonald Eeagan and ognized at home and abroad at a re­ Kate Smith broadcast her program Owen Davis, Jr., of the cast, and Eudy markably early stage, and that the iirst Vallee, Irene Eich, Anita. Louise, Bob decade the world has lived without him from South Bend all week, climaxing with the show on the night of the pre­ Hope, Jimmy Fidler, Gail Patrick, has only served to emphasize and enlarge Peggy Diggins, Eosemary Lane, Bruce the merits and the timeliness of his con­ miere. The popular program. Vox Pop, featured the visiting stars and some of Cabot, Eicardo Cortez, Jane Wyman, tributions. A general note of sadness Eobert Buckner, and Charlie Buggies. permeating the crowds reflects the feel­ the 1940 squad on Thursday night, and a national. chain carried the program Backed up by Kate Smith and Franklin ing that he, like his friend Will Rogers, D. Eoosevelt, Jr., this array really re­ would have been an even greater influ­ form the banquet held in the University Dining Halls on the same night. The warded the crowds at the many events ence in these years which need the of the week. rugged fundamentals. banquet packed in 1,000 guests and the visiting stars. Mayor Jesse I. Pavey, who headed the The picture brings credit to Eockne civic co-operation program, and Mrs. and to Notre Dame. The ALUMNUS at­ Washington Hall, and four South Bonnie Eockne and J. Arthur Haley, '26, tempts no criticism of it. Eockne is too Bend theaters were required to accom­ who served as technical directors of near, in time and in sentiment, to thou­ modate the crowds on the night of the the picture, added greatly to the success sands of alumni, for any ordinary stan­ premiere, and very literally thousands of the week. dards of criticism to be effective. The of persons were lined up outside the film has already been seen by the major­ The football game with the CoUege ity of alumni, and will probably be seen of the Pacific on Saturday, and the by all. The bulk of the reaction has been double appearance of the United States very favorable. And considering the Navy Band on the same day in South handicaps implicit in this almost contem­ Bend, almost escaped notice. However, porary characterization, that in itself is the fact that Coach Stagg was a mem­ constructive criticism. The picture aims ber of the cast of the picture and that at the All American theme in the deeper the stars were at the game and intro­ sense of the Americanization of a great duced between the halves, and that Notre man as he was evolved from an immi­ Dame won the game, properly concluded grant boy. And his use of football as an an occasion in South Bend that renewed expression of more fundamental phases brilliantly the ties so casually accepted of character, individual and national, is in the fall of 1930, when Knute Eockne the picture's objective. Inevitably, and worked at Notre Dame and lived in interestingly, action derives largely from South Bend. the crystallization of his ideas in the teams of Notre Dame. Names that con­ The ALUMNUS hopes that between the jure up history and tradition for all lines the reader will read the great work Notre Dame men are sprinkled liberally of the many civic committees, number­ throughout. ing many alumni; the cooperation of Warner Brothers; the cooperation of the The South Bend world premiere was University; the charm of the stars; and engineered by a civic committee, headed the million details that must always go by B. J. Voll, '17, former president of BERNARD J. VOLL, '17 unsung into the production of an event the Alumni Association. Streets were Chairman, Civic Committee like the premiere. The Notre Dame Alumnus UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS . FOUNDER'S DAY it after successive open attacks. The kie lightly passed a few quips to the new program of religious instruction is crowd and then recalled that he, too, was Founder's Day festivities, Sunday, termed "a building up of defense on the a student of an Indiana school 27 years Oct. 13, were opened with a solemn high spiritual side." ago. Turning to the more serious portion Mass in Sacred Heart Church, celebrated of his talk, Mr. Willkie said: "We can by Rev. John Cavanaugh, C.S.C, vice- The two-fold program will be divided president of the University. into intensive class instruction devoted give reverent thanks that these young to facts and philosophy of religion, and men are not experiencing what other Assisting at the Mass were Rev. Fran­ periodic lectures by the leading Catholic young men are experiencing in the cis Boland, C.S.C, deacon, and Rev. apologists of America. These latter will shambles in various parts of the world Philip Moore, C.S.C, sub-deacon. Rev. include, among many others, the Rev. today." Christopher O'Toole, C.S.C, was master Daniel A. Lord, S.J., who preached one He called the institutions similar to of ceremonies. The Moreau Seminary of the student missions on the campus choir sang. Notre Dame the great glory of the coun­ this year; Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen, of try, saying "There is no greater contri­ The development of Notre Dame from Catholic Universit}', Washington, D. C, bution to democracy than is demonstrat­ the time its founders left France to and the Rev. John A. O'Brien, founder ed by institutions such as this. We must come to America was traced by Rev. J. of the Newman Foundation at the Uni­ guard against the possibility that insti­ Leonard Carrico, C.S.C, director of versity of Illinois, and now on the Notre tutions like this should pass from Amer­ studies, in the Founder's Day sermon. Dame faculty. ica. We must dedicate ourselves to the He characterized Notre Dame as "hum­ Students who display aptitude and fact that institutions of free study shall ble in her origin, heroic in her days of never pass from this nation." trial, grateful in her present develop­ ability will be encouraged to continue ment and hopeful that her future may study and become leaders in the work Mr. Willkie paid a tribute to Knute be worthy of her past." of Catholic apologetics. K. Rockne and to Notre Dame's high position, not only in the world of sport A radio program on Oct. 14, opening Regular meetings of fx-eshmen and but the academic world. He declared the year's activities in the campus stu­ sophomore professors will commence that the development of synthetic rubber dios of WSBT-WFAM, brought to the soon to discuss additional plans and by the late Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland, microphone Father Cavanaugh, Athletic ideas for this new program. C.S.C, may be the salvation of America Director Elmer F. Layden and James E. Already several newly ordained priests and democracy should the United States Armstrong, alumni secretary. The Glee have returned to Holy Cross College, be forced into war. Club, under the direction of Professor Washington, D. C, for advanced apolo­ Daniel H. Pedtke, sang and provided the getics instruction. This is part of the musical background for a sketch depict­ plan to have a highly specialized faculty NEW ENGINEERING TEACHER ing the University's founding by Rev. in the religion department. The University aeronautical engineer­ Edward Sorin, C.S.C. ing staff has been strengthened by the addition of Mr. Jay A. Bolt, formerly WILLKIE AT N. D. instructor of Mechanical Engineering SPIRITUAL DEFENSE Added to the list of prominent per­ at the University of Illinois, who will A program of spiritual defense that sonages who have visited Notre Dame teach and supervise laboratory work on will involve the reorganization of un­ is the name of the republican presiden­ aircraft and automotive engines.