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"B" AS IN BARNUM 273 contained an almost sweeping denunciation of Mr. DeMiHe's happy picture, made, as we so often held it forth, for every man, woman and child in the world. The boss read the letter, once, twice, three times, then con- cluded that Father Little and the Legion had lost their sacer- dotal buttons. "I used to feel that someday I would be a Catho- lic," he remarked at luncheon, ^ut the Catholics will have to get rid of at least three priests before I join up-Dan Lord, Bishop Buddy down there in San Diego and Father Little/' DeMille, more perhaps than anyone, realized the importance of a favorable rating from the Legion of Decency. What would his old critics say? DeMille can't make even a circus picture without sex; that sprightly, innocent world basted with sugges- tive juices I And a show especially for kids! The Little letter, dated December 11,1951, stated in part: ... We realize what the circus means to the youth of this country in every hamlet, village and town. It is assuredly an integral part of our American culture... as a youth and priest we have enjoyed [its] drama and entertainment... ... we wish to express our objection to several morally offen- sive elements in the film. ... while the circus is both adolescent and adult entertain- ment it is primarily and essentially a product for the youth of this country and the world. It is regrettable and unfortunate that you deemed it necessary to use offensive material. The objectionable dialogue, according to the letter, centered around the character of Sebastian (Cornel Wilde), "repeated time and time again without necessity to establish his char- acter/' Since the letter did not set forth any samples, we hurried to the script for possible sources of the irritation. It was possible Little had eyed the moonlight haystack scene. Here, Sebastian says to Holly (Betty Button), "You are beautiful, exciting, like wine. You know women are like wine. Some are like sweet Sauterne, some are warm like Burgundy * He