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High life

The accidental wit and wisdom of Samuel Goldwyn

If Sheridan had not invented Mrs Malaprop, Goldwynism would be the word

10 May 2014

9:00 AM

10 May 2014

9:00 AM

For some of you younger readers the name Schmuel Gelbfisz will not ring a bell. Yet back in the Thirties Schmuel Gelbfisz’s identity was a dinner-party quiz question, and the one who guessed correctly would receive a kiss from Mary Pickford — America’s sweetheart — if he happened to be a man, or an expensive trinket if a lady got it right.

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