The Perils of Barbara

When a Buenos Aires theater staged the premiere last week of a new Argentine movie called Barbara Atomica (rough translation: Hot-Stuff Barbara), the Catholic Action youth movement stepped out to show its disapproval. Reason: some of the mambo dancers in the movie were virtually unclad. Throwing stink bombs and shooting off firecrackers, the Catholic Action members started a rowdy uproar in the theater that ended with eleven injured, 92 arrested.

With a sure instinct, Juan Peron immediately turned the demonstration into anti-U.S. propaganda. After two days in jail, the offenders were brought into the office of Minister of Interior Angel Borlenghi, where they were told that, except for one Maximo Guillermo Mantel, they would all be freed through presidential mercy. A search of Mantel's house, said Borlenghi, had turned up a diary with an entry under July 4 which read: "Independence day of the United States. The most glorious of all days. Our big sister." Thundered Borlenghi: "This proves that this episode was directed from abroad!" Diarist Mantel will be brought to court for his indiscreet sentiments.

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