Lewdness
Sir: Paul Johnson (The press, 26 Septem- ber) may have thumbed through his refer- ence books for quotes from Hugh Cudlipp etc, but he has clearly forgotten what the wartime 'Jane' strip-cartoon was all about. Otherwise he could never have accused it of 'lubricity' — which my dictionary de- fines as lewdness.
LETTERS
The 'Jane' character did occasionally• lose her outer garments, but invariably by accident. That was the appeal. She was a nice, high-spirited girl, the sort of girl-next- door that servicemen dreamed about when far from home. Her adventures were as unobjectionable as a contemporary Whitehall farce or George Formby film.
If Mr Johnson can put aside his current fit of prudery, perhaps he will recall an article on the London Daily News, in which he stressed the importance of strip- cartoons in the package which is a popular newspaper. The purpose of 'Jane', 'Andy Capp', Perishers' etc was and is to provide wholesome entertainment. Please, don't blame them for Mike Gabbert.
John Allard Cartoons and crossword editor, The Daily Mirror, London EC1
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