„Przemówił dziad do obrazu” – a story of one polemic

The following paper is a recollection of a series of articles by Tadeusz Kudliński, published in ”Ilustrowany Kurier Codzienny” (1936–37). “Teatralne mielizny” were very popular with readers, especially young playwrights, supported by the critic. The articles written by the Cracow „teatrał” (theatre man) aroused a heated discussion in the press, and the initiative to create Studio 39 can be regarded as its aftermath. Contrary to previous assurances concerning the final conclusion of the ”sandback” dispute, Kudliński took up the topic again nine months after the publication of the last part of the series, and his text “Przemówił dziad do obrazu” provoked the response by Tadeusz Boy-Żeleński. Thus, the whole discussion on the articles, as well as the theatre initiative brought to life by their soul, ends with three polemical texts, published in press, whose main character has, unexpectedly, become the hero of an old Polish proverb