Variety (Aug 1930)

S2 VARIETY TIMES SQU ARiE Wednesday, August 13, 193© Razzing The Home Town (CINCINNATI) (Second of a series of stories on the inside show end of key cities, with- out giving the cities any the best of it). Cincinnati, Aug. 9. "Wuz you efer In Zlnclnnatl?" This line was a surefire laugh re- leaser for Sam Bernard when he comicked in "Prince of PUsen." That was back In the good old days before prohibition, when the Buck- eye State's southern metropolis was noted far and wide as quite an oasis. A characteristic German city, Its main stem. Vine street,.was lined with concert halls, and Its most famous product was the foam- ing amber, offered under such then popular names as Hauck's, Moer- leln's, Lackman's, Hudepohl's and Muhlhauser'a beers. Not a few of the men and women who have trod the same boards that did Sam Bernard hall from Ohio's second city. Most are proud to claim Cincinnati as their birthplace. Yet, with others who feel that they had to be born some place, the Cincy nativity thing is a secret. Which reminds that it has been heard said that Cincinnati is a good place to be from. This goes hand In hand with another ancient saw that there may be worse places than Cincinnati, but who knows where? Among the bunch who went clean from Cincinnati to take to the boards are'some who never re- turned. In fairness to the people back home, it is explained that the bimbos who failed to encore the village were not armed with round- trip tickets. Harking back to the b. p. era, Clncy was for long a second home to many in show business. They adopted the place for economical as well as sentimental reasons. For even then there were known to be t> layoffs, sudden closings and un- expected foldups. Not all who call the evening meal "dinner" are ac- customed to facing more groceries than graced the Cincinnati bars then under the common name of "free lunch." The Manhattan Restaurant, on 6tb street, was familiar to most everybody who trouped In that age. Troupers dubbed the place "The House of a Thousand Bums." On each of the many tables was a large basket of plain and sweet rolls. The rolls were cafeteria. To do the feed bag act at the Manhattan cost at least a dime. No one ever git by the bouncer a. the door without depositing that amount or more with the cashier. But, oh baby, what eats could be had there for 10 cents! A nickel tip encour- aged any waiter to bring everything out of the kitchen but the stove. Many actors and actorlnes left that dlnery with pockets full of buns. In the Business In furnishing a partial list of "Who's Who" of CincinnatlaiTs in the amusement field no thought is given to their ages or high or low standing. 'Twas in the year 18— that ol' Doc Stork called at one of the homes of the Callahan clan and left a darling, dimpled baby girl. So cute she was christened Delia From school she got a Job as cash girl In a department store. At parties she was the bee's kn^es, spilling wisecracks and exercising a pair of pipes not to be sneezed at. Next she copped a few first prizes at amateur night contests and then plucked up courage to turn pro, as Trixie Frlganza. Thus it is disclosed that Cincy is or was not altogether a German town. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was a prof- itable place for numberless thes- plans. It's still providing coffee and for some more. The book was written in Cincinnati by Harriett Beecher Stawe. But thus far this play has yet to be done in Dixie.' Edna Aug, from this town, is among the few who stuck to her original monicker. George E. Wlntz 1^ first saw the light here. His initial show contact was as candy butcher at Hauck's opera house, which flourished in the days of 10-20-30. George never got over it .iltogether. To the screen Clncy gave Theda Bara. As a girl she answered to the name of Thcodosia Goodman. George White Is another. Changed His Luck Harry Richman got his early training as a piano player and singer in cabarets of this, his home, town. To change his luck perhaps, he dropped the *'e" from the name of Relchman. -Anyway the gag worked. ©f late New York has taken a fancy to Libby Holman, Cincy prod- uct. Libby went through college "New York Day By Day" column: before she took seriously to theatri- cals, grad of the University of Cin- cinnati. Ann Pennington bears a made-ln- Hamllton tag. Hamilton is Just outside Cincy's backyard. The birth records have her listed as Anna Hafertepen. To spell that name without pronouncing it is quite enough. Who could blame Ann for legging It from there? Sam Ash, the singer, blew out of this town originally and several times since. The latter getaways marked solace to placing the mu- sical shows he was with in moth- balls. Frank Crumlt vocalized in this village as a baby. The Wilson Brothers learned to yodel and became educated in the art of dubklng in the Mohawk dis- trict, where they were raised. Their catch line, "You go out!" was cul- tivated in their neighborhood. As a kiddie, Lester LaMonte play- ed around with such things as hob- by horses and giant teddy. bears. One day he was badly frightened and ever since went in for cut-outs and the like. In the varieties he is billed as "The Paper Fashion Plate." Cliff Friend, who h^ written his share of popular .tunes, made his earthly debut in Lockland, a suburb. Haven Gillespie, who first weigh- ed in across the river in Covington, Ky., also has managed to live com- fortably on royalties from his, own songs. Covington's Losses From the sister city of Covington also have gone Hans Wilson, comic and hoofer; Wanda Ludlow, of dra- matic and stock, and Harry Pierce, who at last accounts left vaude flat to become an agent. Hailing from these parts and known in burlesque are Rose Sy- delle, Gus Flaig arid Freddie "Falls" Binder, not to forget Joe Hurtlg and his brother, Jules, latter deceased. The roster of Queen City sons and daughters engaged in various de- partments of the amusemetit fleld contains such other names as Hap- py Golden, Helen Doyle, Steve Mul- r'oy, Henry Santrey, Harvey Wolfe, Walter Conley, John Alexander and Florence Golden, daughter of Wil- liam Smith Goldenburg, dramatic critic of the Cincinnati "Enquirer." John Robinson's Circus was for decades a Clncy aggregation. The title is now held by the Ringling interests. John Robinson III, grand- son of the founder of the famous big top, has four performing elephants left from it which he presents in vaude and at parks and fairs, From the shores of Cincinnati have gone the Menk Brothers and some more to entertain the inhab- itants of river towns and hamlets a la show boat. The American Federation of Mu- sicians had its inception in Clncy, one of whose children, Joe Weber, is now its president. The city also has given an execu tive to the stage hands' union in William Elliott, flrst vlce-pres. of the I. A. T. S. B, As punks, Howard Thurston, of Columbus, O.; Joe Cook, of Evans- vllle, Ind., and Charlie Murray, of a not so distant Indiana town, were lured to Cincinnati. They knocked around its dime museums and amusements of the shooting gallery type long enouj;h to learn their ABC's as entertainers. . Mclntyre's Break O. O. Mclntyre, who drifted down to Cincy from Gallipolis, and is more or less acquainted with show folks, got the greatest break of his life here. After working for some time as a reporter on the Cincin- nati "Post" he was elevated to job on the sheet's telegraph desk. Toward the end of a certain day's work O. O. clicked a story about a supposed ship disaster at 6ea. Odd knew that li the flash was on the level it was news, also that if It was only a rumor, with no loss of life, it was a blank. Always the sport, he tossed up a coin. Heads showed. The yarn was tossed in- to a wastebasket. But not so on the opposition after- noon paper, where the T. E. smeared It all over the top of the front page In the morning Mclntyre was Job- less. A short time later he and his good wive were In New York. The \vorld knows the tale that would fit snug in his widely-read syndicated Up in the Clouds Hollywood. Aug. 12. Regular tourists are having a tough time getting upper berths on eastbound trains. The high bunks are all grab- bed up by song writers. ''Jealousy''Defense Is Ridiciiled by Woman Making Theft Charge Arthur Cllmo, 33, dapper and glib, of 627 West End avenue, who stated he was a stock salesman for the brokerage house of Edward C. Sey- mour, 63 Wall street, ^^ias held for the action of the grand Jury by Magistrate William A. ^Farrell. Cllmo was charged with tbe theft of a $1,400 diamond ring from Mrs. Charles Walker, designer and art student, of 40 West 60th street. ■ Cllnio denied the tbeft. He later obtained bail. He stated. Mrs. Walker is Incensed at him because two young women are enamoured of him and that he felt she was thus motivated because she "liked" him. Cllmo Is said to be divorced. "Cllmo, men are traders. Women are Investors. Consult Mrs. Walker and learn If she cares to Invest In some good stock," Cllmo testified his boss directed him. He arrived at Mrs. Walker's apartment. She was phoning. "I heard her call a man Charlie, Your Honor, and I thought It best if I left because I didn't want to be in the apartment when 'Charlie' ar- rived," stated Cllmo. "Mrs. Walker was in her pajamas. She pointed out a picture of a man from Buenos Aires who, she as'^ sorted, sent her $10,000 to become his bride. I urged her to Invest it. Not me,' she shald. 'I am going to return it'," stated Cllmo. Didn't Meet "Charlie" 'I left the apartment because 1 did not want to meet 'Charlie,' de- clared Cllmo, "but i did not take the ring." Mrs. Walker stated that she met Cllmo on a boat returning from the South. "He was playing bridge. We were introduced. He has taken me to functions, but always with a party. His story of my being In- censed about the two women over his heart is ludicrous. "He told me he was financially embarrassed and needed money. He told me to invest I told him that I had no desire. I was talking over the phone. Before I finished he had fied. My ring was on the mantle- piece and when I came out it was gone," she testified. Detectives David Mullee and James Sweeney of the West 47th St. station arrested Cllmo at his apartment. The ring has not been located. GOOD TIME CHARLIES Gene Austin and Others Meet Coast Guard and Troopers Toms Rivers, N. J., Aug. 12. Gene Austin, radio artist, and four friends, took to a boat to beat a $100 taxi bill, according to the story told the Judge, but the U. S. coast guard drove them back to a waiting state trooper. The five were fined $5 each yesterday on charges of dis orderly conduct Austin gave 98 Riverside Drive, New York, as his address, while the others identified themselves as Daniel Ahern, 600 Graham sti'eet, Brooklyn; Harry Henschke, 1625 President street, Brooklyn; Harry Levlne, 484 Graham street Brook lyn, and Fred Rich. 66 West 66tb street, New York. Corporal Hurdon of the state po lice said they took a taxi from New York to Barnegat "Glorified" Title Dorothy Raphaelson's first novel will be called "Glorified." It deals wltth stage folks. "A Gallipolis boy who has made good in the big town." Now the Cincinnati "Post" is us ing Odd's stuff in every issue and paying much more for it per week than It did to him for full-time serv ice some years since. That's why he will make claim that Cincinnati is the kindliest city he knows; yet a good town to be from. So maybe that's what Sam Bern- ard meant when he gagged: "Wu2 you efer by Zlnzinnati?" A Bunch of Mdlarkey ■ By Joe Laurie, Jr. "To the best pal In the world.." - - "To the greatest bunch of stage hands In the country— " "With kindest and fondest memories of a wonderful Orpbeum Tour with you— " "This is the greatest eat shop in the world." "Sincerely yours—" "To the man who gave me my start and I'll never forget" "With wonderful memories of our week Iri Cedar Rapids." "Until death do us part—" "To the best leader on the circuit— " "Thanks for a glorious week." "There's room up front.." "I expect to put out seven shows this season." "We own this house outright." "Meet the wife—" "With love from—" "They offered to raise my salary— " "Thanks for the finest three days we ever had." "I may have something for you next week—" "To our boss, a regular guy.." "We can stay only a few minutes..** "I never get sea-sick. "I never read my notices." ' "Catch me, I'm going to faint." "If you go out tonight ril commit suicide." "We never talk show business.." "I'm giving' you the wholesale price." "I'll show you how you can make 20% on your dour,' .' "Her family Is crazy about me." "I love that dress on you." "I never get stewed." "We panicked them." "He's the swellest guy I ever met. "We Just threw down a 40-week route." "I never copped a gag in my life." "I never'had an accident In all the years Fm driving." "You're the .funniest man I ever met." "Hard work and perserverance got me where I am." "Prosperity is around the corner." "That suit fits you perfect" "Let's play poker Just for fun." "This horse can't lose.." "Give's a dime, mister..Tm hungry.." "She's Just a good pal. .that's all.." "Mr. & Mrs " "Playing this benefit will do you good." "Come over and visit us sometimes." "My pals in Hollywood will see that I get a Job." "I didn't advertise, that's why I got a lousy notice." "The wife's a great cook." "This Is pre-war stuff." "To the only girl I ever loved." "We didn't have the door shut, officer." "I called you up yesterday, but nobody answered." "t did write to you." "I'll give you this dough back tomorrow." "She's the prettiest and smartest child I ever met" "I come from the South.." "It's only three minutes from the station." "Pay when you can." "This is absolutely free." "In California we sleep under blankets every night." "Plenty of seats inside." "Tickets can be had at the box office." "One hundred people—and the original cast." "I was Insane when I killed him." "Miss America." "You sounded swell over the radio last night." "Curtain at 8:30 sharp." "The greatest picture ever produced." "That song will live forever." "Having a good time, wish you were here." "They wanted to take up my option, but I didn't like it out there." "The battle of the century." "I don't want any alimony—all I want to be Is free." "No couver charge." "I'm broadminded..but—" "Can I please have your autograph?" "If you don't like it we'll give your money back. ROUND THE SQUARE Tip Offs That Spoil Trade ' A couple of stories. In as many N. Y. tabs, about the girls In Tex Guinan's road house, on Long Island, didn't help the business there any* One of the stories named the place, men and girls, while the other men« ttoned the girls and men only by Inference. Each of the stories appear* to have been tipped to the tabs, and evidently by someone connected wttli the establishment. The flrst story related how one of the Long Island social set would take the Gulnan girls and Tex, after their flnal show, to his estate nearby, where they could swim and remain over night to return to their work the next evening after more swimming. That was so, but the fellow never showed again at Tex's after the story. He has a house on the Island with about 60 rooms, with extensive grounds. Visiting the road' house almost nightly, he got in the habit of buying the girls In the floor show their dinner after the final performance, then bundling the whole lot In cars and letting them run around his place, until they had to report once more. A host like that hardly expected to see his name, place an^l social exploits blazoned on the front page of a tab. He quit as it only had been an expense account to him anyway. The other, a sob story, told of two young L. I. sons of wealthy pM^ ents who had-shown much attention to one of the show floor girls, called the dumbdora of the troupe, and said both wanted to marry her. No names mentioned, nor was the Gulnan roadhouse specifled, but it wa» enough, although neither of the young fellows ever got in the real spend- ing class. Publicity has a way of killing off all spenders, especially in road- houses where they expect to be protected. And how roadhouses, nowa- days, need spenders, almost a lost profession at present with the market putting most of them on the fritz. Paris Getting 'EmI Paris Is like Broadway, when It gets 'em. isroadway is notorious In that direction, for it has swept away and aside some good people, who thought they were New York-proof. Paris probably has a rep llkewl.''*' In Paris Just now though It seems it's the booze that's doing it- On Broadway it's generally the wlmmln. Reports drifting back from France (Continued on page- 56)