The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-31
SEES NO CHANGE IN GIRLS DURING
 PAST TEN YEARS
ZiegfeId Says 1t Is All In The Way They Are
 Being Presented


 NEW YORK, August 30.-Time and the glorification of American girls have made Florenz Zeigfeld wary old dog. His beauties may sue and be sued, give interviews in the bathtub and kick over the traces generally, but it is only with his distinct disapproval. He. himself remains, to all outward appearances, calm, cynical and the husband of Billie Burke. He is the proud father of a lovely daughter, and speaks in fatherly tones of his wayward show girls, their speedy husbands and gentlemen friends.
 His office, however, is all that a life devoted to glorifying girls might lead one to suspect. Located on the ninth floor of the New Amsterdam theater, it modestly hides behind signs inform ing the world MT. Ziegfeld sees you only by appointment, and behind more barriers of corridors, grates and of fees. All is quite ordinary until one reaches the last sacred private" out lined against the blue silk curtain. What greets you inside is not Mir. Zeigfeld, who remains seated, but gold walls, more blue curtains and gilt fur niture in one of the Louis periods. There are couches and easy chairs up- holstefed in pale lowered brocade, and on the floor thick carpet of corre- spending shade. A grand piano is noth- ing less than lockwood or rosewood, with a picture of Billie Burke in riding togs on it, occupies one end of the room. Opposite is the flat topped desk of America's authority on feminine beauty. Giving it a boudoir effect is gilt in- laid writing set. more photographs of Miss Burke and their daughter, Pa tricia, and two good-luck elephants. Behind it sat Mir. Ziegfeld smoking a cigar and wearing a gray suit with a bright blue shirt on the sleeve of which was his monogram.
 Girls Haven't Changed
 Girls haven't changed" he replied when requested to compare show girls of ten years ago with those of today. Its the way they have been presented. The type we exploit each season de- bends entirely upon what we are trying to depict, whether it be cities, women of the past, or featuring dancing when smaller girls are used, they being the more adept"
 Clinging tenaciously to his opinion that women are no thinner, or no differ ent in any respect than they always were, he continued
 "A lot of them try to effect the Irene Castle type, but they overlooked the fact she is beautifully proportioned, and not just thin. She is one in, thou sand, and they fail dismally when try l ing to copy her. The girls in our show get enough dancing to keep them in condition, and with that much exercise dieting would be one of the worst things they could do In weather like this they get more than they want. During the hot spell last week, for instance, we had an average of ten girls fainting at each performance"
 The life of Ziegfeld show girl gem orally begins at the age of seventeen, preferably without previous experience. 1t lasts anywhere from five to six years and occasionally for ten. As the pro ducer tersely remarked Ut all de- bends on how she behaves herself.p
 MT. Ziegfeld wouldn't tell on the widest girl he'd ever employed, but an amused expression crossed his face, leaving no doubt there had been one whose escapades were enough to i'm press even veteran manager. En- ragged Mir. Ziegfeld. doubtless becomes, and bored and sarcastic, but not sur prised. Their temperament and tricks are all an old story to him. In defend- ing those whom he glorifies, he said
 ''The large majority of show girls suffer for the sins of the few. Most members of the chorus are hardwork- ing girls
 Started By Accident
 Like many careers, his as q producer started more by accident thany any thing. For seven or eight years he was manager of the Chicago Musical college. Becoming interested in the Worlds fair, he took over the manage ment there of the Trocadero. His prin- cipal consisted of $S,000, which he spent on advertising. Searching New York for novelties, he discovered San dow, the strong man, and took him to Chicago. From a losing venture, he turned the Trocadero into a success, making $2S,000 a week. At the close of the exposition he toured the country with Sandow. Later in London he dis covered Anna Held at the Palace, and immediately switched from strong men to beautiful woman, starring her in ! his first musical comedy, 'The Parlor Match" It was in this that the first Mrs. Ziegfeld sang her famous Come Play With Me" song, at which point "Ole Hoss" Hoey, whom Ziegfeld said he considered the greatest comedian who ever lived. pulled do wna shade saying, Tn a Minute"
 It was in 1907 that the first Fol lies was produced, originating as a sum- mer show for the New York Roof.
 "Ar. Erlanger told me it wouldn't so on the road" Flo ZiegfeId said, look ing back over the years with satisfac- tion, but that l could try it on Wash ington and Baltimore in September, which was the worst possible month. We took in $14000 and $1S,000 in those two weeks, though, breaking all previous records. That show cost $13,- 100 and took about -$3,000 A week to run, while the one downstairs cost $257 ,000," he groaned.
 You can see the figures for your self" he invited, holding out the week
 y statement, which showed that $29,- 243.63 is needed every Monday morn. ng to keep the Follies going week
 '15127.50 of it for salaries alone. Ev.
 " year this summer show costs more
 nd more and Flo Ziegfeld loudly walls It will be his last, but while they con-