New Britain herald., 1930-02-13

New York, Feb. 13.-The zero
 hour for show people is when, csp"- c!ally after an extended run, the closing notice goes mp on the back stage bulletin board. A theatrical company despite its furry of pretty jcalousics becomes a closely knitted
 family.
 For stars end principals il is ccn- nomically only a brief vacation bm. for the great ma joritN it means t'r" weary rounds ot the agencies and hunt for jobs. Scntimontally i; is 4 heart wrench for all and there is ID person so sentimental as the harl- cned troupcr.
 Their illusile world of spot-lghtj, music, laughter and suppressed cX- citement crumclcs over night an ] all must go separate ways, Lie again becomes a stark reality - plunge into genuine distress. Plas CTS, stage hands, electricians and | even doormcn are affected.
 With it all no class Of people arc ] so courageous in misfortune. I have | heard many in other walks of lie and turned on the fears myself -- aiI over the sudden stoppage O | income but I have vet to hear q l performer whine when he faces the | tcdium of being "at hbcrtN.' ! The most improv;dCnt of all. they l arc chcericst when there IS little ! about which 10 be cheerful. Indeed, i i- is the custom on closing nigh $ 1 to clown the show. Audiences arr 1 frequently attracted on such occa- sions just 10 SC" what spontaneous foolery takes place.
 One of the gau1y fables is the re- putcd haughtincss of stage stars to- ward 1hci" lesser brothers and sis tcrs. Some of the closest attach mcnts in the thcater are among : stars and principals land those m the chorus or other minor roles in the same company.
 I was in at the death Of q rcccn; struggled up from dressing rooms in street clothes. The star, q truly great lady of exotic beauty, mov"d among them with cffortless grace, shaking hands with the men anl kissing the women. As she rushed to her car, r,'hcr eyes shone with tears.
 l waited on q Madison avenue corner today with q gentleman who vas to meet his wife. Sighting her, he observed: See that peculiar g,eam in her eyes. She is going Q rush up and adjust my ti".' Arl she did.
 On 125th street in Harlem q little radio shop sells electric belts an has quite a lively trade. They drc sold mostly to young Negro sheiks who believe they give Il ccrtaDl touch of personal magnetism.
 Incidentally, there were in Am~"- ica 25 years ago moro than : fac tories turning out electric belts and q ere arc three mon who bccauIe millionaircs through their cNploita- ton. On" now lives in solemn grand cur on upper 5th avenue.
 Sinclair Lewis. who does not tarry long in one place. is said 10 be colI. sidcring d stay in India for q pro posed novel. His most recent was written in Vermont. Among places nc selected to turn out In st sellers were Kansas City, London, Paris, Berlin and the West Indies.
 William Durant usually has in" largest telephone bill Of any New lorker. one week during the mark ct spasm he spent s25,00o tclcphon- ing to all parts of the world.
 A phono@raph 10 awaken you in the morning IS recent invention. An employer advised q young man who vas always late to buy one. He did. Supposed 10 arrive at $50. hc bounded in onc morning at $. Tt" worked" he cried. Look what time it is"
 But where were you yesterday" inquired the toGs.