New Britain herald., 1930-10-21
-OO.McInfyre

New York, Oct 21-Hope Hamp- ton has returned to Awmeerika a trifle triumphant following a dis tinct measure of success in operatlc circles abroad. There are reliable whisperings of her possible appear also in Berlin, Vienna and at the Paris opera.
 Thus has the Titan haired lady had revenge on tittering Broadway where her name often inspired a sly wink. Of her talents I cannot speak. having never seen her on screen, theatrical or operatic stage. She strikes one as pretty in the baby doll manner and the times I've seen her in public displayed lady-like decorum.
 For many years she and her gray haired, eagle-like husband, Jules Brulatour, who amassed millions in the raw film business, have been omniscient at the opera, first nights, Mayfair club dances and in smart cafes. At such events Miss Hamp- tons frocks inspired admiring gasps of lorgnette filters. ..-.
 They dwell in a palatial home on the upper avenue and have followed the social migrations to Palm Beach and the French Riviera. Brulatour i5 out of New Orleans of French ex- traction and is reputed to have lavished incredible amounts to make his wife a fixture in the film firma- ment.
 It is authoritatively told she in spired as much fan mail as Mary Pickford in her palmiest period, yet never clicked automatically in a big way. Several years ago she began to study voice, but on the eve of starring in a musical production something happened. Production was mysteriously abandoned.
 Later she did appear in light opera-'Madam Pompadour' if mem ory serves-in which she won per- sonal praise, but the opus was short lived. Broadway spawned another chuckle, whispering "finis.' But Miss Hampton kept studying music and languages quite unperturbed.
 She is now proficient in German. Italian and French. Should she ar rive finally at the Metropolitan, as thick rumors hint, victory over the shoulder shruggers will be strictly Laura Jean Libby. As the legend runs, she is a modern Cinderella who once answered the cry of "Cash!, in a Philadelphia depart ment store.
 Folks out at the whistle stops could not afford the high priced movie but could stand the rep show tariff the past season. Thus, Hell on the Border" a tent favorite net ted s12,O00 for a producer playing one night stands.
 For years ten-twent-thirt troupers of tent and rep shows have been the butt of Broadway wise cracks, But in the economic crisis they fared far better than many of their broth CTS and sisters on Broadway.
 A rep show. playing George M. Conan comedies in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, netted enough for d jobless Broadway press agent to rent q house for the winter in Florida and purchase an auto besides. A dozen fairly we'll known actors, un- der pseudonyms, have been taking flyers in rep shows until clouds scat ter. One actress. used to $7b0 a week, toured Missouri and Illinois for s35 a week and cakes"
 The world will lose a pronounced theatrical tint if movies and radio totally obscure the tent and rep shows. The star, with his moth- eaten fur-collared coat, the manager with noisy vest and sparkler, the frizzed blonde juvenile, the lan- tern jawed character man "who trouped with Booth" offered sta bility in an quickly changing