Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-10-26
Mew York
Letter
NEW YoRK-Famous folk

NEW YORK-Famous folk, II
would seem, are not quite as well
known as they thought they were.
In New York, for instance, there
are groups ranging from actors to
writers who are catalogued as cele-
brities: yet half the people OF the
metropolis never heard OF them. And
outside Of New York-well, they
don't even count.
One Of the most amusing COM
mentaries on fame I have stumbled
over in some time may be found in
statistics based on a QUESTIONABLE
sent out by Variety, the theatrical
publication. With its tongue in its
cheek and its sense Of the ironic In
its intent, this periodical made up a
selected list of actors, authors,
statesmen, radio folk, movie queens.
gangsters, pugs and poets. This list
was sent TO several hundred jewellers
In Chicago. The recipients Of the
list we're stenos, insurance agents,
doctors, chambermaids, chorines,
school teachers and kindred folk who
can be said 10 represent the rank
and file OF any population.
And you'd be surprised In fact,
you will be surprised
OF course, you may have expect
ed the movie figures to be best
known Of all-and many OF them
we're. Joan Crawford, John Barry
more. Billy Dove, Ruth Chatterton ct
al. we're well at the head of the list.
And since the poll was taken in
Chicago, you might expect Al Ca
pone and Jake Lingle to be pretty
well knownl
But there Is something funny
about Legs Diamond and Fatty Ar
buckle being known to more people
than Gandhi, Sinclair Lewis or
Bernard Shaw.
And Floyd Gibbons, who was ad-
vertiSed as such a demon radio
spielerl His name appears well down
toward the end OF the list
About so per cent OF the voters
didn't know who he was. Arthur
Brisbane may well get a start at
noting that while 164 persons voted,
only 88 knew about him and rs
didn't.
Vincent Astor. with his millions,
was known TO but A out Of 176. And
Just to show you that polo can't
be such a much in Chicago, only II
people had seemed 10 know that
Devereaux MilbIrn was alive.
On the other hand, Bill Hart, al
though out Of the picture for many
a day. runs eve. with Bobby Jones
and Mussolini and well ahead OF
Aimee Mcpherson Hutton, Bill TIL
den and Benny Leonard
Not the least interesting aspect
Of this poll was the relatively slight
acquaintance Of the voters with
prominent radio folk. To be sure,
Amos and Andy were not on the
list. But Cara, Lup and EN- were,
and so were the sponsors Of several
big programs. And they raj well
under the movie favoriteS.
Almost everyone seemed acquaint-
ed with Buddy Rogers, Marlene
Dietrich. the Ringing Brothers, Ina
Claire, Bill Powell. Lupe Velez. Ann
Harding and other filmdom figures.
But Charles Schwab, whose name
was presumed TO shine so brightly In
the busine-l world, has somehow
failed to reach the attention Of most
icemen, clerks, secretaries and such.
Still. ! VAS told by an attache OF
Variety, that many lawyers. shop
keepers, bank clerks and dentists
gave the most amazing replies. Six
people thought Brisbane was an
English statesman attached TO Par
lament. And Einstein was guessed
as a film di% and a musician.
Robert Edeson was confused BY
many with Thomas Edison. and
Charles Evans Hughes was dismiss
ed by one as a guy with a beard
BY the way. IL sounds like a good
game-why not try 1t on your own
home town?