The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-02-24

about-town.
 Dude and dandy to the last; gen. tleman of gallant gestures, he hat .risked his health to appear at { benefit for sick and jobless actors A shrunken haggard Beau Brum' mel, to be sure whose sick-bet had been moved to the first 1looi Of his home because he no longer could climb stairs. Yet ready tt volunteer tithe of his ebbine strength to unfortunate fellows o1 the theateI
 A Slick Customer
 There was the same slick, plas- tered glossiness to his hair; the sparkling pin in the Ascot tie; the trim, tailored smartness of his afternoon coat and the inevitable patent-leather shoes which caused so much wonderment in those by gone days when Corbett had to bridge the wide gap between pug and gentleman.
 William A. Brady, major theatri- cal producer, whose own start was linked with the managership oi "Centleman Jim" looked him over from chapeau to glistening pumps --"Jim will never know what q good actor and snowman he is, commented the astute Brady, "and the best role he ever created is himself"
 A friend, worried over Corbetts physical appearance, kept looking at the patent-leather and eau Al (. .,L n home in bedroom slippers. They'll be burying you in those fiossy shoes If you don't look out"
 "Gentleman Jim" smiled - "l hope you boys will see to 1t that they do. And boutonniere, If you don't mindn'
 Remember Barry Wall?
 No touch of inelegance will ever be tolerated by the oldsters of tho cafes, bars. clubs and theatrical world. Only Barry Wall, still strut ting the Paris sidewalks, and the late Diamond Jim Brady may be mentioned in the same breath. The more recent and modern raiment of Jimmy Walker might find q pace in the picture.
 Bit "Gentleman Jim" has be- come something of lengend; a figure out of the Victorian era, who upset every tradition concern ing the pugilistic prolession-cven as did Gene Tunney many years later, with his collegiate conver- sation, his references to the clas- sics and his social inclinations.
 Corbett was in a more difficult lat fFn,r harder, tougher affair - running Into sixty rounds or so. Thus Gen tleman Jim" becomes part of American social history--a mati- nee idol of the stage and ring alike. Probably more than any single figure, he created the type of fight following known to today's con- tests.
 A Matinee Idol
 It was the matinee idol role he came to like best. One of his produest boasts has been that he was the man who opposed Rec- tors" Some time ago, George Rector mentioned another as. the first patron, saying that Corbett ran close second-and all but broke Corbett's heart.
 Concerning him, the word dude" was whispered, but rarely spoken aloud. Yet Corbett would not have minded. He was quick with the wlse-crack fast of wit and studied steadily toward q de- veloped culture. To the amaze rnent of all and sundry, 1t was had his nails manicured; that his T. ng, gt, rnn n oiled that he used perfumes and lotions.
 Even before his fighting days had ended, Broadway knew his every shirt, collar, lat, cane and suit. Broadway knew him, too. as Delmonico's and the like. Then 1t knew him in such plays as Pals and "The Burglar and the Lady" Corbett had q flair for the evening suit. gallant fellow type of role. Eventually he graduated to Shaw's "Cashel Byron's Profess sion," and went to EnSlyand to find himself referred to as Gen tIeman Jack" feasted, wincd and entertained by England's theatri- cal pets and social elect. All of which was due, somewhat, to the interest of Clarence Mackay, now multimilllonaire telegraph domo.
 Fathers Interest Helped
 It was Clarence's father. John. who had taken the first interest in Corbett, and "Gentleman Jim" has held that his early association with John Mackay made an inerad- icable impression may well have been responsible for his career as an elegant.
 Jim, born of a San Francisco stable owner, had gone to work in John Mackay's bank and had stepped dapperly into the role of q boxer at the Olympic Club. When, after his ring career had ended, Corbett found himself in London playing "Cashed Byron's Profession" John Mackay asked his son to Hook out for Jim." WhereWith the SWanky portals