The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-30
In New York
By GEORGE ROSS

New YORK, NOV. 3O.-MannaCCaN
Miscellany: Preparations are being
made far in advance for the noisi-
est, widest New Years Eve since
the advent of the New Deal. And
cover charges, I'm told by numerous
night life impresarios, will soar tc
new highs.
One certain sign of prosperity
was the premiere Of the Noe
Coward plays, for which orches-
ira seats were peddled at 81 each
(box Office price, .. and whcih
in surreptitious sales were dis
pensed at $50 per pair.
Cab drivers who are on the
standard 20 & 5 tell me that this
is the most prosperous year they
have had since 30.
And doormen in the Forties and
Fifties vow that for the first time
in half a decade, they can subsist
opening the door and closing It
One more happiness note: the
hatcheck girls say that they are
beleaguered by spendthrift luna
tics who like to leave a IS bill as
a modest gratuity in reutrn TO,
a 50 chapeau.
Impromptu Party
The greatest theatrical party
rendered in this town was gathered
on a recent Sunday by Sam H. Har-
ris, best-beloved Of Broadway show
men. On the spur Of the moment
he decided over a A q. m. tete-a-tete
to give an intimate reception the
next day for several players in his
employ.
On the same spur Of the mo-
ment, he dispatched night letters
to his guests and with little
time to alter their plans, all his
guests turned up at the most bril-
liant stage social Of the season.
The footlight coterie was there
from Gypsy Rose Lee to the Italian
Duse, Marta Abba Il. from the
most anonymous Follies chlorine to
Hallulah Bankhead, a conspicuous
beauty in any crowd. In the throng
were also William Gaxton, Clare
Luce, Moss Hart, George 8. Kauf-
man, Margaret SULLIVAN, Fannie
Brice, Brock Pemberton, Billy Rose,
Peggy Wood, George M. Conan,
Daniel Frohman-and almost any
one else eligible for the list Of stage
celebrities.
AS for the affectionately regard
ed host, Mr.. Harris, he was the
most inconspicuous fellow In the
place.
Hamlet ON Horseback
You can spot Leslie Howard al
most any morning In the week rid
ing his favorite mount through
Central Park. It's the way he
keeps in trim for his pet sport,
polo.
Frank Black, head maestro at
the National Broadcasting COM
pany, collects old photograph
records. Some Of his proudest
objects dart are early Armstrong.
Rudy vallee Is the one celebrity
around town seldom seen without
a pair Of smoked glasses.
James j. Braddock, the heavy
weight champ, isn't taking any
chances with public opinion. He
has just hired one Of the most
expensive publicity battalions ever
employed by one athlete.
80
Beautiful Sentiment
The ofiicial accolade has been be-
slowed upon American womanhood
by the show designers of the new
International Casino which, when
opened, threatens to be the gargan-
tuan cabaret Of the Broadway belt
Although the talent aspects OF
the fioorshow will be international
the showgirls and chorines will be
domestic. For the directors Of the
vast entertainment, themselves Eu-
ropean. admitted when they started
that no ladies from foreign coun-
tries could hope to vie with the
pulchritude Of native charmers. Be-
sides feeling fiattered by the COM
pliment, the White Ways beauties
also feel grateful for the prospects
Of employment.
-
Banded Together
Guy Lombardo's orchestra cele-
brates Its 20th anniversary Is O unit
this month and boasts that not q
member Of the original Ontario
contingent has deserted In the en-
tire two decades.
J. p. Morgan may have become
more tolerant about interviewers,
photographers and public attention
but Q double guard still patrols hii
town house ~ hours each DAY.