Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1938-07-20
By WALLACE X. RAWLES
Central Press Writer

Hollywood, July 20. = Howard
Hughes, the 32-year-old millionaire
sportsman-aviatoT and motion picture
producer whose recent round-the-
world flight has amazed the world
was 10 when ne was married.
His bride was the beautiful Ella
Rice, brunei daughter of socially
prominent family in Houston Tex,
Hughes home own.
Hughes had just completed his edu-
cation at Rice institute in Houston
when he met the cha. ming Miss Rice.
After short engagement they were
married, June I, 1925.
Deeply in Love.
For a time both were supremely
happy Hughes was tall, handsome,
popular, aggressive, eager and inter-
ested in the affairs of his fathers
fabulously prosperous business He
was deeply in love.
Miss Rice was gay, talented, YER
satile and popular in college, city and
country club society life of Texas.
At parties, dinners, dances and at
other social occasions they made a
striking couple.
Miss Rice, however, did not share
Hughes enthusiasm for Hollywood.
They lived together until Oct /,
1928. Then they were divorced in
Houston, Dec. 9, 1929, after Hughes
had established residence in Holly
wood and had begun directing anc
producing "Helrs Angels"
Divorce UncOntested.
The divorce was granted by Judge
Ewing Boyd in the fifty fifth district
court on Mrs. Hughes charge of
cruelty" and lack Of consideration"
Hughes did not contest it. Terms of
property settlement were kept
secret
After the divorce Hughes was seen
in Hollywood night clubs and at So
cial functions with Marian Marsh
who had played the leading role on
the stage in Young Sinners"
Hughes and Miss Marsh had become
acquainted after the actress had been
given role in "Hells Angels"
Hughes subsequently met many
other Hollywood beauties, but one in
particular interested him.
She was Billie Dove.
MISS Dove was a striking brunei
and had one of the most beautiful fig
ures of any of the first ladies of the
screen" She was Hughes age, her
first screen role that of a Follies girl
IN Constance Talmadge's "Poffy of
the Follies". She also had played OBJ
posite Douglas Fairbanks in his color
film, "The Black Pirate.
COmpaniOns-But Career First.
Sho ho
rector, and had divorced him when
she met Hughes. For many months
they were companions on the golf
course, at night clubs, and HOLLYWOOD
parties.
But Hughes was wrapped up in a
career as Hollywood producer.
His first production, 1.-TWO Arabian
Knights, was a box office sensation.
acclaimed one of the finest pictures
of the 1928 season. Produced at
a cost of $46O,OO0, it returned nearly
one million dollars to the young pro-
Queer.
Hughes was enthusiastic over the
establishment of Louis Wolheim in
the front ranks of Hollywood char
acter actors and over Lewis Mile
stones reception as a director.
Absorbed in Production.
Hughes made plans for further pro-
duction on lavish scale and saw
less and less of Miss Dove. He sign
ed contracts with United Arts and
Paramount-Famous-Lasky to release
his pictures. He signed Thomas Meig-
ham for two pictures, "The Racket"
and "The Mating Calf, and he sign
ed Marie Provost. He placed Ben
LYON and Raymond Griffith under
contract. He was preparing "Helps
Angels.
Hughes made two pictures starring
Miss Dove. They were Cock of the