The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
Wanted: One Oomph Girl To| Take Place Of Ann Sheridan
Studios Refuse Her Raise; Scratch Her Name Off
 Payroll

By FREDERICK c. OTHMAN
 Limited Press Staff COrrespOudent) (OOpyrigIt, 19aO, by United Press)
 Hollywood Oct. 18-tUP)-Sus- pended by her studio and scratched from its payroll, Ann Sheridan Cruised of the coast of Mexico to- day with George Brent while her bosses looked for another oomph girl.
 They had replaced her in one pie lure with Rita Hayworth, hurriedly borrowed from 8 rival studio, aIlc said that if their Annie didn't come down from her high horse, she wouldn't be living here any more.
 Whether Miss Sheridan would re- turn to Hollywood as Mrs. Brent was problematical. Their marriage long has been expected.
 .The red-haired Ann, a. creature otethe studio press agents if there ever was one, headed for the border a couple of days ago, after the War ners refused to raise her salary abbye the current $1,0O0 weekly.
 Scheduled to star in Strawberry B1onde," a picture ready to hit the cameras Monday, Miss Sheridan dEove instead to Ensenada, Mexico, where Brent met her with his ooat. They were reported ot be cruising down the coast of Baja Gower) California and not worrying much about when they returned.
 \sThe Warmers arranged with Co., l,ssnbia studios for the loan uf Mss Hayworth to take the role and in- oicated that if their oomph slrl didn't come back soon with apol- ogies ard promises of no more mon- key business, they'd be in the mar ket for another red head.
 Two years ago, Miss Sheridan vas just another pretty girl in Holly wood. She had divorced her hus- band, Edward Norris, and was ges- ting no place rapidly in miner parts ir minor pictures. It was then that the press agents took her in hand.
 They spent $16O first giving her dinner at which guests were ma neuyered into crowning her "Queen of Oomph.' Then things began to i-appen.
 She was photographed nearly 1000 times in specially designed "oomph dresses" low in front and lower in the back. The woro "ocnph" was. copyrighted IS her trade mark. Soon there was an "ccnph gasoline" on the market; an "oomph automobile" "oomph cigssettes."
 Her fan mail climbed from 27tn first place on the Warner star list and the mail men started hauling marriage proposals to her in trucks. Dime palaces everywhere advertised "5O beautiful girls everyone with oompn." Fraternity leaders demanded Miss Sheridan's presence at 'oomph proms." Other studios tried to borrow her.
 A college student, who may or may not have been in the employ of the publicists, burst into Sheri- dan picture premiere, handcuffed himself to her-and swallowed the key.
 She entered into controversy with the editor of the Harvard Lampoon over her ability as an &C., tress, and, thanks to the coaching of Ter handlers, won every verbal round. A typical lire attributed to her:
 T don't mind criticism, but I hate to have 1t come from Harvard
 By now, Miss Sheridan was get ting big-time roles in big-time pie lures and Ter salary gradually was raised to $4O,00O a, year for 40 weeks work. She said she'd have to have still more before she vert into the Strawberry Blonde part. The War rers said she was getting all she was worth. And there tke matter rests, but Miss Sheridan must make the overtures if there is to be a reconciliation.