Ziegfeld, Florenz. (1869 - 1932)
Interesting Group of 1930 Telegrams
A remarkable lot of six telegrams from the colorful and iconic theater impresario who produced the Ziegfeld Follies and who brought Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, and Will Rogers to the vaudeville stage. Written to Mark Hellinger regarding the possibility of Gladys Glad (Hellinger's wife and a former Ziegfeld Follies girl) appearing in Ziegfeld's upcoming film. These telegrams give a sense of the egos and personalities involved, providing a sometimes humorous look at the relationship between two larger than life figures in the world of Broadway and Hollywood as they volleyed for the attention of the beautiful showgirl. The whole correspondence is perhaps summed up by the final telegram which reads simply "I fear your love makes you a very bad manager regards. Flo." Six telegrams, signed "Flo," or "Ziegfeld." Mounted to album pages, some with additional clippings on verso. Overall in very fine condition. In chronological order, as follows [without punctuation, as sent]:"Stanley wires me Gladys asks impossible terms to go into Whoopee picture is it that you dont want her to go of course I am anxious to have her Miller Astaire is off until Sept 22 let me hear from you love to you both." [March 6]
-------
"Sorry Recd wire sent it to Goldwyn he answered impossible wired I was nuts you I thought made the impossible demands because I did not want Gladys to go I would have liked very much to have had Gladys in the picture and I think it would have been very beneficial to her but you are her manager now I am trying to get few days rest before I start west will take good care of Gladys in a part im Miller Astaire show opens Sept 22 unless your demands unreasonable in your place I would make every sacrifice to her in whoopee picture it was a chance especially with me out there see she got a break." [March 25, 1930]
-------
"When Jerome Kern and Arthur Hammerstein announced that he was to use canned music in the orchestra pit as an accompaniment to the singing of live flesh and blood actors we laught so heartily that we nearly fell overboard from the deck of Jerome Kerns yacht showboat." [April 4, 1929 (but actually 1930)]
-------
"You know there is not anything I would not do for you and Gladys personally if you have any confidence in my judgement believe me this is a terrific advertising opportunity for Gladys I am probably a little selfis myself it if my first picture and I am most anxious to have my most beautiful girl in it will give Gladys one thousand dollars and expenses to appear in Indian reservation scene trip and all will only take her 10 days she would have to be here May 14th and remain here 3 or 4 days I hope as a special favor to me you will accept hope you saw my last article from here love to you both." [May 3, 1930]
-------
"Don't permit Gladyz to overlook the greatest opportunity of her career must know definitely today" [May 5]
-------
"I fear your love makes you a very bad manager." [May 6, 1930]
----------
From the collection of Mark Hellinger, a legendary figure in New York Theater and Golden Age Hollywood who began his career as a New York entertainment and gossip columnist, and who in the 1920s had a popular column that competed with Walter Winchell for the hearts of readers. Married to Gladys Glad, the most exquisite of Florenz Ziegfeld's Follies Girls, he feuded often and famously with Winchell, Ziegfeld, and a number of other figures of the day. Knowing everyone's secrets, Hellinger was an icon and staple in New York society in the 1920s, and a critical figure in pretty much any scene that mattered in the day. (3588)
TLS Theater