A fortune hunter returns with his heiress bride from their honeymoon to collect her inheritance. Has he finally secured his ultimate prize? November 1933, as birthday girl Princes Barbara Hutton Mdivani turns 21, she seems to have it all a prince for a husband and a large fortune all her own and now is a fashion and pop culture icon. But will it be enough? What else could an heiress want? Other people and subjects include: Prince Alexis Mdivani, Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Doris Duke, Cobina Wright, Frankly Hutton, Irene Hutton, “Jeem” James Jimmy Donahue, Aunt Jessie Woolworth Donahue, Woolworth “Woolie” Donahue, Prince Serge Mdivani, Prince David Mdivani, Mary McCormic – formerly Princess Mdivani, “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., Dorothy “Dottie” Fell, Pola Negri, Elsa Maxwell, James Blakeley, Frank Woolworth, Edna Woolworth Hutton, Prince David – Prince of Wales – future King Edward VIII – future Duke of Windsor, British King George V, British Queen Mary, Mahatma Gandhi, William Waldorf Astor, Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., magician & mind reader Dunninger, Martin Van Buren Morris, Bobby La Branche, Hank Topping, M. Dorland “Larry” Doyles, Jane Bride, John Watts Kearney, John Carney, Gordon Sayre, Sam Piza, Mae West, Irving Berlin, Moss Hart, Clifton Webb, Marilyn Miller, Dorothy Dilley, Oscar Shaw, Anne Harding, Harry Bannister, “As Thousands Cheer” musical revue, “Hot & Bothered” play, newsworthy, headlines, Great Scavenger Hunt, farewell party, birthday party, birthday cake, simple dinner, not exceptional, Hungarian orchestra, gypsy music, Chinese proverbs, fashion, jewelry, Prohibition, champagne, wine, E.F. Hutton financial firm, press, police, crowds, fanfare, New York City mayoral race, Communist or Socialist candidate, Fifth Avenue Hutton townhome, ocean liner Bremen, Music Box, Broadway, Central Park Casino, La Rue restaurant, Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Harlem Cotton Club, Georgian delegation, Soviet State of Georgia, Communist Russia, Paris, New York City, four Barbara Hutton biographies, two unnamed sources, Barbara Hutton by Dean Jennings, Million Dollar Baby by Philip Van Rensselaer Poor Little Rich Girl by David Heymann, In Search of A Prince by Mona Eldridge, Noel Coward song Poor Little Rich Girl, tv movie, Farrah Fawcett, plagiarism lawsuit, Ethel Waters, “Supper Time” song, lynching, President Herbert Hoover, White House, Grandpa Rockefeller, Radio City Music Hall, British royals, Metropolitan Opera, Al Jolson, Walt Disney, D.W. Griffith, Ina Claire, Marie Dressler, Louis Kaufman, Jr., “Kultur” play, Hitler, Nazi, “Fan Dancer” play, burlesque, Sally Rand, fan dancing, clubs, Harlem, Greenwich Village, overlaps and connections, missing panties - skanties, autographed sock, gossip, attention, big birthdays, perverted male gaze, pervy attention, female child stars turning 18, Olsen twins – Mary-Kate and Ashley, Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown, appearance, rapid aging, reduced makeup Pamela Anderson, plastic surgery, Jennifer Anniston, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, weight loss, Fen-Phen, Atkins, gastric bypass surgery, Ozempic, semiglutide, GLP-1, rapid weight loss, pressure and obsession to be thin, too thin, silhouette, slender silhouette in Flapper & Great Depression, curvy figure in World War II, Marilyn Monroe, stress, Donna & Medrano… Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
A fortune hunter returns with his heiress bride from their honeymoon to collect her inheritance. Has he finally secured his ultimate prize?
November 1933, as birthday girl Princes Barbara Hutton Mdivani turns 21, she seems to have it all a prince for a husband and a large fortune all her own and now is a fashion and pop culture icon. But will it be enough? What else could an heiress want?
Other people and subjects include:
Prince Alexis Mdivani, Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Doris Duke, Cobina Wright, Frankly Hutton, Irene Hutton, “Jeem” James Jimmy Donahue, Aunt Jessie Woolworth Donahue, Woolworth “Woolie” Donahue, Prince Serge Mdivani, Prince David Mdivani, Mary McCormic – formerly Princess Mdivani, “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., Dorothy “Dottie” Fell, Pola Negri, Elsa Maxwell, James Blakeley, Frank Woolworth, Edna Woolworth Hutton, Prince David – Prince of Wales – future King Edward VIII – future Duke of Windsor, British King George V, British Queen Mary, Mahatma Gandhi, William Waldorf Astor, Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., magician & mind reader Dunninger, Martin Van Buren Morris, Bobby La Branche, Hank Topping, M. Dorland “Larry” Doyles, Jane Bride, John Watts Kearney, John Carney, Gordon Sayre, Sam Piza, Mae West, Irving Berlin, Moss Hart, Clifton Webb, Marilyn Miller, Dorothy Dilley, Oscar Shaw, Anne Harding, Harry Bannister, “As Thousands Cheer” musical revue, “Hot & Bothered” play, newsworthy, headlines, Great Scavenger Hunt, farewell party, birthday party, birthday cake, simple dinner, not exceptional, Hungarian orchestra, gypsy music, Chinese proverbs, fashion, jewelry, Prohibition, champagne, wine, E.F. Hutton financial firm, press, police, crowds, fanfare, New York City mayoral race, Communist or Socialist candidate, Fifth Avenue Hutton townhome, ocean liner Bremen, Music Box, Broadway, Central Park Casino, La Rue restaurant, Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Harlem Cotton Club, Georgian delegation, Soviet State of Georgia, Communist Russia, Paris, New York City, four Barbara Hutton biographies, two unnamed sources, Barbara Hutton by Dean Jennings, Million Dollar Baby by Philip Van Rensselaer Poor Little Rich Girl by David Heymann, In Search of A Prince by Mona Eldridge, Noel Coward song Poor Little Rich Girl, tv movie, Farrah Fawcett, plagiarism lawsuit, Ethel Waters, “Supper Time” song, lynching, President Herbert Hoover, White House, Grandpa Rockefeller, Radio City Music Hall, British royals, Metropolitan Opera, Al Jolson, Walt Disney, D.W. Griffith, Ina Claire, Marie Dressler, Louis Kaufman, Jr., “Kultur” play, Hitler, Nazi, “Fan Dancer” play, burlesque, Sally Rand, fan dancing, clubs, Harlem, Greenwich Village, overlaps and connections, missing panties - skanties, autographed sock, gossip, attention, big birthdays, perverted male gaze, pervy attention, female child stars turning 18, Olsen twins – Mary-Kate and Ashley, Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown, appearance, rapid aging, reduced makeup Pamela Anderson, plastic surgery, Jennifer Anniston, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, weight loss, Fen-Phen, Atkins, gastric bypass surgery, Ozempic, semiglutide, GLP-1, rapid weight loss, pressure and obsession to be thin, too thin, silhouette, slender silhouette in Flapper & Great Depression, curvy figure in World War II, Marilyn Monroe, stress, Donna & Medrano…
--
Extra Notes / Call to Action:
Past Perfect Vintage Music
https://www.pastperfect.com/radio/
www.pastperfect.com
The Words & Music of Irving Berlin, a volume set with over 22 songs.
https://www.pastperfect.com/product/the-words-and-music-of-irving-berlin-from-the-30s-40s/
3 volume collection The Words & Music Multibuy with George Gershwin, Noel Coward, and Irving Berlin.
https://www.pastperfect.com/product/words-music-series-cole-porter-irving-berlin-noel-coward-multibuy/
Paris and New York and Fresedo by Jose Manuel Araque
https://www.fresedo.de/2023/06/paris-and-new-york-before-fresedo.html
Chapter 19: Fresedo in Paris
https://www.fresedo.de/2021/04/fresedo-en-paris.html?m=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawM0g85leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxZ3F0eGpxSlhia0dJbDJmAR76oKJOS1DMAMBvlQsC9Qwslf8PzXJHXn-QueJLlMU6yz3qwaNW_1Moit7Ltw_aem_bnxS5maobk-N_cRuNbAhGA
Share, like, subscribe
--
Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 1 Music: This Is The Missus by Sidney Kyte & His Piccadilly Hotel Band, Album The Great Dance Bands Play Hits of the 30s
Section 2 Music: Shout for Happiness by Ray Noble & His Orchestra, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 3 Music: Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue by The Savoy Orpheans, Album Fascinating Rhythm – Great Hits of the 20s
End Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
--
https://asthemoneyburns.com/
X / TW / IG – @asthemoneyburns
X / Twitter – https://x.com/asthemoneyburns
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/asthemoneyburns/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/asthemoneyburns/
AS THE MONEY BURNS
Podcast by Nicki Woodard
Episode 132 – Curves
Outline
21st birthday party
Satirical revue
Series Tag
00:00
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast by Nicki Woodard. Based on historical research, this is a deep exploration into what happened to a set of actual heirs and heiresses to some of America’s most famous fortunes when the Great Depression hits.
Each episode has three primary sections. Section 1 is a narrative story. Section 2 goes deeper into the historical facts. Section 3 focuses on contemporary, emotional, and personal connections.
00:30
Story Recap
Doris Duke explores anonymity and the west coast, while Jakey Astor flirts with potential brides.
Now back to AS THE MONEY BURNS
Title
00:45
Curves
[Music Fade Out]
Episode Tag
A fortune hunter returns with his heiress bride from their honeymoon to collect her inheritance. Has he finally secured his ultimate prize?
01:05
[Music – This Is The Missus by Sidney Kyte & His Piccadilly Hotel Band, Album The Great Dance Bands Play Hits of the 30s]
Section 1 – Story
[Music Fade Out]
01:23
Oh, how much can change in almost a year. Seriously shy a year by a week or a month give or take,…
-Late summer 1932 Spain, two lovers are caught in bed by his wife and friends. The mistress flees.
-Last November 1932 Europe, a divorce frees the lover, and now flushed with the cash settlement he will use it all to woo his mistress if needed.
-Last December 1932 New York, the lover begs on her townhome’s steps for her to be with him. She refuses.
-January – February 1933, bereft, he boards the Bremen and returns to Paris. Then to avoid further scandal the mistress sails for the Orient.
-April – May 1933 Bangkok / Siam, the lover aware of her movements chases her and wins her back. They get engaged.
-June 1933 Paris, they have a huge wedding (1 of 2 ceremonies) in Paris. Followed by a honeymoon to Venice, Lake Como, and other romantic places.
02:35
Only the lover isn’t just any lover. He’s a prince, per se, a fake one but good enough as one the illustrious Marrying Mdivanis – 5 fake royal siblings marry into wealth and prestige while giving everyone else a ride. The youngest of these infamous siblings – the ruggedly handsome and no longer impoverished Prince Alexis Mdivani is the lover now husband.
And thus his mistress and new bride is none other than five and dime heiress the slimming down fashionista Barbara Hutton now Princess Mdivani.
03:14
Monday, November 6th, 1933, New York
Arriving aboard the Bremen ocean liner (the same one on which he so brokenheartedly left earlier this year), the couple arrive to great fanfare and press attention.
At Ellis Island, the couple spend hours going through immigration. Waiting in the Aliens line, Barbara is not quite sure how the marriage has impacted her citizenship status but also to ensure Alexis is cleared. He however runs into a tiny dilemma. His diplomatic passport is denied as he is not on official business. Back in Paris, the Prince serves as part the Georgian delegation representing the now Soviet state of Georgia in defiance of Communist Russia. Only he readily admits this trip is personal not professional nor political.
04:08
Their intentions are to see friends, to see shows, and to have a good time. This two to three month visit will not include his brothers Prince Serge Mdivani and Prince David Mdivani in California, as the focus will remain solely on visiting with her father Franklyn Hutton in New York. When finished the couple will potentially via China return to Paris to live.
In other words, eh-hem, they want to avoid the scandal surrounding his brothers’ divorces and their oil company lawsuits.
Seriously,… No, they are here for more important matters. In a little over a week’s time, Barbara will turn 21 thus coming into her full fortune – headlines indicate anywhere from $10 – 20 million ($249 million to $498 million today) as part of her third of the inheritance left behind by her grandfather Frank Woolworth as her mother Edna Woolworth Hutton had predeceased her parents, but in reality it is nearly $42 – 50 million dollars ($1.047 billion or 1.25 billion in 2025) as Barbara’s father Franklyn Hutton managed to double her fortune despite the Crash. Franklyn is brother and partner of E.F. Hutton financial firm. For his diligent efforts, Franklyn will receive a cool $5 million (that would be $124.6 million in 2025), and Alexis too will be handed $1 million dollars (or $24.9 million today) plus he can expect a yearly allowance.
05:48
Finally, the couple are listed as aliens and admitted to the United States. Aboard the Bremen, they are interviewed by the press with a barrage of questions.
Speculations if Alexis would be selling champagne or trying to extend his political influence for the Georgian delegation. Asked about the New York City mayoral race and the likeliness of a Socialist or Communist running, he scoffs at having interest in local politics. He waves them off that none of that interests him on this particular trip.
06:20
Then the focus turns to the new bride.
As they take a snapshot of her and her Prince, Barbara nervously claims,
“Very very VERY happy!” She smiles, but deep inside something is off.
Now a fashion icon, it must be noted their outfits. The Prince in gray suit with brown suede brogues complements her. She wears mellow shades of brown blending with her golden hair, plain crepe dress, Alaskan seal fur coat, brown seal turban, tiny brown muffs, brown oxfords, and brown bag with her engraved initials B.M. Minimal jewelry of gold seashell earrings and tiny gold anklet under her sheer hose.
Regarding her fashion choices, another reporter asks if the Princess, is “going Mae West” with her curve flaunting fashion.
To which Barbara demurely replies, “Goodness, no… Mae West? Heavens no. Paris dresses just the same.”
The one detail not overlooked and persistently mentioned is that the Princess is a noticeable 20 lbs lighter than when she left earlier this year.
07:34
Greeting the royal newlyweds at the gang plank are devoted cousin James “Jeem” Donahue, former ardent admirer James Blakeley, and the popular society blueblood baritone bachelor Bobby La Branche.
By the evening, the newlyweds cross over the same Fifth Avenue townhome’s steps where Alexis once pleaded to see Barbara December nearly a year ago. Now inside they have dinner with her friends and family including Aunt Jessie Woolworth Donahue.
Later that evening Alexis and Barbara dance at the Central Park Casino. She stuns in a tightly fitted black velvet creation trimmed with black and white mousseline de soie.
08:17
Prior to the Mdivanis’ return, cousin Jeem did a brief acting stint in the small show “Hot and Bothered” starring Oscar Shaw and Dorothy Dilley. Jeem plays Dilley’s best friend, and there was slight rumor already dismissed hinting at a romance between Dilley and Jeem. Maybe Jeem was competing for the same attention his brother Woolworth “Woolie” Donahue is drumming up with his engagement to Dorothy “Dotty” Fell.
08:42
Within the first few days of their visit, Barbara and Alexis make their way to the Music Box on Broadway to see to a new satirical revue that is drawing quite bit of attention. “As Thousands Cheers” by Irving Berlin and Moss Hart opened in early October. It is a collection of scathing and rather bawdy skits lampooning many featured in current news headlines, but overall the tone is more lighthearted and not bitter nor venomous.
09:09
The revue takes off with quite a splash. Comedians and dancers Clifton Webb and Marilyn Miller lead an all-star cast with skits taken straight from the headlines. The good-natured ribbing leaves very few unscathed including Prince David – Prince of Wales – future King Edward VIII – future Duke of Windsor discussing with his parents King George V and Queen Mary about dancing with a young lady in South America. On another hunger strike, Gandhi obsesses over Mae West’s curves, and even actress Joan Crawford negotiates with soon to be ex-husband actor Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., on who gets the public rights to their divorce.
But the skit relevant for this night’s guests, Marilyn Miller portrays Barbara trying to choose among her choral quartet of the most ardent and persistent suitors when the last survivor Clifton Webb as Mdivani wins her heart in marriage. Throughout the performance, Miller and Webb are nervous that they might offend the celebrity couple. Only when they return to their dressing rooms, they receive a note from Barbara and the Prince complimenting them on their performance.
10:16
Sunday, November 12th, 1933
Only the day before, the tall and less awkward Doris Duke returns from Los Angeles to New York just in time for her upcoming 21st birthday.
Less than a week after the Elsa Maxwell’s Great Scavenger Hunt at the Waldorf-Astoria, Serge’s first ex-wife silverscreen silent star Pola Negri has to deal with the humiliation of the public claim that she lost her scanties as one of the many desired trophies to collect. The item in dispute was “secured” by none other than the same above social registerite Bobby La Branche and his scavenger partner Hank Topping. The forged 29 cent pink artificial silk panties was just another prank played on dear Bobby and Hank all to Pola’s dismay and public embarrassment. Upon discovery of the phony panties, actress Marilyn Miller graciously offers her autographed sock as a replacement.
In other gossip tidbits, soon to be ex-Princess Mdivani via Serge songbird Mary McCormic is linked with actress Anne Harding’s ex-husband actor Harry Bannister.
11:30
Tuesday, November 14th, 1933
At the 1020 Fifth Avenue Hutton townhome, the morning starts after breakfast with Barbara unwrapping gifts in her bedroom. Amidst preparations, she chats with Jeem who always cheers her up. She whines about her concerns over being a cash register, and he teases she should have married “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., an Astor, or likewise heir.
From Los Angeles, other breaking news announces that Prince Serge Mdivani and Mary McCormic are now officially divorced. Barbara is now the sole Princess Mdivani, a title which is its own press attention magnet.
12:11
As for the Huttons and the newlyweds, the news hardly interrupts their plans and focus for today. Meanwhile, all day sixteen servants work to prepare for the evening’s dinner party, when 50 guests will join the big celebration.
Outside, police manage the crowd and guard against gate crashers. The street and whole block are full of spectators trying to catch a glimpse. The fanfare as guests arrive and details like fashions get noted. Of course, the most mentioned ensemble is Barbara wearing a gold brocade dress with her jade necklace and bracelet.
Inside, Franklyn welcomes guests with a small speech. Among them is fellow Scorpio and near future birthday girl Doris Duke.
12:53
Throughout the evening, opera singers perform, and a Hungarian orchestra plays folk music with an exotic gypsy like aura. Clifton Webb dances with Barbara. Guests mingle and move about 22 tables spread out over the 8th and 9th floors. Clifton Webb dances with Barbara. Wine and champagne flow as Prohibition nears an end, but the birthday girl drinks only water having not yet acquired the taste. Dinner is served in a large room with an open fire.
However in contrast to all the glamour and excitement, one guest upon leaving mentions to the awaiting the press the rather simple dinner was “not exceptional.”
13:29
When the moment finally arrives, Barbara sings for her guests then does a little impromptu dance before cutting her pink birthday cake with 21 candles. The party is beautiful, what more could she wish for? She smiles but hardly touches her food even the cake.
With a bit of mysticism and humor for the evening, magician and mind reader Dunninger first tries to read the birthday girl, who fills her head with Chinese proverbs. For his turn, the Prince refuses a reading. Not sure if that would even be necessary to guess what he is thinking about. Without being too pushy, Dunninger moves onto other guests.
14:13
Wednesday, November 15th, 1933
Another party is given for Barbara and Prince Alexis at La Rue restaurant. Among those participating, Franklyn, stepmother Irene Bodie Hutton, cousin Woolie and his fiancé Dorothy “Dotty” Fell, M. Dorland “Larry” Doyles, Jane Bride, John Watts Kearny, John Carney, Gordon Sayre, and Sam Piza.
Over at the Waldorf-Astoria, Elsa Maxwell hosts visiting from England William Waldorf Astor’s farewell party back to England. On the arm of Martin Van Buren Morris, Doris attends the fete in a black crepe dress trimmed with rose velvet flaring at the floor, and her blonde hair braided on top.
While the official birthday party for the now 21 year old Barbara is over, more celebrations are yet to come and all the more glorious due to her sizeable and now fully accessible fortune.
15:10
The public is more interested as to when she receives that big fat check…
Within a few days, she makes the petition in court for the full access.
Ahh, an heiress now princess with her prince and fortune all to her own, what is left that she could still possibly wish for? If only, the mind reader had been a fortune teller who could have warned of the future before her…
15:40
[Music – Shout for Happiness by Ray Noble & His Orchestra, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Section 2 – History & Historiography
[Music Fade Out]
15:59
As I have mentioned, I thoroughly try to compare multiple sources while covering an episode. My newspaper archive is now over 5,555 articles and ever growing. However this method also has allowed me to uncover new stories.
Barbara Hutton’s birthday is remarked in all 4 biographies – Barbara Hutton by anti- Barbara journalist Dean Jennings, Million Dollar Baby by her friend and former companion Philip Van Rensselaer, Poor Little Rich Girl by the problematic David Heymann, and In Search of A Prince by her former social secretary Mona Eldridge, as well as two other sources where her relationship is featured with Prince Alexis Mdivani. I will leave those two unnamed for the moment, but one will be explained in the next Mdivani focused episode.
16:46
Now all the bios plus the two unnamed sources mention her turning 21 and getting her fortune. Mostly with little detail, but only Million Dollar Baby gives some embellishments. Like Barbara dancing with Clifton Webb and a conversation Barbara might have had with her cousin James Donahue – whom we refer to as his personal private nickname “Jeem” while he is popularly known as Jimmy (changed due to other same name conflicts within our story). As Barbara complains about being a cash register in regards to Alexis’s spending and the pressure mounting with brothers-in-law Prince Serge Mdivani and Prince David Mdivani’s oil company lawsuits and divorce settlements, Jeem teases Barbara that she should have married Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., or an Astor or someone of equal wealth. Though contextually in wording, it almost sounds like Barbara wasn’t married to Alexis, so maybe Jeem was referring to a second future potential second marriage as divorce was becoming common enough among the wealthy and especially the Mdivani siblings.
17:49
I say embellish as the author Philip Van Rensselaer mentions he added some flair to certain situations during the plagiarism lawsuit against Heymann for stealing select passages without attribution. The passages include some of those embellished, thus easily identified as the sole possible source. However within Poor Little Rich Girl, I did not see this conversation repeated.
18:16
Now all bios plus the two unnamed sources other than that conversation and the Webb dancing partner. If there is any elaboration, they include the location, the meal, the fortune,…
What none of the bios nor the two unnamed sources include or mention is the musical revue “As Thousands Cheer” by Irving Berlin and Moss Hart. Not a single one. And yet, it is all over the contemporary newspapers along with her birthday coverage. Of course, you might remember Barbara is already mentioned in Noel Coward’s song Poor Little Rich Girl with the reference to the five and dime store, i.e. her grandfather’s Woolworth empire. In her tv movie with Farrah Fawcett, Barbara smashes the record when people use it to mock her during her secret courtship with Mdivani. Both the song and play signify her presence in pop culture, though this time she seems amused by the attention maybe due to the company within the revue.
19:13
Opening on Broadway in early October 1933 to rave reviews, “As Thousands Cheer” by Irvin Berlin and Moss Hart is referred as the cynic circus pulled from recent newsworthy topics, with incisive, impudent, disrespectful, and smart sketches. Some expect the British royals to balk at their portrayal on the one featuring the current Prince of Wales Prince David and his parents. Another sketch refers to the Metropolitan Opera struggling through the Great Time, i.e. the Depression. A particular note is drawn to the African American singer and actress Ethel Waters who sings “Supper Time” lyrics *as the widow of an unknown African American husband lynched by a mob. Ethel and Irving had only met recently that spring at Harlem’s Cotton Club before collaborating here for the first time. The dusky chanteuse is praised for her punctuating delivery. Then there are also the skits on Barbara Hutton & Prince Mdivani, Joan Crawford’s divorce with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Gandhi among several more including President Hoover leaving the White House and Grandpa Rockefeller attending Radio City Music Hall. The celebrated cast is matched by its elite guests in the audience including Al Jolson, Walt Disney, D.W. Griffith, Ina Claire, Marie Dressler, and others better known in their era.
20:30
Another brief revue got a little attention in October but had a much shorter run. “Hot and Bothered” starring Dorothy Dilley with a supporting role played by cousin “Jeem” James Jimmy Donahue. The petite dancer Dilley’s newly ex-husband banking heir Louis Kaufman Jr. is recuperating in the Adirondacks while she dances to take care of their 11 month old baby. So in needing a hit, there might have been an encouragement to get some publicity *by hinting at a potential quick romance between Dilley and Jeem, which would really be a folly all its own. While not openly stated in the press, no one would ever be under any impression that Jeem is anything other than gay. There might be several in our story that haven’t been outed for good reason – because they weren’t out back then, but Jeem was never EVER in the closet.
21:25
By the way, another play that came and went after 11 performances was “Kultur” which focuses on Hitler and the Nazi government – a fictional scenario where an injured Hitler is treated by a German Jewish surgeon and a Jewish blood donor, thus a more humanized Hitler softens his ways.
Other rumors percolate that burlesque and striptease artist Sally Rand might soon star in a play titled “Fan Dancer,” inspired by the recent trend of fan dances appearing at clubs in Harlem and Greenwich Village.
21:58
And in one more note, I always like to reference and highlight any other adjoining or crossover of characters whether main or minor. This time two new names appear together and separately. Socialite and singer Bobby La Branche is first mentioned winning 2nd place at Elsa Maxwell’s Scavenger Hunt after having secured Pola Negri’s panties. Pola is quite unhappy over the attention. By situational coincidence, the faux panties are replaced with an autographed sock by Marilyn Miller the same actress who portrays Barbara in the Berlin & Hart skit. Bobby also greets Barbara upon her return at the Bremen with her cousin “Jeem” and former admirer James Blakeley.
22:40
Pola’s mention parallels unrelated directly but somewhat indirectly related to her ex-husband Prince Serge Mdivani’s divorce from Mary McCormic. These little tie-ins help flesh out this bygone era and helps illustrate how interconnected and somewhat incestuous this world can be.
A very, very small world indeed,… Seriously, forewarned we have many of these little overlaps to come, and some are way more salacious,…
23:15
[Music – Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue by The Savoy Orpheans, Album Fascinating Rhythm – Great Hits of the 20s]
Section 3 – Contemporary & Personal Relevance
[Music Fade Out]
23:32
Somethings change, and somethings stay the same. And so it seems evermore true in what people pay attention to…
Take a birthday, a big birthday, and there is going to be plenty of attention.
With modern celebs especially females, there is emphasis on when they turn 18. As if they then become automatic fodder for a perverted male gaze that was covertly happening when they were minors. And with a hope and expectation that these young females might pose nude to shed their child personas. There has been backlash to this pervy attention with stars like the Olsen twins – Mary Kate and Ashley, as well more recent Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown.
24:14
Then there is another aspect, and no matter the context there will always be a note on appearance especially if it is a female. Once again, Millie Bobby Brown and her supposed rapid aging, then the sudden Pam Anderson’s severely reduced makeup look. Or who has had what plastic surgery,… Jennifer Anniston, Lauren Sanchez Bezos,…
24:35
And of course, last but not least and likely more long lasting historical topic of gossip… weight loss. Yes, there are nearly as many references to Barbara Hutton’s sudden nearly 20 lb weight loss as to her fashion and fortune. It is pretty simultaneously mentioned in almost every article surrounding her arrival and birthday.
In modern society, weight loss discussion is usually related to diet fad or trend. Atkins, Fen-Phen, gastro bypass surgery, and more recently Ozempic or whichever semiglutide GLP-1 might be in use. For this list, I can’t even begin to name names because it seems to be a number so large that those not even considered overweight have taken the latest miracle drug to stay forever slim. Alas many of these methods are short term with severe side effects and unsustainable.
25:29
But the pressure of appearance is time eternal, only the preferred silhouette changes with the fashion trends and surrounding social and economic circumstances.
Barbara is chubby in the time of the slender flapper, a silhouette that while the fashion will disappear in dress will be replaced with Depression Era slenderness until the curvy trend re-enters towards World War II and the postwar era with Marilyn Monroe. Barbara too is overly conscientious about her weight, and like so many others when she finally starts shedding it will go too far.
26:08
Here she is finally getting attention, becoming a fashion icon, and yet she will be haunted both with the focus on her fortune and her weight. Not very enviable at all.
Such is the life of those in the spotlight, and our young heirs and heiresses will be forevermore subjects of interest.
An extra note: Our world has gone a bit mad for the moment. I hope you are all well. No idea for how long and how bad it might get, but eventually there will be new brighter days. Best wishes until then,…
26:48
As previously mentioned, Past Perfect Vintage Music has been a part of every episode of As The Money Burns. A great collection of music from the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s, digitally remastered and available to you.
Check out their album The Words & Music of Irving Berlin, a volume set with over 22 songs.
https://www.pastperfect.com/product/the-words-and-music-of-irving-berlin-from-the-30s-40s/
Or you can get the 3 volume collection The Words & Music Multibuy with George Gershwin, Noel Coward, and Irving Berlin.
https://www.pastperfect.com/product/words-music-series-cole-porter-irving-berlin-noel-coward-multibuy/
Interested in more period music? It can be as simple as asking Amazon’s Alexa to turn on Past Perfect Vintage Radio. Also available on TuneIn Radio and myTunerRadio apps.
Links in the notes and transcript.
https://www.pastperfect.com/radio/
www.pastperfect.com
27:32
Recently, a new listener reached out because he had written a book on the history of tango: Paris and New York and Fresedo by Jose Manuel Araque. Among the stories of the popular dancer Fresedo, the dancing couple Donna and Medrano are featured, which is how the listener found my podcast. This couple had appeared in Episode 71: Muscles in Ruffles featuring Cobina Wright shortly before she opens her private supper club. I will include a link to the book and Chapter 19 where the couple is featured for those who might be curious in the notes and transcript.
https://www.fresedo.de/2023/06/paris-and-new-york-before-fresedo.html
Chapter 19: Fresedo in Paris
https://www.fresedo.de/2021/04/fresedo-en-paris.html?m=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawM0g85leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxZ3F0eGpxSlhia0dJbDJmAR76oKJOS1DMAMBvlQsC9Qwslf8PzXJHXn-QueJLlMU6yz3qwaNW_1Moit7Ltw_aem_bnxS5maobk-N_cRuNbAhGA
If you enjoy As The Money Burns, then please share, like, & subscribe.
Hook
28:17
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Next when we return to AS THE MONEY BURNS…
Divorces come in several stages – physical, financial, legal, and emotional. The latter might be the hardest if ever to achieve. As one reporter learns with a slap in the face.
Until then…
Credits
28:39
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast written, produced, and voiced by Nicki Woodard, based on historical research. Archival music has been provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, check out their website at www.pastperfect.com.
Please come visit us at As The Money Burns via Goodpods, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook (now Meta), or Instagram. Transcripts, timeline, episode guide, and character bios are available at asthemoneyburns.com.
29:05
THE END.