Larry Rich, Alice Fay, The Apollo

WHO WAS LARRY RICH?

Larry Rich was mentioned by my grandmother in the newspaper article above as being especially kind to her. I'd like to know more about the man behind the kindness, the Western Union Telegrams, and a signed publicity drawing of himself to my grandmother which reads:

(It was drawn by Murray Korman, NY)

To Little "Marion"

Sweet clever, charming

With a World of Personality.

Thanx for Being a great Little Foal. Here's Hoping That you Realize all your ambition and That I am one of them.

Lots of Luck

Always

Larry Rich

1933

This note fascinates me. Not so much by what it says, but by what it doesn't. I can only guess they had a beautiful friendship.

WESTERN UNION

Amidst the treasures that my grandmother left behind are some Western Union telegrams from 1931 to 1933. I'm sure there were many more than the three I possess, but these are a piece of her history that I treasure. They are time frozen- moments when I imagine my grandmother rushing off to the station to travel to the next show. I can envision the theater, hotel, people scurrying about. This was a time of pure joy for her- carefree, young and full of promise and life. Thrust into the spotlight early, I can't help but admire the dedication and discipline my grandmother must have had. For a time, this was her entire life.

Each one of these Western Union Telegrams, or money order messages, is from Larry Rich. The first is difficult to date, as it's not clearly indicated. It reads:

BP15 8=HY BOSTON MASS JAN 4 251P

MARION THOMPSON= 38 ROWLAND ROAD FAIRFIELD CONN=

REPORT HERE SATURDAY FOR REHEARSAL TWO OCLOCK REGARDS=

LARRY RICH..

310P

Received at 1440 Broadway, New York

The second, dated 1931, SEPT, 14, PM, 6 00

NBN281 10 5 EXTRA=CP NEWYORK NY 14 521P

MARIAN THOMPSON=

APOLLO THEATRE=

GOOD LUCK AND GREAT SUCCESS=

CLUB NAPOLEON 33 W 56.

(Note: They spelled her first name incorrectly in the above message).

And, the third Western Union Money Order Message:

FAIRFIELD CONN DEC 30 1933 (Note: This one must have been for the New Year's Eve celebration where my grandmother emceed in Scully Square, Boston, MA. How exciting ,as she held it as one of her favorite memories!)

NO. BP26

TO: MISS MARION THOMPSON

33 ROWLAND RD FAIRFIELD CONN

THE MONEY ORDER PAID YOU HEREWITH IS FROM LARRY RICH AT BOSTON MA AND INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:

WIRE ME METROPOLITAN HOTEL WHAT TRAIN YOU ARRIVE ON BRING FORMAL DRESS ACCOUNT SUNDAY

LARRY RICH

***********************************

Who were Michael Kallesser, Author and Producer of "ONE MAN'S WOMAN" and "MARRIAGE ON APPROVAL"

AND

Charles Sherman, Theatrical Manager?

I have a hand written note to my grandmother upon letterhead with the two above names on it. The address is scratched out, (723 SEVENTH AVENUE, ROOM 905, NEW YORK CITY) and is pencil changed to 226 W 47 ST, NEW YORK CITY.

The note is from Mr. Kallesser and reads:

Dear Miss Thompson-

I am getting ready to do a new show very soon. No- it's not a musical.

Any time you are around my office, drop in.

Yours Very Truly,

M Kallesser

Regards to your mother. I have your picture on my wall- everyone likes it.

So, who was this Michael Kallesser? How did he know my grandmother? Why did he have her picture on his wall? Which picture was it?

The search continues. My list of questions keeps growing....and growing.

*******************

ALICE FAY-

Also mentioned in the newspaper article is the fact that my grandmother danced in the George White Scandals with many stars, including Alice Fay. What's not mentioned is that my grandmother, Marion Thompson and Alice Fay were roommates during the on stage Scandals. My mother told me this, but I don't know the dates or where they roomed together. I can only assume it was somewhere in 1931-32. I'd love to learn more about this. I know they were friends~ that's about it.

I surmise that while Alice Fay went off into pictures, my grandmother followed a different path, got married, had my mother, lost her husband, and got right back into show-biz to support her. I am very proud of my grandmother for working so hard and paying, (with the help of her father), my mother's college tuition and weekly expenses to The New England Conservatory of Music- in full. Not an easy task today, let alone back in the 1950's. Amazing woman!

As I learn more, so will those who are interested. If anyone knows anything, or has something they'd like to contribute, please leave a message in my guestbook. I will include your information, giving you proper credit.

The Internet is such a vast, incredible tie between us. We find things that once took hours in a second, and we discover people and places that are important to us by mere chance.

It is in the hope of a chance discovery that I share this information about a talented Broadway dancer, and a woman I loved- Marion Thompson Morin. However, she will always remain "Grammy" to me.

Ellen M. DuBois