Henry Jaynes Fonda
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Henry Fonda co-starred with [[Imogene Coca]] in ''New Faces of 1934''. This was the first one of [[Leonard Sillman]]'s annual revues. See the mention [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=38771701¤tResult=2&src=search&firstvisit=true here]. Note the interesting tidbit, that one of the potential backers who came to watch the auditions was none other than [[Libby Holmon]] later to be well-known in regards to her relationship with [[Montgomery Clift]]. Libby you will recall was the torch-singer who married a wealthy man who died such an interesting death that Libby went on trial for it. | Henry Fonda co-starred with [[Imogene Coca]] in ''New Faces of 1934''. This was the first one of [[Leonard Sillman]]'s annual revues. See the mention [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=38771701¤tResult=2&src=search&firstvisit=true here]. Note the interesting tidbit, that one of the potential backers who came to watch the auditions was none other than [[Libby Holmon]] later to be well-known in regards to her relationship with [[Montgomery Clift]]. Libby you will recall was the torch-singer who married a wealthy man who died such an interesting death that Libby went on trial for it. | ||
| − | At this time "Leland Hayward, who was on the brink of becoming the top talent agent in the country, signed him up and convinced a reluctant Fonda to go to Hollywood for $1,000 a week." (''My Life'', p 37). By Aug 1934, Henry had "signed with Walter Wagner, to play an important part in ''The President Vanishes''" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=45596791¤tResult=7&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). And [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=40782721&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=0 here] they state that he signed with Walter Waller to "make two pictures a year starting with the summer months of 1935." But note that "Henry Fonda, Broadway actor who will be seen this season [Winter of 1934 ?] in 'Rome Haul'" (erroneously called Rome "Hall"), which probably means he was still then in New York. Evidently this title was the title of the book by Walter Edmonds, and the play was re-named ''The Farmer Takes a Wife'' (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=49072003¤tResult=21&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). The play appeared on Broadway, and tells the story of Molly Harkins, a pretty girl who works as a cook on a boat, moving from town to town | + | At this time "Leland Hayward, who was on the brink of becoming the top talent agent in the country, signed him up and convinced a reluctant Fonda to go to Hollywood for $1,000 a week." (''My Life'', p 37). By Aug 1934, Henry had "signed with Walter Wagner, to play an important part in ''The President Vanishes''" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=45596791¤tResult=7&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). And [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=40782721&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=0 here] they state that he signed with Walter Waller to "make two pictures a year starting with the summer months of 1935." But note that "Henry Fonda, Broadway actor who will be seen this season [Winter of 1934 ?] in 'Rome Haul'" (erroneously called Rome "Hall"), which probably means he was still then in New York. Evidently this title was the title of the book by Walter Edmonds, and the play was re-named ''The Farmer Takes a Wife'' (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=49072003¤tResult=21&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). The play appeared on Broadway, and tells the story of Molly Harkins, a pretty girl who works as a cook on a boat, moving from town to town. She meets Dan Harrow, a rough, simple man who wants to settle down as a farmer. He has to convince her to marry him and farm. Henry Fonda plays the man, and June Walker the woman (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=23032494¤tResult=22&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). Noel Thornton was a bit psychic when he stated,<blockquote>"Indeed young Fonda is so good in the early part of the show that he undoubtedly will be transferred to the movie colony in jig time to become the newest of the leading man for Norma Shearer, Constance Bennett or Miriam Hopkins."</blockquote> |
Henry Fonda and his ex-wife Margaret Sullavan remained on reasonable terms for some time. They were seen together once-in-a-while and she eventually married his agent Leland Hayward and "lived just down the street in the 1940s", this according to his daughter Jane who remembers playing with the Hayward children. Margaret evidently caused a bit of a stir in some corners. Henry received one fan letter who courteously enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope but presumptuously stated:<blockquote>Dear Mr Fonda: I am one of Miss Sullivan's [sic] most ardent worshippers, in fact, I'm in love with her. I see by the papers that you are her former husband. Will you introduce me when you arrive to Hollywood? Or, better still, write me a letter of introduction to her?"</blockquote> | Henry Fonda and his ex-wife Margaret Sullavan remained on reasonable terms for some time. They were seen together once-in-a-while and she eventually married his agent Leland Hayward and "lived just down the street in the 1940s", this according to his daughter Jane who remembers playing with the Hayward children. Margaret evidently caused a bit of a stir in some corners. Henry received one fan letter who courteously enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope but presumptuously stated:<blockquote>Dear Mr Fonda: I am one of Miss Sullivan's [sic] most ardent worshippers, in fact, I'm in love with her. I see by the papers that you are her former husband. Will you introduce me when you arrive to Hollywood? Or, better still, write me a letter of introduction to her?"</blockquote> | ||
