Henry Jaynes Fonda

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(1925-1926)
(1925-1926)
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The first newspaper mention of Henry Fonda I find is Feb 1926 (''Waterloo Evening Courier'', 24 Feb 1926, pg 10), when he appeared at "The Strand" playing the role of Major John Hay, secretary to Abraham Lincoln, who was played by George Billings.  I here correct Biography.com which is probably citing Kevin Sweeney who incorrectly reports that this occurred only in the Summer of 1927.  Answers.com [http://www.answers.com/topic/henry-fonda here] states that Billings and Fonda toured for three months, after which, he returning to Omaha, became "assistant director at the Omaha Community Playhouse."
 
The first newspaper mention of Henry Fonda I find is Feb 1926 (''Waterloo Evening Courier'', 24 Feb 1926, pg 10), when he appeared at "The Strand" playing the role of Major John Hay, secretary to Abraham Lincoln, who was played by George Billings.  I here correct Biography.com which is probably citing Kevin Sweeney who incorrectly reports that this occurred only in the Summer of 1927.  Answers.com [http://www.answers.com/topic/henry-fonda here] states that Billings and Fonda toured for three months, after which, he returning to Omaha, became "assistant director at the Omaha Community Playhouse."
  
In April 1926, Henry Fonda was "a pirate" in ''Captain Applejack'' which ran for four performances.  In May he was "a footman" in ''The Swan'' which ran for four performances.  In Oct 1926, in his first starring role, he was Merton in ''Merton of the Movies''.  That December, he was "Tilly" the musical clown in ''He Who Gets Slapped'' which ran for four performances.  Richard Coe goes on to state that Henry once starred opposite Dorothy Brando in O'Neills ''Beyond the Horizon''.
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In April 1926, Henry Fonda was "a pirate" in ''Captain Applejack'' which ran for four performances.  In May he was "a footman" in ''The Swan'' which ran for four performances.  In Oct 1926, it was Gregory Foley who asked Henry Fonda to play the starring role of Merton in ''Merton of the Movies''.  That December, he was "Tilly" the musical clown in ''He Who Gets Slapped'' which ran for four performances.  Richard Coe goes on to state that Henry once starred opposite Dorothy Brando in O'Neills ''Beyond the Horizon''.
  
 
"Dad had a $30-a-week job as a clerk at the Retail Credit Company in Omaha, but [[Marlon Brando]]'s mother a friend of my grandmother's, got him involved in the Omaha Community Playhouse, where dad was offered the part of Merton in the play ''Merton of the Movies''." (''My Life'', page 34)  I think Jane here is rushing through the early chronology, and just focuses in on Merton because Merton was Henry's first '''starring''' role, and so stands out.  The story of the play ''Merton of the Movies'' is that Merton is a terrible actor.  When film producers see how funny his over-acting is, they put him in a comedy but tell him it's a drama.
 
"Dad had a $30-a-week job as a clerk at the Retail Credit Company in Omaha, but [[Marlon Brando]]'s mother a friend of my grandmother's, got him involved in the Omaha Community Playhouse, where dad was offered the part of Merton in the play ''Merton of the Movies''." (''My Life'', page 34)  I think Jane here is rushing through the early chronology, and just focuses in on Merton because Merton was Henry's first '''starring''' role, and so stands out.  The story of the play ''Merton of the Movies'' is that Merton is a terrible actor.  When film producers see how funny his over-acting is, they put him in a comedy but tell him it's a drama.

Revision as of 17:22, 14 August 2008

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