Henry Jaynes Fonda

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(1931-1933)
(1934)
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Henry Fonda co-starred with [[Imogene Coca]] in ''New Faces of 1934'' which opened March 1934. This was the first of [[Leonard Sillman]]'s annual revues, each called ''New Faces''. See the mention [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=38771701&currentResult=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'' which opened March 1934. This was the first of [[Leonard Sillman]]'s annual revues, each called ''New Faces''. See the mention [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=38771701&currentResult=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 had evidently pulled himself together enough by 1934 that he was able to be in a play with Margaret.  The New York Times reporting that Henry Fonda "will appear" opposite Margaret Sullavan in the play ''Coquette'' at the Westchester Playhouse in Mount Kisco, New York for the week 2 Jul 1934. (NYT, 15 Jun 1934).  Because of this, his multiple roles in ''New Faces'', still then running, were distributed among four other actors. (NYT, 22 Jun 1934).  You will notice that Margaret's role here was a reprisal of her role back in 1931 for the University Players.
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<table><tr><td>http://www.nndb.com/people/496/000026418/henry-fonda.jpg<br>(Credit NNDB.com)</td><td>Henry had evidently pulled himself together enough by 1934 that he was able to be in a play with Margaret.  The New York Times reporting that Henry Fonda "will appear" opposite Margaret Sullavan in the play ''Coquette'' at the Westchester Playhouse in Mount Kisco, New York for the week 2 Jul 1934. (NYT, 15 Jun 1934).  Because of this, his multiple roles in ''New Faces'', still then running, were distributed among four other actors. (NYT, 22 Jun 1934).  You will notice that Margaret's role here was a reprisal of her role back in 1931 for the University Players.
  
 
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).   
 
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).   
  
 
On 14 Aug 1934, a columnist is reporting that Henry was then on the Universal lot and had "signed with Walter Wagner [sic], to play an important part in ''The President Vanishes''" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=45596791&currentResult=7&src=search&firstvisit=true here]).  And [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=40782721&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=0 on 2 Sep 1934], another column states that he signed with Walter Wagner [sic] 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&currentResult=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&currentResult=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 men for Norma Shearer, Constance Bennett or Miriam Hopkins."</blockquote>
 
On 14 Aug 1934, a columnist is reporting that Henry was then on the Universal lot and had "signed with Walter Wagner [sic], to play an important part in ''The President Vanishes''" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=45596791&currentResult=7&src=search&firstvisit=true here]).  And [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=40782721&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=0 on 2 Sep 1934], another column states that he signed with Walter Wagner [sic] 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&currentResult=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&currentResult=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 men for Norma Shearer, Constance Bennett or Miriam Hopkins."</blockquote>
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Margaret Sullavan evidently caused a bit of a stir in some corners. Henry received one fan letter with a courteously enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope but with a presumptuous request:<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?" ([http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=10119914&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=4 ''Mansfield News Journal'' (Mansfield, Ohio), 5 Nov 1934, pg 6])</blockquote>
 
Margaret Sullavan evidently caused a bit of a stir in some corners. Henry received one fan letter with a courteously enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope but with a presumptuous request:<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?" ([http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=10119914&firstvisit=true&src=search&currentResult=4 ''Mansfield News Journal'' (Mansfield, Ohio), 5 Nov 1934, pg 6])</blockquote>

Revision as of 23:00, 13 August 2008

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