Finishing a turn in As Thousands Cheer one Manhattan night last winter, plump Dancer Marilyn Miller whirled airily offstage, bumped brutally into her costar, frail Dancer Clifton Webb. Up to her side to berate Dancer Webb leaped Chorusman Chester ("Chet") O'Brien, who was also the show's second assistant stage manager. When it was over. Dancer Webb threatened to quit if O'Brien were not fired, Dancer Miller threatened to quit if O'Brien were fired. Everybody stayed.
In early summer James P. ("Jimmy") Donahue, fabulously rich & prankish young Woolworth scion, thought of...