Episode 120: Collapsible
As Tennis Week ends, the real competition is over the three best finale parties, with one hostess playing with all her might.
#DorisDuke, #Astor, #FrankShields, #HuntingtonHartford, #HenriettaHartford, #TennisWeek, #Seaverge, #RoughPoint, #PhilPlant
August 1933, Jakey Astor and Doris Duke return to Newport for the end of Tennis Week with plenty of romantic and marital speculation. Henrietta Hartford hosts the biggest finale party with a special technological innovation.
Other people and subjects include: Nanaline Duke, Barbara Hutton, Daisy Van Alen, James “Henry” Van Alen aka Jimmy, Huntington Hartford, Henrietta Harford, Mary Lee Epling Hartford, Frank Shields, Rebecca “Billie” Tenney Shields, Vincent Astor, Prince Serge Mdivani, Princess Mary McCormick Mdivani, Phil Plant, Mrs. William Hayward – Sara Mae “Maisie” Cadwell Manwaring Plant, Katherine Emmons Force Spencer, Martin Van Buren Morris, Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish Morris II – Elizabeth Hillis Wynkoop, Mary Booker, Alletta “Leta” Morris, Betty Morris, Mary de Mumm, Mrs. Scoville Treadwell, Harold Vanderbilt aka “Mike,” Gertrude Lewis Conaway Vanderbilt, Alva Vanderbilt Belmont, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Duke of Marlborough, Ogden Goelet, Enid Connfelt, Wilmer Allison, Ellsworth Vines, Queen Mary of England, Edwin Berwind, Julia Berwind, Mrs. John “Black Jack” Bouvier III – Janet Lee Bouvier, Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier Kennedy, Caroline Lee Bouvier Radziwill, Jane Alcott, treasure hunt, aviation exhibition, Tennis Week, French Championships, Wimbledon, Davis Cup, marital matches, mating game, engagements, marriage certificate, honeymoon, reluctant bachelors, dances, dinner parties, tennis balls, fashion show, debutantes, private yacht, Nourmahal yacht, ocean liners, Rex, President Harding, Harvard University, Newport Casino, Maidentown, Manhattan, East Hampton, Southampton, Newport, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Rough Point, Wakehurst, Seaverge, Chastellux, Cave Cliff, collapsible ballroom, storytelling choices, why podcasting, freedoms, book publishing, tv series, costs, casts and locations, Gone With the Wind downsizing characters & plots, visualization challenges, documentary, artificial intelligence – ai image generation, historical accuracy and correctness, future iterations, connecting to the past, 2024 chaos, Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner, presidential candidates, roasts, Al Smith, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, seeds, packing in details,…
Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
Extra Notes / Call to Action:
Old Money Luxury https://youtube.com/@oldmoneyluxury/videos
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Publish Date: October 31, 2024
Length: 21:54
Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 1 Music: With Thee I Swing by Carroll Gibbons, Album The Age of Style – Hits from the 30s
Section 2 Music: Swingin’ The Blues by Benny Carter & His Orchestra, Album Perfect Blues
Section 3 Music: You Hit The Spot by Carroll Gibbons, Album The Age of Style – Hits from the 30s
End Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
AS THE MONEY BURNS
Podcast by Nicki Woodard
Episode 120 – Collapsible
Outline
Tennis Week
Finale parties
00:00
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast by Nicki Woodard. Based on historical research, this is a deep exploration into what happened to a set of actual heirs and heiresses to some of America’s most famous fortunes when the Great Depression hits.
Each episode has three primary sections. Section 1 is a narrative story. Section 2 goes deeper into the historical facts. Section 3 focuses on contemporary, emotional, and personal connections.
00:29
Story Recap
As Tennis Week begins, new debutantes enter the scene with eyes towards Jakey Astor as he turns 21 and finally gains control of his fortune.
Now back to AS THE MONEY BURNS
Title
00:47
Collapsible
[Music Fade Out]
Episode Tag
As Tennis Week ends, the real competition is over the three best finale parties, with one hostess playing with all her might.
01:02
[Music – With Thee I Swing by Carroll Gibbons, Album The Age of Style – Hits from the 30s]
Section 1 – Story
[Music Fade Out]
01:22
Tennis Week is in full swing at the summer colony of Newport, Rhode Island. This year has been the gayest since before the 1929 Crash. A new flux of people joins as others return. Over 1200 mill about the courts at the Newport Casino.
Under large umbrellas to protect from sunshine and rain, the most prominent Newporters – eh-hem Colonists, watch from their grandstand boxes, the most coveted seats like those at the opera and seldom change hands. Tennis Week has long been one of the most exclusive activities among the elitist of the elite.
All gather around the widows, dowagers, and the remaining capital “S” society queens who still govern. Newport has always been ruled by the ladies, and the most important matches are the marital ones arranged here.
02:11
The biggest gossip that has tongues wagging – America’s Cup winner Harold Vanderbilt, who prefers to go by “Mike,” has always been the premiere perennial bachelor. His mother Alva Vanderbilt Belmont might have forced his sister Consuelo Vanderbilt into the loveless American dollar princess marriage to the Duke of Marlborough, but 49 year old Mike has kept himself away from the matrimonial game.
And now, lo and behold, on August 19th, 1933, he registers for a marriage certificate and mentions the possibility of a marriage that day. His bride Gertrude Lewis Conaway has been a decade long friend and sailing companion, but no one ever anticipated actual nuptials. The news hasn’t even hit the presses, when hours later they head off to Europe on the Italian luxury ocean liner Rex before anyone can process this information. By the time the announcements are made, Mike and Gertrude are already married and will unsurprisingly honeymoon via a private yacht around the Mediterranean.
If Mike can get married, then there is hope for any reluctant bachelors.
03:17
Many others have gotten married or engaged in the summer of 1933. This year’s best match? The young Ogden Goelet is now engaged to Enid Connfelt, and they shall be one of the wealthiest couples once their merger is finalized.
03:32
Among those still in the mix, the tall no longer awkward heiress and richest girl Doris Duke has returned despite recent kidnapping threats. She remains heavily under surveillance with armed bodyguards. She temporarily took respite in Southampton as she loathes Newport’s crustiness. A younger Doris had fun growing up in the Colony with Leta Morris, whose sister Betty Morris is one this year’s prized debutantes. Now Doris would have preferred the regular European trip, but this year her socially ambitious mother Nanaline Duke insists they stay at Rough Point.
04:06
The very Garbo-esque Doris is garnering several male suitors. Martin Van Buren Morris (no direct relation to Leta or Betty) is the most dutiful and ardent and by far the most socially acceptable. When Doris fled Newport for Southampton, she spent time with Martin at the family estate of his mother Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish Morris II, formerly Elizabeth Hillis Wynkoop. Mrs. Morris II passed in 1930. Now Nanaline and Doris return the favor by hosting the lad at Rough Point. He is smitten, while Doris appears less so and only considers him a longtime childhood friend.
04:46
Meanwhile in Newport, Doris is seen often in the company of the Broadway playboy and millionheir Phil Plant. Yes, as in the former fiancée of fellow heiress Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani and who has penchant for accidentally injuring and disfiguring his female companions. Hmmmm, Phil might be exactly whom Nanaline needs to separate Doris from her fortune. Phil is staying with his mother Mrs. William Hayward, also known formerly as the beautiful Sara Mae “Maisie” Cadwell Manwaring Plant. From Los Angeles, Prince Serge Mdivani announces his intention to woo Doris upon finishing his divorce with his second wife opera singer *Princess Mary McCormick Mdivani. That could mean Barbara and Doris would become sisters-in-law as well as princesses.
05:37
This season’s debutantes must be chomping at the bit to both make their grand debuts and nab their own socially approved husband-to-be. They are in luck as the disappearing proud scion Titanic baby John Jacob Astor VI, aka “Jakey,” has returned for the end of Tennis Week celebrations. The heat tempering down only a little now that the 21 year old is in possession of his fortune, whatever that amount might actually be.
06:04
He stays again with his maternal Aunt Katherine Emmons Force Spencer at her Chastellux (Chaste-de-lou) cottage. Aunt Katherine has provided much entertainment this season. In late July she sponsored a treasure hunt coinciding with the aviation exhibition, then in early August at her estate hosted another junior event for Jakey and friends pre-inheritance, and is hostessing yet another party at the end of the festivities. Thankfully elder half-brother Vincent Astor is already on his way to Bermuda aboard his yacht Nourmahal, so Jakey can concentrate solely on his social standing.
06:40
Jakey returns in time to catch the finals of Tennis Week. He joins his friends baby-faced richest boy Huntington Hartford and movie star handsome tennis sensation Frank Shields. Let’s see if these two young married men have any impact on their bachelor friend.
Huntington has had a busy summer on the tennis court playing for his school Harvard University. He played some university matches all the way to Virginia and visits with his in-laws in West Virginia before making his way back to Newport.
07:08
Frank himself didn’t do too well at the French Championships then disappeared – eh-hem accidentally stowed away on the President Harding ocean liner missing Wimbledon and Davis Cup this year. Queen Mary of England surely missed her amusing favorite American player. Many females swoon over Frank’s good looks and charming demeanor, but he is now a married man.
For Tennis Week, Frank and his wife Rebecca “Billie” Tenney Shields stay with Huntington and his wife the pretty Mary Lee Epling Hartford at their Seaverge estate, where Huntington’s smothering mother Henrietta Hartford outdoes herself hostessing multiple events this season with Mary Lee’s help.
07:51
Sunday, August 20th, 1933
Despite a heavy downpour, many show up at the Casino gallery to watch the Men’s Singles Final where Frank beats Wilmer Allison. Thankfully overall, Frank bests Ellsworth Vines for the big Casino Cup, keeping the silver trophy firmly in Newport. Ellsworth had won the cup twice before and might have taken it back with him to California if a third occurred. Frank has again found his stride in tennis and will continue to dominate this season. The former Wimbledon and Davis Cup teammates will enjoy the rest of this tournament in celebration and dancing.
08:29
Now the biggest competition is for the finale bash, and at least 3 hostesses vie for the best there. First part of the evening is filled with over a baker’s dozen amount of dinner parties full of rich vitals, then several spots for evening entertainment including one private yacht party are among the possible invites. But out of the three bigger events, youths attend primarily the debutante party while the older set find their way to the other two. After all one party is not enough, as people flit from one to the other and back again as suits their wants and curiosities.
09:06
Newport society queen Daisy Van Alen hosts a grand party at her gray stone English manor house Wakehurst. Her son James “Henry” Van Alen is on hand after watching the tennis activities.
On Le Roy Avenue at the villa Cave Cliff, Mrs. Scoville Treadwell hosts the debutante party for her niece Mary de Mumm, formerly of Paris.
But the biggest party is Henrietta Hartford’s at Seaverge. Daughter-in-law Mary Lee assists in hostessing duties. Henrietta’s niece who debuted the year before in 1932 Mary Booker returns for the festivities. The event harkens back to the grand tennis balls of yesteryear given by the brother and sister team Edwin and Julia Berwind.
09:48
Of course, the most lavish party is the Hartford party. Henrietta spares no expense. The driveway is lined with huge tubs of blue hydrangeas leading into the massive estate. Inside Seaverge, the ceilings and walls are covered in a verdant background with oak lining and standards of pink roses and dahlias interwoven with blue lights. The garden too is filled with indirect lighting that shines so bright much like the inside ballrooms and thus guests have no privacy for any hanky panky. Then there is the technological innovation like no other – a collapsible ballroom. Taken out of storage and with the turn of a screwdriver and a few bolts, the sections are assembled into a grand ballroom set on the lawn overlooking the ocean.
The evening begins with a dinner of 40 guests then expands into a musical event with dancing as more guests join throughout the night.
10:41
While many are seeking potential partners, it is noted that the youthful, slim, and lively Henrietta must be one of the most sought after wealthy widows. Though she adeptly thwarts fortune hunters, and encourages the speculation that only a brilliant man can win her hand and heart.
As the tennis activities fade, a fashion show will be held on August 31st at Maidenstone Club in East Hampton. Wearing the ensembles of fall gowns include Jane Alcott and Mrs. John “Black Jack” Bouvier III – aka Janet Lee Bouvier, as in the mother of the infants and future Jacqueline “Jackie” Bouvier Kennedy and Caroline Lee Bouvier Radziwill.
As ever and always, plenty more activities to go as another summer comes to a close.
11:33
[Music – Swingin’ The Blues by Benny Carter & His Orchestra, Album Perfect Blues]
Section 2 – History & Historiography
[Music Fade Out]
11:50
As I have mentioned in previous episodes, I have been working on these tales for a while. An endeavor of love, patience, and lots and lots of digging. A mother lode of information needing to be shared. There has always been a story to tell, but in which way and with what limitations or restrictions had to be ascertained, chosen, and then committedly pursued.
I started with only a few research articles and an idea and high confidence of being able to build outwards the story as needed. The trick is getting that idea into a form and one in which I would not have been cut out along the way. A form of intellectual property which I could control.
12:31
Originally, I was trying to make this into a television series until stumbling onto the world of podcasting. I had other suggestions given to me like writing a book and getting it published. I would have had way too much trouble concentrating in trying to write a whole book. The endless footnoting and documenting sources, plus I am better in short storytelling form than a longer medium. I would have likely stopped only a few chapters in. Much less going through the rigors of publishing.
12:59
The podcast format allows me three freedoms. First, it gives me a recurring deadline, so I get the story out piece meal. Done and completed. Each episode is a whole in its own entirety and yet building to a larger narrative. Much like how Charles Dickens and many of my favorite novels from the 19th Century first came out as chapters in the penny weeklies.
13:22
Secondly, the original intention of my research – a narrative tv series, would have had been much narrower in scope as the expense in casting and locations would have meant limiting the focus of what and whom to tell. Doing a Gone With The Wind book to movie conversion where choices must be made to cut down children or other people and then heavily fictionalizing or compositing multiple people into one or more. But for real historical accuracy, those individuals really have purpose and meaning even if only pebbles rippling the pond farther away. Plus the wide range really opens up the story to its universal elements.
14:01
Thirdly, if I had in any endeavor tried to visually tell this story even as a documentary, I would have ran out of money in licensing images, eh-hem I did 4 years making History Channel documentaries. As well as I would be severely limited in what I could tell you as any visual must be relevant to what is being told. There are only so many photographs and even less footage from the time covered, thus either endless looping of the same recurring image or risk something so off it might distract and not add to the story. And ugh, if I was a talking head? That would be more of a distraction to all the visualization of situations which should really have our focus. And yes, now we have AI to help, but seriously the historical accuracy would have been insanely off and waste too much energy in the wrong direction. My OCD nature of accuracy would have a meltdown. I would never get an episode finished.
14:59
However, my newspaper research does show with the advancing of technology and the resulting public demand for images means I run across occasional new photographs more and more in the columns. The visual outlay of newspapers is getting quite interesting. So I will do my best to share the images I run across via the Instagram, Facebook / Meta, and X / Twitter channels.
15:20
Instead, this first iteration of our story focuses and delights in pure storytelling. A gossip session per se. This manner – audio only, I can embellish and tell everything. Any detail, any time, any location. No question if the image is a Rolex or Rolls Royce period accurate, if the dress cut and color is a match. Our imaginations can fill in plenty. We can even relish other sensory information like scents or weather. As you can tell, I like to pack in lots of details.
15:56
This independence gives me the freedom to explore whatever pops up. My OCD nature compels me to endlessly turn over every stone until I find the splendid little detail to give each episode oomph. Guaranteed any prior partnership in media endeavors would have thwarted my segways and digressions.
16:14
So much fun would have been spoiled. I mean would we really want to overlook the potential Mdivani plot to retake the throne? No one has covered that so far as I am aware. Or how about visualizing the collapsible ballroom at Seaverge? Or how certain people randomly pop in and out of the story like millionheir Phil Plant? All things we can savor and get the real and accurate story or the closest approximation possible. I mean there will always be complications when reconstructing the past.
One day, there will be another iteration. But I am thoroughly enjoying the freedom and depth provided in this one.
16:58
[Music – You Hit The Spot by Carroll Gibbons, Album The Age of Style – Hits from the 30s]
Section 3 – Contemporary & Personal Relevance
[Music Fade Out]
17:10
This section was originally conceived to help make this subject matter more relatable in the modern era. A history podcast focusing on the woes of dead rich white people is not the most empathetic subject at first conception. Yet their issues are the same as all of us when it comes to human relationships with the added problems and potential solutions that come when money enters the equation. The time period is close enough to be in the shadows of our present and yet forgotten. So this section is meant to connect us to each other past and present.
One of the fun ways is to highlight things in *the modern era – a building, an entertainment reference, or anything in the pop culture mindset and topic like a celebrity situation, a movie, or a television episode. Sadly, our 2024 upside down crazy and chaotic year has had far too many things that are both depressing and not direct correlation – at least not in my purview, to have much to mention recently.
18:13
Then there is a week in October 2024 where we have a small connection. The New York Alfred E. Smith Foundation Dinner which is a Catholic charities fundraiser that also has political presidential candidates roast each other as part of the ceremony. Typically, it is hosted at the Waldorf-Astoria, but this year at the Hilton in midtown while the former is still under reconstruction. Now this charity dinner event has been happening for 79 years on the third Thursday of October, and only now has it caught my attention. Al Smith has crossed the path several times in our podcast. He was the 4 time governor of New York and a failed 1928 presidential nominee. His successor as both governor and Democrat presidential nominee (and 1932 winner) is Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In our podcast, Al Smith generally has been mentioned in relation to FDR and as a passerby at other events within our story. The first dinner is held in 1945 a year after Smith’s death.
19:13
Now the Bouviers have suddenly appeared within our story as have the Kennedys in prior episodes. A hint of other periods, other families, the overlaps, the repeats, the changes, the continuation of time.
Little winks and nods for those who know the past well, and a highlight and expansion of knowledge to those learning it for the first time. Past, present, future – all, in one time machine.
19:39
Throughout this podcast many little seeds have been planted. Some big, some small, but all enhance the story by fleshing out details and showing the interconnectedness of the world we live in – back then, now, and one day in the future. Future wives, lovers, scandals, near misses, even things like jewels with their own elaborate histories, and so much more pack our tale. I hope you continue the journey until the end.
Just a few more months of 2024 to go, and change is inevitable. There will be good and bad on its way, much like in decades past with our heirs and heiresses.
One thing is for certain. No matter the circumstances. There will always be a game of love and fortune.
20:28
Tales of the rich endlessly intrigue, so check out the YouTube Channel Old Money Luxury which features relatively short documentaries 12 – 20 minutes on individuals with larger docs 40 min to 1 hr 20 on families and dynasties. An interesting take on multiple heirs and heiresses like Allegra Versace, Athina Onassis, and various members of the Vanderbilts. Once again, that is Old Money Luxury on YouTube.
Links in the notes and transcript.
https://www.youtube.com/@oldmoneyluxury/videos
If you enjoy As The Money Burns, then please share, like, & subscribe.
Hook
21:05
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Next when we return to AS THE MONEY BURNS…
Young love burns bright and impulsively as an heiress runs off to marry her prince, only to regret it days later.
Until then…
Credits
21:24
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast written, produced, and voiced by Nicki Woodard, based on historical research. Archival music has been provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, check out their website at www.pastperfect.com.
Please come visit us at As The Money Burns via Goodpods, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook (now Meta), or Instagram. Transcripts, timeline, episode guide, and character bios are available at asthemoneyburns.com.
21:54
THE END.