Episode 60: Odds On Favorite
Stakes are high in various sports and competitions, but the highest stakes come in the game of marriage. Rivals beware.
Frank Shields and Sidney Wood travel to London for Wimbledon and the US Davis Cup European tour, and Frank’s fiancée Billie Tenney joins them with chaperone Maud Barger-Wallach. In London, the Prince of Wales participates in the Royal Ascot. Henrietta Hartford takes her son Huntington Hartford and Mary Lee Epling to Hawaii to convince them to annul their secret marriage. Lastly, Barbara must accept that Prince Alexis Mdivani and Silvia de Castilleja de Guzman will not reunite as both have married others, Louise Van Alen and Comte Henri de
Castellane respectfully.
Archival music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
Additional links:
Royal Ascot – British Pathe 1931
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39rS5KT_D14
Earbuds Podcast Collective
Michael Berry Show
Rubberneck Reporting around 21:30 – 36:30
We Need A Crisis around 22:04 – 37:20
Goodpods
goodpods.app.link/4PeLmbBvAqb
Publish Date: June 09, 2022
Length: 20:43
Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 1 Music: Sunshine by Jack Hylton, Album Fascinating Rhythm – Great Hits of the 20s
Section 2 Music: You Turned Your Head by Jack Jackson, Albums The Great British Dance Bands & Tea Dance 2
Section 3 Music: Got To Dance My Way To Heaven by Henry Hall, Albums The Great British Dance Bands & Tea Dance 2
End Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Ba
AS THE MONEY BURNS
Podcast by Nicki Woodard
Episode 060 – Odds On Favorite
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.
00:28
Story Recap
Richest boy Huntington Hartford secretly elopes, while Prince Alexis Mdivani and Louise Van Alen have a small intimate wedding. After her Buckingham Palace debut, Barbara Hutton mingles with the Prince of Wales.
00:43
Now back to AS THE MONEY BURNS
Title
Odds On Favorite
[Music Fade Out]
Episode Tag
Stakes are high in various sports and competitions, but the highest stakes come in the game of marriage. Rivals beware.
01:00
[Music – Sunshine by Jack Hylton, Album Fascinating Rhythm – Great Hits of the 20s]
Section 1 – Story
[Music Fade Out]
01:16
Another glorious summer has arrived. Maybe the tides have changed and everything will continue to get better. Oh, who’s kidding we the audience know it’s the Great Depression with several more years to go.
Nevertheless nothing better distracts the elites and masses than rounds of endless activities especially sports competitions. But everyone knows it is during the summer festivities that marital arrangements are made, and in that realm everyone vies for the best trophy wife or husband. However a spouse unlike a trophy is the beginning and not the end of a much larger game.
Speculators, gamblers, or in British colloquial terms plungers might have lot to bet on with these upcoming matches.
02:05
Friday, June 5th, 1931
Young tennis sensation and movie star handsome Frank Shields gets temporary relief from his dull junior bank loan officer desk job to join the international circuit for the Davis Cup. He made a smashing success against Mexico, Canada, and Argentina, and is now on the Ile de France oceanliner heading to London for Wimbledon before continuing the Davis Cup challenges in France.
This year for the Davis Cup America has its youngest team ever 20 year old Frank is joined by 19 year Sidney Wood of New York and student at the University of Arizona. Clifford Sutter of New Orleans beat Argentina but didn’t make the cut abroad. Instead 25 year olds George Lott and Johnny Van Ryn both already in France will round out the team for the European tour and against Japan.
03:01
The former American champion Big Bill Tilden was born into wealth but recently found himself in need of money turning pro on December 31, 1930 and thus unable to participate on the amateur teams. Earlier that previous year in August at Southampton, Frank did the near impossible and beat the long reigning champion Tilden. Perhaps Tilden wisely chose to cash in while still viable.
Accompanying Sidney and Frank across the Atlantic Ocean, Frank’s fiancée Billie Tenney travels with a chaperone as deemed socially appropriate and necessary. A scrupulous move as Frank has been a bit mischievous in the past at least once if not more having been while on tour a houseguest caught under the bed of a different patron’s daughter. Their chaperone is none other than Frank’s most enduring patroness Maud Barger-Wallach. A Newport society maven and a former tennis star herself who began her career at age 30 and continues to play. She turns 61 on the day of their arrival in London – June 15th.
04:05
A perfectly delightful way for her to spend her birthday amongst the young US Davis Cup team members. They will spend a week preparing for upcoming Wimbledon which starts later this month. After which they will continue back on the Davis Cup circuit.
04:23
Tuesday, June 16th, 1931
Meanwhile also in London, the Royal Ascot races begin with various stakes and prizes especially the highly desirable Ascot Gold Cup.
The opening parade sees the Prince of Wales and Duke of York ride in an open carriage facing their parents King George V and Queen Mary. The royal caravans originate from Windsor Castle. In rank, the rest of the family members follow in separate carriages including Princess Mary, Prince George, and the Duchess of York. News of this year’s Ascot include the new giant electric Totalisator, which is essentially a large betting control board for the horse races.
05:03
The Royal Ascot is a must not miss four-day event that previous Buckingham Palace presentations so covetly guarantees admission. The still eligible bachelor Prince of Wales joins a number of friends at Belvedere. Alas hopeful and unaware debutantes might have their dreams dashed, as the Prince’s current and future married mistresses Lady Thelma Morgan Furness and Wallis Simpson are likely mingling within his entourage.
However the Prince of Wales will not be the only one to disappoint marriage minded debutantes this season.
05:38
The word is out as reported by Cholly Knickerbocker that another Newport season will be absent the presence of socialite Henrietta Hartford. Is it possible the smothering mother is merely trying to fend off debutantes seeking to ensnare her son richest boy babyface Huntington Hartford? Henrietta achieves the near impossible by charming Cholly to her side, and he is her biggest supporter. Supreme gossip and society reporter Cholly relays that it is a brilliant social chess move as the widow Hartford is seemingly uninterested in following Society’s rigid protocols to be seen in select places. She follows her last year precedent when she ventured to Europe instead and this year goes westward to eventually land in Honolulu. Of course, Henrietta and Hartford are expected to return in time for the Newport tennis tournaments and yacht races.
Such a simple explanation and an obvious falsehood.
06:33
Those in the know are well aware that Henrietta ventured to Europe to hide from Huntington’s cheating scandal resulting in his exclusion from graduation activities at St. Paul’s. This year she tries to cover another unfortunate and scandalous truth that is likely to derail all of the mother’s hopes for her son’s future.
Back in April, Huntington eloped with the West Virginia dentist’s daughter Mary Lee Epling, studying to be a kindergarten teacher at Lesley College in Boston nearby to Huntington’s Harvard. Weeks later when the couple announces their marriage to their families, hysterically Henrietta falls to the floor and lays there wailing and crying in dismay. The overly devoted mother had plans for Huntington to marry their Newport neighbor richest girl Doris Duke or if not her then another wealthy or prominent socialite.
07:24
By the way, Mary Lee’s parents are equally upset though less demonstrative over the marriage and collude with Henrietta to keep the marriage secret. Huntington remains at his dorm room in the Winthrop House while Mary Lee stays in her independent accommodations with her college roommates.
When both schools break for summer and before the secret gets out, Henrietta takes the newlyweds on a trip through the Canadian Rockies and onto Hawaii in hopes of convincing both or at least one of them to consent to an annulment. She continuously pleads with the naïve and idealistic couple.
Separately, Mary Lee Epling and Henrietta with Huntington Hartford board the oceanliner Malolo of the Matson line and head off to Hawaii. Fingers crossed, Henrietta will break their resistance before summer’s end.
08:13
Speaking of forbidden loves, Barbara Hutton’s desperate attempts to reunite thwarted lovers in the hope that true love conquers all has failed as both move on to more suitable partners. Barbara already nearby will likely witness —
In Paris the most prominent wedding of the season on:
08:31
Thursday, June 18th, 1931
Inside the chapel of Saint Louis Des Invalides, the Belle of Paris Silvia Rodriguez de Rivas de Castilleja de Guzman and the sophisticated Comte Henri de Castellane, son of Stanislas de Castellane who serves as Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies in France.
Carrying a white bouquet, Silvia is dressed in a bridal gown with simple lines by famed designer Patou. The simplicity and elegance of her décor enhances and highlights her stunning beauty. The groom Henri himself is quite a catch, a Harvard graduate and coming from a prominent French noble family. A far better prospect in the eyes of Silvia’s family than her former poor disenfranchised Prince.
09:16
Her father the Count de Castilleja de Guzman is close friend and supporter of King Alfonso XIII who recently fled Spain to avoid a civil war. Silvia’s family has been struggling financially since the Crash and the recent turmoil in Spain has not given them much hope. Silvia had a heavy off and on romantic relationship with Prince Alexis Mdivani intermingled with his courtship of his now recently acquired wife American heiress Louise Van Alen.
While Prince Alexis and Louise honeymoon in Europe with plans to settle later potentially in Paris, the newlywed couple Silvia and Henri intend to visit America this upcoming fall.
So many have entered or are entering into the marital game, marriage is always a plunge so to speak. But who has placed the best long term bet on their choice of mate?
All is never as simple as it seems when playing the game of love, marriage, and fortune.
10:19
[Music – You Turned Your Head by Jack Jackson, Albums The Great British Dance Bands & Tea Dance]
Section 2 – History & Historiography
[Music Fade Out]
10:38
Summer comes with plenty of activities and lots of competition in various fields of sport. Golf, boxing, tennis, swimming, racing, travel, and ever and always courtship and love. There are so many things happening in 1931, so we will focus on those most relevant to our characters and current plots over the next few episodes.
11:00
The international men’s tennis event the Davis Cup began in 1900 between Great Britain and the United States and has expanded to over 135 nations by 2016. The women’s equivalent is founded in 1963 and originally called the Federation Cup or Fed Cup and now as of 2020 named the Billie Jean King Cup.
The concept of the Davis Cup was created by James Dwight, considered the founding father of American tennis, when he wanted to get an estimate of British versus American ability at lawn tennis. James Dwight attempted multiple times to no avail for almost 2 decades, when a Harvard student Dwight Davis approached him again in 1899 to set up an international competition and commissioned a sterling silver bowl trophy.
During the first set of competitions in 1900, Dwight Davis serves as captain of the American team which won its first three matches against Britain. The tournament is originally called the International Lawn Tennis Challenge, but in time would be referred by the trophy and hence the Davis Cup. Initially, all teams played each other in a challenge round to play in battle for the final match against the previous year’s winner. As more nations joined by 1972, it became a knockout tournament from start to finish.
For 2022, Russia and Belarus are banned from participating due to the invasion of Ukraine.
12:26
As for the Royal Ascot, the four-day multi-event horse race is considered to be the centerpiece of the British summer social calendar. The 300 year old racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, and the 4 day race known as the Royal Ascot is founded in 1768. In remembrance of her, the Queen Anne Stakes is the opening race with crossing straight over the finish line. Of course, there are multiple stakes attributed to various royal family members including the Prince of Wales and today the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. The modern events took more recognizable shape in 1806 with the incorporation of the Gold Cup races.
13:06
The Gold Cup is held on the 3rd day which is also considered Ladies’ Day when the most fashionable try to make their mark at that year’s event. Strict dress codes apply as ladies must always have a hat or fascinator and men in suits. Different restricted areas elevate the style of dress, as in men wear either jackets, a full-length suit, or full mourning dress with top hat. For 1931, there is an attempt to forgo the use of top hats. As with the garden parties, fashion trends amongst women are bright colors, especially green, black gloves, and wide brimmed hats. Around the world, others will mimic the events to join in the fun like those in Hollywood hosting their own Royal Ascot garden parties. Who’s to say if they too mimicked the rained out activities that year.
13:53
As begun by King George IV in 1825, the opening ceremony at 2pm involves the royal family parading in with the playing of the National Anthem and the raising of the National Standard. There is a 1931 British Pathe film featuring the opening procession with King George V and Queen Mary, a link is available via the notes section, social media, and website asthemoneyburns.com.
Royal Ascot – British Pathe 1931
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39rS5KT_D14
“Royal Ascot. Royal Procession – Beauty and Fashion – new Tote, are all in keeping with the traditions of this famous race meeting.” Queen Mary & King George V
14:15
For 1931, a new building is erected the Totalisator, which is used to facilitate bets. The news coverage refers to the “totes” as being exceptional this particular year. Ah yes, gambling and speculating must always accompany sports, and this is a more acceptable manner. Prize winners aren’t the only ones who might win or gain some cash.
Like any big specialty races, select horses also gain celebrity status. In 1931, the horses Hornet’s Beauty, Paranthesis, Irish Elegance, Cameroon, and Trimdon get several mentions. The father of Aly Khan, Aga Khan III sponsors a couple of horse teams from France though is not so lucky this year, as also referenced in the press.
15:02
I could go into more details of the romances and relationships, but as we are discussing marriages those stories will be explored in far more depth throughout the series.
Let’s just say the gaming activities involving days or weeks-long tennis matches or betting on horses have a far more concise and conclusive result with a heck of lot better odds than any relationships when fortunes are involved. The odds on favorite in the beginning might not be the same in the end.
15:34
[Music – Got To Dance My Way To Heaven by Henry Hall, Albums The Great British Dance Bands & Tea Dance 2]
Section 3 – Contemporary & Personal Relevance
[Music Fade Out]
15:46
So what is more alluring in the game of love? A beautiful wife, a handsome husband, charming, artistic, creative, athletic, rich, intellectual, a good dancer, an adventurer, bedroom skills,…
What causes love to grow even hotter? Is a secret love affair better than a publicly celebrated relationship? Does steamy hot love always fizzle out and grow cold?
Have you ever had your ideal romantic partner? How did it begin? Did it end, or is it still going?
16:20
The inspiration behind these stories and how it can go horribly wrong is the spark that got me hooked on needing to tell them. Parallels with my own experiences and failures in the pursuit of love.
My two most influential experiences pre-creating this series. A sweet high school romance while at a summer intensive program at Brown University and my later marriage. Both with foreigners from the same country actually, though couldn’t be more far apart in personalities and life goals. The first had sweet moments of romance that felt a little like the beginning of Pretty in Pink – a computer hacker sending secret admirer messages. The latter romance a decade later in what felt like my perfect match in so many ways beginning with our finally breaking the ice when I learned his nationality and uttered a sentence in his native language – Turkish.
Well, the first didn’t survive the long distance apart after the summer’s end and a life tragedy that occurred shortly after. The other lasted nearly 10 years ending in total disaster.
17:24
Who is your odds on favorite in the game of love and fortune within our tales? Come join us at any social media outlet for your input.
Just remember, no matter how many bets you place, in the end the house always wins.
17:41
Let’s not overlook a major historical moment occurring this week which has been recently mentioned in and relevant to previous episodes.
By the end of this upcoming weekend June 11th & 12th, Queen Elizabeth II will become the second longest reigning monarch in history. Only King Louis XIV of France reigned longer and with verifiable dates at over 72 years.
18:06
In celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 2nd coinciding with the Trooping the Colour balcony ceremony, Earbuds Collective newsletter posted a blog listing royal and royalty related podcast episodes curated by yours truly. Selected episodes involve modern royals and as well as from those past and from all over the world. Check out www.earbudspodcastcollective.org for more curated themed lists if you are wanting find more podcasts.
18:34
In addition, I had a call-in interview with local Houston radio talk show host Michael Berry discussing As The Money Burns and independent podcasting. He has kindly featured my interview twice on his show and podcast in the prime evening spots – Wednesday, May 25th Rubberneck Reporting around 21:30 – 36:30 and Friday, June 3rd We Need A Crisis around 22:04 – 37:20. He can be located via iHeartRadio app and website as well as www.michaelberryshow.com
Rubberneck Reporting Around 21:30 – 36:30
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-the-michael-berry-show-27764850/episode/rubberneck-reporting-pm-show-97422696/?cmp=android_share&sc=android_social_share&pr=false
We Need A Crisis Around 22:04 – 37:20
19:15
Lastly, this spring I participated in the OSSA Collective first ever female podcaster bootcamp, and in conjunction with them As The Money Burns will be featured on Monday, June 27th on Goodpods, a podcast app that helps create a community to connect listeners & podcasts with recommendations, ratings, reviews, groups, and other features. Goodpods can be downloaded from Apple, Google, and other app stores.
Goodpods
goodpods.app.link/4PeLmbBvAqb
19:41
All links to the above will be available on all social media and the website related to As The Money Burns in the Events and Press section.
Hook
19:52
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Next when we return to AS THE MONEY BURNS…
Plenty of antics occur both on and off the court at the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament – Wimbledon. Will the Queen be amused, or will she declare off with their heads?
Until then…
Credits
20:13
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, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Transcripts, timeline, episode guide, and character bios are available at asthemoneyburns.com.
20:43
THE END.