“The Affair of Susan” Sideshow Comedy

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

“The Affair of Susan” Sideshow Comedy

ZASU PITTS IN CONEY ISLAND ROMANCE (Kosy: Screening To-day). Zasu Pitts, Hollywood’s leading comedienne, and Hugh O'Connell, former stage star, co-starred m Universal’s gay and colourful ‘*THe Affair of Susan, ’’ liave added another chapter to their education — lor they know the inside of the side-show and concession business. They learned about it while making “The Affair of Susan,” which tells tho story of their romance during one day at Coney Island, during which time Hugh changes from a shy young man to a veritable tiger in love. Universal not only constructed many of the conc.ssions now being operated at Coney Island, but employed a number of carnival men as technical experts. It was from these men that the noted players learned about ‘‘percentages” on the various gaming devices, “shills,” the come-ons used to get the crowds playing, the art of short-changing, and other colourful things in connection with tho quaint and unusual business. O’Connell, after having everything explained to him, decided that when he decided to leave the screen he’d open a concession at some resort and really learn human nature. Others who shared the interest of Miss Pitts and O’Connell in the concessions, which ranged from flea circuses to roller coasters and from shoot-the-chutes to side shows, and who appear in the production, are Walter Catlett, William Pawley, Inez Court-

;y, Irene Franklin, Pliil Tead, and )m Dugan.