INGENIOUS “GENE.”

Shannon News, 5 June 1925, Page 4

INGENIOUS “GENE.”

AUCKLAND FAMILY HOAXED . w “MUSICIAN” FROM OVERSEAS. A TALE OF A MISSING ROLL. "Gene Rodemich in The conductor of one of Americas greatest jazz orchestra, the man who weilds the baton over a noted band of syncopators. Of course the news caused interest in dancing circles, says the “Star but now some who were c..armed by the polished manner and str: Icing appearance of the claimant o' the name are lamenting that they ever met him and invited him to their hornes. After a gay time at the expense of a well-known Auckland family, th r> young man, whom only recently arrived in Auckland on a tramp steamer from somewhere overseas, and impersonated the Gene Rodemich of gramophone fame, has now been exposed. The story, as related by a wellknown business young man in the presence of a detective, makes very interesting reading.

Duke of York in the Air. About three or four weeks ago a young man in business in the city whom we will call “Mr. X,” returned home with his wife after an evening at the pictures. Friends who had met “Gene Rodemich” invited him to supper. “Gene” was a pleasant chap, who talked of travel through various countries, of his service in the Royal Air Force and of how, on one occasion he was honoured by taking the Dulcc of York up in a dual control machine for a flight in war time. He represented that he was none other than “Gene Rodemich,” and produced his card containing the following inscription: “Gene Rodemich, Gene Koemich orchestra, Palais Royal, New York.” When supper was all ready "Gene” said, “Oh what about some wine!” and thereupon drew from the pockets of his overcoat two bottles of champagne. “Mr. X.” then went to his cabinet gramophone, and by a strange coincidence, the record which he first plaved on the disc of the machine was none other than one by the real Gene Rodemich’s orchestra. Immediately one or two syncopated notes emerged from the musical

box, “Gene” remarked, "Oh .that’s my band.” ' , “My word, and what a gTeat band too, Mr. Rodemicb,” said “Mr. X.’s” wife, anxkus to be sociable. "Oil. yes, my boys certainly can pi ay," replied the conductor. Gene as Host. ‘ Gene” left the hospitable home just after midnight, but early the following morning he arrived at the house in a motor car, and very politely apologised for leaving his hat behind the night before. He then issued an invitation to dinner at a big hotel, to be followed by a party to Dixieland, and both invitations were accepted. The dinner finished, “Gene” asked to be excused for a few minutes from his guests, stating “I’ll just fix up for the dinner.” He left the others in, the lounge enjoying their coffee, but came back five minutes later looking very worried. ‘ Good gracious,” he exclaimed, “I’ve lost my roll, isn’t that a cursed nuisance, what!” “Oh, that’s too bad,” said Mr. X. ‘ How many wer e there in your roll ?” “Gene” thought for a minute and uaid, “There were 28 singles.” Search of the taxi in which the party had gone to the hotel proved fruitless, and then the host suggested a temporal’;,- loan. Mr. X. gave him £1 to pay for the dinner, and the party left. Mr. X'r. home was .turned “upside down,” to quote his own words, but there was no sign of the roll of 28 “flimsies.” “Gene” was then handed £2 by Mr. X. with which to pay for the little affair at Dixieland, and he explained that he w ouldget as much as he liked from a certain bank to-morrow. “My father is a director of a big bank in America so that will be all right.” The httle jazz being over “Gene” wished them all au revoir, stating that he had to go to Wellington the following day to join his “boys.” ‘ What boys ?” inquired Mr. X. "My orchestra, you know, they are in Wellington and I must join them.”

“Missed the Jolly Old Train.” The following day was a bank holiday, so “Gene” apologised for not being able to return Mr. X. the £3 which he had lent him. However, he would send it on from Wellington. ■<. As far as Mr. X. knew “Gene” was off toWellingtdn that night by the Limited Express. But no, The day after he visited the home of Mr. X and sti’aightaway announced the news that “he had missed the jolly old train.” Following a conversation Mr. X’fl wife invited a few of her friends to a small party at her house that evening. “Gene,” of course, being included. His behaviour was exemplary, but by the way he was talking Mr. X began to g«rt a little suspicious. On the following day when he came to tea he announced that he was leaving for

Sydney by the Aorangi which was sail-

ing the next day. That night “Gene” bid his frknds good-bye, but Mr. X. and his wife thought that* .they would go down and see the mail boat off “just to see if he really went away.” And as far as they knew he did go, for they actually saw him ascend the ship’s gangway. Then they went home. Still Listening-in. Imagine their surprise when on the next day they saw an advertisement in the papers stating that “Gene Rodemich’s Orchestra, from the Palais Royal, New York,” would broadcast from a certain station that night from 5.30 till 9. Mr. X. made up his mind that he would ascertain once and for all the full strength of the “orchestral conductor.” His next move was to go to the company which handles the wholesale distribution of the particular make of records which feature Gene Rodemich’s orchestra. At this place he was shown a photograph of the real Gene Rodemich. and his jazz players, but none were anything like “Gene.” Mr. X. also found out that “Gene” had called and had left his card after announcing just who he was. The next move was to proceed to a certain hall where broadcasting is carried out, while Mr. X also had a word or two with the local police. The orchestra did not put in an appearance at the broadcasting station that night, so in order to keep faith with the many listeners-in, a gramaphone record of the real Rodemich’a orchestra was .released. People are still listening-fri for the real orchestra play.

The next day "Gene” went to Mr. X’s place and was full of excuses. He was put through an examination by the suspicious couple and his excuse for not sailing by the Aorangi was that his "boys” had arrived in Auckland and had "absolutely dragged” him off the ship at the last moment. It was then he confided that he was short of cash. He said that he once belonged to the famous orchestra and had a right to use the name of the band. Digs the Garden. Two days later "Gene” offered to dig Mr. X’s garden in order to work out the £3. When he arrived ,to commence operations he was not so immaculately dressed as previously. Still he made a. very good job of the garden, better in fact than the gardener could do himself, so Mr. X says. All took compassion on him, and he was given a room to sleep in with all his meals, as well as 10/- for cigarettes. But "Gene” did not last long, for an article of jewellery belonging to Mr. X’s wife was missing, but later was found to have been pawned by "Gene” "Gene” is now in a place where he will not be able to hear* his "boys” evbn play "Homesick,” and in a place where he will have plenty of time to consider whether there is really anything in the old adage that "stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.”