Stowed Away

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 395, 2 July 1928, Page 14

Stowed Away

Songwriter who Spent Five Days in Gaol MR. LOU HANDMAN Twelve years ago Mr. Lou Handman spent five days in the Mount Eden Gaol. To-day he is able to travel saloon on the Niagara. And all because he caught the popular fancy with his catchy songs, which are now sung all over the world, thanks to the prevailing desire for jazz. Mr. Handman is returning to the United States with his wife, who is professionally known as Miss Florrie Le Vere. This morning, on the Niagara, he told how 12 years ago he arrived in Auckland on Anzac Day, a stowaway on the cargo ship Dongarra. When he arrived in Auckland Mr. Handman was taken in charge by the detectives and spent five days as the “guest of the Government.” He has nothing against the prison, he says, and he remembers with gratitude the kindness he received from the present Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. B. Mcllveney. After leaving the prison Mr. Handman obtained a contract Avith Fuller’s and sang songs at the piano. He went on to Australia after that and then to the United States, where he began writing the songs which made him famMr. Handman’s songs are popular the world over. Just before he left Sydney, Avhere he has been performing on the Tivoli circuit, he composed a number called “Smithy,” and dedicated to Captain Kingsford Smith, the flyer. “Charleston Back to Charleston” and “Blue” are two of Mr. Handman’s most popular songs. He is returning to the States to publish more of his songs and to fulfil theatrical engagements.