Saturday, October 25, 2014

Harry Glick v. Nattova, 1927

     Nattova seemed to go through lots of partners, although she often seemed to work with a core group, including her husband, G. Rodion, and a few others. (Her one-time partner Myrio, who seemed to cross the Atlantic with her, took on another dance partner, a well-known artist's model, who he married. They were popular in the 30s.) Sometimes she danced with a single partner: Myrio, Rodion. Her adagio acts, however, seemed to require two or more additional dancers. In the filmed adagio performance (in 1929), she has three male partners—the number necessary to perform the spectacular "jump rope" routine.
     These routines were obviously hazardous. A 1926 news article reports Nattova's "fractured nose," among other injuries, owing to a fall gone wrong. In another report, she asserts that she has been injured eight times in two years.
     This story, from 1927, describes Nattova's firing a "strong man" who had been hired for one of her adagio acts with G. Rodion. The strong man later sued but lost.
     The fellow had at some point become a major wrestler. Not long after this failed litigation, he became a corny radio personality specializing in exercise.
   
Variety
Wednesday, October 5, 1927
Vaudeville

STRONG-NOT DANCER; NATTOVA WINS CASE
Judge Holds Harry Glick Not Entitled to Unperformed Services

     Professional qualification and satisfaction are important factors in a theatrical contract concluded Judge Lauer in the $900 damage suit by Harry Glick against Nattacha Nattova, danseuse. While Glick held a written contract, the clause that he prove up to Miss Natova’s [sic] terpsichorean standards made or unmade the argument.
     The danseuse states Glick was a good, strong man, but not up to snuff on lifts and adagios for which she engaged him. Glick, who is a physical culture exponent, stated he was engaged at $150 a week and guaranteed six weeks as a strong man, not as dancer.
     Miss Nattova alleged Glick was so strong he did her bodily harm in proving weak on the dance partnership when with the "Greenwich Village Follies." Glick argued he was let out when the revue management concluded that Miss Nattova's partner, G. Rodion, was all necessary, and that she did not need two team-mates.
     Following argument by Sidney Kalfus of Kendler & Goldstein, representing Miss Nattova, Judge Lauer gave her the decision.

• Who was Harry Glick? American Radio Digest, 1933:


1 comment:

  1. Is this Harry Glick the son of Wolf Glick from lithuania.

    ReplyDelete