A HELL OF A LIFE

Song and dance man Harry Richman, now in his early seventies, ran through fourteen million dollars, three wives, and was the first man to fly the Atlantic both ways nonstop. There is an unabashed braggadocio to most of his japes here which obscures what must have been a winning professional charm. Harry's stick and top hat routine, or cane and boater, was the most imitated act in the world. He also thought nothing of satisfying two women daily, drinking more than two fifths, smoking five packs, tipping with $100 bills, and doing his act. As an entertainer in the pre-income tax days he earned $25,000 to $35,000 weekly and spent it. Two Rolls Royces, $35.00 shirts, $50.00 ties, eight airplanes at once, and so on. At 51 Richman married a 16 year old and turned to ranching. Now next to broke, he hopes to have a comeback through the book. Both face the problem of time out of mind.