Flo Ziegfeld Finds America Likes More Sensible Plots in Musical Shows--Jack Donahue Styles Magnate "Good Guy"

"I have added six new songs and two ballets to 'Rosalie' since the opening night in Boston," were the words of Florenz Ziegfeld as he left the South Station Saturday night for New York, where "Rosalie" is having its premiere tonight.

Asked about the cost of his various productions, Ziegfeld said that his five shows, "The Follies," "Rosalie," "Show Boat," "Rio Rita," and "The Three Musketeers" cost over $2,200,000 to put on, and that the weekly expense is over $125,000.

Turning to the subject of "Rosalie," the glorifler extraordinary of American femininity remarked that the attempt had been made to combine two types of music; those of George Gershwin and Sigmund Romberg, each extremely successful in itself. "They make great variety and a good combination," he continued. "Another innovation is that the story is based on reality. I have found out that the American public appreciates a sensible plot more than the general blurb we used to present years ago. That whole West Point affair was true, you know. We therefore thought the scenery should be real too. The music is also more coherent with the plot."

Ziegfeld stated that he had kept these ideas in mind when he produced "Show Boat," which he called "the greatest sensation ever seen in America."

"All aboard!" shouted the conductor, and Mr. Ziegfeld disappeared into the Pullman. Then Jack Donahue came flitting out onto the platform.

"He's a wonderful guy, you know. I've never seen a man work so hard before. Get me? Once a show starts he never leaves it from the first rehearsal until it's several, weeks under way--that's where his success lies. He is always prowling around, fixing up things here and there well so long kid were off to the big city."