New York Hoaxed By English Boy

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 289, 7 December 1936, Page 2

New York Hoaxed By English Boy

POSED AS PILM STAR LONDON, Nov. 14. New York has been hoaxed by Jimmy Dunlop, aged 14, of Wembley, Middlesex, who as a joke posed as Preddie Bartholomew. Jimmy decided to act as Freddie while in a hotel where ho was sitting with his parents. At once a waiter approached him with a card on which was written: “ Please, Freddie Bartholomew, give mo your autograph." His father, Mr J. E. Dunlop, said subsequently: ‘‘The waiter thought my son was the film star. Soon everybody else did. Jimmy was surrounded by autograph hunters. Wherever ho went there was murmured admiration and applause. Soon Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer film men heard Freddie was in town. A crowd of journalists, photographers and press agents arrived to interview him.

“Apparently some men got suspicious. They got in touch with Hollywood and heard that the real Freddie was there fast asleep. It was just a huge joke. Everyone took it in good part. It was a case of the smartest city being outsmarted by an English boy of 14."

The headmaster of Margate College, where Jimmy Dunlop was at school, was not surprised when told of Jimmy’s escapade. ‘‘He was a good little chap and quite a comedian," he said. ‘‘Ho used to take part in dramatic shows here and I know ho was keen on films. Jimmy rvas born in America aud when ho came here two years ago ho spoke with a broad American accent. 1 am sure Jimy did it only as a joke; he would not do it out of malice."