PORTERIANA

Speranza

Following the brief run of "SEE AMERICA FIRST", Porter, partly out of disappointment and partly out of a desire for adventure, joined the French Foreign Legion (or he didn't).

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While in service in North Africa, Porter entertained the troops by playing his songs on a specially constructed portable piano which could be carried on his back with the rest of his equipment.

When the United States entered the Great War, Porter was transferred (allegedly) to the French artillery school at Fontainebleau.

The charms of Paris soon proved irresistible to him.

After the Great War, he rented a large apartment and decided to remain there.

ALTHOUGH he was rather well provided for, Porter felt that he needed a still larger allowance from his grandfather, especially since he wanted to marry the wealthy Linda Lee Thomas.

Such an important request required a personal confrontation, and Porter sailed back to the United States in 1919.

Also on board ship was Raymond Hitchcock, the popular comedian and producer.

After hearing Porter play some of his songs (and possibly not unmindful of Porter's financial status), Hitchcock commissioned Porter to write the music and lyrics for the THIRD edition of his HITCHY-KOO revues.

It was the uncharacteristically sentimental "An old fashione dgarden" that gave Porter his first song hit.

Grandfather Cole's refusal to allow him more money was of little concern to Porter now.