Galina Kopernak

Galina Kopernak (b.1902) was a Russian theater actress who appeared on Broadway in the 1920s. She may have beenoriginally from Shanghai. She came to the United States from Moscow.

tage career

Kopernak performed at the Belmont Theater in New York City with Vera Smirnova, in April 1921. She was in the cast of "Montmartre" in February 1922. The production was adapted by Benjamin Glazer from the writing of Pierre Frondale.It was promised to New York a number of times before it was staged at the Belmont. Kopernak was joined by Helen Lowell,Helen Ware, and Mabel Frenyear among the players.

As a newcomer, in the role of "Marie-Claire", she is mentioned in areview by Alexander Woolcott. He remarked, "she has style and talent and a considerable fascination, and when she is advised not to attempt certain emotional explosions, which are beyond her, she will do well."

Her next appearance was with Arnold Daly in "The Farewell Supper" at the Palace Theatre, New York. Kopernak was signed by Louis Kaplan to perform in "The Wasp", at the Morosco Theatre. The play was taken from the novel, "The Last Warning", by Wadsworth Camp. Kaplan made his debut as a Broadway producer with this presentation.

Kopernak was the leading lady in "The Four-in-Hand" which debuted at the Greenwich Village Theater in September 1923.The comedy was adapted from the French language of Paul Frank. Kopernak was given a disappointing review in her role as "the Wife" who divorces her husband because he fails to become jealous of her. The criticism had to do with her reach exceeding her grasp.

She played in "Pierrot The Prodigal" at the 48th Street Theater in March 1925. This was a Carre-Wormser pantomime with Laurette Taylor as the featured actress. Kopernak assumed the part played by Vivienne Osborne in "Aloma of the South Seas"in May 1925. Osborne left the play to replace Lenore Ulric in "The Harem". Kopernak missed a performance because of a throatailment but returned to the cast on May 16.

She authored and played the leading role in "The Squall". It was presented by a Cleveland, Ohio stock company in the summerof 1925.

In September she headed a production of "Love's Call", which was presented at the 39th Street Theater. It was writtenby Joe Byron Totten and had a supporting cast of Robert Gleckler, Norma Phillips, and Mitchell Harris. The play received negativepublicity from critics and was halted before the first show began.

The elaborate Mexican costumes worn by the actors were seizedby Georgette and Peggy, of 21 East 49th Street, makers of the clothing. They claimed a balance of $150 had not been paid by the producers. Kopernak removed her makeup, put on her street clothes, and left the theater. An audience of four hundred were in thevenue, with many demanding their money back, and some accepting tickets for other plays.

Kopernak participated in "What The Doctor Ordered" (1927), a farce by Cesar Dunn. The players included Herbert Yost, Hale Hamilton, Eva Condon, and Louise Squires.

George Rosener, an actor in the Shubert Theater revues, wrote "She Got What She Wanted". Kopernakwas in a cast which performed the play at Wallack's Theater in May 1929. Some days after the premiere she was injured in a car accident, sustaining a fractured right index finger. She experienced pain and enlargement from swelling, so that her doctor advised her to remove herself from the production. As she portrayed the role of a Russian girl, producer George E. Wintz said she could not be replaced. Kopernak rejoined the production while wearing a cast on June 3.

Private Life

She loaned money to Russian royalist, Nicholas Arliokop, who emigrated to Canada using her funds. Arliokop made a fortune and willed $250,000 to Kopernak in 1929.

Kopernak is mentioned in a vital record of people with the "intention to marry" on March 20, 1930. Her husband to be was concert pianist Max Rabinowitsh. He was 38 years of age and Kopernak was 28. She later married and divorced novelist James Hilton.

References

*cite news|publisher=Danville Bee |title=$250,000 richer |date=March 26, 1929 |page=11
*cite news|publisher=Los Angeles Times |title=Vital Record |date=March 20, 1930 |page=22
*cite news|publisher=Los Angeles Times |title=Rabinowitsh, Concert Pianist, Takes Ballet Dancer as Bride |date=January 17, 1947 |page=5
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Current Programs |date=April 24, 1921 |page=X4
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=The New Plays |date=February 12, 1922 |page=68
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=The Play |date=February 14, 1922 |page=25
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Theatrical Notes |date=August 2, 1922 |page=22
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Theatrical Notes |date=March 15, 1923 |page=19
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=This Weeks Events |date=March 15, 1923 |page=X1
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Theatrical Notes |date=September 4, 1923 |page=14
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Four In Hand Tame |date=September 7, 1923 |page=10
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=This Weeks Events |date=March 1, 1925 |page=X1
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Theatrical Notes |date=May 12, 1925 |page=26
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Miss Kopernak Too Ill To Act |date=May 15, 1925 |page=22
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Theatrical Notes |date=June 2, 1925 |page=16
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Love's Call To Open On Sept. 10 |date=September 1, 1925 |page=18
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Love's Call Hushed;Its Costumes Seized |date=September 13, 1925 |page=26
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=What The Doctor Ordered Sept. 12. |date=July 20, 1927 |page=29
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Three More Plays To Open Next Week |date=February 17, 1929 |page=14
*cite news|publisher=New York Times |title=Galina Kopernak Injured
June 1, 1929 |page=18
*cite news|publisher+New York Times |title=She Got What She Wanted To Reopen |date=June 3, 1929 page=32