Arthur Hammerstein Oscar Hammerstein II. Arthur produced almost 30 musicals in 40 years in show business. During a performance of "Tickle Me" in 1920, Hammerstein was arrested for possessing what was thought to be whiskey during the Prohibition era, which later turned out to be iced tea. In 1930 Hammerstein was accused by a dance director George Haskell for assault but the charges were later dropped and the two reconciled. To search for better business opportunities, Hammerstein went to Hollywood to produce his one and only film "The Lottery Bride", which was a failure and he returned to Broadway again. Hammerstein's last
Arthur Hammerstein productions were "Luana" and "Ballyhoo" in 1930, which were considered failures. Hammerstein suffered bankruptcy in 1931 due to some musical failures and went into retirement. In 1925-1927 Hammerstein built what is now known as the Ed Sullivan Theater at 1697 Broadway in Manhattan. Hammerstein made an appearance as himself in an episode of the film series "Popular Science" in 1949. He was one of the writers of the song "Because of You," a major hit (#1 for 10 weeks) for Tony Bennett in 1951. Hammerstein wrote the song in 1940. It was used in the film "I Was an American