Eric Loder – The Tatler – Wednesday 3rd February 1937
NIGHT TIME IN NEW YORK
Night time in New York means El Morocco as often as not, this famous restaurant having a popularity second to none just now. Fred Perry was to be seen there not so long ago, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Weal, whose guest he was for a few days at the Hotel Madison, New York. This was before he started his series of exhibition tennis battles with Ellsworth Vines, the results of which, at the time of writing, are all square after ten matches. Sonia Henje, ex-world skating champion and now a promising film actress, was at El Morocco with that very good-looking young man Tyrone Power. Another good-looker temporarily escaped from Hollywood was Lord Warwick. His dinner guest, Miss Marjorie Gage, is a rich young American air woman. Mr. and Mrs. Eric Loder and Lord Lovelace’s sister, Lady Phyllis Allen, are seen wearing El Morocco scarves, striped to match the decor and favoured by habitués. Mr. Loder’s kinsman, Lord Wakehurst, was lately appointed Governor of New South Wales. Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Foster paid a brief visit to New York last month and patronized all the smartest haunts. Before their fairly recent marriage she was Barbara Newberry, the dancer. Mr. “Bob” Foster is a particularly keen golfer; he plays most of his golf at Sunningdale.
The Tatler – Wednesday 3rd February 1937
Gabrielle Ray – The Tatler – 21st April 1915
A NEW PORTRAIT
Of an Old and Popular Favourite
MISS GABRIELLE RAY (MRS. ERIC LODER) AND FRIEND
All playgoers will be interested in this new portrait of Mrs. Loder, who as Miss Gabrielle Ray charmed us in so many of Mr. George Edwardes’s musical comedies at the Gaiety and Daly’s theatres. Miss Ray’s dancing was not of the highest technical brilliance, but she was certainly one of the most graceful movers ever seen on our stage, and, in the lighter and simpler forms of the dance, inimitable. Her reappearance would be a delight to her many admirers.
The Palladium – The Tatler – 14th April 1920
Gabrielle Ray.
Last week in the variety theatres the chief excitement came from the welcome return of an old favourite, Gabrielle Ray,
who is as pretty as ever, and sings and dances infinitely better than she used to,
scoring a great success in a new song and dance scena at the Palladium.
The Tatler – 14th April 1920
Gabrielle Ray – Betty – The Tatler – Wednesday 10th November 1915
Wonderful Gertie and Graceful “Gabs.”
Only the best of the species remain – Gertie Millar at the Palace and now Gabrielle Ray in Betty at Daly’s. Gertie Millar has not cultivated the “flashing” manner of review, but she has perfected the daintier one of musical-comedy, and the contrast between, say, Teddie Gerard and herself is piquant. Gabrielle Ray has returned far more vital and “alive” than when she went away. She puts into her work a flair and a “go” which was never there in her former Gaiety days. And, if anything, she is more bewitching to look at than ever! In the dainty, rather meaningless, dancing of musical-comedy she is still unapproached. Altogether her art has taken a new lease of life, and Betty will certainly profit by her coming. Lauri de Frece, in the part left vacant by the departure of W. H. Berry to the Adelphi, is not yet as funny as his predecessor, but, given time, he will certainly prove his worth. He is one of the few comedians who, what- ever part they play, are always artists, never simply buffoons.
The Tatler – Wednesday 10th November 1915
Gabrielle Ray – See See – The Tatler – Wednesday 25th July 1906
Miss Gabrielle Ray
In the Chinese comic opera, “See-See,” at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre Miss Gabrielle Ray takes the part of the little boy attendant of the heroine. She has some pretty little songs, notably “See-See’s So-Hei” and “Chinese Dolls.” Her dances are charming.
The Tatler, Wednesday 25th July 1906
About
One of my main interests is a love of old pictures and postcards that give us a brief glimpse into a past and often forgotten age.
Collecting old postcard and pictures enables the viewer to glimpse a brief moment from that individual’s life; often far removed from their own either by the passage of time or social class. Social History, often described as “history from below” shows everyday people, their social structure and the interaction of different groups; like the wealthy and politicians these people helped shape and maintain society and so shape history.
Examining the images one can’t help but wonder how the individuals lived, were their lives hard compared with today and were they happy. Often the images come with little or no information that can answer these questions, one can only imagine.
With each image saved and seen by others, so that moment, that person is kept alive, our understanding is increased and so our lives are enriched.
A picture is often more descriptive than words can ever be, but how true is this, if a picture enables us to gain entry to another time, another world, will, like the view from a different window, even in the same house provide a different image?
These images allow a glimpse into another time, another era; but what preceded or followed this image? As the individuals were positioned and posed like an artist’s model is what we see truly reflective or like the slightly softened image of an aging beauty a less that truthful representation?
I am reminded of a documentary I watched several years ago regarding the returning troops from the front during the First World War. The camera images show a broken, demoralised sea of humanity, young men who having seen images that most of us hope never to witness had lost that sparkle; that zest which only youth has. But bring on the news camera and that battered returning group came to life, the smiles returned and even though muddied and bloodied their heads and bodies became erect, their arms swung in time and they demonstrated a swagger that spoke of courage, defiance and determination; an image that gave hope to the viewer.
It seems to me that even in the early days of photography all was not what it appeared and now in the advancing digital age a picture may paint a thousand words but will it be factual or fiction?
My interests And collections vary from Maids, Nuns, religious dress and the more risqué images of the French Maid. Often when searching for a particular subject the boundaries cross and as well as true Maids we find Edwardian actresses dressed as Nuns or Maids. During one of my searches I came across Gabrielle Ray dressed as a Maid, “Susan” in Lady Madcap and was instantly captivated by her.
Collecting the individual cards isn’t enough; I like to know more about the individual, which is easier when that person is an actress, although often the information is scarce
Searching for information about Miss Ray I discovered that she was one of the most photographed women of the Edwardian era and described in “Temps” as the most beautiful woman in the United Kingdom; but sadly her success, if measured by being visibly working or in the public eye was short-lived. She struggled with depression and alcohol abuse, and her health declined. In 1936, she suffered a complete mental breakdown and was institutionalized for nearly forty years; dying in 1973 at Holloway Sanatorium at the age of 90.
There are several other sites and blogs dedicated to the memory of Miss Ray and my intention is to share my small but growing collection of pictures and postcards with anyone who shares my interest. Reading about Miss Ray I was saddened that this lady, like many others before and since, after a brief moment in the sun they are soon forgotten. Hopefully as people view and enjoy this blog her memory will remain alive for a little longer.
I have started to write a short Biography about Miss Ray which I will try to update as frequently as possible. The Index page will show any updates under the Biography catagory.
I have also tried to link the various postcards and pictures to the plays in which Miss Ray appeared, however I realise, after several errors that this isn’t an easy task as many are decorative studio poses rather than production images. The individual Rotary, Philco and other publishers numbers are included with any description which should make searching for a particular card or ones from the same set easier. If I have made any glaring errors please feel free to let me know.
Thank you and I hope you enjoy my collection as much as I do.
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