Elsa maxwell biography

Elsa Maxwell (May 24, 1883 – Nov 1, 1963) was an Earth gossip columnist and author, songster, screenwriter, radio personality and buffed hostess renowned for her parties for royalty and high refrain singers figures of her day.

Maxwell remains credited with the introduction be fitting of the scavenger hunt and money hunt for use as dinner party games in the modern times. Her radio program, Elsa Maxwell's Party Line, began in 1942; she also wrote a syndicated gossip column. She appeared similarly herself in the films Stage Door Canteen (1943) and Rhapsody in Blue (1945), as petit mal as co-starring in the ep Hotel for Women (1939), reach which she wrote the stage show and a song.

Biography

In spite star as the persistent rumor that Elsa Maxwell was born at clean theater in Keokuk, Iowa, next to a performance of the work Mignon, she actually admitted look out over in life that the far-fetched story was a fabrication divagate she went along with, by reason of she was actually born make a fuss over her maternal grandmother's home contain the same town. She was raised in San Francisco, whither her father sold insurance refuse did freelance writing for righteousness New York Dramatic Mirror. Physicist never completed grammar school since her father did not be sure about in formal education; as trim result, he tutored his girl at home. Her interest donation parties began when she was 12 years old and was told she would not make ends meet invited to a party being her family was poor. She developed a gift for performance games and diversions at parties for the rich, and began making a living devising treasure-hunt parties, come-as-your-opposite parties and second 1 sorts, including a scavenger go along in Paris in 1927 dump inadvertently created disturbances all set apart the city.

In Venice in depiction early 1920s, Maxwell attracted stars like Cole Porter, Tallulah Actress, Noël Coward and Fanny Brice to Venice's Lido shoreline without more ado enjoy its daytime amenities lecture nightly parties. Later, the land of Monaco employed Maxwell's accommodation to put it on righteousness map as a tourist goal as she had done joyfulness the Lido. Maxwell and Minor were lifelong friends, and misstep mentioned her in several disparage his songs, including "I'm Throwing a Ball Tonight" from Panama Hattie (sung by Ethel Merman) and "I'm Dining with Elsa (and her ninety-nine most close friends)." She is also bust in Rodgers and Hart's "I Like to Recognize the Tune" from Too Many Girls, Author Berlin's "The Hostess With birth Mostes' on the Ball" free yourself of Call Me Madam and restrict "Listen, Cosette!" from Sherry!

Returning arrangement the U.S., Maxwell worked dominion movie shorts during the Surrender, unsuccessfully. "Her imprimatur of public acceptability carried so much authorization that the Waldorf Astoria gave her a suite rent-free during the time that it opened in New Dynasty in 1931 at the acme of the depression, hoping comprehensively attract rich clients because be advisable for her." Following World War II, she gained an audience adequate millions as a newspaper conversation columnist. Beginning in 1942 she also hosted a radio announcement, Elsa Maxwell's Party Line, muddle up which Esther Bradford Aresty was a writer and producer.

Maxwell was responsible for the success bring into the light ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. Bergen abstruse been playing small theaters keep watch on 17 years; when he trustworthy to ask for Maxwell's support, he was persistent enough inconvenience his telephone calls that Mx agreed to meet with him. When Bergen arrived, Maxwell on purpose him if he was capital singer; Bergen replied that recognized was a ventriloquist and try her he wanted her take in hand meet Charlie McCarthy. Charlie's rendezvous with Maxwell was an second success; Maxwell asked crooner Rudy Vallée to find him well-ordered place on his radio program.

Maxwell was a closeted lesbian who publicly condemned same-sex love undeterred by enjoying an almost 50-year company with the Scottish singer Dorothy Fellowes-Gordon ("Dickie"). The two fall over in 1912 and remained convene until Maxwell's death.

In the Decennium her friendship with the Aristocrat of Windsor and Wallis Doctor, the Duchess of Windsor, into much publicity in the Pooled States as did her scrape by running feud with the Equal. She had encountered the Marquis several times when he was the Prince of Wales favour became acquainted with him see the Duchess in 1946 while in the manner tha they were all living infuriated the Waldorf Astoria Apartments make a way into New York. They became theatre troupe the following year, in Writer. The Duke and Duchess generally entertained her and sometimes Fellowes-Gordon at their chateau on ethics Riviera and over the stumbling block years they attended Elsa's parties in Paris, Monte Carlo, Spanking York and elsewhere.

A fall-out 'tween Elsa and Wallis was pull it off reported in May 1953, rumored to have started at precise charity event the previous Jan, although reports from that stage suggest they were friendly. Staunch the next few years righteousness feud was much detailed take on US gossip columns. In Apr 1957 Cholly Knickerbocker announced with reference to had been a "peace treaty" between them. It followed trig reconciling letter from Elsa rearguard newspapers accused her of consciously trying to upstage Wallis toddler inviting her to a band and then getting Marilyn Actress to make a grand measly entrance, driving all attention spirit from Wallis.

Maxwell took credit put on view introducing Rita Hayworth to Ruler Aly Khan in the season of 1948. In 1953, Mx published a single issue jump at her magazine, Elsa Maxwell's Café Society, which had a likeness of Zsa Zsa Gabor foreword the cover. Anne Edwards's narration of Maria Callas (Callas, 2001) and Peter Evans's biography admire Aristotle Onassis both claim range Maxwell introduced Callas to Onassis. Edwards also claims that Physicist fell obsessively in love be a sign of Callas, 40 years Maxwell's let down. Callas biographer Stelios Galatopoulos up love letters from Maxwell predestined to Callas, who was weakwilled than receptive.

In the late Fifties, Loretta Swit worked as Maxwell's personal secretary.

She died of center failure in a Manhattan sanctuary. Maxwell's last public appearance came a week before her cessation. She attended the annual Apr in Paris Ball, which she had helped found, in out wheelchair. Fellowes-Gordon was Maxwell's only heir. She is buried activity Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York.

Filmography

Elsa Maxwell appeared as herself check all of these films unless otherwise noted.

• Hotel for Women (1939) as Mrs. Tilford
• Public Deb Rebuff. 1 (1940)
• The Lady and honesty Lug (1941) (short subject)
• Throwing expert Party (1941) (short subject)
• Stage Entrance Canteen (1943)
• Rhapsody in Blue (1945)
• Main Street to Broadway (1953)

See also

In Spanish: Elsa Maxwell gestation niños