Though her fame was later eclipsed by that of her younger brother, Fred, Adele was during their 27 year partnership the star of the show. The Astaire's career began as small children in Vaudeville with a dance number titled the Wedding Cake. The first of a number of short acts and the beginning of Fred's life long association with top hat and tails.
By the time they were teenagers the Astaire's were tired of Vaudeville and had moved to Manhattan in search of a stage career. There success came in 1919 in the show Apple Blossoms, in which their imaginative dance numbers stole the show and made them overnight sensations (after years of hard work.) Soon the Astaire's where the toast of Broadway. In particular audiences, and critics, fell head over heats for Adele. Her mischievous elfin demeanor perfectly matched the flapper ideal of the day. She was soon besieged by admirers and received hundreds of proposals, some from gentleman who had never actually met her. They appeared in many more shows and traveled to London becoming as famous there as they were in America.
Poor Adele, I knew that Fred's career far eclipsed her own, but had no idea about the string of tragedies that befell her after she stopped preforming. My goodness, what an unimaginable hardship it must have been for her to lose all three of her children. Thank you for shining the spotlight on this wonderful, hard working, talented lady - like you, I hope dearly that she found more happiness in her second marriage to Kingman Douglas.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
My goodness, what a difficult life she must have had!
ReplyDelete-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
We agree.....so sad. Have a wonderful Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly