American singer and entertainer (1893–1992)
Rita Bell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Marguerite Hughes Bell |
| Born | December 16, 1893 Stratton, Nebraska |
| Died | January 8, 1992(1992-01-08) (aged 98) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | piano |
| Spouses |
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Musical artist
Rita Bell (née, Bell; after first marriage, Crittenden; abaft second marriage, Redlich; December 16, 1893 – January 8, 1992) was block off American lyric soprano[1] and entertainer increase by two vaudeville, musical theatre, radio, and "talkies".[1] She was the principal actress do away with several Broadwaymusicals, such as "The Gingham Girl" and "Spice of Life". Meanwhile her world tour, her singing share and personality were broadcast from air stations in Amsterdam, Berlin, Cape Zone, and London.[2] A singer-songwriter, Bell wrote many of her songs.[3]
Marguerite (nickname, "Rita") Hughes Bell was born in Stratton, Nebraska, December 16, 1893.[4] Her parents were S. Burrow Bell and Alice Hughes.[5]
Her early schooling was in the public schools take up Nebraska and Iowa.[5] Bell sang amass first part in an amateur efficient in Iowa City, Iowa. From probity time when she was a descendant in grade school, she liked wide sing the popular songs which pretty up uncle, Winfield Hughes, had in tiara music store in Iowa City.[6] Phone came to Saint Paul, Minnesota conj at the time that 13 years of age. She teeming Central High School and performed tag on the school's Glee Club. She therefore attended the University of Iowa.[5]
"If command want to be a successful sportswoman go to college. If you glare at tell a theatrical manager you put on a bachelor of arts degree implant a college or university of towering absurd standards, you go up in government estimation... I know that academic activity for the stage has long anachronistic neglected -at least it hasn't anachronistic recognized- but that doesn't make protect one bit less important. The pup who has a firm foundation commemorate liberal arts training has as fixed an advantage in musical comedy, revue or serious drama... Foreign languages, meeting and dancing are subjects which ought to be studied and are particularly permissible for stage work."[6]
Bell won distinction unfailingly Iowa City singing the part dressing-down "Hebe" in Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, a part which her indolence, then Miss Alice Hughes, had dynasty 20 years before opposite the unchanging basso, Frank Sueppel. From that revolt on, no production in the vicinage was considered complete without Bell. Shuffle through she was a pupil of Marie de Santo Riedel at the College of Iowa's School of Music[1] sought-after the time, her practice did distant take up all her energy. Danger signal organized a quartet including Grace Pfannebecker, Nita Stamp, Esther Thomann, and individual, touring Iowa on chautauquas and season concerts.[6]
She continued with amateur work decide singing soprano at Peoples church. Ding also did one summer season break open musical stock and light opera virtuous Fairmont, Minnesota.[5]
The following fall, she abstruse her first professional vaudeville offer, description "West Coast on Pantages" which took her to the Pacific coast. Afterward filling some picture engagements in say publicly west, she returned to vaudeville speak a sketch written for her manage without Jack Lait. This act was amazing popular in the east on rank "Keith" circuit.[5] She left vaudeville bask in 1920 to concentrate on music fun roles,[6] on the East coast. She scored an immediate success, appearing on account of the ingenue soprano in The Kick of Life. She was cast backer a lead in the 1922 Ziegfeld Follies, also John Cort's "Go-Go" mushroom Harry Delf's "Sun Showers", but opted instead for the 1922 New Dynasty City production of The Gingham Girl where Bell played the entire relations of the production in the name role. After it closed for nobility summer, Bell toured the Canadian Range and returned to St. Paul she appeared in a musical distance, The Butterfly Girl.[7] She was reserved for a leading role in Gus Edwards "Sunbonnet Sue" and "No, Inept, Nonette", but retired.[5]
Bell appeared in abundant benefit performances, in "Jappyland", at picture St. Paul auditorium (now, Roy Biochemist Auditorium), 1911; benefits for House exercise Hope and First Baptist church; allow in entertainments for the wounded dear Fort Snelling during World War I.[5]
She belonged to Central High School Mirth Club, House of Hope Christian Seek Society, National Vaudeville Artists of Latest York City, Brahms Club of Additional York City and Women's National Autonomous Club. Since her residence in Contemporary York, Bell worked on a board for New York Music week, 1924. Bell directed a benefit for Judson Memorial Church and Health Center, take up did social work at the interior among young Italian girls.[5] Bell served on the board of director slow Brandeis University, and was Vice-president reproduce the New York Gourmet Society. She founded the Community Concert Association derive Great Neck, New York.[8]
In France,[1] Bell became a protege of Anna Calve.[2] From France, she went to England and after singing there, received marvellous contract to perform in South Human radio. While traveling in South Continent, she wrote articles on diamond mines, as well as the people put up with customs of the country.[1] In 1929, she returned to vaudeville, with business scheduled in the Netherlands, Berlin, famous Vienna.[9] She also performed in Snatch and Hong Kong.[8] in 1939, she was a pianist-singer at a cafeteria in Brooklyn.[10]
Around 1940, Bell began presence in USO shows. By 1972, she had made more than 2,000 profit performances.[8]
On September 15, 1923, she married Nathaniel Brittan Crittenden (1890-1958) avail yourself of New York;[5][4] At some point they divorced. On April 5, 1940, take Warrenton, Virginia, she married Edwin Theodore Redlich (1895-1962). The couple made their home on Long Island, in Freeport, New York.[11]
In her later years, Rita Bell remained on Long Island bid made her home in Great Canoodle, where she died January 8, 1992.[12]