Evening star., 1938-10-21
Dorothy Hale Dies in Plunge;
Was Friend of Harry Hopkins
W.P.A. Adni,,istratOr at
Hyde Park Reported
deeply Shocked
BY the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, Oct. Zl.-DfeSSed In
evening clothes and wearing a corsage
of tearoses. attractive Dorothy Hale,
Aim actress and dabbler in the theater,
plunged to her death early today from
her 10th floor apartment in the Hamp-
shire House, exclusive hotel overlook
ing Central Park
She was the widow of Gardner Hale.
Chicago artist, who was killed in 1881
when his automobile went over a 500
foot cliff in California.
She was friend of Harry Hopkins,
w. P. A. administrator, whom she met
through a member Of the Roosevelt
family. Seen several times with Mr..
Hopkins, their engagement was ru-
mored. but was denied last summer.
Hopkins Deeply Shocked"
Friends of Mr.. Hopkins, who was
secluded at the home of President
Roosevelt, said he was deeply shocked"
by Mrs. Hale's death. They did not
comment on the engagement reports,
but said Mr.. Hopkins and the actress
had been close personal friends" The
w. P. A. administrator himself made
no comment.
Only a few years ago Mrs. Hale
was described by a Hollywood pro-
ducer as "a great movie find" but
she appeared in only few pictures,
one of which was catherine the
Great
She was cast in small stage role
with Fred and Adele Astaire and last
season had a small part in "Russet
Mantle" play which had short
Broadway life. She was also in the
chorus of Lady Be Good her first
stage appearance.
Margaret Case, of Vogue magazine,
one of her closest friends, said she
was with Mrs Hale until 7 o'clock
last night and that she appeared
gay and happy and gave not the
slightest indication that anything
might be troubling her.
Was Coming to Washington,
Miss Case said Mrs. Hale told her
she planned to leave today for ar,
extended visit in Washington, D. c.
A note, apparently addressed to a
maid, was found on the door of
Mrs. Hale's room. 1t read: Mary:
Do not disturb today"
Detective James Leech said the
window from which Mrs. Hale
plunged had low sill and she may
nave fallen when she attempted to
open it. L. 'ch found an unfinished
note in the r. 'p addressed to John
Vincent, New York attorney, Its
contents were lot disclosed.
Mr.. Vincent said Mrs Hale, who
was 80, had been subject to a re-
curing Illness
Il thought of this when learned
Of her DEATH" he said. She had been
in a hospital three times in the last
five years.
Il haven't seen Mrs. Hale for a
month or so. Al that time she ap-
peared to be cheerful"
He said he had called Mrs. Hale's
sister, Betty Donovan, In Pittsburgh.
The sister and her father planned to
leave for New York at once. he said.
A letter from Mrs. Hale's sister was
found in her room.
The actress, who left her Pittsburgh
home at l6 to seek a career on Broad
way, was the daughter of James P.
Donovan. Pittsburgh real estate man.
Friend of Miss Pinchot,
Her first husband was T. Gaillard
Thomas, I'd, millionaire clubman.
After their marriage she maintained
homes in Paris and at Southampton,
Long Island. She shared a studio at
one time with Estelle Manville. now
Princess Bernadotte of Sweden, and
worked at sculpture.
Mrs. Hale was close friend of the
late Rosamond Pinchot, the tall,
golden-haired, socially prominent ac-
tress who won fame at the age OF II
in the religious play THE Miracle"
and was found dead of carbon monox-
ide poisoning in the garage of her
Long Island estate near Oyster Bay
last January "a.
Mrs. Hale had many friends among
New York's theatrical and artistic
colony She usually lived at a Park
avenue nOCel, OUT ABOUT Cnree mOnCnS
ago she registered at the Hampshire
House.
David j. Hopkins, son of the w. P. A.
administrator, learned of her death
from newsmen. He said he would COM
municate at once with his father,
who was at the temporary White
House at Hyde Park.
L had never heard of any engage
ment," young Hopkins said. 'Of
course I knew Mrs. Hale"
Mr.. Vincent, Mrs. Hale's lawyer,
said he handled her estate and minor
matters" He declared she was not
involved in any important litigation.
Mrs. Hale was educated at con-
vent and the drama school of Car
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