Detroit evening times., 1945-12-09
By GiIda Gray
CHAPTER I

"a applause and big darkhaired man leaped
from his frontrow seat, cleared the orcheS-
ira pit and climbed onto the stage beside
Lady, You've got the liVelicSt way OF dancing
I've Who yOu?' his voice carried
louder then the hushed audience of the Winter
Garden Theatre
The man dropped on one knee Hauling off his
coat, collar and tie he piled them with his money
and watch at my feet. But he wasn't part of the
show. I'd never seen him before and l thought he
was mad. l turned and ran out to Sophie Tucker
in the wings
THAT mans crazy" told Sophie
That's AL Jolson-a great artist paying tribute
TO your dancing! Go back out there and shimmy!"
In a kind Of frenzy of excitement obeyed
Later on, O. O. Mcintyre Haywood Broun
Louela Parsons Burns Mantle and many other
bp-time reporters wanted 10 know just who was
"A Polak from milwaukee," answered in
broken English. "Maryanna MiChalska GOrecki."
spell that Gi-ld-a Gray boys said Sophie
Tucker. Nodding to me, That's your name, honey
SO columns written about my unique way
Of dancing; of how l, Polish girl, who spoke
broken English and could neither read nor write
had created sensation Broadway.
My original dance style brought many admirers,
stardom on stage and screen, fortune and fame
Maybe some will say I had enough in the
pleasure of dancing and singing because then
free and uninhibited But always there
something else wanted even more
Some women gossip or overeat; some seek
romance TO escape unhappiness. I danced. Some
times l danced because ! was sad, possessed by
terror because fear crowded love from my heart
knew relief when the rhythm hypnOtized my mind
Fame-yes My legs, called the most beautiful
i'm the world" insured for a million dollars
Bronze statues made of my figure, while Carl
Van Ncchten described me "the girl with the
most beautiful soul
The most highly paid performer in the world
was my label when l made record box office
turns And l. who never had dancing or singing
lesson made more money than ! could count.
"Gilda Gray is the rencarnatOn of Cleopatra"
declared Bradley King, famous Hollywood writer
Then London society took up and didn't
that l didn't know who Cleopatra or what
'rcincarnaton' meant. Crowned "The Shimmy
Queen" l paid 500 for single gown. Worth,
Chanel Poiret designed my clothes; my shoes cost
500 a paIr-when l could still recall hunger in
orphanage. Mink ermine, Chinchilla; emerads
diamonds and a special built Long Island
mansion! SO the world believed that was happy
NET, through three marriages and divorces was
never really in love.
The truth is: My personal life was shadow of
the thing which lived when danced In the strange
Joy of uninhbited dancing l found outlet for
the emotions that all but broke my heart 1t seemed
that my soul danced while my heart stood still
l was born in Krakow, Poland, in 1901 and my
earliest memories of my mother with her
masses Of shining hair and sparkling jewels, who
told me the story of the princess who was rescued
by the dark handsome prince. The princess always
wore a pink dress, which perhaps is why pink
dress still speaks of romance When was
six mother explained tearfully that my father and
grandfather had been killed and that she was TAX.
ing to orphanage
After several fororn weeks, someone said:
Illustrated by THORNTON UTZ