JENNY GOLDER DEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

JENNY GOLDER DEAD.

SUICIDE WITH REVOLVER.

'POPULAR SINGER'S FATE. GIRL. WITH SPARKLING EYES. Jenny Goltler, one of the most popular figures on the music-hall stage in Paris, shot herself through the" heart at her home in the Rue Desaix, on July 8. She was a great favourite in the theatrical world in Paris, and had won the affection of the Parisian public by the vim and gaiety which she put into her singing and dancing. Not the least of Jenny's attractions was her amusing patter in French with a comic English accent. With it all she seemed to cast a mesmeric spell on her audience with her beautiful, expressive eyes. Two years ago she made a groat hit in London at the Empire with her song, "Jenny, Jenny, Don't Look at Me Like That." She would often corao down from the stage and keep the laughing with her witty chatter as she moved about among the spectators. But in private life, is is said, by the Paris correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, her cheery character changed. While so successful in pleasing everybody with her gaiety, she hereslf was really

unhappy and rather inclined to nervous depression. She had been worried lately because of an accident which forced her to quit- the stage temporarily to undergo an operation. Two days before her death she telephoned a friend that matters were not going well with her and she was ill. But she had begun to arrange for new engagements, including a tour in Germany and a star part in the Palace revue next January. On the day of the tragedy she had gone out shopping with her constant companion, Mrs. Bruce, who said she had appeared quite cheerful all day. On returning home she retired to her room to rest.

Miss Golder's lady secretary went fn with three contracts to be signed, and while Mrs. Bruce was talking with her she heard a revolver shot in the-bedroom! Rushing in, Mrs. Bruce found Jenny Golder lying dead on the bed. A small revolver inlaid with mother-of-pearl had fallen on the carpet. Mrs. Bruce sent for the doctor, but he could do nothing. Jenny Golder had died immediately. As she lay she seemed asleep with a smile playing .round . her lips. Jenny Golder was of Australian origin, and scored her first triumph in New York. She then went to Paris, and made her otabut at the Cigale in Montmartre. Last year she took the star role in the revue "Paris, New York," at the Palace. Her brilliant career had been cut short before she reached her 33rd birthday. Telegrams were sent to her husband, Mr. Bowman, and her mother, who were living in London.

Although Australian born of English parents, Miss Jenny Golder was known chiefly on the Continent, Sho spoke and sang French perfectly, and was equally familiar with German, Italian, and Spanish. In Paris, where she starred at the Folies-Bergcro, she was the "girl with the penetrating eyes," tlio perfect soubrette, and as such sho won for herself a position of great popularity with Parisian audiences. Remarkable stories arc told of her meteoric rise to stardom. Unknown, she called on M. Jacques Charles, the Parisian impresario, when in Brussels. Miss Golder asked him for a job, and was asked in turn whether sho spoke French. Miss Golder replied, "A little." "Well, then," M. Jacques told her, "go and learn this part and be ready to play it to-njorrow." In 24 hours Miss Golder was word perfect in her part. Sho went to London first as a star in 1924, under Sir Alfred Butt's management. In 1925 she was again in London in the revue, "Folies-Bergere," at the Palladium. Two of her songs in particular were, "Every Little Movement Has a Meaning of Its Own," and "I Am the Sort of Girl "Whose Kisses Make a Man Forget His Missus."-