GRACIE FIELDS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4430, 26 May 1941, Page 3

GRACIE FIELDS

RETURNING TO ENGLAND. LONDON, March 23. Gracie Fields, whose departure from England caused a storm of criticism, is expected back from Canada in May. She gave this promise in a letter to a life-long friend, Mrs Bertha Schofield, of Rochdale, Gracie Field’s native town. “Gracie Fields is definitely coming home,” said Mrs Schofield. “In the letter she says she will be here in six weeks, but she does not mention the method of travel. “Her concerts in Canada have raised more than £50,000 for war charities. That’s better than singing here for nothing. She is well again.” Mrs Schofield championed Gracie Fields during the violent controversy which resulted in her marriage to the firm producer, Montie Banks, and her departure for Canada.

[lt was stated in the House of Commons on August 6, 1940, that Gracie Fields and Montie Banks had not been granted permission to take more money abroad than the prescribed £lO when granted a leaving permit on May 28. Gracie Fields, in October, 1939, following an illness, applied for a considerable sum in dollars to go abroad. Permission was given to take £BOOO. It was stated that she would earn dollars which would be surrendered to the State. On their return both were- asked for an account of their finances, but left the country again without rendering them.]