“HITLER’S DANCER”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21325, 20 April 1939, Page 14

“HITLER’S DANCER”

PRESENTED WITH UMBRELLA (Special to '‘The Timaru Herald,” by Air Mail.) LONDON, March 25. Marion Daniels, the 19-year-old American girl who danced for Hitler in “The Merry Widow" at Munich, this week did a special act to amuse the pantry boys and chambermaids, chefs, valets, and porters of the Savoy Hotel. London, on their night out at the annual staff dance. Not to be outdone by Hitler, who gave her £250 and a. gold swastika brooch as a keepsake, the staff clubbed together and gave her a gold-mounted umbrella—a replica of Mr Chamberlain's. They bought it at the same shop in St. James's where his famous umbrella came from.

Competition for the job of handing it over was keen, so a staff ballot was taken. The winner was the youngest pageboy—l4-year-old George Hyde, who came in his smart grey uniform. Already he has been nicknamed young Hitler.”

Asked about the swastika brooch. Marion replied that she had put it away. “I don't wear it. No, I shan’t send it back. That would be ungracious. It was kind of him to give it to me. He liked my dancing.” The party was an hilarious affair. Much fun was caused by the sight of Mr Harold Taylor, chief auditor, learning the Lambeth Walk. He has learned lots of things in his time, was a trader on West Coast of Africa for ten years, secretary to an oil millionaire, a New York dock policeman, and a shipyard riveter. Now he has written a best seller.