Helen Trix
Helen Trix | |
|---|---|
 Helen Trix, from sheet music published in 1918 | |
| Born | 1886 |
| Died | November 19, 1951 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress |
Helen Trix (1886 – November 19, 1951) was an American dancer, singer, and song composer. The August 1906 edition of Edison Phonograph Monthly describes her as having a "clear, well modulated contralto voice".
Early years[edit]
Trix and six siblings grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. In 1919, her sister Josephine joined her in performing in vaudeville,[1] "a dancer and singer fresh from a convent."[2]
Vaudeville and stage entertainer[edit]
The Trix sisters performed songs written by Helen, who also provided accompaniment.[3] By August 1926, Helen had begun performing with another sister, Mattie, in a duo that "scored immensely in the London Music Halls for several seasons".[4] After Helen Trix left the original act. Helen Lewis, from Liverpool, England, replaced her, performing with Josephine as the Trix Sisters. In April 1935, Lewis left the act and Josephine sought another "Helen Trix".[5]
During World War I, Trix took part in a gala performance which combined vaudeville performers with members of Company A of the Seventy-First Regiment, U.S. Army. Will Rogers and twelve Ziegfeld Follies dancers also appeared in the entertainment event staged at the Liberty Theater in New York City.
She was a regular performer on the Keith-Albee-Orpheum vaudeville circuit for many years. Her first North American tour was in 1913. Her sisters, Josephine and Mattie, sometimes accompanied her on stage. She was sometimes called the "Piano songwhistleress".
She made her debut in England in 1909. Trix performed in the London revue, The League of Nations, in 1920. She appeared in the English capitol, in Tricks, in 1925-1926. She remained abroad for more than four years. Trix also did shows in Australia, South Africa and the primary cities in Europe. In 1926 she was featured in the International Revue produced by George Jessel.
Songs and radio[edit]
Trix composed such songs as "Follow Me", "You'd Love To Live In Paris", "London Town", and "Beautiful Shangri-La".[6] She performed songs on WGBS, on a regular radio program. The show aired from 8:00-8:15 P.M. in 1930. The recital was listed as Helen Trix diseuse.
Personal life and death[edit]
Trix live at the Stratford Hotel, 11 East Thirty-Second Street.[citation needed] On November 18, 1951, she died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in New York City, aged 54.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ "Best yield of Penn. farm is crop of girls". Democrat and Chronicle. New York, Rochester. September 21, 1919. p. 30. Retrieved March 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Revell, Nellie (September 1917). "Sister Teams in Vaudeville". Theatre Magazine. p. 148. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "Singing and Dancing at the Orpheum". Pacific Coast Musical Review. November 23, 1918. p. 6. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "In Vaudeville's Realm". The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 15, 1926. p. SO 7. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Trix Sisters are parted". Evening Standard. England, London. April 24, 1935. p. 3. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Helen Trix". The New York Times. November 20, 1951. p. 31. ProQuest 112104309. Retrieved March 8, 2021 – via ProQuest.
- "First Night Calendar". New York Times. February 20, 1916. p. X7.
- "Frank Fay's Tea Party A Feature At Palace". New York Times. September 7, 1926. p. 24.
- "Today On Radio". New York Times. February 18, 1930. p. 26.
- "Oakland Orpheum". Oakland Tribune. July 27, 1913. p. 9.
- "Drama and Music". Winnipeg Free Press. June 7, 1913. p. 42.
External links[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1886 births
- 1951 deaths
- 20th-century American composers
- American female dancers
- American radio actresses
- American stage actresses
- Vaudeville performers
- 20th-century American actresses
- 20th-century American singers
- 20th-century American women singers
- 20th-century American dancers
- 20th-century American women composers