The Misanthrope’s Corner

‘HER voice was ever soft, gentle, and low—an excellent thing in woman.” Shakespeare never saw an Alice Faye movie but Lear’s tribute to his daughter Cordelia perfectly describes the actress who died May 9 at the age of 86.

Living in the Madonna era would be unbearable if I didn’t remember Alice Faye. Her 1940s musicals set in the Gay Nineties and World War I were my favorite movies, not only for their foot-tapping tunes but for their effect on my seatmate. For once Granny did not get a chance to jab me in the ribs and whisper “She’s got consumption” or “She’s losing her mind.” The only tragic event in an Alice Faye movie was the requisite interlude of boy-loses-girl, but since the characters were always in vaudeville the show had to go on. Hearing the songs she remembered and seeing the fashions she had worn kept Granny’s mind out of the grave for the whole show.

About the Author

Florence King

Florence King was a contributing editor of National Review.

‘HER voice was ever soft, gentle, and low—an excellent thing in woman.” Shakespeare never saw an Alice Faye movie but Lear’s tribute to his daughter Cordelia perfectly describes the actress who died May 9 at the age of 86.

Living in the Madonna era would be unbearable if I didn’t remember Alice Faye. Her 1940s musicals set in the Gay Nineties and World War I were my favorite movies, not only for their foot-tapping tunes but for their effect on my seatmate. For once Granny did not get a chance to jab me in the ribs and whisper “She’s got consumption” or “She’s losing her mind.” The only tragic event in an Alice Faye movie was the requisite interlude of boy-loses-girl, but since the characters were always in vaudeville the show had to go on. Hearing the songs she remembered and seeing the fashions she had worn kept Granny’s mind out of the grave for the whole show.