Oelschlagel, Charlotte (c. 1899–after 1948)

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Oelschlagel, Charlotte (c. 1899–after 1948)

German ice dancer. Name variations: Charlotte Ölschlagel; danced as Charlotte. Born Charlotte Oelschlagel, c. 1899, in Berlin, Germany; m. Anselm Goetzl (composer and Fokine Ballet conductor), c. 1916 (died Jan 9, 1923).

The 1st great show skater, began career performing at Berlin Admiralspalast and Wintergarten in Berlin; discovered by Charles Dillingham, went to US to perform on ice at the Hippodrome in New York City, where she skated in numerous productions, including Hip, Hip, Hooray (1915), The Big Show (1916), and worked with the Fokine Ballet skating a sequence from Les Sylphides in Get Together (1922); performed at dinner clubs and cabarets such as Terrace Garden of New Hotel Morrison in Chicago (1917); toured with Fokine troupe after marrying; made a 5-part serial film, Charlotte, for Commonwealth Pictures (1919–20); returned to Europe after husband's death (1923) and appeared in cabarets and winter gardens with Irving Brokaw; went into hiding in or around Prague when Germany invaded at start of WWII; was discovered in a refugee camp by American media during Nuremburg Trials (late 1940s). Inducted into World Figure Skating Hall of Fame (1985).