Day, Edith (1896–1971)

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Day, Edith (1896–1971)

American-born musical-comedy star. Born Edith Marie Day, April 10, 1896, in Minneapolis, Minnesota; died May 2, 1971, in London, England; m. Carle E. Carlton (div.); m. Pat Somerset (div.).

Actress, singer, and dancer, made NY stage debut in Pom-Pom (1916); starred on Broadway in Going Up and gave 670 performances in the title role of Irene, in which she introduced the song "Alice Blue Gown"; journeyed to London to appear in the same play and became the toast of the town (1920); briefly returned to NY for Orange Blossoms and Wildflower, before settling in London and subsequently appearing in Rose Marie, The Desert Song, Showboat and Rio Rita; was known as the Queen of Drury Lane; made film debut (1917); retired (1930s) but returned to the stage for Noel Coward's Sail Away (1962).