Gertie Millar (1879-1952)

Gertie Millar

Gertie Millar was born in Bradford, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, on February 20th, 1879. She first took to the stage as a singer and dancer appearing in the many music halls of her native Yorkshire, where her tall, thin, attractive good looks made her much in demand. Gertie wanted more however, prompting a move to London where she was soon topping variety bills and attracting much attention.

Her first starring theatrical role came in 1901 when the famous theatre manager George Edwardes (the originator of British musical comedy) recruited her to be leading lady in his production of 'The Toreador' at the Gaiety Theatre. But it would be her next starring vehicle, 'Our Miss Gibbs' opening at the Gaiety in January the following year, that firmly established her as the best known musical comedy actress in the country. The music for that show was co-written by Lionel Monckton (in collaboration with Ivan Caryll). The hit number of the show was a song entitled 'Moonstruck' which Monkton had written especially for her. Monkton would go on to write music for nearly all of her following successes.

On October 26, 1903, Gertie performed in the presence of His Majesty King Edward VI and Queen Alexandra when Gaiety re-opened following refurbishment with the premiere of the musical comedy 'The Orchid' (a show which ran for 559 performances). Gertie was now at the pinnacle of her career as success after success followed.

The beautiful Gertie was now being pursued by all manner of "stage-door Johnnies", rich and powerful men who would shower her with expensive gifts in the hope of winning her hand. But all of these were disappointed when Lionel Monckton proposed to her and she accepted him as her husband. Unfortunately, it was not to be a happy marriage. Monckton could not overcome the jealousy he felt at the attentions that other men paid her and constantly accused her of encouraging them. Matters came to a head only a short time into their union when, in October 1905, a young German nobleman who was infatuated with Gertie, broke into their marital home in order to commit suicide in Gertie's boudoir - blowing his brains out with a revolver at Gertie's dressing table. Gertie protested her innocence of any involvement with the young man, but her husband would not believe her and left her shortly afterward.

In 1910, she starred in one of the most best-loved of all musical comedies produced at the Gaiety, 'The Quaker Girl', in which her co-star was the celebrated American actor Joseph Coyne. She also made the news that year for her activities off stage, her all too public dallyings with the Duke of Westminster becoming a major cause in his estrangement from his first wife.

Gertie then met and fell in love with the Earl of Dudley, married but seperated from his wife on account of his alleged attentions to an American actress. The couple hoped to marry, but whilst the Earl felt confident his wife would consent to a divorce, Monckton was not so accomodating. In his bitterness he repeatedly refused to set Gertie free, despite the many times she begged him.

She continued to star in a succession of long-running comedies produced by George Edwardes until his death in 1915. With George's passing, Gertie's career had passed it zenith. For a while she continued to perform occasionally in the variety theatres where her career had begun. Her final stage appearance in 1918 was appropriately at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, the city of her birth.

Lionel Monkton died in 1924, finally clearing the way for Gertie to marry her lover William Humble Ward, the second Earl of Dudley. Gertie Millar, who began life as a simple working-class girl from Yorkshire, whose hard work and determination had established her as one of the best loved stars of the Edwardian theatre, would end her days a titled Lady.

Lady Dudley, Gertie Millar, died in Chiddingford, England, on April 24, 1952.

Movie Credits (source www.imdb.com)
1914 - The House of Bondage [Sallie Denbigh]