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~ Plain Speaking ~
My real name is Mario Bianchi I am as happy as can be, I love you and
you love me. I speak the English and make myself plain, marry me Gracie
and like a queen you shall reign. We belong to each other life will be
such fun, and I can direct you in more ways than one!.
~ Monty ~
Monty Banks was a film director an Italian barrel of fun, a womaniser
and a gambler losing more money than he won. If her hopes did not go
according to plan, Gracie firmly declared he was a sweet little man.
Their affection for each other no one could deny, but after ten years of
marriage he was destined to die.
~ Take Me To Your Heart Again ~
Gracie married the Italian film director Monty Banks during the Second
World War, he was classed as an enemy alien and could not work in
Britain anymore. Gracie followed him to America and was in trouble from
the start, unfair criticism in her homeland nearly broke her heart.
Still weak from her operation and at times unwell, she felt she was
living in a private hell. It was not so much why she left only the fact
she had that made the population feel so bad. Throughout the hostilities
she travelled thousands of miles by jeep, lorry and plane, entertaining
servicemen with a sweet refrain. They gave her the warmest welcome she
had ever known, in lifting their depression it helped relieve her own.
When the conflict was over and peace restored she was invited to the
White House to receive a handsome award.
After that momentous occasion no further did she roam, Gracie Fields was
going home. She sang 'Take Me To Your Heart Again' - let's make a start
again forgiving and forgetting, the audience wept Gracie cried too,
affection and forgiveness came smiling through. In the press her
performance was highly praised, six years of heartache completely
erased. She ended the programme with - I'll always love you promise that
you'll love me, I'll always love you thro' all eternity. So long as the
world goes on whatever the future be, I'll always love you knowing that
you love me.
~ A New Beginning ~
Why did she marry Monty? Because he was so kind, with a great deal of
charm and a lively mind. He had an eye for the ladies as most Italians
do, but affection for Gracie was steadfast and true.
~ A Pressing Problem ~
A woman's duty is towards her husband whatever may befall, when Gracie
married Monty she set an example to us all. He was Italian born and
Britain was at war, the Press turned against them but I fail to see what
for. In the morning papers many false rumours were spread, Gracie had
taken money and jewels far exceeding the limit when to America she fled.
Eventually the truth came to light and the culprits bowed their heads in
shame, when they realised Gracie was in no way to blame. What was the
reaction of this mega-star? She said "It's like family jealousies
it's just the way people are,
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