~ A Perfect Day ~

Do you think what the end of a perfect day can mean to a tired heart? For memory has painted that perfect day in colours that never fade, and you find at the end of a perfect day the soul of a friend you've made.

~ Boris Alperovici ~

Boris was born in Bessarabia now part of Russia once an independent state, when Gracie decided to marry him family and friends advised her to wait. She paid no heed for a man about the house she was very much in need. "I can't understand our Gracie " said Jenny "She always marries the enemy!" At the first meeting she had quite a surprise, "Happen you've found the right one this time he has such kind blue eyes.

~La Tebia Liublliu ~

Esther Rifkin a Russian living on the Isle of Capri had made a lot of blouses for Gracie her skilled work plain to see. When Gracie was walking out with Boris she promptly telephoned Mrs. Rifkin, "I don't want a blouse this time I have another little job for you to do, please could you teach me some Russian I may want to say I love you.

~ Auntie Margaret ~

Margaret Livesey was Jenny's cousin and Gracie's dresser for many years twelve to be exact, an undertaker had wooed her for almost as long that was a known fact. At the age of fifty-one she decided to marry him "I am pleased " said Gracie "He has a good steady job I must say", sadly she was admitted to hospital and missed Margaret's wedding day. John Fielding and his bride settled in Rochdale she was quite homely and pure Lancashire, she had a portrait of Gracie when she was young her most treasured souvenir. Boris asked if he could have it "Nay lad, ah,m not givin' thee that" she firmly said, "You can have a copy photographed from it instead." So off he went to get it done and most surprised when he was instantly recognised. Boris decided on a quiet walk around Rochdale he had not gone far before he was offered a lift in a car. People called him "luv" and spoke of "Our Gracie". All her old haunts he was able to see and driven back in time for tea. 

~ A Wonderful World ~

The loneliness in the war made Boris realise how much he had missed in life, a whole new world opened up when Gracie became his wife. He had not left Italy since nineteen twenty-five because of his eight fluent languages he was at home anywhere, but not much pleasure travelling without a partner to share. Visiting Canada, America, England and Europe in liners or aeroplanes was all for the first time it seemed like the first time for Gracie too, Boris viewed the country from the top of a bus which she had never been able to do, Gracie enjoyed travelling so much more, with Boris she felt safe and sure. She was good for him and he was good for her, when the seeds of love began to stir.

~ The Best Things In Life ~

The moon belongs to everyone the best things in life are free, the stars belong to everyone they gleam there for you and me. The flowers in spring the robins that sing, the sunbeams that shine they're yours they're mine and love can come to everyone, the best things in life are free.

~ A Part of Living ~

Boris said, "People call my wife Our Gracie" he did not care about this, "I want her to be my Gracie and enjoy married bliss. She often had a longing for the theatre to leave the warmth and sunshine of Capri for the possible cold and damp in England is quite beyond me." There were frequent arguments during the first three years, Boris walked off in stony silence Gracie ended up in tears. "You should not get so upset it is all a part of living and we will quarrel some more, if we don't it means one is continually giving in to the other a bad thing I am sure." Gracie tried to conform as much as she could to avoid an atmosphere she had defied him once or twice, eventually she accepted her husband's advice. It was better to argue things out, that's what marriage is all about. After the storm came the making-up, "Come on love," said Gracie, "I've made a pot of tea", Boris smiled and held her hand so tenderly. 

~ Goodbye Jenny ~

When Jenny sadly passed away Gracie hastily left Capri her deep distress was plain to see. During the church service she could not hold back the tears her beloved Mumma who taught her to sing from her earliest years. At the cemetery in Peacehaven Jenny was laid to rest with the assurance she had done her very best. Three years later Fred joined his dear wife in the glory of eternal life. They had come a long way together from the day they chanced to meet when Jenny mistook Fred for an actor strolling down Drake Street. 

~ How Changed Is The Old Place Now ~

Drake Street, Rochdale once a thriving shopping centre attracted customers by the score sadly those happy days will not return anymore. Trams, picture palaces, the Hippodrome and cotton mills have all disappeared a prospect the public often feared. The personal touch and homeliness has vanished too, self-service stores have sprung into view. Women even dress in different ways no clogs and shawl like the good old days. On her last visit to Rochdale when she took her final bow Gracie wistfully remarked "How changed is the old place now."

~ Silver Threads Among The Gold ~

Every century produced a genius, the great musical composers, Beethoven, Handel, Shubert, Strauss and Mozart. In opera Nellie Melba, Lily Pons and Maria Callas played a prominent part. The Edwardian era gave us Marie Lloyd idol of the music hall, later came Gracie Fields loved by one and all. What does the future hold, another genius or merely silver threads among the gold? 

~ Recognition ~

Twenty-seven years going up to reach the height of fame I could never behave like other stars with a famous name. Gertrude Lawrence, Gladys Cooper and Tallulah Bankhead belonged to another world. I was not educated to mix with the elite the sophisticated type I had no desire to meet. I felt embarrassed and very nervous too when they watched me at rehearsals I didn't know what to do. I had a strong accent and was considered naive but they cheered me in a way I could hardly believe

~ The Genuine Article ~

They reigned between fifty and sixty years the music hall stars of the past, I wonder how long the moderns will last? Gracie Fields sang to Royalty when she was eighty years old. Charles Coburn was still singing on stage at ninety years old, they were the genuine article the eighteen-carat gold. Aptly described by Roy Hudd President of the British Music Hall Society, he has written several books on every aspect of variety. Time does not stand still as we know, entertainers come and go. The magic disappears when the greats depart, gone from the stage but not from my heart. 

~ Part of the Act ~

The discord at Oldham was an error Gracie bowed her head in shame, but it did amuse the audience all the same. Years later she remembered this, by using a little tact she introduced it as part of the act. The band belting out one set of notes while she tried to drown it with another, louder and louder one against the other. Those who have seen this act will know how funny it can be, when she argues with the conductor, "I'll win you see."  

~ Inspiration ~

The reality has gone but your voice lingers still to awaken my heart with the same magic thrill. I don't start the day with a grimace when skies are no longer blue I switch on my recorder and listen to you. Then everything is sparkling like a summer's day any depression quickly fades away. Thank you dear Gracie and your mother too for the inspiration to write this book which I found such a pleasure to do. 

~ The Centenary ~

Spirits are soaring, flags flying high, what is the reason? I can tell you why. To celebrate the Centenary of Rochdale's own Gracie Fields, a year to remember much excitement it yields. Author Joan Moules launched her new biography as a special guest at the Rochdale library. Concerts, parties, exhibitions, and a tea towel souvenir which was copied from a Palladium billboard in nineteen thirty-five, the time when variety shows were all alive. Many artistes are liked but Gracie was dearly loved. At home or overseas her charm and versatility could not fail to please. Then came the sad day when she closed her eyes for ever, will her memory dim? Never, never, never.