Elisabeth Welch
Birthday:
February 27, 1904 in New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name:
Elisabeth Margaret Welsh
Height:
163 cm
In British films of the 1930s and 1940s, American-born singer Elisabeth Welch made several memorable guest appearances in cabaret sequences, and starred opposite Paul Robeson in two features. Sophisticated, glamorous and charming, her appearances were a refreshing departure from the stereotype of black women perpetuated by Hollywood films of that t...
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In British films of the 1930s and 1940s, American-born singer Elisabeth Welch made several memorable guest appearances in cabaret sequences, and starred opposite Paul Robeson in two features. Sophisticated, glamorous and charming, her appearances were a refreshing departure from the stereotype of black women perpetuated by Hollywood films of that time. One of her best screen roles was Beulah, the nightclub owner and hostess, in Ealing's Au coeur de la nuit (1945). After a long and distinguished career in West End musical theater, Elisabeth returned to the screen in 1979, making a memorable appearance as "A Goddess" in Derek Jarman's La tempête (1979), singing her theme song, "Stormy Weather". Show less «
[when friend and co-star Paul Robeson tried to persuade her to make a stand for black people] I'm of mixed blood: African, Native American I...Show more »
[when friend and co-star Paul Robeson tried to persuade her to make a stand for black people] I'm of mixed blood: African, Native American Indian, Scots and Irish, Paul, I can't make a stand for all of them. You must excuse me. Show less «
[on co-star Paul Robeson] There were no lines he objected to in "Song of Freedom." In later years he was very nasty in that film "Sanders of...Show more »
[on co-star Paul Robeson] There were no lines he objected to in "Song of Freedom." In later years he was very nasty in that film "Sanders of the River." He said they had tricked him into that. I don't know how or why. That's his comment, but I have no evidence of it. He was a lovely man. We discussed politics naturally, but I'm not politically minded although I follow. And I have my own theories. He said you've got to be a citizen of the world because of this... (she points to the color of her skin.} I said I've got so many bloods in me, I'm part of the world. I don't stand up for one or the other, only for what's right... for decency. He wanted to convert me, but he was very gentle about it. I'll take anybody's arguments if they have a sense of humor with it. And, of course, he laughed so easily. We became great friends. I loved him, and he always came to see me when I was playing. Show less «
I was brought up in a mixed neighborhood, 63rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, that was primarily Irish, secondly Italian, thirdly Negro, and t...Show more »
I was brought up in a mixed neighborhood, 63rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, that was primarily Irish, secondly Italian, thirdly Negro, and then the mixes of all other European countries. I went to a mixed school, Julia Richman High. I've never thought of race. I'm lucky. It never hit me. Show less «
My mother was Scottish, and I say what is the point of my taking out British citizenship? I'm half British anyhow. I regard myself as Americ...Show more »
My mother was Scottish, and I say what is the point of my taking out British citizenship? I'm half British anyhow. I regard myself as American, but I'm English in thought ans interest. Show less «
(In a 1987 interview) Ivor Novello was a great romantic. I don't think he would be accepted particularly now because of what some people cal...Show more »
(In a 1987 interview) Ivor Novello was a great romantic. I don't think he would be accepted particularly now because of what some people call his schmaltz. I call it love. He was in love with love. Show less «
