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==The Castles==
 
==The Castles==
 
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Vernon and Irene met in the summer of 1910<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>, and were married one year later<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. Together they appeared in several shows together, into which they would occasionally insert choreographed dance numbers<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>. It was these dances that gained the Castles public attention, and they were soon invited to dance at private parties across Europe<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>. These performances in turn attracted the Castles an agent in 1913, Elizabeth Marbury, who got them starring roles in a number of broadway performances<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>.  
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Vernon and Irene met in the summer of 1910<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>, and were married one year later<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. They appeared in several shows together, into which they would occasionally be allowed to insert choreographed dance numbers<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>. It was these dances that gained the Castles public attention, and they were soon invited to dance at private parties across Europe<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>. These performances in turn attracted the Castles a manager in 1913, Elizabeth Marbury, who got them starring roles in a number of broadway performances<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>. The Castles also starred in several motion pictures, including a 1914 feature film titled "The Whirl of Life," which was loosely based on their own rise to fame<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. As their popularity grew, Irene became a fashion icon, initiating the vogue of short skirts and bobbed hair<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>. She became a highly-demanded model, with her image being leased to products ranging from cars to cigarettes<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>.
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Through their performances, the Castles helped to introduce ragtime and jazz to Europe and to make accompanying styles of dancing acceptable in both America and Europe<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>. The Castles were also known for their progressive beliefs. Their manager was openly lesbian<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>, they traveled with a black orchestra, and were considered to be the first white entertainers to hire African-American musicians<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. They also served as animal-rights advocates<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>.
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With the start of World War I, Vernon felt compelled to fight for his country. After two farewell performances at the Hippodrome in New York with Irene, he left for England and enlisted in the Royal Air Force<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. Vernon was awarded for bravery in his role as an aerial photographer<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref> before returning to America as a flight instructor. Then, on February 15, 1918, Vernon's plane crashed during a training exercise near Fort Worth, Texas, killing him. Another pilot and a cadet, also onboard the craft, survived the crash<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>.
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After her husband's death, Irene continued performing and starred in sixteen more films before 1923 when her public career ended<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. Irene's second marriage, to Robert Treman, ended in divorce, and she married her third husband, Frederick McLaughlin, in 1923. They moved to Chicago together and had two children. After McLaughlin's death she married her fourth husband, George Enzinger<ref>Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html</ref>. Irene acted as a technical adviser to the 1939 film "The Story of Vernon And Irene Castle," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>. Irene died in 1969 and was buried in Woodlaw Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, next to Vernon<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>.
 
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As their fame grew, Irene became a fashion icon, initiating the vogue of short skirts and bobbed hair<ref>Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle</ref>. She became a highly-demanded model, with her image being leased to products ranging from cars to cigarettes<ref>Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf</ref>.
 
  
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Latest revision as of 16:31, 17 May 2017

Vernon and Irene Castle

Vernon and Irene Castle
Article Image
Vernon and Irene Castle, c. 1912
Credit: Benjamin Johnston[1]

Overview


Vernon and Irene Castle were a husband-and-wife Ballroom dancing team, rising to fame in the early 1910s. The Castles are credited with spreading the popularity of American Ballroom dances to Europe, including the Foxtrot, One-Step, Tango, Turkey Trot, and others[2].


Background

Vernon Castle


Born: May 2, 1887, Norwich, England
Died: February 15, 1918, Fort Benbrook, Texas[3]

Vernon Castle was born Vernon William Blythe in 1887[4]. He moved to New York with his sister and her husband, both actors, and soon joined show business himself, despite his training as an civil engineer[5], and adopted the last name of Castle[6]. Between 1906 and 1911, Vernon appeared in vaudeville,[7] specializing as a "gentleman drunk," elegantly falling and stumbling about the stage[8].

Irene Castle


Born: April 17, 1893, New Rochelle, New York
Died: January 29, 1969, Eureka Springs, Arkansas[9]

Irene Castle was born Irene Foote in 1893, the granddaughter of the press agent for the Barnum and Bailey Circus[10]. She studied dance as a child, and appeared in amateur theatricals as a teenager[11].

The Castles


Vernon and Irene met in the summer of 1910[12], and were married one year later[13]. They appeared in several shows together, into which they would occasionally be allowed to insert choreographed dance numbers[14]. It was these dances that gained the Castles public attention, and they were soon invited to dance at private parties across Europe[15]. These performances in turn attracted the Castles a manager in 1913, Elizabeth Marbury, who got them starring roles in a number of broadway performances[16]. The Castles also starred in several motion pictures, including a 1914 feature film titled "The Whirl of Life," which was loosely based on their own rise to fame[17]. As their popularity grew, Irene became a fashion icon, initiating the vogue of short skirts and bobbed hair[18]. She became a highly-demanded model, with her image being leased to products ranging from cars to cigarettes[19].

Through their performances, the Castles helped to introduce ragtime and jazz to Europe and to make accompanying styles of dancing acceptable in both America and Europe[20]. The Castles were also known for their progressive beliefs. Their manager was openly lesbian[21], they traveled with a black orchestra, and were considered to be the first white entertainers to hire African-American musicians[22]. They also served as animal-rights advocates[23].

With the start of World War I, Vernon felt compelled to fight for his country. After two farewell performances at the Hippodrome in New York with Irene, he left for England and enlisted in the Royal Air Force[24]. Vernon was awarded for bravery in his role as an aerial photographer[25] before returning to America as a flight instructor. Then, on February 15, 1918, Vernon's plane crashed during a training exercise near Fort Worth, Texas, killing him. Another pilot and a cadet, also onboard the craft, survived the crash[26].

After her husband's death, Irene continued performing and starred in sixteen more films before 1923 when her public career ended[27]. Irene's second marriage, to Robert Treman, ended in divorce, and she married her third husband, Frederick McLaughlin, in 1923. They moved to Chicago together and had two children. After McLaughlin's death she married her fourth husband, George Enzinger[28]. Irene acted as a technical adviser to the 1939 film "The Story of Vernon And Irene Castle," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers[29]. Irene died in 1969 and was buried in Woodlaw Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, next to Vernon[30].

References

  1. ↑ By Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer. - Library of Congress CALL NUMBER: LOT 11735 <item> [P&P], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9711039
  2. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Irene and Vernon Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/castle.html
  3. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  4. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  5. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  6. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  7. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf
  8. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  9. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  10. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  11. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  12. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf
  13. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  14. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf
  15. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf
  16. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf
  17. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  18. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  19. ↑ Martin, C. (2012). Vernon and Irene Castle. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/castle_essay_martin.pdf
  20. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  21. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  22. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  23. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  24. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  25. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  26. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  27. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  28. ↑ Vernon and Irene Castle Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ca-Ch/Castle-Vernon-and-Irene.html
  29. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle
  30. ↑ Warren, J. (2014, October 6). 'A Groundbreaking Biography:' Years of Ballroom Success Cut Short by Tragedy. Retrieved May 14, 2017, from http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/519291/Biography-of-ballroom-dancers-Irene-Castle-and-Vernon-Castle



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