Gaby Deslys sings two songs, Vienna, 1910

Gaby Deslys (1881-1920), the irresistible French actress, singer and dancer, was 'discovered' in Paris by the impresario George Edwardes, who brought her to London for a cameo role, 'The Charm of Paris,' in The New Aladdin at the Gaiety Theatre (29 September 1906). She conquered Broadway in 1911 and later that year effortlessly upstaged her co-star, the rising Al Jolson, in Vera Violetta (Winter Garden Theatre, 20 November 1911). Mlle. Deslys appeared in several films and her only known recordings, of which the present example for the HMV label (2-033039) is one of two or, possibly, three (the exact number is uncertain), were made in Vienna on 17 October 1910. Her long-time dancing partner was the American Harry Pilcer (1885-1961) and together they created 'The Gaby Glide,' also in Vera Violetta.
For further information, see James Gardiner's biography, Gaby Deslys, A Fatal Attraction, published in 1986; and Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.or...

[@aurorebrare4917]

Elle est tombée dans l'oubli mais une troupe est en train de la ressusciter pour notre grand bonheur

[@davidbret8371]

This lovely lady left us 100 years ago today. I published her biography.

[@gonzalezj.4859]

David Bret and here we are again. A half alive invisible menace taking people too soon. I’ll look for your book.

[@albanybeardguy]

MUCH better voice than I'd ever expected!

[@MegaNico0001]

Gaby Deslys, le grand amour du dernier roi du Portugal, Manuel II

[@MrGer2295]

WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@Khloe_dancer_model]

Wow she was cute and sang cute and love her laugh at the end,hahaha!

[@SpeegBJ]

Merci. Tres Jolie!

[@alisonyaxley8143]

Gaby Deslys (4th November 1881- 11th February 1920) RIP

[@suzygodoy9198]

O GRANDE AMOR DO ULTIMO REI DE PORTUGAL

[@ugha323a]

@LazlosPlane Nobody, male or female could upstage Jolson. He was the BEST stage entertainer EVER.

[@siempremarisol]

wonderful

[@RupertDCD27]

I liked her little laugh at the end. : )

[@MadameLil]

She even has her own Wikipedia entry that tells about her dying of complications from a throat infection.

[@travisjames3517]

It said that the surgeons were hampered by her refusal to have them scar her neck by operation.

[@footlightnotes]

Thank you so much for this interesting information, which clears up a mystery and adds to Brian Rust's entry in his ground-breaking The Complete Entertainment Discography (1974). I think that these Vienna recordings must have been made when GD was in Vienna with her partner, Harry Pilcer, when a number of rather good photographs were taken of them, some in characteristic dancing poses.

[@anacatarinan6245]

The King of Portugal was very much in love with her and they dated...

[@papoocanada]

@TaraMoriah "day-lees "

[@LazlosPlane]

@footlightnotes Sorry. As a Jolson SCHOLAR and professor of music history, (and quite a fan of Mlle, DeLys) she did NOT up-stage Jolson. First of all, by all accounts she was a LADY. She would not up-stage anyone. Secondly, when Jolson did steal the scene from her and began improvising to the tumultuous applause of the audience, she very graciously took a seat on stage and remained, respectfully, still. You do her a great injustice.

[@grooveyloop]

@TaraMoriah I'm not exactly sure, but having a rather rudimentary knowledge or French, I would assume it's pronounced "day-lee".

[@jean-pierreduclos3950]

no her name in French is pronounced " Gabi daylees " indeed ,with a "s" . Because there'a game of words in french language beween "délice" ( so " Deslys") means a delicious thing. But last but not least , "des lys" means "lilies" !!

[@mitonpierre8990]

mes parents me parlaient de cette chanteuse. il n' y a pas de CD?

[@TaraMoriah]

How do you pronounce her last name ?

[@tossedecao]

and she was girlfriend of the portuguese king D. Manuel II

[@philippejenvrin2741]

Difficile de comprendre les paroles ! Voix aiguë ! Le gaie PARIS d'avant la grande guerre !!