Gloria Gould
It Happened at the
Eisendrath House
She was the granddaughter of millionaire Jay Gould, the infamous Wall Street “robber baron” of the 1800's. She was a pillar of society, fluent in four languages, wrote plays, danced professionally, trained dogs for the motion pictures, refurbished and managed the Empress Theater in New York City, wrote a weekly newspaper column, ran a school of dancing, got married, and had a baby girl, all before she turned 20 years old.
Gloria Gould was born on March 3, 1906 in New York City.[1] She was the youngest of the seven children of George and Edith Gould. George was the oldest son of Jay Gould, and had controlled his father's company and wealth since 1887.[2] Edith Kingdon Gould had been a well known actress who had toured with several theatrical companies before her marriage to Gould.[3]
Gloria showed her intelligence and winning personality at an early age. At 14 months, she became the “hit” of London's Claridge Hotel, charming both the English and expatriate American residents.[4] At age four she was being interviewed by reporters[5] and loved posing for the news cameras, delighting the newspaper readers with her dazzling smile.[6] By age six, she was able to pose for extended periods in tableaux vivants,[7] (live actors posing as famous paintings) and by the time she was nine, she had prominent roles in dramatic productions for charity.[8]
When Gloria was ten she was featured in newspaper articles across the United States for writing, producing, directing, and playing the lead role in her play, “The Lost Children,” for the benefit of the American Red Cross. After the play, Gloria recited poems of her own composition in English, French, German, and Italian.[9] Her linguistic ability was probably due to her frequent trips to Europe with her family.[10]
Gloria was educated at Miss Spence's school,[11] which catered to rich young ladies, teaching them the art of gentility, accompanied with a rigorous curriculum of languages, math and science. Instruction was in small groups, no larger than eight students. Gloria also studied dance with Louis H. Chalif, the Russian ballet master, who was a major influence on American dance. She made her debut as a dancer when she was twelve, receiving good reviews as a solo dancer and as a member of the ensemble at a recital for Belgium war relief.[12]
Tragedy struck in November, 1921, when Gloria was fifteen. Her parents, George and Edith, were playing golf, on their private course, at their New Jersey estate. Edith had driven the ball while George watched its flight. When he turned to speak to her, she was lying across the tee. Doctors were summoned, but Edith had died of a massive heart attack.[13] Her estate of about $3,000,000 was bequeathed to her husband George during his life or until he remarried.[14] Eight months later, in July, 1922, George shocked everybody by marrying Guinevere Sinclair, causing Edith's estate to be divided among her seven children. Gloria was now worth over $400,000 in her own right. (about $7,000,000 in today's dollars)[15]
George further stunned New York society by announcing that he had fathered Guinevere Sinclair's three children while she was his mistress.[16] This came as no surprise to New Yorkers. He met Sinclair in 1914 in London. She moved to New York, and was often seen accompanying George on his 5:00 clock walks through New York.[17] The scandal caused him to be removed from the social register of New York society, as the social elite refused to receive her.[18] This was a matter of indifference to them, because they moved to Europe, determined to spend the rest of their lives there.[19]
Gloria, sixteen years old, was left “alone” in the Gould mansion with 17 servants[20] chaperoned by her governess, Caroline Cortis.[21] Gloria was invited to be a guest at the Bridgeport, Connecticut home of Henry A. Bishop, Jr. Soon, rumors began to spread of a romance with his son, Henry C. Bishop, a student at Yale.[22] On April 5, 1923, Kingdon Gould, Gloria's brother gave a lavish dinner and dance for almost 200 guests at the Sherry Hotel in New York. Just before supper, Kingdon announced the engagement of seventeen year old Gloria and twenty one year old Henry. From France, George Gould gave his blessing to the marriage.[23]
Defying the conventions of the times, that a woman's place was in the home, especially a rich, just engaged woman, Gloria continued with her dancing career. In January, 1923, she made her debut at Carnegie hall.[24] In addition to her professional performances, she was also a frequent performer in charity events.[25] However, she did make one concession to convention. She took a series of cooking classes at the Young Women's Christian Association. She applied herself with enthusiasm, declaring, “I am just crazy about cooking,” adding that one of her most satisfying achievements was a dinner she prepared for a large family party.[26]
In May 1923, Gloria's father George unexpectedly died from complications of pneumonia. He and Guinevere had been present at the opening of King Tutankamen's tomb. He contracted the same symptoms that killed Lord Carnarvon, the King Tut excavation's sponsor, who had opened the tomb.[27] George appeared to recover in March, and the doctors declared him out of danger. He had a relapse in May 3, and died on May 16.[28] Gloria's oldest brother, Kingdon, was appointed as her guardian.[29]
George's death made a large, fashionable wedding inappropriate. Gloria and Henry were wed on September 18, 1923.[30] Instead of the extravagant bridal event that society had been expecting,[31] a small, intimate ceremony was performed at St. Bartholomew's Church by Rev. Leighton Parks. It was limited to a few friends and family.[32] Following the ceremony a reception at the Sherry hotel was attended by a large number of their friends.[33] The couple took up residence at 123 E. 76th Street, a fashionable apartment house, just off Park Avenue.[34]
When they became engaged, Gloria insisted that the marriage must not stand in the
way of her career. To Henry, the idea of a woman, especially a rich society member,
having a career was unimaginable. However, like the good sport he was, he agreed
to Gloria's demands, whatever his misgivings.[35] Gloria began an engagement a professional
dancer in the Crystal Room of the Ritz-
Gloria returned to the Chalif School and enrolled in the course in dance instruction with several other prominent heiresses. Her goal was to start a school of dance for young girls, after receiving scores of letters from mothers who wanted her to instruct their daughters in the Gould method of dancing.[37]
She also decided to become an actress, following in the footsteps of her mother. She asked the director of the Aviene School of Arts and Culture, Claude Aviene, if he could make her an actress. He demanded that she should be willing to pay the price. Looking at the gold cigarette holder in her mouth, he said that if she were serious about studying acting from him, she must quit smoking. Defying convention, Gloria had smoked since childhood. This was five years before American Tobacco had began appealing to women with its “Reach for a Lucky instead of a sweet” campaign. She threw away her cigarettes, saying later, “Do I miss it? Yes, I did at first. But, pshaw, smoking's only a habit.” She began grueling rehearsals for a demanding director, debuting in the production of “Her own Daughter.”[38]
In the fall of 1924, Gloria opened her school of dance at the luxurious Park Lane
Hotel on 58th Street. She started with children's classes in folk dancing,explaining
that, “[S]ome of our best forms of dance expression come from peasants-
Added to her acting, dancing, and teaching, in March, 1925 Gloria began a newspaper column on dancing for The Bridgeport Telegram, a Connecticut newspaper. She wrote about the various styles of dance and the technical aspects of each style. The articles were illustrated with photographs of her demonstrating each style. She also stressed how dancing was an aid to being beautiful, healthy and happy.[43]
Another job that Gloria undertook during this time was breeding and training dogs for movie stunt work. She worked with pure bred German Shepherds. One of her most famous “pupils” was Lightnin', the half brother of Strongheart, the most famous movie dog of the silent movies before Rin Tin Tin.[44]
Gloria Gould Bishop was featured in a series of magazine and newspaper advertisements for Pond's Cold Cream and Pond's Vanishing Cream targeted for the young social set that “crowds their days and nights so full of good times.”[45] Gloria, as a member of the young social set, frequented the New York night clubs. She knew Ruby “Texas” Guinan[46] and was a patron of her speakeasy. When Guinan invited her and a few friends to be her guests, she was overwhelmed to see Gloria arriving with a party of 27 people.[47] While nightclubbing in Harlem, Gloria was distraught when her furs were stolen from her car at Dickie Wells' (The dancer, not the trombonist) Club. However, the club was owned by organized crime members who did not tolerate thefts, muggings or other activities that would hurt their club's business. Wells assured her that that she would get them back. The next day the furs were returned.[48] Although Gloria was a teenager, being underage was not a problem in obtaining liquor, as buying alcohol was illegal for everyone in the days of national prohibition.
Gloria's fame put her in the company of show business luminaries such as when she was a featured judge in a Charleston contest with Broadway's George M. Cohan and George White.[49] She even appeared on the relatively new entertainment medium, radio.[50]
On March 12, 1925, nine days after her nineteenth birthday, Gloria gave birth to a six and one half pound baby girl. Gloria and Henry tentatively named her Gloria Gould Bishop.[51] However, her name became Gioia,[52] which means joy in Italian. Mrs. Bishop, when asked, said that the birth of Gioia “would not cause her to give up her work and that she would be in her studio next Tuesday to supervise classes.”[53] “A woman should do something more than spend her time rushing around buying steaks.” “Women are just as efficient as men and they should have careers as well as men.” ”If she is working she can afford to have a nurse look after her children.”[54] “Although a career need not necessarily interfere with children...the baby comes first!”[55]
While attending a dinner dance at Greenwich, Gloria told Major Edward Bowes of her
desire to manage her own theater. Bowes was a vice president of Metro-
The theater was one of the smaller first run houses, with 600 seats. It was designed with an ornate interior with elaborate plasterwork by the prestigious Rambusch Studio, and murals by impressionist artist, Arthur Crisp.[59] Patrons were charged two dollars for reserved seats. That was equivalent to over $25 in today's money.
Gloria planned to operate the theater with an all woman staff, from the projector operators, to the orchestra, to the janitors.[60] “I believe women are more reliable, and I shall employ only women in the Embassy Theater,” she declared.[61] The ushers were planned to be young ladies in ballet costumes,[62] and Gloria was planning to wear a Russian Ballet Skirt.[63] “However, so as not to offend the men,” she said, “They may pay for the tickets.”[64]
Suddenly, in September of 1925, Gloria, Gioia and Gloria's secretary, Mildred Phillips left the Bishop's Greenwich Connecticut home at 4 o'clock in the morning, booked passage on an ocean liner and moved to France.[65] Gloria was recognized when she appeared as a solo dancer at the Anglo American Press Association party in Montmarte, although she wore a wig and a mask.[66] When she was asked by the media why she had moved to France, she claimed “I could not afford to live in New York any more even if I wanted to.” “Life has become so expensive at home now that I find it needs an income much larger than mine to live comfortably in the United States.” She rented a villa on the Normandy coast, and moved to Paris in the fall. When asked if Henry was going to join them, she replied, “You'd better ask him.” [67]
Rumors began to circulate about an impending divorce when, after a hurried trip to New York and back, Gloria refused to deny the possibility of a divorce.[68] She added,”think it would be great fun to get a divorce. Marriage is so stupid. My husband hated all my activities. He wouldn't have me do a thing if he had his own way about it. I intend to get a divorce some time. I don't think anyone ought to stay married more than two or three years."[69]
Gloria and Gioia moved to Italy to a villa on the shores of Lake Como. Baby Gioia contracted typhoid fever. Although her nurse died, Gloria gave her constant attention to Gioia and, with expert medical attention, the child was saved. While Gloria and Gioia were in Europe, Henry became a recluse at the Greenwich home they had rented, commuting to his job as an insurance broker at Vanderpool, Pausner and Jefferson, Inc. in New York.[70]
Gloria received her inheritance in 1927 when she turned twenty one. Rumors abounded about her being the $15,000,000 heiress,[71] but, the reality was far less. The estate of George Gould declined 35 million dollars in 1923.[72] The claims of the three children from his second marriage diluted the estate, and litigation costs incurred by the charges of 45 lawyers further reduced the amount.[73] The litigation over the trust fund left by her grandfather, Jay, continued into 1939.[74] The final amount she received from her father's estate was $639,246.(about $7,000,000) in today's dollars)[75] Added to the amount Gloria received from her mother's estate, she was a millionaire, but not the fabulously rich heiress people thought.
In February of 1928, Gloria met with her brother Kingdon and his lawyer and planned a strategy for divorce. They decided that suit would be filed in the United States if Henry refused to go to France, as required by French divorce.[76] Henry seemed surprised when asked by the press about the divorce action. He said that he had not heard from Gloria since her departure over two years ago. When he was asked if he would go to France, he replied,”I don't suppose I shall. In fact I don't know of any reason why I should.”[77]
Gloria's requests to Henry to go to Paris, even after her friends in New York added their pleas to hers, were refused.[78] In May, 1928, Gloria and Gioia returned from Europe and rented two bungalows in Reno, Nevada.[79] In September, after completing her required four months residency, she filed for divorce from Henry. The divorce was granted on January 21, 1929, on grounds of extreme cruelty. Gloria testified that “Bishop had endangered her life on several occasions, and that on their second wedding anniversary he grabbed her and shook her violently in the presence of friends at their Greenwich, Connecticut home.” Gloria was awarded custody of Gioia.[80] After the divorce, she left for Italy, saying one thing she was certain about was “that she was not going to get married again—ever.”[81]
Gloria and Gioia returned to the United States in October. On February second, 1930, Gloria gave a party for 19 of friends and made a surprise announcement when she introduced Wallace MacFarlane Barker, a friend of her brother, Kingdon, as her prospective husband. MacFarlane, 31 years old, was the son of a wealthy Chicago paint contractor.[82] On February sixth, the couple obtained a marriage license, and evading the press, appeared in the upper east side of Manhattan at Yorkville Court. They were married by Magistrate Bernard Douras, father of Marion Davies,[83] in his chambers. Barker's brother, Joseph, and his sister, Ada, were the only witnesses. Although Gloria had booked passage to the Riveria, reports indicated that the couple went to Palm Beach, Florida for their honeymoon.[84]
The Barkers moved into an apartment at 271 Park Avenue with Gioia and her governess, Bertha Cass.[85] Gloria and MacFarlane lived a quiet life, out of the headlines that had accompanied Gloria all of her life. Apparently, she was serious when she stated that she was tired of dancing, tired of the stage and intended to spend the rest of her life bringing up Gioia. "I am quite through with social gaieties, with the ephemeral glories of the stage and with the empty pompousness of fashion."[86]
MacFarlane left the paint contracting business and joined the prestigious investment banking firm of Lee Higginson & Company.[87] However, the firm was liquidated when it was involved with the Ivar Kreuger international swindles.[88]
The Barkers began traveling, often going to Los Angeles,[89} taking ocean cruises.[90] and in 1935, they began going to Phoenix for extended stays during the winter.[91] Gloria showed some interest in motion pictures. She went to Hollywood studios twice, but did not exhibit ambitions to return to acting.[92]
While in Los Angeles in 1935, Gloria had a brush with death. Gloria was a passenger in a convertible driven by Marlow Lovell. Accompanying her were her friends, film comedienne Marjorie White and her husband, Eddie Tierney, in their closed sedan. White had just received star billing over the Three Stooges in their first film, “Women Haters.” Gloria, without a coat, got chilled in the open car, and traded vehicles with White. Lovell sideswiped another car, and White was badly injured when the car overturned, dying the next day.[93]
Gloria was in the gossip columns when actor Roscoe Ates had his eye blackened. In May, 1937, a crowded and noisy taxi pulled up to the Astor Hotel. Gloria was in the taxi emitting short loud yells while Ates exited the cab with the shoes of Broadway actress, June manners. A fight erupted during which Ates received his black eye. The group was taken to the police station where the shoes were returned. Ates was obviously drunk and refused to say why he had removed Manners' shoes.[94]
In early 1940 Gloria and MacFarlane purchased the 5,200 square foot Eisendrath house in Tempe. It backed up to Papago park, and was situated on 80 acres of land, fronting on Rural Road.[95] Gioia was enrolled in the exclusive Jokake School for girls, where the 40 girl student body studied art, music, drama, dance and horseback riding, in addition to the traditional courses.
Gloria involved herself in the local branch of the American Red Cross, as well as with the Phoenix War Price and Rationing Board,[96] assisting MacFarlane, who was its director.[97]
In March, 1943, at a reception at the Phoenix Country Club, seventeen year old Gioia announced her engagement to William Grimditch. They met while Gioia was practicing figure skating. Grimditch, the son of a Vice president of Philco Radio, was a champion skater.[98] Their marriage in New York on May 17 was a major social event.[99]
In August 1943, a five day party began at the Barker home. Around 11 a. m. Gloria took off her clothes to take a swim in the pool. MacFarlane stated that after about fifteen minutes, he and the butler, George Hegg, went looking for her, and found Gloria's body in the pool. A pulmotor was used in a futile attempt to resuscitate her. Tempe Coroner, Paul V. McCaw said the death was due to accidental drowning.[100]
Deputy Sheriff G. W. Roach was not satisfied with the findings of Coroner McCaw. He noted several discrepancies. The condition of the body was inconsistent with Barker's story. Dr. O. C. West, Maricopa County Physician, who examined her body said he thought that the body had been in the water longer than fifteen minutes. He reported “The body had turned to the color of dark blue ink. The contents of three oxygen tanks failed to change it.”[101] For this to occur in just fifteen minutes was highly unlikely. Roach also noted that all the guests disappeared before the authorities arrived, Gloria was nude and that Gloria had signed a quit claim deed giving the property to MacFarlane three days before she died.[102]
Later, after a conference with other county officials, Deputy Roach stated, “I am satisfied the death was accidental.” No inquest was ordered.[103] The accepted scenario was that because Gloria was an excellent swimmer, nobody was concerned when she said that she was going to cool off in the pool before lunch. The edge of the pool was landscaped with orange and lemon trees, whose leaves fell on the concrete rim. They were usually swept away by the gardener, but the gardener had gone to war and could not be replaced, so the slippery leaves accumulated. Gloria's foot slipped on the leaves and her head struck the concrete as she fell into the pool.[104]
Roach never disclosed what transpired in the conference, and why he changed his mind. The issues he raised were never discussed publicly. Her death certificate gave the cause of death as “accidental drowning.” It may be noteworthy that it was not signed by Dr. West, but by another physician.[105]
MacFarlane continued to live on the property. After the war, he joined the staff of the Valley National Bank,[106] and was active in the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix.[107] On August 9, 1948, MacFarlane was lying in bed reading a newspaper when he had a massive heart attack. He was found by his housekeeper the next day.[108]
Gioia was sued for divorce by William Grimditch in a sensational trial in February, 1948. He contended that she was unfaithful while he was serving in the armed forces during World War II, and that she had an affair with Blake Brophy, a member of a prominent Phoenix family.[109]
Henry Bishop, Gloria’s first husband and Gioia's father, died in 1977 [110] and Gioia died in August, 1990. [111]
Gloria was a leader in the emancipation of women. She had, not one, but several careers at a time when women, and especially society women, were expected to be at home and stay in their place. Her reversal in attitude after she married Barker might be due to the shock when Gioia almost died in Italy, but only Gloria truly knows why she gave up her career, and abandoned society. Nevertheless, her death at age 37 was a tragedy deepened by its mysterious circumstances.
