Ruth Virginia Bayton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Bayton
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Born |
Ruth Virginia Bayton
5 February 1907 |
Died | Unknown |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Dancer, Actress |
Years active | 1922–50 |
Ruth Virginia Bayton (born February 5, 1903) was a talented American dancer and actress. She became very famous in countries like France, Germany, Spain, and Argentina.
Ruth Bayton's Early Life
Ruth Virginia Bayton was born on February 5, 1903, in Tappahannock, Virginia. She was the sixth child of Virginia and Hansford C. Bayton. Her father was a well-known captain who ran boat tours along the Virginia coast.
After 1910, Ruth moved to Philadelphia to live with her uncle, George Bayton. He was a respected doctor. Sometimes, she also stayed in Baltimore with her older sister, Julia Bayton-Banks. Julia ran a restaurant with her husband and their six children.
Ruth Bayton's Career
Starting Out (1922–1925)
In 1922, after finishing school, Ruth worked as a stenographer. She met Will Vodrey, who directed the Plantation Orchestra. He helped her join the dancers in the "Plantation Revue" show, which starred Florence Mills.
The next summer, in 1923, the show went to London. It was called "From Dixie to Dover Street." The show was a big hit! It then returned to the US and played on Broadway in 1924 as "Dixie to Broadway." In 1925, Ruth also appeared in "Tan Town Topics." This show featured Ethel Waters as the main star and Josephine Baker as a dancer.
Moving to Europe (1926)
In 1926, the show arrived in Paris, France. It was renamed "Blackbirds of 1926" and opened on May 28. The show was a huge sensation! Many famous French stars came to see it.
The show later moved to the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. One night, Ruth was offered a great contract to perform in Berlin, Germany. She would earn $200 a week! Ruth signed the contract right away.
A month later, Ruth went to Berlin. She appeared in a show called "An Und Aus." Soon after, she performed in a much bigger show, "Der Zug Nach dem Westen." Ruth's dancing was a big success with the German newspapers. They loved her exciting "jungle interpretation."
The show then moved to Vienna, Austria, for the winter. It was later changed into a new version with more American performers. This new show was called "Wissen Sie Schon." That summer, Ruth performed in Hamburg, Germany. The German newspapers called her the 'Most Beautiful Creole on the Continent.'
Success in Spain (1927)
Ruth soon decided to move on. After performing in Biarritz, France, she went to Barcelona, Spain. There, she opened a new show called "Not-Yet" at the Teatro Cómico. She introduced her new dance, the Chotiston. This dance was a mix of the Charleston and the Chotis.
While in Barcelona, a German film director named Robert Wiene wanted Ruth to star in his new movie. The movie was about a famous European leader and a beautiful dancer. Filming finished by the end of September.
In October, Ruth moved to Valencia, Spain. She performed at the El Folies-Bergere cabaret. A painting of her (and Josephine Baker) hung above the stage! The next month, she traveled to Madrid. She starred in "Noche Loca" at the Teatro Maravillas. She earned $800 a week! After her shows, she performed at the Maipu-Pigall's nightclub. This club was known to be visited by King Alfonso XIII.
Before she could join another show, Paul Derval, the director of the Folies Bergère in Paris, invited her back. Josephine Baker was leaving for a world tour, and he wanted Ruth to perform.
Return to France (1928–1930)
Ruth began rehearsals for "La Grande Folie" in February. She also performed at the Casanova nightclub. She later moved to the Folies-Wagram, a new music hall. For three months, she danced in the finale of the first act. She was described as tall, graceful, and beautiful.
Rumors about her connections with the Spanish king started again when her German film was released. The Spanish government tried to stop the film from being shown in France and Spain. Ruth was becoming very popular in high society. She lived in a fancy hotel and had a luxury car with a driver and two maids.
She told a journalist, "I would have never been given the opportunity in America. I love Paris, the German people have been very kind, and so have the folks in Spain." After performing at Floresco Bonbonniere, she spent the summer in Deauville, France. She danced at seaside casinos.
In November, Ruth was back dancing in Paris. She then made a quick appearance in Berlin. However, the political situation in Weimar Germany was changing. A strong right-wing movement was growing. This made it difficult for artists like Ruth to perform.
In January, Ada 'Bricktop' Smith opened a new club in Paris. Ruth returned from Germany to perform there. She even bought an apartment on Champs-Élysées, which Josephine Baker had once lived in! Ruth joined Leon Abbey and his orchestra on a tour of Spain. They performed in Seville and Barcelona. Many American tourists were visiting, so there was a lot of money to be made.
Ruth also returned to Madrid and danced through the winter at the Maipu-Pigall's cabaret. In March, she joined Abbey's band in London. After two weeks, Leon had to return to Paris because of work permit issues. That summer, Ruth returned to Paris for the Theatre Apollo. She appeared in a new "oriental-themed" show called "Revue Milliardaire." Ruth was chosen to play Scheherazade in the 'Slave Merchant' part of the show. After her performances, she would dance the tango with her Spanish friends.
After this successful show, she joined Sam Wooding's band in "La Jungle Enchanté." In December 1930, Ruth returned to New York. She wanted to try her luck back in America and show off her European talents.
Back in the United States (1931–1932)
When she arrived, Ruth bought a large apartment in the fancy Sugar Hill area near Harlem. She was offered a chance to return to France to perform with Noble Sissle's Orchestra. However, the French government was trying to reduce the number of foreign workers. Ruth heard that Sissle's band would only be allowed to perform if half of its members were replaced with French artists.
This was true, so Ruth turned down the offer. She stayed in New York and opened a small shop selling perfumes and fur wraps. But she soon got bored with being a businesswoman. She missed the stage and returned to performing in Harlem's popular clubs. These included the Savoy Ballroom and the Smalls Paradise. However, the large fortune she had earned in Europe quickly disappeared. She found it hard to work under the same conditions as she had abroad.
In early 1932, Ruth was offered a role in a show at a fancy Broadway cabaret. She became wealthy again after an incident where she helped prevent a crime. By November, she was performing in Newark, New Jersey. After a disagreement with a tenant, Ruth decided to move to Spain under a new stage name.
Back to Spain (1933–1937)
In February 1933, French newspapers announced Ruth's return to France. They were very excited to see their 'Belle Creole' again. However, a worldwide economic downturn, called the Great Depression, had reached Europe. This caused economic problems and protests across France.
Even though business was slow in Paris, Ruth performed at the Rio-Rita Cabaret. Her appearances became less frequent. She later went to Deauville, entertaining at the Bar du Soleil and Casino de Deauville. Josephine Baker was also performing there. She tried to get close to Ruth to meet Ruth's wealthy German banker friend. But Ruth was not interested in reconnecting with her old friend.
Soon after, Ruth moved to Madrid, Spain. She continued to work there using a different name. However, in July 1936, a military uprising led by Francisco Franco began in Spanish Morocco. This quickly spread to Spain, starting the Spanish Civil War.
Ruth's family back home was very worried. They had not heard from her since 1933. In the spring of 1937, they still could not contact her when her Uncle George passed away. Soon, rumors spread that she had escaped to South America. This was confirmed that summer when she finally wrote home. Her letters said she had arrived from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Like many Spanish artists, she had found safety and success in Argentina.
Argentina and Later Life (1938–1950)
Ruth stayed in Argentina until the Spanish Civil War ended in 1939. However, she found it difficult to work under Franco's strict government in Spain. So, after World War II began, she returned to Buenos Aires.
After World War II ended, and after Juan Perón became a powerful leader in Argentina, Ruth left to tour Europe in early 1946. That spring, she sailed from London back to New York. She entertained American troops and people who had been displaced by the war.
She lived in New York until late 1947. Then, she moved to Los Angeles, California. Ruth Bayton passed away there at an unknown date, believed to be sometime in the late 1950s.