Page "Vernon and Irene Castle" Paragraph 15

While he was away, late in 1917 Irene appeared in a star-studded revue, Miss 1917.

Although she was singled out for praise by reviewers, she was unhappy performing on stage without her husband: " I found myself hopelessly lost as a solo number.

I had no training for dancing alone and I should never have tried it.

" Though successful with critics, the revue failed to attract an audience ; at least not enough of one to pay for the lavish production.

Castle's specialty song was challenged on copyright grounds, and management cut it.

In addition, her business was scheduled for late in the evening, around 10: 30, and she found it difficult to perform so late and then do film work during the day.

As the show failed, she and others were let go by the producers.

She later sued successfully, but by then the production company was bankrupt.

For the rest of 1917, she made fashionable and successful appearances on behalf of the war effort.