Bobette Christine

Biography

Born Elizabeth Louise Cristini in Nice, France, Bobette entered New York Harbor June 15, 1931. She performed in Manhattan night clubs, radio, and did a turn on Broadway as "Angele, the Assistant" in the musical "Roberta" (1933). During the run of "Roberta" she accepted engagements (with pianist Walter Lynch) on radio and in night cubs. Anna Held, who was the long time companion of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., was one of the most famous Broadway stars of the early Century. In the 1930s she owned two night clubs, Anna Held's In Town (East 52nd Street and First Avenue) and Anna Held's Farm ("A bit of Normandy" on the Bronx River Parkway). Bobette Christine was the star at Held's establishments. The Brooklyn Vitaphone studio engaged Bobette to portray the night club singer in their musical short subject The Flame Song (1934) (released October 27, 1934) in which she appears with Broadway leading man J. Harold Murray. Her other New York engagements included Tony's Chateau Moderne (42 East 50th Street) and the Deauville Club (52 West 58th Street) and the Stork Club (3 East 53rd Street). On November 27, 1935 Bobette was part of the big Christmas Fund benefit at Brooklyn Fox Theatre with Ken Murray, Joe Laurie Jr., Jack Dempsey, Frances Maddux, the Eton Boys, Eddie Leonard, Patrick Rooney, Charley Chase, Dorothy Lamour, and young Ella Logan. In May 1937 Bobette married to Edward Russell Mahoney and lived on Brooklawn Drive in Beverly Hills. He daughter, Cynthia, was born a year later. In 1946 Bobette played the role of "Melanie Beaupre" in "Questionable Ladies" a mystery comedy by Margery Williams. It opened at the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia. Arlene Dahl was in the cast. What she did after 1946 is unclear.