Research

Hi, Broadwayworld. I have heard that Broadway people have the best and most effective grapevine on the planet so I'd like to ask your help. I've been researching the real Rose Thompson Hovick of "Gypsy" fame and was wondering if there's anybody out there who ever knew her. If so, please email me. It's a bit of an uphill battle to try and locate people who knew a woman that passed away in 1954, but there's got to be somebody out there who did. I'd appreciate your help.

Thanks!

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Updated On: 1/21/09 at 11:24 PM

There's Gypsy Rose Lee's book GYPSY

June Havoc's book EARLY HAVOC

Eric Preminger's book GYPSY AND ME (Eric is Gypsy's son)

All three might have leads for your research.

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Embellishing facts is a trait they all inherited from Rose Hovick, though I would take Erik's word over his mom's and aunt's.

CurtainPullDowner--you knew her personally, didn't you?

Back in your younger days, before you became a Downer?

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Thanks for the suggestions, everybody. Actually I have all of the books mentioned.

If anybody, anywhere, knows anyone who knew the real Rose, it would be such a help to me to be put in contact with that person. I'm seriously considering turning my research into a book and I need to find some Rose Hovick eyewitnesses.

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Updated On: 1/21/09 at 08:14 PM

You've got that right, lj889! It's something of a "Mission Improbable." Still, Rose lived in New York City towards the end of her life, in the late 1940's and early 1950's, so hopefully there's an old-timer out there, somewhere, who can shed a little light on that most intriguing woman.

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Except CurtainPullDowner.

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Updated On: 8/20/08 at 12:07 AM

Did you ask TooDarnHot? I'll bet he knew her and has LOTS of inside dope.

I've done a fair share of old fashioned research in this area myself, mostly to satisfy my own questions, the biggest of which is "why does Broadway idolize possibly the most odious character every written (Iago notwithstanding)" and when I was about 14 I interviewed an older man who knew Rose very well, at least intimately. Not everything I heard I believed, but some of what I heard was too bizarre to make up. In general, she was a nasty, spiteful woman who used her children without regard for their well-being and was uttlerly unscrupulous. How the character became beloved by millions still escapes me. I imagine if Rose's lesbianism and (possibly) murderous ways were left in the book, it would have been different, But even as it is, I don't see how she is an effective hero, being totally devoid of compassion.

Updated On: 8/20/08 at 01:44 PM

Meaty yes, but virtuous, no. what bothers me is that no one EVER talks about how horrible she is as a character, even in the show. no regard for her children's feelings, or her fathers, or Herbie's or anyone else's.

the show is dramatic and poignant, and you feel for the children, and Herbie, but nowhere does it point the finger of blame where it belongs, squarely at Rose herself.

BKCollector, I'm fascinated by what you are saying and would love to know more about the man who knew Rose Hovick. Could you possibly send me a PM?

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Updated On: 1/21/09 at 02:30 PM

Here she is boys. Here she is world. Here's Rose (If I've done this right, it should start playing at 20:00) This is from "I've Got A Secret" August 28, 1952. But the embedded video doesn't seem to want to start at 20:00. But, this link goes to the right time: https://youtu.be/PeRmuVd_MHY?t=1202

Updated On: 1/27/21 at 09:36 AM