When I was eight or nine years old, I was at Queens Ice Rink when a lady with very blue eye shadow came to the rink and sat at the edge of the ice - that was "Queenie", Belita's mother.
I had only heard of Belita, the wonderful skater, and when she stepped onto the ice, I stepped back and watched this very balletic skater and was enthralled. We shared the same coach, Jacques Gershweiler. I swam at the same club, passed all my ballet tests, just as Belita had done at age 12. Little did I know that I would be called "Baby Belita."
In the show, "Babes in the Woods," at Empress Hall, I was cast as Girl Babe to Belita's Robin Hood. During rehearsals, Gersh taught me a new spin that was so different. I practiced that spin until I had it so good! Then put it in my solo.
I did not know that Belita had a lesson with Gersh and he taught her the same spin. Uh Oh! While Belita was watching the dress rehearsal of the show and saw that spin in my solo, she jumped out of her chair, came onto the ice and slapped my face. She said, "How dare you copy any of my tricks!" After a time, it was sorted out with management and she apologized in front of the whole cast.
Many years later I was invited to a party at the house in Hamersmith that was on Grabtree Gardens. I was worried she would be nasty to me. Instead, she latched onto me and stayed with me the evening. Seems she did not put together that I was the little girl skater from years back that copied her spin!
I was always very happy anytime someone said that I reminded them of Belita. Her skating would still stand up today as very special.
© Copyright 2006 proskatinghistoricalfoundation.org