Dorothy and Gardner Hale’s New York City Apartment Building

Dorothy and Gardner Hale lived at 240 East 79th Street in New York City after they were married. The Upper East Side building is located between Second and Third Avenues. As you can see, the Art Deco-style facade has been maintained and is in excellent condition.

Dorothy Hale’s Old Madame X Dress - Myth Number Eight

When Dorothy was found dead on October 21, 1938, she was wearing a black evening gown. In Myth Number Seven, it is discussed that Clare Boothe Luce told Dorothy she looked best in her 'old Madame X black velvet.' The black gown Dorothy was found in was not 'old.' She had purchased the dress in early October, 1938 from designer Mabel McIlvain Downs. Here is the receipt for the dress.

Original receipt for black evening gown

Dorothy Hale’s Farewell Party. Myth Number Seven

Clare Boothe Luce wrote that Dorothy Hale told her she was going on a very long trip to a secret destination and was giving herself a farewell cocktail party on the evening of October 20, 1938. Clare, explained that she had been annoyed at Dorothy’s financial debt and said ‘I’m sorry I can’t make your party. The thing you look best in is your old Madame X black velvet. Hope the trip lives up to your expectations.’

Dorothy was found dead the next morning. She had fallen sixteen stories from her apartment window at the Hampshire House on Central Park South.

Portion of The Montreal Gazette Oct. 22, 1938

On the evening of October 20th, Dorothy was not giving herself a farewell party. She was hosting a cocktail party in honor of Laurence Steinhardt, who would be appointed Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1939 by President Roosevelt. In 1938, Steinhardt served as the United State’s Ambassador to Peru. (See image of Montreal Gazette clipping, "Dorothy Hale Dies in 16-Storey Fall" right)

According to Clare’s appointment book, she had a lunch scheduled with Dorothy on Friday, October 21st. If Dorothy was to leave the next day for her long, secret trip, it is peculiar she would have scheduled a lunch date.

Myra Bairstow
info@dorothyhale.com

Quotes and Passages from “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera.