The essence of Gracie fields lies in that inner core of humorous common-sense which enables her to laugh at herself. She will stalk on to the stage, looking a complete fine lady, and begin to sing a serious sentimental ballad in that glorious voice of hers. In the middle of it all, she will let out a peal of laughter, or a terse comment in her native Lancashire, as if to assure us that her grandeur is just a pose and that underneath she is still Gracie the mill-girl. Long before she became a great star, Gracie Field's low-life studies (as in this picture) were famous in music-halls all over the country.
