Helen Raymond

Helen Raymond (September 3, 1878 – November 26, 1965) was a stage actress who did comedy roles on Broadway, and also appeared in Hollywood motion pictures. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Her introduction to Broadway came in 1915 in Very Good Eddie. She traveled to London, England during World War I and appeared at the Apollo Theatre. Raymond attained more success than previous Americans who performed on the British stage. In England she recreated her original role of Signora Monte in Twin Beds, for which she gained fame on Broadway. The name of the play was changed to Be Careful, Baby after the English censor was shocked when it was performed. A number of the lines were deleted along with portions of the lingerie display. Helen had been recruited by British play managers, George Grossmith, Jr. and Edward Laurillard, to import her Twin Beds character.

The actress obtained a special passport from the English Secretary of State for Employment to enter England following the outbreak of World War I. To participate in productions there Helen had to endure the submarine threat and air raids. She made many court appearances while in Europe for royalty and gave benefits for wounded soldiers. One of her most treasured possessions was a medal presented to her by the Queen of Belgium for her work among Belgian war heroes. Another was a hand-embroidered handkerchief made for Raymond by Queen Carmen Sylva.

Helen's final appearance in a Broadway production was as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man, from 1957-1960. She was also featured in Anything Goes (1934) and One Touch of Venus (1943). She performed with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera at the Jones Beach Marine Theater and the St. Louis, Missouri Municipal Opera.

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