256:, the American choreographer and producer, to produce shows at the Paris Lido. While beginning with a modest contract in 1947, the Bluebell Girls quickly became the sole stars of the Lido shows and gained notoriety locally and nationally. Their shows were different from the others; Bluebell had an inventory of the tallest and most beautiful dancers who, with their costumes and high heels, towered over everybody on stage. Donn Arden's shows differentiated themselves from the others by the mixture of movement, colour, music and light in a kaleidoscope of impetuous rhythm. By the end of the 1950s, the Bluebell Girls had become an internationally recognized organization. Their base in Paris was supplemented by what had become permanent troupes in
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Leibovici was killed in a car crash, having fallen asleep at the wheel, and Kelly then had to take over all his business responsibilities. The disappearance of the motive force behind its commercial success could have marked the end of the
Bluebell Girls. Nevertheless, Margaret became wholly responsible for their four children: Patrick, Francis, Florence and Jean-Paul, and kept the Bluebell's programme in steady operation, even increasing the number of troupes and activities by continually adding innovative new elements and artists. One of her most noteworthy innovations was the introduction of the "topless" dancer in 1970.
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From 1947, Marcel
Leibovici had entered in full partnership with his wife, managing the orchestral, business and financial side of her operation and, thanks to his considerable flair, had made the Bluebell Girls one of the most celebrated and prestigious dancing troupes in the world. In 1961, Marcel
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On June 24, 2010, Bluebell Girls belonging to four generations and coming from around the world celebrated the first centenary of the birth of Kelly by meeting at the Lido de Paris. At the end of the show, they went on the stage and joined the
Bluebell Girls who had performed.
187:, pianist and composer at the Folies Bergère. During the Second World War, they had two sons: Patrick (1939) and Francis (1941). Following the German occupation of Paris in 1940, Kelly, now pregnant with Francis, was arrested by the French police and interned in
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At the age of 14, Kelly left school and joined a
Scottish dance troupe called the Hot Jocks. Nine months later, she was contracted to the Scala in Berlin by noted producer Alfred Jackson, manager of the Jackson Girls. Kelly remained at the Scala for 5 years.
276:, but she continued her global activities, particularly in Las Vegas with the MGM Grand Hotel. The Paris Lido bought her brand name Bluebell Girls, allowing the name to be continued in shows.
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161:, where, on the direction of a doctor, Kelly was registered in a dance class to strengthen her frail legs. Quickly, it appeared that she had a great talent.
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In 1987, the
British sculptor Doreen Kern realized Kelly's life-size bronze portrait bust, it was placed on her tomb (and stolen on 18 July 2008)..
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Within the framework of its mission to present the history of entertainment, the
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helped him flee from Gurs and return to Paris, where he was hidden by his wife opposite the
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produced by
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is inspired by this event in the life of
Margaret Kelly and her husband.
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Memorial plaque on the grave of
Margaret Kelly and her son Jean-Paul
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In 1939, she married Marcel
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dancer who was the founder of the Bluebell Girls dance troupe.
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After the war, Kelly began a fruitful collaboration with
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In 1986 the BBC broadcast a major drama series called
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In 1996, Kelly was placed under French guardianship.
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In 1986 Kelly went into semi-retirement and left the
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240:Margaret Kelly with Bluebell Girls, 1948
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280:Awards and tributes
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83:24 June 1910
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435:Last years
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274:Paris Lido
268:Later life
254:Donn Arden
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79:1910-06-24
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