Thursday, May 19, 2005

100 years ago

After a year of matrimony a young woman named Beatrice Cartledge, a talented violinist, obtained a separation order from her husband for cruelty of an unusual kind. Having taken to drink it was stated that Mr Cartledge abused his wife shamefully, allowed her only dry bread, with occasionally a little butter to eat, forced her wedding ring off her finger, and turned her out of doors. On one occasion he tore her wedding dress to shreds, and danced on the remnants in the backyard for a long time. Eventually the wife had to take refuge in a neighbour's house. The bailiffs seized all the furniture, which had been obtained on hire purchase. In the box the young woman trembled violently and looked very ill. While she was giving evidence her husband suddenly fell forward in the dock and was carried out of court in a faint amid the sobs of his wife, who eventually went away with her mother.

50 years ago

Greta Garbo had made her last film 14 years previously, yet she had been awarded a special Oscar in 1954 by the Motion Picture Academy for her "luminous and unforgettable performances". Viewers would be able to judge for themselves whether the magic of Garbo was just another Hollywood myth, as excerpts from some of her films including "Queen Christina," "Camille," "Ninotchka" and "Anna Karenina" would be shown in a 30-minute programme. George Cukor, who directed Garbo in "Camille", would introduce the scenes.

25 years ago

The new Lord Mayor of York, Coun Clive Kay, proposed a petition to the Queen, asking for Prince Andrew to be created Duke of York in 1981, his 21st birthday year. He suggested the petition within minutes of being sworn in as Lord Mayor, at a colourful ceremony in York Guildhall. He reminded the guests that, by custom, the second son of the sovereign had become the Duke of York. "Is it not time that this ancient and famous City of York should itself raise a petition?" he asked. "I believe that it is time York had another honour such as this conferred on it and I commend this to you."

Updated: 08:58 Thursday, May 19, 2005