| Irene Wallach Harris | |
| Birth Name: | Irene Wallach |
| Birth Date: | June 15, 1876 |
| Birth Place: | Washington, D.C., U.S |
| Death Date: | September 2, 1969 (aged 93) |
| Death Place: | New York City, U.S |
| Resting Place: | Ferncliff Cemetery, Westchester County, New York |
| Known For: | First female theatre producer on Broadway |
| Relatives: | William Harris Sr. (father-in-law) William Harris Jr. (brother-in-law) |
Irene Wallach Harris, better known as Renee Harris (June 15, 1876 – September 2, 1969), was the first female theatrical manager and producer in the United States. Harris was interested in the theater, but had no experience with it other than as a patron. While attending a matinée, she met her husband, the noted theatrical manager and producer Henry B. Harris. The two had a whirlwind courtship, with Harris assisting her husband in his work even before the marriage. Through their work together, Harris learned about both theater management and theatrical production. Her husband said that she was competent enough to take over his business if anything happened to him.
The couple owned New York theaters and large homes, and traveled extensively for both business and pleasure. They had taken an extended journey through Europe and North Africa and were returning to the United States after finalizing some theatrical business in London. The Harrises were sailing on the maiden voyage of the new White Star liner, . When the ship began sinking, Harris wanted to stay with her husband. Despite being injured by a fall, she climbed out of the first lifeboat she was placed in before it was lowered into the water. Harris finally left Titanic fifteen minutes before the giant liner sank.
She returned to New York a widow and decided to continue her husband's business because she felt it was what he would have wanted. With the help of her father-in-law, Harris was able to successfully keep the business going. When her husband's will was settled, she learned there were more debts than assets. Her father-in-law advised her to close the business but Harris felt this would be an insult to his name and memory. She threw herself into hard work and was able to pay her husband's debts.
After these bills were paid, Harris enjoyed enough success to afford the lifestyle she had led before Titanic. In the course of her theater work, she discovered people such as Barbara Stanwyck, Mae Clarke, and playwright Moss Hart. But the stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent depression meant the end of her assets and brought hard times to all in the entertainment industries. Harris retained her pleasant disposition and sense of humor regardless of whether she was having good times or bad and made friends throughout her life. She died in 1969 at age 93.
Renee Harris was born Irene Wallach on June 15, 1876, in Washington, D.C.[1] She was the daughter of Philip and Rachel (Hilzheim) Wallach.[1] [2] [3] [4] Harris was the seventh of nine children in the large Jewish family. Her father owned a jewelry store next to the Willard Hotel; he died when Harris was six years old and her mother took in boarders to support the family. Several boarders worked as secretaries in various government offices and it was suggested to Harris that she take secretarial training. Harris followed the suggestion and got a job in a Tennessee congressman's office where she worked for three years.
By age 22, Harris had moved to New York City, where she studied law and worked as a legal secretary. She had an interest in the theater, attending as many performances as she was able. Harris was attending a matinee when she felt someone's hand on the back of her neck. Surprised, she quickly turned around. Her intentions were to speak sternly to the offender, but she changed her mind when she saw his kind eyes and pleasant smile. The young woman had just met theatrical producer Henry B. Harris.
Despite a ten-year difference in their ages, the producer and the law student had an interest in the theater in common. Mr. Harris discovered she had a keen sense of the theatrical world and soon was asking her to help him by reading plays and attending rehearsals.[5]