Noted actress, songwriter, production supervisor, and author, Elsie Janis, made her mark in the entertainment industry from a young age. As "Little Elsie," she performed in vaudeville as a child and later appeared in numerous Broadway musicals, including "The Vanderbilt Cup," "The Hoyden," "The Fair Co-ed," "The Slim Princess," and "The Lady of the Slipper."
Janis was a charter member of ASCAP in 1914 and made her London debut the same year. She was the first American to entertain the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I, performing for the troops in France and other war-torn areas. Her experiences during the war inspired her to write and produce the musical "Elsie Janis and Her Gang," which featured ex-servicemen.
Janis also had a successful career in silent films, starring in six movies from 1915 to 1919. She made her Paris debut in 1921 and went on to give concerts in the United States from 1923 to 1925. After a brief hiatus, she re-entered the film industry, collaborating with renowned composers such as Jerome Kern and Edmund Goulding.
Throughout her career, Janis penned numerous popular songs, including "Any Time's the Time to Fall in Love," "I'm True to the Navy Now," "Live and Love Today," "Molly-O-Mine," "From the Valley," "Your Eyes," "Some Sort of Somebody," "Oh, Give Me Time for Tenderness," and "A Little Love." Her remarkable talent and versatility have left a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.
