Gale Garnett— Versatile Vocalist

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31006, 11 March 1966, Page 2

Gale Garnett— Versatile Vocalist

The Auckland-born singer, Gale Garnett, is the sort of girl who not only says things but, more important, does things—the sort of girl who sings in French for Parisians, Italian for Romans and in “Kiwi” for New Zealanders.

A professional actress for 11 years, she has appeared in 45 television shows and one French film, and writes 95 per cent of her own songs.

She has been the voice for Claudia Cardinale in five films, including the “Pink Panther," speaks Russian, French, Italian and Cantonese, has a smattering of Hindustani and Swahili and collects art treasures. All this —and she is only 23. She adores riding, clothes and cooking (especially Chinese and French cooking) but hates sewing and housekeeping. “I hate to clean up after myself. If you want to eat my meals, you’ve just got to climb through the debris and get them,” she said. New Zealand has impressed Gale, who is making her first visit since she left 17 years ago. “I am seriously thinking of buying a property here,” she said. She has seen attractive properties in the North Island but has been advised not to decide until she has

seen Central Otago. A “real” holiday in the Pacific later this year will give her the opportunity to have a serious look around. Serious Business

“After all, buying a house is a serious business. It’s not like a dress. You can't just throw it away if it doesnt suit you,” she said.

New Zealand attracts her because she feels she could make a “contribution” here. “In France you really can’t make a contribution because it is too ‘Old World.’ Everything is too old. America is fun, but I really can’t get excited about it. It’s a toy country, plastic country. Everything is plastic in America. But I am grateful to America for all the money I’ve made there.” After she left New Zealand, Gale followed her wayfaring father around the world. Her father was a carnival showman and she spent her early years roaming the fairgrounds of England and the United

States and loving it. Her father is English with a dash of Welsh and Irish and seems to have bequeathed his wanderlust to his daughter. Her mother, who is Russian, lost her enthusiasm for the carnival life long before her daughter. After London, it was Canada, then America, then Paris. By the time Gale was in her mid-teens she was more or less “stationary” in New York, where she attended the Performing Arts High School. First Love Serious acting is still her first love. She became a singer quite by chance when she went to sell some of her songs to R.C.A. Vctor and “I sold myself as well.” When it comes to making a choice in the entertainment world it is not a case of giving up anything. “I want to do everything,” she said. She travels with an enormous wardrobe. “After all, one appearance on telly and you've used that frock for the I year. Who would want to be dubbed ‘that girl in the spotted frock’,” she said. She has been called Mrs Emma Peel, which “Avengers” fans will recognise as a compliment. Musical training? None. “You ask my guitarist. In fact you should interview my guitarist. He has very strong opinions on the Bengal rash and the mating habits of sandpipers. Bengal rash? You know—the rash you get from walking through the Bengal jungle.” Gale Garnett is personality plus. She talks quickly and huskily about anything and has an answer for everything. Told she was a very goodlooking girl, she answered; “No. My legs are too short. They just reach the ground and no more.” Gale has three flats, in California, New York and Paris. They are only storehouses for her paintings and her art treasures and she is still looking for a home. If she bought a house in New Zealand, would she settle here? “Well,” she said thoughtfully, “performers don't exactly settle. . ?