Gail Lumet Buckley:The majesty and magic that was Lena Horne passed away yesterday, but the legend is forever. Beauty and glamor Horne made it difficult to sing for a while to be fully appreciated, but when she died at 92 in New York, no doubt it was a woman for all ages.
Horne hated singing in clubs, which were segregated thought the “40 and 50, but his intensity and ability to riveting, not to mention their glamor, became an icon before she brought him a solo exhibition at the Broadway triumph and told the story of his life in words and music.
Horne met once, for an interview with her daughter Gail Lumet Buckley, who by then was divorced from director Sidney Lumet. Lena had appeared in the adaptation of the miserable Lumet “The Wiz” with Michael Jackson as the Good Witch. The couple’s daughter Jenny wrote the hit 2008 movie with Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married.” However, Gail had written a history of his family and at the end of the interview when asked if they wanted to sign the book, Lena wrote, “Gail’s mother.” She was respectful, not wanting to overshadow the achievement of their daughter, but willing to do press to bring the book to the attention it deserves. Of course, she was immensely charming and funny. Farewell, mother of Gail. Perhaps it is fitting somehow left us Mother’s Day.
