This week, we continue our celebration of Women's History month with a feature on Odette Myrtil.

Odette Myrtil

Born on June 28, 1898, Odette Myrtil was an actress, musician and costume designer who played an important role in the creative culture of New Hope during the second half of the 20th century.  She was born in Paris, France, and found success as a musician and an actress by the time she was a teenager.  She appeared in many productions on Broadway and in the theaters of Chicago, London, Los Angeles, and Paris.

Odette was also and accomplished film star.  Instead of gaining notoriety as a leading lady, she was a skilled character actress, often playing roles that highlighted her abilities as a singer.  From 1923-1972, she appeared in more than 20 feature length films.

She eventually relocated to New Hope, Pennsylvania and stayed there for the later half of her life.  Odette had a profound impact on the rich culture of the popular town.  She managed The Playhouse Inn (next door to the Bucks County Playhouse) from 1955 to 1958.  And from 1961 to 1976 she operated the New Hope restaurant “Chez Odette”  – now known simply as Odette's Restaurant.  She died in Doylestown, Pennsylvania in 1978, at the age of 80.

Stay tuned for more more information on Bucks County’s Happening Women throughout the remaining weeks of March.

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