A notorious madam who ran a popular brothel in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s, and later wrote a bestselling memoir about her experiences. She's known for her wit, charm, and savvy business acumen.
Polly Adler, born Pearl Adler, was a renowned American madam and author, best known for her memoir A House Is Not a Home, which was posthumously adapted into a film of the same name. Her book offered a candid and juicy glimpse into the scandalous world of New York City's elite during the 1920s and 1930s.
Adler was born on April 16, 1900, in Yanow, Imperial Russia (now western Belarus), to a family of Russian-Jewish origin. She was the eldest of nine children, and her parents, Gertrude Koval and Morris Adler, a tailor, later sent her to the United States at the age of 13 to escape the increasing number of pogroms.
She traveled with a cousin, but halfway through the journey, her cousin decided to turn back, leaving Adler to fend for herself. World War I delayed the rest of her family's immigration to the U.S. until after the war ended. During this time, she lived with family friends in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she attended school and worked in a paper mill.
At 19, Adler began to frequent Manhattan's theatrical circles, where she gained a reputation as a charismatic and alluring young woman. She eventually opened her own brothel, which became a popular haunt for high-society individuals, including politicians, businessmen, and celebrities.
Adler's establishment was known for its luxurious decor, lavish parties, and high-end clientele. She became a prominent figure in New York City's underworld, earning the respect and admiration of her peers.
In the 1950s, Adler turned to writing, penning her memoir A House Is Not a Home, which was published in 1953. The book offered a candid and often humorous look at her life as a madam, as well as her experiences with the city's elite.
The book's success led to a film adaptation in 1964, starring Shelley Winters as Adler. The film was a commercial success, further cementing Adler's place in American popular culture.
Polly Adler's life and work have had a lasting impact on American popular culture. Her memoir and the subsequent film adaptation offered a glimpse into the hidden world of New York City's elite during the Jazz Age.
In 2021, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Debby Applegate published a comprehensive biography of Adler's life and times, entitled Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age.
"I never was a madam, I was an entertainer."
Polly Adler's life was a testament to her strength, resilience, and determination. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the most challenging of circumstances, one can rise above and forge their own path.
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