Josephine Mary Melville was born 28 August 1903, one of journalist George Melville’s two children. Her younger sister Jean travelled from Sydney on theatre work with Josie who, like Robert Helpmann, was a dancer mentored by Minnie Everett of JC Williamson’s Ltd: “the firm”. Their pantomime Babes in the Wood (by Dix and Slater) opened in Melbourne in January 1922. The company, scenery, costumes and effects were brought by special train to Adelaide, before transferring to Sydney then to Her Majesty’s, Brisbane in April1922. Josie was the principal dancer.
At Her Majesty’s, Sydney 6 January 1923, JCW’s opened Jerome Kern’s Sally, transferring to Adelaide’s Theatre Royal 18 August 1923, then to Melbourne’s Theatre Royal 15 September.1923 when, according to SA’s Chronicle (page 65) the enthusiastic national musical star, Little Josie Melville, revealed a “retiring and modest disposition”.
At Adelaide’s Grosvenor Hotel 31 August 1923 Minnie Everett, Mrs. Helpmann and her son Robert held a tea-dance for JCW’s cast of Sally. Robert, aged 14, had recently left school to dance for JCW’s. He was a key member of Prince Alfred College’s the Jazz Follies with Wylton Todd, Elford Mack and “Jack” Glover (born 6.September 1902), who met Josie Melville at this dance.
Kern’s Good Morning Dearie opened at Sydney’s Theatre Royal 5 July 1924, featuring Josie who then appeared with Nellie Stewart in Miss Maggie Moore Testimonial at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney where on 4 April 1925 JCW’s presented Josie in Kid Boots, transferring to Adelaide’s Theatre Royal. Josie continued as an audience favourite: an excellent dancer and adequate singer for musicals in Australia and overseas she kept fit by swimming at Sydney’s Bondi when at home there.
At St. John’s Church, Adelaide, 24 April 1934 Josie married Charles John Glover. They lived with his parents at their home until their house was built nearby at Childers Street, North Adelaide. Josie was a society matron, no longer performing. Their child, Charles John Melville Glover, arrived in 1936. His businessman and architect father served with the AIF overseas in World War 2. Their son attended his family’s usual school, Prince Alfred College then followed the Glovers’ SA traditions. In September 1953 CJ Glover divorced Josie, then discreetly married a woman from a more ‘traditional’ background. Like his father: “Jack” became Lord Mayor of Adelaide (1960-1963); knighted ten days before his 1969 death. Back in Sydney, Josie died 17 September 1963 and is buried at Waverley Cemetery.
