They had taken an extended journey through Europe and North Africa and were returning to the United States after finalizing some theatrical business in London.

[citation needed] After these bills were paid, Harris enjoyed enough success to afford the lifestyle she had led before Titanic.

In the course of her theater work, she discovered people such as Barbara Stanwyck, Mae Clarke, and playwright Moss Hart.

But the stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent depression meant the end of her assets and brought hard times to all in the entertainment industries.

Harris retained her pleasant disposition and sense of humor regardless of whether she was having good times or bad and made friends throughout her life.

Her father owned a jewelry store next to the Willard Hotel; he died when Harris was six years old and her mother took in boarders to support the family.

Mr. Harris discovered she had a keen sense of the theatrical world and soon was asking her to help him by reading plays and attending rehearsals.

[8][10] After the marriage, the couple moved into an apartment in New York's Wellington Hotel, where Harris met Evelyn Nesbit, who was also living there.

When the Harrises visited London in 1906, Langtry introduced them to King Edward, who invited them to be his guests in the Royal Box at Epsom Downs.

[12][13][14] She said her husband had taught her everything she knew about the theater,[15] Mr. Harris was so sure of his wife's abilities, he once told Edgar Selwyn, "I never take an important step without consulting Renee.

"[9][16] After a long continental holiday which began in late 1911 and included a journey to North Africa, the couple was returning to the United States.

He also began working with motion pictures; during his London visit, he had secured the US rights for the British full-color film The Miracle.

[2][19] Mr. Harris wired his associate, Charles Klein, that he and Renee would be sailing on the maiden voyage of the new White Star liner RMS Titanic.

As she was being guided into the harbor, the giant ship caused a large displacement of water which made the moored SS City of New York swiftly rise and fall.

[22][23] Harris was at the rail of Titanic watching the efforts to stop the New York when a stranger came up to her and asked, "Do you love life?"

The cabin's closet door had been left open and Harris was watching her clothing swinging quickly on their hangers.

[20][28] Mr. Harris helped his wife dress warmly and put her jewelry in his pockets for safe keeping.

About a half-hour before the arrival of the rescue ship Carpathia, the Titanic officer Charles Lightoller was able to take this boat into tow from his lifeboat.

Lightoller later told Harris that if the Carpathia had arrived on the scene of the disaster a half-hour later, the collapsible lifeboat she was in would have totally sunk.

[37] After boarding Carpathia, Harris composed herself enough to request that a message be sent to family and associates informing them she was safe and was still hopeful about the safety of Mr.

[13][17][39] When Carpathia arrived in New York on April 18, Harris was met by her father-in-law, brother, and the family doctor.

Her sister, Edna, spoke for her at a news interview; she attended a Masonic memorial service for her husband at the Hudson Theatre, but had no recollection of being there.

[2][42][43] Harris later sued the White Star Line for $1 million for the death of her husband; she received only a fraction of this amount.

[15][49] The decision to carry on in her husband's stead made Renee Harris the first female theatrical manager and producer on Broadway.

[2][45][59][64] Harris was offered the chance for The Green Pastures at the Hudson Theatre and eagerly signed the production.

When construction of the play's sets began, it was found that building a treadmill necessary for the production would damage the theater's foundation.

Harris first saw Barbara Stanwyck (then Ruby Stevens) and her two friends Mae Clarke and Dorothy Shepherd when they were dancing in the chorus at a New York nightclub.

Harris asked each of them to read a few lines, then hired them for speaking parts in the play with Stanwyck in the role of Dot.

[77][78][79] Stanwyck's role as Dot was enlarged when Harris suggested this character fall in love with the young man instead of the governor's daughter.

"[2][59] When Walter Lord began writing A Night to Remember, he located and interviewed more than 60 persons who had survived the disaster.