Joy Dale Oral History
Object number2004.001.0033
Date08/03/2004
ClassificationsOral Histories
Oral history interview subject
Joy Dale
Oral history interviewer
Stephen Fagin
Oral history interviewer
Arlinda Abbott
ObjectOral history
Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumHi-8 videotape
Dimensions60 Minutes
DescriptionVideotaped oral history interview with Joy Dale. In 1963, Dale worked as a stripper at Jack Ruby's Carousel Club. She spoke with Ruby at the club the afternoon of the assassination and was later interviewed on live television the day of the Oswald shooting.
Interview conducted on August 3, 2004 by Arlinda Abbott and Stephen Fagin. The interview is one hour long.
Curatorial Commentary"Joy Dale" was the stage name used by this performer at Jack Ruby's Carousel Club in 1963. At Ms. Dale's request, her real name was not used during this 2004 oral history interview. One of her fellow Carousel Club dancers, Nancy Myers (stage name: Tammi True) recorded a videotaped oral history interview on May 6, 2010. Both ladies spoke highly of their employer, Jack Ruby, and emphasized his warm and protective nature, particularly among women and children.
Ms. Dale passed away on February 28, 2017. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
Since her oral history in 2004, Joy Dale has appeared in a few TV documentaries talking about Jack Ruby, her employer and friend. She came to my attention in the late 90s in a most unusual way. The late Sue Hilty, The Sixth Floor Museum's office manager, mentioned one day that the locksmith who sometimes did work for the Museum was married to a woman who once worked for Ruby. I immediately called him for more information and soon found Joy was a delightful woman with some wonderful stories about Dallas in the 60s. She has been a good friend of the Museum ever since. - Gary Mack, Curator
Howard Brodie
03/06/1964
