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London Town (1946 Film)
''London Town'' is a 1946 Technicolor musical film directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Sid Field and Petula Clark, generally regarded as one of the biggest flops in the history of British film, cinema. Plot summary The screenplay by Sig Herzig, Val Guest, and Elliot Paul, based on a story by director Wesley Ruggles, revolves around comedian Jerry Sanford (Sid Field), who arrives in London believing he has been hired as the star of a major stage production, when in fact he is merely an understudy. Thanks to his daughter Peggy (Petula Clark, already a screen veteran at age fourteen), who sabotages the revue's star Charlie de Haven (Sonnie Hale), he finally gets his big break. The premise allows for a variety of musical numbers and comedy sketches performed by, among others, Kay Kendall in her film debut and Tessie O'Shea. Cast * Sid Field as Jerry Sanford * Greta Gynt as Mrs. Eve Barry * Petula Clark as Peggy Sanford * Kay Kendall as Patsy * Sonnie Hale as Charlie de Haven * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wesley Ruggles
Wesley Ruggles (June 11, 1889 – January 8, 1972) was an American film director. Life and work He was born in Los Angeles, California, younger brother of actor Charlie Ruggles. He began his career in 1915 as an actor, appearing in a dozen or so silent films, on occasion with Charlie Chaplin. In 1917, he turned his attention to directing, making more than 50 films—including a silent version of Edith Wharton's novel ''The Age of Innocence'' (1924)—before he won acclaim with '' Cimarron'' in 1931. The adaptation of Edna Ferber's novel '' Cimarron'', about homesteaders settling in the prairies of Oklahoma, was the first Western to win an Oscar as Best Picture. Ruggles followed this success with the light comedy '' No Man of Her Own'' (1932) with Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, the comedy ''I'm No Angel'' (1933) with Mae West and Cary Grant, '' College Humor'' (1933) with Bing Crosby, and ''Bolero'' (1934) with George Raft and Carole Lombard. He teamed with t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Claude Hulbert
Claude Noel Hulbert (25 December 1900 – 23 January 1964) was a mid-20th century English stage, radio and cinema comic actor. Early life Claude Hulbert was born in Fulham in West London on Christmas Day 1900. He was the younger brother of Jack Hulbert. Like his brother he received his formal education at Westminster School and Caius College, University of Cambridge, where he was a member of the Footlights Comedy Club as an undergraduate. Career He began his professional career on the English stage. His first theatrical credit was in the revue ''His Little Trip'' in the Strand Theatre in 1920. The next year he appeared in the London revue ''Fantasia''. In 1924, he was quite successful in the George Grossmith-Guy Bolton musical comedy ''Primrose'', which led to a string of musical comedy roles for him from 1925 to the 1930s, including ''Sunny'', ''Oh Kay'', ''Song of the Sea'' and ''Follow a Star''. Hulbert also was a hit on radio, thanks to his spontaneous manner of delivery ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shepperton Studios
Shepperton Studios is a film studio located in Shepperton, Surrey, England, with a history dating back to 1931. It is now part of the Pinewood Studios Group. During its early existence, the studio was branded as Sound City (not to be confused with the Californian recording studio of the same name). History 1930s–1960s Shepperton Studios was built on the grounds of Littleton Park, which was built in the 17th century by local nobleman Thomas Wood. The old mansion still stands on the site. Scottish businessman Norman Loudon purchased Littleton Park in 1931 for use by his new film company, Sound Film Producing & Recording Studios; the facility opened in 1932. The studios, which produced both short and feature films, expanded rapidly. Proximity to the Vickers-Armstrongs aircraft factory at Brooklands, which attracted German bombers, disrupted filming during the Second World War, as did the requisitioning of the studios in 1941 by the government, who first used it for sugar stora ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rank Organisation
The Rank Organisation was a British entertainment conglomerate founded by industrialist J. Arthur Rank in April 1937. It quickly became the largest and most vertically integrated film company in the United Kingdom, owning production, distribution and exhibition facilities. It also diversified into the manufacture of radios, TVs and photocopiers (as one of the owners of Rank Xerox). The company name lasted until February 1996, when the name and some of the remaining assets were absorbed into the newly structured Rank Group plc. The company itself became a wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox and was renamed XRO Limited in 1997. The company logo, the Gongman, first used in 1935 by the group's distribution company General Film DistributorsThe Independent July 16, 19 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Susan Shaw
Susan Shaw (29 August 192927 November 1978) was an English actress. Biography Shaw was born Patsy Sloots in West Norwood, London. She had wanted to become a dress designer and was working as a typist at the Ministry for Information when she did a screen test for the J. Arthur Rank Organisation. They signed her to a term contract and trained her at its "charm school". She had a bit part in the musical '' London Town'' (1946) and a larger part in another musical, '' Walking on Air'' (1946). She had a small role in ''The Upturned Glass'' (1947) and '' Jassy'' (1947). Shaw was in ''Holiday Camp'' (1947) which introduced the Huggett family, although she did not play a Huggett. Shaw was given her most noticeable role to date in ''It Always Rains on Sunday'' (1947) for Ealing. She had another decent support part in '' My Brother's Keeper'' (1948) at Gainsborough and ''London Belongs to Me'' (1948), in the latter replacing Pat Roc who pulled out. Leading lady Shaw's first lead cam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wally Patch
Walter Sydney Vinnicombe (26 September 1888 – 27 October 1970) was an English actor and comedian. He worked in film, television and theatre. Biography Vinnicombe was born in Willesden, Middlesex and began working on the music hall stages in 1912 and at regular theatres in 1938 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His first film appearance was in 1928, and went on to appear in 213 other films. He worked up to his death, with his last television appearance in the comedy '' Doctor in the House'' in 1970. Partial filmography * ''Blighty'' (1927) - Drill Sergeant * '' Boadicea'' (1927) - Officer in Roman Army (uncredited) * '' The King's Highway'' (1927) - Police Chief * '' Carry On'' (1927) - Andrews * '' The Luck of the Navy'' (1927) - Stoker Clark * ''The Guns of Loos'' (1928) - Sergeant * '' Shooting Stars'' (1928) - Property Man * '' Balaclava'' (1928) - Trooper Strang * '' A Reckless Gamble'' (1928) - Wally * '' You Know What Sailors Are'' (1928) - Seaman * ''High Treason'' ( ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pauline Johnson (actress)
Pauline Johnson (3 November 1899 – 13 February 1947) was an English film actress. She was a leading lady of British films during the silent era. She was born Katherine Johnson in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England and died in Dorset, England in 1947. Partial filmography * ''The Imperfect Lover'' (1921) * ''Class and No Class'' (1921) * ''A Sailor Tramp'' (1922) * '' Wanted, a Boy'' (1924) * '' One of the Best'' (1927) * ''The Hellcat'' (1928) * ''What Next?'' (1928) * '' The Flying Scotsman'' (1929) * '' The Wrecker'' (1929) * '' Wait and See'' (1929) * ''Little Miss London'' (1929) * ''Would You Believe It! ''Would You Believe It!'' is a 1929 British silent comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Forde, Pauline Johnson and Arthur Stratton. It was made at the Nettlefold Studios in Walton-on-Thames and released as a supporting feature.Chi ...'' (1929) References External links * 1899 births 1947 deaths English film actresses Actresses from Ne ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jack Parnell
John Russell Parnell (6 August 1923 – 8 August 2010) was an English musician and musical director. Biography Parnell was born into a theatrical family in London, England. His uncle was the theatrical impresario Val Parnell. During his military service in the 1940s he became a member of Buddy Featherstonhaugh’s Radio Rhythm Club Sextet and played drums with Vic Lewis and other servicemen who were keen on jazz. From 1944 to 1946 Parnell recorded with Lewis, and the Lewis-Parnell Jazzmen’s version of "Ugly Child". During the 1940s and 1950s, he was voted best drummer in the ''Melody Maker'' poll for seven years in succession. He composed many television themes, including '' Love Story'' (for which he won the Harriet Cohen Award), ''Father Brown'', ''The Golden Shot'' and ''Family Fortunes''. He was a regular judge on the ATV talent show ''New Faces''. He was also the musical director for ''The Benny Hill Show''. He was appointed as the musical director for ATV in 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Charles Paton
Charles Ernest Paton (31 July 1874 – 10 April 1970) was an English film actor. He joined the circus at 14, and had early stage and music hall experience. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1927 and 1952, including ''Freedom of the Seas''. In 1927, he appeared in a short film, made in the DeForest Phonofilm sound-on-film process, singing "If Your Face Wants to Smile, We'll Let It In" from the revue ''John Citizen's Lament''. He was born in London and died from a heart attack, also in London. Selected filmography * ''Blackmail'' (1929, UK), Alfred Hitchcock's first sound film * ''The Feather'' (1929) * ''The W Plan'' (1930) * '' What a Night!'' (1931) * ''The Sleeping Cardinal'' (1931) * ''The Lyons Mail'' (1931) * '' The Great Gay Road'' (1931) * ''Stepping Stones'' (1931) * '' The Girl in the Night'' (1931) * '' Glamour'' (1931) * '' The Spare Room'' (1932) * ''Rynox'' (1932) * ''Josser Joins the Navy'' (1932) * '' The Third String'' (1932) * '' The Love Nest'' (1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alfie Dean
Collinson and Dean were a British comedy double act popular during the 1920s and 1930s. They were Will Collinson (born William Valentine Malivoire; 14 February 1882 – June 1958) and Alfie Dean (born Alfred Corfield; 7 March 1902 – 22 September 1948). London-born Collinson had toured Britain, Australia and America as a comedy sketch writer and performer, before he established a working partnership with Alfie Dean in 1925. Dean had started his own career as a juvenile performer in 1915, and the contrast between the pair's ages and height (Collinson was tall, Dean was short) formed part of the basis of their humour. Collinson was a blustery and middle-aged straight man, while Dean goaded him with inane questions, quips, puns and non sequiturs. Unlike many other double acts such as Flanagan and Allen, the audience never felt that Collinson and Dean had an underlying affection for one another, more that they were obliged to co-exist. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reginald Purdell
Reginald Purdell (4 November 1896 – 22 April 1953) was an English actor and screenwriter who appeared in over 40 films between 1930 and 1951. During the same period he also contributed to the screenplays of 15 feature films, such as '' The Dark Tower'', and had a brief foray into directing with two films in 1937. Early life Purdell was born in Clapham, London, the son of Charles William Grasdorff by his marriage to Mary Ann Piddill. At the 1881 census a few weeks after the marriage the couple was living in Monmouthshire and his father stated his name as Carl H. W. Grasdorff, giving his place of birth as Germany, about 1844, while his mother gave hers as Cardiff, about 1857. Grasdorff was naturalized as a British subject under the name of Carl Hermann Wilhelm Grasdorff. Mary Ann Grasdorff's maiden name of Piddill, suitably improved, later provided their son's stage name. In 1892, Grasdorff was listed as "Grasdorff, Carl H. W., Newport, Monmouthshire, and Bute Docks, Card ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
William Fay
William is a male given name of Germanic origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norman conquest of England in 1066,All Things William"Meaning & Origin of the Name"/ref> and remained so throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era. It is sometimes abbreviated "Wm." Shortened familiar versions in English include Will, Wills, Willy, Willie, Bill, and Billy. A common Irish form is Liam. Scottish diminutives include Wull, Willie or Wullie (as in Oor Wullie or the play ''Douglas''). Female forms are Willa, Willemina, Wilma and Wilhelmina. Etymology William is related to the given name ''Wilhelm'' (cf. Proto-Germanic ᚹᛁᛚᛃᚨᚺᛖᛚᛗᚨᛉ, ''*Wiljahelmaz'' > German ''Wilhelm'' and Old Norse ᚢᛁᛚᛋᛅᚼᛅᛚᛘᛅᛋ, ''Vilhjálmr''). By regular sound changes, the native, inherited English form of the name should b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
