Leslie Lincoln Henson (3 August 1891 – 2 December 1957) was an English comedian, actor, producer for films and theatre, and

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

. He initially worked in

silent films A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, whe ...

and

Edwardian musical comedy Edwardian musical comedy was a form of British musical theatre that extended beyond the reign of King Edward VII in both directions, beginning in the early 1890s, when the Gilbert and Sullivan operas' dominance had ended, until the rise of the A ...

and became a popular

music hall Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Bri ...

comedian who enjoyed a long stage career. He was famous for his bulging eyes, malleable face and raspy voice and helped to form the

Entertainments National Service Association The Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was an organisation established in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II. ENSA operated as part of the Navy, ...

(ENSA) during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. Born in

Notting Hill Notting Hill is a district of West London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Notting Hill is known for being a cosmopolitan and multicultural neighbourhood, hosting the annual Notting Hill Carnival and Portobello Road M ...

, London, Henson became interested in the theatre from an early age, writing and producing theatrical pieces while at school. He studied with the

Cairns James Lewis Cairns James (23 September 1865–7 October 1946) was a Scottish-born baritone, actor, educator and opera producer most prominent during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. From 1887 to 1891 he performed with a D'Oyly Carte Opera Compa ...

School of Musical and Dramatic Art as a child, making his professional stage début at the age of 19. His first West End role was in ''Nicely, Thanks!'' (1912) and he later starred in several hit West End

Edwardian musical comedies Edwardian musical comedy was a form of British musical theatre that extended beyond the reign of King Edward VII in both directions, beginning in the early 1890s, when the Gilbert and Sullivan operas' dominance had ended, until the rise of the A ...

, including '' To-Night's the Night'' (1915) and ''

Yes, Uncle! ''Yes, Uncle!'' is a musical comedy by Austen Hurgon and George Arthurs, with music by Nat D. Ayer and lyrics by Clifford Grey (who also wrote ''The Bing Boys are Here'' and the following series of highly successful reviews). The story is based o ...

'' (1917). After briefly serving with the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

, he was released from active service by the British government to help run a concert party called "The Gaieties", which provided entertainment for the troops during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. After the war, he returned to the West End, playing in ''

Kissing Time ''Kissing Time'', and an earlier version titled ''The Girl Behind the Gun'', are musical comedies with music by Ivan Caryll, book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, and additional lyrics by Clifford Grey. The story is based on the 191 ...

'' (1919) and a series of musical comedies and farces throughout the 1920s and 1930s. At the start of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, together with

Basil Dean Basil Herbert Dean CBE (27 September 1888 – 22 April 1978) was an English actor, writer, producer and director in the theatre and in cinema. He founded the Liverpool Repertory Company in 1911 and in the First World War, after organising unoff ...

, he helped to form ENSA, with which he entertained British troops abroad. Henson's postwar stage success continued in

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...

s, musicals and plays, including a West End adaptation of ''

The Diary of a Nobody ''The Diary of a Nobody'' is an English comic novel written by the brothers George and Weedon Grossmith, with illustrations by the latter. It originated as an intermittent serial in ''Punch'' magazine in 1888–89 and first appeared in book for ...

'' in 1955. Henson's film career was intermittent, and he made 14 films from 1916 to 1956. The most notable of these was '' Tons of Money'' in 1924, which introduced the popular

Aldwych farces The Aldwych farces were a series of twelve stage farces presented at the Aldwych Theatre, London, nearly continuously from 1923 to 1933. All but three of them were written by Ben Travers. They incorporate and develop British low comedy styles ...

to British cinema audiences. In 1956, Henson's friend Bobby Hullett died in circumstances that struck him as suspicious. Henson anonymously notified the police that her doctor,

John Bodkin Adams John Bodkin Adams (21 January 18994 July 1983) was an Irish-born British general practitioner, convicted fraudster, and suspected serial killer. Between 1946 and 1956, 163 of his patients died while in comas, which was deemed to be worthy of i ...

, should be investigated. Adams was subsequently tried for a different murder but acquitted.

Biography

Leslie Henson was born in

, London, the eldest child and only son of Joseph Lincoln Henson, a tallow

chandler Chandler or The Chandler may refer to: * Chandler (occupation), originally head of the medieval household office responsible for candles, now a person who makes or sells candles * Ship chandler, a dealer in supplies or equipment for ships Arts ...

, and his wife, Alice Mary (née Squire). He was educated at the

Emanuel School Emanuel School is an independent, co-educational day school in Battersea, south-west London. The school was founded in 1594 by Anne Sackville, Lady Dacre and Queen Elizabeth I and occupies a 12-acre (4.9 ha) site close to Clapham Junction ra ...

(Wandsworth), and at Cliftonville College (Margate). Interested in the theatre from an early age, Henson wrote and produced theatrical pieces while at school. He worked briefly in the family business but soon studied with the

School of Musical and Dramatic Art.Shorter, Eric
''Henson, Leslie Lincoln (1891–1957)''
''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, January 2011; accessed 20 June 2011.

Early career

Henson began his professional stage career at age 19 in the provinces with The Tatlers' concert party, soon appearing in London in the

pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and (to a lesser extent) in other English-speaking ...

''Sinbad'' at the Dalston Theatre at Christmas 1910. After concert appearances, he toured in ''

The Quaker Girl ''The Quaker Girl'' is an Edwardian musical comedy in three acts with a book by James T. Tanner, lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank, and music by Lionel Monckton. In its story, ''The Quaker Girl'' contrasts dour Quaker morality with Paris ...

'' in 1912 in the role of Jeremiah. His first West End role was later that year in ''Nicely, Thanks!'' at the

Royal Strand Theatre The Royal Strand Theatre was located in the Strand in the City of Westminster. The theatre was built on the site of a panorama in 1832, and in 1882 was rebuilt by the prolific theatre architect Charles J. Phipps. It was demolished in 1905 to ma ...

."Outstanding Stage Personality"
''Glasgow Herald'', 3 December 1957, p. 3; accessed 8 June 2010. Actor

Stanley Holloway Stanley Augustus Holloway (1 October 1890 – 30 January 1982) was an English actor, comedian, singer and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles Stanley Holloway on stage and screen, on stage and screen, especially t ...

dedicated a chapter in his 1967 autobiography to Henson, describing how Henson helped establish his career by signing him to perform in ''Nicely Thanks!'' He performed with The Scamps' concerts and starred in the comic roles in hit West End

such as '' To-Night's the Night'' (1914 on Broadway and 1915 at the

Gaiety Theatre, London The Gaiety Theatre was a West End theatre in London, located on Aldwych at the eastern end of the Strand. The theatre was first established as the Strand Musick Hall in 1864 on the former site of the Lyceum Theatre. In 1868, it became known a ...

), ''

Theodore & Co ''Theodore & Co'' is an English musical theatre, musical comedy in two acts with a book by H. M. Harwood and George Grossmith Jr. based on the French comedy ''Théodore et Cie'' by Paul Armont and Nicolas Nancey, with music by Ivor Novello and J ...

'' (1916), and ''

'' (1917). His malleable features, bulging eyes and raspy voice made him an audience favourite, especially in his own comic sketches. He also appeared in films occasionally, beginning with ''Wanted: A Widow'' (1916). Henson signed up with the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

but was removed from active service in 1918 to run a concert party group called "The Gaieties" in the 5th Army, to give shows for the troops. That autumn, he was stationed in

Lille Lille ( , ; nl, Rijsel ; pcd, Lile; vls, Rysel) is a city in the northern part of France, in French Flanders. On the river Deûle, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Pref ...

, which had been recently evacuated by the Germans, and was able to stage

s and a pantomime at the abandoned Opera House. He returned to the West End in ''

'' (1919), ''

Sally Sally may refer to: People *Sally (name), a list of notable people with the name Military *Sortie (siege warfare), Sally (military), an attack by the defenders of a town or fortress under siege against a besieging force; see sally port *Sally, ...

'' (1921) and a string of musicals at the

Winter Garden Theatre The Winter Garden Theatre is a Broadway theatre at 1634 Broadway in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It opened in 1911 under designs by architect William Albert Swasey. The Winter Garden's current design dates to 1922, when ...

, including '' A Night Out'' (1920), ''

The Cabaret Girl ''The Cabaret Girl'' is a musical comedy in three acts with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by George Grossmith, Jr. and P. G. Wodehouse. It was produced by Grossmith and J. A. E. Malone at the Winter Garden Theatre in London's West ...

'' (1922) and ''

The Beauty Prize ''The Beauty Prize'' is a musical comedy in three acts, with music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by George Grossmith and P. G. Wodehouse. It was first produced by Grossmith and J A E Malone on 5 September 1923 at the Winter Garden Theatre, ...

'' (1923). In '' Tons of Money'' (1922), he starred as Aubrey Allington, which led to the long-running series of

Aldwych Farces The Aldwych farces were a series of twelve stage farces presented at the Aldwych Theatre, London, nearly continuously from 1923 to 1933. All but three of them were written by Ben Travers. They incorporate and develop British low comedy styles ...

, which he co-produced with

Tom Walls Thomas Kirby Walls (18 February 1883 – 27 November 1949) was an English stage and film actor, producer and director, best known for presenting and co-starring in the Aldwych farces in the 1920s and for starring in and directing the film adapt ...

. In 1924, he played Aubrey Allington again when he and Walls made his most notable film, '' Tons of Money'', which introduced the Aldwych farces to British cinema audiences for the first time. In 1926, he starred in ''

Kid Boots ''Kid Boots'' is a musical theatre, musical with a book by William Anthony McGuire and Otto Harbach, music by Harry Tierney, and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy (lyricist), Joseph McCarthy. The show was staged by Edward Royce. Produced by Florenz Zi ...

'' in London and then toured the English provinces in ''Betty Lee'' in 1926. In 1927, he appeared in a musical, ''Lady Luck'' at the

Carlton Theatre The Carlton Theatre was a London West End dual-purpose theatre-cum-cinema built in 1927 for Adolph Zukor's Paramount Pictures. It continues in use as a cinema and is now called Empire Haymarket. It was designed by Frank Verity and Sam Bever ...

, London, followed by ''Funny Face'', 1928.Suskin, Steven. ''Show Tunes: the songs, shows and careers of Broadway's major composers'', Oxford University Press In 1930, Henson and his business partner Firth Shephard co-leased the

Novello Theatre The Novello Theatre is a West End theatre on Aldwych, in the City of Westminster. It was known as the Strand Theatre between 1913 and 2005. History The theatre was built as one of a pair with the Aldwych Theatre on either side of The Waldo ...

and presented a series of farces, ''It's a Boy!'' (1930, also starring Henson), ''It's a Girl!'' (1930), ''Follow Through'', ''Nice Goings On!'' (1933), ''Lucky Break'' and ''Aren't Men Beasts!'' (1936). In 1935, he and Shephard took over the

and produced four successful shows, ''Seeing Stars'' (1936), ''Swing Along'' (1937), ''Going Greek'' (1937) and ''Running Riot'' (1938)."Rob Wilton Theatricalia"
Listing of Henson shows in the 1930s. Accessed 8 June 2010 During the run of the last of these, the aged theatre was condemned and was required to be closed. Henson also returned to film work in the 1930s, appearing in ''

A Warm Corner ''A Warm Corner'' is a 1930 British comedy film directed by Victor Saville and starring Leslie Henson, Heather Thatcher and Austin Melford. The film's sets were designed by Walter Murton. It was based on a successful play by Franz Arnold and Ern ...

'' (1930), '' The Sport of Kings'' (1931), ''It's a Boy'' (1933), ''

The Girl from Maxim's ''The Girl from Maxim's'' is a 1933 British musical comedy film directed by Alexander Korda and starring Frances Day, Leslie Henson, Lady Tree and Stanley Holloway. It was an adaptation of the 1899 play '' La Dame de chez Maxim'' by Georges F ...

'' (1933) and ''

Oh, Daddy! ''Oh, Daddy!'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Graham Cutts and Austin Melford and starring Leslie Henson, Frances Day, Robertson Hare, and Barry MacKay. It was made at Islington Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art dir ...

'' (1935). His later films were ''

The Demi-Paradise ''The Demi-Paradise'' (also known as ''Adventure for Two'') is a 1943 British comedy film made by Two Cities Films. It stars Laurence Olivier as a Soviet Russian inventor who travels to England to have his revolutionary propeller manufactured, an ...

'' (1943) and ''

Home and Away ''Home and Away'' (often abbreviated as ''H&A'') is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a trip ...

'' (1956). In 1938, Leslie Henson was appointed president of the Royal Theatrical Fund.

Later career

At the outbreak of

, he returned to the UK from a tour of South Africa and, together with

, formed the

(ENSA), a government-sponsored organisation with which he entertained British troops in Europe, the Near East and the Far East. He was in London in 1940, however, for the revue ''Up and Doing'' and in 1942 for ''Fine and Dandy'' (at which the

King King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...

and

Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

and Princesses

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

and

Margaret Margaret is a female first name, derived via French () and Latin () from grc, μαργαρίτης () meaning "pearl". The Greek is borrowed from Persian. Margaret has been an English name since the 11th century, and remained popular througho ...

were surprise guests), both at the

Saville Theatre ODEON Covent Garden is a four-screen cinema in the heart of London's West End. Formerly known as The Saville Theatre, a former West End theatre at 135 Shaftesbury Avenue in the London Borough of Camden. The theatre opened in 1931, and became a ...

. In 1945, he starred i
''The Gaieties''
at the Winter Garden Theatre, and in a revival of ''

1066 and All That ''1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England, Comprising All the Parts You Can Remember, Including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates'' is a tongue-in-cheek reworking of the history of England. Written by W. C. Sellar and R. J ...

'' at the

Palace Theatre, London The Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster in London. Its red-brick facade dominates the west side of Cambridge Circus behind a small plaza near the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. The Palace ...

. In 1946, he toured the provinces in ''The Sport of Kings''. In 1948 he starred in ''

Bob's Your Uncle "Bob's your uncle" is a phrase commonly used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries that means "and there it is" or "and there you have it" or "it's done". Typically, someone says it to conclude a set of simple instructions or when a ...

''. Later performances included "straight" roles, though with less success, such as Elwood P. Dowd in ''

Harvey Harvey, Harveys or Harvey's may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Harvey'' (play), a 1944 play by Mary Chase about a man befriended by an invisible anthropomorphic rabbit * Harvey Awards ("Harveys"), one of the most important awards ...

'' (1950), in which he toured, and as

Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys (; 23 February 1633 – 26 May 1703) was an English diarist and naval administrator. He served as administrator of the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament and is most famous for the diary he kept for a decade. Pepys had no mariti ...

in a musical composed by

Vivian Ellis Vivian John Herman Ellis, CBE (29 October 1903 – 19 June 1996) was an English musical comedy composer best known for the song "Spread a Little Happiness" and the theme " Coronation Scot". Life and work Ellis was born in Hampstead, London in 1 ...

''And So to Bed'' by

J. B. Fagan James Bernard Fagan (18 May 1873 – 17 February 1933) was an Irish-born actor, theatre manager, producer and playwright active in England. After turning from the law to the stage, Fagan began his acting career, including four years from 1895 t ...

(1951). He also had a hit in the title role of the musical farce ''Bob's Your Uncle'' (1948) by

Austin Melford Austin Melford (1884—1971) was a British screenwriter and film director. He was the older brother of actor Jack Melford. Partial filmography Director * ''Car of Dreams'' (1935) * ''Oh, Daddy!'' (1935) * ''Radio Lover'' (1936) Screenwriter * '' ...

and later starred in ''Relations Are Best Apart'' at the

Theatre Royal, Bath The Theatre Royal in Bath, England, was built in 1805. A Grade II* listed building, it has been described by the Theatres Trust as "One of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture". It has a capacity for an audien ...

(1953), as Mr Pooter in a stage adaptation of ''

'' (

Duchess Theatre The Duchess Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, London, located in Catherine Street near Aldwych. The theatre opened on 25 November 1929 and is one of the smallest West End theatres with a proscenium arch. It has 494 se ...

, 1955), and as Old Eccles in a musical version of Tom Robertson's ''

Caste Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultura ...

'' (1955). Henson acted up until the time of his death.

Family and death

Henson was married three times, in each case to an actress: * Marjorie Kate Farewell "Madge" Saunders, daughter of Edward Henry Master Saunders and Ellen Lucie Margaret White (died 1967), whom he married at St. George's Church, Hanover Square,

Marylebone Marylebone (usually , also , ) is a district in the West End of London, in the City of Westminster. Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, forms its southern boundary. An Civil parish#Ancient parishes, ancient parish and latterly a ...

, London in 1919 * Gladys Gunn, in 1926 * Harriet "Billie" Dell, in 1944Henson, Nicky
"Nicky Henson - Actor"
Nicky Henson website, accessed 23 April 2009 He had two sons: one with Gladys –

Joe Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971 * ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...

, a farmer (born 1932), and one with Harriet –

Nicky Nicky is a diminutive form of the name Nicholas, Nicola and Nicole, occasionally used as a given name in its own right. It can also be used as a diminutive of Dominic. It may refer to: People Sports * Nicky Adams (born 1986), English-born Welsh ...

, an actor (born 1945). Joe founded Cotswold Farm Park; his son,

Adam Henson Adam John Lincoln Henson (born 8 January 1966) is an English farmer, author and television presenter. Family Henson's grandfather Leslie Henson, was a music hall and musical comedy comedian and actor. His farmer father Joe Henson MBE,

, runs the park and is a TV presenter. Nicky's sons with ex-wife

Una Stubbs Una Stubbs (1 May 1937 – 12 August 2021) was an English actress, television personality and dancer who appeared on British television and in the theatre, and occasionally in films. She became known after appearing in the film '' Summer Holiday ...

are composers

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

and Joseph, and another son with wife Marguerite Porter is

Keaton Keaton may refer to: *Keaton (name) *2712 Keaton 71 may refer to: * 71 (number) * one of the years 71 BC, AD 71, 1971, 2071 * 71'' (film), 2014 British film set in Belfast in 1971 * '' 71: Into the Fire'', 2010 South Korean film See also * ...

, a musician and artist. Henson died at his home in

Harrow Weald Harrow Weald is a suburban district in Greater London, England. Located about north of Harrow, Harrow Weald is formed from a leafy 1930s suburban development along with ancient woodland of Harrow Weald Common. It forms part of the London Boro ...

Middlesex Middlesex (; abbreviation: Middx) is a Historic counties of England, historic county in South East England, southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the Ceremonial counties of ...

, in 1957, aged 66. His body was cremated at

Golders Green Crematorium Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and one of the oldest crematoria in Britain. The land for the crematorium was purchased in 1900, costing £6,000 (the equivalent of £135,987 in 2021), ...

Bobby Hullett's death

On 23 July 1956, while in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

performing, Henson heard that his close friend Bobby Hullett had died in

Eastbourne Eastbourne () is a town and seaside resort in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton and south of London. Eastbourne is immediately east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Great Britain and part of the la ...

. Henson was suspicious because Hullett's husband had died just four months earlier and that Dr

had treated both of them. He telephoned the Eastbourne police anonymously to warn them of his fears, instigating an investigation into the death of Hullett. After Adams was acquitted in 1957 of the murder of another patient,

Edith Alice Morrell Edith Alice Morrell (20 June 1869 – 13 November 1950) was a resident of Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, and patient of Dr John Bodkin Adams. Although Adams was acquitted in 1957 of her murder, the question of Adams' role in Morrell's death ex ...

, he was never tried for Hullett's murder. The Home Office pathologist at the time, Dr

Francis Camps Francis Edward Camps, FRCP, FRCPath (28 June 1905 – 8 July 1972) was an English pathologist notable for his work on the cases of serial killer John Christie and suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams. Early life and training Camps was bo ...

, noted 163 suspicious deaths among Adams's patients between 1946 and 1956.

Recordings

''Meet Me 'Round the Corner''
with Moya Mannering 1912 (streaming audio/HTTP download) *''Sally: original 1921 London cast recordings'' Monmouth-Evergreen MES-7053 (LP) *''Primrose: original 1924 London cast recordings'' World Records SH-214 (LP), Pearl 113 (CD) *''Cole Porter in London: original cast recordings from London productions of Nymph Errant”. “Anything Goes”, “Wake Up and Dream”, “Kiss Me Kate” etc.'' World Records SHB-26 (2xLP)

Monologue by Stanley Holloway with Leslie Henson (MP3 download) *''A Few Drinks'' with Sydney Howard, Columbia (Australia) DOX9

Filmography

*''Wanted: A Widow'' (1916, Short) *''

The Real Thing at Last ''The Real Thing at Last'' is a "lost" satirical silent movie based on the play ''Macbeth''. It was written in 1916 by Peter Pan creator and playwright J. M. Barrie as a parody of the American entertainment industry. The film was made by the ne ...

'' (1916, Short) ....

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is consider ...

*''The Lifeguardsman'' (1916) .... Lt Spiff *''Broken Bottles'' (1920, Short, also writer and director) .... Bottling Barrows *'' Alf's Button'' (1920) .... Alf Higgins *'' Tons of Money'' (1926, also producer) .... Aubrey Allington *''On with the Dance'' (1927, Short) *''

'' (1930) .... Mr Corner *'' The Sport of Kings'' (1931) .... Amos Purdie *'' It's a Boy'' (1933) .... James Skippett *''

'' (1933) .... Dr Petypon *''

'' (1935) .... Lord Pye *''

'' (1943) .... Himself *''

'' (1956) .... Uncle Tom *''The Vise'' (1958, TV Series) .... Police Sergeant (final appearance) :''Notes: The source for the television and film appearances is the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

."Henson, Leslie"
British Film Institute; accessed 5 June 2012.

Notes

References

*Henson, Leslie. ''My Laugh Story''. London: Hodder and Staunton, 1926 *Henson, Leslie. ''Yours Faithfully''. London: Long, 1948.

External links

*
Performances listed in Theatre Archive University of Bristol
*
Clips of Henson
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henson, Leslie 1891 births 1957 deaths English male film actors English male silent film actors English male stage actors English male comedians English male musical theatre actors Entertainments National Service Association personnel People educated at Emanuel School People from Notting Hill 20th-century English male actors 20th-century English singers 20th-century English comedians 20th-century British male singers