This Is Your Life: Florence Desmond

Florence DESMOND (1905-1993)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Florence Desmond, actress and impersonator, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews during a performance of the play Auntie Mame at London's Adelphi Theatre, from where the programme was then broadcast.

Florence, who was born in Islington, London, began her stage career at the age of 10. In the mid-1920s, she was employed by the impresario C B Cochran and appeared in several revues. In 1928 she toured the US and Canada with Noel Coward and Beatrice Lillie in This Year of Grace. After returning to London, she developed an act which included impersonations of famous stars and became popular for her theatre and cabaret appearances.

A 1933 BBC radio broadcast in which she performed her impersonations of Hollywood stars brought her wider fame. She continued to tour in revue and, in 1941, starred with Max Miller and Vera Lynn in Apple Sauce, a revue which ran for over 400 performances at the London Palladium. Florence retired in 1954 but made a comeback in 1958 to appear as Vera Charles in the play Auntie Mame.

programme details...

Edition No: 80
Subject No: 80
Broadcast live: Mon 5 Jan 1959
Broadcast time: 7.30-8.00pm
Venue: Adelphi Theatre, London
Series: 4
Edition: 15

on the guest list...

Ada Dawson - mother
Euphan MacLaren
Dorritt MacLaren
Archie De Bear
Vera Lynn
Bernard Feeney
Kay Cavendish
Gracie Fields - via telephone
Adela Brands
Beatrice Lillie
Patrick Holt
Charles Hughesdon - husband
Michael Hughesdon - son

production team...

Researchers: Ken Smith, Liam Nolan
Writers: Ken Smith, Liam Nolan
Director: Vere Lorrimer
Producer: T Leslie Jackson

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Life is a Cabaret

a musical theatre chorus line

Gracie Fields

Vera Lynn

Photographs of Florence Desmond This Is Your Life

Sebastian Lassandro recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, Pride Of Our Alley The Life of Dame Gracie Fields Volume II: 1939-1979...

...and on January fifth Gracie was a phone-in guest on Florence Desmond's edition of This Is Your Life. Gracie, on a prerecorded direct line to Capri, told, "A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since we first filmed together in Sally in our Alley. Then of course we've been together on the same bill at the Palladium on a number of occasions. Do you remember when you decided to retire you visited me here at Capri and I said, 'Look, Dessie, you should always remember something I was once taught - that is, never retire, always keep the door open, you never know when you might need a crust?' But you were very adamant and said, 'No, I've given it up, that's final!' But I always said you wouldn't be able to. I must say how pleased I am that for once I was right. You decided to come out of retirement, and I think that's an excellent thing because we don't have enough artists of your calibre. Let's hope Auntie Mame continues to be a big success and that you personally will continue in show business for many, many years."

Series 4 subjects