Florence Desmond
Florence Desmond | |
|---|---|
| File:Florence Desmond (1).jpg | |
| Born | Florence Dawson 31 May 1905 |
| Died | 16 January 1993 (aged 87) |
| Years active | 1930-1969 |
| Spouse(s) | Tom Campbell Black (1935-1936) (his death) Charles Hughesdon (1937-1993) (her death) |
Florence Dawson (31 May 1905 – 16 January 1993), better known by her stage name Florence Desmond, was an English actress, comedian and impersonator.
Biography
Early life and career
Born in London in 1905, Desmond was educated at the Dame Alice Owen's School in Islington. Her brother, Fred Desmond, was a comedy acrobat from the "Desmond and Marks" double act.
She began her stage career at the age of ten. Upon leaving school in 1920, she embarked on a long and successful career in the theatre, especially as an impersonator of famous stars. She appeared extensively in radio, theatre and occasionally in the cinema.
Her recording of the risqué song "The Deepest Shelter in Town" has been featured in multiple World War II music compilations.
She was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1959 when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Adelphi Theatre.
Personal life
She was married twice, first to the aviator Tom Campbell Black from 1935–1936, after his death to aviator and insurance broker Charles Hughesdon from 1937 with whom she lived at Dunsborough Park in Ripley, Surrey.[1][2] She died in Guildford, Surrey in 1993 aged 87, where a Ward was named after her at St.Luke's Hospital.
Stage
- Still Dancing, 1925–1926
- This Year of Grace, 1928
- Why Not To-night?, 1933–1934
- Streamline, 1934
- Funny Side Up, 1939–1940
- Apple Sauce, 1940–1941
- If the Shoe Fits, 1946
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1930 | The Road to Fortune | Toots Willoughby | |
| 1931 | Sally in Our Alley | Florrie Small | |
| 1932 | Murder on the Second Floor | Lucy | |
| The Marriage Bond | Elsie | ||
| Nine till Six | Daisy | ||
| High Society | Florie | ||
| Impromptu | Himself | Short | |
| The River House Ghost | Flo | ||
| 1933 | Radio Parade | Himself | |
| Long Live the King | Florie | Short | |
| My Lucky Star | Mlle. de Capo | ||
| Mr. Skitch | Florence Desmond | ||
| I am Suzanne | Voice, Uncredited | ||
| 1934 | Gay Love | Gloria Fellowes | |
| 1935 | No Limit | Florrie Dibney | |
| 1936 | Keep Your Seats, Please | Florrie | |
| Accused | Yvette Delange | ||
| 1938 | Kicking the Moon Around | Flo Hadley | |
| 1940 | Hoots Mon! | Jenny McTavish | |
| 1950 | Three Came Home | Betty Sommers | |
| 1956 | Charley Moon | Mary Minton | |
| 1969 | Some Girls Do | Lady Manderville | (final film role) |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1949 | The Texaco Star Theater | Episode: "18 January 1949" | |
| 1951 | Your Show of Shows | Episode: "15 December 1951" | |
References
- ^ "Charles Hughesdon, Esq, AFC, FRAeS". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- ^ Franks, Adrian. "A potted history". Dunsborough Park. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- "Florence Desmond", by Florence Desmond, London: George G. Harrap and Co. Ltd, 1953. https://books.google.com/books?id=QJgrMQAACAAJ&dq=%22Florence+Desmond+By+Herself%22+Harrap&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiQy7_mlbLWAhUo7oMKHc93AhoQ6AEIJjAA
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