Blog Posts

Like Greenwood, Formby came from a poor Lancashire background, and both of them became stars in their own spheres and ways. They also worked on two films together: No Limit (1935) and Much Too Shy (1942). I can find no evidence that they became in any way friends or worked closely together despite some things… Continue reading New Article: Walter Greenwood and George Formby

Wendy Hiller's performance in the play of Love on the Dole made her into a star, and there has been an article posted about that for some time. I can now add an article about how the film also made Deborah Kerr into a star, though perhaps not a wholly conventional one. See: Deborah Kerr,… Continue reading New Article: Deborah Kerr, Stardom and Love on the Dole

I was delighted recently to discover that the NPG had a portrait of Hiller in role, painted by the then very well-known portraitist Thomas Cantrell Dugdale. I think I can add a little bit more information to what the NPG currently knows about the painting (and as well as publishing this here, will send it… Continue reading New (short) Article: The National Portrait Gallery Painting of Wendy Hiller as Sally Hardcastle (1935)

I thought I had found an original and attractive thirties ticket for Greenwood and Gow's play - and I had, but there is a bit more to say about it and the intriguing story of the 'Privilege Ticket Register'. I Have a Ticket for Love on the Dole at the Garrick! (January 1935) – Walter… Continue reading New (Short) Article: I have a ticket for Love on the Dole (Garrick, 1935)

This article revisits the question of what kind of audiences went to see Greenwood and Gow's play in the first few years of its run in London and then its tours round Britain. It looks first at what kind of theatres staged the play, and then at press reports about individual reactions to the play… Continue reading New Article: Who went to See the Play in the Thirties? the Reception of Love on the Dole Revisited