Gracie Fields (1898 - 1979)
English-born, later Italian-based actress, singer and comedienne and star of both cinema and music hall.| * | January 9, 1898 Rochdale, England | |
| as Grace Stansfield | ||
| † | September 27, 1979 Capri, England |
Gracie Fields, born Grace Stansfield, was an English actress, singer, and comedian who was popular in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. She was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, on January 9, 1898, and began her career as a music hall performer at a young age. Fields quickly gained popularity for her vivacious personality, comedic timing, and powerful singing voice.
Fields' career reached its peak in the 1930s and 1940s, when she starred in a number of successful films, including "Sally in Our Alley" (1931), "Look Up and Laugh" (1935), and "We're Going to Be Rich" (1938). She also recorded a number of hit songs, including "Sally," "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World," and "Sing as We Go."
Fields was known for her charitable work as well as her entertainment career. During World War II, she performed for troops stationed overseas and raised millions of dollars for various charities. She was also a vocal supporter of the working class and was instrumental in the formation of the Actors' Orphanage Fund, which provided financial assistance to the children of deceased actors.
In addition to her film and music career, Fields also appeared on the stage and television. She was the first British entertainer to appear on American television, and she made numerous appearances on British television as well.
Fields was married three times and had two children. She was married to comedian Archie Pitt from 1923 to 1939, and to actor Monty Banks from 1940 to 1950.
Fields was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1938 and was later appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1979, just months before her death. She died on September 27, 1979, at the age of 81.
Fields' career reached its peak in the 1930s and 1940s, when she starred in a number of successful films, including "Sally in Our Alley" (1931), "Look Up and Laugh" (1935), and "We're Going to Be Rich" (1938). She also recorded a number of hit songs, including "Sally," "The Biggest Aspidistra in the World," and "Sing as We Go."
Fields was known for her charitable work as well as her entertainment career. During World War II, she performed for troops stationed overseas and raised millions of dollars for various charities. She was also a vocal supporter of the working class and was instrumental in the formation of the Actors' Orphanage Fund, which provided financial assistance to the children of deceased actors.
In addition to her film and music career, Fields also appeared on the stage and television. She was the first British entertainer to appear on American television, and she made numerous appearances on British television as well.
Fields was married three times and had two children. She was married to comedian Archie Pitt from 1923 to 1939, and to actor Monty Banks from 1940 to 1950.
Fields was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1938 and was later appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1979, just months before her death. She died on September 27, 1979, at the age of 81.
Books with substantial mentioning of Gracie Fields
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Bruce Babington (editor) British Stars and Stardom, From Alma Taylor to Sean Connery 2002 |
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| Robert A. Nowlan and Gwendolyn Wright Nowlan Movie Characters of Leading Performers of the Sound Era Chicago and London, 1990 |
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| Frank Arnau (Hrsg.) Universal Filmlexikon 1932 Berlin/London, 1932 |
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Films
1931
Sally in Our Alley
1934
Sing As We Go!
1936
My Man Godfrey
1939
Shipyard Sally
1943
Holy Matrimony
Stage Door Canteen
1945
Paris Underground
1956
Around the World in Eighty Days
1961
On the Fiddle
1931
Sally in Our Alley
1934
Sing As We Go!
1936
My Man Godfrey
1939
Shipyard Sally
1943
Holy Matrimony
Stage Door Canteen
1945
Paris Underground
1956
Around the World in Eighty Days
1961
On the Fiddle
IMDb: 0276247