
Evelyn Laye
Actor · 1900 – 1996 · Bloomsbury, London, England, UK
From Wikipedia Evelyn Laye, CBE (10 July 1900 – 17 February 1996) was an English theatre and musical film actress, who was active on the London light opera stage. Born as Elsie Evelyn Lay in Bloomsbury, London, and known professionally as Evelyn Laye, and informally as Boo. Her parents were both actors and her father a theatre manager. She made her first stage appearance in August 1915 at the Theatre Royal, Brighton as Nang-Ping in Mr. Wu, and her first London appearance at the East Ham Palace on 24 April 1916, aged 16, in the revue Honi Soit, in which she subsequently toured. For the first few years of her career she mainly played in musical comedy and operetta, including Going Up in 1918. Among her successes during the 1920s were Phi-Phi (1922), Madame Pompadour (1923), The Dollar Princess, Blue Eyes (1928) and Lilac Time. She made her Broadway debut in 1929 in the American première of Noël Coward's Bitter Sweet and appeared in several early Hollywood film musicals. She continued acting in pantomimes such as The Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. After the Second World War, she had less success, but she returned to the West End in 1954, in the musical Wedding in Paris.[citation needed] She also acted several times opposite her second husband, actor Frank Lawton, including in the 1956 sitcom My Husband and I. Other stage successes included Silver Wedding (1957; with Lawton), The Amorous Prawn (1959) and Phil the Fluter (1969). Married to the actor Sonnie Hale in 1926, Laye received widespread public sympathy when Hale left her for the actress Jessie Matthews in 1928. She was initially very reluctant to abandon the marriage, but, despite a trial reconciliation, a divorce case eventually followed in 1930, with the judge labelling Matthews an "odious person". She subsequently wed actor Frank Lawton, with whom she remained married until his death. Awarded a CBE in 1973, Laye continued acting well into her nineties.
Movies15
Movie10.0RomanceDramaIn 1936, Edward VIII abdicated in order to marry the woman he loved, Wallis Simpson, a twice divorced American. These events caused a scandal around the world and Wallis has since been demonised as the woman who stole the King of England.
The Woman He Loved
1988 · 1 votes
Movie6.0RomanceDramaYoung Austrian Archduke Paul "Gustl" Gustave is in an arranged engagement but his uncle, the emperor, decides to let Gustl carry on a fling with ballet dancer Lisl Gluck.
The Night Is Young
1935 · 4 votes
- Movie8.5TV Movie
This movie was incredibly touching. The story revolves around a young girl "Em" (played by Laura Goodwin). The movie opens with the image of a small, close knit family. Almost at once we are made aware that Emily's father (played by James Fox) is a diplomat whose demanding job barely allows him time to give attention to his wife (played by Twiggy) and of course his daughter Emily. As expected Emily's mother "Fen" soon begins to have an affair and thus begins the child's torment. The movie is poignant in the way it deals with this very real issue. We are given the impression of divorce and the very real adult problems occurring in marriage through the eyes of a young child and the picture painted is not a pretty one. It brings forth awareness, especially to adult viewers, and is a definite must see for all families. I personally found Laura Goodwin's acting to be both intense and innocent, and it was a delight to see such intensity in one so young. A definite thumbs up for this movie!!
Sun Child
1988 · 2 votes
Movie6.1MysteryHorrorThe Theatre of Death in Paris specialises in horror presentations. A police surgeon finds himself becoming involved in the place through his attraction to one of the performers. When bloodless bodies start showing up all over town he realises there could be links with the theatre.
Theatre of Death
1967 · 26 votes
Movie4.4ComedyDramaApproaching middle-age and stuck in an unfulfilled marriage, a suburban British housewife allows herself a sexual fling with a brash young hunk she meets on a commuter train.
Say Hello to Yesterday
1971 · 8 votes
Movie7.0Adapted from the play by the British playwright Arthur Wing Pinero, as part of BBC Play of the Month. It depicts the vicissitudes of a reformed philanderer attempting to embark on monogamy.
The Gay Lord Quex
1983 · 1 votes
- Movie6.0Music
When a soldier returns from the Far East after the war, he and his wife have to adjust to life at home.
I'll Turn to You
1946 · 3 votes
Movie8.0DramaActionA spy has his son steal an Admiral's submarine plans.
The Luck of the Navy
1927 · 1 votes
Movie7.0DramaItalian Film Drama
Movie9.0FamilyDramaZena has been abandoned by her parents and left in the care of her aunt Bee Melvin. She is treated poorly by two of her cousins, and taking the lead from the story Peter and Wendy, she runs away from home with her younger cousin.
Never Never Land
1980 · 1 votes
Movie6.0WarDramaLoosely based on the story of the singer Nellie Melba...
Evensong
1934 · 2 votes
Movie6.8ComedyRomanceA poor but basically honest flower woman agrees to impersonate a wicked opera star.
One Heavenly Night
1930 · 3 votes
Movie6.8RomanceComedyRevolution breaks out in a small European kingdom, and a young princess is forced to flee for her life. She heads for the neighboring country, which just happens to be ruled by the king she is betrothed to. Unfortunately, the new revolutionary government won't let citizens leave, which she actually doesn't mind all that much because she's not particularly jazzed about marrying the elderly king. He sends a young naval officer to bring her across the border, but in order to do so they are forced into a marriage of convenience. Complications ensue.
Princess Charming
1934 · 4 votes
- Movie7.0Music
An author travels to Vienna, Austria, to do some background research for his new book.
Waltz Time
1933 · 1 votes
- MovieComedy
British TV Movie Comedy..
Silver Wedding
1957
Series6
TV5.2DramaA BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.
BBC Play of the Month
1965 · 8 votes
TV6.7DramaA British television anthology of stories, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, and a twist at the end. With early episodes written and presented by Roald Dahl, the series featured a plethora of big name guest stars.
Tales of the Unexpected
1979 · 54 votes
TVDramaA BBC television series of forty-five-minute excerpts from stage plays running in London.
Theatre Night
1957
TV8.0DramaHighly regarded anthology from the 1980s presenting a diverse range of high-quality single dramas that would serve as pilots for possible future series.
Storyboard
1983 · 2 votes
TV7.0DramaFollows the private lives of seven British PMs who lived at Number 10 Downing Street between the 1780s and the 1920s: William Pitt the Younger, the Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley), Benjamin Disraeli, William Ewart Gladstone, David Lloyd-George, Herbert Henry Asquith and James Ramsay MacDonald.
Number 10
1983 · 2 votes
- TV9.0Drama
An anthology of six standalone plays presented relationships either beginning or ending in love – but the outcome was not always marriage (or happiness). A second series of five episodes aired in 1986.
Love and Marriage
1984 · 1 votes