Accession Number

B148

Series Title

PROFILE

Programme Title

GRACIE FIELDS

Producer

Linda McDougall

Other Credits

Producer: Bob Mozley; Presenter: John Burns

Transmission Date

19/02/69

b/w, sound, 24 mins 47 secs

Synopsis

Fascinating half-hour interview with Rochdale-born international singer Dame Gracie Fields C.B.E., British variety artist (1898-1979), in which she speaks to the BBC's John Burns. Fields talks in detail about her childhood living above a Rochdale chip shop, working at a factory and her first performances as a youngster, becoming a star, her wartime memories of singing to troops abroad, her three marriages to Archie Pitt, Monty Banks and Boris Alperovici, her religious beliefs, her new life in Capri and when she might retire. Fields frequently breaks into song whilst talking. There is archive footage of Fields receiving the Rochdale Freedom of the Borough award in 1937 (10m25s to 11m03s), including a brief shot of her parents Mr and Mrs Stansfield. Includes opening and closing title sequence.