
Acting
Evelyn Laye
Born 1900-07-10 · 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.
Acting credits
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
10.0In 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
6.1The 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
4.4Approaching 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
6.0Young 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
7.0Adapted 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
6.8A poor but basically honest flower woman agrees to impersonate a wicked opera star.
One Heavenly Night
1930
8.0A spy has his son steal an Admiral's submarine plans.
The Luck of the Navy
1927
NRThe Valentine's card, 1920s-style. Two British actresses put lips to paper in a demonstration of the so-called "Kiss Valentine", leaving a lipstick imprint of the loving smooch in favour of a more traditional card.
Who Would Not Welcome One?
1922
9.0Zena 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
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
6.8Revolution 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
6.0Loosely based on the story of the singer Nellie Melba...
Evensong
1934
British TV Movie Comedy..
Silver Wedding
1957
Freed at last by death from tyranny of an elderly, querulous mother, Esme Fanshaw is persuaded to take a man, Amos Curry, into her house as a paying guest. At first wary of him, Esme becomes increasingly fond of this dapper little man with his mysterious summer occupation. When she finally learns the nature of this occupation she is at first shocked then sympathetic.
A Bit of Singing and Dancing
1982
An author travels to Vienna, Austria, to do some background research for his new book.
Waltz Time
1933
7.0Italian Film Drama
Love, I Think
1970