Person    | Male  Born 15/1/1893  Died 6/3/1951

Ivor Novello

Categories: Cinema, Music / songs, Theatre

Countries: Wales

Composer, singer and actor-manager. Born David Ivor Davies in Cardiff. Wrote 'Keep the Home Fires Burning', a big success in WW1. Appeared in over 20 movies. Worked at Gainsborough Film Studios. Briefly a writer in Hollywood where he wrote the dialogue for the 1932 'Tarzan the Ape Man' (the oft-misquoted "me Tarzan, you Jane"). An extremely good-looking gay man. Rumours are that even Winston Churchill could not resist his charms.

WW2 saw him in prison for misusing petrol coupons, where he met Mad Frankie Fraser. In 1913 he moved to the flat at 11 Aldwych, above the Strand Theatre, where he died. In 2005 the Strand Theatre was renamed the Novello Theatre. Played by Jeremy Northam in the 2001 film 'Gosforth Park'. Not part of the Novello family.

The Centre for International Film Research (CIFR) at the University of Southampton have an interesting post by Michael Williams about Novello in London. 

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Ivor Novello

Commemorated ati

Gainsborough Film Studios

Hackney owns up: "The plaque states that 'The Wicked Lady' was filmed at Gain...

Read More

Ivor Novello

Greater London Council Ivor Novello, 1893 - 1951, composer and actor manager...

Read More

Other Subjects

The Regal Edmonton

The Regal Edmonton

One of the largest former cinemas in Britain. It had seating for 3,000 and standing room for 1,000, plus a cafe, a ballroom and a stage big enough to accommodate an orchestra. As audiences dwindled...

Building, Cinema

1 memorial
Lupino Lane

Lupino Lane

Actor and theatre manager. Born Henry William George Lupino in London. He came from a theatrical family and adopted the name 'Lane' from a great aunt. He made his first stage appearance at the age ...

Person, Cinema, Theatre

1 memorial
Lorna Luft

Lorna Luft

Daughter of Judy Garland by her third husband, Sidney Luft.  She has worked in show business and published a memoir.

Person, Cinema, Friend / family, Music / songs

1 memorial
Shirley Anne Field

Shirley Anne Field

Actor. Born Shirley Broomfield in Bolton, Lancashire. She started her career as a glamour model. Laurence Olivier chose her to play the prime female role in the film 'The Entertainer' and she also ...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio

1 memorial