Mary Naylor
Mary Naylor | |
---|---|
Born | Florence Mary Naylor 2 April 1926 Carlton, Nottinghamshire, England |
Nationality | British, American |
Occupation(s) | Singer, actor, entertainer |
Years active | 1938–1962 |
Height | 5' 1.5" |
Spouse | Jack Kodell (m. 1953–2012, his death) |
Florence Mary Naylor (born 2 April 1926) is a British-American retired variety entertainer, known for her work as a West End leading lady,[1][2] radio and television celebrity, singer, pianist, and accordionist. She starred in the opening production number for the 1946 Royal Variety Performance,[3] and was a child star in the Youth Takes A Bow[4][5][6][7][8] troupe that toured England, Wales and Scotland during the first two years of World War II with Ernie Wise[9] and Eric Morecambe.[10]
Early life
[edit]Florence Mary Naylor was born in Carlton, Nottingham, England to Cyril Naylor and Hannah Naylor (née Robinson), both of Nottingham. Mary started singing on an orange crate to attract customers while her parents sold fruit and vegetables in the open markets across the Midlands. She attended Standhill Infant School for five years, then graduated from Porchester Senior School, with a great portion of her education on the road while on tour.[11][12] Mary started piano lessons on her 7th birthday, and accordion on her 9th. By age 11,[13] Mary was awarded the gold medal Senior Grade Piano Examination,[14] meaning that if she chose, she could be licensed to be a piano teacher herself. Between the ages of ten and twelve, Mary, her younger sister and brother, Margaret and Ernest, starred in Nottingham's Madame Haine's Accordion Band,.[15]" Mary also became a popular solo act between movies at Nottingham's movie theaters[16] and in dance halls with Ernie Lotinga[17] and his orchestra, and at Nig-Nog Concert[18] fundraising events.[19][20]
Early professional career
[edit]At the age of twelve, Mary was "discovered" by show runner and comedian, Ernie Lotinga, and he brought her to London for a three week run at the Hackney Empire in the show, "King of Polonia"[18] in August/September 1938.
Then in early March 1939, Mary auditioned for orchestra leader/impresario, Jack Hylton as he was passing through Nottingham, and three days later, she was in London[21] during a run of "Monday Night at Eight"[22] as part of a segment called "Youth Takes a Bow" one week each at the Granada Theater Woolwich, the Empire Holburn, and Shephard's Bush Empire. During this stay in London, Mary also made her B.B.C. radio debut[23] on March 13, 1939 on "Monday Night at Seven[24]" (later the program changed its name to "Monday Night at Eight") with Jack Hylton's band, and also debuted on BBC Television on Wednesday, March 15, and then again played piano, accordion, and sang on Friday, March 17.[25][26] This made her the first (and youngest) artist to be on television from the city of Nottingham, and the first performer to be on the BBC twice in one week.[27] The first youth cast of the Youth Takes A Bow segment in "Monday Night at Seven" included Mary, the Henderson Twins, Dick Henderson, Jr,[28] Ernie Wise, and the Acromites.[29]
Mary then joined Sid Walker of "Band Waggon" fame on his "Mr. Walker Wants to Know[30][31]" road show which toured the major Moss Empires theatres throughout England in March and April 1939, then on to other incarnations of different Walker-Hylton show tours.
On July 3, 1939,[32] Mary opened in the live theatrically stage show of the popular former radio show, “Band Waggon," at the London Palladium.[33][34] The run abruptly ended when Britain declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939[38]. Theaters in the United Kingdom all closed for two weeks,[35] then, when they reopened, child performers were not allowed on the London stage.[36] During the fall of 1939 and early 1940, Mary continued her career singing on the occasional radio show[37] (Home Service and Special Forces radio programs), for a chain of Midland cinema's, performed in the Midlands with Big Band Shows (like Billy Merrin and his Commanders[38][39]),and at various wartime fundraisers.[40]
By the first week of February, 1940, Mary again was touring with a newly revised version of the “Youth Takes A Bow” group on the Moss Empire circuit,[41][42] this time chaperoned by her father, Cyril “Pops” Naylor.[43] Most times the show was under the banner, "Youth Takes A Bow[44]" during 1940, and then ”Secrets of the BBC”[45] during 1941 since most of the cast, including its young stars, were regular favorites on British radio.[46][47]
Under the compère of Bryan Michie,[48][49] the core company of “Youth Takes a Bow” included: singer/pianist/accordionist, Mary Naylor;[50] light comedian-singer-dancer, Ernie Wise; “glum-faced” comedian Eric Bartholomew[51] (later known as Eric Morecambe), contortionist-acrobat, Jean Bamforth,[52] harmonica player, Arthur Tolcher,[53] and "Little Tich" big-boot dancer, Dorothy Duval.[54]
Other child performers who, at times joined this core company included: tap dancer, Stan Vassie; Finnish singer Helva Rintala;[55] singer Vera Howe,[56] Scottish boy-soprano, Tommy Thompson;[57] whistling Welsh miner Eddie Gunter;[58] mimic and comedian Frank Hines;[59] impressionist Gee Jay;[60] mimic Katherine Jackett;[61] singer Vera Howe;[62] boy soprano Edwin Lewis;[63] musicians, the Mackenzie Twins,[64] singer Margaret Malone,[65] comedian Billy Watts;[66] boy baritone, Harry Briscoe;[67] young tenor Henry Hodson;[68] soprano Millicent Phillips;[69] Martin Lukens;[70] singer Stanley Ambler;[71][72] and Alan Cumberland.[73]
The “Youth Takes A Bow” company worked almost every week from early 1940 onwards in all the major cities of England, Scotland, and Wales. The destruction of London during the German Blitz bombings in mid-October, 1940 forced the troupe to perform mostly outside of London, but they returned again after the worst of the bombing stopped.. The children (ages 12–17) were told by management that if the bombs started to fall after the curtain had risen, they were to keep their acts going because it was safer at that point to have the audience stay in the theatre rather than risk flying debris outside.[74] They were bombed themselves, most notably in Swansea, South Wales, on September 1, 1940, and in Chatham on October 5, 1940. The troupe of youngsters was booked for 50-52 weeks per year, and they were rarely sent home for a week except when the theatre they were supposed to play at was bombed (such as in March 1941).In addition to doing 7-18 performances per week, Mary, and many of her child-star cast-mates performed on radio, in special concerts, for charity events,[75] fund-raising causes (including the Million Cigarettes Scheme[76][77]), for military gatherings,[78] and even visited soldiers at camps[79] and hospitals[80] all over Great Britain. Mary, and the "Youth Takes a Bow" troupe, became a beloved part of the Entertainment industry during World War II.
The "Youth Takes A Bow" segment was usually positioned in the second act of the show, with the first act consisting of big name professionals like Alice and Rosie Lloyd, Adelaide Hall, Tessie O'Shea, June Marlow, The Danny Lipton Trio, Archie Glen, George Moon & Dick Bentley, Dickie "Large Lumps" Hassett, The Iizuka Brothers, The Donna Sisters, Archie Glen, Scott Saunders, and more. Sometimes the first act went under the title of "Secrets of the BBC," since most of the entire bill, including Mary Naylor and most of the other kids, performed regularly on BBC radio. At other times, the YTAB troupe would be incorporated for a week here and there in Jack Warner's stage version of his famous wartime show, Garrison Theatre, filling in playing various parts.[9] At other times, the YTAB troupe completed the bill with big bands like Nat Gonella & his New Georgians.
In April 1942, just after her 16th birthday, Mary left the “Youth Takes A Bow” company, for the breakout ingénue role in “Scoop”[81][82] at the London’s West End Vaudeville Theatre. In September of that year, she left the cast of “Scoop” to play the part of Vera Hasset[83] in the film, "The Man in Grey"[84] with Margaret Lockwood, James Mason, and Stewart Granger. After the movie, Mary returned to the stage starring in George Black's “Best Bib and Tucker[85]” at the London Palladium with Tommy Trinder. During the run of this show, Mary became involved with the Merchant Seamen's Fund[86] and the Merchant Radio program, “Shipmates Ashore,[87][88][89]” making weekly contributions throughout the remainder of the war, partly because her old co-star, Ernie Wise, had come off the stage and was now in the Merchant Navy.[90] Mary’s work with this branch of the services garnered her the title, “Sweetheart of the Merchant Navy.”[91] While Mary was in "Best Bib and Tucker" at the London Palladium, she would pay weekly visits to Grinstead Hospital for Burned Airmen to meet with "the boys" individually and sing for them[92] in her RAF-style show costume. At the time, she was 16/17, about the same age as the youngest men. Mary was then voted a "Pin-Up Girl of the RAF.[93][94]" Throughout all the war years, Mary volunteered at fund raising events, lending her talents to help the troupes and all the people of Great Britain.[95][96]
After “Best Bib and Tucker” ended its 10-month long run at the Palladium Theatre, the play continued as a road show (now called: "Palladium Comes to Camp")[97] playing on stages and military bases on and off until the end of 1943 under the auspices of the General War Theatre Council. From that point on, Ms. Naylor was featured in variety shows,[98][99][100] reviews,[101] radio,[102] cabaret,[103] charity events,[104] and concerts[105] in London and every major British city, returning to various Panto[106][107][108] shows each holiday season. In November 1946, she was the opening act for the first Royal Command Variety Performance[109] at the Palladium, singing "Turn Off The Rain.[110]" Her performance earned her the nickname from the Queen (later called the "Queen Mother") as "The Typical England's Rose.[111][112]"
Adult career
[edit]After the war, Mary was a top-of-the-bill singing star, with a busy career on stage and on radio.[113] She also had a long, rewarding double act with popular crooner, Sam Browne,[114][115][116][117][118] and a successful solo career.[119]
Continuing after the end of the war until 1962, Mary worked as a leading lady on stage in Variety,[120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129] West End theatres,[130] Stoll Theatres,[131] the Moss Empires Theatres[132][133][134] shows, charity events,[135] reviews,[136] in ice shows (such as "Champagne on Ice"[137]), cabaret,[138][139] in Panto,[140] and as a brand spokesperson.[141] From 1938 onwards, Mary had a long, almost weekly presence on the radio in Great Britain.[142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154] She had her own 15-minute television show,[155] guest starred on many other television shows.[156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163] Though Mary had a good amount of success on television, she never found the right vehicle to create her own show[164] in Great Britain. In the late 1950s she expanded to doing variety and special performances in the United States,[165] including "A Maid in America,[166]" and shows in Las Vegas.[167]
Mary also did numerous radio shows with Ernie Wise and Eric Morcombe on the BBC in the late 1940s and 1950s. She and Ralph Reader starred in a radio show called "It's Great To Be Young," 1948-1949. She starred in the BBC Television show, "I'm a Friend of Mary's," in 1950-51. Mary headlined her own Sunday night fortnight television variety show in 1958, produced by Barry Lupino.
Starting in 1942, and continuing after the war, Mary spent a lot of her spare time entertaining the forces at the "Stage Door Canteen" in London. She was one of the performers invited to be onstage for the last show of the SDC when it closed its doors in 1947.[168] Mary Naylor also entertained the British troops in Germany as part of the ENSA, the Entertainers National Service Association, for ten weeks in the early 1950s as part of "The Best of Variety" show.
Since 1947,[169] Mary has been an active member of The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings,[170] the female arm of the variety entertainers club.
Associated acts
[edit]Sam Browne,[171] Ernie Wise,[172] Eric Morecambe,[173] Tessie O'Shea,[174] Dickie Henderson,[175] Adelaide Hall,[176] Tommy Trinder,[177] George Black,[178] Jack Hylton,[179][180] Arthur Askey,[181] Celia Lipton[182] Lew Grade,[183] Syd Walker,[184] and Bryan Michie.[185][186]
Personal life
[edit]Mary Naylor married bird-manipulator magician, Jack Kodell[187][188] on Saturday, March 7, 1953[189] at London’s Caxton Hall Registry Office, Westminster. Tessie O’Shea, the headliner from many of Mary’s shows during her “Youth Takes A Bow” days, served as Matron of Honor.[190] Mary Naylor and her husband, Jack Kodell (often just billed as "Kodell"[191]) worked together onstage in Great Britain,[192] Germany,[193] and the United States.[194] Mary and Jack emigrated for good to Kodell’s native America in 1960, where they pioneered taking the idol trans-Atlantic ships and turning them into "floating Holiday Camps" by arranging for full-scale entertainment shows aboard ships for the first time[195] (thus making them into "Cruise Ships.") After they retired, Mary and Jack moved to Orlando, Florida, where they were involved in mentoring the next generations of magicians and entertainers. They had no children. Jack died in 2012,[196] and Mary Naylor Kodell continues to counsel talent.[197]
Selected shows
[edit]"King of Polonia" (1938) Empire, Hackney, London;[18] "Monday Night at Seven" (1939) London, various theatres;[198] "Mr. Walker Wants To Know (1939) Touring Show;[30] "Youth Takes a Bow" (1939-1942) Touring Show; "Band Waggon" (1939) London Palladium;[199] "Scoop" (1942) London Palladium;[200][201][202] "Best Bib and Tucker (1942-43) London Palladium;[203] "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" (1943) Edinburgh, Scotland;[204] "On With The Show" (1944) North Pier Theatre, Blackpool;[100] "Jewel & Warriss with Mary Naylor" (1944) Blackpool Palace, Blackpool;[205] "Strike a New Note" (1943) Prince of Wales Theatre, West End;[206] "Dick Wittingham" (1943) Aston Hippodrome, Birmingham;[207] "On with the Show" (1944) North Pier, Blackpool;[208] "Hip, Hip Hooray (1945) New Opera House, Blackpool,[209][210] then Tour;[211][212] "Humpty Dumpty" (1945) Palace Theatre, Manchester;[213] Moss Empires variety tour with Sam Browne (1946 -1956);[214] Royal Variety Performance (1946 - opening act), London Palladium;[215] "Out of the Blue" (1947) Grand Theatre, Blackpool;[216][217] "Turn On the Rainbow (1947), Empire, Liverpool;[218] "Aladdin" (1947), New Theatre, Oxford;[219] "Robinson Crusoe" (1948) Hippodrome, Preston;[220] "Sam Browne and Mary Naylor Road Show" (1949) various;[221][222] "Puss in Boots" (1950) Opera House, Belfast, Northern Ireland;[223][224][225] "Puss in Boots" (1951) Empire, Leeds;[226] "Goody Two Shoes" (1952) Royal, Hanley;[227] "Champagne on Ice" (1953) Palladium, London;[228] "Maid in America", Terrace Room at the Morrison Hotel, Chicago, IL USA and on tour (1956); "Robin Hood" (1957–58) ; "Babes in the Wood" (1957) Hulme Hippodrome[229]
References
[edit]- ^ Delfont, Bernard (1989). Curtain Up!. London, England: Robson Books, Ltd. ISBN 0-86051-629-6.
- ^ The Performer: Who's Who in Variety. London, England: The Performer, Ltd. 1950. pp. 207–208. ASIN B004U75ATA.
- ^ "1946, London Palladium". The Royal Variety Charity.
- ^ Cook, William (2007). Morecambe & Wise Untold. London, England: HarperCollins. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-00-724796-7.
- ^ Wise, Ernie (1990). Still On My Way To Hollywood. London, England: Duckworth & Co., Ltd. pp. 51–52. ISBN 0-7156-2338-9.
- ^ Holman, Dennis (1973). Eric & Ernie: The Autobiography of Morecambe & Wise. London, England: W.H. Allen. pp. 14, 33–34. ISBN 0-491-01211-X.
- ^ McCann, Graham (1998). Morecambe & Wise. London, England: Fourth Estate, Ltd. p. 55. ISBN 1-85702-735-3.
- ^ "Band Waggon". www.morecambeandwise.com. 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ a b Holman, Dennis (1973). Eric & Ernie. London, England: W. H. Allen & Co. Ltd. pp. 32–43. ISBN 0 491 01211 X.
- ^ "Mary Naylor Kodell". You Tube. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Three Shows, Five and a Half Hour's School Daily". Birmingham Gazette. November 1939. pp. Photo.
- ^ "Crooner Gives Star Lessons". Daily Mirror. 27 January 1940. p. 3, with photo.
- ^ "Mary Naylor Knows what "The Public" Wants: Talented Nottingham Child". Nottingham Evening News. 22 October 1938.
- ^ Note: The medal is in the personal collection of Mary Naylor.
- ^ "Accordion Bands". Nottingham Journal. 2 September 1938. p. 7.
- ^ "Empire Theatre, Ripley". Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Newspaper. 10 February 1939. p. 3, Advertisement.
- ^ "Nottingham Girl Musician". Nottingham Journal. 30 August 1938. p. 1, with Photo.
- ^ a b c "Played at Nignog Concert". Nottingham Journal. 31 August 1938. p. 6.
- ^ "Heanor Dance: Raising Fund to Endow Bed in Hospital". Derby Daily Telegraph. 3 December 1938. p. 5.
- ^ "Mirth and Melody in Lincoln". The Chronicle & Leader. 29 October 1938.
- ^ "Nottingham Girl Given a Chance". Nottingham News. 2 March 1939. p. Article and photo.
- ^ The Performer: Who's Who in Variety. London, England: The Performer Ltd. 1950. pp. 207–208.
- ^ "12-Year-Old Nottingham Girl's Broadcast". Nottingham Evening Post. 13 March 1939. p. 9, with photo.
- ^ "12-Year-Old Nottingham Girl's Broadcast". The Nottingham Journal. 14 March 1939. p. 9.
- ^ "Nottingham Juvenile Artist in Television". The Nottingham Evening Post. 17 March 1939. p. 11.
- ^ "Mary Naylor". Nottingham Journal. 20 March 1939. p. 7.
- ^ "First Nottingham Artist Televised?". Nottingham Evening Post. 20 March 1939. p. 6, column 2.
- ^ "Empire Theatre To-Night: Syd Walker". The Nottingham Journal. 28 March 1939. p. 6, column 1, Amusements advertisement.
- ^ "Granada Wollwich: Monday Night at Seven". Unknown, only have photo of original advertisement. March 1939.
- ^ a b "Good Evening Chums". Nottingham Journal. 27 March 1939. p. Photo.
- ^ "Empire: "Mr. Walker Wants To Know"". The Nottingham Evening Post. 28 March 1938. p. 10.
- ^ "Jack Hylton Will Commence a Season at the London Palladium on Monday". The Nottingham Evening Post. 1 July 1939. p. 4, column 1.
- ^ "Nottingham Child Entertainer for London Palladium". The Evening News. 4 July 1939.
- ^ "Jack Hylton Will Commence A Season at the London Palladium". Nottingham Evening Post. 1 July 1939. p. 4, Column 1–2.
- ^ Billington, Michael (19 March 2020). "It's Curtains for Theatre - But Not, Let us Hope, For Too Long". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ "What Women Are Doing". The Evening News. 1 January 1940.
- ^ Morecambe, Gary (1994). Morecambe and Wise: Behind the Sunshine. London, England: Robson Books, Ltd. p. 21. ISBN 0-330-34140-5.
- ^ "Crooner Gives Star Lessons". The Daily Mirror. 27 January 1940. p. 3, with Photo.
- ^ "The Regent, Hanley: Grand Popular Concert". Staffordshire Sentinel. 11 January 1940. p. 2.
- ^ "The Press Ball". Bedfordshire Times and Independent. 2 February 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Colston Hall: Bryabn Michie will Compere "Youth Takes a Bow."". Western Daily Press. 6 February 1940. p. 4.
- ^ "Bradford Alhambra Theatre". The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury. 12 March 1940. p. 8, Column 5.
- ^ Holman, Dennis (1973). Eric & Ernie: The Autobiography of Morecambe & Wise. London, England: W.H. Allen. p. 34. ISBN 0-491-01211-X.
- ^ "New Theatre: Youth Takes A Bow". Mercury & Herald. 6 September 1940. p. 8, Columns 1–2.
- ^ "Secrets of the B.B.C.". Market Harborough Advertiser and Midland Mail. 24 March 1941. p. 5.
- ^ "Bradford Alahambra Theatre". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 12 March 1940. p. 8.
- ^ "For "Your" Safety". Nottingham Evening Post. 27 May 1940. p. 4.
- ^ "Opera House, Leicester". Market Harborough Advertiser and Midland Mail. 11 October 1940. p. 5, Advertisement in Column 3.
- ^ "One Good "Turn" Helps Another: Bryan Michie's "Discoveries" Aid the County Comforts Fund". Brighton and Hove Herald. 4 May 1940.
- ^ "Kingston Empire". Surry Advertiser. 10 August 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Leeds Empire". The Yorkshire Post. 2 July 1940. p. 1.
- ^ "Leeds Empire". The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury. 2 July 1940. p. 1, Column 6.
- ^ "Round Leeds Amusements: Empire". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 July 1940. p. 5, Column 3.
- ^ "Round the Theatres: Empire". The Liverpool Echo. 9 July 1940. p. 2, Column 8.
- ^ "Jack Hylton's Finnish "Find"". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 5 March 1940. p. 8.
- ^ Holman, Dennis (1972). Eric & Ernie The Autobiography of Morecambe and Wise. London, Great Britain: W.H. Allen. p. 33. ISBN 0 352 30000 0.
- ^ "Brighton: Hippodrome". Sussex Express & County Herald. 26 March 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Empire: "Youth Takes A Bow"". Nottingham Evening Post. 23 March 1940. p. 7.
- ^ "Finsbury Park Empire". The Stage. 9 May 1940. p. 3.
- ^ "The Empire". Nottingham Journal. 26 March 1940.
- ^ "Bramford Alhambra Theatre". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 12 March 1940. p. 8.
- ^ "Visit of Two Broadcasting Artists". Evening Sentinel. 27 May 1941. p. 4.
- ^ "Youth Takes A Bow". Hamshire Telegraph & Post. 19 April 1940. p. 16, column 7.
- ^ "Colston Hall". Western Daily Press. 6 February 1940. p. 4.
- ^ "Colston Hall". Western Daily Press. 7 February 1940. p. 4.
- ^ "Variety at Colston Hall". Western Daily Press. 9 February 1940. p. 5.
- ^ "Entertainments: Royalty Theatre". Cheshire Observer. 6 December 1941. p. 2.
- ^ "Colston Hall". Western Daily Press. 8 February 1940. p. 4.
- ^ "Theatre Royal". Nottingham Evening Post. 23 March 1940. p. 7.
- ^ "Bristol Hippodrome". Bristol Evening Post. 18 February 1941. p. 2, advertisement.
- ^ "In Glasgow Theatres: Many Bows". 29 July 1941.
- ^ "Theatre Royal: Visit of Two Broadcast Artists". Staffordshire Sentinel. 27 May 1941. p. 4.
- ^ "A Discovery". Daily Express. 28 April 1941. p. 19, column 7.
- ^ "The Battle of Britain" (PDF). Over The Footlights. p. 9, in box. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Ritz Concert for Sheriff's Fund". Nottingham Journal. 29 April 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Empire Show Fund". Nottingham Journal. 29 March 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Getting That Million". Nottingham Journal. 26 April 1940. p. 2.
- ^ "Carlton Home Guard Concert". Nottingham Journal. 8 November 1940. p. 4.
- ^ "Lord Mayor's Surprise: Bisit to Isolated Notts. Camp". Nottingham Evening Post. 29 March 1940. p. 8.
- ^ "Odeon Patrons Aid Hospital: Star Studded Finale". The Standard. 20 March 1943. p. 7.
- ^ "Mary Naylor is the Girl Singer". Picture Post. 16 May 1942.
- ^ "Miss Mary Naylor Registering To-day: A Starlet Signs". The Star. 25 April 1942.
- ^ "Mary Naylor (II)". IMDB. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ "Nottingham's Own". Nottingham Journal. 22 October 1942. p. 2, with photo.
- ^ ""Best Bib and Tucker" at the Palladium". The Spectator. 13 November 1942.
- ^ "Nottingham's Own". The Nottingham Journal. 22 October 1942. p. 2, with photo.
- ^ ""Shipmates Ashore"". Genome B.B.C. 14 November 1942. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Young Nottm. Actress's Broadcast". The Nottingham Evening Post. 4 December 1942. p. 1, column 1.
- ^ "Wireless Programmes: To-day: For The Forces: 5:30 "Shipmates Ashore"". The Nottingham Journal. 29 May 1943. p. 2.
- ^ Wise, Ernie (1990). "Still On My Way To Hollywood". London, England: Gerald Duickworth & Co. Ltd. p. 41. ISBN 0-7156-2338-9.
- ^ "A Merchant Seaman Comes to Town: The Work of the Merchant Navy Club". Imperial War Museums. 1942. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ "RAF Pin-Up Girl Writes". Union Jack. March 1994.
- ^ Hudd, Roy (1998). Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts: A Who Was Who of Light Entertainment. London, England: Robson Books, Ltd. pp. 134–135. ISBN 1 86105 206 5.
- ^ "Pin-Up Girl Goes for a Flight". Lancashire Evening Post. 14 July 1949. p. 1, with Photo.
- ^ "Empire Theatre Grantham: Workers Pageant Concert". The Grantham Journal. 6 August 1943. p. 5, Column 7–8, Advertisement.
- ^ "Variety Gossip: National Service Entertainment". The Stage. 26 August 1943. p. 3, Column 2.
- ^ "Nottm.'s 17-year-old Star of Stageland". Nottingham Journal. 30 August 1943. p. 2, with photo.
- ^ "Grand Theatre Mansfield: Mary Naylor". Nottingham Evening Post. 25 February 1944. p. 3.
- ^ "Palace Varieties: What's on in Blackpool". Lancashire Evening Post. 6 April 1944. p. 2.
- ^ a b "On With The Show". The Stage. 22 June 1944. p. 3.
- ^ "Hip-Hip-Hooray". The Stage. 2 August 1945. p. 10, advertisement.
- ^ "'Who Goes There?' BBC Home Service". Genome Beta B.B.C. 24 July 1942. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "The Cabaret". The Stage. 30 November 1944. p. 3.
- ^ "Promising Young Artist: Mary Naylor at Stars' Charity Concert". Fulham Chronicle. 1 October 1943. p. 3.
- ^ "State Grantham: Grand All Variety Concert". Grantham Journal. 22 October 1943. p. 1, advertisement.
- ^ "King's - "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"". The Stage. 27 January 1944. p. 5.
- ^ "Aston Hippodrome: Dick Whittington (Mary Naylor)". Birmingham Mail. 23 December 1944. p. 4, photo.
- ^ "The Princess Sings in a Woodland Glade". Manchester Evening News. 21 December 1945. p. 3, photo.
- ^ "Royal Variety Performers". The Stage. 17 October 1946. p. 2, advertisement.
- ^ "Mary Naylor". The Stage. 7 November 1946. p. 8, Column 4, with Photo.
- ^ "Singer Mary Naylor". Evening News. 7 March 1953. p. 7, photo.
- ^ "Mary Naylor". The Stage. 7 November 1946. p. 8, with photo.
- ^ "Midland Home Service: Music Hall: Mary Naylor". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 15 June 1946. p. 3.
- ^ "Two Shining Notts. "Stars": Music Box". Nottingham Journal. 11 September 1946. p. 2, with photo.
- ^ "Palace, Newcastle: Sam Browne & Mary Naylor". Sunday Sun (Newcastle). 3 December 1946. p. 7, advertisement.
- ^ "Calls for Next Week: Stoll Theatres: Cardiff New". The Stage. 3 April 1947. p. 2, Column 3.
- ^ "Calls for Next Week: Fred Collins Agency: Liverpool Shakes: "Stars of the Radio" Sam Browne and Mary Naylor". The Stage. 16 June 1949. p. 2.
- ^ "Sam Browne and Mary Naylor". Genome Beta BBC. 11 November 1948. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Variety Gossip". The Stage. 15 May 1947. p. 3.
- ^ "Palace Leicester: Discovery Parade: Sam Browne and Mary Naylor". 28 February 1947. p. 11, advertisement.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Nottingham Empire". The Stage. 31 May 1951. p. 2.
- ^ "Round the Halls: Metropolitan". The Stage. 7 October 1948. p. 5.
- ^ "Theatre Notes". Chronicle & Echo. 10 November 1950. p. 4, with photo.
- ^ "Hull Palace". The Stage. 13 May 1954. p. 11.
- ^ "Theatres & Cinemas: Empire Theatre". Belfast News-Letter. 13 April 1954. p. 3.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Moss Empires, Ltd.: Edinburgh Empire". 27 June 1957. p. 2.
- ^ "Double Your Money". Birmingham Post & Gazette. 10 August 1957. p. 3.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Lew & Leslie Grade, Ltd.: Belfast Opera House". The Stage. 21 August 1958. p. 2.
- ^ Rolls, John (19 August 1958). "Life in the Mirror: Surprise!". Daily Mirror. p. 2.
- ^ "London Hippodrome: Champagne on Ice (Poster)". V & A Collections. 1953. p. Museum Number: S. 2756-1994 Poster. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Stoll Theatres: Chiswick Empire". The Stage. 1 August 1957. p. 29.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Moss Empires, Ltd.: Sheffield Empire". The Stage. 13 March 1952. p. 2.
- ^ "Empire Theatre". Northern Daily Mail. 6 February 1954. p. 3, advertisement.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Moss Empires, Ltd.: Leeds Empire". The Stage. 6 June 1957. p. 2.
- ^ "Police Charity Concert". The Stage. 13 December 1951. p. 3.
- ^ "Summer Entertainment and Concert Notes: Starry Way". The Stage. 5 July 1951. p. 6.
- ^ "Variety Stage". The Stage. 29 October 1953. p. 3, photo.
- ^ "Five Compères". The Stage. 2 December 1954. p. 5.
- ^ "Lew & Leslie Grade, Ltd.: London Embassy Club". The Stage. 23 June 1955. p. 2.
- ^ "Hippodrome, Preston: Robinson Crusoe". The Stage. 25 November 1948. p. 5.
- ^ "Undoubtably Wetherall: Josephine". Chronicle & Echo. 15 November 1950. p. 2, advertisement.
- ^ "Thirteen-Year-Old Mary Naylor". The Nottingham Journal. 20 May 1939. p. 11, photo.
- ^ "Sang for the King". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 November 1946. p. 7, photo.
- ^ "Her Name is Mary". Genome Beta B.B.C. 9 December 1947. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Your Radio For the Week-End: 8.00: Music Hall". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 3 May 1947. p. 2.
- ^ "To-night's Radio: 9:49: Sing Song (Mary Naylor)". Manchester Evening News. 31 December 1947. p. 4.
- ^ "Laughs & Memories: Colonel Chinstrap (featuring Mary Naylor with Morecambe and Wise)". The Yorkshire Evening Post. 17 November 1953. p. 6.
- ^ "'You're Only Young Once.' Featuring Morecambe and Wise and Mary Naylor". Genome Beta BBC. 14 December 1953. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Norman Evans in Radio Series: Over the Garden Wall". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 2 February 1948. p. 4, with photo.
- ^ "Norman Evans invites you 'Over the Garden Wall'". Genome Beta BBC. 11 February 1948. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "It's Fine to be Young: A Show for Youth with Mary Naylor (long running weekly series)". Genome Beta BBC. 13 July 1948. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "First House VARIETY AHOY!". Genome Beta BBC. 20 November 1952. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Workers' Playtime". Genome Beta BBC. 31 August 1954. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Harry Roy and his Music". Genome Beta BBC. 8 August 1955. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Radio Times: Television". Genome Beta B.C.C. 6 October 1950. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Knox, Collie (6 February 1947). "Excellent Show". The Daily Mail.
- ^ "Music Hall". Genome Beta BBC. 3 May 1947. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Starlight: Mary Naylor". Genome Beta BBC. 13 October 1950. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "All About The Plums". The News. 25 February 1955. p. 5, with photo.
- ^ "On your B.B.C. Screens To-Night: Mary Naylor and Eddie Calvert star in "The Saturday Show" at 9:30". The Liverpool Echo. 9 November 1957. p. 6, photo.
- ^ "The Grand Order of Water Rats: Jimmy Wheeler On the Fiddle". Genome Beta B.B.C. 20 October 1957. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Composer at the Piano: Norman Hackforth". Genome Beta BBC. 26 January 1947. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Kaleidoscope". Genome Beta BBC. 14 March 1952. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Davis, Clifford (20 September 1955). ""She's the Star Nobody Wants"". Daily Mirror. p. 15, with photo.
- ^ "Telepage: Jack Hylton's ITV Show Tonight (9:30)". Daily Mirror. 24 October 1957. p. 16, with photo.
- ^ Kodell, Jack (2011). Kodell: Do Something Different. Orlando, Florida: JPM Publishing. p. 255. ISBN 978-1-4507-6653-1.
- ^ "Variety News and Gossip: Shirley a Hit". The Stage. 7 February 1957. p. 3.
- ^ "Stage Door Canteen Closes 1947". British Pathé. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "Grand Order of Lady Ratlings: Annual Banquet Record". The Stage. 18 October 1951. p. 4, with photo.
- ^ "The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings: Our Members". The Grand Order of Lady Ratlings. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ "Music Hall". Genome Beta BBC. 10 October 1946. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Kingston Empire: Youth Takes A Bow". Surry Advertiser. 10 August 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Leeds Empire: Youth Takes a Bow". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 2 July 1940. p. 6.
- ^ "Brighton: Hippodrome". Sussex Express & County Herald. 26 April 1940. p. 6, Article and Advertisement.
- ^ "The Empire". Nottingham Journal. 28 March 1939. p. 9.
- ^ "Amusements: A Radio Roundabout". Coventry Standard. 26 July 1941. p. 2.
- ^ "George Black puts on his 'Best Bib and Tucker' Forces Programme". BBC Genome: Radio Times 1923-2009. 12 January 1943. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "From Day to Day: Nottm.;s 17-year-old Star of Stageland". Nottingham Journal. 30 August 1943. p. 2, with photo.
- ^ "Young Nottm. Actress for New Review". Nottingham Evening Post. 10 April 1942. p. 4.
- ^ "New Opera House, Blackpool. Hip, Hip, Hooray!". Lancashire Evening Post. 25 May 1945. p. 2, advertisement.
- ^ "Jack Hylton will commence a season...". Nottingham Evening Post. 1 July 1939. p. 4, column 1–2.
- ^ "At the Theatres: Next Week's Attractions". Liverpool Daily Post. 22 August 1941. p. 2, column 3.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Lew & Leslie Grade, Ltd.: London Embassy Club". The Stage. 23 June 1955. p. 2.
- ^ "Empire: Mr. Walker Wants To Know". Nottingham Evening Post. 28 March 1939. p. 10.
- ^ "H.M. Theatre: Secrets of the B.B.C.". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 4 August 1941. p. 2, advertisement.
- ^ "Break for Music". Genome Beta BBC. 24 November 1944. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ Kodell, Jack (2011). Do Something Different. Orlando, FL USA: Jeff Pierce Magic. pp. 153–157. ISBN 978-1-4507-6653-1.
- ^ "Kodell October 1958". You Tube. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Comedy Stars Are Guests At The Wedding". Middlesex Independent & W. London Star. 13 March 1953. p. 3, with photo.
- ^ "Variety Stage". The Stage. 12 March 1953. p. 3, Wedding Photo.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Moss Empires: Sheffield Empire". The Stage. 20 June 1957. p. 13.
- ^ "Calls For Next Week: Moss Empires Ltd.: Sunderland Empire". The Stage. 15 August 1957. p. 6.
- ^ Kodell, Jack (2011). Jack Kodell: Do Something Different. Orlando, Florida: JPM Publishing. pp. 199–200. ISBN 978-1-4507-6653-1.
- ^ Kodell, Jack (2011). Kodell: Do Something Different. Orlando, Florida: JPM Publishing. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-4507-6653-1.
- ^ Kodell, Jack (2011). Kodell: Do Something Different. Orlando, Florida: JPM Publishing. pp. 296–298. ISBN 978-1-4507-6653-1.
- ^ "Jack Kodell". Magicpedia. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Mary Naylor Kodell Lecture Intro". You Tube. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "12-Year-Old Nottingham Girl's Broadcast". The Nottingham Journal. 14 March 1939. p. 9, with photo.
- ^ The Performer: Who's Who in Variety. London: The Performer, Ltd. 1950. pp. 207–208.
- ^ "Mary Naylor is the Girl Singer". Picture Post. 16 May 1942. p. Photo.
- ^ "On the night of postponement of "Scoop"". Evening Standard. 22 April 1942.
- ^ "Scoop!". The Tatler. 27 May 1942. p. 3, caricature.
- ^ "George Black puts on his "Best Bib and Tucker"". B.B.C. Genome. 12 January 1943. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Kings". The Scotsman. 17 December 1943. p. 1, Advertisement.
- ^ "Calls for Next Week: Blackpool Tower Co.: Blackpool Palace". The Stage. 19 October 1944. p. 2.
- ^ "Mary Naylor". Sunday Mail. 28 November 1943. p. Photo.
- ^ "Trying on the costumes at the Aston Hippodrome pantomime, "Dick Whittington."". The Birmingham Mail. 20 December 1944. p. Photo.
- ^ "178K27.63 North Pier New Pavilion Summer, 1944 "On With The Show"" (PDF). Sheffield - Cyril Critchlow Collection. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Big Blackpool Show Opens". Lancashire Evening News. 11 June 1945. p. 3.
- ^ "Top o' the Tower". Genome Beta BBC. 18 August 1945. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Empire Theatre". The Scotsman. 9 October 1945. pp. 1, advertisement.
- ^ "Manchester: Palace". The Stage. 22 November 1945. p. 4.
- ^ "Pantomime is Here Again: Mary Naylor". Daily Sketch. 22 December 1945. p. Photo.
- ^ "Empire Theatre Edinburgh, 1946". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Grand Finale on the Palladium Stage at the Royal Variety Performance, 1946". The Stage. 7 November 1946. p. 1, photo.
- ^ "Grand Theatre, Blackpool". Lancashire Evening Post. 6 June 1947. p. 2, advertisement.
- ^ "Singing Star: Miss Mary Naylor". Lancashire Evening Post. 14 June 1947. p. 3, with photo.
- ^ "Empire". Liverpool Echo. 4 November 1947. p. 2.
- ^ "New Theatre, Oxford: Aladdin". Banbury Guardian. 25 December 1947. p. 4, advertisement.
- ^ "Pantomime Forecasts: Hippodrome, Preston: Robinson Crusoe". The Stage. 25 November 1948. p. 5.
- ^ "Calls for Next Week: Dalton's Agency". The Stage. 21 July 1949. p. 2.
- ^ "Star Vocalist for Nearly 20 Years". The Northern Daily Mail. 7 June 1949. p. 3, with photos.
- ^ "The Opera House Pantomime: Mary Naylor appears". Belfast Telegraph. 22 December 1950. p. 2.
- ^ "Principal Boy (Mary Naylor)". Belfast Telegraph. 22 December 1950. p. 4, photo.
- ^ "Mary Naylor, principal boy in "Puss In Boots"". The Northern Whig and Belfast Post. 23 December 1950. p. 5, Photo.
- ^ "In The Provinces: Leeds: Empire". The Stage. 20 December 1951. p. 13.
- ^ "Christmas Shows: Hanley". The Stage. 1 January 1953. p. 20.
- ^ "They're Stars...But Not On Ice!". The Sketch. 4 November 1953. p. 441, photo.
- ^ "Panto News". The Stage. 5 December 1957. p. 6.