Adelaide Hall - Variety In Sepia - October 1947

[cyncopashn]

She was fantastic! Thank you

[JazmineAvery]

Wow, she was so talented, it's so rare to see anyone who can do so much, and do it for real. She sang like a dream, played the guitar, danced and just seemed to come to life on stage, it's so wonderful seeing things like this.

[aptsarchive]

@JazmineAvery Adelaide was indeed a very talented performer. Her absolute love of performing shines through in this clip. I'm so pleased you enjoyed watching it.

[fandango204]

Is there any more Variety in sepia footage that survive? The quality is very good for such an early telerecording, and even better as it doesn't have any spot wobble!! We can see it just a the home viewer did in 1947!

[aptsarchive]

@fandango204 Unfortunately, as far as we know, this is the only excerpt from "Variety in Sepia". It was an experimental telerecording and was found quite by chance, by a fellow researcher. It looks amazing when displayed on a television receiver of the period. So pleased that you enjoyed it.

[BobWXXI]

Fascinating for two reasons--first, that a major talent in Britain was so seldom seen in postwar America, and second, that even at this early date, she was so skilled in front of the TV camera, projecting her personality so well to the home viewer in a way that it took most perfomers years of TV work to master. (Believe me, it's not as easy as she makes it look--and not the same thing as working to a stage audience or on film. I work in broadcasting and know how hard it is.)

[aptsarchive]

Indeed Adelaide's personality shines through in this performance. Glad you enjoyed it.

[TheLizzie12]

@BobWXXI Adelaide had appeared in pre-war BBC television & several shows were transmitted live from her London nightclub - early examples of outside broadcasts. It was me (Stephen Bourne) who rediscovered this 1947 telerecording of Adelaide in the BBC's archive when I worked there in 1989. The BBC didn't know they had it. I found the 35mm print in a rusty old can. I arranged a private screening for Adelaide who was thrilled. She'd never seen it, and wasn't aware of its existence.

[susuemikado]

@TheLizzie12 What a find! Thanks for being so gracious for sharing this treasure! :)

[TheLizzie12]

In a chapter called 'When Adelaide Hall Went to War', Adelaide Hall's contribution to the British war effort will be acknowledged in Stephen Bourne's new book Mother Country - Britain's Black Community on the Home Front 1939-1945 (The History Press). For further info go to the website of The History Press.

[colinward1000]

@TheLizzie12 When Adelaide's club received a direct hit, my father was the London Fire Brigade Station Officer who attended. Dad looked after Adelaide and took her, and her Club furniture to our home at Station Road, Horley, Surrey. She opened our shop, Madame Josephine and became my nanny. In 1980 she was at The Kings Head Islington and I took Dad. Adelaide dedicated "Creole Love Call" and D/D/ Doo to Dad . I asked Dad if he enjoyed the night. Not much he said-I never did like her singing.

[CarlWithRecords]

I love not like this fabulous underrated star - you could never rate her high enough - she sang beautifully until she died ! 

[ccaammiiittoo1]

Timeless Perry Como made this song a hit during his magnificent career.

[rexitnf]

I am just planning the funeral of my Aunt (Sadie Corré). I have been told she was a friend of Adelaide and we should have some of Adelaide's music at the funeral, so we will. (Good old iTunes)

Rex

[grenadian11]

Nice voice and outstanding stage presence; very natural even for 1947, bravo!

[romeroriol]

I had the chance and privilege to see and hear She at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London on the 16 April 1988 for the princely sum of 8.90 pounds. I was so amazed that I went again the following day!! I still keep the admission ticket and the advertisment from Time Out !!

[MattTheSaiyan]

So little 1947 TV survives, to see this is wonderful. She has a very nice voice! Previously, the oldest TV footage I had seen was from 1948.

[gf1001]

What a find delightful,always loved Aderlaide,I understand she was a lovely lady,a piece of tv history,thanks for posting this gem.

[tdub1941]

Lovely !  Delicious!

5 STARS!

RagJazzMonkey

[susuemikado]

I am thrilled...so delightful!

[earthquakepills]

Outstanding. That just made my day/week/month. Thank you.

[welch57]

I am proud to announce that I rediscovered - and identified - this film in the BBC archive in 1989. The BBC didn't know they had it. Adelaide was a friend, and I couldn't wait to show her a videotape of the performance. She was astounded - and delighted - when she saw this film for the first time at the age of 87! She was a lovely lady, and I treasure my personal memories of her, both as a friend and the many times I saw her in performance.

[Dagrecco1982]

I love Adelaide Hall. She looks like she's having such a good time. Such a talented lady.

[janaeblaze]

this is an awesome performance thanks for uploading!