Val Parnell - Revision history

Kurt at 16:39, 21 February 2023

2023-02-21T16:39:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 21 February 2023
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	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2022}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Val Parnell		\| name = Val Parnell
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	\| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell		\| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[~~w:London\|~~London]], [[~~w:England\|~~England]]		\| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1972\|09\|22\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1972\|09\|22\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = Portsea Place, [[~~w:London\|~~London]]		\| death_place = Portsea Place, [[London]]
	\| death_cause =		\| death_cause =
	\| resting_place =[[~~w:Golders Green Crematorium\|~~Golders Green Crematorium]]		\| resting_place =[[Golders Green Crematorium]]
	\| known_for =		\| known_for =
	\| education =		\| education =
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	\| partner =		\| partner =
	\| children =		\| children =
	\| parents = [[w:Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Thomas Parnell]]		\| parents = [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Thomas Parnell]]
	\| relatives = [[w:Jack Parnell\|Jack Parnell]] (nephew)		\| relatives = [[Jack Parnell\|Jack Parnell]] (nephew)
	}}		}}
	'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[w:impresario\|impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>		'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[impresario\|impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>
	A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of the [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] network in 1955.		A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of the [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] network in 1955.

	==Life and career==		==Life and career==
	Parnell was born in [[w:London\|London]], the son of [[w:Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Fred Russell]], a ventriloquist, and began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.<ref name=bfi/> In 1945, after [[w:George Black (producer)\|George Black]]'s death he took over as managing director of the [[w:Moss Empires\|Moss Empires]] music hall and variety circuit, in charge of some of London's most well-known theatres, including the [[w:London Palladium\|London Palladium]], The [[w:Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]] and the [[w:Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]].<ref name=bfi/>		Parnell was born in [[London\|London]], the son of [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Fred Russell]], a ventriloquist, and began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.<ref name=bfi/> In 1945, after [[George Black (producer)\|George Black]]'s death he took over as managing director of the [[Moss Empires\|Moss Empires]] music hall and variety circuit, in charge of some of London's most well-known theatres, including the [[London Palladium\|London Palladium]], The [[Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]] and the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]].<ref name=bfi/>

	He adopted a controversial, but very successful, policy of presenting high-priced, big-name American acts at the top of the bill. Among many, the list included [[w:Carmen Miranda\|Carmen Miranda]], [[w:Judy Garland\|Judy Garland]], [[w:Sophie Tucker\|Sophie Tucker]], [[w:Bing Crosby\|Bing Crosby]], [[w:Danny Kaye\|Danny Kaye]], [[w:Rosemary Clooney\|Rosemary Clooney]], the [[w:Andrews Sisters\|Andrews Sisters]] with [[w:Vic Schoen\|Vic Schoen]] and his orchestra, [[w:Bob Hope\|Bob Hope]], [[w:Liza Minnelli\|Liza Minnelli]], [[w:Lena Horne\|Lena Horne]], [[w:Ella Fitzgerald\|Ella Fitzgerald]], [[w:Peggy Lee\|Peggy Lee]], [[w:Frank Sinatra\|Frank Sinatra]], [[w:Sammy Davis, Jr.\|Sammy Davis]], [[w:Frankie Laine\|Frankie Laine]] and [[w:Johnnie Ray\|Johnnie Ray]], freezing out many British stars of the day, who were relegated to second-billing.		He adopted a controversial, but very successful, policy of presenting high-priced, big-name American acts at the top of the bill. Among many, the list included [[Carmen Miranda\|Carmen Miranda]], [[Judy Garland\|Judy Garland]], [[Sophie Tucker\|Sophie Tucker]], [[Bing Crosby\|Bing Crosby]], [[Danny Kaye\|Danny Kaye]], [[Rosemary Clooney\|Rosemary Clooney]], the [[Andrews Sisters\|Andrews Sisters]] with [[Vic Schoen\|Vic Schoen]] and his orchestra, [[Bob Hope\|Bob Hope]], [[Liza Minnelli\|Liza Minnelli]], [[Lena Horne\|Lena Horne]], [[Ella Fitzgerald\|Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Peggy Lee\|Peggy Lee]], [[Frank Sinatra\|Frank Sinatra]], [[Sammy Davis, Jr.\|Sammy Davis]], [[Frankie Laine\|Frankie Laine]] and [[Johnnie Ray\|Johnnie Ray]], freezing out many British stars of the day, who were relegated to second-billing.

	He auditioned and signed 12-year-old [[w:Julie Andrews\|Julie Andrews]] for her first professional performance and introduced her to her manager, Charles Tucker, also known as Uncle Charlie Tucker.<ref>Windeler, Robert: "Julie Andrews: A Biography", p. 24, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1970, {{ISBN\|9780491002950}}</ref>		He auditioned and signed 12-year-old [[Julie Andrews\|Julie Andrews]] for her first professional performance and introduced her to her manager, Charles Tucker, also known as Uncle Charlie Tucker.<ref>Windeler, Robert: "Julie Andrews: A Biography", p. 24, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1970, {{ISBN\|9780491002950}}</ref>

	In 1956 he was appointed managing director of [[w:Associated Television\|Associated Television]] (ATV).<ref name=bfi/> He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-rated [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] weekly musical variety show ''[[w:Sunday Night at the London Palladium\|Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' until 1965. British stars on the show included [[w:Cliff Richard\|Cliff Richard]] and [[w:the Shadows\|the Shadows]], [[w:Petula Clark\|Petula Clark]], [[w:the Beatles\|the Beatles]] and [[w:the Rolling Stones\|the Rolling Stones]].		In 1956 he was appointed managing director of [[Associated Television\|Associated Television]] (ATV).<ref name=bfi/> He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-rated [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] weekly musical variety show ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium\|Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' until 1965. British stars on the show included [[Cliff Richard\|Cliff Richard]] and [[the Shadows\|the Shadows]], [[Petula Clark\|Petula Clark]], [[the Beatles\|the Beatles]] and [[the Rolling Stones\|the Rolling Stones]].

	Parnell became associated with a property development company and began to sell Moss Empires' theatres for redevelopment. He resigned as managing director of Moss Empires in 1958 to concentrate on ATV but remained as a director until 1960 but retained an interest in the Palladium.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web\|website=[[w:Screenonline\|]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=Parnell, Val (1892-1972)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>		Parnell became associated with a property development company and began to sell Moss Empires' theatres for redevelopment. He resigned as managing director of Moss Empires in 1958 to concentrate on ATV but remained as a director until 1960 but retained an interest in the Palladium.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web\|website=[[Screenonline\|]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=Parnell, Val (1892-1972)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>

	He lost his position as managing director of ATV to [[Lew Grade]] in 1962 but remained on the board.<ref>{{cite web\|website=[[Screenonline]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/482705/index.html\|title=Grade, Lord Lew (1906-1998)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=bfi/>		He lost his position as managing director of ATV to [[Lew Grade]] in 1962 but remained on the board.<ref>{{cite web\|website=[[Screenonline]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/482705/index.html\|title=Grade, Lord Lew (1906-1998)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=bfi/>

	When it became known, in 1966, that this fate awaited the London Palladium, [[w:Prince Littler\|Prince Littler]] organised a take-over to save the theatre and Val Parnell retired to live in France.<ref name=bfi/>		When it became known, in 1966, that this fate awaited the London Palladium, [[Prince Littler\|Prince Littler]] organised a take-over to save the theatre and Val Parnell retired to live in France.<ref name=bfi/>

	He died of a heart attack on 22 September 1972 and was cremated at [[w:Golders Green Crematorium\|Golders Green Crematorium]], where a memorial plaque was erected in the West Courtyard at the end of the columbarium.		He died of a heart attack on 22 September 1972 and was cremated at [[Golders Green Crematorium\|Golders Green Crematorium]], where a memorial plaque was erected in the West Courtyard at the end of the columbarium.

	==References==		==References==

Kurt: /* References */

2022-12-14T16:13:03Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 14 December 2022
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	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Parnell, Val}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Parnell, Val}}

Kurt at 01:20, 27 September 2022

2022-09-27T01:20:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:20, 26 September 2022
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	\| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell		\| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:London\|London]], [[England]]		\| birth_place = [[w:London\|London]], [[w:England\|England]]
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1972\|09\|22\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1972\|09\|22\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = Portsea Place, [[London]]		\| death_place = Portsea Place, [[w:London\|London]]
	\| death_cause =		\| death_cause =
			\| resting_place =[[w:Golders Green Crematorium\|Golders Green Crematorium]]
	\| known_for =		\| known_for =
	\| education =		\| education =
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	\| partner =		\| partner =
	\| children =		\| children =
	\| parents = [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Thomas Parnell]]		\| parents = [[w:Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Thomas Parnell]]
	\| relatives = [[Jack Parnell]] (nephew)		\| relatives = [[w:Jack Parnell\|Jack Parnell]] (nephew)
	}}		}}
	'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>		'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[w:impresario\|impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>
	A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of the [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] network in 1955.		A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of the [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] network in 1955.

	==Life and career==		==Life and career==
	Parnell was born in [[London]], the son of [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Fred Russell]], a ventriloquist, and began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.<ref name=bfi/> In 1945, after [[George Black (producer)\|George Black]]'s death he took over as managing director of the [[Moss Empires]] music hall and variety circuit, in charge of some of London's most well-known theatres, including the [[London Palladium]], The [[Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]] and the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]].<ref name=bfi/>		Parnell was born in [[w:London\|London]], the son of [[w:Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Fred Russell]], a ventriloquist, and began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.<ref name=bfi/> In 1945, after [[w:George Black (producer)\|George Black]]'s death he took over as managing director of the [[w:Moss Empires\|Moss Empires]] music hall and variety circuit, in charge of some of London's most well-known theatres, including the [[w:London Palladium\|London Palladium]], The [[w:Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]] and the [[w:Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]].<ref name=bfi/>

	He adopted a controversial, but very successful, policy of presenting high-priced, big-name American acts at the top of the bill. Among many, the list included [[Carmen Miranda]], [[Judy Garland]], [[Sophie Tucker]], [[Bing Crosby]], [[Danny Kaye]], [[Rosemary Clooney]], the [[Andrews Sisters]] with [[Vic Schoen]] and his orchestra, [[Bob Hope]], [[Liza Minnelli]], [[Lena Horne]], [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Peggy Lee]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]], [[Frankie Laine]] and [[Johnnie Ray]], freezing out many British stars of the day, who were relegated to second-billing.		He adopted a controversial, but very successful, policy of presenting high-priced, big-name American acts at the top of the bill. Among many, the list included [[w:Carmen Miranda\|Carmen Miranda]], [[w:Judy Garland\|Judy Garland]], [[w:Sophie Tucker\|Sophie Tucker]], [[w:Bing Crosby\|Bing Crosby]], [[w:Danny Kaye\|Danny Kaye]], [[w:Rosemary Clooney\|Rosemary Clooney]], the [[w:Andrews Sisters\|Andrews Sisters]] with [[w:Vic Schoen\|Vic Schoen]] and his orchestra, [[w:Bob Hope\|Bob Hope]], [[w:Liza Minnelli\|Liza Minnelli]], [[w:Lena Horne\|Lena Horne]], [[w:Ella Fitzgerald\|Ella Fitzgerald]], [[w:Peggy Lee\|Peggy Lee]], [[w:Frank Sinatra\|Frank Sinatra]], [[w:Sammy Davis, Jr.\|Sammy Davis]], [[w:Frankie Laine\|Frankie Laine]] and [[w:Johnnie Ray\|Johnnie Ray]], freezing out many British stars of the day, who were relegated to second-billing.

	He auditioned and signed 12-year-old [[Julie Andrews]] for her first professional performance and introduced her to her manager, Charles Tucker, also known as Uncle Charlie Tucker.<ref>Windeler, Robert: "Julie Andrews: A Biography", p. 24, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1970, {{ISBN\|9780491002950}}</ref>		He auditioned and signed 12-year-old [[w:Julie Andrews\|Julie Andrews]] for her first professional performance and introduced her to her manager, Charles Tucker, also known as Uncle Charlie Tucker.<ref>Windeler, Robert: "Julie Andrews: A Biography", p. 24, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1970, {{ISBN\|9780491002950}}</ref>

	In 1956 he was appointed managing director of [[Associated Television]] (ATV).<ref name=bfi/> He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-rated [[ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] weekly musical variety show ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium\|Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' until 1965. British stars on the show included [[Cliff Richard]] and [[the Shadows]], [[Petula Clark]], [[the Beatles]] and [[the Rolling Stones]].		In 1956 he was appointed managing director of [[w:Associated Television\|Associated Television]] (ATV).<ref name=bfi/> He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-rated [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] weekly musical variety show ''[[w:Sunday Night at the London Palladium\|Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' until 1965. British stars on the show included [[w:Cliff Richard\|Cliff Richard]] and [[w:the Shadows\|the Shadows]], [[w:Petula Clark\|Petula Clark]], [[w:the Beatles\|the Beatles]] and [[w:the Rolling Stones\|the Rolling Stones]].

	Parnell became associated with a property development company and began to sell Moss Empires' theatres for redevelopment. He resigned as managing director of Moss Empires in 1958 to concentrate on ATV but remained as a director until 1960 but retained an interest in the Palladium.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web\|website=[[Screenonline]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=Parnell, Val (1892-1972)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>		Parnell became associated with a property development company and began to sell Moss Empires' theatres for redevelopment. He resigned as managing director of Moss Empires in 1958 to concentrate on ATV but remained as a director until 1960 but retained an interest in the Palladium.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web\|website=[[w:Screenonline\|]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=Parnell, Val (1892-1972)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>

	He lost his position as managing director of ATV to [[Lew Grade]] in 1962 but remained on the board.<ref>{{cite web\|website=[[Screenonline]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/482705/index.html\|title=Grade, Lord Lew (1906-1998)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=bfi/>		He lost his position as managing director of ATV to [[Lew Grade]] in 1962 but remained on the board.<ref>{{cite web\|website=[[Screenonline]]\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/482705/index.html\|title=Grade, Lord Lew (1906-1998)\|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=bfi/>

	When it became known in 1966 that this fate awaited the London Palladium, [[Prince Littler]] organised a take-over to save the theatre and Val Parnell retired to live in France.<ref name=bfi/>		When it became known, in 1966, that this fate awaited the London Palladium, [[w:Prince Littler\|Prince Littler]] organised a take-over to save the theatre and Val Parnell retired to live in France.<ref name=bfi/>

	He died of a heart attack on 22 September 1972 and was cremated at [[Golders Green Crematorium]], where a memorial plaque was erected in the West Courtyard at the end of the columbarium.		He died of a heart attack on 22 September 1972 and was cremated at [[w:Golders Green Crematorium\|Golders Green Crematorium]], where a memorial plaque was erected in the West Courtyard at the end of the columbarium.

	==References==		==References==
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	[[Category:Music hall people]]		[[Category:Music hall people]]
	[[Category:Golders Green Crematorium]]		[[Category:Golders Green Crematorium]]


	~~{{UK-business-bio-1890s-stub}}~~

Kurt at 01:12, 27 September 2022

2022-09-27T01:12:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:12, 26 September 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2022}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2022}}
	~~{{More citations needed\|date=September 2020}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Val Parnell		\| name = Val Parnell
	\| image =		\| image = val parnell.jpg
	~~\| image_size =~~
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell		\| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]		\| birth_place = [[w:London\|London]], [[England]]
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1972\|09\|22\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1972\|09\|22\|1892\|02\|14\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = Portsea Place, [[London]]		\| death_place = Portsea Place, [[London]]
	\| death_cause =		\| death_cause =
	~~\| resting_place =~~
	~~\| resting_place_coordinates =~~
	~~\| residence =~~
	~~\| nationality =~~
	~~\| other_names =~~
	\| known_for =		\| known_for =
	\| education =		\| education =
	\| employer =		\| employer =
	\| occupation = Theatre and music hall impresario, television executive		\| occupation = Theatre and music hall impresario, television executive
	~~\| title =~~
	~~\| salary =~~
	~~\| networth =~~
	~~\| height =~~
	~~\| weight =~~
	~~\| term =~~
	~~\| predecessor =~~
	~~\| successor =~~
	~~\| party =~~
	~~\| boards =~~
	~~\| religion =~~
	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
	\| partner =		\| partner =
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	\| parents = [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Thomas Parnell]]		\| parents = [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)\|Thomas Parnell]]
	\| relatives = [[Jack Parnell]] (nephew)		\| relatives = [[Jack Parnell]] (nephew)
	~~\| signature =~~
	~~\| website =~~
	~~\| footnotes =~~
	}}		}}
	'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>		'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web\|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/\|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-07-28T21:01:13Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:01, 28 July 2022
(No difference)

en>All Hallow's Wraith: /* Life and career */

2022-05-12T19:16:46Z

Life and career

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Val Parnell
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name = Valentine Charles Parnell
| birth_date = {{birth date|1892|02|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1972|09|22|1892|02|14|df=y}}
| death_place = Portsea Place, [[London]]
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| residence =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| known_for =
| education =
| employer =
| occupation = Theatre and music hall impresario, television executive
| title =
| salary =
| networth =
| height =
| weight =
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| party =
| boards =
| religion =
| spouse =
| partner =
| children =
| parents = [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)|Thomas Parnell]]
| relatives = [[Jack Parnell]] (nephew)
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Valentine Charles Parnell''' (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical [[impresario]].<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/|title=BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography}}</ref>
A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network in 1955.

==Life and career==
Parnell was born in [[London]], the son of [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)|Fred Russell]], a ventriloquist, and began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.<ref name=bfi/> In 1945, after [[George Black (producer)|George Black]]'s death he took over as managing director of the [[Moss Empires]] music hall and variety circuit, in charge of some of London's most well-known theatres, including the [[London Palladium]], The [[Victoria Palace Theatre|Victoria Palace]] and the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]].<ref name=bfi/>

He adopted a controversial, but very successful, policy of presenting high-priced, big-name American acts at the top of the bill. Among many, the list included [[Carmen Miranda]], [[Judy Garland]], [[Sophie Tucker]], [[Bing Crosby]], [[Danny Kaye]], [[Rosemary Clooney]], the [[Andrews Sisters]] with [[Vic Schoen]] and his orchestra, [[Bob Hope]], [[Liza Minnelli]], [[Lena Horne]], [[Ella Fitzgerald]], [[Peggy Lee]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Sammy Davis, Jr.]], [[Frankie Laine]] and [[Johnnie Ray]], freezing out many British stars of the day, who were relegated to second-billing.

He auditioned and signed 12-year-old [[Julie Andrews]] for her first professional performance and introduced her to her manager, Charles Tucker, also known as Uncle Charlie Tucker.<ref>Windeler, Robert: "Julie Andrews: A Biography", p. 24, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1970, {{ISBN|9780491002950}}</ref>

In 1956 he was appointed managing director of [[Associated Television]] (ATV).<ref name=bfi/> He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-rated [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] weekly musical variety show ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium|Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]'' until 1965. British stars on the show included [[Cliff Richard]] and [[the Shadows]], [[Petula Clark]], [[the Beatles]] and [[the Rolling Stones]].

Parnell became associated with a property development company and began to sell Moss Empires' theatres for redevelopment. He resigned as managing director of Moss Empires in 1958 to concentrate on ATV but remained as a director until 1960 but retained an interest in the Palladium.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|website=[[Screenonline]]|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1146747/|title=Parnell, Val (1892-1972)|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>

He lost his position as managing director of ATV to [[Lew Grade]] in 1962 but remained on the board.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[Screenonline]]|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/482705/index.html|title=Grade, Lord Lew (1906-1998)|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=bfi/>

When it became known in 1966 that this fate awaited the London Palladium, [[Prince Littler]] organised a take-over to save the theatre and Val Parnell retired to live in France.<ref name=bfi/>

He died of a heart attack on 22 September 1972 and was cremated at [[Golders Green Crematorium]], where a memorial plaque was erected in the West Courtyard at the end of the columbarium.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parnell, Val}}
[[Category:1892 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:British television executives]]
[[Category:Impresarios]]
[[Category:Music hall people]]
[[Category:Golders Green Crematorium]]

{{UK-business-bio-1890s-stub}}