Val Parnell: Difference between revisions
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{{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 = [[ | | 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, [[ | | death_place = Portsea Place, [[London]] | ||
| death_cause = | | death_cause = | ||
| resting_place =[[ | | resting_place =[[Golders Green Crematorium]] | ||
| known_for = | | known_for = | ||
| education = | | education = | ||
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| partner = | | partner = | ||
| children = | | children = | ||
| parents = [[ | | parents = [[Fred Russell (ventriloquist)|Thomas Parnell]] | ||
| relatives = [[ | | 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 [[ | '''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 [[ | 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 [[ | 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 [[ | 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 [[ | 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 [[ | 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=[[ | 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, [[ | 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 [[ | 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== | ||
Latest revision as of 10:39, 21 February 2023
Val Parnell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Valentine Charles Parnell 14 February 1892 |
| Died | 22 September 1972 (aged 80) Portsea Place, London |
| Resting place | Golders Green Crematorium |
| Occupation(s) | Theatre and music hall impresario, television executive |
| Parent | Thomas Parnell |
| Relatives | Jack Parnell (nephew) |
Valentine Charles Parnell (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatrical impresario.[1] A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of the ITV network in 1955.
Life and career
Parnell was born in London, the son of Fred Russell, a ventriloquist, and began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.[2] In 1945, after 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 and the Theatre Royal.[2]
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, 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.[3]
In 1956 he was appointed managing director of Associated Television (ATV).[2] He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-rated ITV weekly musical variety show 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.[2]
He lost his position as managing director of ATV to Lew Grade in 1962 but remained on the board.[4][2]
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.[2]
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
- ^ "BFI Screenonline Parnell, Val (1892-1972) Biography".
- ^ a b c d e f "Parnell, Val (1892-1972)". [[Screenonline|]]. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Windeler, Robert: "Julie Andrews: A Biography", p. 24, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1970, ISBN 9780491002950
- ^ "Grade, Lord Lew (1906-1998)". Screenonline. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
