Binnie Hale

Beatrice "Binnie" Mary Hale-Monro (22 May 1899 – 10 January 1984) was an English actress, singer and dancer. She was one of the most successful musical theatre stars in London in the 1920s and 1930s, able to sing leading roles in operetta as well as musicals, and she was popular as a principal boy in pantomime. Her best-remembered roles were in the musicals No, No, Nanette and Mr. Cinders (1929), in which she sang "Spread a Little Happiness".

In the 1930s she also pursued a film career and later had a radio show together with her brother Sonnie Hale. She continued to act and sing on stage through the 1950s.

Life and career Hale was born in West Derby, Liverpool. Her father, John Robert Hale-Minro, and younger brother, Sonnie Hale, were actors.

Hale was one of the most successful stars in London in the 1920s and 1930s, known for her vivacity, and able to sing leading roles in operetta as well as musicals and revue. She debuted in 1916 in three productions: the musical comedy Follow the Crowd, followed by the revue We’re All in It, both at the old Empire Theatre, and in the small role of Annette in the musical Houp La! at the newly opened St. Martin's Theatre. After this, she played in several revues and musical comedies, including 150 Pound Revue (1917), Charlotte in The Kiss Call (1919), Just Fancy and Jumble Sale (1920), Betty in My Nieces (1921), Helen in the London production of Katinka (1923), Puppets and The Odd Spot (both 1924). with whom she had appeared in The Dippers, by Ben Travers in 1922 and in The Odd Spot. They had a daughter, Patricia, born in 1930. The marriage ended in divorce in 1935. Her recording of the song "Spread a Little Happiness" from that musical is possibly her best remembered recording. Mr. Cinders was the first of three shows in which she appeared with Bobby Howes. Next, she starred in the title role of Nippy (1930); in Bow Bells, together with her father (1932); and The Dubarry as Jeanne (1932 UK tour).

Films On with the Dance (1927) This is the Life (1933) – Sarah Tuttle Hyde Park Corner (1935) – Sophie The Phantom Light (1935) – Alice Bright Take a Chance (1937) – Wilhelmina ("Bill") Ryde Love from a Stranger (1937) A Night of Terror (USA) – Kate Meadows Magyar Melody (1939) (TV) – Roszi Belvary One, Two, Three! (1948) (TV)

Selected stage roles Houp La! (1916) at St Martin's Theatre with Gertie Millar No, No, Nanette (1925) at the Palace Theatre Sunny (1926) Mr. Cinders (1929) at the London Hippodrome with Bobby Howes Nippy (1930) at the Golders Green Hippodrome. Give Me a Ring (1933) at the London Hippodrome Yes Madam? (1934) at the London Hippodrome, with Howes Jack and the Beanstalk (1935) – Pantomime, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Flying Colours (1943) at the Lyric Theatre, London Four, Five, Six (1948) with Howes Out of this World (1950) at the London Palladium with Frankie Howerd Peggy Ryan and Ray McDonald (1950) at the Empire Theatre Newcastle The Punch Review (1955) at the Duke of York's Theatre, London with Alfie Bass

Discography No, No, Nanette (1925) Who? (1926) with Jack Buchanan, from the musical Sunny I'm a One Man Girl (1929) with Bobby Howes, and Al Starita and his Novelty Orchestra Spread a Little Happiness (1929) from the musical Mr. Cinders The Debonnaire (date unknown) – with Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph As Time Goes By (1932) with the Savoy Orpheans and Carroll Gibbons, piano You're Blasé (1932) from the revue Bow Bells Yes Madam? (1934) with Bobby Howes You Don't Know the Half of It (1935) from the film Hyde Park Corner A Nice Cup of Tea (1937) from the revue Home and Beauty by A.P. Herbert (lyrics) and Henry Sullivan (music)

Hale made many other recordings between 1925 and 1941, the majority of which were for the Columbia label in London.