Eric Maschwitz

Albert Eric Maschwitz (10 June 1901 – 27 October 1969), also known by the pseudonym Holt Marvell, was a British writer, lyricist, editor and broadcaster.

Early life and education Maschwitz was born Albert Eric Maschwitz on 10 June 1901 in Edgbaston, Birmingham to a Albert Arthur Maschwitz, a merchant, and Leontine Hilda Maschwitz .

Educated at Arden House preparatory school in Henley-in-Arden and Repton School, Maschwitz later studied modern languages at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. (Other sources have suggested that either Maschwitz's wife Hermione Gingold or American actress Anna May Wong inspired the lyrics, but Maschwitz's autobiography cites "fleeting memories of young love.")

Maschwitz started his stage acting career in the early 1920s, playing Vittoria in the first successful modern production of Webster's The White Devil (Marlowe Society, Cambridge ADC Theatre, 1920). He joined the BBC in 1926. His first radio show was In Town Tonight. While at the BBC, he wrote a radio operetta Goodnight Vienna, with the popular song of the same title co-written by George Posford. In 1932, it was adapted as a film, Goodnight, Vienna, starring Anna Neagle. Under contract to MGM in Hollywood from 1937, he co-wrote the adaptation of Goodbye, Mr. Chips,

This requisition enabled the British occupation troops to start broadcasting programmes for their soldiers in northern Germany, and was the nucleus for the British Forces Network (BFN), inaugurated with Maschwitz's help in July 1945, eventually to become the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS).

In 1947, Maschwitz became chairman of the Songwriters' Guild of Great Britain, which was founded by Ivor Novello, Sir Alan Herbert, Eric Coates, Haydn Wood, Richard Addinsell and others, for the encouragement and protection of British popular music. He was the first Vice Chair and Chairman from July 1948 for one year, and again between December 1954 and April 1958.

In 1958, near the start of the BBC/ITV ratings wars, he rejoined the BBC as Head of Television Light Entertainment.

His autobiography, No Chip On My Shoulder, was published by Herbert Jenkins in 1957.

He was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1936.

Personal life On 25 January 1926, Maschwitz married the actress Hermione Gingold Divorcing in April 1945, Maschwitz married Phyllis Crawford Gordon on 14 November.

Maschwitz died on 27 October 1969, aged 68, at Ascot Nursing Home in Sunninghill, Berkshire.

Selected filmography Invitation to the Waltz (1935) Land Without Music (1936) Cafe Colette (1937) Little Red Monkey (1955)