Acting
May 22, 1912
Brondesbury, London, England, UK
Betty Astell
Acting
Biography
From Wikipedia Betty Astell (23 May 1912 – 26 July 2005) was an English actress. Born Betty Julia Hymans at 54 Cranhurst Road in Willesden, Middlesex, she was married to entertainer Cyril Fletcher for more than 60 years, from 18 May 1941 until his death on 1 January 2005. They had a daughter, actress/comedian Jill Fletcher. Astell acted with her husband on his television series, The Cyril Fletcher Show, and was one of the first people to appear in John Logie Baird's experimental television on the BBC's 30 line shows. Astell died in a hospital near her home in Guernsey. She was 93.
Feature Films (12)
'Producer stages outside broadcast despite jealous critic.' (British Film Catalogue)
Sunshine Ahead
Variety performances by acts including the Albert Sandler Quartet, Betty Astell, Reggie Bristow's Band, the Modernique Quartette, Stanelli and Edgar, Terence McGovern's Band and Trio, the Nile Players, Phyllis Stanley, and Arthur Travers.
Musical Film Revues
Set in the austere post–World War II British world of rationing, Cyril dreams up an ode to an imaginary character named Merlin Mound who can provide anything one can wish. Merlin becomes real and grants his host's wishes; not by conjuring the items out of thin air, but depriving them from other people's ownership, which leads to trouble.
A Piece of Cake
In this he's on the dole, hungry and ready to do any job but quickly light-heartedly scams his way into society and a highly regarded position at a bank next to the beleaguered Robertson Hare. Here he invents a fraudulent business plan (Merrivale - you remember it surely?), the manager and chairman and another finance company are suck(er)ed in and it all snowballs from there. With of course a love interest as a dynamo.
Jack of All Trades
'Musician kills count in duel for wife, and later falls in love with daughter.' (British Film Catalogue)
The Lost Chord
Eddie Smart (George Gee) was born clumsy and is a laughing stock at work, the Sprouto Hair Tonic Company. One day a phrenologist reads his 'bumps' and pronounces him another Napoleon. Eddie becomes a changed man and issues orders to everyone. Meantime the boss believes Eddie to be the rightful owner of the company so let's him have his way. With the boss ill, Eddie invests heavily in the nutmeg market, almost bankrupting the company. By luck the research department discover that nutmeg is the secret ingredient for the new hair-restorer. The 1933 British Lion comedy feature film "Strike It Rich" starring George Gee and Gina Malo seems to be a 'lost' film on the 35mm cinema film format. However it was released (sadly savagely cut) on the UK Pathescope 9.5mm home movie film format in December 1938. One musical number was cut from the 9.5mm feature film release, but issued separately in a 9.5mm Pathe Vox Review. This print has this extra item edited back in.
Strike It Rich
Tony Pumpford takes a job selling vacuum cleaners, and in doing so tangles with a chorus girl. He then accidentally ends up in the show whilst demonstrating the cleaner.
Cleaning Up
A woman's parents became robbers in a desperate effort to prevent her marrying an unsuitable man.
Great Stuff
This Is the Life is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Albert de Courville and starring Gordon Harker, Binnie Hale and Betty Astell. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios by British Lion.
This Is the Life
Mr. Reeder, a somewhat eccentric old gentleman employed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, gets it into his head to break up a counterfeiting ring.
The Mind of Mr. Reeder
Musical featuring radio and variety stars on holiday, who help a village vicar stage a local concert.