~ The Biggest Aspidistra ~

Songwriters love to compose a new song working away the whole day long. Well aware of the pleasure it brings and they gain inspiration from simple things. Tommie Connar was approaching a house in a London street as he passed by a huge aspidistra caught his eye. "It must be the biggest aspidistra in the world " he said, bright ideas were buzzing in his head. He contacted Jimmy Harper and Bill Haines all agreed it would make a good title for a comic song, if they offered it to Gracie Fields they could not go wrong. To give it a try she was very keen and kept the leaves evergreen.

~ The Idols of the Halls ~

People said Gracie was Marie Lloyd all over again that is not so, Marie was a Cockney Gracie a North country woman as we all know. Marie would not have sung "Oh I never cried so much in all my life" and Gracie would never sing "My old man said follow the van." They had an entirely different style both possessed supreme artistry and immensely popular in their day, but certainly not alike in any other way. 

~ Sally ~

Gracie made her first film in 1931 the delightful Sally in Our Alley. In this film her signature tune "Sally" was born. Bill Haines helped to write it together with Harry Leon and Leo Towers, it had taken them several hours. They got as far as When skies are blue you are smiling then were stuck for a word or rhyme. Bill asked another pal "What rhymes with smiling"? the pal said "Beguiling". He went home to complete the two lines. When skies are blue you're beguiling when they are grey you're still smiling, smiling. Gracie did not care for it at first hearing she said "Sally" is a number for a man to sing I don't think it'd be much good for me." She had no idea when she changed her mind she would sing it constantly. All over the world in triumph and disaster peace and war, 'Sally' is a ballad that will live for evermore. 

~ Christopher Robin ~

Little boy kneels at the foot of the bed, droops on his little hands and rests his little gold head. Hush, hush whisper who dares, Christopher Robin is saying his prayers. God bless mummy I know that's right wasn't it fun in the bath tonight. The cold so cold and the hot so hot, God bless Daddy I quite forgot. If I open my fingers just a tiny bit more I can see Nanny's dressing gown on the door, it's a beautiful blue but it hasn't a hood, God bless Nanny and make her good. Mine has a hood I lie in bed and pull the hood right over my head. Snuggle down and curl up small nobody knows I'm there at all. Thank you God for a lovely day, what was the other I had to say, I've said bless Daddy so what can it be? Ah, now I remember it's God bless me.

~ Little Drummer Boy ~

The day is ended little Drummer boy last post was sounded long ago, close your eyes my little Drummer boy and dream of the ones that love you so. Reveille will sound in the morning once more on parade you will go, close your eyes my little Drummer boy and say goodnight to all your friends and foe.

~ Edith Wakefield ~

Edith was the gentle one she hated the theatre for herself and seldom took her children to a show, she had to go on stage 'cos Mumma told her so. When she entered Gracie's dressing-room slamming the door behind her it was quite a surprise, but not a friendly visit there was anger in her eyes. She accused Gracie of neglecting her family she went on and on making such a fuss. "You are the great Gracie Fields, on the stage, in films, on the wireless, so much darned work you have no time for us." She gave Gracie no chance to explain the tears were streaming down her face she felt choked. There was a loud bang on the door. "On stage, Miss. Fields", yelled the call boy. She grabbed a towel and dabbed her eyes. "Edith for goodness sake wait", she croaked. Gracie wondered if tonight tears would get the better of her restricting her throat and prevent her from sounding a single note. She was doing cod-opera to make the audience laugh then hurried to her dressing-room Edith was still there, her unkind attitude most unfair. Before she could say another word Gracie spoke up. "Listen love what's good for Grace is good for all the Stansfields, this brass is no use to me unless I can share it with my family." If I give Betty too many presents it will arouse her red-headed pride, if I give you too many presents I might hurt your husbands feelings as Duggie can well provide. Young Tommy is fast making a name if I give him too much it may undermine his self-confidence and I will only have myself to blame. I had written three cheques just before you came in for ten thousand pounds each as special Christmas presents surely that's not against the rules."  Edith looked down at the cheques still lying on the table made out to herself Betty and Tommy, then they were crying, laughing, and hugging like a couple of fools. 

~ Bert Aza ~

Bert Aza gave up show business to act as Gracie's manager in that capacity he excelled. When arranging film contracts he bid for the highest fee she never ceased to marvel at his ability. He was fatherly and protective keeping her out of harm's way although she did not always listen to what he had to say. Making a sudden decision she found far more exciting than planning ahead Bert knew how to handle her not demanding like Archie he believed in gentle persuasion instead. After his death loveable vivacious Lilian carried on until she suffered a stroke which ended her life she was one of Gracie's dearest friends and a most loyal wife. Today the agency is run by Morris Aza her only son.