Gracie Fields, the iconic Lancashire lass, maintained a lifelong connection with Blackpool, a place that held a special charm for her throughout her illustrious career. Her first encounter with the resort came as a young girl on an outing for underprivileged children from Rochdale. At just seven years old, she wandered under North Pier and became lost as the tide rolled in. By the age of 14, she returned with professional ambitions, running away to Blackpool in hopes of joining a juvenile performance troupe. Fields began topping show bills in Blackpool in the 1920s, performing in her husband Archie Pitt’s Tower of London revue at the Palace Theatre in 1923. This was the first of many engagements in the resort, as her major revues of the decade found success on Blackpool stages. During the 1930s, she performed at the Grand Theatre, where she sold out 14 weeks of shows between 1932 and 1938, further cementing her status as a beloved entertainer in the town.
Her association with Blackpool extended beyond the stage. In 1934, she filmed the classic movie Sing As We Go in the resort, which captured the spirit of the seaside town. Thirty years later, in 1964, she realized a lifelong dream by switching on the famous Blackpool Illuminations. During the event, she delighted crowds with renditions of Sally and Volare, humorously remarking afterward, “I only go to Capri for a bit of peace and quiet. I’d rather be in Blackpool.” Gracie’s affection for the town continued into her later years. In 1967, she returned to open the Brindle Lodge old people’s center in Mereside, showcasing her enduring love for the place that had played such an important role in her life and career.
The featured image below shows Gracie Fields in 1973.
Featured Image © Allan WarrenCC BY-SA 3.0
Background Image © Alamy
Text source: Blackpool Gazette’swebsite
