General Chat

Could someone possibly give alittle help to my daughter. She is at present doing a project on WW11 and how it effected women and the family. She has done really well but has got a little stuck on the subheading "Entertainment"
Many Thanks

My MIL was a dancer with a troupe, they used to go from town to town and entertain people that way. She was a professional dancer on the stage and they always had a full house in any town they visited. I think she said she was paid 3 pound a week and used to get her accommodation payed for her and the rest of the troupe.

Her dad passed away when she was young so the changes were not so great for her. She did have to leave home, but used to send money home to her mother every week to help support her younger brother.

Gail

Just found this great site as well.

http://www.teacheroz.com/WWIIHomefront.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/topics/war/

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/entertainment_in_britain.htm

Entertainment during World War Two - Cinema


In the 1930s, although television had been invented, very few people had one and people relied much more on the cinema for entertainment. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of war in September 1939, the Government closed down all the cinemas but soon realised how important they were as a way to inform the public of the latest news on the war. Pathe news kept British citizens informed, or possibly misinformed, on how the war was going.

The cinema was also a good place to see information films that were designed to show people how to behave and act during war. Government films showed citizens coping with the loss of family members or their homes. Other short films reminded people to keep quiet in case a German spy heard any important information.

Radio (Wireless) Note: it was never Radio always the Wireless up until the middle 1960's

At home people listened to the radio. This was a home's most common form of entertainment. The most famous programme on at the time was the Liverpudlian comedian, Tommy Handley's "It's That Man Again". This was a programme designed to keep peoples spirits up. During the war, as much as 40% of the population of Britain listened to this programme.

One of the most popular singers of this time was Vera Lynn who sang songs like "We'll meet again" and "There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of Dover". Due to songs like these, Vera Lynn became known as the Forces Sweetheart.

Dances

Teenagers were determined to have a good time. Ballrooms such as the Grafton Club, which was well known for it's beautiful dance floor, dozens of cinemas and church halls were always packed.

As there was a shortage of men, girls would dance with other girls, unless a man asked them first. As the band played, some watched while others enjoyed doing the Jitterbug. Although a bomb dropped between the Grafton and the Olympia next door, the people ignored the shrapnel that was coming through the roof and continued their partying.

Thankyou so much for your help she has been working away at it all day yest and again today x