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Val Parnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Valentine Charles Parnell (1892-02-14)14 February 1892 |
| Died | 22 September 1972(1972-09-22) (aged 80) Portsea Place,London |
| Occupation(s) | Theatre and music hall impresario, television executive |
| Parent | Thomas Parnell |
| Relatives | Jack Parnell (nephew) |
Valentine Charles Parnell (14 February 1892 – 22 September 1972) was a British television managing director and presenter, actor and theatricalimpresario.[1]A former staple of stage production, his career in television started with the launch of theITV network in 1955.
Parnell was born inLondon, the son ofFred Russell (né Thomas Frederick Parnell), a ventriloquist. He began his theatrical career at age 13 working as an office boy for a music-hall circuit.[2] In 1945, afterGeorge Black's death he took over as managing director of theMoss Empires music hall and variety circuit, in charge of some of London's most well-known theatres, including theLondon Palladium, TheVictoria Palace and theTheatre Royal, Drury Lane.[2]
He adopted a controversial, but very successful, policy of presenting high-priced, big-name American acts at the top of the bill. Among many, the list includedCarmen Miranda,Judy Garland,Sophie Tucker,Bing Crosby,Danny Kaye,Rosemary Clooney, theAndrews Sisters withVic Schoen and his orchestra,Bob Hope,Liza Minnelli,Lena Horne,Ella Fitzgerald,Peggy Lee,Frank Sinatra,Sammy Davis Jr.,Frankie Laine andJohnnie Ray, freezing out many British stars of the day, who were relegated to second-billing.
He auditioned and signed 12-year-oldJulie Andrews for her first professional performance and introduced her to her manager, Charles Tucker, also known as Uncle Charlie Tucker.[3]
In 1956 he was appointed managing director ofAssociated Television (ATV).[2] He took a personal interest in the station's output and presented the top-ratedITV weekly musical variety showVal Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium until 1965. British stars on the show includedCliff Richard andthe Shadows,Petula Clark,the Beatles andthe Rolling Stones.[citation needed]
Parnell became associated with a property development company and began to sell Moss Empires' theatres for redevelopment. He resigned as managing director of Moss Empires in 1958 to concentrate on ATV but remained as a director until 1960 but retained an interest in the Palladium.[2]
He lost his position as managing director of ATV toLew Grade in 1962 but remained on the board.[4][2]
When it became known in 1966 that this fate awaited the London Palladium,Prince Littler organised a take-over to save the theatre and Val Parnell retired to live in France.[2]
He died of a heart attack on 22 September 1972 and was cremated atGolders Green Crematorium, where a memorial plaque was erected in the West Courtyard at the end of the columbarium.
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