Leslie Lincoln Henson (3 August 1891 – 2 December 1957) was an English comedian, actor, producer for films and theatre, and

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, pr ...

. He initially worked in

silent films A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

and Edwardian musical comedy and became a popular

music hall Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Br ...

comedian who enjoyed a long stage career. He was famous for his bulging eyes, malleable face and raspy voice and helped to form the

Entertainments National Service Association The Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was an organisation established in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II. ENSA operated as part of the Navy, ...

(ENSA) during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

. Born in

Notting Hill Notting Hill is a district of West London, England, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Notting Hill is known for being a cosmopolitan and multicultural neighbourhood, hosting the annual Notting Hill Carnival and Portobello Road Ma ...

, London, Henson became interested in the theatre from an early age, writing and producing theatrical pieces while at school. He studied with the

Cairns James Lewis Cairns James (23 September 1865–7 October 1946) was a Scottish-born baritone, actor, educator and opera producer most prominent during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. From 1887 to 1891 he performed with a D'Oyly Carte Opera Compa ...

School of Musical and Dramatic Art as a child, making his professional stage début at the age of 19. His first West End role was in ''Nicely, Thanks!'' (1912) and he later starred in several hit West End

Edwardian musical comedies Edwardian musical comedy was a form of British musical theatre that extended beyond the reign of King Edward VII in both directions, beginning in the early 1890s, when the Gilbert and Sullivan operas' dominance had ended, until the rise of the Ame ...

, including '' To-Night's the Night'' (1915) and '' Yes, Uncle!'' (1917). After briefly serving with the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

, he was released from active service by the British government to help run a concert party called "The Gaieties", which provided entertainment for the troops during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

. After the war, he returned to the West End, playing in ''

Kissing Time ''Kissing Time'', and an earlier version titled ''The Girl Behind the Gun'', are musical comedies with music by Ivan Caryll, book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, and additional lyrics by Clifford Grey. The story is based on the 1910 ...

'' (1919) and a series of musical comedies and farces throughout the 1920s and 1930s. At the start of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, together with Basil Dean, he helped to form ENSA, with which he entertained British troops abroad. Henson's postwar stage success continued in

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own dur ...

s, musicals and plays, including a West End adaptation of ''

The Diary of a Nobody ''The Diary of a Nobody'' is an English comic novel written by the brothers George and Weedon Grossmith, with illustrations by the latter. It originated as an intermittent serial in '' Punch'' magazine in 1888–89 and first appeared in book fo ...

'' in 1955. Henson's film career was intermittent, and he made 14 films from 1916 to 1956. The most notable of these was '' Tons of Money'' in 1924, which introduced the popular Aldwych farces to British cinema audiences. In 1956, Henson's friend Bobby Hullett died in circumstances that struck him as suspicious. Henson anonymously notified the police that her doctor,

John Bodkin Adams John Bodkin Adams (21 January 18994 July 1983) was an Irish-born British general practitioner, convicted fraudster, and suspected serial killer. Between 1946 and 1956, 163 of his patients died while in comas, which was deemed to be worthy of ...

, should be investigated. Adams was subsequently tried for a different murder but acquitted.

Biography

Leslie Henson was born in

, London, the eldest child and only son of Joseph Lincoln Henson, a tallow chandler, and his wife, Alice Mary (née Squire). He was educated at the

Emanuel School Emanuel School is an independent, co-educational day school in Battersea, south-west London. The school was founded in 1594 by Anne Sackville, Lady Dacre and Queen Elizabeth I and occupies a 12-acre (4.9 ha) site close to Clapham Junction ra ...

(Wandsworth), and at Cliftonville College (Margate). Interested in the theatre from an early age, Henson wrote and produced theatrical pieces while at school. He worked briefly in the family business but soon studied with the

School of Musical and Dramatic Art.Shorter, Eric
''Henson, Leslie Lincoln (1891–1957)''
''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, January 2011; accessed 20 June 2011.

Early career

Henson began his professional stage career at age 19 in the provinces with The Tatlers' concert party, soon appearing in London in the

pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and (to a lesser extent) in other English-speakin ...

''Sinbad'' at the Dalston Theatre at Christmas 1910. After concert appearances, he toured in '' The Quaker Girl'' in 1912 in the role of Jeremiah. His first West End role was later that year in ''Nicely, Thanks!'' at the Royal Strand Theatre."Outstanding Stage Personality"
''Glasgow Herald'', 3 December 1957, p. 3; accessed 8 June 2010. Actor Stanley Holloway dedicated a chapter in his 1967 autobiography to Henson, describing how Henson helped establish his career by signing him to perform in ''Nicely Thanks!'' He performed with The Scamps' concerts and starred in the comic roles in hit West End

such as '' To-Night's the Night'' (1914 on Broadway and 1915 at the

Gaiety Theatre, London The Gaiety Theatre was a West End theatre in London, located on Aldwych at the eastern end of the Strand. The theatre was first established as the Strand Musick Hall in 1864 on the former site of the Lyceum Theatre. In 1868, it became known ...

), ''

Theodore & Co ''Theodore & Co'' is an English musical theatre, musical comedy in two acts with a book by H. M. Harwood and George Grossmith Jr. based on the French comedy ''Théodore et Cie'' by Paul Armont and Nicolas Nancey, with music by Ivor Novello and J ...

'' (1916), and '' Yes, Uncle!'' (1917). His malleable features, bulging eyes and raspy voice made him an audience favourite, especially in his own comic sketches. He also appeared in films occasionally, beginning with ''Wanted: A Widow'' (1916). Henson signed up with the

Royal Flying Corps "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colors = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = , decorations ...

but was removed from active service in 1918 to run a concert party group called "The Gaieties" in the 5th Army, to give shows for the troops. That autumn, he was stationed in

Lille Lille ( , ; nl, Rijsel ; pcd, Lile; vls, Rysel) is a city in the northern part of France, in French Flanders. On the river Deûle, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region, the prefecture of the No ...

, which had been recently evacuated by the Germans, and was able to stage

s and a pantomime at the abandoned Opera House. He returned to the West End in ''

'' (1919), '' Sally'' (1921) and a string of musicals at the

Winter Garden Theatre The Winter Garden Theatre is a Broadway theatre at 1634 Broadway in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It opened in 1911 under designs by architect William Albert Swasey. The Winter Garden's current design dates to 1922, when ...

, including '' A Night Out'' (1920), '' The Cabaret Girl'' (1922) and ''

The Beauty Prize ''The Beauty Prize'' is a musical comedy in three acts, with music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by George Grossmith and P. G. Wodehouse. It was first produced by Grossmith and J A E Malone on 5 September 1923 at the Winter Garden Theatre, ...

'' (1923). In '' Tons of Money'' (1922), he starred as Aubrey Allington, which led to the long-running series of Aldwych Farces, which he co-produced with

Tom Walls Thomas Kirby Walls (18 February 1883 – 27 November 1949) was an English stage and film actor, producer and director, best known for presenting and co-starring in the Aldwych farces in the 1920s and for starring in and directing the film adapt ...

. In 1924, he played Aubrey Allington again when he and Walls made his most notable film, '' Tons of Money'', which introduced the Aldwych farces to British cinema audiences for the first time. In 1926, he starred in '' Kid Boots'' in London and then toured the English provinces in ''Betty Lee'' in 1926. In 1927, he appeared in a musical, ''Lady Luck'' at the Carlton Theatre, London, followed by ''Funny Face'', 1928.Suskin, Steven. ''Show Tunes: the songs, shows and careers of Broadway's major composers'', Oxford University Press In 1930, Henson and his business partner Firth Shephard co-leased the Novello Theatre and presented a series of farces, ''It's a Boy!'' (1930, also starring Henson), ''It's a Girl!'' (1930), ''Follow Through'', ''Nice Goings On!'' (1933), ''Lucky Break'' and ''Aren't Men Beasts!'' (1936). In 1935, he and Shephard took over the

and produced four successful shows, ''Seeing Stars'' (1936), ''Swing Along'' (1937), ''Going Greek'' (1937) and ''Running Riot'' (1938)."Rob Wilton Theatricalia"
Listing of Henson shows in the 1930s. Accessed 8 June 2010 During the run of the last of these, the aged theatre was condemned and was required to be closed. Henson also returned to film work in the 1930s, appearing in '' A Warm Corner'' (1930), '' The Sport of Kings'' (1931), ''It's a Boy'' (1933), '' The Girl from Maxim's'' (1933) and ''

Oh, Daddy! ''Oh, Daddy!'' is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Graham Cutts and Austin Melford and starring Leslie Henson, Frances Day, Robertson Hare, and Barry MacKay. It was made at Islington Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art d ...

'' (1935). His later films were ''

The Demi-Paradise ''The Demi-Paradise'' (also known as ''Adventure for Two'') is a 1943 British comedy film made by Two Cities Films. It stars Laurence Olivier as a Soviet Russian inventor who travels to England to have his revolutionary propeller manufactured, a ...

'' (1943) and ''

Home and Away ''Home and Away'' (often abbreviated as ''H&A'') is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a tri ...

'' (1956). In 1938, Leslie Henson was appointed president of the Royal Theatrical Fund.

Later career

At the outbreak of

, he returned to the UK from a tour of South Africa and, together with Basil Dean, formed the

(ENSA), a government-sponsored organisation with which he entertained British troops in Europe, the Near East and the Far East. He was in London in 1940, however, for the revue ''Up and Doing'' and in 1942 for ''Fine and Dandy'' (at which the

King King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen regnant, queen, which title is also given to the queen consort, consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contempora ...

and

Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

and Princesses Elizabeth and

Margaret Margaret is a female first name, derived via French () and Latin () from grc, μαργαρίτης () meaning "pearl". The Greek is borrowed from Persian. Margaret has been an English name since the 11th century, and remained popular through ...

were surprise guests), both at the Saville Theatre. In 1945, he starred i
''The Gaieties''
at the Winter Garden Theatre, and in a revival of ''

1066 and All That ''1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England, Comprising All the Parts You Can Remember, Including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates'' is a tongue-in-cheek reworking of the history of England. Written by W. C. Sellar and R. ...

'' at the Palace Theatre, London. In 1946, he toured the provinces in ''The Sport of Kings''. In 1948 he starred in ''

Bob's Your Uncle "Bob's your uncle" is a phrase commonly used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries that means "and there it is" or "and there you have it" or "it's done". Typically, someone says it to conclude a set of simple instructions or when a ...

''. Later performances included "straight" roles, though with less success, such as Elwood P. Dowd in '' Harvey'' (1950), in which he toured, and as

Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys (; 23 February 1633 – 26 May 1703) was an English diarist and naval administrator. He served as administrator of the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament and is most famous for the diary he kept for a decade. Pepys had no mariti ...

in a musical composed by Vivian Ellis ''And So to Bed'' by

J. B. Fagan James Bernard Fagan (18 May 1873 – 17 February 1933) was an Irish-born actor, theatre manager, producer and playwright active in England. After turning from the law to the stage, Fagan began his acting career, including four years from 1895 t ...

(1951). He also had a hit in the title role of the musical farce ''Bob's Your Uncle'' (1948) by

Austin Melford Austin Melford (1884—1971) was a British screenwriter and film director. He was the older brother of actor Jack Melford. Partial filmography Director * '' Car of Dreams'' (1935) * ''Oh, Daddy!'' (1935) * '' Radio Lover'' (1936) Screenwriter * ...

and later starred in ''Relations Are Best Apart'' at the

Theatre Royal, Bath The Theatre Royal in Bath, England, was built in 1805. A Grade II* listed building, it has been described by the Theatres Trust as "One of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture". It has a capacity for an audien ...

(1953), as Mr Pooter in a stage adaptation of ''

'' (

Duchess Theatre The Duchess Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, London, located in Catherine Street near Aldwych. The theatre opened on 25 November 1929 and is one of the smallest West End theatres with a proscenium arch. It has 494 sea ...

, 1955), and as Old Eccles in a musical version of Tom Robertson's ''

Caste Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultur ...

'' (1955). Henson acted up until the time of his death.

Family and death

Henson was married three times, in each case to an actress: * Marjorie Kate Farewell "Madge" Saunders, daughter of Edward Henry Master Saunders and Ellen Lucie Margaret White (died 1967), whom he married at St. George's Church, Hanover Square,

Marylebone Marylebone (usually , also , ) is a district in the West End of London, in the City of Westminster. Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, forms its southern boundary. An ancient parish and latterly a metropolitan borough, it ...

, London in 1919 * Gladys Gunn, in 1926 * Harriet "Billie" Dell, in 1944Henson, Nicky
"Nicky Henson - Actor"
Nicky Henson website, accessed 23 April 2009 He had two sons: one with Gladys – Joe, a farmer (born 1932), and one with Harriet –

Nicky Nicky is a diminutive form of the name Nicholas, Nicola and Nicole, occasionally used as a given name in its own right. It can also be used as a diminutive of Dominic. It may refer to: People Sports * Nicky Adams (born 1986), English-born Welsh ...

, an actor (born 1945). Joe founded Cotswold Farm Park; his son, Adam Henson, runs the park and is a TV presenter. Nicky's sons with ex-wife Una Stubbs are composers

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι� ...

and Joseph, and another son with wife Marguerite Porter is Keaton, a musician and artist. Henson died at his home in

Harrow Weald Harrow Weald is a suburban district in Greater London, England. Located about north of Harrow, Harrow Weald is formed from a leafy 1930s suburban development along with ancient woodland of Harrow Weald Common. It forms part of the London Bor ...

Middlesex Middlesex (; abbreviation: Middx) is a historic county in southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the ceremonial county of Greater London, with small sections in neighbour ...

, in 1957, aged 66. His body was cremated at

Golders Green Crematorium Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and one of the oldest crematoria in Britain. The land for the crematorium was purchased in 1900, costing £6,000 (the equivalent of £135,987 in 2021), ...

Bobby Hullett's death

On 23 July 1956, while in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range. At the 2016 ...

performing, Henson heard that his close friend Bobby Hullett had died in

Eastbourne Eastbourne () is a town and seaside resort in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton and south of London. Eastbourne is immediately east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Great Britain and part of the l ...

. Henson was suspicious because Hullett's husband had died just four months earlier and that Dr

had treated both of them. He telephoned the Eastbourne police anonymously to warn them of his fears, instigating an investigation into the death of Hullett. After Adams was acquitted in 1957 of the murder of another patient,

Edith Alice Morrell Edith Alice Morrell (20 June 1869 – 13 November 1950) was a resident of Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, and patient of Dr John Bodkin Adams. Although Adams was acquitted in 1957 of her murder, the question of Adams' role in Morrell's death ...

, he was never tried for Hullett's murder. The Home Office pathologist at the time, Dr

Francis Camps Francis Edward Camps, FRCP, FRCPath (28 June 1905 – 8 July 1972) was an English pathologist notable for his work on the cases of serial killer John Christie and suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams. Early life and training Camps was b ...

, noted 163 suspicious deaths among Adams's patients between 1946 and 1956.

Recordings

''Meet Me 'Round the Corner''
with Moya Mannering 1912 (streaming audio/HTTP download) *''Sally: original 1921 London cast recordings'' Monmouth-Evergreen MES-7053 (LP) *''Primrose: original 1924 London cast recordings'' World Records SH-214 (LP), Pearl 113 (CD) *''Cole Porter in London: original cast recordings from London productions of Nymph Errant”. “Anything Goes”, “Wake Up and Dream”, “Kiss Me Kate” etc.'' World Records SHB-26 (2xLP)

Monologue by Stanley Holloway with Leslie Henson (MP3 download) *''A Few Drinks'' with Sydney Howard, Columbia (Australia) DOX9

Filmography

*''Wanted: A Widow'' (1916, Short) *''

The Real Thing at Last ''The Real Thing at Last'' is a "lost" satirical silent movie based on the play ''Macbeth''. It was written in 1916 by Peter Pan creator and playwright J. M. Barrie as a parody of the American entertainment industry. The film was made by the ne ...

'' (1916, Short) ....

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is conside ...

*''The Lifeguardsman'' (1916) .... Lt Spiff *''Broken Bottles'' (1920, Short, also writer and director) .... Bottling Barrows *'' Alf's Button'' (1920) .... Alf Higgins *'' Tons of Money'' (1926, also producer) .... Aubrey Allington *''On with the Dance'' (1927, Short) *'' A Warm Corner'' (1930) .... Mr Corner *'' The Sport of Kings'' (1931) .... Amos Purdie *'' It's a Boy'' (1933) .... James Skippett *'' The Girl from Maxim's'' (1933) .... Dr Petypon *''

'' (1935) .... Lord Pye *''

'' (1943) .... Himself *''

'' (1956) .... Uncle Tom *''The Vise'' (1958, TV Series) .... Police Sergeant (final appearance) :''Notes: The source for the television and film appearances is the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

."Henson, Leslie"
British Film Institute; accessed 5 June 2012.

Notes

References

*Henson, Leslie. ''My Laugh Story''. London: Hodder and Staunton, 1926 *Henson, Leslie. ''Yours Faithfully''. London: Long, 1948.

External links

*
Performances listed in Theatre Archive University of Bristol
*
Clips of Henson
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henson, Leslie 1891 births 1957 deaths English male film actors English male silent film actors English male stage actors English male comedians English male musical theatre actors Entertainments National Service Association personnel People educated at Emanuel School People from Notting Hill 20th-century English male actors 20th-century English singers 20th-century English comedians 20th-century British male singers