Ivor Novello

Composer, lyricist, and actor Ivor Novello rose to fame circa 1915 with the release of "Keep The Home Fires Burning," a song that encapsulated the feelings of many families torn apart by World War I. He continued to write songs while serving in the Naval Air Service, but in 1919 turned mainly to acting and appeared in numerous silent films. He persisted in his desire to write for the stage, and eventually contributed material to several shows, but success eluded him until 1935 when he teamed up with lyricist Christopher Hassall for the hugely popular GLAMOROUS NIGHT. That show was followed by equally lush and romantic productions such as CARLESS RAPTURE and CREST OF THE WAVE. His last show, GAY'S THE WORD, opened in 1951, three weeks before he died.