Hubert Gregg
Encyclopedia
Hubert Gregg was a BBC broadcaster
, writer
and stage
actor
. At the end of his life he was probably best known for the BBC Radio 2
'oldies' shows A Square Deal and Thanks For The Memory. In an earlier era he had also been a novelist, a theatre director and a hit songwriter
.
Born in Islington
, London, he worked for the BBC from the 1930s onwards, wrote the wartime hit "I'm Going To Get Lit Up When The Lights Go On In London" in 1943, and on seeing the German Doodlebugs flying over London
, composed the song "Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner" which became a hit and London folk anthem in 1947.
Gregg spoke German fluently, and during the war worked for the BBC German service, to such good effect that Goebbels
assumed he must be a German traitor.
He was married three times: his first wife was musical comedy star Zoe Gail, with whom he had a daughter, actress-writer Stacey Gregg; his second wife being the actress and singer Pat Kirkwood.
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and stage
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. At the end of his life he was probably best known for the BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
'oldies' shows A Square Deal and Thanks For The Memory. In an earlier era he had also been a novelist, a theatre director and a hit songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
.
Born in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London, he worked for the BBC from the 1930s onwards, wrote the wartime hit "I'm Going To Get Lit Up When The Lights Go On In London" in 1943, and on seeing the German Doodlebugs flying over London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, composed the song "Maybe It's Because I'm A Londoner" which became a hit and London folk anthem in 1947.
Gregg spoke German fluently, and during the war worked for the BBC German service, to such good effect that Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels
Paul Joseph Goebbels was a German politician and Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. As one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and most devout followers, he was known for his zealous oratory and anti-Semitism...
assumed he must be a German traitor.
He was married three times: his first wife was musical comedy star Zoe Gail, with whom he had a daughter, actress-writer Stacey Gregg; his second wife being the actress and singer Pat Kirkwood.
Partial filmography
- 29 Acacia Avenue29 Acacia Avenue29 Acacia Avenue is a play by Denis and Mabel Constanduros, and its 1945 film adaptation, directed by Henry Cass and released in the U.S. as The Facts of Love.-Plot:...
(1945) - The Root of All EvilThe Root of All Evil (1947 film)The Root of All Evil is a 1947 British drama film, directed by Brock Williams for Gainsborough Pictures and starring Phyllis Calvert and Michael Rennie. The film was the first directorial assignment for Williams, who was better known as a screenwriter, and also produced the screenplay based on a...
(1947) - Landfall (1949)
- The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)
- Final AppointmentFinal Appointment (1954 film)Final Appointment is a 1954 British film directed by Terence Fisher. It starred John Bentley, Eleanor Summerfield and Hubert Gregg. It also featured Arthur Lowe, later to become famous for his portrayal of Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army, in an early role....
(1954) - SvengaliSvengali (1954 film)Svengali is a 1954 British drama film directed by Noel Langley and starring Hildegard Knef, Donald Wolfit and Terence Morgan. A svengali hypnotises an artist's model into becoming a great opera singer, but she struggles to escape from his powers. It was based on a novel by George Du Maurier.-Cast:*...
(1954) - Doctor at SeaDoctor at Sea (film)Doctor at Sea is a 1955 British comedy film, directed by Ralph Thomas and produced by Betty Box. The screenplay, by Nicholas Phipps, Richard Gordon and Jack Davies was the sequel to their film from the previous year Doctor in the House, and also starring Dirk Bogarde, playing the character of the...
(1955) - Room in the HouseRoom in the HouseRoom in the House is a 1955 film that was directed by Maurice Elvey. The film's screenplay, by Alfred Shaughnessy, is based on Eynon Evans's novel of the same name.-Cast and characters:...
(1955) - Simon and LauraSimon and LauraSimon and Laura is a 1955 British drama film directed by Muriel Box and starring Peter Finch, Kay Kendall and Muriel Pavlow. A married couple are hired for a television programme to portray domestic happiness, although in real life their marriage is breaking down.-Cast:* Peter Finch - Simon Foster*...
(1955) - Stars in Your EyesStars in Your EyesStars in Your Eyes is a 1956 British musical film directed by Maurice Elvey.-Plot:As the world of vaudeville gradually loses its attraction, more and more entertainers are losing their jobs. In hopes of fixing their financial problems, a group of entertainers band together and buy a run-down...
(1956)