- published: 06 Oct 2010
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David Ivor Davies (15 January 1893 – 6 March 1951), better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter. His first big hit was "Keep the Home Fires Burning", which was enormously popular during the First World War. After the war, Novello contributed numbers to several successful musical comedies and was eventually commissioned to write the scores of complete shows. In the 1920s, he turned to acting, first in films and then on stage, with considerable success in both.
Novello was born in Cardiff, Wales, to David Davies (c. 1852 — 1931), a rent collector for the city council, and his wife, Clara Novello Davies, an internationally-known singing teacher and choral conductor. As a boy, Novello was a successful singer in the Welsh Eisteddfod. His mother set up as voice teacher in London, where he met leading performers, including members of George Edwardes's Gaiety Theatre company, classical musicians such as Landon Ronald, and singers such as Adelina Patti. Another of his mother's associates was Clara Butt, who taught him to sing "Abide with Me" when he was a boy of six.
Actors: Eileen Atkins (actress), Helen Mirren (actress), Clive Owen (actor), Ryan Phillippe (actor), Richard E. Grant (actor), Frank Thornton (actor), Derek Jacobi (actor), Charles Dance (actor), Stephen Fry (actor), Bob Balaban (actor), Alan Bates (actor), Michael Gambon (actor), Tom Hollander (actor), Maggie Smith (actress), Kristin Scott Thomas (actress),
Plot: Set in the 1930's the story takes place in an old fashioned English country house where a family has invited many of their friends up for a weekend shooting party. The story centers around the McCordle family, particularly the man of the house, William McCordle. Getting on in years William has become benefactor to many of his relatives and friends. As the weekend goes on and secrets are revealed, it seems everyone, above stairs and below, wants a piece of William and his money, but how far will they go to get it?
Keywords: 1930s, actor, adultery, american, autumn, bathtub, benefactor, biological-father, biological-mother, bird