Exhumations From William Cross, FSA Scot: Cliff Gordon: 1920-1964: Scriptwriter, impresario, actor …and Welshman!

Cliff Gordon : The Welsh Icarus

“Wales is not a country, it’s an emotion…”

WHO DIED TODAY 16 OCTOBER 1964 AGED 44

A FORGOTTEN WELSHMAN

Cliff Gordon was born ( Clifford Thomas Moses) in Llanelly, West Wales in 1920 and died in Hastings in 1964. He found fame as an actor and playwright and a musical impresario. Best known for his play “Valley of Song” (about two feuding Welsh choirs, which was made into a film) Cliff often found himself on the wrong side of the law, because he was a homosexual. In the world on stage and entertainment Cliff was secure and protected.

After serving in the army with ENSA he worked almost non stop in London shows, with his own musical reviews at the famous Windmill Theatre. He also toured with Ivor Novello and with Donald Houston (in Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood) and did a good deal of work for BBC Wales, earning a high regard.

He also made several feature films. After the death of Dylan Thomas in 1953, Cliff’s closest friend and confidante was Thomas’ widow, Caitlin, the two of them drunk each other under bars in London and in Italy. Dubbed “ The Welsh Icarus” Cliff’s career was affected by alcoholism and depression and he drove himself far too hard .

In the mid-late 1950s Cliff saw Shirley Bassey perform in Cardiff Bay and later invited her to tour with two of his shows, thus effectively giving Bassey her first ‘big break’ into show business. Ill- health overshadowed Cliff his whole life, but in his last years he settled into marriage with Margaret, a devoted wife. A sad, brave but often amusing tale of a talented Welsh man, but born before his time who burnt the candle at both ends in pursuit of his dreams. He is hardly remembered by anyone, and is long overdue a tribute.

Cliff died 60 years ago today, 16 October 1964, aged 44.

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williecross@aol.com