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.

 FOR MORE DETAILS EMAIL  WILL CROSS

 

williecross@aol.com

 

CLIFF GORDON

 

SOME OF THE SCRIPTS AND SHOWS OF CLIFF GORDON

Scriptwriter, Librettist, impressionist, impresario, actor, song writer, cabaret artist…and Welshman!

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

Shirley Bassey: The Early Years Of A Welsh Musical Legend: A Talk By William Cross, FSA Scot

 

SHIRLEY BASSEY FEATURES ON A ROYAL MINT COIN

                                               TWO DIVAS

An illustrated talk, from Newport writer William Cross , who first took a close interest in Shirley when he was researching Cliff Gordon, a long  forgotten Welsh producer/  actor /playwright,  the man who first discovered Bassey and gave her a break into show business.

 

Will mainly  considers Bassey’s singer’s early years and her rise to fame, he appraises her early musical hits including her famous songs from the James Bond series of films and looks a little deeper beneath the surface into Shirley's private life, her controversial men friends, lovers and fiends and some of the tragedies that remain a grim shadow upon the life and times of a great Welsh performer who is now a Dame and a great survivor in a tough and merciful industry called show business.

The daughter of a Northern girl named Eliza Jane Metcalfe and a West African sailor, Henry Bassey, the legendry Welsh singing star Shirley Bassey was born in Bute Road,  Cardiff in 1937. The family later moved to Splott.

Despite an initial set back, and real life of working in a dreary 9 till 5 job in a packing factory, Shirley was spotted performing in a working men’s club by Welsh showman and actor Cliff Gordon. He gave the 16-year-old singer from Tiger Bay, a role in two mid 1950s touring shows “ Memories of Jolson” and “ Hot from Harlem”. These shows went all around the UK in 1953-4.

 London producers soon noticed Shirley’s talent. She appeared in the West End of the capital in “Such Is Life” at the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand and in several Night Club Cabaret spots, including the famous Albany Club in Soho. The press also took a shine to the new singer and Shirley was identified as a potential star by the powerful London agents, Jack Hylton and Joe Collins .

 

In the space of the next few years Shirley Bassey became a household name with top 20 hits and literally stopped the show with guest appearances in the UK and in several places overseas, including Sydney, Australia and on the Ed Sullivan Show in USA.

 

Recording contracts gave her further success. She toured widely and made many TV shows, summer shows, and guest appearances including seasons at the London Palladium, Las Vegas New York and Hollywood.

 

Shirley Bassey has now spent more than 60 years in show business and lives in Monte Carlo. Twice married with many admirers and famous hits Shirley Bassey’s life has been fast and furious, with a following of millions of fans.

 

In 2023 Shirley Bassey will appear on a series of British stamps and has already featured in a series of Royal Mint coins.

 

William Cross, FSA Scot (Will)  is the author of the controversial book “The Abergavenny Witch Hunt” (published in 2014) concerning the arrest and prosecution of 24 homosexual men and youths in the small Welsh market town in 1942. Cliff Gordon ( 1920-1964) was one of the men caught up in the proceedings.

 

Will Cross is currently writing a biography of Cliff Gordon.

 

 Here is a link for more details on Cliff Gordon

 

 

 https://twitter.com/WelshIcarus

 

 

You can also email Will Cross

 

 

williecross@aol.com

 

 

Cliff Gordon - A Forgotten Welshman