Stars of yesteryear took their bows at the Palace – and lit up the nights

Let's settle back in the front stalls of Blackpool's top variety theatre, the Palace, where hundreds of stars, from Julie Andrews to Jimmy Young, appeared.

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In its 64-year existence (1897-1961) as part of a huge entertainment complex on the block to the north of Blackpool Tower, everyone who was anybody in music hall and variety appeared there.

Who to choose? That's the problem!

Last week we introduced the confident and shapely Australian Florrie Forde, whose lively repertoire of 1920s hits included Down at the Old Bull and Bush and Kelly From the Isle of Man. Grandad might have been gobsmacked!

In June, 1924, a Gazette reviewer noted Florrie was given "a royal reception and sang four songs with all the vigour and compelling influence she can so charmingly assert. Miss Forde was, as usual, superbly gowned."

As noted last week, her stage gowns were made by a Blackpool dressmaker.