|
|
Stage Name |
Birth Name |
| The Petite
Ascots |
Duggie
Ascot |
| |
Hazel
Ascot |
| |
Marjorie
Ascot |
Hazel Ascot was a champion child tap-dancer
of the 1930's who also appeared in a couple of feature Films.
Hazel was hailed as 'Britain's Shirley
Temple'. Her first film appearance was in the 1937 musical
film 'Talking Feet'. John Baxter was looking for rehearsal rooms
for a proposed film to be titled 'Music Hall' that he chanced
upon Hazel, whose father Duggie Ascot ran a dance academy in the
Charing Cross Road. To accommodate the dance aspect he re-titled
his film 'Talking Feet' with Hazel and the "Gordon Rae Girls."
Hazel's father, Duggie had come to London from
Manchester, where Hazel was born, and formed a four piece step-dance
troupe 'The |
Petite Ascots'. These can be seen in one or two British Lion 1935/36
variety shorts; on 9.5mm as "Variety Number 1 (T.9313,) #2
(T.9314,) #3 (T.9315) and #7 (T.9319.)"
The Petite Ascots included one of Duggie's
four daughters, Marjorie (seven years older than sister Hazel)
and crooner Sam Browne's sister Pearl. With their popularity increasing,
he formed two 'Petite Ascots' dance groups each with three dancers.
Soon Marjorie moved on to managing their tours. One major claim
to fame for them was that they danced for Hitler in Germany, but
not getting paid as war broke out soon after!. After the war Hazel's
Tap dance career was over, like Shirley Temple, she was no longer
a child novelty. Thanks to 'Hazel Ascot - THE UK's Answer to SHIRLEY
TEMPLE? by Grahame
L. Newnham B.Sc. for above information'. |
Burlesque 
