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Stage Name |
Birth Name |
| The Petite Ascots |
Duggie Ascot |
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Hazel Ascot |
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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)". |
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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'.
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