Eric Maschwitz
Albert Eric Maschwitz OBE (10 June 1901 – 27 October 1969) was an influential English entertainer, songwriter, broadcaster, and broadcasting executive, often credited under the pseudonym Holt Marvell. Born in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, to a Lithuanian Jewish father, Maschwitz was educated at Repton School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He began his career in the early 1920s as a stage actor and soon joined the BBC in 1926, where he created the radio show "In Town Tonight" and edited the Radio Times magazine from 1927 to 1933.
Maschwitz gained significant recognition as a lyricist, writing popular songs such as "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "These Foolish Things," the latter inspired by his brief romantic liaison with British cabaret singer Jean Ross. His work extended to screenwriting, with notable contributions to films like "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
During World War II, Maschwitz served with the Intelligence Corps and was involved in various intelligence and broadcasting roles, eventually becoming the Chief Broadcasting Officer with the 21st Army Group. After the war, he continued his career in entertainment, writing musicals such as "Balalaika," "Summer Song," and "Zip Goes a Million," and adapting works for amateur operatic companies.
In 1958, Maschwitz became the head of Light Entertainment at the BBC and later joined ITV. He was married to actress Hermione Gingold until their divorce in 1945, after which he married Phyllis Gordon. Eric Maschwitz passed away in Ascot, Berkshire, in 1969, leaving behind a legacy as a cherished figure in British entertainment.
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