A History of Liverpool Thespians - Binnie Hale

Beatrice 'Binnie' Mary Hale-Monro was born in Liverpool on the 22nd of May 1899 and was an actress, singer and dancer. Her father, Robert Hale, and younger brother, Sonnie Hale, were also actors. She was one of the most successful musical theatre stars in London in the 1920s and 1930s, known for her vivacity and ability to sing leading roles in operetta as well as musicals and revue, and she was popular as a principal boy in pantomime. This exuberant blonde actress was also a singer, star of West End revues, musicals and pantomimes, on stage from 1916. Her best-remembered roles in musicals were in 'No. No. Nanette' (1925) and she was Jill in the long-running British musical 'Mr. Cinders' (1929). Her recording of the song 'Spread a Little Happiness' from that musical is possibly her best remembered recording. This was the first of three shows in which she appeared with Bobby Howes.

She debuted in 1916 in three productions: the musical comedy 'Follow The Crowd' followed by the revue 'We’re All In It', both at the old Empire Theatre, Liverpool and in the small role of Annette in the musical 'Houp La!' at the newly opened St. Martin's Theatre, London. After this, she played in several revues and musical comedies, including '150 Pound Revue' (1917), 'Charlotte in The Kiss Call' (1919), 'Just Fancy' and 'Jumble Sale' (1920), 'Betty in My Nieces' (1921), as Helen, in the London production of 'Katinka' (1923), 'Puppets' and 'The Odd Spot' (both 1924). In 1924, she married the English actor Jack Raine with whom she had appeared in 'The Dippers (1922) and in The Odd Spot (1924). She began her film career in 1927 in the short film 'On with the Dance', with Leslie Henson and her brother. Next, she starred in the title role of 'Nippy' (1930) and the same year she had a daughter, Patricia.She appeared with her father in 'Bow Bells' (1932) and as Jeanne in 'The Dubarry' (1932 UK tour). Her marriage ended in divorce in 1934 but she pursued her film career and later had a radio show, together with her brother Sonnie. As an actress she was known for 'The Phantom Light' (1935), 'A Night of Terror', (1937) and Hyde Park Corner (1935).

On stage during these years, she played Peggy in 'Give Me a Ring' (1933), Sally in 'Yes, Madam?' (1934), again with Bobby Howes, who later starred in the film version, Anne in 'Rise and Shine' (1936), and Cochran's Coronation revue 'Home and Beauty' (1937). In 1937, she starred as Roszi in 'Magyar Melody'. In the 1940s, and through most of the 1950s, she played as the principal boy in pantomimes and appeared in variety shows and musicals such as 'Up and Doing' (1940) and 'Flying Colours' (1941). She starred in a 1946 BBC radio revue show, 'All Hale', with her brother Sonnie and in revues such as 'One, Two, Three!' (1947), again with her brother Sonnie and 'Four, Five, Six!' (1948), with Bobby Howes and was in 'Out of this World' (1950,) which was Frankie Howerd's debut and in 'The Punch Revue' (1955). In her last West End role, she played the Duchess and Queen of Hearts in 'Alice In Wonderland' (1959) at the Winter Garden Theatre. 

Binnie died on the 19th of January, 1984 in Hastings. 

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2023/04/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians-roland.html