On This Day 25 July 1901 Prince Frank Littler CBE born Prince Frank Richeux. Theatre proprietor, impresario and television executive.


At the age of 25 Littler (1st image) started his theatrical career with small companies touring provincial towns. 5 years later he became an independent theatre owner.


His empire began to build following the opening of theatres in Leicester, Manchester and Norwich before putting on his first London production at the Coleseum in St Martin's Lane followed by the New Prince's Theatre (now the Shaftesbury Theatre) and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Littler's West End shows included Carousel, Guys and Dolls and Fiddler on the Roof.

In 1936 Prince Littler became pantomime producer at Streatham, opening his tenure with “Humpty Dumpty” followed in 1937 with “Jack and the Beanstalk”, starring Ted Ray, Shaun Glenville as Dame, with Marie Burke (mother of Patricia Burke) and “Baby Terry” as Fairy. The 1938 panto was “Sleeping Beauty”, and the first wartime panto saw Barry Lupino as Widow Twankey in “Aladdin”. This pantomime featured Wilson, Keppel and Betty.


When he was approached by Streatham resident Lew Grade (2ndimage) to become a major shareholder in Associated Television he was already the managing director of three major theatre groups and the chairman of Moss Empires.

Littler was appointed CBE in 1957 and retired in 1966. He passed away at his Sussex home in 1973, aged 72 years.
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(Nigelthedame and Teletronic)

On This Day 24 July 1965 Boxer Freddie Mills died.
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A light-heavyweight boxer, with European titles, world titles and championships. He had a Boxing club in Streatham and taught boxing at the Youth Club

This appeared in the Illustrated London News on 24th July 1858 Image © Illustrated London News Group

The obituary of Sir John Key of Manor House who was twice Lord Mayor
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Portrait Print by Charles Turner © The Trustees of the British Museum

​On This Day 23 July 1857 Norman Cole Bailey was born

Norman Cole Bailey (23 July 1857 – 13 January 1923) was an English footballer from the late 19th century, who made 19 appearances for England playing at half back.

Bailey was born in Streatham and was educated at Westminster School, whom he represented at football. He subsequently played for the Old Westminsters, Clapham Rovers, Wanderers, Swifts and Corinthian, as well as earning representative honours for Surrey and London. At his peak he was described as "a very safe half-back, with plenty of dash and judgement; he has both strength and pace and never misses his kick".

He was a member of the Clapham Rovers team that reached the FA Cup final twice losing 1-0 to Old Etonians in 1879, going on to win the cup in 1880 with a 1-0 win over Oxford University at The Kennington Oval.

He made 19 appearances (scoring once) for the England national football team between 1878 and 1887 (and was thus the first player to make more than ten appearances for his country) and captained England fifteen times.

He was a solicitor by profession, qualifying in 1880, and served on The FA Committee between 1882 and 1884, becoming vice-president from 1887 to 1890.

The census reports of 1861-1871 and 1891 show he lived at "Springfield" St Julians Road and "Bernia" Leigham Court Rd.
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(Photos Kevin Kelly)

This appeared in the Illustrated London News on this day 22 July 1961
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Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother visiting the British Home for Incurables
Image © Illustrated London News Group

On This Day 21st July 1863 the actor Charles Aubrey Smith was born

Charles Aubrey - Smith (Actor and Cricketer) scoring 59 runs n/o for the Thespians at Streatham 1902
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(Colin Hutton and second image ©National Portrait Gallery)e to edit.