Jerry Desmonde(1908-1967)

Jerry Desmond, whose real name was James Robert Sadler, was born 20th July 1908. He made his stage debut at age eleven in the Sadler Elsie Four, which was the stage act of his parents at the Palace Cinema, Armadale in November 1919. He stayed with them until 1928, when he was picked by C. B. Cochrane and Noel Coward for the show This Year of Grace, a musical comedy which played in New York for six months before touring America and Canada for another two months. Returning to Britain, he formed The Desmond Brothers, then married their dancing partner Peggy Duncan, performing in revue and concert party revues. In 1942, he did an eight week tour with Sid Field as his straight man, during which time they were seen by George Cole. Both of them were engaged for Strike a New Note at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London in 1943, followed by Strike it Again in 1944, then Piccadilly Hayride in 1946. Jerry, immaculately dressed and with a superior air, was a perfect foil for Sid Field in a golf sketch which they did for the 1945 Royal Variety Show. The following year, he made the film London Town and in 1947 Cardboard Cavalier. After Sid's death, Jerry, who Bob Hope said was 'the best straight man in the business, became straight man to Nat Jackley, then the 1953 film Trouble in Store found him as straight man to Norman Wisdom. This continued through a series of films before he became quiz master on the $64,000 Dollar Question until August 1957. He was found dead in his London flat on 16 February 1967.