Past Pavilion: The Stars of Stage and Screen

Our first star is Malcolm McEachern. He was an Australian bass singer who performed in a comedy music duo with Bentley Collingwood Hilliam, who was an English tenor. They were known as “Flotsam and Jetsam” and had a similar style to the post-war duo Flanders and Swan. Flotsam and Jetsam were at the height of their popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. McEachern also sang with Harold Williams who was featured in the February Past Pavilion. McEachern was known as Jetsam in the duo. Harold Williams also pops up in the second newspaper article.

‍SELSEY PREFERS BRUNETTE CARNIVAL QUEEN ELECTION. The election of Selsey's Queen for the forthcoming British Legion carnival, on August 24th. took place the Pavilion on Wednesday. The house was crowded out for this occasion, many being turned away. Voting for the Queen and for the maids of honour was done by ballot among the audience. Miss Doris Henstridge was elected with 139 votes. Jetsam, of Flotsam and Jetsam did not want much encouragement to perform the crowning ceremony, nor to give the Queen a kiss. Though the weather was most unsatisfactory, the results of the elections were highly satisfactory to all. Some 300 people recorded their vote.

‍Chichester Observer 30/7/1938‍

SELSEY’S CARNIVAL QUEEN MISS J. FLORENCE ELECTED. In the presence of some three hundred people, Miss Joan Florence, gaining 142 votes, was elected Selsey’s Carnival Queen for this year, at the election held in the Pavilion on Wednesday. The crowning of the Queen was conducted by Miss Doris Henstridge, last year’s Queen, and took place on the cinema stage in the presence of the Maids of Honour, Mr. McEachern (Jetsam), Mr. Harold Williams and Col. Moore.‍

Bognor Regis Observer 26/7/1939

Our final star star is Barbara Mullen. She starred in the film “Jeannie” playing the title role. She was, probably, best known for her role as Janet McPherson in the TV series Dr Finlay’s Casebook which ran from 1962 to 1971.‍

Selsey Prisoners of War Appeal. Selsey opened “Prisoners of War Appeal Week” with a cinema matinee at the Pavilion by the courtesy of Mrs Wills-Rust, showing the film "JEANNIE," accompanied by the personal appearance of the heroine, Barbara Mullen. Miss Mullen, wearing the identical dress in which she appeared in the film, made a charming appeal on behalf of the Fund, asking her audience to imagine what it must be like to be a prisoner of war, and urging everyone to give generously. A short official film illustrating the life of a prisoner of war, and the excitement provided by the arrival of parcels from England through the agency of the Red Cross preceded the main feature, and approximately £20 was taken, with another £8 collected from the boxes outside. An additional £5 was similarly collected on Sunday evening.‍

Hampshire Telegraph 4/12/1942

Barbara Mullen pictured below in the episode of “This Is Your Life” dedicated to her. The programme aired on 19th March 1964. Eamonn Andrews was the host of the show and many of the guests were from the cast of Dr Finlay’s Casebook.