WHEN Hollywood stars needed a tailor – or a smart photo opportunity to boost publicity – they headed to Connell’s.
The Union Street upmarket menswear store was the place to be in the 1940s and 50s, when big names like Herbert Lom, Cesar Romero and Abbott and Costello popped in during their stays in the city.
Our Times Past feature last week on movie star George Raft’s visit to Connell’s prompted Maureen McGuire to get in touch to share some fantastic photographs.
“My father - Jack McGuire - worked at Connell’s and we have loads of pictures of him with all these stars,” she told us. “He died when I was only 13, sadly, so I did not have an opportunity to talk to him about all of this when I could appreciate what it meant.
“It was so lovely to see your article – I have sent it to my brothers and sisters who now live all over the world.”
Among the photos Maureen sent us were pictures of Donald O’Connor, the American actor and singer most famous for his Golden Globe-winning performance in Singin’ in the Rain in 1952, and suave Hollywood actor Cesar Romero, distinguished Latin lover in numerous romantic comedies and The Joker in the 1960s Batman TV series.
Abbott and Costello – one of the most popular comedy teams of the 1940s and early 1950s and the highest-paid entertainers in the world during World War II - also appeared, and so did Herbert Lom, Clouseau’s nemesis in the Pink Panther movies.
Maureen says: “Some, I can’t identify - I think the three gentlemen looking at a tie may be singers, but I am not sure,” she says. “I don’t know who the man in the bowtie is, or what was going on with the gentleman in Native American dress….”
Perhaps Times Past readers can help? Can you identify any of the unknown stars?
Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.
One of Maureen’s favourite photos captures her father in the shop window, with a range of expensive waistcoats.
“I love this picture – especially the waistcoat costing 150 guineas,” she smiles. “I think it was mink, which is why it was so expensive.”
Jack McGuire lived in Glasgow for most of his life, except during his time in the RAF during World War II. He was stationed in India for a short while.
He was married to Lille, and had five sons Michael (now living in Australia), Paul (who is in California), Brendan (who lives in Windsor), Edward and John (both in Glasgow), and two daughters: Frances, who stays in Glasgow, and Maureen.
“My mum was originally from Yorkshire – she met my father at an RAF hospital,” says Maureen.
“She was writing letters for the officers, mostly amputees, who had been in serious plane crashes, and my father came in to sing Christmas carols.
“It must have been the magic of Christmas.”
Maureen, who has lived in Paris and New York, adds: “They got married before the end of the war. My dad was a singer, a tenor, and in his early days often performed in public in amateur dramatics companies and in a choir.”
She smiles: “He was always the peacemaker with the seven children. I never visited Connell’s. I was born the year some of these photographs were taken.
“They bring back a lot of happy memories. It was lovely to see a story about my father’s shop.”
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