Jessie Matthews

Jessie Margaret Matthews (11 March 1907 – 19 August 1981) was an English actress, dancer and singer of the 1920s and 1930s, whose career continued into the post-war period.

After a string of hit stage musicals and films in the mid-1930s, Matthews developed a following in the USA, where she was dubbed "The Dancing Divinity". Her British studio was reluctant to let go of its biggest name, however, which resulted in offers for her to work in Hollywood being repeatedly rejected.

After the decline of her film career, Matthews achieved a comeback in her native Britain when she took over the role of Mary Dale in the popular BBC Radio serial The Dales (previously known as Mrs Dale's Diary).

Birth and Death Data: Born March 11, 1907 (London), Died August 19, 1981 (Eastcote)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1937

Roles Represented in DAHR: soprano vocal

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick [Br (U.K.) cat 135-a] 10-in. approximately Oct. 1927 My heart stood still Jessie Matthews Female vocal solo, with piano solo vocalist, soprano vocal  
Brunswick [Br (U.K.) cat 135-b] 10-in. approximately Oct. 1927 Just a memory Jessie Matthews Female vocal solo, with piano solo vocalist, soprano vocal  
Brunswick [Br (U.K.) cat 20056-a] 12-in. August 1927 Brunswick medley Rex Evans Instrumental and vocal vocalist, soprano vocal  
Brunswick [Br (U.K.) cat 20056-b] 12-in. August 1927 Brunswick medley Rex Evans Instrumental and vocal vocalist, soprano vocal  
Decca TB 2124 10-in. 4/17/1936 I nearly let love go slipping through my fingers Jessie Matthews vocalist, soprano vocal  
Decca TB 2125 10-in. 4/17/1936 Got to dance my way to heaven Jessie Matthews vocalist, soprano vocal  
Decca TB 2749 10-in. 1/13/1937 Head over heels in love Jessie Matthews vocalist, soprano vocal  
Decca TB 2751 10-in. 1/13/1937 May I have the next romance with you? Jessie Matthews vocalist, soprano vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Matthews, Jessie," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/330283.

Matthews, Jessie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/330283.

"Matthews, Jessie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/330283

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