Elsie Janis and Basil Hallam

Elsie Janis (March 16, 1889 - February 26, 1956), American singer, songwriter, actress, and screenwriter. Entertaining the troops during World War I immortalized her as "the sweetheart of the AEF" (American Expeditionary Force). Inset is a picture of Basil Hallam, born Basil Hallam Radford (1889-1916), English actor and singer, best-known for his role of Gilbert the Filbert, Colonel of the Nuts in the 1915 revue, The Passing Show. Basil joined the Royal Flying Corps in the Army Kite Balloon Section. He died in August 1916 as his balloon drifted towards enemy lines and his parachute became entangled in the rigging. Elsie and Basil appeared together in The Passing Show and were rumoured to be engaged. The Tatler reports that the engagement had been denied

Elsie Engagement Filbert Hallam Janis Nuts Radford Sweetheart

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > ILN