Glamourous American star Jayne Mansfield, who was a huge hit in the comedy musical film The Girl Can't Help It in 1956, came to Blackpool just three years later to switch on the Illuminations in 1959, and followed this up with another appearance in the town not long afterwards. Tragically, the blond bombshell, who made quite a stir in the town, died in a road accident in New Orleans in 1967, aged just 34.Glamourous American star Jayne Mansfield, who was a huge hit in the comedy musical film The Girl Can't Help It in 1956, came to Blackpool just three years later to switch on the Illuminations in 1959, and followed this up with another appearance in the town not long afterwards. Tragically, the blond bombshell, who made quite a stir in the town, died in a road accident in New Orleans in 1967, aged just 34.
Glamourous American star Jayne Mansfield, who was a huge hit in the comedy musical film The Girl Can't Help It in 1956, came to Blackpool just three years later to switch on the Illuminations in 1959, and followed this up with another appearance in the town not long afterwards. Tragically, the blond bombshell, who made quite a stir in the town, died in a road accident in New Orleans in 1967, aged just 34.

When Blackpool welcomed Hollywood royalty to the resort - including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Cate Blanchett and Samuel L Jackson

Blackpool has always been a big draw for famous entertainers and on some occasions the town has been visited by major Hollywood stars.
By Richard Hunt
Published 31st Mar 2023, 12:25 BST
Updated 31st Mar 2023, 14:33 BST

Whether they were giving musical shows or appearing in plays at the town’s top theatres, shooting a film or even switching on Blackpool Illuminations, they brought some Hollywood glamour to Britain’s top tourist resort.

Here are some very big names – and one or two of them may comes as a surprise!

In 1956 Kim Novak, who the year before had played Frank Sinatra's sultry ex-girlfriend in hit film The Man with the Golden Arm, was photographed at the top of Blackpool Tower. There appear to be no reports explaining why the glamorous actress, who went on to become an even bigger star in 1958 when she took the lead in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Vertigo, was in the resort at all.

7. Hollywood comes to Blackpool

In 1956 Kim Novak, who the year before had played Frank Sinatra's sultry ex-girlfriend in hit film The Man with the Golden Arm, was photographed at the top of Blackpool Tower. There appear to be no reports explaining why the glamorous actress, who went on to become an even bigger star in 1958 when she took the lead in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Vertigo, was in the resort at all. Photo: Third party

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In 1952 Hollywood star Danny Kaye gave a brilliant performance at Blackpool's Empress Ballroom, calling on not only his fine singing voice but his precise comic timing and sheer force of personality. The star had been filming the musical Hans Christian Andersen, released later that year, when he decided to fly over for the Open golf tournament at Lytham. He gave two shows nightly on July 17 and 18.

8. Hollywood comes to Blackpool

In 1952 Hollywood star Danny Kaye gave a brilliant performance at Blackpool's Empress Ballroom, calling on not only his fine singing voice but his precise comic timing and sheer force of personality. The star had been filming the musical Hans Christian Andersen, released later that year, when he decided to fly over for the Open golf tournament at Lytham. He gave two shows nightly on July 17 and 18. Photo: Third party

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Back in 1940, Manchester-born Robert Donat had won an Oscar for his lead role in Goodbye Mr Chips, beating the favourite Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. At the Blackpool's Grand Theatre for the week of October 7, Donat starred as Richard Dudgeon in the Old Vic Company’s production of The Devil’s Disciple, Bernard Shaw’s drama of mistaken identity, set in the American War of Independence.

9. Hollywood Comes to Blackpool

Back in 1940, Manchester-born Robert Donat had won an Oscar for his lead role in Goodbye Mr Chips, beating the favourite Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. At the Blackpool's Grand Theatre for the week of October 7, Donat starred as Richard Dudgeon in the Old Vic Company’s production of The Devil’s Disciple, Bernard Shaw’s drama of mistaken identity, set in the American War of Independence. Photo: Third party

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Related topics:BlackpoolHollywoodJudy GarlandBritainBlackpool Illuminations