Eric Maschwitz was an Englishman who worked in many areas of show business. He not only appeared on the stage but he wrote books for several musicals and adapted French comedies for the English stage. He joined the BBC in 1926 as Director of Variety where he created several popular shows. Under the pseudonym of Holt Marvell he and BBC producer Val Gielgud (brother of actor Sir John) wrote thrillers and adapted them for broadcasting.

He collaborated with composer George Posford on several stage shows, and At the Balalaika’s title cut was number three on the hit parade at the same time as “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” his 1940 collaboration with Jack Strachey and Manning Sherwin. “He Wears a Pair of Silver Wings” with Michael Car...