If I may be allowed to stray just once from my usual Hollywood supporting actors of the Thirties and Forties, I would like to relate this piece of showbusiness magic.

In 1915, Turner Layton (1894-1978), of Layton and Johnstone fame, wrote a song for the since legendary Sophie Tucker (real name Sonia Kaleish) called After You've Gone.

Affectionately known as "the last of the red-hot mamas", this Polish-born lady went far and visited England to perform at the Kit Kat Club with the Ted ("is everybody happy?") Lewis Orchestra.

Some 30-35 years later, she appeared at the London Palladium. While in her dressing room, one of her entourage noted a song on the list. "Are you singing that?" he asked. "Of course," Sophie replied.

"My God, he's in the audience," he replied. Sophie looked hard but said nothing. During her act, she said to the audience: "Ladies and gentlemen, more years ago than I care to remember, Turner Layton wrote this next song for me. I understand he is here tonight. Can we please find him." The spotlight duly obliged.

"Turner," she said, "will you please accompany me on this next song? I'm sure you know the one."

The elderly gentleman made his way to the stage and they did the song.

At the finish, both were in tears and they received a long, long, standing ovation - one of the instances when showbusiness was magic rather than tragic.

-Gordon Dean, Lancing