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Sabrina opens the Victor Value supermarket in Abington Street, Northampton, in 1957.
One spotty Herbert said: "I was in my early teens and among the crowd outside, which was so thickly packed together that I was able to lift my feet off the floor and be carried along."

In 1957, Sabrina appeared with Arthur Askey , Anthea Askey , singer Vanessa Lee , David Nixon , and the music of Billy Ternent in 12 thirty-minute episodes of Askey Galore! on radio on the BBC Home Service.

Written by Dick Vosburgh and Brad Ashton (Weeks 1-4), Johhny Speight and Dick Barry (Weeks 5-9). David Climie and Pat Dunlop (Weeks 10-12).

Produced by Dennis Main Wilson . First broadcast at 7pm on 30th January 1957. Ended 17 April.

Sabrina on radio... about as effective as a ventriloquist on radio. In fact the first episode did feature a vent act by Terry Hall !

Arthur in Radio Times , issue 1733, 27 Jan 1957, page 9):

He compliments Sabrina, and hopes that she will appear in this programme in the guise he first booked her for, just a dumb blonde —'but she's not really dumb; she can handle a script very well, good inflection and timing.'

A contemporary review:

The last instalment of "Askey Galore I listened to didn't strike me as being excessively funny. It was largely based on the strikes of a few weeks back, entirely topical and at the expense and good names of the participants. Consequently, it was completely ephemeral. Unlike ltma [It's That Man Again] and an occasional number of "Take It From Here' Askey Galore fails to deal with the foibles and frailties of everyday people and things as they are met with on our daily rounds, and which make the salt of real humour.

Maurice Reeve . Practical Wireless, July 1957. p.348

You can buy Sabrina's original coy of the script of episode 1 for £275. The seller notes: "A number of Sabrina's lines have been changed or annotated in this script, and there is what looks like a telephone number written in pencil on the title page."

It was during the run of Askey Galore! that Sabrina's infamous 19" belt incident occurred.

3 January 1957: Appears at film premiere of Giant , at the Warner Theatre in London.

See the newsreel (800KB, AVI). See other Sabrina newsreels .

Note the look the lady in the fur (Moira Lister?) gives the woman who cuts in front of her close-up. A true star!

3 January 1957 - The Argus (Melbourne) (page 4)

Mister FELIX - He says YOU cannot stump him

By FELIX FILCHER

"You mean YOU don't know?" said the chief copy boy of this establishment, busily sharpening You Know Who's pencil.

"Candidly, little man," I said, mustering all the dignity and poise I could.
"No. Be good enough to enlighten me."

"Well, she's a doll, see?" he said. "And she appears on British television. And she's built like .. .you sure you want to hear this?"

I nodded affirmation.

"Well, she's built like... well, like this," he went on, making great sweeping gestures with his hands. "And she's terrific... just terrific. I've seen pictures."

I thanked him and went on. He had, it seems, been enthusing about a girl who calls herself just Sabrina, Frankly, I'd never heard of her, but MR. D. J. MacDOUGALL'S letter from 2 Empress Rd., Surrey Hills, had had me puzzled since he had mentioned: "Seeing the name has acquired a certain notoriety these days" before getting to his question: "Who or what was the original Sabrina?"

That part of the query is easy. According to British legend Sabrina was the daughter of Locrine and his concubine, Estrildis. Locrine's queen, Gwendolin vowed vengeance against, Estrildis and her daughter and waged war against her husband and defeated him. Sabrina jumped into the Severn. Nereus took pity on her and made her goddess of the river.

5 January 1957 - 'Blighty'

17 January 1957 - Hark! Sabrina has broken her silence! Australasian Post

8 January 1957 - Daily Mirror letters column

Misnomer?
Postcard from ANDREW McCORKEL, of Portishead, Somerset:

The Victorian, Puritanical, songless City of Bristol must be waking up at last. I've just discovered a street there named Sabrina Way — and It's got two curves in it!

Don't call us Old Pair Victorian or Puritanical, laddie, but that street's named after Sabrina, the legendary goddess of the cold River Severn, not after that warm piece of... er, well you know what we mean!

10 January 1957 - at a film premiere, Leicester Square.

(Fullsize)

Last night's world premiere of the Anita Ekberg filk "Zarak" at the Odeon, Leicester Square. Many famous stars attended last night's world premiere of the Anita Ekberg film "Zarak", in aid of the Lord Mayor Of London's Hungarian Relief Fund, at the Odeon, Leicester Square. Photo Shows: TV and stage star SABRINA seen as she arrived for last night's premiere.

31 January 1957 - The Stage , page 5

Sabrina attends a new revue at Chelsea Palace.

31 January 1957 - The Stage , page 5

Sabrina attends the Pigalle Restaurant, Piccadilly on Thursday night of last week where...

John and Rene Arnaut, after fooling as they played their violins, went into their famous "Bird Courtship" act, whistling their conversation to each other and using, on opening night, Sabrina as an unsuspecting "third party" as she sat at a stage-side table. As always, the Arnauts received a warm reception for their evergreen act.

31 January 1957 - Bulletin and Scots Pictorial, p.8

Askey has a lot to answer for

Arthur Askey has more to live up to (or to atone for, depending on the point of view) than any other comedian.
I always feel it was the resounding success of his "Band Wagon" all those many years ago that made the weekly comedy series not only fashionable but essential.
Probably they would have arrived anyway — but the silly little man certainly speeded their coming.
Last night he started a new run in a thing called "Askey Galore!" abetted by David Nison, daughter Anthea, Vanessa Lee, and Sabrina, all doing precisely what experienced listeners would expect them to do — Nixon hesitantly assertive and Askey himself briskly ingratiating, a warming ball of fire.
The curious point made noticeable last night is that, while Askey has gone on unchanged for 20 years and more, it is Sabrina who seems dated.
Mere gimmicking wilts with time. Talent, like spring, is fresh with every repetition.

JEAN BLAIR.

1 February 1957

Sabrina was wise enough to insure the tools of her trade against shrinkage - for £UK100,000 [in modern money - £UK2..4 million, or $US3.2 million]

Read about the Breast Insurance Incident

2 February 1957

Feb. 02, 1957 - The British television star 'Sabrina' her real name is Norma Sykes arrived at Garmisch Partenkirchen for a short visit. The well known bob-sleigh racer and president of the sports-club Bobmeister, Hanns Killian, received the guest at his hotel. In the bar of the hotel Alpenhof, Sabrina talked about her plans in movie-acting.

2 February 1957 - Daily Mirror

SHOWMAN Val Parnell look one look at this picture of curvaceous Sabrina in a daringly slinky black gown and said firmly:
"SHE CAN'T WEAR THAT—NOT IN ANY PRO­GRAMME OF MINE."

Sabrina planned to wear the dress for her first ITV appearance — in the Jack Jackson show tomorrow night.

Read more

3 February 1957 - Daily Mirror

10pm - Appears on the Jack Jackson Show (ITV) "to introduce her new disc."

The Mirror reported 2 days later...

Sabrina made her first appearance in Jack Jackson's show, miming her way through " I Want a Man not a Mouse " — her first record.
Val Parnell, chief executive of Associated TeleVision, had banned one of the gowns Sabrina had chosen for last night — because it showed too much of Sabrina.
Well the "less revealing" gown still gave viewers plenty to view: Goodness knows what the original gown would have looked like on the screen!

4 February 1957 - Daily Express

HARK, I HEAR SABRINA SINGING - By Felix Battle

SABRINA sang last night. You would like me to repeat that?
With pleasure: Sabrina sang last night.
No, I did NOT say Sabrina was hanged last night. I said she SANG.
You don't believe it? As a matter of fact, neither do I. And I heard it.
This historic event was on Jack Jackson's show on commercial TV.
After turning my set on its side in order to get her all in. I spent the next few minutes pondering why on earth anybody who can do one thing well — in Sabrina's case, as we all know, it is to stand about bulging — should bother to do anything else badly.
Still, say what you like about Sabrina, you can't say she lacks anything in the scenery department.

5 February 1957

Appears at the re-opening of the Granada in Brixton ( see the newsreel ).

One site reports that "Sabrina is later seen on the impressively draped Granada stage with three Chelsea pensioners, Forest Tucker and the manager."

Sabrina is the one in the dress.
(Image is full-sized, unfortunately)

5 February 1957

Appears on ATV Val Parnell's Sunday Night At The London Palladium (8.00 - 9.00 pm) singing "I Want A Man Not A Mouse". Parnell banned the gown that she had planned to wear at it was considered too revealing.

6 February 1957

Sabrina demonstrates some publicity (for once not focused on herself) that challenges Sabrina with coffee, ink and tomato sauce on her dress. Soon the highly paid London model will no longer have any need of that!

No, Sabrina is demonstrating here dresses made from a novel cotton product manufactured in Lancashire that is water and stain resistant.

Picture shows: Sabrina demonstrates dresses made of a water-resistant cotton material. Mary Dunkin (left) and Marigold Russell put the new material through a test with tomato sauce, ink and coffee…

Thanks to Herr David for the translation of the German caption.
The meaning of the second sentence is rather cryptic.

More information about Sabrina's appearance at the Peter Robinson women's fashion store is here. (link fixed 2016-07-27)

6 February 1957 - Daily Mirror

Sabrina and Steve make it up

GLAMOUR girl Sabrina HELD HANDS with her friend, American "tough guy" film star Steve Cochran, yesterday. She wasn't even TALKING to him last week.

The hand-holding was at London Airport, when Steve flew back to Rome to resume film-making after having a false tooth fitted in London.

When Steve ARRIVED at London Airport eight days ago Sabrina was NOT THERE to meet him — as he expected.

7 February 1957 (Thursday)- The Stage

Alma Cogan, Gary Miller and Sabrina provided the cabaret, without fee, at the Junior Blue and White Ball at Grosvenor House last Saturday night, at which £2,500 was raised for charity.

7 February 1957 (Thursday)- The Stage

Sabrina is due to visit Southend's first Dairy Festival, arranged for the week of June 1...

Sabrina... Dairy Festival.
Which brilliant PR guy booked that gig?

15 February 1957 - Daily Mirror

A Valentine For Sabrina

STEVE COCHRAN, the handsome Hollywood tough guy actor, flew back to London yesterday from the Continent, where he has been filming.
And this time Sabrina was not in a huff. She was at the airport to meet him. A fortnight ago, when Steve flew in from Rome on a brief visit, Sabrina was NOT there.
She said then: "I wasn't going to the windy old airport. I read all about his film clinches In Italy with four film girls*."
But when Steve left again for Rome Sabrina WAS at the Airport. They held hands.

And yesterday — St. Valentine's Day — it was all kisses and cuddles as the couple met at the airport and drove away to Sabrina's new London flat.

Steve had brought Sabrina a present — a huge Valentine card. The printed verse said:

This Valentine brings all my love without reserve to you
Because you share in all my thoughts all my wishes true
So here within this Valentine there's every thought of cheer
For someone who's so wonderful each day throughout the year.

The card was signed: "Love, Steve."
Steve flew over for only twenty-four hours.

Photo Caption: Sabrina, Steve and the Valentine card he brought her. They are pictured last night as they left London Airport to drive to Sabrina's new London flat, where she told Steve: "You are the first boy friend ever to enter my new home."

A kiss results when Sabrina meets actor Steve Cochran on his arrival at London Airport this evening from Munich . Today being St Valentine's Day too , Steve was one of those lucky lads who did not forget his lady love although he probably has a good press agent to remind him of these things . 14 February 1957

*Sabrina had probably heard about Steve's romantic scenes in the film, "The Cry" with Alida Valli , Lyn Shaw , Dorian Gray and Gabriella Pallotta as reported in the Daily Mirror on 28 Jan 1957. However Steve settled all rumours of romantic links by saying "We're just friends," a line favoured by Sabrina herself when referring to Prince Christian, Tommy Yeardye, Billy Smart, and Steve Cochran...

17 February 1957 - Indiana (USA) Warsaw Times-Union (p.5) - Behind the Scenes in Hollywood, by Harrison Carroll

IN LONDON, Ron Randell has been dividing his time between ex-fiancée Laya Raki, British TV star Sabrina and French discovery Marina Vlady.

18 February 1957 - Sabrina was present at the Lyceum, London with Jill Ireland , Tony Wright , Steve Cochran and Sam Costa for the presentation to Norman Wisdom as the Comedian Of The Year. (Other dates put it on 14 or 15 Feb)

Click the pic to see the edited newsreel (2MB, AVI)

19 February 1957 - Daily Mirror - by Noel Whitcomb

"Ooooh!" said Sabrina. "I've just had a telegram."
"From Steve Cochran?" I asked.
"How did you guess?" giggled Sabrina: "He asks me to join him immediately in Munich, Germany. I'll have to rush. I'll throw a few ski-jerseys into a bag — just in case — then I'm off to the airport."

And soon after...

Picture wired from Munich today, together again, and just to prove it here is television personality girl Sabrina seemingly enjoying the dance with American actor Steve Cochran . The couple is pictured nestling together at Munich Schwabing's nightclub 'Siegesgarten' (Victory Garden) Schwabing being the artist quarter of the city. Sabrina hurried from London by air last night, 18 February 1957, following a call from Cochran.

20 February 1957 - Lancashire Evening Post - Wednesday, p.5

They kept silent about Sabrina

WHEN Sabrina appeared at the Miss Great Britain bathing beauty final at Morecambe last year, was she paid her usual fee of 100 guineas?
This was one of the questions during a quiz held by Morecambe Ratepayers Association last night.
A panel of councillors answered questions on a variety of topics - but on the subject of Sabrina there was no answer.

 

---

 

Munich, Germany. February 20 1957.

British television star Sabrina enjoys a hearty laugh with Hollywood movie actor Steve Cochran at the models' ball here tonight, Sabrina is presently on holiday in Bavaria.

21 February 1957 - Carinthia, Austria - NORMA ANN SYKES tries to stand up on her skis while STEVE COCHRAN helps her up

Another caption says:

British Television Star "Sabrina" tries her first luck on skis. The British television star "Sabrina" - her real name is Norma Sykes - arrived at Garmisch for a short vacation. Together with her companion, Steve Cochran, the American movie actor and producer, she drove by cable-car to the Kreuzeck and there had to admit that is is not so easy to stand on skis. Both depart for Yugoslavia on February 22, 1957 where Steve Cochran prepares for a movie with Sabrina. Title of the movie: " Heads and Tails ".

The movie was never made.

21 February 1957

Photo caption: Norma Sykes arrived at Garmisch Partenkirchen for a short visit. The well known bob-sleigh racer and president of the sports-club Bobmeister, Hanns Killian, received the guest at his hotel. In the bar, Sabrina talked about her plans in movie-acting. Photos shows Hanns Killian and Sabrina in the bar of the hotel Alpenhof at Garmisch Partenkirchen.

22 February 1957 - Lancashire Evening Post - Wednesday, p.5

Sabrina did not get £100

DID Sabrina get £100 — said to be her usual fee — when she made a personal appearance as a judge in Morecambe's Bathing Beauty final last year?
This question was put to members of the council by economy-minded members of the Ratepayers' Association at a meeting on Tuesday.
None of them knew the answer but Councillor Colin Mayor made inquiries next day and told the "Guardian" the answer.

She did not! She received no payment at all.

Ah! The drama is resolved at last!
And what a great name for a councillor - Colin Mayor. Did he ever become 'Mayor Mayor', I wonder...

27 February 1957 - Daily Mirror

Mary went to see Sabrina - and fainted

LITTLE Mary Ryan gets a comforting hug from Sabrina yesterday.
Mary, 11, was among a 5,000 crowd who went to see Sabrina open a new department of a Wigan Lanes store. But the surging crowd was too much for Mary. She fainted.

At LIVERPOOL where Sabrina opened a sweater department at a shop, crowds of teenagers mobbed her.
Some of them shouted that they did not believe the most vital or her 41-19-36 vital statistics.
The 3,000 crowd surged round Sabrina as she left the shop in Bold-street, sweeping aside a police cordon,
Sabrina was pushed against a plate glass window and back into the shop. Seconds later, one of the crowd was pushed against the same window — and it shattered.
After trying to escape by another entrance — and failing — Sabrina walked to her car through an avenue of policemen.

8 Sep 2017 - Tony Hetherington wrote to say: "I was there in Liverpool and got Sabrina's autograph as she stepped out of the Adelphi Hotel and into her car." Thanks, Tony.

1 March 1957 - Lancashire Evening Post , page 5 - Friday

Readers' Letters

Wigan Rocks 'n' Rolls

THIS has been a red-letter week for Wigan Juvenile hysteria, what with the visit of Sabrina and the rock 'n' roll film, "Don't Knock The Rock."
The two-day holiday for many schoolchildren gave them the opportunity of turning up in their thousands to see the dual attractions. So thronged with children, teenagers and women shoppers were the Mesnes Street — Standishgate — Crompton Street corners that one was obliged to take a circuitous route to make headway in and out of this part of the town — let alone a few minor injuries.
Having seen the rock 'n' roll film. I vouch for its tremendous popularity. During the performance, one's hands and legs agitate involuntarily in time with the "beat" — not far removed from a native or Red Indian war dance.
The incessant hand-clapping (sometimes fortissimo) by the younger element (though frowned on by the more staid patrons) was in keeping with this type of show and added to the enjoyment.
T. ARTHUR VARO.
Walkdenroad East, Wigan.

1 March 1957 - Sabrina insures her breasts for £100,000. See photos and a story .

I think she would have been wise to also get third-party insurance on them. They could cause severe accidental injury to short men if she turned around quickly.

1 March 1957 - The Singapore Free Press

TOGETHER AGAIN -Sabrina and Hollywood film star, Steve Cochran. They're sticking to what they said a few days ago: "No romance." But they're oh. so happy as they meet at Munich airport after Sabrina had flown out to Germany to join him. Sabrina is to have a ski-ing holiday at...

1 March 1957 - Sabrina at dinner for the Weekend Mail's 'Night With The Stars Ball' with John Barrister, winner of the Ideal Date Competition.

1 March 1957 - Lancashire Evening Post , p.1

All figured

Referring to a minute on the acquisition by Chorley Town Council of a house in Moor-road, Chorley, Ald. R. Evans jokingly said at last night's meeting: "I am interested in this house, it is next door to mine. Is it true it has been let to Sabrina?"
The Mayor (Coun. W. Lowe) replied that it would have to be referred to the Housing Committee, and added: "I've no doubt she would be top of the housing list."

4 March 1957 - Miami Daily News - Sheilah Graham's gossip column

Ron Randall, who is supposed to be engaged, is cutting in on Steve Cochran's time with Sabrina.

7 March 1957 - 'Gadabout's Diary,' Deseret (sic) News and Telegram , Salt Lake City.

I don't know how Steve Cochran is taking it, but it's serious with Sabrina, who flew to Munich from London, just to dance with Stevie, who recently flew to London from Rome for the same terpsi-chore with Sabrina. They both insist "no romance." Will someone give me the definition?

Yes, it's the "Deseret News", not the "Desert News", which might have been more suitable for a Salt Lake City newspaper.

11 March 1957 - With Arthur Askey and Anthea Askey for Arthur's Anniversary Show on Channel 9

11 March 1957 - Daily Mirror

Sabrina proves her waist is 19 inches. Read the article.

14 March 1957 - With Arthur and Anthea

14 March 1957 - The Stage - Thursday, p.2

CALLS FOR NEXT WEEK

BOURNEMOUTH NEW - Frankie Howerd. Sabrina, etc
...
WILL HAMMER ENTERPRISES
(Bookings: Handa Agency)
BOURNEMOUTH NEW. - "Howerd Crowd." — Frankie Howerd, Sabrina, Lee Young, Sunny Rogers, Bobby Collins, Bill Hepper, Roger Webb, Sandow Sisters, Madame Blanchie Moore, Regency Twins, David de Mott.

I am not sure what 'Calls For Next Week' newspaper posts were meant to achieve. Can anyone inform me ? - Mark

14 March 1957 - The Stage , page 12

Appearing with Arthur Askey (celebrating 30 years in show business) in "Arthur's Anniversary" on AR-TV tomorrow (Friday) are Richard Murdoch, Sabrina , Anthea Askey, Danny Ross and Cameron Hal .

16 March 1957 - Daily Express - by Cyril Aynsley

BIG occasions so often go wrong. It happened with the Arthur Askey Show on commercial TV last night.
The show was to celebrate Arthur's 30 years In show business. It should have been something of an event. The only two guest artists were Richard Murdoch and Macdonald Hobley. The script was as tired as an also-ran in a cross­country race on a wet day.
Example: "It's a wicket gate." — " Why wicket?" — " It could tell some funny stories."
Arthur Askey can screw a laugh out of the oldest gag, but it seemed a pity to make him work so hard on this occasion. He was saddled with a chestnut at the very opening of the show: "I was born in Liverpool, which happened to be a great surprise to my parents who were in Manchester at the time."
The script-writer thought up a weary old sketch about Napoleon, one or two stock jokes about Tommy Trinder, threw in Sabrina, gave daughter Anthea Askey a few ordinary lines.
I counted two genuine laughs in the whole half hour.

16 March 1957 - Daily Mirror

Referring to the Askey anniversary show: "Sabrina showed signs of real development - in a comedy sense. "

18 March 1957

Sabrina begins appearing at the Prince of Wales Theatre with Frankie Howerd and others for two weeks.

20 March 1957 - Milwaukee Journal

As of now, it's a real big romance with Steve Cochran and British actress Sabrina. How we gonna keep Stevie in Hollywood after he's seen London, Paris and Rome?

22 March 1957 - Northern Whig , p.3

★ SABRINA ★
the well-known star of Stage and Television will make her first
public appearance in Northern Ireland at the Gala Opening of
ALPHA CINEMA
Rathcoole, Whitehouse
On MONDAY, 1st APRIL, 1957, at 7.45 p.m.
(Doors open 7 p.m.).
Following the opening ceremony the much discussed film
THE CAINE MUTINY
will be screened.
A limited number of tickets are now available at King George's
Fund for Sailors, 17, Chichester St.. Belfast, or from Thursday.
28th March, at the Box Office of the Alpha Cinema. Rathcoole.
Admission:
Circle £1 ls. 0d.; Back Stalls l0s 6d; Front Stalls 3s, 6d.
The entire proceeds will be donated to King George's
Fund for Sailors.

22 March 1957 - The Stage , London (of 28 March)

It seems there was a press ball at Bournemouth Pavilion, attended by Derek Roy and Sabrina .

23 March 1957 - Northern Whig , p.4

Sabrina to visit Ulster

Sabrina, one of television's most exciting recent discoveries, will visit Northern Ireland for the first time on Monday. April 1, when she will officially declare open the new contemporary styled Alpha Cinema, at Rathcoole, Whitehouse.
Sabrina will arrive at Nutt's Corner at 2.40 p.m. and later in the afternoon she will hold a Press conference.
Funds accruing from the gala opening ceremony of the new cinema will be donated to the King George fund for Sailors.

23 March 1957 - Winnipeg Free Press

A leatherworker proclaimed Sabrina's statistics "impossible" and sent her a 19-inch belt of his own manufacture and offered to give £70 to her favorite charity if she could wear it.

• Hear Sabrina discuss the event.
• Visit the 'Curious incident' page about the 19" belt.

28th-30th March 1957

Read why 'Sabrina Slept Here' at Thoresby Hall .

28 March 1957 - The Stage , London

Frankie Howerd heads the cast and with him are five glamour girls - Sabrina , Maggie Sarragne and Noell Adam from France. Miss Glamor, from Cuba, and Lee Sharon from America.

Lee Sharon, on the left.

28 March 1957 - The Stage - Thursday

At Press Ball

David Whitfield, Frankie Howerd, Derek Roy and Sabrina were among the many personalities of the entertainment world, who attended the Press Ball at Bournemouth Pavilion on Friday last.

1 April 1957 - Reported on 2 April by the Northern Whig , page 3

Sabrina's first public appearance in Northern Ireland. She opens the Alpha Cinema and watches The Caine Mutiny .

Sabrina who opened Alpha Cinema, Rathcoole... photographed with Mr. George Allport , the M.C., and the Earl of Antrim , president of the King George's Fund for Sailors, Northern Ireland branch, which received the proceeds of the gala opening.

7 April 1957 - "I admire Marilyn Monroe — she's so lady­like" — film star Sabrina, Marilyn's English rival.

20 April 1957 : Opens in Pleasures of Paris [ Plaisirs de Paris ] at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. With : GEORGE and BERT BERNARD, DICKIE HENDERSON, THREE MONARCHS. Source .

Her understudy was June Cunningham (37-22-35)

The show ran until 30 August 1958.

20 April 1957 - 30 August 1958

Headlines the London West End variety show Pleasures of Paris with Dickie Henderson and the 'madcap' Three Monarchs (a show she will eventually take to packed houses in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa). Read a contemporary account before the show's opening .

Sabrina in the playbill for London's 1957 production of Pleasures of Paris at the Prince of Wales Theatre

The Melbourne Pleasures of Paris production programme

(The Stage , 28 Feb 1957 - 'Pleasures of Paris' was referred to the show as "Folies Bergère", and also announced that Frankie Howerd was to be the comedy lead.)

25 April 1957 - The Stage (London), page 4 (full article added 22 Sep 2017)

PLAISIRS DE PARIS IS LONDON'S MOST DAZZLING ENTERTAINMENT

...Not content with having just one leading lady, "Plaisirs de Paris" has several, who each contributes her own particular charm and talent to the show.
First, there's Sabrina whose talent though not quite as infinitesimal as some would have us believe, is undoubtedly out-shone by her other, more outstanding attributes, not the least of which are excellent deportment and a wholly good-natured acceptance of herself as a buffet for some rather obvious though inoffensive humour.
She looks her best — and her best is spectacular — as Helen in the "Realms of Venus" number early on in the programme.

Read the full article.

26 April 1957 - West London Observer - Friday, p4

NOW IT'S SABRINA'S LEGS!
Some people may not have realised that Sabrina — of the famous statistics — also has legs. But no doubt will remain when she has been seen as one of that gang of female fiends in human shape — the St. Trinians schoolgirls!
At the invitation of producers Sidney Gilliat and Prank Launder, Sabrina is featured in their sequel to the previous St. Trinians film, this time entitled " Blue Murder at St. Trinians ," a British Lion release.
But you won't be seeing the famous svelte Sabrina shape on the screen. Sabrina wears the regulation St. Trinians' school uniform of gym slip, shirt and tie. You will, however, see the Sabrina legs — for the very first time on any screen!

Read more about Blue Murder

27 April 1957 - Daily Mirror

Sabrina was left FLAT in Walthamstow yesterday - someone let the air out of her car tyres.

30 April 1957 - Tempo

Even overseas in England, they are starting to return to their senses.
What does their national sensation, the fabulous Sabrina choose when she really wants to look glamorous?
Take a look and see for yourselves.

May 1957: 'Span' magazine #33 cover and article.

1957: What do they see in Sabrina? Adam , Vol 2, Num 1

13 May 1957: Sabrina tells her secret - Pictorial (Australia)

May 1957 - Appears in Art and Photography in a story about Russell Gay, the Glamour Photographer

10 May 1957 - Daily Mirror

ENGAGED? NO, STILL HOPING says SABRINA
THERE was a flutter of excitement early yesterday morning when Sabrina (41-19-36) walked into a Piccadilly restaurant wearing
a diamond ring on her engagement finger.
Here she is sitting with two of Diana Dors's friends, actor Tommy Yeardye and bubble gum
man John Hoey (left). The ring? "Oh, dear," sighed Sabrina, "it doesn't mean a thing. No love. No engagement. No nothing. Worse luck. Maybe some day. Soon, I hope!
"This ring is from an admirer. I wear it on the engagement finger."

19 May 1957 - turns 21

29 May 1957

A Plaque for the Fabulous Sabrina
Yesterday, two soldiers from Stockport, Lancashire, journeyed specially to London to meet the famous variety girl Sabrina who is now appearing and the Price of Wales theatre, and present her with a plaque in admiration of her splendid fight against adversity and for winning through to high success. Sabrina was struck down with polio in her early teens, and was in hospital for three years. The men were from the 7th Battalion, Cheshire regiment, the men of whom are keen to "adopt" Sabrina again.

Photo shows: Sabrina is kissed as she was presented with the plaque by Company Sgt. Major F. Lonsdale (on left) and Color Sgt William Eckersley before she went on stage at the Prince of Wales last night. 29 May 1957

31 May 1957 - Friday: Sabrina was at Southend's first Dairy Festival. She made a brief appearance to present some of the raffle prizes and to invest Miss Southend with the sash. On Saturday afternoon (June 1) both appeared on a float in the carnival procession.

Udder delight.

5 June 1957 - London - NORMA ANN SYKES with STEVE COCHRAN take a day off and take photos.

6 June 1957 - The Stage , London

Last Friday evening, Antoinette Sylvia Lee was elected Miss Southend. At the close of the dance Sabrina made a brief appearance to present some of the raffle prizes and to invest Miss Southend with the sash.

18 June 1957

Sabrina a Sensation at Ascot . Sabrina, the babe with the biggest bust in British show business, was a sensation at the races when she gate-crashed the hallowed royal enclosure at Ascot, England, dressed in this low-necked organdy. The show girl walked into the enclosure without a ticket, departing after 15 minutes as thousands peered, including dukes, viscounts, lords, barons and earls.

Read more about the Sabrina at Ascot Incident

See more pictures of Sabrina at Ascot

Cashing in on the Royal Ascot incident, Sabrina makes a cameo appearance in the movie Just My Luck with Norman Wisdom.

3 July 1957 - Daily Express

Sabrina is used to influence judges at the Royal Show, 1957.

3 July 1957 - Daily Mirror

WHY are we women so mean to Sabrina? Why, whenever we see her picture filling large chunks of newsprint, do we sneer and snarl and sharpen our catty claws?

I've been wondering about this ever since Sabrina stole the show at Ascot, the way she steals the show wherever she goes. And I think I know the answer.

Read why women are so mean to Sabrina.

13 July 1957 - Daily Express

16 July 1957

IT'S FALSE, SAYS SABRINA

Sabrina sat in her dressing room at a West End London theatre [Prince of Wales - 'Pleasures of Paris' - Ed] last night and radiated hate waves towards "an unknown person who linked my name with John Kennedy ."

Now Mr John Kennedy is Tommy Steele 's manager and according to rumour the man to whom Norma Sykes (otherwise Sabrina) has given her heart.

But last night, her famous statistics loosely clad in a scarlet negligee, Sabrina said: "My heart's my own, thank you very much. I've got lots of boy friends and John Kennedy's one of them. He takes me out. But doesn't mean I'm going to marry him". 16 July 1957.

Note - Thanks to The Guy From the Netherlands for the massive scan! On 22 April 2011 bidding on this Popper photo had reached $91!

17 July 1957

According to a soundless newsreel at Associated Press Archive , there was some sort of charity event at which Ronald Shiner auctioned Sabrina's nightdress.

22 July 1957 - Lancashire Evening Post

It seems that if a young man can't get to the real Sabrina, he's willing to compromise with a cardboard cutout.

Caption:

WITH SABRINA - These four Chorley teenagers posed with a model of Sabrina when our photographer met them in Olympia, Blackpool, today. Left to right: Brian Swift, Eddie Sweeney, Leonard Hollinshead and David Halliwell.

1 August 1957 - I was born. My mother reports that Sabrina was in no way involved

Damn!

7 August 1957 - Daily Mirror

SABRINA told me yesterday that she is going to buy a big house in London. When I asked her why a big house she smiled: "Because I'm a big girl."
She said her two-roomed luxury flat in the West End isn't big enough for her any more.
She has her eye on a twelve roomed modern house — with bay windows and two bathrooms — in St. John's Wood.
She is also looking for a maid to run the place for her. SABRINA's mother came down from her home in Blackpool the other day to help choose the new home.
"I always get Mum's advice on things," said Miss S. "The house will cost £12,000, nearer £15,000 by the time alterations have been made.
"I want French windows leading down to the garden," Sabrina told me. Then I plan to get my dog back from Steve Cochran (the American film star).
"It is an Alsatian, and Steve took it with him to America because I hadn't the space to keep a dog in my flat.
"But I need a dog to look after me."
If negotiations go through Sabrina hopes to move in next month."

8 August 1957 - The Stage (London)

Head of Frostair Refrigeration Company asked Sabrina to open his big new premises as Muswell Hill recently. He announced that during Sabrina Week , all fridge purchasers would have a date with Sabrina including a visit to 'Pleasure of Paris' [sic] at the...

10 August 1957 - Munich, Germany - NORMA ANN SYKES samples a glass of German wine at a ball.

10 Aug 1957 - Munich, Germany - NORMA ANN SYKES aided by STEVE COCHRAN tries out a German lager at a ball

10 August 1957 - Evening Times

"I want my Alsatian back from Steve Cochran because I need a dog to look after me." — SABRINA

19 August 1957 - Daily Mirror , by John Rolls

GROWING GIRL
SABRINA is a little worked about her superior statistic — the forty-one in 41-19-36. It is growing.
In fact, during a check up supervised by Sabrina's mother I saw that the tape measure touched just on 42.
Mother said: "She's been eating far too much. She can eat a whole chicken by herself and she just loves steaks."
The 19 and the 36 have not changed. Neither has her car number: S41

21 August 1957 - Washington Observer , Dorothy Kilgallen's "Voice of Broadway" gossip column

Ava Gardner's chums can't quite figure out where she stands in her much publicised idyll with film comedian Walter Chiari . The puzzlement: his sudden attentions to Sabrina, the British bombshell...

2 September 1957 - Daily Express

A newspaper reports that in spite of the public's love of busty celebrities like Sabrina, many 1957 professional women are undergoing breast reductions to fit in with fashions.

2 September 1957 - Daily Express by Logan Gourlay

OVERHEARD
I WASN'T eavesdropping but couldn't help overhearing Sabrina saying to her new escort, Prince Christian of Hanover, as they mamboed past me on a crowded night-club floor:— "I don't suppose my name is known to the public in Hanover..."

5 September 1957 - Daily Mirror

HOLIDAY PLEASE
SABRINA Is in need of fresh air. Because of her twice-nightly appearances in a West End show and personal appearances during the day she wants a holiday.
So she asked boss BERNARD DELFONT if she can spend a fortnight on the Rivera.

"The only snag is I may be difficult to replace," Sabrina told me.
But Delfont told me: "Unless someone produces a doctor's certificate I don't even consider holidays until a show has been on for nine months. Sabrina has only been appearing for five."
"As for her being difficult to replace, I can fill Sabrina's spot in the show any time."
Come off it Bernard.

6 September 1957 - Lee Mortimer

Just as soon as the press agents unleash England's Sabrina with Walter Chiari , the news photos show him enplaning with Ava Gardner.

One must assume 'enplaning' is American for 'boarding a plane.'

9 September 1957 - Daily Mirror

Sabrina is going to study The Method — the realistic school of acting dreamed up by a gent named Stanislawski.

Read more - including the big forty-two inch announcement!

15 September 1957

Appears with Harry Secombe, Dickie Henderson, Shani Wallis, and The Clarke Brothers on Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium, series 3.

In 1957, Ireland's national airline diverted a plane 200 miles off its route to pick up a special brassiere for British movie queen Sabrina, a.k.a. Norma Sykes from Blackpool.

October 1957: Sabrina Surprised , Male Point of View magazine.

5 October 1957: I haven't a real friend in the world - TV Mirror .

October 1957: '66' Star Feature on Sabrina

October 1957: A Day In the Life of Sabrina - Photoplay

October 1957: When Sabrina lost her Dress in the Street - Exposed , Oct 1957

1 October 1957 - Topfoto metadata suggests Sabrina was at a Shoe Leather Fair.
Girl.
Shoes...
OK. I'll believe that.

2 October 1957 - Australian Women's Weekly

If you'd like to become Australia's "Miss TV," forget the shapely Sabrinas of this world and focus on being "the nice girl the family next door would like to invite into their home."
This tip was given by Mr. Royston Morley , and he's just the man to know what he's talking about, for he's been with B.B.C. television since its birth in 1936.
Until five years ago, when he became head of its TV training school, he was senior producer-the job he's come to Australia to do for A.B.C.-TV.
"True TV personalities must be pleasant, sincere, and intelligent," he said. "They become as real as guests sitting in your living-room, and must be family-friend types.
"A dumb beauty is useless on the screen except in vaudeville. Sabrina could never be more than a gimmick.

7 October 1957

Sabrina enjoys being seen with Marty Wilde (father of Kim Wilde)

Picture: Marty serenades Sabrina – nevertheless his mind's more on Rosemary.

Here a new rock 'n' roll star, Marty Wilde, is agonising over it. While he sang "Honeycomb you're my baby" to Sabrina at a rehearsal, his girlfriend Rosemary Reid (19) was teaching at Sunday School. She had made him choose between fame and her friendship. For the time being he's decided in favour of his stage career and a salary of DM 1800 instead of DM 72, and Sabrina was very impressed by him. But deep in his heart Rosemary does remain the best, who, as he puts it: "is a simple girl and fears losing me to the star-crazy girls. But I am just a simple guy and don't want to be famous. "

A version of the caption in English appeared on a photo found in 2012. It reads:

Sunday School Girl or Sabrina - Marty chose Sabrina

Yesterday, while 19 year old Rosemary Reid took her usual Sunday school class, her ex-boy friend Marty Wilde, was serenading Sabrina.
Why? Well Rosemary told Marty, the newest rock-and-roll star: "Choose me or the stage" and Marty has chosen the stage.
"Honeycomb you're my baby," he bellowed at Sabrina, beating the brains out of his guitar during a rehearsal yesterday.
Sabrina threw back her shoulders. "I like him," she breathed.
But Marty turned away and sighed. "I just don't know what to do about Rosemary. She's a simple girl, and is afraid she'll lose me to the girls who mob singers. You know what girls are. But I'm a simple guy too. I don't want glamour. Rosemary's my number one girl."
Who'd blame Marty? With his first stage appearance next month, his labourer's pay jumps from £6 to £150. [English pounds]

9 October 1957 - The Sketch - Wednesday, p.18

No More Surprises
by Stephen Watts

...We speak of experiencing " a shock of surprise," and surprise is a shock, rarely pleasant at that. In global matters, the capacity for surprise is probably nearing exhaustion. In minor matters the day almost never fails to bring its surprise, usually something one would have preferred not to know.
What, for instance, is to be made of the four hundred English school-boys, asked to choose their favourite women, who put " Mother" in fourth place, pipped on the post, as it were, by Miss Norma Sykes , of Huddersfield, who is known professionally as Sabrina?
If you cynically regard that as unsurprising, how do you match it up with the boys' first and second choices, Florence Nightingale and Joan of Arc? These may be the good old conventionally heroic choices from history — or perhaps the young voters identify the ladies, neither of them owing anything to physical or feminine attraction, with Anna Neagle and Jean Seberg, who impersonated them on the screen.
The boys, aged twelve to nineteen, are obviously film fans, for in the fifth to seventh places in their poll they elected Jayne Mansfield, Brigitte Bardot and Diana Dors, but — surprise again! — how did Mum get herself sandwiched into such a group? ...

10 October 1957

Prince of Wales Theatre - the Miss World girls get the opportunity to meet the cast of the new show 'Pleasures of Paris'. "Even Sabrina casts an admiring eye over the competitors - and with her statistics, she can afford to be critical."

18 October 1957 - Daily Mirror

Sabrina's manager, Joe Matthews , announces that the movie "The Sabrina Story" is planned, though no contract had yet been signed. "It will be a success story - a modern fairy tale. It will open with a fourteen-year-old chasing stars for autographs in Manchester. It will end with Sabrlna being chased by hundreds ol autograph hunters seven years later."

Comment from Sabrina: "Well, y'know. I have lived quite a bit."

18 October 1957 - The Bulletin and Scots Pictorial asked readers if they thought a woman make the best space pilot. This was one reply:

THE employment of women as space-pilots has certain disadvantages. The Sabrina and Jayne Mansfield type figures, which the space men would no doubt wish to see, would be somewhat flattened and distorted under 9G acceleration.
This, I feel, would be a shame. And, as the employment of "plain Jaynes" would be unthinkable, I deplore the idea.
— Space-Commander, Ayrshire.

28 October 1957 - Lancashire Evening Post - Monday

Sabrina launches a broadside at her critics.

It's the prudes who make me see red! - says Sabrina

But I do get angry sometimes. I get angry about you —those smart-alecky critics who are constantly sneering at me. I got angry at that section of the public that supports them. And at those catty women whose jealousy makes them rude even to my face.
Look at Sabrina they say — as if most of you hadn't been doing that for three years now. Look at Sabrina — can she act? Can she sing? Can she dance? Perhaps they had better come along to the Prince of Wales Theatre where I do a bit of all those things, twice nightly.

This article also includes Arthur Firth response on the following day.

29 October 1957 - Daily Express (excerpt)

Surprise, surprise for Royal Variety
IN: Tommy Steele
OUT: Sabrina

THE names of the stars who will appear before the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance next month were announced last night.
IN comes Tommy Steele, 21-year-old rock 'n' roll singer who was a £7-a-week merchant seaman a year ago. OUT is Sabrina who was chosen last year but did not appear because the show was cancelled — because of Suez — at the last moment…
She said: "I cannot understand why it should be all right for me to be chosen one year and not included the next.

I know there was a lot of criticism at my choice last year on the grounds that I had no theatrical experience. But since then I have been one of the stars of a West End revue for nine months. Doesn't that count as experience now?"

Picture Caption: She said last night: I don't know why I wasn't picked.

November 1957: Sabrina Today - Span

1 November 1957

Sabrina lights the torch for the the Blackheath Harriers runners. Read more about the event - and the Teddyboys !

1 November 1957 - SABRINA SETS THEM ALIGHT

Thanks to Google Translate for trying to decode the German caption on these photos:

The Olympic torch similar to that of the Blackheath Harriers runners from the National Gallery, London, for stirring up a 15m high halloween-fire contributed to the Crystal Palace. Not only the runners were in a hurry, but Sabrina in her pretty tight-fitting equipment that returned by the fastest means of the torches to the Prince of Wales theatre, where Pleasures of Paris is playing.

More information, and video!

The Secret of Sophia [Loren]
by Thomas Wiseman

... There is also another kind of performer who could learn something from Miss [Sophia] Loren. I refer to the Sabrina type. Sabrina could learn from Miss Loren that when you are dressed to kill, everybody else should be aware of this, but you yourself should seem not to be.
The moment you reveal your lethal intentions you have placed all your cards on the table (which puts you at a disadvantage) and the kind of dresses that Sabrina, wears put all her cards on the table.

7 November 1957 - The Stage

Dennis Plowright , formerly pianist to Lee Lawrence , provided accompaniment for Sabrina at Stoke Newington on Sunday last [3 November].

9 November 1957

FILM BALL AT LONDON'S FESTIVAL HALL (Pathe Ref: T09115702) : Scenes include: Sabrina and Barry Sullivan drinking coffee.

Thinks: I wonder how many other biographical websites record the day on which their subject drank coffee over 50 years before... Even more worrying, I know what time it happened: 5.40pm. Shudder. I really ought to get another hobby. However, one thing does remain a mystery: did she have the coffee black or white, and with or without sugar? Maybe we'll NEVER KNOW. Or maybe one day I'll ruin it by finding out. Dammit.

Sorry. I just found the film of Sabrina drinking coffee with Barry Sullivan. I really must stop doing this...

Click the pic to see the coffee drinking action- two stars, one cup! (3MB, FLV)
[Link Fixed 14 Nov 2014]

16 November 1957 - Daily Mirror

An article about the famous incident recounted by Sabrina in our first interview , in which June Wilkinson claims she had to let out a dress she bought from Sabrina because it was too small in the bust for her!

21 November 1957 - The Stage , London

DUBLIN CABARET - Alma Cogan , Sabrina and David Hughes are among the artists whom the Hon. Anthony Moynihan has announced will be appearing in a spectacular all-star cabaret in Ireland on the 24th of this month.

This reminds me that Patrick wrote to the Sabrina Memories page on 11 June 2014 to say ... My name Patrick F of Dublin, Ireland. We had "Capitol & Allied theatres", and Louis Elliman had the Royal, and brought Sabrina to Dublin, 1956-7. Events caused me to miss out on Capitol, and to caused me not to see Sabrina. However, acquaintances were very impressed.

8 December 1957

The Stage , reported on 12 December that Sabrina attended The Variety Artists Ladies Guild and Orphanage's Annual Dinner and Ball, which included a charity auction hosted by Hughie Green. Bernard Delfont bought Sabrina's earrings.

9 December 1957

London, England, United Kingdom - NORMA ANN SYKES has a laugh with PRINCE CHRISTIAN of Hanover over dinner at the Colony Restaurant

15 December 1957 - Daily Mirror

PREMIUM BLONDE
Well, well. SABRINA, whose, bust is insured for £100,000, has just insured herself for £500 against smog.
Her manager, JOE MATTHEWS, told me yesterday that it is a precaution against her arriving late, due to smog, at any of her advertised public engagements.
"If she doesn't turn up we are liable for the advertising costs," he said. "It's nothing whatever to do with health.
"She's got a smashing pair of lungs."

17 December 1957 - Independent – Long Beach California

SABRINA (she uses no second name) is Britain's bustiest showgirl. Her agent admits that Sabrina is not outstandingly intelligent. In some entertainment sections she is referred to quite openly as "that big dumb blonde."

SABRINA doesn't care what they say about her. Sabrina (who has a 41-inch bosom) signed a contract Monday which will pay her $5,000 a week for TV appearances in the United Slates.

SO WHO needs brains?

17 December 1957

Britain's Sabrina Signs U.S. Pact

LONDON, Dec. 16 (UP) — An American clothing manufacturer who dabbles in show business said Monday he had signed Sabrina , Britain's bustiest showgirl, for a series of TV shows in the United States.

Tony Smart, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, said Sabrina would be paid $5,000 a week. She was scheduled to travel to the United States in February.

Smart said he had no intention of "making over" Sabrina (41-19-36).

"She's a typically sweet English girl. I'm sure she will be loved in the United States. She has got heart. She is the sort of person you can take home to mother."

Picture found in 2023

19 December 1957 - The Stage , page 3.

Sabrina Signs!
Sabrina has signed a contract for £1,800 a week for the next seven years. Her new employer is Tony Smart, the American impressario, and the contract is for film and TV work in the United States.

21 December 1957

Two of the stars of the film [Blue Murder At St Trinians] - Sabrina and Terry-Thomas, in Father Christmas costume, distribute presents to some of the orphan children who saw the film this morning.

23 December 1957 - Daily Mirror

An ad for Blue Murder at St Trinians , with Sabrina.

24 December 1957 - Daily Mirror

Sabrina appears on ITV in a Christmas Eve special

26 December 1957 - Daily Mirror

Biggest special attractions (Boxing Day): Frankie Howerd , Sabrina and Gilbert Harding in " Son of Mother Goose. "

Broadcast on the Light Programme (Radio) - 6:45pm

26 December 1967 - The Age (Melbourne, Aus), p.4

NEW YORK.—Britain's bosomy showgirl Sabrina is almost certain to visit Australia next year after her American tour. Already signed up tor a New York TV show, and a four weeks' appearance in Las Vegas, Sabrina will come to New York on February 1.

"After that I want to take her to Australia with the Ames brothers in April," her manager said. "The deal is al most fixed."

December 1957

The Hutchins School Magazine (Hobart, Tasmania), Number 98, page 22 (Sixth Form Spasms) reported:

Like all conventional members of the radio listening community, the majority of the Sixth Formers are well versed, in "Goonery." This has promptly led to the establishment of the 6BC (Sixth Broadcasting Commission). If parents are concerned that their sons have been talking of smoking "pictures of Sabrina ," or habitually calling them "mates" and "Charlies," please don't worry, it's just a craze.

Sometime around the end of 1957 or start of 1958, Sabrina went to Paris with Billy Smart , circus playboy and leopard-giver. (I've just realised that in my whole life, this is the first time I've ever typed the words, "Leopard-giver". Hmmm.)