About
Theater producer or "impresario," most famous for managing London's notorious Windmill Theatre. He popularized a style of tableaux vivant depicting motionless nude women with a legal loophole. His knack for publicity advanced the Windmill Theatre's nickname as "the theatre that never closed," after it remained open even while the United Kingdom was under attack by Germany during the Blitzkrieg bombings.
Before Fame
He dropped out of school at the age of 14 to work as a mechanic during some of the automobile's earliest days. He later resigned from the profession in order to manage West End Cinemas. He was hired by the Windmill Theatre's owner, Laura Henderson, in 1931, after her initial attempts to popularize the location proved unsuccessful.
Trivia
He was the Vice President of the Magicians' Club in London. The club often hosted charity events at the Windmill Theatre.
Family Life
He was the son of George and Jeannette Van Damm. He had 2 daughters - Betti and Sheila, the latter of whom was a rally driver and inherited the Windmill Theatre upon his death.
Associated With
He was portrayed by actor Bob Hoskins in the 2005 film Mrs. Henderson Presents. Some of his life story was also depicted in the film Tonight and Every Night, which starred actress Rita Hayworth.
