Shields woman became friends with Crosby, Sinatra and The Beatles

She started out in the world of work as a secretary at the South Shields Mission to Seamen.

Myrna Malinsky who was friend to the stars. | sg

placeholder image — Myrna Malinsky who was friend to the stars. | sg

But by this month in 1965, Myrna Malinsky was back in South Tyneside to tell how she’d made it big as the booking director to some of the biggest names in showbusiness.

Myrna Malinsky lived a life that few people got to enjoy. She worked for ABC television in London and booked some of the biggest acts for appearances on national TV.

In 1965 she made a return visit to the town to see her parents in Dartford Road.

She told the Gazette: “When I first left South Shields to go to London 11 years ago, all I wanted was a glamorous job. And I got it.”

Myrna Malinsky shared her life story with the Shields Gazette in 1965. | sg

So who was her favourite of all the artists she had worked with? There was only one choice - Ol Blue Eyes himself.

Myrna explained: “I don’t have any personal tastes as my life is so steeped in other people’s ... except for Sinatra. I managed to book him last year for ABC-TV when he was doing a show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Frank Sinatra at the height of his powers in the 1950s. He was a particular favourite of South Shields-born booking manager Myrna Malinksy. | AFP via Getty Images

“I was almost camped outside the Dorchester where he was staying, met his manager and after five months of negotiations succeeded in booking him.

“He is fantastic. He is everything they say he is. You get a tremendous impression of his magnetic attraction.

A double bill at the ABC South Shields in 1965. | se

“When you look at him you don’t see an ageing man with a cauliflower ear or dissipated eyes. You just feel the sheer magnetism. He’s almost mythical.”

Myrna, who died in 2010 at the age of 74, also had high praise for Bing Crosby, who she called “gorgeous and unassuming”.

Bing put her at ease after turning up to the studios with his toupee stuffed inside his jacket pocket.

To give you more of a reminder of South Tyneside life in 1965, all this was happening;

There was a wonderful double bill on at the ABC cinema with The Beatles starring in A Hard Day’s Night on the same bill as Elvis Presley appearing in Kid Galahad.

Maurice’s in Smithy Street, South Shields, was selling coats at 5 guineas and fabric coats at 9 guineas while Spring blouses were available from 14/11.

Tell us about your memories of South Tyneside in 1965 by emailing [email protected]