Stanley Holloway
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| Stanley Holloway | |
| Born | 1 October 1890 Essex, England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Died | 30 January 1982 (aged 91) Littlehampton, West Sussex, England |
Stanley Augustus Holloway OBE (1 October 1890 – 30 January 1982) was an English actor and entertainer, famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady. He was also renowned for his recordings of comic monologues and songs, which spanned most of his seventy year career.
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[edit] Early life
He was born in Manor Park, Essex (now Greater London), England, and attended The Worshipful School of Carpenters in Stratford nearby.
His Mother Florrie was a housewife and his father George was a Lawyers Clerk. He had one sister called Millie.
His first job was as a junior clerk in a boot polish factory called "Everitts Nutta and Jetta"" where he earnt ten shillings a week. His second job was again as a clerk but this time at Billingsgate fish market. Whilst working there, he began his performing career as "Master Stanley Holloway -- The Wonderful Boy Soprano", from 1907. He began performing in end of pier concert parties at English east coast seaside resorts, including Walton-on-the-Naze and Clacton-on-Sea where he appeared for three years in Bert Graham and Will Bentley's concert party at the West Cliff Theatre in 1910.
He was then recruited by established comedian Leslie Henson to feature as a support in Henson’s own more prestigious concert-party performing in "Nicely, Thanks" in 1911.
He then planned a career as a singer in 1913 and went to Milan to train his voice, but realized that this wasn't for him and returned home. He then followed his heart and carried on in light entertainment.
In 1914 when World War I was in full swing, he enlisted in the Connaught Rangers infantry regiment. Upon joining he was immediately commissioned as a Second lieutenant. This was because a few years earlier he had had some training as a private in the London rifle Brigade.
Although an estimated 2,500 members of this regiment were killed during the Great War, Holloway survived and immediately began singing and acting in London's music halls and theaters, performing at the Winter Garden as Captain Wentworth in Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse's Kissing Time in 1919, and as Rene in A Night Out in 1920.
After the war he joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1920 as a Temporary Constable but left by the beginning of 1921. The 'Temporary Constables' of the RIC are more generally remembered as the 'Black and Tans'.
After the war, he found his first big success in the show The Co-Optimists which ran from 1921 until 1927 and was then filmed. A second run of the show from 1929 developed his comic song and monologue repertoire, which launched his recording career with records of his own created character, "Sam Small," and Marriott Edgar's "The Ramsbottoms" selling world wide.
Holloway established himself as a BBC radio personality in 1923 and developed his solo act throughout the 1920s while continuing his involvement with the musical theater. He was cast as Bill Smith in the London production of Vincent Youmans' musical comedy Hit the Deck (1927), in Song of the Sea (1928), and in Coo-ee (1929). He began recording his monologues for the phonograph market in the early '30s. Peopled with colorful "North Country" characters named Albert, Sam Small, and the Ramsbottoms, these remarkable recitations were couched in rhyming stanzas carefully crafted by George Marriott Edgar, Greatrex Newman, Robert Patrick Weston, and Bert Lee, and also by Holloway himself, who occasionally sang the verses rather than declaiming them.
[edit] Notable Films and Performances
Holloway made his motion picture debut in 1921, appearing in a silent movie engagingly entitled The Rotters.
He spent the 1930s appearing in a series of cheaply made movies, but which included some notable work in Squibs (1935) and The Vicar of Bray (1937). He also recorded "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm", a ditty by R. P. Weston and Bert Lee about the ghost of Anne Boleyn haunting the Tower of London, seeking revenge on Henry VIII for having her beheaded.
His career changed again in 1941 when he played in a major film production of George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara. He then took patriotic, morale boosting, light comic roles in The Way Ahead (1944), This Happy Breed (1944) and The Way to the Stars (1945).
After World War Two he had notable roles in the smash hit Brief Encounter, as Mr Crummles in Nicholas Nickleby, and a cameo role as the grave digger in Laurence Olivier's Hamlet. He then became a mainstay of the Ealing Comedies productions, making classics like [[Champagne Charlie](1944) Passport to Pimlico(1949), The Lavender Hill Mob(1951) and The Titfield Thunderbolt(1953).
[edit] Stateside
Holloway went to America early on in his career in 1913 to take part in a concert party called "The Grotesques". However, due to the outbreak of World War one he returned to join the Connaught Rangers.
His film output had made him enough of a public name in the United States that in 1956 he was cast as Alfred P. Doolittle in the Broadway stage smash hit My Fair Lady, after James Cagney turned it down. He had a long association with the show, appearing in the original 1956 Broadway production, the 1958 London version, and the film version in 1964.
Due to his success on Broadway, Holloway was signed to play the part of Poobah in the Comic Opera The Mikado, alongside his friend Groucho Marx in 1960, which resulted in a huge success.
In 1962 he signed up to play the role of an English butler, called Higgins, in a pilot television sitcom called Our Man Higgins. Holloway enjoyed the role immensely but not the audience. It managed one season and was scrapped due to poor figures.
In 1964 he again appeared on-stage in Philadelphia in Cool Off!, a Faustian spoof.
He returned to America a few more times after that to take part in The Dean Martin show three times and The Red Skelton show twice. He also appeared in the 1965 film ""In Harms Way"", alongside John Wayne and Kirk Douglas.
He received his only Academy Award nomination for the performance of Alfred P Doolittle in 1964, but lost to Peter Ustinov.
He was nominated for Broadway's 1957 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) in "My Fair Lady".
[edit] Personal Life
Holloway was married twice, first to Alice "Queenie" Foran in November 1913, whom he had met in Clacton on sea whilst performing in a variety show. Sadly however she died from alcohol consumption in 1937. Holloway had four children from his first marriage, Joan (b 1914), Patricia (b 1920), John (b 1925) and Mary (b 1928).
His second marriage was on 2nd January 1939 to Violet Marion Lane, who was a bit part actress and understudy whom Holloway affectionately called "Laney". They had one son Julian Holloway (b 1944) who became an actor, best known for being in some of the Carry On films and who now is a successful voice actor in America mainly in Animated films and computer games. Julian is the father of the Model and Author Sophie Dahl after he had a brief relationship with Roald Dahl's daughter Tessa Dahl in 1977.
He was still performing well into his eighties touring Asia and Australia in 1977 with The ""Pleasure of His Company"", a Noël Coward tribute show, and made his last appearance performing at the Royal Variety Performance at the the London palladium in 1980 aged 89. He died 18 months later at the Nightingale nursing home which is in Littlehampton Sussex on 30 January 1982, aged 91.
He is buried along with his wife, Laney, at the St. Marys the Virgin Church in the beautiful English village of East Preston, West Sussex
[edit] Facts
In 1960 Stanley Holloway became an officer of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and toured as a solo act under the billing Laughs and Other Events.
Stanley Holloway is the grandfather of the Model and Author Sophie Dahl.
His favorite comedian was Frankie Howard.
His acting roots in his family could be traced back to his great-uncle Charles Bernard in the mid 1800's, who was one of the greatest Shakespearean actor's of his time.
Holloway's cousin Oliver Bernard was a scenic designer at Covent Garden in London.
His first daughter Joan was born on the same day, 1st October.... 23 years later.
Holloway regarded Actors Leslie Henson, Gracie Fields, Maurice Chevalier, Groucho Marx, and Laurence Olivier as his closest friends.
He appeared with distinguished actor Ivor Novello in the 1933 film Sleeping Car.
One of his greatest ambitions was to work with Charles Chaplin.
In 1964 he was offered the role of Admiral Boom in Mary Poppins but turned it down as he was busy working on My Fair Lady. The part went to Reginald Owen.
He became friends with Bing Crosby after Crosby saw Holloway at the MGM studios in America whilst driving around in a golf cart. Crosby stopped and told Holloway how much he admired him and asked for an autograph for his son's collections. Holloway was immensely flattered as he had admired Crosby for years and thought he was one of the greatest singers around, so naturally obliged and also gave Crosby some front row tickets to see "My Fair Lady" on Broadway. After this they became good friends and Holloway was introduced to Sammy Davies Jr Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin by Crosby. They would all play golf together when possible and Holloway would go on to sing a DUET with Sinatra at the Hollywood Bowl and would regularly appear with Dean Martin on his T.V show.
He was in the same Connaught regiment as Victoria Cross winner Micheal O 'Leary.
Holloway appeared with Rex Harrison in the stage production of "My Fair Lady". Harrison had a reputation for being very abrupt with his fans. One night after a performance of the show, Holloway and Harrison left by the stage door. It was late, cold and pouring rain and there was an old woman standing alone outside the door. When she saw Harrison, she asked him for his autograph. He told her to "Sod off", and she was so enraged at this that she rolled up her program and hit Harrison with it. Holloway congratulated him on not only making theater history, but, for the first time in world history, "the fan has hit the shit."
In My Fair Lady (1964), he was the only member of the main cast to do his own singing. Rex Harrison and Wilfrid Hyde-White talked their way through their songs, while Audrey Hepburn and Jeremy Brett were dubbed.
The lion's name in the famous monologue The lion and Albert was Wallace. It was named after Marriott Edgar's half brother Edgar Wallace who was a famous crime writer and playright in the early 20th century.
[edit] Musical theatre credits
Stanley Holloway appeared in the following Musical theatre productions:-
- 1919 : Kissing Time
- 1920 : A Night Out
- 1921 - 1926 : The Co-Optimists
- 1927 : Hit the Deck
- 1928 : Song of the Sea
- 1929 : Coo-ee
- 1929 - 1930 : The Co-Optimists
- 1932 : Savoy Follies
- 1934 : Three Sisters
- 1936 : All Wave
- 1938 : London Rhapsody
- 1940 : Up and Doing
- 1942 : Fine and Dandy
- 1956 : My Fair Lady, Broadway production
- 1958 : My Fair Lady, London production
[edit] Film and TV appearances
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[edit] Monologues and Music
Old Sam written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1929)
'Alt! W'ho Goes There? written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1930)
Beat The Retreat on Thy Drum written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1931)
One Each Apiece All Round written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1931)
The Lion and Albert written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1932)
Three Ha'pence a Foot written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1932)
Sam's Medal by written Mabel Constanduros and Michael Hogan performed by Stanley Holloway (1933)
Old Sam's Party written by Mabel Constanduros performed by Stanley Holloway (1933)
Careless Talk with Leslie Henson and Stanley Holloway (1933)
Runcorn Ferry written by Marrott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1933)
Many Happy Returns written by Archie de Bear performed by Stanley Holloway (1933)
With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm - written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1934)
Marksman Sam written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1934)
The Return of Albert written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1934)
The Beefeater written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1934)
Sam Drummed Out written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1935)
Sam's Sturgeon by written Ashley Sterne performed by Stanley Holloway (1935)
Sam small at Westminster written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1935)
St George and The Dragon written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1935)
Sweeney Todd, The Barber written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1935)
The Jubilee Sov'rin written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1937)
The 'Ole in the Ark by written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1937)
Albert and The 'Eadsman written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1937)
The Battle of Hastings by written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1937)
The Magna Charter written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1937)
Jonah and the Grampus written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1937)
My Word, You Do Look Queer by Bob Weston & Bert Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1938)
Old Sam's Christmas Pudding written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1939)
The Rucumbent Posture written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway(1939)
The Negro Preacher performed by Stanley Holloway (1939)
Brahn Boots written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1940)
Gunner Joe written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1940)
Albert Evacuated written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1940)
Yorkshire Pudden! written by Weston and Lee performed by Stanley Holloway (1940)
Marksman Sam written by Marriott Edger and performed by Stanley Holloway (1940)
The Return Of Albert written by Stanley Lupino and performed by Stanley Holloway (Albert Comes Back) (1940)
Sam Goes To It written by Marriott Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1941)
Uppards written by Marriot Edgar performed by Stanley Holloway (1941)
The Future Mrs 'Awkins originally performed by Albert Chevalier (1898) covered by Stanley Holloway in (1942)
Guarding The Gasworks written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1943)
Albert And His Savings written by Marriott Edger performed by Stanley Holloway (1944)
The Parson of Puddle written by Greatrex Newman performed by Stanley Holloway (1975)
Albert's Reunion written and performed by Stanley Holloway (1978)
With A Little Bit Of Luck performed by Stanley Holloway from 'My Fair Lady' (1956 - 1964) Get Me To The Church On Time performed by Stanley Holloway from 'My Fair Lady' (1956 - 1964)
Sing A Song Of London written and Originally performed by Ambrose covered by Stanley Holloway (1960)
A dark girl dressed in blue Originally performed by George Robey covered by Stanley Holloway in (1960)
==Autobiography== In 1967 [He entitled his autobiography Wiv a Little Bit of Luck after the song he performed in "My fair lady"
[edit] References
- Holloway, Stanley; Richards, Dick (1967). Wiv a little bit o’ luck: The life story of Stanley Holloway. London: Frewin. ISBN B0000CNLM5. OCLC 3647363. Also published as Holloway, Stanley; Richards, Dick (1967). Wiv a little bit o’ luck: The life story of Stanley Holloway. New York: Stein and Day. OCLC 1373117.
