Lily Morris
Lily Morris (30 September 1882[1] – 3 October 1952), born Lilles Mary Crosby, was an English music hall performer, who specialised in singing comedic songs, notably 'Why Am I Always The Bridesmaid' and 'Don't Have Any More, Missus Moore".
Biography
Morris was born in the Holborn area of London, and began performing professionally at the age of ten.[citation needed]
She built a formidable career, including several successful international tours.[2] She had a particularly successful run at the Palace Theater in New York in 1928.[3] She also appeared in the musical revue film Elstree Calling (1930), co-directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and a later appearance in the film Radio Parade of 1935 as a charlady alongside fellow music hall performer Nellie Wallace.
She retired from the stage in 1940, except for a brief appearance in 1948.[4] In 1941 she appeared as the formidable "Lady Randall" in the Arthur Askey comedy I Thank You but reverts to type in the final scene where she gives a rendition of the old music hall standard "Waiting at the Church" at an impromptu concert in a tube station bomb shelter.[5]
Song hits
Lily Morris's most popular song hits include:
- "Because He Loves Me"
- "My Old Man (Said Follow the Van)" (original performer: Marie Lloyd)
- "Don't Have Any More, Missus Moore" (1929), (written by Harry Castling[6])
- "He's Only a Working Man"
- "The Old Apple Tree"
- "Waiting at the Church"
- "Why Am I Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Blushing Bride?" (written 1917)
Selected filmography
- Elstree Calling (1930)
- Variety (1935)
References
- ^ England & Wales Births 1837–2006, Vol. 1B, page 776
- ^ "Music Hall Star Dies". New York Times. October 4, 1952 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "British Artists Rule Palace Bill". New York Times. January 24, 1928 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Times obituary.
- ^ IMDb: I Thank You
- ^ "Lily Morris: Don't Have any More Mrs. Moore". AllMusic. 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
External links
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