Nice to see these old acts. I imagine you'll find plenty of clips on "The Good Old Days" where the audience had to dress up to watch these kind of performers doing a very old style live, variety show. The guy doing the introductions was as entertaining as some of the acts because he was extraordinarily verbose with his lengthy introductions.
Hey Squirrel, thanks for this, I don`t remember ever seeing this before. :) I love to watch actors/comedians particularly of their period, telling stories about other member`s of their profession that they knew directly or from other`s. In more recent times, I watched a show that Alan Davies (of Q.I. fame), used to do, with modern comedians telling similar true stories.
Big Hearted Arthur on the radio in the 1940's war years Band Wagon show. Starred in the Ghost Train film written by Arnold Ridley of Dad's Army fame. Often appeared on the Good Old Days music hall revival show in the 1970s/early 80s. Parents were fans, wartime generation.
Arthur Askey was big star on radio and early tv, and in films and had songs. The Sabrina that they mentioned was the biggest British pin-up girl when I was very young. Poor old Arthur had a sad end .......... had both his legs amputated because of gangrene then died a few months later.
Arthur was born in 1900 and passed around age 82/3 working on live radio and theatre and didn't see that much of him on TV, another one who would nip on and off the TV. He was made a CBE for his work within the business and charitable work. I think he took part in one of the Royal Variety Shows with Dan and quite possibly Sir Ken. I have pinged you some bits and pieces across
"Sabrina" was a classic blonde stooge with a large chest. A kind of Marilyn Monroe lookalike. If you fancy checking out an old film Arthur Askey made, you can probably find "The Ghost Train" 1941 on YT. It's a great old film and Arthur is on top form in that :)
A friend of mine once bumped into Arthur - literally - and poor Arthur sat on his backside, very much to my friend's great embarrassment. He helped him up, profusely apologizing and helping him dust down. "Not to worry, Playmate!" Arthur said. My mate is still embarrassed that the only time he met Arthur Askey, he landed him onto his bum. I remember one little instance, a little period piece sketch - oh, so long ago - with Arthur and - I'm pretty sure it was -June Whitfield - I don't think it was Sabrina, she'd retired by then - and Arthur said, "Oh! You look as pretty as a picture!" and he picked up a pot and paintbrush and said, "Come 'ere! let me varnish yer!" He was in quite a few films. During WW2 he was in several Gainsborough Pictures comedy films, including Band Waggon (1940), based on the radio show; Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt (1940); The Ghost Train (1941); I Thank You (1941); Back-Room Boy (1942); King Arthur Was a Gentleman (1942); Miss London Ltd. (1943); Bees in Paradise (1944); The Love Match (1955) and Make Mine a Million (1959). His last film was Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse (1978), starring Debbie Ash, as a hospital patient. The Bee Song by Big-Hearted Arthur Askey. Bzzzzzzzzz Bzzzzzzzzz! Oh what a glorious thing to be A healthy grown up busy busy bee Whiling away the passing hours Pinching all the pollen from the cauliflowers I'd like to be a busy busy bee Being just as busy as a bee can be Flying round the garden, sweetest ever seen Taking back the honey to the dear old queen Bzz bzz bzz bzz, honey bee, honey bee Bzz if you like but don't sting me Bzz bzz bzz bzz, honey bee, honey bee Bzz if you like but don't sting me Bzzzzzzzzz Bzzzzzzzzz . . . and so on for four verses.
You could see how overawed Ken was by him. I don't think I ever saw Ken so quiet. Arthur was one of his top comedy idols, he was from Liverpool like Ken, and was at his peak when Ken was a lad. I saw Ken naming him as one of his top three, along with Ted Ray and Rob Wilton. Arthur was a star from the 1930s on radio, had a short film career in the 40s, then became a TV star in 50s, along side he was a regular pantomime Dame in the theatre. He didn't stop performing right up to his death in 1982. There was a long running rumor put about by Private Eye magazine, based on the fact they were both born in 1900, were the same height and had never been seen in the same room that The Queen Mother was Arthur in drag.
Arthur made 90 television appearences as himself from 1952 to his death in 1982, including three Royal Variety Performances, his own series 'Before Your Very Eyes' (1952-8, titled after one of his catch phrases) and two shorter series. He was also a presenter on 'Saturday Spectacular' (1959-60).I believe that he gave the BBC camermen a lot of headaches in the early days as he was a spontaneous performer and wouldn't keep to stage directions.
What I find quite noticeable is that these two are both scousers. Arthur born in Dingle and Ken in Knotty Ash but neither had what I'd call a strong scouse accent. They were obviously Northern and probably obviously North Western but a very mild accent, not too dissimilar to my Lancashire accent . A few years later we had the likes of Stan Boardman and John Bishop who had a very strong accent and most people knew where they were from. Not sure if Arthur and Ken toned down their accent or if the scouse accent wasn't quite as distinct in those days?
Arthur Askey was a famous radio comedian from the 1930s, and a film star through the war years.
Nice to see these old acts. I imagine you'll find plenty of clips on "The Good Old Days" where the audience had to dress up to watch these kind of performers doing a very old style live, variety show. The guy doing the introductions was as entertaining as some of the acts because he was extraordinarily verbose with his lengthy introductions.
Arthur Askey well known for his Busy little Bee Song🐝
Hey Squirrel, thanks for this, I don`t remember ever seeing this before. :) I love to watch actors/comedians particularly of their period, telling stories about other member`s of their profession that they knew directly or from other`s. In more recent times, I watched a show that Alan Davies (of Q.I. fame), used to do, with modern comedians telling similar true stories.
Big Hearted Arthur on the radio in the 1940's war years Band Wagon show. Starred in the Ghost Train film written by Arnold Ridley of Dad's Army fame. Often appeared on the Good Old Days music hall revival show in the 1970s/early 80s. Parents were fans, wartime generation.
Good stuff ❤old school comedy is the best 🐿️👍🏼
Arthur Askey was big star on radio and early tv, and in films and had songs. The Sabrina that they mentioned was the biggest British pin-up girl when I was very young. Poor old Arthur had a sad end .......... had both his legs amputated because of gangrene then died a few months later.
Arthur was born in 1900 and passed around age 82/3 working on live radio and theatre and didn't see that much of him on TV, another one who would nip on and off the TV. He was made a CBE for his work within the business and charitable work. I think he took part in one of the Royal Variety Shows with Dan and quite possibly Sir Ken. I have pinged you some bits and pieces across
"Sabrina" was a classic blonde stooge with a large chest. A kind of Marilyn Monroe lookalike.
If you fancy checking out an old film Arthur Askey made, you can probably find "The Ghost Train" 1941 on YT.
It's a great old film and Arthur is on top form in that :)
Sabrina was a glamour model born in Stockport, Cheshire UK in 1936. She was in my dad's class at school and apparently was a very shy young girl.
@@kelvinlambert4249 of COURSE your dad knew her! WHAT A COINCIDENCE YOU WATCHED THIS VIDEO! WOO!!! Did he also know JFK and went to the Moon?
@@papalaz4444244 no. They wouldn't be on his bucket list. They're so insignificant.
A friend of mine once bumped into Arthur - literally - and poor Arthur sat on his backside, very much to my friend's great embarrassment. He helped him up, profusely apologizing and helping him dust down. "Not to worry, Playmate!" Arthur said. My mate is still embarrassed that the only time he met Arthur Askey, he landed him onto his bum.
I remember one little instance, a little period piece sketch - oh, so long ago - with Arthur and - I'm pretty sure it was -June Whitfield - I don't think it was Sabrina, she'd retired by then - and Arthur said, "Oh! You look as pretty as a picture!" and he picked up a pot and paintbrush and said, "Come 'ere! let me varnish yer!" He was in quite a few films. During WW2 he was in several Gainsborough Pictures comedy films, including Band Waggon (1940), based on the radio show; Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt (1940); The Ghost Train (1941); I Thank You (1941); Back-Room Boy (1942); King Arthur Was a Gentleman (1942); Miss London Ltd. (1943); Bees in Paradise (1944); The Love Match (1955) and Make Mine a Million (1959). His last film was Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse (1978), starring Debbie Ash, as a hospital patient.
The Bee Song by Big-Hearted Arthur Askey.
Bzzzzzzzzz
Bzzzzzzzzz!
Oh what a glorious thing to be
A healthy grown up busy busy bee
Whiling away the passing hours
Pinching all the pollen from the cauliflowers
I'd like to be a busy busy bee
Being just as busy as a bee can be
Flying round the garden, sweetest ever seen
Taking back the honey to the dear old queen
Bzz bzz bzz bzz, honey bee, honey bee
Bzz if you like but don't sting me
Bzz bzz bzz bzz, honey bee, honey bee
Bzz if you like but don't sting me
Bzzzzzzzzz
Bzzzzzzzzz
. . . and so on for four verses.
Arthur Askey - easy going, and simply, legend.
Hi squirrel try looking up prof Stanley Unwin on the Ken Dodd show
You could see how overawed Ken was by him. I don't think I ever saw Ken so quiet. Arthur was one of his top comedy idols, he was from Liverpool like Ken, and was at his peak when Ken was a lad. I saw Ken naming him as one of his top three, along with Ted Ray and Rob Wilton. Arthur was a star from the 1930s on radio, had a short film career in the 40s, then became a TV star in 50s, along side he was a regular pantomime Dame in the theatre. He didn't stop performing right up to his death in 1982. There was a long running rumor put about by Private Eye magazine, based on the fact they were both born in 1900, were the same height and had never been seen in the same room that The Queen Mother was Arthur in drag.
My dad played cards with Arthur Askey so my older brother told me.
Fascinating
"Which camera am I on?" Arthur made his fame on the radio so it didn't matter about cameras
Arthur made 90 television appearences as himself from 1952 to his death in 1982, including three Royal Variety Performances, his own series 'Before Your Very Eyes' (1952-8, titled after one of his catch phrases) and two shorter series. He was also a presenter on 'Saturday Spectacular' (1959-60).I believe that he gave the BBC camermen a lot of headaches in the early days as he was a spontaneous performer and wouldn't keep to stage directions.
Check out Arthur Haynes, he was a very funny man.
Check out the movie...The Ghost Train....Arthur Askey
What I find quite noticeable is that these two are both scousers. Arthur born in Dingle and Ken in Knotty Ash but neither had what I'd call a strong scouse accent. They were obviously Northern and probably obviously North Western but a very mild accent, not too dissimilar to my Lancashire accent . A few years later we had the likes of Stan Boardman and John Bishop who had a very strong accent and most people knew where they were from. Not sure if Arthur and Ken toned down their accent or if the scouse accent wasn't quite as distinct in those days?
Arthur Askey was so funny that his legs fell off