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George Clarke
Photograph of George Clarke, published in 1911.
Born
George Henry Broome

(1886-04-11)11 April 1886
Bromley, Kent, England
Died21 December 1946(1946-12-21) (aged 60)
Maidenhead, Berkshire
OccupationComedian

George Clarke, born George Broome and sometimes given as George Clark or George Broome Clarke, (11 April 1886 – 21 December 1946) was an English comedian, stage and screen actor of the silent era. He began his career as child performer in about 1893 in British music halls performing in a dancing and comic duo with his father. The father and son act continued until his father's retirement from the stage in 1910.

In the 1920s and 1930s Clarke performed in several musical revues in the West End where he excelled in comedic sketches. One of best known performances was his sketch "My First Car" which originated in the 1929 revue Darling! I Love You at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. He went on to perform this sketch at multiple Royal Command Performances in the 1930s and on film.

Biography

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Early life

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George Henry Broome was born on 11 April 1886 at Bromley or Poplar, adjoining districts in inner-city East London, England, the son of George Thomas Broome and Selena (née Hewett).[1][2] His father was an entertainer who had adopted the stage-name of 'George Clarke'. Young George began his career in about 1893-4 as a child performer alongside his father, appearing as "patter comedians and dancers" in British music halls and billed as 'George Clarke and His Half'.[3] The young boy possibly made his stage debut at the Albert Hall Music Hall in 1894.[1] George's mother, Selina Broome, died in March 1901 at Bethnal Green in London.[2]

A dude comedian

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Later, as George grew to adulthood, the father-and-son partnership was billed as 'Clarke and Clements'. In 1910 George's father retired from the stage to become a publican and George (junior) took on the stage-name of 'George Clarke' and adopted the on-stage persona of a 'dude comedian'.[4][3][1] The 'dude comedian' was a popular on-stage persona in music hall tradition, a working-class send-up of the upper classes, embodied as the well-dressed toff with monocle and top hat who indulged in routines of verbal nonsense.[5] In a summary of his career published in The Performer in 1946, it was said of Clarke: "He was a master in the art of giving full rein to the most priceless verbal inanities, was always impeccably attired on the stage, and with his monocle typified the 'silly ass' character so vastly enjoyed by the average man in the street".[3]

Clarke and Mostol in their performance personas.
Clarke's partner during the tour of Australia, Tom Mostol (Daniel Price).

After his father retired from the stage Clarke teamed up with another comedian named Harold Price, who used the stage-name of 'Tom Mostol'. The two were billed as 'Clarke and Mostol', described as "fine patter comedians and dancers". Within a short period of time they had established themselves, performing in British music halls and variety shows.[6][7][7] In early 1911 Clarke and Mostol were engaged for a tour of Australia and New Zealand by the theatrical entrepreneur Harry Rickards, who had established a circuit of touring vaudeville acts in Australia, involving theatres he both owned and leased, known as the 'Tivoli circuit'.[8] Rickard visited England each year for the purpose of visiting music halls to identify and engage acts for the Australian variety stage.[9][10]

George Clarke married Isabelle Markey at Lambeth on 21 June 1911, a week before his departure for Australia.[4][11][A]

Australasian tour

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George Clarke and Tom Mostol arrived at Adelaide from London aboard the steamer R.M.S. Mongolia and made their Australian debut on 5 August 1911 at Adelaide's Tivoli Theatre.[12][7][8] A reviewer for The Bulletin commented that Clarke and Mostol "have nothing new to show, but their step-dancing, single or double, is very good, and their cross-talk amusing". The writer gave an example of their comedic patter: "I planted a dead cat in my garden, and up came – a sanitary inspector".[13] After a fortnight in Adelaide the two comedians travelled to Sydney and made their first appearance at the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney on 19 August.[14] A reviewer for a Sydney newspaper described their act: "Made up as dudes, they succeeded with their comedy dances and clever patter in keeping the audience in shrieks of laughter, while their exhibition of fine dancing fairly 'brought down the house'".[10] Another reviewer described Clarke and Mostol's performance as "a sort of brief Baccanalia of mirth and motion". The writer singled out Clarke as the more accomplished of the two entertainers: "... but the gentleman with the giggle and the eyeglass is perhaps the easier, the less strained, of the two".[15] From 7 October 1911 Clarke and Mostol were featured in the programme of acts presented by Rickards at the Opera House in Melbourne.[16]

From late-October 1911 Clarke and Mostol toured in New Zealand as part of The Harry Rickards' Tivoli Vaudeville Combination. Rickards' variety show performed in various theatres in New Zealand for two months.[17][18] During January 1911 Clarke and Mostol returned to the Tivoli in Sydney and the Opera House in Melbourne.[19][20] From early February 1912 Clarke and Mostol performed at the Melrose Theatre in Perth in a programme of vaudeville items and "animated pictures". A reviewer wrote that the pair "gave astonishing exhibitions of rapid dancing" and described their patter as "diverting", with a "freshness about some of their jokes that was distinctly pleasing".[21] The comedy duo made their final Australian appearance on 19 February 1912.[22]

Theatrical revues

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In June 1913 Clarke played the character of 'Hon. G. P. Washington' in Step This Way! at the Oxford Music Hall in Westminster, London. During 1914 he toured with the company performing Hullo Everybody!.[1]

He starred in a series of revues produced by Harry Day between 1913 and 1923.[3] In late-October 1916 it was reported that a production by Harry Day was to commence at the Ilford Hippodrome; called Hip! Hip! Hooray!, the show featured George Clarke, "the inimitable dude comedian".[23]

In early 1917 Clarke was a cast-member of Zig-Zag! at the London Hippodrome. The successful revue opened on 29 January and ran for 648 performances.[24] He appeared in Here and There at the Empire Theatre in November 1917. In 1918 Clarke again appeared at the Hippodrome in Box o'Tricks. In about September that year he appeared in a production of Zig-Zag!, staged at the Folies Bergère in Paris.[1][25]

During 1919 Clarke was a member of the touring company of On the Wing.[1]

Clarke joined with the theatrical promoter Harry Day and appeared in a succession of his revues: Hullo Everybody! and Spangles in 1921, Radios in 1923 and Records in 1925.[1]

Clarke appeared in musical comedy shows in the West End, and on tour.[3] In 1923 he received top billing in the musical revue Radios at the London Palladium with The Times stating that, "Comedian George Clarke was the major and very worthwhile feature of the revue, appearing in about half the turns."[26] He later returned to the Palladium in 1926 to star in Vivian Ellis and John P. Long's musical revue Palladium Pleasures.[27]

In 1925 Clarke performed a routine at the Palace Theatre in Plymouth which involved him driving "a brand new yellow Austin Seven car on the stage". Described as "the dapper little dude comedian", Clarke dared his infant daughter to bounce, "lest she broke the springs".[28] In the Christmas season of 1925 Clarke appeared as the First Shepard in E. K. Chambers's Old English Nativity Play at Daly's Theatre.[29]

In February 1926 Clarke performed in Palladium Pleasures at the Palladium Theatre.[1]

In 1927-28 Clarke played the character of 'Harry Bassett' in a touring production of Lido Lady. In 1928 he toured in Vogues and Vanities.[1]

The car sketch

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In 1929 Clarke starred as Bertie Bundy in Stanley Brightman, H. B. Hedley, Desmond Carter, and Arthur Rigby's musical Darling! I Love You at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham.[30] This show featured his most famous comedy sketch, "His First Car",[31][32] in which he would drive a standard production-line Austin 7 car on stage, and "expertly manoeuvre [it]... through his skilful use of the gears and brakes."[3][33] According to one writer:

The car was... quite standard except for a very high coachwork finish, in yellow and blue. He would drive the car straight at the footlights, with the audience, especially in the front rows, in a state of panic-stricken terror. From first gear he would whip it straight into reverse, the back would leap up in characteristic fashion, then the scrabbling rear wheels would grip the boards and the car shot backwards, to the vast relief of musicians and audience. Later he used a car with the 4-speed box, still absolutely standard and unmodified. This was, of course, a much more difficult change, but he told me that he had never missed it although always expecting to. Now and again he would overdo it, and shoot over the edge, when the gentlemen of the orchestra managed to achieve the most remarkable sideways long-jumps from a sitting position, which alone were well worth the price of admission. Very occasionally he would break a half-shaft, but had no other trouble. The scene was the back garden of a suburban villa, and he concluded the act by driving right through a “brick” wall, which brought the house down on both sides of the footlights.[34]

During 1929 Clarke performed in principal variety theatres in England and New York in The New Car.[1]

Arrived in America in 23 August 1929.[35]

From 22 January 1930 Clarke played the lead character of 'Bertie Bundy' in Darling, I Love You at the Gaiety Theatre in London, appearing with a monocle and minute moustache.[36][37] A reviewer for Variety gave the production a scathing review, describing it as "one of those silly imitations of the American method which London managers think are what the public wants", adding that "the humor is dreadful... and there is scarcely any personality in the show". George Clarke was described as a "provincial comedian" making "his first appearance as the leading comedian in London". The reviewer claimed Clarke suffered from nervousness, concluding" "I daresay he is more funny when he hasn't got so many nerves".[38] In spite of the poor reviews Darling, I Love You ran for 147 performances until June 1930 at the Gaiety Theatre.[39][40]

In 1930 Clarke and Mamie Watson were the featured actors in the short comedy film His First Car (later titled I'll Take That One), directed by Monty Banks for Gordon Bostock Productions.[41]

The production of the musical comedy Blue Roses, with Clarke in the lead role (playing the character 'Chepstowe Potts'), toured successfully in regional theatres from about September 1930.[42] In January 1931 Blue Roses commenced a season at the Gaiety Theatre in London. A reviewer described the production as "a light and bright show of the entirely conventional order". Clarke was described a "very amusing and finished comedian... who has several capital scenes and at least one brilliant dance".[43] Nora Nicholson, who had a small part in the production, later commented: "We broke records on tour, but George, an enormous favourite in the provinces, somehow didn't go down with London audiences and our run at the Gaiety Theatre lasted a bare six weeks".[42] Later in the year Clarke toured with Blue Roses and By George!.[1]

Here's George.[44]

Later career

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He performed this sketch at the Royal Command Performances held at the London Palladium in 1930, 1932, and 1934, and it was filmed as My First Car, directed by Monty Banks in 1930.[45] In 1931 he appeared in the West End production of the musical Blue Roses by Desmond Carter, Caswell Garth, and Vivian Ellis at the Gaiety Theatre, London.[46] With fellow comedian Marriott Edgar he headlined the musical revue By George! at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 1933.[47]

In February 1933 By George! was produced at the Victoria Palace Theatre. During 1933-34 he toured in a production of Here We Go Round. From November 1934 the production toured in South Africa.[1]

From August 1935 Clarke toured in Britain with Let's Join George, playing the character 'George Cann', and afterwards the production toured South Africa. During 1936-37 he toured Let's Join George and George Ahoy!, described as "a new comedy travelogue", in England. In 1937 he returned to South Africa with these productions. In 1938 Clarke toured England in Going Greek.[1][48]

Royal Command Performances at the Palladium in 1930, 1932 and 1934.[1]

George Clarke's home base was at 'The Weir House', Maidenhead Court in Maidenhead, county Berkshire.[1] He later moved to 'The Lodge' in Cox Green, Maidenhead.[49]

In 1939 Clarke toured as 'George Lockwood' in It's That Man Again and as 'George Sterling' in Happy Birthday.[49]

Last years

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In the period 1942 to 1944 Clarke appeared as 'Buttons' in the Christmas pantomime Cinderella at Edinburgh, Newcastle and Liverpool. In 1943 Clarke played 'Jimmy Smith' in a touring production of No, No, Nanette. In 1944 he played 'Alfred Butler' in Ring Time and in 1945 he again toured in No, No, Nanette.[49]

George Clarke died in Maidenhead, Berkshire at the age of 60 after having surgery on 21 December 1946.[3][50] At the time of his death, he was described by the Associated Press as the only vaudeville comedian to have "given three royal command performances".[51]

Notes

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A.^ Isabelle Donaldson Markey was born in September 1889 at Jhansi, in Uttar Pradesh, India, the daughter of John Markey and Henrietta (née Ritchie). Her father was the bandmaster of the 16th (The Queen's) Lancers. Used the stage-name 'Mamie Watson'. Isabelle died in September 1964 at Bournemouth (Boscombe), county Dorset.[4][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o John Parker (compiler & editor) (1939), 'Clarke, George', Who's Who in the Theatre, New York: Pitman Publishing Corporation, pages 436-437.
  2. ^ a b c Family records, Ancestry.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Roy Busby (1976), British Music Hall: An Illustrated Who's Who from 1850 to the Present Day, London: Paul Elek Ltd.
  4. ^ a b c ELHS Newsletter, East London History Society, Vol. 2 No. 14, Spring 2006; available on-line (accessed 22 December 2024).
  5. ^ Jeffrey Richards (1994), Stars in Our Eyes: Lancashire Stars of Stage, Screen and Radio, Preston: Lancashire County Books, pages 28-29.
  6. ^ 'In Bankruptcy', The Times (London), 8 November 1916, page 3.
  7. ^ a b c Amusements, The Advertiser (Adelaide), 5 August 1911, page 17.
  8. ^ a b Amusements, The Register (Adelaide), 2 August 1911, page 8; Dramatic Notes, The Register, 26 August 1911, page 5.
  9. ^ Martha Rutledge (1988), Harry Rickards (1843–1911), Australian Dictionary of Biography website, National Centre of Biology, Australian National University; accessed 22 December 2024.
  10. ^ a b Amusements, Evening News (Sydney), 21 August 1911, page 4.
  11. ^ 'Australia', Variety, 14 October 1911, page 30.
  12. ^ Shipping News, The Advertiser (Adelaide), 7 August 1911, page 6.
  13. ^ Sundry Shows, The Bulletin, 17 August 1911, page 8.
  14. ^ Sydney Shows, Punch (Melbourne), 24 August 1811, page 37.
  15. ^ Tivoli Theatre, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 1911, page 4.
  16. ^ Opera House, Punch (Melbourne), 12 October 1911, page 37.
  17. ^ Amusements, Auckland Star, 23 October 1911, page 12; Harry Rickards' Vaudeville Co, Manawatu Times, 13 November 1911, page 4.
  18. ^ Mimes and Mummers, Star (Christchurch), 21 December 1911, page 2.
  19. ^ Amusements, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 January 1912, page 10.
  20. ^ Dramatic Notes, The Australasian (Melbourne), 27 January 1912, page 28.
  21. ^ Entertainments, The West Australian (Perth), 6 February 1912, page 6.
  22. ^ Amusements, The West Australian (Perth), 17 February 1912, page 2.
  23. ^ 'The Stage', The Jewish Chronicle, 27 October 1916, page 27.
  24. ^ Zig-Zag!, The Guide to Musical Theatre website; accessed 23 December 2024.
  25. ^ 'New Productions', The Times (London), 5 August 1918, page 9.
  26. ^ Wearing 2014a, p. 217.
  27. ^ Wearing 2014a, p. 423.
  28. ^ Harvey Crane (1980), Playbill: A History of the Theatre in the West Country, Plymouth: MacDonald and Evans Ltd., page 206.
  29. ^ Wearing 2014a, p. 406.
  30. ^ Wearing 2014b, p. 5.
  31. ^ Ian Parsons, "Darling I Love You!", London Musicals 1930-1934. Retrieved 27 December 2022
  32. ^ "The truth about another antique picture", Austin Seven Friends, 16 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2022
  33. ^ "The Hippodrome Goes Motoring with Ivan Heard", Birmingham Hippodrome, 30 May 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2022
  34. ^ Roberta Cowell, "That Stage Austin 7", Motor Sport Magazine, November 1963. Retrieved 27 December 2022
  35. ^ 'George Clark', The Billboard, 21 September 1929, page 14.
  36. ^ 'Baird Studio Topics' by Harold Bradly, Television, May 1930, page 127.
  37. ^ 'London Replacements', Variety, 1 January 1930, page 3.
  38. ^ 'London as It Looks', Variety, 12 February 1930, page 61.
  39. ^ Ian Parsons, Darling I Love You, London Musicals 1930-1934, page 1, issuu website; accessed 23 December 2024.
  40. ^ 'News From the Dailies: London', Variety, 11 June 1930, page 39.
  41. ^ I'll Take That One, IMDb website; accessed 22 December 2024.
  42. ^ a b Nora Nicholson (1973), Chameleon's Dish, London: Paul Elek, page 80.
  43. ^ The Playhouses, The Illustrated London News, 31 January 1931, page 196.
  44. ^ David Quinlan (1984), British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928-1959, London: B. T. Batsford, page 81.
  45. ^ "His First Car", British Film Catalogue, Volume 1, ed. Denis Gifford, 2001, p.354. Retrieved 27 December 2022
  46. ^ Wearing 2014b, p. 87.
  47. ^ Wearing 2014b, p. 267.
  48. ^ Gaiety Theatre, The Irish Times, 13 May 1937, page 6.
  49. ^ a b c John Parker (compiler & editor) (1947), 'Clarke, George', Who's Who in the Theatre, London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd., pages 416-417.
  50. ^ Obituaries: George Clarke, Variety, 1 January 1947, page 46.
  51. ^ Associated Press (December 22, 1946). "British Comedian Dies". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 17A.
Sources
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