Stanley Holloway was, I think the Mr Versatile of British showbusiness for well over 60 years. Starting off in the then highly lucrative Pier and concert troupe type shows before World War One, these then acted as a springboard to greater success on the West End stage, on radio, in British Films, and then Hollywood and Broadway. He was still acting, monologing and singing into his 80s. Although he is just as much revered for his many film appearances, in Britain at least and perhaps throughout the Commonwealth and old Empire colonies, he was also celebrated and is most fondly remembered for his fantastic series of monologues, featuring The central characters ( and more ) of Albert and the Ramsbottoms ( and the lion ), and old soldier Sam Small. Now, to be fair, old Stan only wrote a handful of these, and the ones he did write were carrying on from the already established characters and tales. So we do have to give a grateful nod to the memory of, mainly, one Marriott Edgar who dreamed up these wonderful people and rather inspiringly, gave them a firm base in Northern England; after having said that, even when the tales did feature a real character more associated with London and the Home Counties, including Royalty, they too spoke in the Bah gum' lingo also, and made a brilliant tale, even more so. Several other writers / writing teams also supplied Stan with such quality material, and we should thank them all. But, Stanley made the characters jump from the page and into your mind ( and, into the Nation's consciousness ) with magnificent aplomb. So, please do peruse the copious links below, and you will soon be listening to young Albert, the lion, old Sam, Noah, the man who got told he was about to peg it in the street, and many more. There is also an assortment of songs by Stanley Holloway, which I am sure you will also enjoy. Stan died in 1982 at the age of 92. To Stan: There is only one place you could possibly be, much deserved, and Uppards gain is our loss.
