Askey, Arthur Bowden, 1900 - 1982
Dates
- Existence: 6 June 1900 - 16 November 1982
Biography
Arthur Bowden Askey, CBE was an English comedian and actor.
Arthur was born on 6 June 1900 at Dingle, Liverpool and attended St. Michael's Council School and the Liverpool Institute for Boys until 1916, when he was called up to serve in the armed forces during the First World War. During his war service Arthur, who had a natural sense of humour and an uncanny ability to improvise started to take part in army entertainments.
Upon his release from service, Arthur worked as a clerk for Liverpool Corporation's Education Department while he was also performing on music halls. In 1938 he became widely known in England through his BBC Radio show Band Waggon where Arthur paired up with Richard ‘Stinker’ Murdoch to provide the comedy sketches, which soon became the dominant feature of the show.
Although Arthur had started his acting career in 1937 it was his appearance in Band Wagon that really launched him into the film and television limelight.
During the Second World War Arthur starred in several comedy films and BBC Radio programmes.
Arthur enjoyed a long career in film, television, radio and the variety and music hall scene expanding until his death on 16 November 1982.
Arthur was awarded an O.B.E in 1969 and a C.B.E in 1981 for his services to entertainment.
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
Charles Taylor Collection
The Charles Taylor collection is a fine example of Taylor’s of Wombwell printers’ posters, which highlight changes in printing techniques, fashion and taste within the popular entertainment industry. Included are examples of posters for pantomimes, fairs and circuses. The collection also contains handbills and other advertising material.
Pavillion Theatre Bournemouth Poster, 10 April 1979
Arthur Askey Show. Red and purple type on yellow background.
Posters, c1937 - 1989
A collection of posters printed by Taylor's of Wombwell for music hall and variety, circus, pantomime and fairgrounds.
Spring Show '78 Poster, Week commencing 10 April 1978
Theatre Royal, Nottingham. Arthur Askey, Peter Cavanagh, Van Buren and Company, Reed and Delroy, Adelaide Hall, Wally Dunn, Bob and Alf Pearson. Red and blue type on white background and illustration.
Theatre Royal Nottingham Poster, 8 May 1978
Big Hearted Arthur Askey in ‘Those Golden Years of Music Hall’. Red, blue and black with curtains.
Those Golden Years of Music Poster, Week commencing 8 May 1978
Theatre Royal, Nottingham. Arthur Askey, Peter Cavanagh, Van Buren and Company, Reed and Delroy, Adelaide Hall, Wally Dunn, Bob and Alf Pearson. Red and blue type on white background and illustration.
Variety and Music Hall Poster Printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, c1950 - 1989
Variety and Music Hall poster printed by Taylor's of Wombwell, including pantomimes and wrestling shows in theatre venues.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 6
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Minstrel shows 3
- Musical performances 3
- Musicians 3
- Pantomime 3
- Singing 3
- Acrobats 2
- Aerialists 2
- Amusement rides 2
- Animal trainers 2
- Animals 2
- Ark 2
- Big wheel 2
- Chairoplanes 2
- Circus 2
- Clowning 2
- Contortionists 2
- Dance 2
- Diving 2
- Dodgems 2
- Dwarfs (Persons) 2
- Equestrians 2
- Fairs 2
- Fakirs 2
- Fire eating 2
- Fun house 2
- Games 2
- Ghost train 2
- Jugglers 2
- Knife throwing 2
- Magic 2
- Meteorite 2
- Octopus 2
- Puppets 2
- Roller coasters 2
- Satellite 2
- Showman 2
- Showwoman 2
- Strong men 2
- Twist 2
- Waltzer 2
- Wild west 2
- Wrestling 1 + ∧ less