Holmes, Fred (Frederick), 1878 - 1951
Dates
- Existence: 1878 - 1951
Biography
Fred Holmes was an instrumental manager throughout Redfern's career, in charge of a number of itinerant shows, and later permanent shows.
Fred Holmes was born in Dronfield, Chesterfield in 1878. He started working with Jasper Redfern around 1894 becoming proficient in photography then developing to become a 'Skilled operator' of animated pictures, a camera man and projectionist.
From 1900 to 1905, he travelled extensively with Jasper Redfern and was the manager for Redfern's vaudeville and animated picture shows. Including the two seasons at Redfern's 'Palace by the Sea' in Southend where he took stills and some movies. When Jasper Redfern set up the first picture house in Sheffield, Holmes became the manager as well as general manager for Redfern's various enterprises around the country.
Redfern and Holmes parted ways in 1912 when Redfern's business folded in 1912 but Holmes was retained as manager of the New Central Hall Cinema, which was named the Tivoli in 1913.
From 1914 until his retirement in 1937, Holmes was the manager of the Heeley Electric Palace on Chesterfield Road. In 1939 he moved to Tupton, Derbyshire and worked at Rawson's brewery, Sheffield during the war.
Fred Holmes died in 1951.
Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:
Central Hall, Norfolk Street, Sheffield Poster, 11 December [1905]
Charles Coborn - The Man who Broke the 'Bank of Monte Carlo'. The Banzai-Parez - Musical Troupe; Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures - How Money is Made; Harland and Rollison - famous comedy musicians.
Central Hall Poster, 25 September c1900 - 1920
Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Jasper Redfern's Animated Pictures and Vaudeville Entertainment. Gravetta and Parr - impersonators, comedy and juggling. Percy Farrimonde - singer. Madame Gavetta - vocalist. Stanert and Yondi - musical entertainers. Imperial Concert Orchestra. Printed by Jas Neville, 134 Carver St. Moorhead, Sheffield. Blue type on off white background with blue border.
Devonshire Hall, Morecambe Handbill, c1900 - 1920
Jasper Redfern's Animated and Packed House Monkey Company. Special Attraction of the Sloppy-Faced Bloated Blood-Nosed Comedian - Herbert Betts. George Dinnie - Strongman. J.E. Linstead - Baritone. Mr Phonograph with Dolly Gray and others. Professor Fred. ‘The Manager will nurse babies at 1D per Hour’. 2pp.
Fred Holmes Collection
A collection of material including posters, programmes, handbills, newspaper cuttings and photographs relating to the shows of Jasper Redfern mainly in the Sheffield and surrounding areas. The collection was created by Fred Holmes who was a manager for Jasper Redfern of Sheffield, a pioneer of early film and exhibition. Jasper Redfern was the first man to show films in Sheffield. Also included in the collection is correspondence between Fred Holmes and Jasper Redfern.
Handbills, c1900 - 1920
Collection of Handbills mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.
New Palace Theatre, Hull Poster, 18 August 1902
Millie Hylton. Maisamos - Musical Grotesques. Alice Cooke - Transformation Dancer. Sisters Morgan - Duettists and Dancers. Ross and Grayson - Comedians. Redfern's Pictures - The Coronation of King Edward VII. Sybil St. Elmo - Vocalist. O'Connor and Brady - Knockabout Comedians. Little Gitana - Child Vocalist. Glenroy Troupe. Edwin Boyde - Comedian. Red and green.
Posters, 1900 - 1905
Collection of posters mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.
Prince of Wales Circus, Scarborough Hippodrome Poster, c1900 - 1920
Jasper Redfern's Vaudeville and Animated Picture Company. Prof. Gillin - Ventriloquist. The Falcons - Acrobats and Hand-Balancers. Master Leonard Ankers - Boy Comedian. Madame McMullen - Soprano Vocalist. Mr. Charlton Howarth - Tenor Vocalist. Mdlle. Dulcie Murielle - Solo Pianist. Printed by G. A. Pindar, 45 St. Thomas Street, Scarborough. Handwritten bill listing on the back from 'Ye Devonshire Halle'. Black on yellow.
Public Hall, Harvey Institute, Barnsley Handbill, c1900 - 1920
Public Hall, Harvey Institute, Barnsley Handbill, c1900 - 1920
Jasper Redfern's Superb Animated and Singing Pictures. The Falcons - Acrobatic and Hand Balancing Speciality. Harry Heath - Humourist. Edison's Latest Marvel - The Phonometograph. Herbert Betts - Comedian. Grand Gladiatorial Display by Mr George Dinnie. Printed by Bridgens and Son Ltd., Sheffield.
Seven of the Best and Most Popular Songs Handbill, c1895 - 1920
Sung by the great comedian Mr Charles Coburn. Printed by Dysons, Peterborough, 8pp.
Sheffield Empire Palace Programme, 11 November 1902
Eugene Stratton - The Ideal 'Coon'. Wedburns - Instrumentalists, Vocalists and Patterers. Ida Kessanly and her Royal Fox Terriers. Russell Wallet. Happy Tom Parker. George C. Doughty - Comedian. Madge Osmond - Male Impersonator. American Bioscope. Mdlle De Dio - Dancer Genial Pat Rafferty - 'One of the Irish'. Includes advert for Redfern's Rubber Heels. 3-fold programme.
The Empire Theatre of Varieties, Belfast Programme, 25 March 1901
Chicago Ladies' Quartette. The Cecils - Duettists and Dancers. Dainez Circus. Campkin - Tramp Cyclist. The 4 famous Leggetts in comedy sketch 'Maid of Athens'. Howard Law - Character Comedian. Tambo Mora - Manipulator of Tambourines. Jessie Harper - Serio and Dancer. Gallagher and Hild - American Speciality Artistes.
Town Hall, Brighouse Handbill, 22 September c1900 - 1920
Jasper Redfern's No 1 Vaudeville Company. Jasper Redfern's Singing and Living Pictures. Herbert Betts - Comedian. J.E. Linstead - Baritone Vocalist. Edison's Latest Marvel - The Phonometograph. George Dinnie - the finest developed man in the world. Printed by Sheffield Independent Press Limited, 21 Fargate.
Various Items, c1895 - 1920
Collection of Various Items mainly relating to Jasper Redfern's Motion Pictures, as well as other entertainments and events.