Bobby Howes (4 August 1895 – 27 April 1972) was a British entertainer who was a leading musical comedy performer in London's West End theatres in the 1930s and 1940s.

Biography

Born in

Battersea Battersea is a large district in south London, part of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is centred southwest of Charing Cross and extends along the south bank of the River Thames. It includes the Battersea Park. History Batte ...

, Surrey, his parents were Robert William Howes and Rose Marie Butler. He started his career in revues, but his career was interrupted for the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...

where he soldiered on the

Western Front Western Front or West Front may refer to: Military frontiers *Western Front (World War I), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (World War II), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (Russian Empire), a majo ...

. He suffered a German

mustard gas Mustard gas or sulfur mustard is a chemical compound belonging to a family of cytotoxic and blister agents known as mustard agents. The name ''mustard gas'' is technically incorrect: the substance, when dispersed, is often not actually a gas, b ...

attack but recovered and returned to the stage. He gained a career break-through with the role-reversal comedy '' Mr. Cinders'', based on the ''

Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...

'' pantomime, also featuring Binnie Hale, with whom he appeared on many occasions subsequently. He reprised his title role in Mr. Cinders in several different productions. In the 1930s, he was with Van Phillips' Four Bright Sparks whose vocalists included Billy Milton. Four Bright Sparks recorded at least 60 sides. He was a leading musical comedy performer on the

West End West End most commonly refers to: * West End of London, an area of central London, England * West End theatre, a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London, England West End may also refer to: Pl ...

in the 1930s and 1940s. He continued onstage, including Broadway, and in films until he retired in the late 1960s. One of his most acclaimed roles was as the eponymous lead in '' Finian's Rainbow'' when it was revived on Broadway in 1960. He was the father of actress/singer Sally Ann Howes and of Peter Howes, by his marriage to

Patricia Malone Patricia Malone (1899 – 1971) was an English stage actress. Pat Malone was the daughter of a London theatrical director, Captain J.A.E. Malone (died 1928) and she began acting at an early age. She married actor/comedian/singer Bobby ...

. He died on 27 April 1972, aged 76, in London, England.

Filmography

* ''Elixir do Diabo, O'' (1964) * '' Watch it, Sailor!'' (1961) – as a Drunk (guest appearance) * ''

The Good Companions ''The Good Companions'' is a novel by the English author J. B. Priestley. Written in 1929, it follows the fortunes of a concert party on a tour of England. It is Priestley's most famous novel and established him as a national figure. It wo ...

'' (1957) – as Jimmy Nunn * '' Happy Go Lovely'' (1951) – as Charlie * ''Murder in the Footlights'' (1951) * ''

The Trojan Brothers ''The Trojan Brothers'' is a 1946 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Patricia Burke, David Farrar and Bobby Howes.Murphy p.522 It is an adaptation of the 1944 novel of the same title by Pamela Hansford Johnson. Sy ...

'' (1946) – as Benny Castelli * '' Bob's Your Uncle'' (1942) * ''Men With Whips'' (1939) * '' Yes, Madam?'' (1939) – as Bill Quinton * ''

Sweet Devil ''Sweet Devil'' is a 1938 British musical comedy film directed by René Guissart and starring Bobby Howes, Jean Gillie and William Kendall. It was made at Pinewood Studios.Wood p.97 Cast * Bobby Howes as Tony Brent * Jean Gillie as Jill Turne ...

'' (1938) – as Tony Brent * '' Please Teacher'' (1937) – as Tommy Deacon * ''

Over the Garden Wall ''Over the Garden Wall'' is an American animated television miniseries created by Patrick McHale for Cartoon Network. The series centers on two half-brothers who travel across a mysterious forest to find their way home, encountering a variety ...

'' (1934) – as Bunny * '' 42nd Street'' singing 'Shuffle off to Buffalo' with Ruby Keeler * '' For the Love of Mike'' (1932) – as Bobby Seymour * ''

Lord Babs ''Lord Babs'' is a 1932 British comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Bobby Howes, Jean Colin and Pat Paterson. It was based on the 1925 play of the same title by Keble Howard. It was once believed to be a lost film, but was redis ...

'' (1932) – as Lord Basil 'Babs' Drayford * '' Third Time Lucky'' (1931) – as Rev. Arthur Fear * '' The Guns of Loos'' (1928) – as Danny * ''On with the Dance'' (1927)

Television

* '' Douglas Fairbanks Presents'': "Point of View" – US airdate 14 May 1956 – episode 4.14 31– Filmed at the British National Studios, Elstree, England * ''Curtains For Harry'' (1955) – as Harry Bates – single episode show * ''Out of This World'' (1950) – Proposed series that had only one episode, 15 November 1950, Wed 8.30 pm * ''Such Is Life'' (1950) – played 'the little man struggling with his conscience' in this themed sketch series. 5 episodes, 30 mins each, 24 Apr-19 June 1950 – fortnightly Mon around 9 pm * '' Paging You'' (1946) – episode No. 4

Theatre

* '' Do Re Me'' (1961) – Prince of Wales Theatre, London – Opened 12 October 1961 * ''Finian's Rainbow'' (1961) – Blackpool Opera House, UK – March/April 1961 * '' Finian's Rainbow'' (1960) – Broadway – (revival performance) 23 May 1960 – 1 June 1960 * ''The Geese Are Getting Fat'' (1960) – Phoenix Theatre – 1960 * ''Finian's Rainbow'' (1958) – New Shakespeare Theatre, Liverpool – with

Shani Wallis Shani Wallis (born 14 April 1933) is a British actress and singer, who has worked in theatre, film, and television in both her native United Kingdom and in the United States. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she is perhaps best ...

* ''Hide and Seek'' (1958) – London Hippodrome – with Cicely Courtneidge * ''The Entertainer'' (1958) – Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House – July 1958 * ''Start From Scratch'' (1957) – Q Theatre, Kew (1956–1957 season) – with Glyn Dearman, Helen Christie; dir:Robert Henderson * ''Paint Your Wagon'' (1953) – at

Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Haymarket, London, Haymarket in the City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, ...

The Haymarket Haymarket is a street in the St James's area of the City of Westminster, London. It runs from Piccadilly Circus in the north to Pall Mall at the southern end. Located on the street are the Theatre Royal, Her Majesty's Theatre, New Zealand ...

– with daughter Sally Ann Howes – production ran for 18 months * '' Harvey'' (1950's?) – Streatham Hill Theatre – 1950's? * ''The Yellow Mask'' (1953) – His Majesty's Theatre * ''Roundabout'' (1949) – three weeks, with Pat Kirkwood * ''Four, Five, Six'' (1948) – with Binnie Hale * ''The Man in the Street'' (1947) – St. James Theatre, October 1947 * ''Here Come The Boys'' (1946) –

Saville Theatre ODEON Covent Garden is a four-screen cinema in the heart of London's West End. Formerly known as The Saville Theatre, a former West End theatre at 135 Shaftesbury Avenue in the London Borough of Camden. The theatre opened in 1931, and became a ...

Shaftesbury Avenue Shaftesbury Avenue is a major road in the West End of London, named after The 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. It runs north-easterly from Piccadilly Circus to New Oxford Street, crossing Charing Cross Road at Cambridge Circus. From Piccadilly C ...

– with

Jack Hulbert John Norman Hulbert (24 April 189225 March 1978) was a British actor, director, screenwriter and singer, specializing primarily in comedy productions, and often working alongside his wife (Dame) Cicely Courtneidge. Biography Born in Ely, Cam ...

* ''Cinderella'' (1944) (pantomime) – Winter Garden * '' By Jupiter'' (1944) – Palace Theatre, Manchester – show opened 25 July, closed quickly * '' Let's Face It!'' (Jerry Walker) – (1942) (musical) – London Hippodrome – show opened 19 November – 348 performances * ''Shepherd's Pie'' (1941) (musical) – Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House – April 1941, with Arthur Riscoe, Richard Hearne, Vera Pearce and

Raymond Newell Raymond is a male given name. It was borrowed into English from French (older French spellings were Reimund and Raimund, whereas the modern English and French spellings are identical). It originated as the Germanic ᚱᚨᚷᛁᚾᛗᚢᚾᛞ ( ...

* ''Halfway To Heaven'' (1940s) –

Shaftesbury Theatre The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden. Opened in 1911 as the New Prince's Theatre, it was the last theatre to be built in Shaftesbury Avenue. History The theatre was d ...

– A New Play by Harry Segall. With Bobby Howes, Bryan Matheson, J H Roberts, Maxwell Foster * ''Big Business'' (1940) – London Hippodrome * ''All Clea''r (1939) – Queen's Theatre, London, with Beatrice Lillie – revue that opened on 20 December 1939 * ''Bobby Get Your Gun'' (1938) – Adelphi Theatre – Opened 7 October 1938 * ''Hide and Seek'' (1937) – London Hippodrome – show opened 14 October – with Cicely Courtneidge * ''Please Teacher'' (1936) – London Hippodrome * ''Christmas Mails 100 Years Ago'' (1935) – a comedic philatelic play by Nevile Stocken * ''Yes Madam?'' (1934) – London Hippodrome – show opened 27 September – with Binnie Hale * ''

He Wanted Adventure ''He Wanted Adventure'' is a 1933 musical by R. P. Weston and Bert Lee. Music was written by Jack Waller and Joseph Tunbridge, with additional lyrics provided by Clifford Grey. It is based on Walter C. Hackett's 1921 hit play ''Ambrose Applejohn ...

'' (Bobby Bramstone) – Saville Theatre – 1933 * ''Tell Her The Truth'' (Bobbie) – Saville Theatre – show opened 14 June 1932, 234 performances * ''For The Love of Mike'' (1931) – Saville Theatre * ''The Song of the Drum'' (Chips) – Theatre Royal, Drury Lane – 1931 * '' Nippy'' (1930) – London Hippodrome – with Binnie Hale – 1930 * ''Sons O' Guns'' (1930) – London Hippodrome – show opened 26 June 1930. * ''Mr. Cinders'' (1930) – Streatham Hill Theatre – April 1930 * '' Mr. Cinders'' (1929) – Adelphi Theatre, London – 528 performances * ''Mr. Cinders'' (1928–1929) – London Hippodrome – with Binnie Hale, Ruth Maitland, Arthur Chesney * ''The Blue Train'' (1927) – Prince of Wales Theatre – 10 May 1927 * ''The Midnight Follies'' (bathing chorus) (1925) –

Metropole A metropole (from the Greek ''metropolis'' for "mother city") is the homeland, central territory or the state exercising power over a colonial empire. From the 19th century, the English term ''metropole'' was mainly used in the scope of ...

– with Enid Stamp-Taylor and Eddie Childs * ''Little Revues'' (1923–24) – West End * ''Seasoned To Taste'' (1919–1920) – a burlesque written by

Jack Hylton Jack Hylton (born John Greenhalgh Hilton; 2 July 1892 – 29 January 1965) was an English pianist, composer, band leader and impresario. Hylton rose to prominence during the British dance band era, being referred as the "British King of Jazz" ...

as a vehicle for Tommy Handley and Howes, which opened at the end of 1919 and ran until early 1920, at the

Metropolitan Metropolitan may refer to: * Metropolitan area, a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories * Metropolitan borough, a form of local government district in England * Metropolitan county, a typ ...

Edgware Road Edgware Road is a major road in London, England. The route originated as part of Roman roads in Britain, Roman Watling Street and, unusually in London, it runs for 10 miles in an almost perfectly straight line. Forming part of the modern A5 road ...

Other live performances

Royal Variety Command Performance The ''Royal Variety Performance'' is a televised variety show held annually in the United Kingdom to raise money for the Royal Variety Charity (of which King Charles III is life-patron). It is attended by senior members of the British royal ...

– 7 November 1955, Victoria Palace * A gala revue at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to promote National Savings – 17 October 1948. * R.A.F.A. Festival of Reunion – Sunday 22 September 1946 –

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

Discography

* ''Finian's Rainbow'' (1960) * ''Paint Your Wagon'' (1953) * ''She's My Lovely'' (1940s?) * ''Yes, Madam'' (1934) – with Binnie Hale * "I'm a One-man Girl" – with Binnie Hale, 78 from ''Mr. Cinders'' * ''The Blue Train'' (1927) * ''Rudolf Friml in London'' (1923–30) – Derek Oldham, Edith Day, Ethel Levey, Bobby Howes, Roy Royston, Dennis Kings, et al., from 78s.

Product endorsements

* ''Ardath Cigarette Cards'', No. 28 of 50. Issued by Ardath Tobacco Co. in England. * ''British Film Stars'' cigarette cards issued in England by W.A. & A.C. Churchman in 1934. He was card No. 14.

References

External links

*
BBC profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howes, Bobby 1895 births 1972 deaths English male film actors English male musical theatre actors People from Battersea 20th-century English male actors 20th-century English singers 20th-century British male singers