George Stephenson "Onkus" Wallace (4 June 1895 – 19 October 1960), was an Australian comedian, actor,

vaudevillian Vaudeville (; ) is a theatre, theatrical genre of variety show, variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comic ...

and radio personality. During the early to mid-20th century, he was one of the most famous and successful Australian comedians on both stage and screen, with screen, song and revue sketch writing amongst his repertoire. Wallace was a small tubby man with goggle eyes, a mobile face and croaky voice who appeared in trademark baggy trousers, checkered shirt and felt hat. His career as one of Australia's most popular comedians spanned four decades from the 1920s to 1960 and encompassed stage, radio and film entertainment.

Ken G. Hall Kenneth George Hall (22 February 1901 – 8 February 1994) was an Australian film producer and director, considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian film industry. He was the first Australian to win an Acad ...

, who directed him in two films, wrote in his autobiography that George Wallace was the finest Australian comedian he had known.

Early and personal life

George Stephenson Wallace was born in

Aberdeen, New South Wales Aberdeen is a small town in the upper Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, in Upper Hunter Shire. It is 12 kilometres north of Muswellbrook on the New England Highway. History In 1828 Thomas Potter McQueen was granted 10,000 acres, and n ...

to George Stevenson "Broncho" Wallace, a painter, and Catherine Mary Ann, née Scott. His father toured in minstrel shows, and George junior appeared at age three in a Sydney pantomime. He was in his parents' song-and-dance act until they divorced. He later busked in

Pyrmont, New South Wales Pyrmont () is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 2 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district in the Local government in Australia, local government area of the City of Sydney. It is al ...

waterfront, worked in his stepfather's ink factory, and was a farm-hand and canecutter in

North Queensland North Queensland or the Northern Region is the northern part of the Australian state of Queensland that lies just south of Far North Queensland. Queensland is a massive state, larger than many countries, and its Tropical North Queensland, trop ...

. He then joined a road show at age sixteen. Wallace married Margarita Edith Emma Nicholas on 3 January 1917 and moved to Sydney in 1918. Wallace worked at Newtown Bridge Theatre for £4 a week. Wallace used his wife in his act. Their two-year-old son join them in acrobatic poses. His parents separated in 1924.

Professional career

In the 1919 he formed a double act with Jack 'Dinks' Patterson as "Dinks and Onkus" (The Two Drunks), created in the style of Stiffy and Mo The pair danced and sang, and for someone who looked like a

wharfie A dockworker (also called a longshoreman, stevedore, docker, wharfman, lumper or wharfie) is a Dock (maritime), waterfront manual laborer who loads and unloads ships. As a result of the Intermodal container, intermodal shipping container revolu ...

(with his barrel chest and short legs) Wallace was surprisingly acrobatic and light on his feet, and the public loved him for his

slapstick Slapstick is a style of humor involving exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy. Slapstick may involve both intentional violence and violence by mishap, often resulting from inept use of props such as ...

style and

everyman The everyman is a stock character of fiction. An ordinary and humble character, the everyman is generally a protagonist whose benign conduct fosters the audience's identification with them. Origin and history The term ''everyman'' was used ...

appeal. Turning solo, Wallace was soon snapped up by the Fuller circuit in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

and from there he moved to the Tivoli Theatre circuit. At Tivoli, he was teamed up with British actress, Jenny Howard. By the 1920s, he was considered to be one of the "Big Three" most popular performers in Australian comedy. He wrote all of his own scripts and in 1942 penned a song that was to become a

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

standard, "A Brown Slouch Hat with The Side Turned Up". The 1930s saw George turn his talents to film. He starred in five films, all comedies and was the biggest, if not the biggest, Australian star. Three of these, ''

His Royal Highness Royal Highness is a style (manner of address), style used to address or refer to some members of royal families, usually princes or princesses. Kings and their female Queen consort, consorts, as well as queens regnant, are usually styled ''Maje ...

'' (1932), '' Harmony Row'' (1933) and '' A Ticket in Tatts'' (1934), were directed by F. W. Thring for Thring's company, Efftee Film Productions. Wallace was under contract to Efftee during this time for an estimated £3000 – £5000 per year, during which he also made stage appearances for the company."Counting the Cash in Australian Films"', ''Everyones'' 12 December 1934 p 19-21 He said in 1933 that he turned down an offer from Universal to film in the US. The other two, '' Let George Do It'' (1938) and '' Gone to the Dogs'' (1939), were directed by

for

Cinesound Productions Cinesound Productions Pty Ltd was an Australian feature film production company. Established in June 1931, Cinesound developed out of a group of companies centred on Greater Union, Greater Union Theatres that covered all facets of the film proc ...

. Wallace's contributions to these films extended beyond his performances. He developed the concepts for ''His Royal Highness'', ''Harmony Row'' and ''A Ticket in Tatts'' by drawing on his stage revues, and co-wrote ''Let George Do It'' and ''Gone to the Dogs''. Wallace's other film work included a 1932 short film, "

Oh! What a Night! ''Oh! What a Night!'' is a 1932 Australian short film written by and starring George Wallace George Corley Wallace Jr. (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician who was the 45th and longest-serving governor of Ala ...

", which he is said to have directed unofficially. In later years, he was seen in supporting roles in two dramatic films, ''

The Rats of Tobruk The Rats of Tobruk were soldiers of the Australian-led Allied garrison, as well as the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade that held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps, during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. The si ...

'' (Charles Chauvel, 1944, Australia) and ''

Wherever She Goes ''Wherever She Goes'' is a 1951 Australian feature film that tells the early part of the life story of pianist Eileen Joyce. Directed by Michael Gordon, it stars Suzanne Parrett, Eileen Joyce, Nigel Lovell and Muriel Steinbeck. Synopsis Eileen ...

'' (Michael Gordon, 1953, USA/Australia).

Films

The five feature films Wallace starred in are among the few surviving examples of his work. As the most sustained series of Australian comedian comedies produced before World War II, these films provide some support for the claim that George Wallace is Australia's equivalent of

Charles Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered ...

. In his physical presentation as well as his performance style, George Wallace differed from international stars of slapstick comedy. For instance, his clothing and speech allude to an Australian working-class type and contrast with

's mock-dapper Tramp persona. The fact that Wallace's performances combine tap-dancing with pratfalls makes him unusual among film comedians anywhere. Moreover, Wallace's films prefigure developments in

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...

comedy. An example is the fictional country of Betonia in ''His Royal Highness'', which predates satirical depictions of fictional nations in such celebrated films as The

Marx Brothers The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act known for their anarchic humor, rapid-fire wordplay, and visual gags. They achieved success in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 14 motion pictures. The core group consisted of brothers Chi ...

' '' Duck Soup'' (1933) and

's ''

The Great Dictator ''The Great Dictator'' is a 1940 American political satire black comedy film written, directed, produced by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. Having been the only Hollywood filmmaker to continue to make silent films well into the period of sound f ...

'' (1940). Other aspects of Wallace's films that are relatively unusual for the period are the comedic treatment of haunted houses in ''Harmony Row'' and ''Gone to the Dogs'' and scientific experimentation in ''Gone to the Dogs'', which emphasize the resourcefulness of Australian filmmaking in the face of

's international dominance. George Wallace's transition from stage to screen parallels the career progressions of many internationally famous vaudeville performers in a period when movies' popularity was eclipsing live theatre. However, the financially struggling Australian film industry of the 1920s and 1930s provided fewer opportunities than

did. Although Wallace continued to work after World War II, with a successful career in radio and on stage as well as occasional film roles, his film career never returned to its 1930s peak. This was undoubtedly influenced by factors outside his control, such as F. W. Thring's death in 1936 and

' decision to cease feature film production in 1940. Indeed, the films that Wallace stars in defy the fact that the Australian film industry was already struggling to survive. These films continue to be a high point of Australian screen comedy.

Legacy and influence

The films Wallace made with F. W. Thring influenced subsequent Australian comedians who successfully made the transition from stage to television and then film, such as

Barry Humphries John Barry Humphries (17 February 1934 – 22 April 2023) was an Australian comedian, actor, author and satirist. He was best known for writing and playing his stage and television characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. He appeare ...

Paul Hogan Paul Hogan (born 8 October 1939) is an Australian actor and comedian. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance as ...

and the ''

Frontline (Australian TV series) Front line refers to the forward-most forces on a battlefield. Front line, front lines or variants may also refer to: Books and publications * Front Lines (novel), ''Front Lines'' (novel), young adult historical novel by American author Michael G ...

'' team. Unlike many Australian comedies made before World War II, Wallace's films do not celebrate the bush as "the essence of Australianness". Instead, these films are significant for reflecting Australian comedy's movement away from the bush to emphasise urban settings, which would become more prevalent in later Australian comedy. However, the full significance of Wallace's films in relation to later Australian screen comedy is perhaps yet to be understood. His career as one of Australia's most popular comedians spanned four decades from the 1920s to 1960 and encompassed stage, radio and film entertainment.

, who directed him in two films, wrote in his autobiography that George Wallace was the finest Australian comedian he had known. In recent decades, George Wallace has been the subject of a documentary film, ''Funny By George: The George Wallace Story'' and a stage show about his life, ''Falling On My Left Ear: A Show About George Wallace''. Wallace died of chronic bronchitis and emphysema at his home in

Kensington, New South Wales Kensington is a suburb in the Eastern Suburbs (Sydney), eastern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located four kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district, in the Local government in Australia, local governm ...

. George Wallace had one child,

George Leonard Wallace George Leonard Wallace known as George Wallace Jnr (16 May 1918 – 30 September 1968), was an Australian comedian, vaudeville, vaudevillian, and television personality. The son of George Wallace (Australian comedian), George Stephenson Walla ...

(George Wallace Jnr.), who became a famous comedian in his own right. He had considerable success on television in the late 1950s, and 1960s winning Logie Awards in 1962 and 1963. George Wallace Jnr's television show, '' Theatre Royal'', which originated in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...

, won six

Logie Award The TV Week Logie Awards (known colloquially as The Logies) is an annual ceremony celebrating and honouring the best shows and stars in Television in Australia, Australian television, sponsored and organised by the magazine ''TV Week''. The eve ...

s from 1962 to 1967.Raymond Evans, 'Wallace, George Leonard (1918–1968)', ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Volume 16, Melbourne University Press, 2002, pp 470-471

/ref>

Filmography

Unmade films

* ''Ginger Murdoch'' (1930s) *''A Sweepin in the Deep'' *''Collits Inn''

Select theatre credits

* ''A Fireman's Troubles'' (1919) – Sydney * Act with Jack Paterson, Dinks and Onkus (circa 1919–23) – Harry Clay Sydney suburban circuit * ''Mulligan's Mixup'' (1921) – revusical * ''Two Days Out'' (1921) – revusial * ''In a Ballroom'' (1922) – revusical * ''Over the Hills, Tally Ho'' (1922) – revusical * Fullers Theatres New Zealand tour (1924) * George Wallace Revue Company (1924–30) – revue – various * ''A Dancing Delirium'' (1924) – revusical * ''Some Night'' (1924) – revusical * ''Alpine Antics'' (1924) – revusical * ''The Pickled Porter'' (1924) – revusical * ''Off Honolulu'' (1924) – revusical * ''Harmony Row'' (1924) – revusical * ''The Oojah Bird'' (1924) – revusical * ''At the Cross Roads'' (1924) – revusical * ''Lads of the Village'' (1924) – revusical * ''Midnight Revels'' (1924) – revusical * ''Dangerous Dan'' (1925) – revusical * ''Athletic Frolics'' (1925) – revusical * ''Money and Matrimony'' (1925) – revusical * ''The Sparklers'' (1925) – revusical * ''Rising Tides'' (1926) – revusical * ''Night Lights'' (1926) – revusical * ''Happy Moments'' (1926) – revusical * ''Scrambled Fun'' (1926) – revusical * ''His Royal Highness'' (1927) – revusical * ''Married Bliss-ters'' (1928) – revusical * ''Bald Heads'' (1928) – revusical * ''Me and My Girl'' (1929) – revusical * ''S.S. Sunshine'' (1929) – revusical * ''Cinderella'' (1931) – Melbourne * Frank Neil Musical Comedy Revue (1932) – Brisbane * ''

Collits' Inn Collits' Inn is a heritage-listed former inn and now functions, accommodation and restaurant at Hartley Vale Road, Hartley Vale in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Pierce Collits and built in 1823. It ...

'' (1933–34) – musical – Melbourne, Sydney * ''Oh What a Night'' (1933) – revusical * '' The Beloved Vagabond'' (1934) – Melbourne, Sydney * ''Business as Usual'' (1939) – revue – Tivoli Circuit * ''The Crazy Show'' (1940) – revue * ''Beauty on Parade'' (1945) – revue – Melbourne * ''Gay Fiesta''/''Mother Goose'' (1951) – Adelaide * ''Thanks for the Memory'' (1953–56) – revue – Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide * ''A Night of Pink Champagne'' (1954) – revue – Melbourne * ''The George Wallace Show'' (1955) – revue – Broken Hill * ''Pin Up Parade'' (1955) – revue * ''The Good Old Days'' (1956–57) – revue – started Sydney then toured to Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and throughout New Zealand, then returning to Sydney

Radio

* ''The George Wallace Programme'' (1942) * ''Trial by Music'' (1948) * ''George Wallace's Barn Dance'' (1949) * ''The George Wallace Road Show'' (1949–50) * ''The George Wallace Show'' (1950–53)

References

;Other references * Bertrand, Ina. ''Australian Film Studies: Efftee Productions'', La Trobe University Centre for the Study of Educational Communication and Media, Bundoora, 1977. . * Bridges, Nancye. ''Curtain Call.'' Cassell. * ''Funny By George: The George Wallace Story'', Director Don Percy, Writing Credits Jim Murphy, Australia 1999. * Pike, Andrew, and Ross Cooper. ''Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production''. Oxford University Press and Australian Film Institute, Melbourne, 1980. .

External links

*
George Wallace
Biography at the ''Australian Variety Theatre Archive''.
George Wallace
Portrait, screenography and film extracts at ''

Australian Screen Online The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), known as ScreenSound Australia from 1999 to 2004, is Australia's audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting, and providing access to a national c ...

''.
George Wallace
. Portrait at ''Live Performance'' Australia Hall of Fame.
George Wallace
Theatre credits at ''

AusStage AusStage: The Australian Live Performance Database is an online database which records information about live performances in Australia, providing records of productions from the first recorded performance in Australia (1789, by convicts) up unt ...

''.
George Wallace
Collection listing at the ''

National Film and Sound Archive The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), known as ScreenSound Australia from 1999 to 2004, is Australia's audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting, and providing access to a national c ...

''.
Performers: George Wallace
Portrait at ''Laughterlog''. Includes extensive radio and film lists.
Wallace, George Stephenson
Biography at '' AustLit: The Australian Literature Resource''.
Wallace, George Stephenson (1895–1960)
Biography at ''

Australian Dictionary of Biography The ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'' (ADB or AuDB) is a national co-operative enterprise founded and maintained by the Australian National University (ANU) to produce authoritative biographical articles on eminent people in Australia's ...

'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Wallace, George 1895 births 1960 deaths Australian male comedians People from New South Wales Australian film studio executives 20th-century Australian comedians