Jack Barty (born John Walter Bartholomew; 31 December 1888 – 25 November 1942) was an English

variety show Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a comp� ...

comedian and

film actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

. Born in

Wandsworth Wandsworth Town () is a district of south London, within the London Borough of Wandsworth southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. Toponymy Wandsworth takes its name ...

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, he made his first stage appearance as part of a

double act A double act (also known as a comedy duo) is a form of comedy originating in the British music hall tradition, and American vaudeville, in which two comedians perform together as a single act, often highlighting differences in their characters' ...

in 1907. After serving in the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, he resumed his career as a comic entertainer, billed as "The Burly Burlesquer". He became well known for his performances in the revue '' Our Liz'' in 1922, and at the end of its run toured in South Africa, Australia and the U.S.. He returned to

musical comedy Musical theatre is a form of theatre, theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, ...

in London in the early 1930s, and became an early member of the " Crazy Gang", with whom he appeared at the 1933

Royal Variety 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 ...

. He also had a successful film career in many British films during the 1930s. He was a prominent member of the

Grand Order of Water Rats The Grand Order of Water Rats is a British entertainment industry fraternity and charitable organisation based in London. Founded in 1889 by the music hall comedians Joe Elvin and Jack Lotto, the order is known for its high-profile membership an ...

. He died in

Streatham Streatham ( ) is a district in south London, England. Centred south of Charing Cross, it lies mostly within the London Borough of Lambeth, with some parts extending into the neighbouring London Borough of Wandsworth. Streatham was in Surrey ...

, London, in 1942, at the age of 53.

Partial filmography

* '' This Is the Life'' (1933) * ''

Oliver the Eighth ''Oliver The Eighth'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy horror short film, starring Laurel and Hardy. It was directed by Lloyd French, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by MGM. The film is primarily set in an opulent mansion. Ollie intend ...

'' (1934) * ''

My Song Goes Round the World ''My Song Goes Round the World'' is a 1934 British musical film directed by Richard Oswald and starring Joseph Schmidt, John Loder and Charlotte Ander. It was an English-language version of the 1933 German film '' A Song Goes Round the World'', ...

'' (1934) * ''

In Town Tonight ''In Town Tonight'' is a BBC radio programme that was broadcast on Saturday evening from 1933 to 1960 (except for a period of 26 weeks in 1937 when ''The BBC presents the ABC'' was broadcast instead). It was an early example of a chat show, o ...

'' (1935) * '' It's in the Bag'' (1936) * '' The Sea Fiend'' (1936) * '' All In'' (1936) * ''

Feather Your Nest ''Feather Your Nest'' is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring George Formby, Polly Ward and Enid Stamp-Taylor. It contains Formby's signature tune, Leaning on a Lamp-post. Plot A worker at a gramophon ...

'' (1937) * ''

Talking Feet ''Talking Feet'' is a 1937 British musical film directed by John Baxter and starring Hazel Ascot, Enid Stamp-Taylor and Jack Barty.It was written by Geoffrey Orme, Jack Francis and H. Fowler Mear. Plot Hazel, the daughter of an East L ...

'' (1937) * '' Stepping Toes'' (1938) * '' Take a Chance'' (1937) * '' What Would You Do, Chums?'' (1939) * '' Gaslight'' (1940) as Chairman of Music Hall

References

External links

* 1888 births 1942 deaths Male actors from London English male film actors 20th-century English male actors English male comedians Comedians from London {{England-film-actor-stub