[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]
Arthur Bowden Askey was born in Liverpool, England on June 6, 1900. Askey was an English comedian and actor who was known for his short stature (5' 2") and distinctive horn-rimmed glasses, and his playful humor incorporating improvisation and catchphrases including "Hello playmates!", "I thank you" (pronounced "Ay-thang-yaw") and "Before your very eyes".
Askey achieved prominence in the 1930s in the BBC's first radio comedy series ‘Band Waggon’ and subsequently starred in several Gainsborough Pictures comedy films during the Second World War including “Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt” (1940) and “The Ghost Train” (1941). His novelty recordings for His Master's Voice include "The Bee Song" (1938), a lasting part of his act. From the 1950s, Askey was a prominent television presence and made regular appearances on the BBC's long-running music hall program ‘The Good Old Days’. Askey was made an OBE in 1969 and a CBE in 1981; he continued to appear frequently on television, radio and the stage until his death on November 16, 1982.
Askey was married to Elizabeth May Swash [1899-1974] and their daughter was actress Anthea Askey [1933-1999] who often appeared with her father on TV and films.
Arthur’s only Euro-western was in the 1956 British comedy western “Ramsbottom Rides Again”
ASKEY, Arthur (Arthur Bowden Askey)
[6/6/1900, Liverpool, England, U.K. – 11/16/1982, London, England, U.K.
(gangrene)] – writer, film, radio, TV actor, singer, married to Elizabeth May
Swash [1899-1974] (1925-1974) father of actress Anthea Askey (Anthea Shirley
Askey) [1933–1999], awarded CBE [1981].
Ramsbottom Rides Again – 1956 (Bill Ramsbottom)
If Ramsbottom were still alive today, he'd be well over 123 years old. Imagine that!
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