Dave Morris (comedian)
Encyclopedia
Dave Morris was a music hall
comedian who made a successful transition to radio and television. He was born on 5 July 1896, son of Samuel Morris and Lily Reubens. Samuel, a tailor, lived at 110 Wilson Street, Middlesbrough
.
His first stage appearance was on 10 December 1908 at the Oxford Playhouse, Middlesbrough and his first London appearance in 1913 at the London Shoreditch
. He started with a juvenile troupe, then as a black-face comic. In 1937 he began a nine-year run of summer seasons at Blackpool's North Pier
, by now working as a northern comic in his famous straw hat and very thick glasses. He had extremely bad eyesight as a result of having been gassed in the trenches in World War I and thus was not conscripted for the Second World War. After nine years, he refused to go on playing matinees and transferred to a long run at the Blackpool Palace for George and Alfred Black. He worked as a sketch comic also doing some stand-up material. In 1950 Joe Gladwin
joined him as a 'feed' and stayed with him for twelve years.
In 1948, he toured with 'Paradise on Parade' after a summer season at the South Pier, Blackpool
. In January 1950, he was resident comedian of the BBC North Country variety feature, 'Variety Fanfare.'
The radio series Club Night was launched in the BBC Home Service
north region on 7 November 1950 where it ran for 52 editions until 6 June 1955. The programme was set in a fictitious working men's club 'oop north.' With his trademark cigar, straw hat and glasses, Dave Morris was the somewhat loudmouthed 'know all' club treasurer, ably assisted by comedy actor Joe Gladwin as Cedric and by Liverpool
comedian Fred Ferris as 'The Wacker' whose primary ambition seemed to be to scrounge a drink.
He moved to television for six programmes of the sitcom The Artful Dodger
from 28 September to 2 November 1959. The show was based on Club Night and used the character he developed there. It also featured Joe Gladwin as his comic foil.
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
comedian who made a successful transition to radio and television. He was born on 5 July 1896, son of Samuel Morris and Lily Reubens. Samuel, a tailor, lived at 110 Wilson Street, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
.
His first stage appearance was on 10 December 1908 at the Oxford Playhouse, Middlesbrough and his first London appearance in 1913 at the London Shoreditch
Shoreditch
Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney in England. It is a built-up part of the inner city immediately to the north of the City of London, located east-northeast of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
. He started with a juvenile troupe, then as a black-face comic. In 1937 he began a nine-year run of summer seasons at Blackpool's North Pier
North Pier, Blackpool
North Pier is the oldest and largest of the three coastal piers in Blackpool, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building.-Location:...
, by now working as a northern comic in his famous straw hat and very thick glasses. He had extremely bad eyesight as a result of having been gassed in the trenches in World War I and thus was not conscripted for the Second World War. After nine years, he refused to go on playing matinees and transferred to a long run at the Blackpool Palace for George and Alfred Black. He worked as a sketch comic also doing some stand-up material. In 1950 Joe Gladwin
Joe Gladwin
Joe Gladwin was a British actor born in the Ordsall district of Salford, Lancashire. He was baptised at Mount Carmel RC Church, Ordsall and educated at the parish school...
joined him as a 'feed' and stayed with him for twelve years.
In 1948, he toured with 'Paradise on Parade' after a summer season at the South Pier, Blackpool
South Pier, Blackpool
South Pier is one of three piers in Blackpool, England. Located on South Promenade in the South Shore area of the town, the pier contains a number of amusement and adrenalin rides. It opens each year from March to November and is owned by Six Piers Limited.-Construction and opening:The Blackpool...
. In January 1950, he was resident comedian of the BBC North Country variety feature, 'Variety Fanfare.'
The radio series Club Night was launched in the BBC Home Service
BBC Home Service
The BBC Home Service was a British national radio station which broadcast from 1939 until 1967.-Development:Between the 1920s and the outbreak of The Second World War, the BBC had developed two nationwide radio services, the BBC National Programme and the BBC Regional Programme...
north region on 7 November 1950 where it ran for 52 editions until 6 June 1955. The programme was set in a fictitious working men's club 'oop north.' With his trademark cigar, straw hat and glasses, Dave Morris was the somewhat loudmouthed 'know all' club treasurer, ably assisted by comedy actor Joe Gladwin as Cedric and by Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
comedian Fred Ferris as 'The Wacker' whose primary ambition seemed to be to scrounge a drink.
He moved to television for six programmes of the sitcom The Artful Dodger
The Artful Dodger (TV series)
The Artful Dodger was a short-lived black-and-white British sitcom starring Dave Morris and Gretchen Franklin. It ran for one series in 1959...
from 28 September to 2 November 1959. The show was based on Club Night and used the character he developed there. It also featured Joe Gladwin as his comic foil.