Dickie Henderson
Encyclopedia
Dickie Henderson, OBE
(30 October 1922 – 22 September 1985) was a London
-born entertainer.
- 1958) was a music hall
comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice. He was well known for making the original British recording of the popular song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips
". His two daughters, "the Henderson Twins", were also performers in the style of the "Andrews Sisters".
Henderson was privately educated in both Hollywood, when his father was touring in vaudeville, and in Britain, at St. Joseph's College, Beulah Hill
, London.
in the Frank Lloyd
film version of Noel Coward
's play, Cavalcade (1933
).
He was also in the running for the part of David Copperfield in David Copperfield, but his father insisted that he decline the part and return to Britain, because he felt Hollywood was not the place for a young boy. He toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father.
Dickie Henderson served in the army during the Second World War
, before appearing in revues, pantomimes and occasional films after demobilisation. He began a successful television career in 1953, with Face the Music, followed by appearing in Before Your Very Eyes with Arthur Askey
. He compered Sunday Night at the London Palladium
.
He starred in his own show: The Dickie Henderson Half Hour in 1958 and afterwards hosted 84 episodes of The Dickie Henderson Show. In the sitcom, June Laverick
played his wife and John Parsons
their son. Lionel Murton
starred as Dickie's friend Jack and Danny Grover played Richard Jr. Stories included teaching his wife to drive only to be forced to undergo a retest at the end with a man he has run into a number of times as his tester. In another episode, he lectures Richard on jealousy and then an old flame of his wife's turns up. There was also singing and dancing in the shows. There were 5 shows in 1960, 23 in 1961, 12 in 1962, 22 in 1963, 10 in 1964 and 11 in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.
Other tv work included a series of A Present For Dickie, several spectaculars and a famous partnership with Bob Monkhouse
in I'm Bob, He's Dickie followed by I'm Dickie - That's Showbusiness. He went on to make many stage appearances including 20 months in Teahouse of the August Moon, followed by When in Rome, Stand by your Bedouin and And the bridge makes three. He also maded many working trips abroad to: USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Holland.
. He was a keen golfer and enjoyed most sports. He was a leading Water Rat
and was awarded the OBE, in recognition of his charitable work.
, whose act combined singing and acrobatics. They had a son Matthew and a daughter Linda. After the death of his first wife, he remarried, to Gwynneth Henderson.
Dickie Henderson died from cancer, on 22 September 1985, aged 62.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(30 October 1922 – 22 September 1985) was a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-born entertainer.
Early years
His father, Dick Henderson (1891, in Hull, YorkshireKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
- 1958) was a music hall
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 and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice. He was well known for making the original British recording of the popular song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
"Tiptoe Through the Tulips" is a popular song originally published in 1929. The song was written by Al Dubin and Joe Burke .‘Crooning Troubadour’ Nick Lucas’ recording of "Tip-Toe Through The Tulips" hit the top of the charts in May 1929. The song he introduced in the 1929 musical talkie Gold...
". His two daughters, "the Henderson Twins", were also performers in the style of the "Andrews Sisters".
Henderson was privately educated in both Hollywood, when his father was touring in vaudeville, and in Britain, at St. Joseph's College, Beulah Hill
Upper Norwood
Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. It is a residential district largely in the London Borough of Croydon although some parts extend into the London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Bromley. Upper Norwood...
, London.
Career
In America, Henderson broke into show-business, aged 10, when he was offered a role as the son of Clive Brook and Diana WynyardDiana Wynyard
Diana Wynyard, CBE , whose birth name was Dorothy Isobel Cox, was an English stage and film actress.-Life and career:...
in the Frank Lloyd
Frank Lloyd
Frank Lloyd was a film director, scriptwriter and producer...
film version of Noel Coward
Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
's play, Cavalcade (1933
1933 in film
-Events:* March 2 - King Kong premieres in New York City.* June 6 - The first drive-in theater opens, in Camden, New Jersey.* British Film Institute founded....
).
He was also in the running for the part of David Copperfield in David Copperfield, but his father insisted that he decline the part and return to Britain, because he felt Hollywood was not the place for a young boy. He toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father.
Dickie Henderson served in the army during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, before appearing in revues, pantomimes and occasional films after demobilisation. He began a successful television career in 1953, with Face the Music, followed by appearing in Before Your Very Eyes with Arthur Askey
Arthur Askey
Arthur Bowden Askey CBE was a prominent English comedian.- Life and career :Askey was born at 29 Moses Street, Liverpool, the eldest child and only son of Samuel Askey , secretary of the firm Sugar Products of Liverpool, and his wife, Betsy Bowden , of Knutsford, Cheshire...
. He compered Sunday Night at the London Palladium
Sunday Night at the London Palladium
Sunday Night at the London Palladium is a British television variety show produced by ATV for the ITV network, originally running from 1955 to 1967, with a brief revival in 1973 and 1974...
.
He starred in his own show: The Dickie Henderson Half Hour in 1958 and afterwards hosted 84 episodes of The Dickie Henderson Show. In the sitcom, June Laverick
June Laverick
June Laverick was an English film, television and stage actress.She was once described as "a popular lightweight leading actress of the day" and is probably best remembered as the wife of Dickie Henderson in The Dickie Henderson Show.- Personal :Before June was born her parents ran a public house...
played his wife and John Parsons
John Parsons
John Parsons may refer to:*John Parsons * John Parsons , Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University* John T...
their son. Lionel Murton
Lionel Murton
William Lionel Murton was a British-Canadian character actor. He most often played Americans/Canadians in numerous films and television series, from the late 1940s...
starred as Dickie's friend Jack and Danny Grover played Richard Jr. Stories included teaching his wife to drive only to be forced to undergo a retest at the end with a man he has run into a number of times as his tester. In another episode, he lectures Richard on jealousy and then an old flame of his wife's turns up. There was also singing and dancing in the shows. There were 5 shows in 1960, 23 in 1961, 12 in 1962, 22 in 1963, 10 in 1964 and 11 in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.
Other tv work included a series of A Present For Dickie, several spectaculars and a famous partnership with Bob Monkhouse
Bob Monkhouse
Robert Alan "Bob" Monkhouse, OBE was an English entertainer. He was a successful comedy writer, comedian and actor and was also well known on British television as a presenter and game show host...
in I'm Bob, He's Dickie followed by I'm Dickie - That's Showbusiness. He went on to make many stage appearances including 20 months in Teahouse of the August Moon, followed by When in Rome, Stand by your Bedouin and And the bridge makes three. He also maded many working trips abroad to: USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Holland.
Other
He appeared in eight Royal Command PerformancesRoyal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
. He was a keen golfer and enjoyed most sports. He was a leading Water Rat
Grand Order of Water Rats
The Grand Order of Water Rats is an entertainment industry charity, and brotherhood, based in London. The Water Rats were founded in 1889 by comedian Joe Elvin. The first King Rat, as the head of the charity is termed, was music hall singer Harry Freeman. Comedian Dan Leno joined in 1890 and was...
and was awarded the OBE, in recognition of his charitable work.
Family
He married Dixie Ross, a member of the three Ross SistersThe Ross Sisters
The Ross Sisters were a trio of female sibling singing dancers consisting of Aggie Ross, Elmira Ross, and Maggie Ross . The Ross Sisters performed as a 3-part harmony trio wherein they also danced and did acrobatics and contortionism...
, whose act combined singing and acrobatics. They had a son Matthew and a daughter Linda. After the death of his first wife, he remarried, to Gwynneth Henderson.
Dickie Henderson died from cancer, on 22 September 1985, aged 62.