Joff Ellen
Encyclopedia
Joff Ellen (real name Raymond Charles Ellen) was an Australian entertainer, actor and comedian.
During World War II
he performed vaudeville
acts to the troops and after the war did comedy shows on Melbourne radio station 3XY. He was famous for his appearances on the television show In Melbourne Tonight
from 1958 to 1974 employing a variety mix of song-and-dance, comedy sketches and other vaudevillean skills.
Joff Ellen also appeared in various children's television shows as the character Joffa Boy, particularly The Tarax Show, wearing "Bombay Bloomers" with large suspenders that he would manipulate for effect. He would greet the audience with "Howdy Doody, boys and girls!", and they would respond "Howdy Doody, Joffa Boy!". The theme song for the character was :
He also played the role of "Conkers" in the school comedy series Take That for Crawford Productions. His only known film role was in Nightclub (1952), one of only a handful of films made in Melbourne
in that decade, where he appeared with the artist and actor Valma Howell
whom he had briefly married and later divorced.
He retired in 1976 and lived in Warragul, Victoria
with his second wife, Bernadette. The couple were married for 54 years.
During World War II
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...
he performed vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
acts to the troops and after the war did comedy shows on Melbourne radio station 3XY. He was famous for his appearances on the television show In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight
In Melbourne Tonight, also known as "IMT", was a highly popular nightly variety television show produced at GTV-9 Melbourne from 6 May 1957 to 1970....
from 1958 to 1974 employing a variety mix of song-and-dance, comedy sketches and other vaudevillean skills.
Joff Ellen also appeared in various children's television shows as the character Joffa Boy, particularly The Tarax Show, wearing "Bombay Bloomers" with large suspenders that he would manipulate for effect. He would greet the audience with "Howdy Doody, boys and girls!", and they would respond "Howdy Doody, Joffa Boy!". The theme song for the character was :
"Who's that peeping round the corner?
Not Jack Spratt or Little Johnny Horner.
Who's that chap who always has a grin ?
Joffa Boy, Joffa Boy, please come in !"
He also played the role of "Conkers" in the school comedy series Take That for Crawford Productions. His only known film role was in Nightclub (1952), one of only a handful of films made in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in that decade, where he appeared with the artist and actor Valma Howell
Valma Howell
Valma Ondine Howell , was an Australian artist of pastoral watercolours of western Victoria and actor.-Early years:Valma Ondine Howell was born in Beaufort, where she was to spend most of her life...
whom he had briefly married and later divorced.
He retired in 1976 and lived in Warragul, Victoria
Warragul, Victoria
Warragul is a rural centre with a population of 12,943 people east-southeast of Melbourne in Victoria. Warragul lies between the Strzelecki Ranges to the south and the Mount Baw Baw Plateau of the Great Dividing Range to the north...
with his second wife, Bernadette. The couple were married for 54 years.