Bobby Howes

Bobby Howes (4 August 1895 – 27 April 1972) was a British entertainer who was a leading musical comedy performer in London's West End theatres in the 1930s and 1940s.[1][2]

Bobby Howes
Born
Charles Robert William Howes

(1895-08-04)4 August 1895
Battersea, Surrey, England
Died27 April 1972(1972-04-27) (aged 76)
London, England
Occupationactor
SpousePatricia Malone (?–1971) (her death) 2 Children

Biography

Born in Battersea, Surrey, his parents were Robert William Howes and Rose Marie Butler. He started his career in revues, but his career was interrupted for the First World War where he soldiered on the Western Front. He suffered a German mustard gas attack but recovered and returned to the stage. He gained a career break-through with the role-reversal comedy Mr. Cinders, based on the Cinderella pantomime, also featuring Binnie Hale, with whom he appeared on many occasions subsequently.[3] He reprised his title role in Mr. Cinders in several different productions.

In the 1930s, he was with Van Phillips' Four Bright Sparks whose vocalists included Billy Milton. [4] Four Bright Sparks recorded at least 60 sides. He was a leading musical comedy performer on the West End in the 1930s and 1940s.[5]

He continued onstage, including Broadway, and in films until he retired in the late 1960s. One of his most acclaimed roles was as the eponymous lead in Finian's Rainbow when it was revived on Broadway in 1960.[6]

He was the father of actress/singer Sally Ann Howes and of Peter Howes, by his marriage to Patricia Malone.[7] He died on 27 April 1972, aged 76, in London, England.[1]

Filmography

Television

  • Douglas Fairbanks Presents: "Point of View" – US airdate 14 May 1956 – episode 4.14[131] – Filmed at the British National Studios, Elstree, England
  • Curtains For Harry (1955) – as Harry Bates – single episode show
  • Out of This World (1950) – Proposed series that had only one episode, 15 November 1950, Wed 8.30 pm
  • Such Is Life (1950) – played 'the little man struggling with his conscience' in this themed sketch series. 5 episodes, 30 mins each, 24 Apr-19 June 1950 – fortnightly Mon around 9 pm
  • Paging You (1946) – episode No. 4

Theatre

Other live performances

Discography

  • Finian's Rainbow (1960)
  • Paint Your Wagon (1953)
  • She's My Lovely (1940s?)
  • Yes, Madam (1934) – with Binnie Hale
  • "I'm a One-man Girl" – with Binnie Hale, 78 from Mr. Cinders
  • The Blue Train (1927)
  • Rudolf Friml in London (1923–30) – Derek Oldham, Edith Day, Ethel Levey, Bobby Howes, Roy Royston, Dennis Kings, et al., from 78s.

Product endorsements

  • Ardath Cigarette Cards, No. 28 of 50. Issued by Ardath Tobacco Co. in England.
  • British Film Stars cigarette cards issued in England by W.A. & A.C. Churchman in 1934. He was card No. 14.

References

  1. "Bobby Howes". 2.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. McFarlane, Brian (2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Manchester University Press. p. 1988. ISBN 978-1-5261-1196-8.
  3. "Production of Mr Cinders – Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  4. Rayno, Don (2012). Paul Whiteman: Pioneer in American Music, 1930–1967. Scarecrow Press. p. 382. ISBN 978-0-8108-8322-2.
  5. "Bobby Howes – Biography & History". AllMusic.
  6. League, The Broadway. "Bobby Howes – Broadway Cast & Staff – IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  7. "Sally Ann Howes". Masterworksbroadway.com. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
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