Here are some nice period photos for you, and a little challenge. 🙂
While looking on Trove for white ties (as per the one which was famously in the Somerton Man’s suitcase), I stumbled upon the Sam Hood Photographic Collection II’s Theatrical subsection, which contained this intriguing white-tied image (“308. Smoker with violin case”):
There was no further identification or markings on the photograph or in the NSW catalogue, so just for fun I trawled through the rest of the 275 photos in the set to see if the white-tied guy turned up again. I’m pretty sure I found him (right of centre) in “137. Chorus with comics”:
…and in “169. Child Performers” (as the front half of a pantomime cow, possibly with the same guy who was on the stone stairs with him above):
The catalogue notes say that 137-138 show the “male comic, Alfred Frith” (1885-1941, and whose stage credits are listed here). Here’s what Alfred Frith looked like in 1933:
So it’s safe to say that our Formbyesque Alfred Frith is definitely in “294. Comic arrives, Central Station”, mugging away for the ‘Hood:
And also in “295. Comic arrives, Central Station”, with his same precious golf clubs:
Oh, and it’s definitely sure it’s Alfred Frith in “138. Chorus with comics”:
But your challenge is: can you identify the comic actor with the violin case?
…who was surely the same comic photographed with Alfred Frith (if you don’t believe me, check out the handkerchief in his top pocket):
(PS: please don’t tell me he’s a Russian spy called Pavel, *sigh*.)
I’ll take a rough punt and put forward one of the three Sisserman (Ivanoff) brothers Mischa, Greg or Dave who migrated to Sydney in the 20s as adults, all being pretty handy with the fiddle. Greg married into the Edgley entrepreneurial entertainment family, who with W.C. Williamson Co. and Tivoli curcuit promotions were kings of the live Vaudville theatre. I can’t find clear images for comparison bar the fiddle case which is a perfect match, but I don’t think any of the lads were very tall which may helps
I don’t know who the actor is, but he’s a good choice to play the part of Machine Gun Kelly.
No problem … that’s the bloke who booked into the Stratham Hotel in Adelaide in November 1948 with a violin case as his only luggage. The same fellow who sat around in the lobby for a few days, chatting with Ina Harvey the receptionist. Never took a drink. Spoke passable English. A bit on the tense side.
And if you think there’s a violin in there, think again. Ina sent a man up into his room for a quick squiz and found a hypodermic needle in the case.
Word is that he was the one who poisoned the Somerton Man by slipping a shot of something pretty deadly in between the knuckles of his right hand, but you never heard that from me.
Looks a bit like a young George Burns.
There’s a number of likely candidates who played with Frith in Nellie Bramley productions at this time rather frequently. Russell Chapman, William Mcgowan. I also like the idea of it being Buddy Whelan, a nickname often given to musicians at the time. It’s difficult as there seems little information about the three men. Maybe the key is Nellie Bramley. It was here production team Frith was involves with for a number of years and she was his manager. A relative (grandson?) was posting her achievements and bio on Facebook in a 2013 post, so he could be able to identify easily. Just Google her name and scroll to find him.
Roblaw: I’ve found him (thanks!) and will drop him a line. But I suspect the best route will be if I can find an Australian theatre / musical theatre historian with an interest in the 1930s.
Irrespective of who wins Nick’s ID quiz, the very idea behind it seems to be a mute point; namely in that the Keane tie has been variously described as khaki, biege, fawn, light brown tones and several shades of off white. As for the black backing folder with the supposed masonic sign of the suitcase contents photograph, my thoughts are otherwise. The triangular piece of which the base line is not centred by my rough calculations, suggesting it’s more likely part of alternate theme such as ‘Adelaide Station Cloakroom Ledger’ concealed beneath the carefully laid tie folds.
John Sanders: it’s not a quiz if I don’t know the answer. 🙂
I agree with JS it’s not the same tie (this one looks like silk or some light material, rather than wool or whatever the heavier material on the Keane one is), however all of that aside, a glance at the first picture is certainly an interesting likeness. But the more I look at it, the less convinced I become.
But while we’re on the tie….
I think the “Keane” tie is military (or at least uniform rather than social) – as I think has been discussed before, largely because of the ‘A’ (official records seem to have very flat rather than triangular ‘A’s and although there’s a little too much curve on the KEANE one for my liking, it’s more flat than it is sharp….) . I also remain unconvinced the last ‘E’ is an ‘E’ (I can see why it was suggested to be ‘IC’, but I’m not certain on that either.
The ‘K’ to me looks more like an ‘R’ with the top bit missing, and I can’t help but wonder whether the ‘T’ is actually a ‘7’.
I thought I could find some references in trove for a surname Rean/Reanie/Reanic, but most of them seem to be OCR issues (Rennie seems to convert to Reanic a bit).
There is a Sally Rean in the Advertiser in 1945 (released from a Japanese POW camp after 3 years, or something) – and there’s a horse “Rean Gold” at Morphetville Races – (race = Dover Hurdle). Of passing interest is that there’s also a race called St Leonard’s Handicap the same day….but that’s in 1941 so probably a bit early to be interesting anyways.
Also stumbled across a larrikin John Lawrence KEAN (who I thought had been mentioned here bfore, but couldn’t immediately find a reference) who was arrested in 1945 in North Adelaide for impersonating a copper (and trying to steal grog). Presumably this is JL KEAN born 1904. He claimed it was all a practical joke (but admitted to 3 having prior convictions)
Ok, not certain, but I think that photo post-dates SM by about a year.
Photos 188-191 are from G&S “Ruggidore”
Based on trove (path: work/235941643) I’m thinking that would be Oct 5 1949
But perhaps linking the first point to the second above is a large leap….
oops – sorry, that was a very big leap.
Ruddigore was first performed in Australia at the Theatre Royal in 1927…
My bad.
You might find this uhm….interesting.
In the same article they talk about a season of the Ruddigore (and Alfred Frith) they also talk about the Rubaiyat being set to music. It talks about it being a 3 part performance, with only part 1 having been heard in Australia (but a push to bring the other parts over soon)
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28036605
Rupert Hazell was a very funny comedian and violinist in the stand-up Jack Benny mould; though he could actually play well accompanying top singers of the day and his white tie was his trademark calling. This can be attested to by Utube segments from the 30’s. He certainly does not resemble Alf Frith’s mate but he to billed in Australia & NZ for the same company J.C. Williamson in the same pre war era….I’m done with this one Nick; thanks for the break from usual SM inquiries.
Well Nick, the last time I saw a shot as long as this was when Sherlock Holmes realized a body had fell from the roof of a carriage.
I would be amazing if the mistery were solved following the white tie lead.
Regarding this unknown man, and beyond the general resemblance to the SM, it is of note the ear peculiarities (more clearly visible in the front shot). I would venture this guy, if not the SM himself, was a close relative. I guess it would be advisable to have the ear compared by an expert.
SVanHutten: if it’s ok with you, I’d rather identify this particular white-tie guy before I go out and buy myself a celebratory deerstalker hat. 🙂
Quick update: after some time dredging the dramatic depths of pre-war musical comedies in Melbourne, J.C.Williamson’s Melbourne production of “Anything Goes”, which opened on 11th April 1936 with machine guns concealed in (yes) violin cases, jumped out at me as the musical comedy that best fits.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a positive id on our white-tied gangster actor, however hard I tried (perhaps he was an understudy or a late run stand-in?). But here are some nice illustrated articles you might like:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230084079
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/152064299
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/97962746
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17324768
This website might help : HAT-History of Australian Theatre
http://www.hat-archive.com/
It contains photos and mini-bios of Australian theatre stars from the early 20th century. Good luck
Nick: Surely it can’t be the grand old silent hollywood silent star Harry Langdon who spent six months doing ‘anything goes’ on stage for JCW in 1936 and fits your last info line. He was not a big man, had a small mouth and a round sad face as per the original shot with Alf Frith and apparently he had had a rough time at sea on the way to Oz so may not have looked his best on arrival in Sydney. Compare the facial measurements using an obstetric pelvimiter or similar tool and see if it works out is my best offer.
Nick, Frith only has listing upto 1935 listed on the previous database you credited though.
Roblaw: theatrical performance databases are incomplete and frequently omit cast members, so it pays to be quite careful when dealing with them.
But the good news is that our mystery man has now been identified, and I’ll be writing up a follow-on blog post once all the research dust has settled. 🙂
I haven’t had a look yet, but I’ve been pointed to theatreheritage org au as a place that might be interesting poking around….
The man with the white tie in the photograph is Hector St. Clair, a comic instrumentalist, famous for his comedic routine with a violin. The taller man on the right is not Alfred Frith but Roy Rene (aka Mo McCackie). They appear on the steps of Central Station arriving in Sydney to appear in “Pot Luck” with Alfred Frith, 1930.
https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/152459
Jennifer: indeed! I have been following all the discussion, and will – now that the dust has finally settled there – be summarizing them in a follow-up post here. Thanks for all your efforts! 🙂
Jennifer: ‘Cop that young Harry’ and jolly well done. Yes I’m old enough to still remember catch phrases like that from the immortal Mo McCackie, but alas could not recognise him without make-up. As for Hec St. Clair, I honestly never heard of the man, but now thanks to CM he has a name and fame once more.
Nick: Perhaps the overdue follow-up post for ‘Can You Name This Man’ might prove equally rewarding in producing a circa.1948 white tie wearer similar to 30’s hearthrob Hec St. Clair…best practice for fabric care woolen weave aparell (Kean Jr. tie ?) is don’t label directly with marking ink, don’t mix with dyed cottons in hot water and never ever boil. Hand washing in warm gentle suds is recommended.
Alfred Frith and Tui Black were my grandparents! Nice to see a photo of them together – they never married so my dad was fostered out
Surajo Frith, Tui Black was my grandma also!
@ Nick – it looks as though you may have found a link several years ago,! Gerald Keane’s employer, JC Williamson, is all over this thread!!
@ Emma and Suajo – wow!
Wow indeed!