Talbot O'Farrell

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Talbot O'Farrell
Talbot O'Farrell, ready to go on stage at the 1948 Royal Variety Performance, in his characteristic dress with top hat, cane, and monocle
Born
William Parrott

(1878-07-27)27 July 1878
Hull, Yorkshire, England
Died2 September 1952(1952-09-02) (aged 74)
London, England
NationalityEnglish
Other namesWill (or Jock) McIver
Occupation(s)Singer, comic entertainer, film actor
Years active1902–1948

Talbot O'Farrell (born William Parrott;[1] 27 July 1878 – 2 September 1952) was an English music hall and variety show singer whose repertoire included both sentimental and comic songs. Early in his career he used the stage names Will (or Jock) McIver (or McIvor).

Biography

William Parrott was born in

JP. According to press obituaries, she had been wedded to William Lindley, with three young daughters, before marrying O'Farrell, and they remained married for about forty years.[5]

After several years of modest success as Will (or Jock) McIver,

stage Irishman. He dressed "with immaculate black coat, check trousers, waistcoat, white gloves, spats and grey silk topper, and was dubbed... 'The Irishman from Savile Row'".[3] He quickly became popular in London, singing mostly sentimental songs such as "That Old Fashioned Mother of Mine", and "The Lisp of a Baby's Prayer".[3] He held the record for most headlining appearances at the Victoria Palace Theatre, appeared in the 1925 Royal Variety Performance,[3] and toured in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa.[6] At one point he was billed as "The greatest Irish entertainer of all time".[7]

From about 1920, he made many recordings, mostly for

Cabaret.[11]

In 1939, he appeared with

Holborn Empire which then toured nationally. During the Second World War, he worked for the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). After the end of the war, he again toured as part of a variety package of old-time music hall stars, in Thanks for the Memory, produced by Don Ross.[12] According to Richard Anthony Baker, O'Farrell insisted on top billing and the best dressing room, but after this was refused he toured nonetheless.[13] As part of the show, O'Farrell performed in the 1948 Royal Variety Performance.[14]

By the time of his wife's death in 1949, the two were living in a flat at Gordon Mansions, Fitzrovia. He died at University College Hospital, London, in 1952, aged 74.[12][1]

Partial discography

  • 1920 – "Who'll Take the Place of Mary?", cylinder Edison Blue Amberol 4064 [15]
  • 1920 – "I'd Just Paint the Leaf of the Shamrock", cylinder Edison Blue Amberol 4094 [15]
  • 1920 – "That Old Fashioned Mother of Mine", cylinder Edison Blue Amberol 4104 [15][16]
  • 1920 – "The Kingdom Within Your Eyes", cylinder Edison Blue Amberol 4139 [15]
  • 1929 – "Afterwards May Be Too Late" / "My Inspiration Is You", 10"
    78rpm single Piccadilly 134 [17]
  • 1929 – "Smiling Irish Eyes", 7" 78rpm single The Victory 150b [17]
  • 1929 – "This Is Heaven" / "Excuse Me, Lady", 10" 78rpm single Imperial 2169 [17]
  • 1930 – "My Angel Mother", 7" 78rpm single The Victory 271b [18]
  • Before 1931 – "The More We Are Together (The Froth Blowers' Anthem)", 6" 78rpm single Mimosa P106b [17]
  • Before 1931 – "Charmaine", 6" 78rpm single Mimosa P177b [17]
  • 1931 – "When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver (I Will Love You Just the Same)", 8" 78rpm single Eclipse 35b [17]
  • 1931 – "When the Moon Comes over the Mountain", 8" 78rpm single Eclipse 103a [17]
  • 1931 or 1932 – "Love Letters In The Sand"/"Terence's Farewell To Kathleen", 8" 78rpm single Eclipse 172

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c "Death of Talbot O'Farrell", Daily Telegraph, 3 September 1952, p.7
  2. ^ "Mr. Talbot O'Farrell". The Times. 3 September 1952. p. 6.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0 236 40053 3
    .
  4. ^ Stewart Green, "Lyceum Theatre, Crewe - A History", Sandbach What's On. Retrieved 9 February 2023
  5. ^ "Mrs. Talbot O'Farrell". The Times. 25 August 1949. p. 7.
  6. Sydney Morning Herald
    . 20 May 1922. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  7. ^ Talbot O'Farrell, Fred Godfrey Songs. Retrieved 7 February 2023
  8. ^ Talbot O'Farrell, BBC Genome. Retrieved 9 February 2023
  9. ^ "Our Past King Rats". Grand Order of Water Rats. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  10. ^ "Mr. Talbot O'Farrell's Affairs – Depression in the Theatrical World". The Times. 2 December 1933. p. 4.
  11. ^ Talbot O'Farrell, IMDb. Retrieved 9 February 2023
  12. ^ a b "Mr. Talbot O'Farrell". The Guardian. 3 September 1952. p. 5.
  13. ISBN 978-1-78383-118-0
    , p.253
  14. ^ 1948, London Palladium, Royal Variety. Retrieved 9 February 2023
  15. ^
    UCSB
    Cylinder Audio Archive. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  16. ^ T. O'Farrell – That Old Fashioned Mother Of Mine at Discogs
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Talbot O'Farrell – 78 RPM – Discography". Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  18. ^ Herbert Richards / Talbot O'Farrell – Le Chiffon Classique / My Angel Mother at Discogs

External links

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