Sandy Powell (comedian)
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Sandy Powell (January 30, 1900 - June 26, 1982) was an English comedian best known for his radio work of the 1930s and for his catchphrase Can You Hear Me, Mother?
Life and Career
Born Albert Arthur Powell in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England, he attended White's school in Masbrough where he helped his mother to put on a marionette show. After he left school he became a music hall entertainer, often wearing a kilt in the guise of a Scottish comedian. During this part of his career he was associated with the singer Gracie Fields, and released several records where he collaborated with her.
In the 1930s he began to work on the radio, always introducing his show with catchphrase Can You Hear Me, Mother? Powell said that the catchphrase originated on an occasion when he had dropped his script and was killing time at the microphone while rearranging the pages. He also appeared in a number of films during the 1930s, usually as himself. A popular figure, he worked continuously on radio, television and pantomime through the 1940s and 1950s, and performed right up to the 1970s. Part of his act was a comedy ventriloquism act, where the dummy would fall apart. He was still well-known enough to have a pub named after him in 1970.
Selected film credits
- Cup-tie Honeymoon (1948)
- I've Got a Horse (1938)
- It's a Grand Old World (1937)
- Can You Hear Me, Mother? (1935)
- Sandy the Fireman (1930)
Links
- Sandy Powell at IMBD (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0694308/) - list of TV and film credits.