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Arthur Mullard

January 29, 2023

Arthur Ernest Mullard (né Mullord;[1] 19 September 1910[2][3] – 11 December 1995)[4] was an English actor and singer.

Arthur Mullard
Cover of Mullard's 1977 autobiography
Born
Arthur Ernest Mullord

(1910-09-19)19 September 1910
Islington, London, England
Died11 December 1995(1995-12-11) (aged 85)
Islington, London, England
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1939–1995
Spouse
Florence Rose
​
​
(m. 1939; died 1961)​
Children3
Military career
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
BranchBritish Army
RankWarrant officer
UnitRoyal Artillery
WarSecond World War

Following military service and a brief boxing career, Mullard found work as a cockney character actor in film and TV comedy, notably in the series Romany Jones.

His legacy was posthumously tarnished by revelations of extreme domestic and child sexual abuse against his family. (See below.)

Early life

Mullard was born to a humble background in Islington, London, named Arthur Mullord. He started work at the age of 14 as a butcher's assistant and joined the army at 18. It was there that he began boxing, becoming champion of his regiment. When he left the army after three years, he had a short stint at boxing professionally. This ended after 20 fights over three years, following a knock-out from which he lost his memory. In 1939, he was a general labourer living with his parents at 35 Douglas Street, Islington.[5] He rejoined the army in the Second World War, becoming a warrant officer (sergeant major) in the Royal Artillery.[6]

Career

Acting

Following the end of the war in 1945, Mullard sought work as a stuntman at Pinewood and Ealing film studios, from which he drifted into uncredited bit-parts in British films including Oliver Twist (1948), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) and The Ladykillers (1955).

Mullard's face and cockney accent lent themselves to a certain character and he graduated to more visible roles in comedy films and on television. It was on television that Mullard made a name for himself, first as a straight man for Tony Hancock, Frankie Howerd and Benny Hill, then in The Arthur Askey Show. It was the London Weekend Television series Romany Jones, first aired in 1973, which gave Mullard his highest profile, playing Wally Briggs, a crafty caravan-dweller. Popular in its time, the show did not find critical favour and has subsequently been named by one source, the Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy, as one of the poorer British sitcoms made.[7]

So popular was Mullard's character that a sequel, Yus, My Dear, was broadcast in 1976, in which Wally and his wife Lily (Queenie Watts) had moved out of their caravan into a council house. The series gained modest ratings.[8]

Mullard (or "Arfur" as he was widely known) was regularly a guest in other programmes and television commercials. He and Watts also reprised their roles of Wally and Lily appearing in the film Holiday on the Buses (1973), the last feature-length version of the popular On the Buses comedy series of the time.

Mullard also appeared in Ladies Who Do (1963), Morgan! (1966), The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1978). In 1986, invited by producer Victor Lewis-Smith, Mullard hosted an edition of Midweek on BBC Radio 4 to replace regular host Libby Purves during her temporary absence.[9]

Music

In 1967, Mullard recorded "I Love You, You Love Me" and "Was It Something I Said?" on the Masquerade label (MA5001). This was followed the same year by an album, Arthur Mullard of London (MQ 2003). This included his cover of the Beatles' "Yesterday", jokes, and philosophy. More singles followed in the 1970s, including 1974's "Not Now Arthur" / "If I Only Had My Time Again" (BASFBA 1012), and in 1975 "I Only Have Eyes for You" / "One 'Fing 'N' Annuver" (RCA 2610) with "Yus My Dear" / "Arthur" (RCA Z639A) being released in 1976.

He entered the UK Singles Chart in 1978 with his cover of "You're the One That I Want" (Pye 7N 46121) (from the film Grease), a duet with fellow comedy actor Hylda Baker, who was in her seventies.[10] The single, which peaked at number 22 in the UK, was taken from the album Band on the Trot (Pye PKL 5576). The single was his last professional success during Mullard's life; there followed an uncredited narration on the Glenn Close-led live-action 101 Dalmatians, released in 1996, after his death.

Personal life and abuse allegations

Mullard continued to live in a council house in Islington after his success and spent much of his free time socialising in local pubs. He wrote an autobiography, Oh, Yus, It's Arthur Mullard, which was published in 1977. Mullard died in his sleep on 11 December 1995, aged 85. He married Florence Rose in 1939, and the couple had three children: Brian, Barbara and Johnny. Florence died in 1961, aged 48.[11][12][13]

In May 1996, five months after his death, the Sunday Mirror reported that a This Is Your Life episode about Mullard had been planned, but it was cancelled by host Eamonn Andrews. This came after the show's producers contacted Mullard's eldest son, and discovered Mullard's history of extreme domestic violence and years of sexual abuse of his daughter Barbara, beginning when she was 13 in the early 1950s. Despite his alleged acts of child sexual abuse against Barbara, which she recounted in an interview with the Sunday Mirror, she had nursed him in his dotage. He left her and one of her brothers £5,000 each, and £250,000 to a children's home.[12] It was reported at the time that Mullard's son Johnny had become a successful comedian in Sydney, Australia.[14]

Mullard's wife Florence had committed suicide in 1961 by taking an overdose of sleeping tablets, after suffering from poor physical and mental health for several years.[6] Her death was claimed by Barbara to be partly the result of the extreme physical and mental violence Mullard perpetrated against her. Florence left a suicide note which said, "I don't want to live any more because of what you're doing with Barbara. Please look after my Johnny."[12]

Partial filmography

Bibliography

  • Mullard, Arthur Oh, Yus, It's Arthur Mullard , autobiography, published by Everest, London, 1977; ISBN 9780905018317 [2]

References

  1. ^ Arthur Mullard (Obituary), The Times, 13 December 1995.
  2. ^ His obituary in The Times gives his date of birth as 10 November 1910 but conflicts with the birthdate given in his death registration. His year of birth appears as 1908, 1910, 1912 and 1913 in various sources. However online records at [1] show that the birth of an Arthur E Mullord was registered in Islington in October–December 1910, which is probably him.
  3. ^ Date of birth of 19 September 1910 confirmed from 1939 Register.
  4. ^ GRO Register of Deaths: Arthur Ernest Mullard died December 1995 B32 136 ISLINGTON. DoB = 19 September 1910 Age 85 approx
  5. ^ 1939 Register entry
  6. ^ a b "Obituaries: Arthur Mullard". The Independent. 13 December 1995.
  7. ^ Wainwright, Martin (30 September 2003). "Bilko named best ever comedy". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "Obituary: Mike Reid". The Times. 31 July 2007.
  9. ^ "iPM". BBC Programme Library. 3 September 2011.
  10. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-904994-10-7.
  11. ^ "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  12. ^ a b c "Arthur Mullard was the Cockney Comic Millions Loved ...and a Monster who Raped his Daughter at 13". Sunday Mirror. 12 May 1996. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  13. ^ "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  14. ^ Barrowclough, Anne. "THIS IS NOT YOUR LIFE..." The Free Library 12 May 1996. 25 July 2021. IS NOT YOUR LIFE...-a061162094

External links

  • Arthur Mullard at IMDb

January 29, 2023
arthur, mullard, arthur, ernest, mullard, mullord, september, 1910, december, 1995, english, actor, singer, cover, mullard, 1977, autobiographybornarthur, ernest, mullord, 1910, september, 1910islington, london, englanddied11, december, 1995, 1995, aged, islin. Arthur Ernest Mullard ne Mullord 1 19 September 1910 2 3 11 December 1995 4 was an English actor and singer Arthur MullardCover of Mullard s 1977 autobiographyBornArthur Ernest Mullord 1910 09 19 19 September 1910Islington London EnglandDied11 December 1995 1995 12 11 aged 85 Islington London EnglandOccupation s Actor singerYears active1939 1995SpouseFlorence Rose m 1939 died 1961 wbr Children3Military careerAllegianceUnited KingdomBranchBritish ArmyRankWarrant officerUnitRoyal ArtilleryWarSecond World WarFollowing military service and a brief boxing career Mullard found work as a cockney character actor in film and TV comedy notably in the series Romany Jones His legacy was posthumously tarnished by revelations of extreme domestic and child sexual abuse against his family See below Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Acting 2 2 Music 3 Personal life and abuse allegations 4 Partial filmography 5 Bibliography 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditMullard was born to a humble background in Islington London named Arthur Mullord He started work at the age of 14 as a butcher s assistant and joined the army at 18 It was there that he began boxing becoming champion of his regiment When he left the army after three years he had a short stint at boxing professionally This ended after 20 fights over three years following a knock out from which he lost his memory In 1939 he was a general labourer living with his parents at 35 Douglas Street Islington 5 He rejoined the army in the Second World War becoming a warrant officer sergeant major in the Royal Artillery 6 Career EditActing Edit Following the end of the war in 1945 Mullard sought work as a stuntman at Pinewood and Ealing film studios from which he drifted into uncredited bit parts in British films including Oliver Twist 1948 The Lavender Hill Mob 1951 and The Ladykillers 1955 Mullard s face and cockney accent lent themselves to a certain character and he graduated to more visible roles in comedy films and on television It was on television that Mullard made a name for himself first as a straight man for Tony Hancock Frankie Howerd and Benny Hill then in The Arthur Askey Show It was the London Weekend Television series Romany Jones first aired in 1973 which gave Mullard his highest profile playing Wally Briggs a crafty caravan dweller Popular in its time the show did not find critical favour and has subsequently been named by one source the Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy as one of the poorer British sitcoms made 7 So popular was Mullard s character that a sequel Yus My Dear was broadcast in 1976 in which Wally and his wife Lily Queenie Watts had moved out of their caravan into a council house The series gained modest ratings 8 Mullard or Arfur as he was widely known was regularly a guest in other programmes and television commercials He and Watts also reprised their roles of Wally and Lily appearing in the film Holiday on the Buses 1973 the last feature length version of the popular On the Buses comedy series of the time Mullard also appeared in Ladies Who Do 1963 Morgan 1966 The Great St Trinian s Train Robbery 1966 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1968 and Adventures of a Plumber s Mate 1978 In 1986 invited by producer Victor Lewis Smith Mullard hosted an edition of Midweek on BBC Radio 4 to replace regular host Libby Purves during her temporary absence 9 Music Edit In 1967 Mullard recorded I Love You You Love Me and Was It Something I Said on the Masquerade label MA5001 This was followed the same year by an album Arthur Mullard of London MQ 2003 This included his cover of the Beatles Yesterday jokes and philosophy More singles followed in the 1970s including 1974 s Not Now Arthur If I Only Had My Time Again BASFBA 1012 and in 1975 I Only Have Eyes for You One Fing N Annuver RCA 2610 with Yus My Dear Arthur RCA Z639A being released in 1976 He entered the UK Singles Chart in 1978 with his cover of You re the One That I Want Pye 7N 46121 from the film Grease a duet with fellow comedy actor Hylda Baker who was in her seventies 10 The single which peaked at number 22 in the UK was taken from the album Band on the Trot Pye PKL 5576 The single was his last professional success during Mullard s life there followed an uncredited narration on the Glenn Close led live action 101 Dalmatians released in 1996 after his death Personal life and abuse allegations EditMullard continued to live in a council house in Islington after his success and spent much of his free time socialising in local pubs He wrote an autobiography Oh Yus It s Arthur Mullard which was published in 1977 Mullard died in his sleep on 11 December 1995 aged 85 He married Florence Rose in 1939 and the couple had three children Brian Barbara and Johnny Florence died in 1961 aged 48 11 12 13 In May 1996 five months after his death the Sunday Mirror reported that a This Is Your Life episode about Mullard had been planned but it was cancelled by host Eamonn Andrews This came after the show s producers contacted Mullard s eldest son and discovered Mullard s history of extreme domestic violence and years of sexual abuse of his daughter Barbara beginning when she was 13 in the early 1950s Despite his alleged acts of child sexual abuse against Barbara which she recounted in an interview with the Sunday Mirror she had nursed him in his dotage He left her and one of her brothers 5 000 each and 250 000 to a children s home 12 It was reported at the time that Mullard s son Johnny had become a successful comedian in Sydney Australia 14 Mullard s wife Florence had committed suicide in 1961 by taking an overdose of sleeping tablets after suffering from poor physical and mental health for several years 6 Her death was claimed by Barbara to be partly the result of the extreme physical and mental violence Mullard perpetrated against her Florence left a suicide note which said I don t want to live any more because of what you re doing with Barbara Please look after my Johnny 12 Partial filmography EditGirdle of Gold 1952 Police officer The Extra Day 1956 Barney s Second uncredited My Teenage Daughter Club Bouncer uncredited Dial 999 TV series 1958 Morris uncredited The Bank Raiders 1958 Linders The Haunted Strangler 1958 Asylum Attendant uncredited The Man Who Liked Funerals 1959 Renny Fiasco Two Way Stretch 1960 Fred And the Same to You 1960 Tubby Dentist on the Job 1961 uncredited On the Fiddle 1961 Thirsty Man Getting Off Bus uncredited It s Trad Dad 1962 police chief Postman s Knock 1962 Sam Crooks Anonymous 1962 Grogan Band of Thieves 1962 Getaway Sparrows Can t Sing 1963 Ted The Wrong Arm of the Law 1963 Brassknuckles Heavens Above 1963 uncredited Ladies Who Do 1963 Mr Merryweather Father Came Too 1964 traffic warden The Counterfeit Constable 1964 Le malfaiteur Gonks Go Beat 1965 drum master Morgan A Suitable Case for Treatment 1966 Wally The Great St Trinian s Train Robbery 1966 Big Jim Cuckoo Patrol 1967 Yossle Smashing Time 1967 cafe boss Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1968 Cyril Lock Up Your Daughters 1969 night watchman Crooks and Coronets 1969 Perce The Vault of Horror 1973 Gravedigger segment 4 Bargain in Death Holiday on the Buses 1973 Wally Briggs Three for All 1975 Ben Adventures of a Plumber s Mate 1979 Blackie Mind Your Language 1979 himself guest appearance 101 Dalmatians 1996 film 1996 Voice uncredited Bibliography EditMullard Arthur Oh Yus It s Arthur Mullard autobiography published by Everest London 1977 ISBN 9780905018317 2 References Edit Arthur Mullard Obituary The Times 13 December 1995 His obituary in The Times gives his date of birth as 10 November 1910 but conflicts with the birthdate given in his death registration His year of birth appears as 1908 1910 1912 and 1913 in various sources However online records at 1 show that the birth of an Arthur E Mullord was registered in Islington in October December 1910 which is probably him Date of birth of 19 September 1910 confirmed from 1939 Register GRO Register of Deaths Arthur Ernest Mullard died December 1995 B32 136 ISLINGTON DoB 19 September 1910 Age 85 approx 1939 Register entry a b Obituaries Arthur Mullard The Independent 13 December 1995 Wainwright Martin 30 September 2003 Bilko named best ever comedy The Guardian Obituary Mike Reid The Times 31 July 2007 iPM BBC Programme Library 3 September 2011 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 40 ISBN 978 1 904994 10 7 Index entry FreeBMD ONS Retrieved 26 July 2021 a b c Arthur Mullard was the Cockney Comic Millions Loved and a Monster who Raped his Daughter at 13 Sunday Mirror 12 May 1996 Retrieved 2 May 2012 Index entry FreeBMD ONS Retrieved 26 July 2021 Barrowclough Anne THIS IS NOT YOUR LIFE The Free Library 12 May 1996 25 July 2021 IS NOT YOUR LIFE a061162094External links EditArthur Mullard at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arthur Mullard amp oldid 1134913708, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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