Description: Here is a very rare very early vintage original double autographed photo and page by Scottish music hall comedian and noted pantomime dame George Spence Melvin (1886 – 1946), from the 1920s. The photo is partially pasted on top of the page, so the photo can be lifted to reveal the page. There is also a handwritten note from Melvin on the back of the photo. Known for the movies Down Melody Lane (1943), Variety Parade (1936) and Highlights of Variety: The Bell & Howell Music Hall No. 17 (1938). Melvin was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was a stage actor and producer, and Melvin first appeared on stage at the age of five doing a parody of his father's act. Later, he performed as an Irish comedian under the name Hugh Donovan and collaborated with his father in the Garden and the Melvin Quintet before going solo. Reverting to his birth name, he made his first London appearance in 1908, and was seen by an American agent who booked him on a tour of the Orpheum Circuit of vaudeville theatres. He made further tours of the U.S. in 1912 and 1924, and also performed in South Africa. Theatre historian Roy Busby described Melvin as "a clever artiste [who] appealed to both broad and subtle tastes in comedy; he was a great quick-change artist and a burlesque comedian... His music hall characters ranged from a Victorian dandy to a Clydeside stoker... ". Melvin was also a popular pantomime dame, especially at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. During the 1920s he developed a style of female impersonation, parodying hikers, girl guides, cyclists, and other devotees of outdoor activities. His songs included "I Like to Jump Upon a Bike", "Gladys, The Girl Guide", and "I'm Happy When I'm Hiking" (written by Ralph Butler and Raymond Wallace), which was adopted as a hikers' anthem. He performed in the Royal Variety Performances in 1921, 1932, and 1938. He drowned in 1946, at the age of 60, in floods on the River Thames at Datchet in Buckinghamshire (now Berkshire) whilst appearing at the Drury Lane Theatre. His body was recovered downstream several weeks later. Trimmed photo. Very rare. Will ship worldwide. I always combine shipping on multiple orders. Filmography:
Price: 90.99 USD
Location: Marietta, Georgia
End Time: 2024-12-13T02:00:01.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.5 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Object Type: Photograph
Industry: Movies
Original/Reproduction: Original
Signed: Yes
