Focus on Fred Holloway
Fred takes up the story:
I live in N.Z. and was, way back in the 50s, living in Blackpool
Lancashire.
I was employed at one of garages in Blackpool and we were
noted for caring for most of the cars that belonged to the
Stars that were in Blackpool for the summer season shows.
My employer was a very good friend of Josef Locke and one
day my employer asked me if I wanted to earn some extra
overtime money.
I agreed and was then told to bring our garage's Morris van
to my employer's home in St Annes that evening. When I
arrived at the home I recognised Josef and with him he had a
young woman and a small child (Pictured - Fred is in the
centre).
We all got into the van, plus a large wicker basket and
suitcases and left to go, as I was told, to the Liverpool docks.
Nearing the outskirts of the docks Josef told me to stop
as they would continue by taxi the rest of the way.
On saying his farewell and thanks he gave me one of the old
five pound notes (White tissue paper ones) and I then
returned to Blackpool.
Next morning my boss asked me how everything had gone
on and then said he could now tell me why I had made this
journey. It seemed that the Inland Revenue were after Josef
for Tax evasion and he had to leave to go to Ireland as soon
as possible.
When the film "Hear my Song" came here to N.Z. I went to
see it and there was a scene where the police were trying to
get Josef off a boat leaving Liverpool, and when the
policeman was thrown overboard I felt as though I had had
something to do with that episode.
Just to complete this little nostalgia, through a mutual friend,
Robert Drage who used to be on many of the stages in
Britain with his dancing act, named "Drage Vivian & Irene",
he introduced me to Ronnie Ronalde and his wife Rosemary
now living here also in N.Z..
My story about Josef was related and Ronnie Ronalde said
how small the world is because he was appearing at one of
the shows in Blackpool at the time Josef left and Ronnie was
invited to take over the top billing which Josef had vacated,
so not only did I help Josef but also Ronnie Ronalde .
Fred Holloway, who emigrated to New
Zealand, used to be Chief Projectionist at
the News Cinema in Church St. Blackpool.
With the coming of TV, Moss cinemas were
closing in Blackpool, so he took a job at the
Hawker Hunter factory but after about a
year that too was closed, and it’s at this
point Fred got a job at the Ocean Garage in
charge of the forecourt, plus looking after cars for stars
appearing in season shows in Blackpool.
the man who unknowingly helped
Josef say 'Goodbye' to the tax man!
Fred seen with the
autobiography of pal Ronnie
Ronalde.
Fred (left) and his wife at
their home drive-in
cinema.
A passion for the cinema
Born Harold Archibald Charles Stewart Drage, but known as
Bobby, on 8th May 1926 in Montreal ,Canada.
1928/29.Moved to Early Haig Homes Moroon Surrey,First
World War Veterans Home with Family.
1935.Dance training at the Dorothy Perfect School of
Dancing Wimbledon, London. First show Wimbledon
Theatre, aged 9years.
1938.Did shows for other children at local cinemas, Odeon
& Gaumont theatres aged 12 years.
1941.Started in act"June & Bobby" for Delesia Whealer
then put in act with 4 girls and Bobby called Delesia Five
which went into the Syd Seymours "Mad Hatters
Show.Touring all the cities in the U.K.
Then went into the Canadian Legendaries Entertainment
Service putting on shows for the Canadian Forces in the
war with an act called "Delesia Three", also in variety shows
in the theatres with such stars as Max Miller, Hetty King,
George Formby, Will Hay and other stars of the day.
1942.The group was then made into "Delesia 3" doing
variety theatre show, then was put into a touring show
called "Glamorous Desires"and also "Radio Music Hall" in
small towns in U.K.
1943.At the age of 16 went with ENSA entertaining factory
workers in "Workers Playtime"
1944 At 17 did my first West End Show called "Something
for the Boys", a wartime musical by Bernard Delfont at the
Coliseum Theatre ,starring Evelyn Doll, Jack & Daphne
Barker & Bobby Write.
1945.Went off to India with an 18 concert party (ENSA
Show) to entertain troops in the war against Japan touring
all India and parts now known as Pakistan.
1946/47.Back to the U.K. and formed an act called "Drage
Vivienne & Irene" a tap dancing act.Vivienne went to the
same Dancing School as Bobby. Irene came from
Newcastle on Tyne." We had Bernard Delfont as our Agent
so got on all the number one cicuit Moss & Stoll theatres,
working with stars like Winifred Atwell, Frankie Howard,
Tommy Cooper, Bud Abbot & Lou Costello, Joy Nichols &
Dorothy Squires.
"We as a trio were also in a Pantomime "Dick Whittington"
once at Margate and the following year at Rotherham
Yorkshire; I appeared as King Rat. We went into a show
called "Mr Tower of London" a well known show that made
Gracie Fields her name in 1916 with Archie Pitts,
reproduced again in 1935 with Betty Driver, our show was
with Tommy Fields and Ethel Manners playing the Gracie
Fields part.
"Then we went on a tour of the American Zone of
Germany entertaining U.S. forces stationed in their zone,
then up to Denmark to play the National Scala
Copenhagen.
"Back to the U.K. where Vivienne left the act and Irene and
I did a summer season with Wee Alick Findlay in Gourick
Scotland.
"1950.I was in my second West End show in London
starring Ciceley Courtlidge in "Gay's the Word" at the Saville
Theatre. It was the last Ivor Novello show before he died,
which was produced by Jack Hulbert and presented by Tom
Arnold.
"Whilst there the then King George and the Queen came
and saw the show, the same year we were asked to perform
one of our numbers in a Palladium Show for the Variety
Artists Benelovent Fund, included on the bill were stars i/e
Danny Kaye, Judy Garland, Laurence Olivier, Vivienne
Leigh, Margeret Lockwood, Orson Wells, & Dicky
Attenborough
"Joined Koragola Showboat but this show went bankrupt,
then met June Wheeler, daughter of Jimmy Wheeler, well
known comedian, did some T.V. shows with Jimmy Wheeler.
"1952.Got into the Blackpool Opera House in a George
and Alfred Black show starring Terry-Thomas, Sam Preeney
the concert pianist and Lester Ferguson, Opera star.
"The show was called "The Top of the Town" I had a
featured dancing role. Jack Hilton came up to see the show
and brought all the production back to the Victoria Palace
London.
"1953.Opened up with the Crazy Gang at the Victoria
Palace in Jack Hilton's Coronation show "Ring out the Bells"
which lasted two years.Then joined the famous Chuchill's
Night Club starring Renny Houston in the show called "Time
on your Hands" Went into a pantomime in Manchester
called "Old King Cole" with Vic Oliver.Then joined Jimmy
Smiddle act miming to records then did dancing act with
Wendy (Bobby Drage & Wendy) and after playing a few
Moss & Stoll with Dorothy Squires went to the American
Zone Germany and there into a show called "Mambo
Jambo" then into a good show called "Lady be Good" with
Sonny Hale playing Jeff the bellhop; back to a West End
show at the Adelphie Theatre in the Strand called "United
Notions" with Tommy Trinder & Pinky Lee.
"Then into a short show "Las Vegas after Dark" 1957.Left
for my birth country and the city Montreal Canada and
joined an all Canadian tour of Canada Production in a show
called "My Fur Lady" all about Canadian way of life and a
laugh at Canadian politics and getting a new flag for
Canada.
"Toured 9 out of the 10 provinces. Stayed in Canada for
about 4 years.
"1961.Left Vancouver Canada for New Zealand and
stayed until 1964.
"1964.Went to Australia for 4 years doing T.V. shows and
also Arts Council Autralian Theatre for young people.
"1968.Went back to Auckland N.Z. and did small amount of
T.V. and part in a show called "Peat & Po Terry Show".
"1997Moved to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast which is
north of Wellington.
"1998.Compered for the "Ronnie Ronalde" show Now
retired at 75 Years -2001.
Biography of Bobby Drage
who has appeared on the same bill as Josef on occasion
I was born Walthamstow London, and when the war started sent away as a evacuee to
High Ongar Essex. My father worked for the Government in Customs & Excise.
When the bombs started the firm was removed from London and sent off to
Blackpool,as this seemed to be a safer area. Once my family had got settled I was sent
for, from my foster home, to rejoin my family. I left school at 14 and became a pointboy
for the Blackpool Transport; I found this to be a very cold job in the winter, stuck in a sort
of sentry box waiting for a tram to come along so that I could change the Points and
overhead wire to allow the tram to go on a different route.
I left there and went to be a trainee projectionist (much warmer) It was in the
Hippodrome where my training started and this is where during the season of summer
shows persons such as Jewell & Wariss performed the Coconut Grove show.
As my memory serves me I saw Julie Andrews for the first time.Her parents would ask
for any young person out of the audience to help them in a singing act,and this young
girl, Julie would jump up and join them. When conscription beckoned I joined the Airforce
and became a driver for the R.A.F. bomb disposal unit. After my two years I went back to
my projectionist job at the Hippodrome.
Then I was offered the Chief Projectionist position at a newly made News Cinema, this
was in Church St Blackpool.(Sadly no longer) now a furniture store I'm told.
With the coming of TV moss cinemas were closing in Blackpool,so took a job at the
Hawker Hunter factory but after about a year that too was closed,and it’s here that I got
a job at the Ocean Garage in charge of the forecourt plus as I had mentioned cars for
Stars appearing in season shows in Blackpool.
The person at the Wurlitzer is my wife. This organ is still in very good working order
and is at the Southward Car Museum in the North Island at Paraparaumu. My wife has
been to play this organ now 4 times. We live quite a distance from this location but it’s
well worth the trip to hear my wife play it.
The photo with a person sat at the base of the organ is Robert Drage an ex dancer
who had his own act, Drage Vivian & Irene.
He has also been on the same bill as Josef Locke at different times during his days of
performing.
Fred has the only drive-in cinema in N.Z. and says "we enjoy having people to come,
some for the first time and children get some pleasure sitting outside in the open on a
nice evening."
A former bailiff for the NZ Justice Department for many years, Fred took up video
production when his health deteriorated.
"I became a Stringer for the T.V. news,Channels ONE & TWO, now that I’m 72 I've
given that up but still keep busy transferring old movies onto video for people. In fact a
few years ago I did many old films for Ronnie Ronalde and with them being silent added
some of his Whistling tracks from his CDs"
Fred takes up the story:
I live in N.Z. and was, way back in the 50s, living in Blackpool
Lancashire.
I was employed at one of garages in Blackpool and we were
noted for caring for most of the cars that belonged to the
Stars that were in Blackpool for the summer season shows.
My employer was a very good friend of Josef Locke and one
day my employer asked me if I wanted to earn some extra
overtime money.
I agreed and was then told to bring our garage's Morris van
to my employer's home in St Annes that evening. When I
arrived at the home I recognised Josef and with him he had a
young woman and a small child (Pictured - Fred is in the
centre).
We all got into the van, plus a large wicker basket and
suitcases and left to go, as I was told, to the Liverpool docks.
Nearing the outskirts of the docks Josef told me to stop
as they would continue by taxi the rest of the way.
On saying his farewell and thanks he gave me one of the old
five pound notes (White tissue paper ones) and I then
returned to Blackpool.
Next morning my boss asked me how everything had gone
on and then said he could now tell me why I had made this
journey. It seemed that the Inland Revenue were after Josef
for Tax evasion and he had to leave to go to Ireland as soon
as possible.
When the film "Hear my Song" came here to N.Z. I went to
see it and there was a scene where the police were trying to
get Josef off a boat leaving Liverpool, and when the
policeman was thrown overboard I felt as though I had had
something to do with that episode.
Just to complete this little nostalgia, through a mutual friend,
Robert Drage who used to be on many of the stages in
Britain with his dancing act, named "Drage Vivian & Irene",
he introduced me to Ronnie Ronalde and his wife Rosemary
now living here also in N.Z..
My story about Josef was related and Ronnie Ronalde said
how small the world is because he was appearing at one of
the shows in Blackpool at the time Josef left and Ronnie was
invited to take over the top billing which Josef had vacated,
so not only did I help Josef but also Ronnie Ronalde .
Fred Holloway, who emigrated to New
Zealand, used to be Chief Projectionist at
the News Cinema in Church St. Blackpool.
With the coming of TV, Moss cinemas were
closing in Blackpool, so he took a job at the
Hawker Hunter factory but after about a
year that too was closed, and it’s at this
point Fred got a job at the Ocean Garage in
charge of the forecourt, plus looking after cars for stars
appearing in season shows in Blackpool.
the man who unknowingly helped
Josef say 'Goodbye' to the tax man!
A passion for
the cinema
Born Harold Archibald Charles Stewart Drage, but known as
Bobby, on 8th May 1926 in Montreal ,Canada.
1928/29.Moved to Early Haig Homes Moroon Surrey,First
World War Veterans Home with Family.
1935.Dance training at the Dorothy Perfect School of
Dancing Wimbledon, London. First show Wimbledon
Theatre, aged 9years.
1938.Did shows for other children at local cinemas, Odeon
& Gaumont theatres aged 12 years.
1941.Started in act"June & Bobby" for Delesia Whealer
then put in act with 4 girls and Bobby called Delesia Five
which went into the Syd Seymours "Mad Hatters
Show.Touring all the cities in the U.K.
Then went into the Canadian Legendaries Entertainment
Service putting on shows for the Canadian Forces in the war
with an act called "Delesia Three", also in variety shows in
the theatres with such stars as Max Miller, Hetty King,
George Formby, Will Hay and other stars of the day.
1942.The group was then made into "Delesia 3" doing
variety theatre show, then was put into a touring show called
"Glamorous Desires"and also "Radio Music Hall" in small
towns in U.K.
1943.At the age of 16 went with ENSA entertaining factory
workers in "Workers Playtime"
1944 At 17 did my first West End Show called "Something
for the Boys", a wartime musical by Bernard Delfont at the
Coliseum Theatre ,starring Evelyn Doll, Jack & Daphne
Barker & Bobby Write.
1945.Went off to India with an 18 concert party (ENSA
Show) to entertain troops in the war against Japan touring
all India and parts now known as Pakistan.
1946/47.Back to the U.K. and formed an act called "Drage
Vivienne & Irene" a tap dancing act.Vivienne went to the
same Dancing School as Bobby. Irene came from Newcastle
on Tyne." We had Bernard Delfont as our Agent so got on all
the number one cicuit Moss & Stoll theatres, working with
stars like Winifred Atwell, Frankie Howard, Tommy Cooper,
Bud Abbot & Lou Costello, Joy Nichols & Dorothy Squires.
"We as a trio were also in a Pantomime "Dick Whittington"
once at Margate and the following year at Rotherham
Yorkshire; I appeared as King Rat. We went into a show
called "Mr Tower of London" a well known show that made
Gracie Fields her name in 1916 with Archie Pitts,
reproduced again in 1935 with Betty Driver, our show was
with Tommy Fields and Ethel Manners playing the Gracie
Fields part.
"Then we went on a tour of the American Zone of Germany
entertaining U.S. forces stationed in their zone, then up to
Denmark to play the National Scala Copenhagen.
"Back to the U.K. where Vivienne left the act and Irene and
I did a summer season with Wee Alick Findlay in Gourick
Scotland.
"1950.I was in my second West End show in London
starring Ciceley Courtlidge in "Gay's the Word" at the Saville
Theatre. It was the last Ivor Novello show before he died,
which was produced by Jack Hulbert and presented by Tom
Arnold.
"Whilst there the then King George and the Queen came
and saw the show, the same year we were asked to perform
one of our numbers in a Palladium Show for the Variety
Artists Benelovent Fund, included on the bill were stars i/e
Danny Kaye, Judy Garland, Laurence Olivier, Vivienne
Leigh, Margeret Lockwood, Orson Wells, & Dicky
Attenborough
"Joined Koragola Showboat but this show went bankrupt,
then met June Wheeler, daughter of Jimmy Wheeler, well
known comedian, did some T.V. shows with Jimmy Wheeler.
"1952.Got into the Blackpool Opera House in a George
and Alfred Black show starring Terry-Thomas, Sam Preeney
the concert pianist and Lester Ferguson, Opera star.
"The show was called "The Top of the Town" I had a
featured dancing role. Jack Hilton came up to see the show
and brought all the production back to the Victoria Palace
London.
"1953.Opened up with the Crazy Gang at the Victoria
Palace in Jack Hilton's Coronation show "Ring out the Bells"
which lasted two years.Then joined the famous Chuchill's
Night Club starring Renny Houston in the show called "Time
on your Hands" Went into a pantomime in Manchester
called "Old King Cole" with Vic Oliver.Then joined Jimmy
Smiddle act miming to records then did dancing act with
Wendy (Bobby Drage & Wendy) and after playing a few
Moss & Stoll with Dorothy Squires went to the American
Zone Germany and there into a show called "Mambo
Jambo" then into a good show called "Lady be Good" with
Sonny Hale playing Jeff the bellhop; back to a West End
show at the Adelphie Theatre in the Strand called "United
Notions" with Tommy Trinder & Pinky Lee.
"Then into a short show "Las Vegas after Dark" 1957.Left
for my birth country and the city Montreal Canada and joined
an all Canadian tour of Canada Production in a show called
"My Fur Lady" all about Canadian way of life and a laugh at
Canadian politics and getting a new flag for Canada.
"Toured 9 out of the 10 provinces. Stayed in Canada for
about 4 years.
"1961.Left Vancouver Canada for New Zealand and stayed
until 1964.
"1964.Went to Australia for 4 years doing T.V. shows and
also Arts Council Autralian Theatre for young people.
"1968.Went back to Auckland N.Z. and did small amount of
T.V. and part in a show called "Peat & Po Terry Show".
"1997Moved to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast which is
north of Wellington.
"1998.Compered for the "Ronnie Ronalde" show Now
retired at 75 Years -2001.
who has appeared on the same
bill as Josef on occasion
I was born Walthamstow
London, and when the war
started sent away as a
evacuee to High Ongar
Essex. My father worked for
the Government in Customs
& Excise.
When the bombs started
the firm was removed from
London and sent off to
Blackpool,as this seemed to
be a safer area. Once my
family had got settled I was
sent for, from my foster
home, to rejoin my family. I
left school at 14 and became
a pointboy for the Blackpool
Transport; I found this to be
a very cold job in the winter,
stuck in a sort of sentry box
waiting for a tram to come
along so that I could change
the Points and overhead wire
to allow the tram to go on a
different route.
I left there and went to be a
trainee projectionist (much
warmer) It was in the
Hippodrome where my
training started and this is
where during the season of
summer shows persons such
as Jewell & Wariss
performed the Coconut
Grove show.
As my memory serves me I
saw Julie Andrews for the
first time.Her parents would
ask for any young person out
of the audience to help them in a singing act,and this
young girl, Julie would jump up and join them. When
conscription beckoned I joined the Airforce and became a
driver for the R.A.F. bomb disposal unit. After my two
years I went back to my projectionist job at the
Hippodrome.
Then I was offered the Chief Projectionist position at a
newly made News Cinema, this was in Church St
Blackpool.(Sadly no longer) now a furniture store I'm told.
With the coming of TV moss cinemas were closing in
Blackpool,so took a job at the Hawker Hunter factory but
after about a year that too was closed,and it’s here that I
got a job at the Ocean Garage in charge of the forecourt
plus as I had mentioned cars for Stars appearing in
season shows in Blackpool.
The person at the Wurlitzer is my wife. This organ is still
in very good working order and is at the Southward Car
Museum in the North Island at Paraparaumu. My wife has
been to play this organ now 4 times. We live quite a
distance from this location but it’s well worth the trip to
hear my wife play it.
The photo with a person sat at the base of the organ is
Robert Drage an ex dancer who had his own act, Drage
Vivian & Irene.
He has also been on the same bill as Josef Locke at
different times during his days of performing.
Fred has the only drive-in cinema in N.Z. and says "we
enjoy having people to come, some for the first time and
children get some pleasure sitting outside in the open on a
nice evening."
A former bailiff for the NZ Justice Department for many
years, Fred took up video production when his health
deteriorated.
"I became a Stringer for the T.V. news,Channels ONE &
TWO, now that I’m 72 I've given that up but still keep busy
transferring old movies onto video for people. In fact a few
years ago I did many old films for Ronnie Ronalde and
with them being silent added some of his Whistling tracks
from his CDs"
Focus on Fred Holloway
Biography of Bobby Drage
