Stanley Holloway ' The Lion And Albert' 1932 78 rpm

Another classic recording that had regular play on BBC radio' Junior Choice show.
The monologue about Albert and his family's day out at Blackpool zoo has become the most famous of many he recorded in the 1930's
Stanley was born in 1890 and had made a few stage appearances before serving in the infantry during WW1. He became a variety and seaside concert artist after the war making his London debut in 1919. He made one silent film in 1921 'The Rotters'. Stanley returned to film at the advent of the talkies. Some of his famous monologues were animated he appeared as a policeman in Gracie Fields 'Sing As We Go' and also in Major Barbara. He was a big enough name by 1935 to compare the Royal Command Performance • Various Artists 'Caval...
He was the station ticket inspector in 'Brief Encounter', he also appeared in three of the Ealing comedies.
In 1956 he was cast in the West End musical 'My Fair Lady' as Eliza Doolittle's father Alfred, singing 'With A Little Bit Of Luck' and 'Get Me To The Church On Time', He appeared in the same role on Broadway and then in the film version in 1964, he was nominated for an Oscar for the role.
He made his last film in 1975. He continued to perform into his 80's touring Asia and Australia in 1977. His final appearance was in the 1980 Royal Variety Performance. He died in 1982 aged 91.
There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool,
That's noted for fresh air and fun,
And Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom
Went there with young Albert, their son.
A grand little lad was young Albert
All dressed in his best; quite a swell
With a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle
The finest that Woolworth's could sell.
They didn't think much to the Ocean
The waves, they were fiddlin' and small
There was no wrecks and nobody drownded
In fact, nothing to laugh at, at all.
So, seeking for further amusement
They paid and went into the zoo
Where they'd lions and tigers and camels
And old ale and sandwiches too.
There were one great big lion called Wallace
His nose were all covered with scars
He lay in a somnolent posture
With the side of his face on the bars.
Now Albert had heard about lions
How they was ferocious and wild
To see Wallace lying so peaceful
Well, it didn't seem right to the child.
So straight 'way the brave little feller
Not showing a morsel of fear
Took his stick with its 'orse's 'ead 'andle
And pushed it in Wallace's ear.
You could see the lion didn't like it
For giving a kind of a roll
He pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im
And swallowed the little lad 'ole
Then Pa, who had seen the occurrence
And didn't know what to do next
Said 'Mother! Yon lions 'et Albert'
And Mother said 'Well, I am vexed!'
Then Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom
Quite rightly, when all's said and done
Complained to the Animal Keeper
That the lion had eaten their son.
The keeper was quite nice about it
He said, 'What a nasty mishap
Are you sure it's your boy he's eaten?'
Pa said, 'Am I sure? There's his cap!'
The manager had to be sent for
He came and he said 'What's to do?'
Pa said 'Yon lion's 'et Albert
And 'im in his Sunday clothes, too.'
Then Mother said, 'Right's right, young feller
I think it's a shame and a sin
For a lion to go and eat Albert
And after we've paid to come in.'
The manager wanted no trouble
He took out his purse right away
Saying, 'How much to settle the matter?'
And Pa said, 'What do you usually pay?'
But Mother had turned a bit awkward
When she thought where her Albert had gone
She said, 'No! someone's got to be summonsed!'
So that was decided upon.
Then off they went to the Police Station
In front of the Magistrate chap
They told 'im what happened to Albert
And proved it by showing his cap.
The Magistrate gave his opinion
That no one was really to blame
And he said that he hoped the Ramsbottoms
Would have further sons to their name.
At that Mother got proper blazing
'And thank you, sir, kindly,' said she
'What waste all our lives raising children
To feed ruddy lions? Not me!'