William Robertson Russell Bennnett, better known as Billy Bennett, (1887 – June 30, 1942) was a British comedian who specialised in parodies of dramatic monologues and was billed as almost a gentleman. 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar). ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... A comedian, or comic, is an entertainer who amuses an audience by making them laugh. ... In contemporary usage, parody is a form of satire that imitates another work of art in order to ridicule it. ... A monologue is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience or character. ...

Life

Bennett's father, John Bennett, was the partner of Robert Martell in a music hall slapstick comedy act but Glasgow-born Billy chose not to follow him immediately onto the stage, instead enlisting in the army. After a brief start as a comedian, Bennett re-enlisted at the start of World War I, enjoying a distinguished career in the 16th lancers and winning the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal and the Belgian Croix de guerre. There are a few notable persons named John Bennett: John B. Bennett, U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan John O. Bennett, state senator and acting governor of the U.S. state of New Jersey John Bennett , author of The Pigtail of Ah Lee Ben Loo with Seventeen other... Music Hall is a form of British theatrical entertainment which reached its peak of popularity between 1850 and 1960. ... Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated physical violence. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead:5 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:8 million Military dead:4 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:7 million The First World... Source: Veterans Affairs Canada The Distinguished Conduct Medal was (until 1993) a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army, and formerly also to personnel of the armies of other Commonwealth countries, below the rank of Warrant Officer, for conspicuous bravery in the battlefield. ... The Military Medal was (until 1993) a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army, and formerly also to personnel of the armies of other Commonwealth countries, below the rank of Warrant Officer, for bravery in the battlefield. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ...

Only in 1919 did he begin his stage career in ernest, appearing with Mark Lupino and in Fred Karno's army. Bennett's favourite act was to mock and parody the dramatic monologues of the turn of the century. Perhaps best known is The Green Tie on the Little Yellow Dog, his take on The Green Eye of the Yellow God. As of 1930, he adapted his act to radio, appearing with James Carew and Albert Whelan. He gave his final performance in Blackpool, just a few weeks before his death. 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... In contemporary usage, parody is a form of satire that imitates another work of art in order to ridicule it. ... A monologue is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience or character. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion because: it is patent nonsense. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Blackpool is a seaside town in northwestern England. ...

Legacy

Bennett was an important influence on comedians such as George Formby, Tommy Cooper, Ron Moody and Ken Dodd. George Formby George Formby (May 26, 1904 - March 6, 1961) was a British singer and comedian who became a major star of both cinema and music hall. ... Tommy Cooper (March 19, 1921 – April 15, 1984) was a British comedian and magician born in Caerphilly, Wales. ... Ron Moody (born January 8, 1924) is a British actor. ... Ken Dodd, born November 8, 1929, Liverpool, is a veteran British comedian and singer, famous for his buck teeth, frizzy hair, feather duster (or tickling stick), and his catchphrase, How tickled I am! He works largely in the music hall tradition, although he has appeared in several dramatic plays and...

Bibliography

• Busby, R. (1976). British Music Hall: An Illustrated Who's Who from 1850 to the Present Day, Elek. ISBN 0236400533.
• Fisher, J (1973). Funny Way to be a Hero, Paladin. ISBN 0586082409.
• Midwinter, E.C. (1979). Make 'em Laugh: Famous Comedians and their Worlds, Allen & U. ISBN 0047920114.
• - (2004) "Bennett, William Robertson Russell (1887–1942)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, [1], <accessed 14 March 2006> (subscription required)

External links

• Billy Bennett at The Internet Movie Database
• A brief history of Billy Bennett, by Dan Quinn
• Recordings at Topic Records
• Text of monologues