Ernest Binns Arcadian Follies

[Dizzy600]

Hi All,

I would like to find out more about the above as my great grandfather Harold Walden performed with them in the 1930' - 1940's. He was a Music Hall Artiste/Comdian. I think he may have met his second wife Emily Jackson nee Shepherd (stage name possibly 'Betty Brennan' who may have been a dancer with them). I haven't been able to find any information on her stage career.

Harold sang a song called 'Mother I'm a Soldier' during this time. I have tried 'googling' E.B Arcadian Follies but can't seem to find much info etc. Is there a book about them?

Karen

[notanotherminer]

If you use inverted commas "Ernest Binns Arcadian Follies" you'll find quite a bit about them.

Your gt.grandfather's name is mentioned in a number of the search results, particularly one on wikipedia which also mentions his football career prior to him joining the stage.

http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Walden

[Dizzy600]

Hi notanotherminer,

Thank you for the tip. I have alot of the information regarding his football career and am now starting to get more on his theatre career.
He played the banjo/ukelele and I have been able to buy one with a metal stamp of him and the song title 'Only Me Knows Why' on it. It is marked 'British Made' but don't know which company actually made them.

Thanks again
karen

[Coromandel]

Have you seen the film footage of Harry Walden here? :

http://
idletigers.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/harry-walden-music-hall-bantam/

When googling I also came across an advert for the sale of an old 78 record called 'A Blackpool Selection' by the Arcadian Follies.

[Kerrywood]

There seems to be plenty of information about both Harold WALDEN and the Arcadian Follies in the archives of The Stage newspaper.

http://
archive.thestage.co.uk

It's a paysite (free thumbnails), with various short-term and longer-term packages available.

[Dizzy600]

Hi Cormandel & Kerrywood,

Thank you both. I have seen the 'sketch'. The 78 record was sold unfortunately. I have got one 78 record that he recorded called 'Only Me Knows Why'.

The Stage Archive will have to wait until my boys go back to school so that I can sit and download without interuption!!!

I just thought there may have been a book published with names of the dancers etc.

Karen