Lily Morris
Lily Morris (September 30, 1882 – October 3, 1952), born Lilles Mary Crosby, was an English music hall performer, who specialized in singing comedic songs, notably 'Why Am I Always The Bridesmaid' and 'Don't Have Any More, Missus Moore".
Biography
Morris was born in the Holborn area of London, and began performing professionally at the age of ten.
She built a formidable career, including several successful international tours.[1] She had a particularly successful run at the Palace Theater in New York in 1928.[2] She also appeared in the musical revue film Elstree Calling (1930), co-directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and a later appearance in the film Radio Parade of 1935 as a charlady alongside fellow music hall performer Nellie Wallace.
She retired from the stage in 1940, except for a brief appearance in 1948.[3] In 1941 she appeared as the formidable "Lady Randall" in the Arthur Askey comedy I Thank You but reverts to type in the final scene where she gives a rendition of the old music hall standard "Waiting at the Church" at an impromptu concert in a tube station bomb shelter.[4]
Song hits
Lily Morris's most popular song hits include:
- "Because He Loves Me"
- "My Old Man (Said Follow the Van)" (original performer: Marie Lloyd)
- "Don't Have Any More, Missus Moore" (1929), (written by Harry Castling[5])
- "He's Only a Working Man"
- "The Old Apple Tree"
- "Waiting at the Church"
- "Why Am I Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Blushing Bride?" (written 1917)
Selected filmography
- Variety (1935)
References
- ↑ "Music Hall Star Dies," New York Times (1857-Current File), October 4, 1952, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed January 6, 2008).
- ↑ "British Artists Rule Palace Bill," New York Times (1857-Current file), January 24, 1928, http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed January 6, 2008).
- ↑ Times obituary.
- ↑ IMDb: I Thank You
- ↑ "Lily Morris: Don't Have any More Mrs. Moore". .allmusic.com. 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.