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H Beard Print Collection

Print

Harry Tate (187201940), born Ronald McDonald Hutchison, assumed his stage name from the company Henry Tate & Sons, Sugar Refiners, for whom he worked before becoming a professional performer. He first appeared under it at the Oxford Music-Hall on 13 April 1895 when his early act consisted of sketches in which he mimicked music-hall stars of the day, using clip-on paper costumes to allow as many as forty-two changes in one act. He went on to develop various sketches based on middle-class leisure pursuits such as fishing, golfing and gardening which he performed with a small company.

Motoring,Tate's first great success, became hugely popular for his company on the music halls. It is a story about a father, an idiotic son in his Eton suit, and a chauffeur attempting to take the son back to school in a car that won’t start. The son, originally played by Tommy Tweedley, a youth he found at the Liverpool Empire, sat in the back of the car making inane comments such as ‘It’s amazing, pa-pa’, and ‘Goodbye-eee’. ‘Goodbye-eee' became Tate’s best-known catchphrase and the inspiration for the popular World War I song.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleH Beard Print Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Print
Brief description
Tinted photograph of the comedian Harry Tate in Motoring. A note below the image declares that the world rights are exclusively owned by International Cine Corp Ltd. 101 Wardour St.London.W., Harry Beard Collection.
Physical description
A tinted photograph of Harry Tate from the extended six-reel film version of his Variety sketch Motoring. Dressed in a checked suit and cap he is attempting to use a stethoscope to diagnose the problems with his car. His trademark moustache has been given an orange colour wash. The image is titled Harry Tate in 'Motoring'. A note at its base declared that the world rights are exclusively owned by International Cine Corps. Ltd. 101 Wardour St.London.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30cm
  • Width: 21.6cm
Credit line
Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard
Subject depicted
Summary
Harry Tate (187201940), born Ronald McDonald Hutchison, assumed his stage name from the company Henry Tate & Sons, Sugar Refiners, for whom he worked before becoming a professional performer. He first appeared under it at the Oxford Music-Hall on 13 April 1895 when his early act consisted of sketches in which he mimicked music-hall stars of the day, using clip-on paper costumes to allow as many as forty-two changes in one act. He went on to develop various sketches based on middle-class leisure pursuits such as fishing, golfing and gardening which he performed with a small company.

Motoring,Tate's first great success, became hugely popular for his company on the music halls. It is a story about a father, an idiotic son in his Eton suit, and a chauffeur attempting to take the son back to school in a car that won’t start. The son, originally played by Tommy Tweedley, a youth he found at the Liverpool Empire, sat in the back of the car making inane comments such as ‘It’s amazing, pa-pa’, and ‘Goodbye-eee’. ‘Goodbye-eee' became Tate’s best-known catchphrase and the inspiration for the popular World War I song.
Associated objects
Other number
F.137-19 - H Beard collection numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.6028-2009

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Record createdDecember 8, 2009
Record URL
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