THE OLD FOLKS’ HERO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 3

THE OLD FOLKS’ HERO.

“GROUSER” WHO MADE GOOD. FILM ACTOR’S GREAT JOKE. Believed to be aged 84, Mr George Smith, of Leigh-on-Sea, won the first prize for an original turn at the Oldest Inhabitants’ New Year festivities, presided over by Mr Tom Gosling, in the Kursaal, Southend, says a London newspoper. Thirteen hundred assembled for this “annual,” and all enjoyed themselves heartily, except one “grouser”—Mr Smith, of Leigh-on-Sea. He grumbled at everything, from the soup to the pudding, and right through the entertainment. Then another octogenarian dared Mr Smith to do something better. Peevish and petulant, the old man was assisted on to the stage. In a cracked voice he sang “ Cockles and Mussels, Alive O! ” and everybody joined in. By acclamation he was awarded the prize of a sugared cake, and, in response to a vigorous encore call, gave “ Widdecombe Fair.” At the third singing of “ Uncle Tom Cobley and All,” Mr Smith broke down and had to be assitsed from the stage. Old ladies offered him their chairs, and old gentlemen fanned him with programmes. George Smith was their hero, yet none knew him. But to a reporter he owned up. “ I did it to please the old folks, and I have never enjoyed an act with greater gusto. They loved it, and so did I. The most surprising thing of the business is that no one knew me.” It was revealed that “ George Smith " was Mr Moore Marriott, the film character actor, who is especially successful in elderly parts. Mr Marriott is 34, not 84, Mr Do Forest Moorhouse, owner of the Southend Kursaal, stated that the identity of Mr George Smith was known only to liis manager, Mr Backhause. “It was tlic cleverest and jolliest ‘ put over ’ I have ever seen.”