In order to go forward, we sometimes need to look at the past. This is depressingly true of most aspects in life, but more so in comedy. If I was to ask (and have) comics what they thought of the Dumbbells comics would say most Club managers were doing the best they could... Rim Shot!
With the return from Afghanistan my deeply rooted connection to Canadian troops in war is filled with pride of Canadian success, sorrowed by the scandal of others, and hoping they find a peace after the conflict. The Canadian sense of humour we currently enjoy and sometimes trample to death in politically correct backlashes, started in WWI with the Dumbbells.
The Dumbbells were Canada’s 1st official attempt at putting fools clowns, and singers in charge of morale at the front line. Previously they were called “Officers”... Rim Shot! The Dumbbells called themselves a Concert Party, probably the most ironic name for a Tour since Cher’s initial “Farewell Concert” of the late ‘90’s. A Concert Party with the Dumbbells was close to the front line, had elements of comedy, and song, knew how to catch applause and when needed shrapnel. The Dumbbells were like most branches of the military, deployed in waves, the 1st of which consisted of…
Merton Plunkett, managing director and comedian
Albert Plunkett a baritone
Ted Charters, assistant manager and comedian
Ross Hamilton ('Marjorie') female impersonator
Allan Murray ('Marie from Montreal') female impersonator
Jack Ayre, pianist and music director
Bill Tennent, tenor
Bert Langley, bass baritone
Frank (later Jerry) Brayford actor
Leonard Young actor
The Dumbbells were Canada’s 1st official attempt at putting fools clowns, and singers in charge of morale at the front line. Previously they were called “Officers”... Rim Shot! The Dumbbells called themselves a Concert Party, probably the most ironic name for a Tour since Cher’s initial “Farewell Concert” of the late ‘90’s. A Concert Party with the Dumbbells was close to the front line, had elements of comedy, and song, knew how to catch applause and when needed shrapnel. The Dumbbells were like most branches of the military, deployed in waves, the 1st of which consisted of…
Merton Plunkett, managing director and comedian
Albert Plunkett a baritone
Ted Charters, assistant manager and comedian
Ross Hamilton ('Marjorie') female impersonator
Allan Murray ('Marie from Montreal') female impersonator
Jack Ayre, pianist and music director
Bill Tennent, tenor
Bert Langley, bass baritone
Frank (later Jerry) Brayford actor
Leonard Young actor
The second wave added Bill Redpath, Elmer Belding, George Thorne, Andrew Catrano, J. McCormick, and D.L. Michie. From this group came the beginnings of the Canadian sense of humour… eh.
Unlike other more publicized entertainment from the World Wars the Dumbbells are an afterthought in Canadian history books, if they are even mentioned. They probably wouldn’t want it any other way. The Dumbbells were skilled at taking the harsh realities of life in the trenches of WWI and making it funny. Songs like 'These Wild, Wild Women Are Making a Wild Man of Me' and 'I Know Where the Flies Go', 'Hello My Dearie' (a duet by Hamilton as “Marjorie” and Tennent) and, 'Someday I'll Make You Love Me' (Hamilton as ”Marjorie”). The fly song of all others summed up the spirit of the Concert Parties in the hilarious twist on a psychologically numbing reality of flies in the trenches. Would have been amazing to see them in person… Oh to be a fly on the wall… sorry.
The jokes of the Dumbbells spread faster than malaria on a gangrened hand. The comedy they created and encouraged, fuelled what has become the Canadian sense of humour. This is to laugh in the face of death and things that are worse.
If you are a comic, Canadian or happy to have the troops home, learn about the comic history of Canada’s Military. http://bit.ly/nI3DPc
Unlike other more publicized entertainment from the World Wars the Dumbbells are an afterthought in Canadian history books, if they are even mentioned. They probably wouldn’t want it any other way. The Dumbbells were skilled at taking the harsh realities of life in the trenches of WWI and making it funny. Songs like 'These Wild, Wild Women Are Making a Wild Man of Me' and 'I Know Where the Flies Go', 'Hello My Dearie' (a duet by Hamilton as “Marjorie” and Tennent) and, 'Someday I'll Make You Love Me' (Hamilton as ”Marjorie”). The fly song of all others summed up the spirit of the Concert Parties in the hilarious twist on a psychologically numbing reality of flies in the trenches. Would have been amazing to see them in person… Oh to be a fly on the wall… sorry.
The jokes of the Dumbbells spread faster than malaria on a gangrened hand. The comedy they created and encouraged, fuelled what has become the Canadian sense of humour. This is to laugh in the face of death and things that are worse.
If you are a comic, Canadian or happy to have the troops home, learn about the comic history of Canada’s Military. http://bit.ly/nI3DPc
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