Bobby Parr actor Entertainer
born Robert Parrin in Paddington, London, 12th May 1942 Robert Parrin has been in the entertainment industry since the early 1960’s. He began his career at Butlin’s as a Red Coat, before moving into films and television. He is best known for is role in The Land That Time Forgot (1975). He also stared in the NME cult classic movie Groupie Girl (1970). His love of music saw him release many records, most notably Timmy’s Christmas Dream (1996), though his first professional recording session was in the early 1960’s in Tin Pan Alley, singing, 'Is It True'. Stage work including all the UK’s provincial and top theatres throughout the 1970’s with the Animal Kwackers. He has worked internationally as an adult entertainer in such acts as Chalk and Cheese and is well esteemed as an impersonator, whose work was acclaimed by Sir Norman Wisdom. From the 1960’s Bobby has also been highly regarded as an international children’s entertainer, from clowns to Punch and Judy shows. He was also one of the first people in the UK to open a video shop, Belvedere Video, which developed into Broadway Video, which was taken over by Blockbuster. Prior to this honed his business skill by running a brika-bra’ shop in Half-Way, Sheerness. In recent years Bobby has became active in writing children’s and adult books. Though he is now retired he still keeps active in the entertainment industry and is a long life member of Equity. In a career spanning over 50 years Bobby has seen the highs of featuring in box office hit films and the lows of allegedly seeing his material pirated by a major Production Company, for one of the world’s biggest film releases.
Contents 1 Early History 2 Modeling 3 Butlin’s 4 Stage Work 5 TV, Radio & Commercials 6 Films 7 Music 8 Books 9 Links Early History As a young child in WW2, Bobby was evacuated to Rugby in Yorkshire, but due to illness he was returned to hospital in London. Not meeting his parents until the age of 11 years. At 16 years Bobby left home to face the world with visions of being an operatic singer, recording songs such as, ‘Little Town in the Old County Down’. The original acetate he targeted to publishers to no avail. To support this dream he worked for Cadbury’s making chocolate. Around this time Bobby appeared in the Two Eyes Club (in Piccadilly) and was approached by John Kennedy and Larry Palm’s (Tommy Steele’s Management Company). From here he took singing lessons with David Keller at Wigmore Hall Studios. Moving on to ‘Film Craft Studios’ in London and ‘Young Merlin People’s Theatre’, in Harrogate. His first live show was with the Headley Claxton’s Summer Revels where he began to learn his stage skills. His singing teacher inspired him to develop his career in the entertainment industry by going to Butlin’s.
Modeling. In the early 1960’s Bobby began a career in modeling. Focusing on magazine photo-shoots and catwalks. This lead to body-building shoots, which gained the interest of the Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate. And later Bobby featured as a Tarzan like character in two of their films, (inc: The Land That Time Forgot, 1975). Soon his photography was featured in Private Eye and he ended up on the roster of the modeling agency called, ‘Ugly’. Butlin’s Initially Bobby became a Blue Coat in 1963 at Pontin’s, St Mary’s Bay, Brixham, Devon. Where he met his wife .The following year Bobby joined the staff at Butlin’s for the 1964 season. Their first appointment together was at Margate, Kent. As a Butlin Red Coat, he became an all round entertainer and found he had a talent for working with children. His role included working as a compère, singer, comedian and children’s entertainer through to sports and social activities. Which means the real ‘Hi-De-Hi’ stuff? Bobby’s holiday camp work continued to the early 1980’s, where he worked on many sites across the UK as an ‘Entertainment’s Manager’. In 1971 Bobby was booked by Trust House Forte as Perky the Clown at Summerland, Douglas Isle Of Man (just prior to the great fire!). As holiday work is seasonal Bobby soon developed an alternative career in the ‘Off Season’, in film and TV work. Pantomime work also began at Christmas 1963, the first being ‘Merry King cole’, ‘Fiddler Three’ with Harry Worth (who later bought Bobby a clock as a wedding present). This pantomime featured, the Cox and Miles Twins, Billy Dainty & Pat Lancaster.
Stage Work. After ‘Merry King Cole’, Bobby found a part in Robinson Crusoe, (1965) with Ken Dodd also featuring Stanley Pratts and Hope & Keen. Bobby sang backing vocals as one of the ‘Bell-Canto Singers’ to the Ken Dodd hit single, ‘Happiness’, in the pantomime. Ken helped Bobby with advice and technique, especially with presentation and delivery. From here he was contracted to appear across the UK in clubs as a speciality act. Where he was renowned for his harmonica playing and comedy patter. An example of early club work, was at the Nuffield Centre, London, (1963), entertaining the Forces. Appearing for ‘Call Boy’ the Old Time Music Hall Society in 1982. Bobby also appeared at the Jack Lawrence Music Hall in Great Portland Street. This featured Vince and Rita Star, Trevor Morton, Tony Castle and Rogers and Starr. Bobby was involved in the premier of The Beatles hit animated film, Yellow Submarine, (8th July 1968). Bobby took on the character of a Blue Meanie, drove the Yellow Submarine around the West End of London and can be seen in photo-shoots & press cuttings. He later featured on the 10 O’clock news that night, with Ringo Starr as a Blue Meanie. This stage work continued until the Animal Kwackers stage show in 1977, which toured the entire UK. Bobby’s main character was Bongo the Dog. But he was also the compere and opening magic act (‘Ace entertainer,’ quote from the Animal Kwackers stage-show 1977). For many years Bobby toured the boards with such luminaries as Teddy Johnson & Pearl Carr, Chubby Oates, Mrs. Shufflewick and Jimmy Wheeler. Later Bobby followed Tom Jones around when touring Wales. His live stage work continued into 1990’s, where he featured in Pantomime as ‘Wishy Washy’ in Aladdin, Silly Billy in Mother Goose and Pinocchio, for the writer Louis Richards.
TV, Radio & Commercials Bobby has appeared in character roles in numerous television programmes, these include. Emergency Ward 10 (1967), Market in Honey Lane (1967). In Wie Bitter (1969) an educational series he played Finigan the pop star. This role was played for many weeks. In Adam Adamant, Bobby was featured in the episode, ‘The Deadly Bullet’. For ATV series Love Story, (1968) Bobby played a clapper boy in the episode, ‘Vast Horizons of the Mind’. Bobby was featured in Hunters Walk, as part of a motorcycle gang (April 1973), episode 7, ‘All too Tidy’. In Who Dunit, (1969) the crime series, he played Rooney the jockey. Also interviews for: Magpie, with Jenny Handley (5th March 1975, Thames Television) Blue Peter, (1975, BBC TV), Day by Day, (March 3rd, 1975 Southern Television). Bobby has featured in much radio work, often concerning interviews relating to his films, TV and stage work. From Solent Radio to the Jimmy Tarbuk Show (Christmas Special, featuring the Animal Kwackers). In television commercials, Bobby appeared in an OXO advertising campaign, This Great Little Cube (1960’s). Followed by, Wolsey Socks, (with the Cox Twins), Viners Cutlery, (with Jack Smethurst), Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut, Britvic Orange, ‘Phone Box’ advert (1992). He is noted for his role in the ESSO Petrol commercials. (‘Tiger in the Tank’, advert 1970’s). Many of these have been broadcast internationally.
Films Bobby soon moved from the television to the silver screen. One of Bobby’s first films was, A French Mistress, (1960) where he played a school boy. A Boulting Brothers film. His first big film was the musical Oliver, (1968) directed by Carol Reed. His role involved singing and dancing. In the Hammer House of Horror classic, Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde, now regarded as a cult film, (1971) Bobby played the Young Apprentice. In 1974, Bobby played Perky the Clown in a short film directed by Graham Eastern. Major film roles followed with: two films directed by Kevin Conner, The Land That Time Forgot, (1975) as Ahm. At The Earths Core followed, (1976) which featured Peter Cushing, Doug McClure and Caroline Monroe. Bobby was featured as the Sagoth Chief. An Arabian Adventure, (1977) with Oliver Tobias, playing Pulham. Prince of Thieves (1989) with Kevin Costner, Morgan Friedman. Bobby took the role of, Steven the Villager. The NME regard Groupie Girl (1969) as a cult classic, where Bobby played Ray, in the Orange Butterfly group a film by Stanley Long and Derek Ford. Bobby also worked along side of the late great Christopher Lee on the film arabian adventure his role was the character of Pulan: Mauve Gang .
Music Bobby’s interest in writing music began on the set of ‘Tomorrow, Tomorrow’, with Oliver Newton John. Here at the Roundhouse (Camden) he wrote the material that later became Homeward Bound for Christmas. He began his professional recording career singing at ‘Stage One’ and is still singing at TMR Productions today. Though he had recorded many acetates in the 1960’s, his first commercial release was, the children’s EP, Perky the Clown, (1974). This project is currently being re-worked for future release. His first LP was Record of a Lifetime (1977) on Penthouse Records. Followed by an EP and 2 singles which included an earlier version of Homeward Bound for Christmas In 1996 Bobby began the sessions for his first commercial CD. In early 1997 on TMR Records Bobby released, Timmy’s Christmas Dream. This was followed by Anthology 1, (2006) a collection of re-mastered recordings of Bobby’s stage work. Then a couple of extended CD EP’s featuring, Homeward Bound For Christmas. (2004 & 2006). Bobby is working on new material at the moment.
Books Being a well known children’s entertainer Bobby developed an interest in writing in the early 1990’s. This began with The Prince & the Blackbird & Tommy’s Ambition to be Mr. Punch. The next project was a series of stories called, The Other Side of the Puddle, the ideas from this lead onto, Timmy’s Christmas Dream, which was narrated as a multi-voiced production on CD. It has also been scripted as a children’s picture book, featuring the artwork of Jan Sibbold (R.I.P). Which is currently being targeted to publishers. Bobby has also written a collection of short scripts including, Perky the Clown, Dandy Lion & Dumpy etc….. His imagination soon developed, The Land of Tara, (mid 1990’s) also in conjunction with Jan Sibbold (R.I.P) and Marc Bell. This was a full length book written for all age groups. A fantasy based theme featuring magical, fairy like and alien creatures in a distant world called Pandora. Strangely the characters, plot and scenery appear to feature in James Cameron’s, Avatar (a few years later in 1999). Jan Sibbold (R.I.P) was upset seeing her graphic art used without consent despite correspondence to James Cameron before she died in January 2012. Bobby is currently working on his autobiography.
here is a link to my personal google plus page where you can find a few photos of my films and tv career. https://plus.google.com/u/0/112636603788681662172/posts
here is my facebook page . please feel free to say hello and i will send you a personal message back
https://www.facebook.com/robert.parrin
Links
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0663300/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Land_That_Time_Forgot_(1975_film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Kwackers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ogU3DvKqQ
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NdNEOK5okSKh3BAIfAQMg
Jan Sibbold, graphic artist
Marc Bell, music producer
Animal Kwackers, Bobby Parr (Bongo the Dog), John Basset (Boots the Tiger), Bev Doyle (Rory the Blue Lion), Steven Morley (Twang the Monkey).
Penthouse Records, John Basset’s record label and recording studio. Recorded & released Bobby Parr’s, ‘Record of a Lifetime.’
management Www.soulbeat-radio.com Terry Brown. Trevor Adams. oliver tabias
Christopher Adamson. Anthony Ainley. Sarah Alexandra. Dorothy Alison. Paul Bacon. Imogene Bain. Ralph Bates. Keith Barron. James Beck. Martine Beswick. Douglas Blackwell. Brian Blessed. Billy Boyle. Pat Brackenbury. Irene Bradshaw. Anna Brett. Nick Brimble. Susan Broderick. Tony Calvin. James Cameron, film director. Belinda Caren. Sean Connery. Susannah Corbett. Kevin Conner, film director. Kevin Costner. Frank Cox. Fred Cox. Michael Crane. Andee Cromarty. Peter Cushing. John Dallimore. Billy Dainty. Derek Deadman. Ivor Dean. Tom Docherty. Ken Dodd. Soo Drouet. Jimmie Edwards. Betty Emery. Roy Evans. Colin Farrell. Lewis Fiander. Charles Finch. Derek Ford, director. John Francis. Morgan Freeman. Jimmy Gardner. Tommy Godfrey. Michael Goldie. Cy Grant. Brian Hall. John Hallam. Neil Hallett. Liam Halligan. Lord Heath. Emmett Henessy. Andy Hockley. Roy Holder. Ben Howard. Ken Hutchinson. Harold Innocent. Barry Jacobs, executive producer. Godfrey James. Steve James. Bill Jarvis. Esme Johns. David Keller Merelina Kendall. Geoffrey Kenion. Simon King. Pat Lancaster. Andrew Lawden. Lew Howard Lewis. Jefferson Lincoln. Andrew Lodge. Stanley Long, producer. Lord Rosemary. Sean Lynch. John Lyons. Philip Madoc. Grahame Mallard Elizabeth Mary Mastrantonio. Andrew McCulloch. John McEnery. Doug McClure. Geraldine McEwan. Stanley McGeagh. Michael McShane. Dan Meaden. Estelle Miles. Pauline Miles. Declan Mulholland. Caroline Munro. Daniel Newman. Daniel Peacock. Ron Pember. Susan Penhaligon. Jackie Pool. Petula Portell. Sion Probert. Gary Raymond. Carol Reed, director. Alan Rickman. Pat Roach. Liz Romanoff. Gerald Sims. Richard Shaw. Christian Slater. Walter Sparrow. Peter Sproule. Will Stampe. Derek Steen. Richard Strange. Tony Sullivan. Donald Sumpter. Eliza Terry. John Tordoff. Anthony Verner. Virginia Wetherell. Paul Jones Whitson. Jack Wild. Jeanette Wild. Neil Wilson. Michael Wincott. Harry Worth. Julia Wright. Marc Zuber. Christopher Lee . Milo O'Shea. Oliver Tobias . Emma Samms. Puneet Sira. Peter Cushing. Mickey Rooney John Wyman. John Ratzenberger. Shane Rimmer Suzanne Danielle. Elisabeth Welch . Hal Galili. Art Malik. Jacob Witkin. . Milton Reid. Cengiz Saner. Marcel Steiner. William Sleigh . Andy Bradford. Albin Pahernik. Stuart Fell. Gurdial Sira. Dan Long. Tim Pearce. Benjamin Feitelson. Omelia Warland . Michael Watkins . David Freedman. Colin Howells . Alf Mangan. Eddie Tagoe. Nubian. Sonny Caldinez. Robert LaBassiere. Clive Curtis. Nubian. Danna Amici. Roy Stewart.
here is links to bobby parr on facebook ,,google and internet movie database (IMDB)
https://www.facebook.com/robert.parrin
https://plus.google.com/u/0/112636603788681662172/posts
