Great War Theatre

The Stage, 24 January 1946, reported Lee’s death: ‘Many will regret to hear that Bert Lee died suddenly at Llandudno yesterday (Wednesday) morning’. The Stage, 31 January 1946, published a lengthy obituary: ‘Bert Lee. Tributes To A Genius. Clarkson Rose writes: It has been my privilege to have been a friend of Bert Lee’s for over 30 years, and of latter years, to be in close contact with him at Llandudno, during our seasons there, and also, up till a few days ago, to collaborate with him and purchase material from him. I rather think I have the last couplet he ever wrote, which I received four days ago. It is not very long ago since we stood with him at the wind-swept graveside on the Great Orme’s Head, of his beloved wife, Marlie. One somehow felt then that he wouldn’t survive long without her. They were a devoted and inseparable couple. If he were not quite the same after the loss of his wonderful partner, Bob Weston, it was not because of failing ability, but because he had got so used to the exchange of ideas. “Joe” Batten writes: I can recall no song-writer who remained under an exclusive contract with one publisher (Francis and Day) for so many years. The first Weston and Lee song was published by Francis and Day in February, 1908 - its title. “Hi there! Whoa.” I remember well how the concert entertainers looked forward to their latest number. Thousands of half-guineas and “one ones” were earned through the agency of Weston and Lee’s writings. The late Billy Bennett would have been the first to acknowledge his indebtedness to Bert for many of his biggest laughs. Vi Loraine’s “The Gipsy Warned Me!” or Stanley Holloway’s “Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm” set a standard in comic song-writing seldom attained by any other writers. Such chorus songs as “Goodbye-ee,” “Joshua,” “Hello, Hello, Who’s Your Lady Friend,” “Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts,” “Fancy You Fancying Me” will probably take their place in Old-Time Selections in years to come as do the Daisy Bells and Lilies of Lagunas among present-day old-timers. Beginnings. He was born in Ravensthorpe, Yorks, in 1880. At the age of 15 or 16 he went to Manchester as a piano-tuner. He began song-writing at the age of 19, and came to London, free-lanced or joined with such men as Worton David (one of his oldest friends), George Arthurs and others, until his meeting with “Bob” Weston, from whence sprang the collaboration that was to last until Bob’s death in 1936. Many people have wondered who did which - who wrote the words and who the music - but this could never be decided. They each did both, and with equal facility. Bert, with his unfailing generosity, would often say to me, “It’s Bob who has the brain,” but would follow up, with obvious pride and self-satisfaction: “But it’s me who puts in the punch-laughs.” Robert Rutherford writes: The current emphasis upon transatlantic songs and their composers should not be allowed to obscure the gigantic contribution of Weston and Lee to the gaiety of this nation from the beginning of the century. The funeral was at the Great Orme Cemetery, Llandudno, on Saturday last. Among those at the graveside were Harry Bright, Dave Lee, Rupert Rogers, and Mr. Long-mine and family. Wreaths were sent, among others, by Sydney Howard, Ernest Binns, Olive and Clarkson Rose, George and Maude Barrasford, Terry Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Batten, and Mr. Wagstaff and family’.

Gender: Male

Served in the armed forces? No

Scripts associated with Bert Lee

Script Role
Who's Who Author
Rhymalities Author
A Busy Day Author
Wanted, a Wife Author
The Substiution Scheme Author
Rations Author
Rations Author
Crystals Author