Evans, Frederick William, 1889 - 1951
Biography
Frederick William Evans was a British music hall and silent film comedian, who became famous around the time of the First World War for portraying his character Pimple in more than 200 short movies.
Evans was born in London into a family of music hall and circus performers. His grandfather, also named Fred Evans was a clown, his uncle Will Evans was a leading music hall comedian and his parents were members of several touring musical troupes. He was a childhood friend of Charlie Chaplin, and as a child performed with his brother Joe as part of his parents' pantomime act, the Florador Quartet. Fred and Joe worked together and individually in music hall and circus including with Sanger, before joining filmmakers Cricks and Martin in 1910.
In 1912, Fred and Joe set up a film production company, Folly Films. The films were extremely successful in Britain and by 1915 they were producing around six titles per month. Fred promoted the films by travelling around the country presenting them while also performing a live act.
During World War One Fred toured as part of an Army campaign to promote and raise funds for servicemen until he was dicharged on medical grounds in 1916.
After the war the Evans brothers continued to make films starring Fred but his popularity started to decline. Fred returned to performing in the music halls and made his last films in 1922.
Evans later appeared in revues with his wife and daughters, and worked as a film extra in the 1930s and presented a puppet show with his brother Joe during the Second World War.
Fred died in 1951 after performing in a circus.
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Decar and Tomato Collection
This collection contains black and white photographs and postcards of several generations of the Decar family with a strong focus on John Decar and his act as Decar and Tomato. It also includes other circus performers as well as autograph books and a scrapbook.
Decar and Tomato Scrapbook, 14 April - 28 December 1913
Scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings, black and white photographs, handbills, two pages from the Belfast Hippodrome programme and letters concerning the Decar and Tomato Act while travelling around Australia, New Zealand, 21p.p used, 54p.p blank.
Family and Performers Photographs and Postcards, 1902 - 1948
Black and white family and professional photographs and postcards showing different members of the Decar family.
Martin & Rodgers’ European Wonder Show and Vaudeville Circus Souvenir Programme, c1920 - 1929
Purple and white front cover showing Decar and Tomato and descriptive articles accompanied of black and white photographs of the acts, 5p.p.
Photographic Album, c1921
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of different circus and performing animal acts, family photographs and panoramic views around Australia and New Zealand, 8p.p.
Photographic Album, 1902 - 1951
Photographic album containing black and white photographs of the William Rosaire family and several generations of the Decar family as well as different acts and circus and variety performers and showmen, city views in France, Persia, Argentina, Switzerland, England and Ireland, 40p.p
Photographs and Postcards, 1902 - 1951
Photographic albums and photograhs showing the Decar family, circus performers and acts, including animals and images of different locations around the world.
Scrapbook of Autographs, 1913 - 1915
Scrapbook of autographs containing black and white photographs, drawings and cabinet cards for various artistes with autographs and dedications, 56p.p.
Scrapbook of Autographs, 1914 - 1916
Scrapbook of autographs containing black and white photographs, drawings and cabinet cards for various artistes with autographs and dedications, 48p.p.
Scrapbooks, 1913 - 1916
Scrapbooks containing photographs, programmes, newspaper cuttings and performers' autographs, some related to the First World War.