Fred Evans — “Pimple — Himself.” (1920) 🇬🇧
A Chat with Fred Evans — the British Comedian. Famous on Hall and Film.
Like the rest of us, I have often met “Pimple” on the screen, but the other evening it was my pleasure and privilege to moot, as the comedian himself puts it on his music-hall poster? “Pimple — Himself.”
But, though the meeting took place at one of the halting-stages of his present tour of the halls, “Pimple,” who, as you know, is Fred Evans in private life, was more than willing to discuss his pictorial experiences, for I found that not only do his inclinations strongly tend in the direction of the film field, but his ambitions as well. Whereupon you will immediately remind me — though no reminder is necessary — that “Pimple” is already exceedingly well known on the British screen. Yes; but that he has by no means yet fully realised his celluloid ambitions you are about to hear.
A General Helper.
“In 1910 I was acting as manager for my uncle, Will Evans,” said my host, in response to my request for particulars of his film debut.” I lived near a film studio in Mitcham, where the Lion’s Head comedies were made, and from watching the actors at fork I gradually drifted into the business myself. I started as a super at six-and-sixpence a day — but I kept my eyes open, and determined to reach better things. To this end I did everything I could to gain knowledge. In addition to acting, I helped to develop and cut the films, assisted with the sots, and painted the scenery, while if there happened to be anything out of the way to be done, such as falling into a river, or taking a crack over the head — all for the sake of art, you know — why, everybody would say: ‘Oh, Fred’ll do it!’
The Pimple Series.
“Well, I steadily advanced, in my now profession, and eventually appeared in the first English film of 800 feet. In those days British pictures used to be but 400 feet, and it was said that no one would dare to buy a film of greater length, but I disproved that assertion, and the sales of this comedy were so enormous that the company for which I was working was able to buy a new studio out of the proceeds! After this success I was signed on at the munificent sum of two pounds per week, and then produced the ‘Charlie Smiler’ series, which enjoyed a great run. Later I left the company for a better offer of three pounds per week, and in 1912 started the ‘Pimple’ series.
“It was this series which made my name on the British screen, but it by no means made my fortune, or that of my brother, Joe Evans, who used to appear as ‘Raffles’ in these pictures. When he joined me, we worked for a joint salary of ten pounds per week, and for this sum we used to paint the scenery, select our own artists, and produce the films ourselves. And all the time the people for whom we worked were making thousands of pounds out of us! And that has been my experience throughout my picture career — cheapness. And where there is cheapness there is opportunity — and encouragement?
His Nickname.
“You know, I have never had a proper chance as an Englishman,” continued Mr. Evans. “I spent two years in the Service, and yet, after making an enormous personal success in films, and then throwing up my place in the film market — for two years’ absence in the Army means something to a film actor — I wasn’t once given a chance, though, as regards my work on the halls, I have just signed, through the good offices of Lew Lake, a contract for £40,000.
“Yet ‘Pimple’ still reigns, and remains what he has so often been called — ‘Britain’s Greatest Film Comedian.’ In Lancashire and Yorkshire, especially, I have a tremendous following, and children everywhere love and worship the character I have created. Well, if producers over here don’t realise that I’ve got some of the finest comedy plots going, and make it worth my while to produce them, I shall look — in fact, I am looking now, for a big American producer who will take a keen interest in what I have to offer.”
In conclusion, Mr. Evans told me how he came to adopt the name of “Pimple” on the screen and halls.
“Twenty-seven years ago I was known as ‘Little Pimple’ in Sanger’s Circus, and so, when I went on the films and needed a distinctive title, I took up the name again — minus the ‘little’! But” — this with fond pride — “I have three little ‘Pimples’ at home — all girls!”
May Herschel Clarke.
—
Collection: Picture Show Magazine, May 1920