Stanley Holloway first appeared in "The Co-Optimists" and made some recordings as part of this Concert Party. The tracks on this CD date from a slightly later period and feature the two characters which he made famous - Sam Small and Albert Ramsbottom.
Marriott Edgar, created the character of Albert Ramsbottom. A press report, detailing the mauling of a young boy at London Zoo, had caught his attention. By changing the venue to Blackpool, it was possible to inject some northern humour into the story and thus “The Lion and Albert” was born.
Stanley Holloway's monologues had large record sales during the 1930s, and the figure of Young Albert swallowed by the Lion crept into the National Consciousness - the monologue Albert and his Savings was used during the Second World War to promote National Savings.
Sam Small who famously refused to pick up his musket also feature in a rare recording Sam Small at Westminster which Stanley Holloway used to promote the election of the National Government.