Buster Fiddess

Buster Fiddess (c. 1910 – 14 January 1972) born Fiddes, presumably changed as a pronunciation guide, was an Australian comedian, best known for his work in vaudeville and television variety shows. He was described as a "rubber-faced comedian"[1] who "wore tails and walked like a mechanically wound-up man, with a straight back and straight, long, fair hair".[2]

History

Nothing has been found of his origin.

Joshua Fiddes (aged 25) and Buster Leslie Fiddes (22), were working for the notorious dance/cabaret Graham's Club ("a law unto itself" in a basement, Hunter Street, Sydney) in October 1936,[3] when they were fined for serving alcohol in unlicensed premises. They developed a routine as "Fiddes Brothers, acrobats and eccentric dancers from America",[a] and were engaged on the Tivoli circuit during 1936–37,[4]. then other shows in NSW.[5] Joshua has been lost to history, but in December 1937 Buster Fiddes was advertised as "Australia's youngest and funniest comedian".[6]

Though he was already well known in circus, and "over the air"[7] (radio),[b] his first appearance as a stage comedian was with Billy Heaton's troupe as a vocalist and comedian from July[9] to August 1939,[10] ably supported by John Carfax.[11][c]

On the Tivoli circuit he was closely associated with George Wallace.[7]

He made the news for all the wrong reasons in November 1945, when he was the target of one of a string of bashings in Sydney, though on this occasion the assailants were frightened off by Fiddess's dog.[14]

He was associated with Will Mahoney's "Pleasure Bound" revue at the Cremorne, Brisbane, in July–August 1948. His performances included "Kiddington", a satirical mind reading act.[15]

He was one of a cavalcade of Australian entertainers who performed for the troops in October 1970 Vietnam during the "American War".

Veteran comedian Buster Fiddess was a big hit with a large group of troops when he performed at the 1st Australian Task Force Base (1ATF), at Nui Dat. He was a member of the Sydney Concert Party which toured Australian, and some American bases in the war zone this month. The concert party also included three female vocalists, Helen Noonan, Sylvia Raye and Mary Jane Boyde and fourteen members of the Sydney ABC Show Band, with compere Gordon Boyde.[16]

Perhaps his last TV appearance was Carry On Spike in Australia on Channel 9 on 20 March 1972. The show, compered by John Laws and starring Spike Milligan, included appearances by Ruth Cracknell and John Meillon. He died suddenly at his home in Collaroy, New South Wales.[1]

On 6 February 1972, a benefit concert to assist his family was held in the State Theatre. Among stars taking part were Bobby Limb and Dawn Lake, Graham Kennedy, Johnny Lockwood, Stuart Wagstaff, Tony Barber, Maggie Fitzgibbon, Col Joye, Kamahl, Little Pattie, Gordon Boyd, and Johnny Farnham.[2]

Fiddess was married with five children.

Notes

  1. ^ This assertion was never repeated, so may have been an attempt by a publicist to improve their public profile.
  2. ^ It is possible he was performing in June–July 1934 as "Les Fiddes, crooner" on radio 2BL in New South Wales.[8]
  3. ^ The real name of the highly regarded John Carfax was Hal Andrews,[12] under which name he performed with comedians Will and Dora Gilbert 1928–29.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b "Veteran comedian dies suddenly". The Canberra Times. Vol. 46, no. 13, 019. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 January 1972. p. 8. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b "Fiddess Benefit Show". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 39, no. 37. Australia, Australia. 9 February 1972. p. 21. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Heavy Fines For Club's Breach Of Liquor Laws". The Sun (Sydney). No. 8350. New South Wales, Australia. 7 October 1936. p. 20. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Caption". Sydney Truth. No. 2478. New South Wales, Australia. 4 July 1937. p. 17. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "The Jolly K'nuts". National Advocate. New South Wales, Australia. 30 September 1937. p. 4. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Advertising". The Katoomba Daily. Vol. 15, no. 222. New South Wales, Australia. 17 December 1937. p. 2. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ a b "Buster Fiddess to Appear". The Biz. No. 2828. New South Wales, Australia. 3 August 1960. p. 6. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "What's on the Air?". South Coast Register. Vol. 8, no. 22. New South Wales, Australia. 15 June 1934. p. 5. Retrieved 6 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Heaton's Stage Shows". The Northern Producer and Morawa and District Advertiser. No. 550. Western Australia. 11 August 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Vaudeville in Mullewa". The Mullewa Mail. Vol. 43, no. 2250. Western Australia. 19 August 1939. p. 1. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Entertainments". The West Australian. Vol. 55, no. 16, 536. Western Australia. 3 July 1939. p. 12. Retrieved 6 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "No title". Sunday Times (Perth). No. 2428. Western Australia. 27 August 1944. p. 8. Retrieved 6 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Local & General". Geraldton Guardian and Express. Vol. 1, no. 59. Western Australia. 16 March 1929. p. 2. Retrieved 23 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "City Thugs Get Three More; Actor Slashed". The Sun (Sydney). No. 11, 164. New South Wales, Australia. 2 November 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Stage satire on "mind readers"". The Sunday Mail (Brisbane). No. 953. Queensland, Australia. 25 July 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ Archives, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
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