Memories of Mo
Object numberM2018/063a
TitleMemories of Mo
DescriptionVinyl 2 LP set entitled ‘Memories of Mo’ featuring Roy Rene (Mo), Hal Lashwood, Jack Davey, Jack Burgess, Harry Griffiths, Harry Avondale and Kitty Bluett. The record was produced by Laser Record Productions in 1985.
Harry van der Sluis, better known by his stage name Roy Rene (after a famous French clown) and bawdy character ‘Mo McCackie’, was an iconic Australian comedian who achieved success on the vaudeville circuit during World War I, teaming up with fellow performer Nat Phillips in 1916 to form the famous duo ‘Stiffy and Mo’. When the two split, van der Sluis went on to tour with his own company and, at the close of World War II, appeared on the radio show ‘McCackie Mansion’. Exaggerating his own lisp to cover it, peppering his act with pork jokes and big nose puns to make prominent his Jewish heritage, van der Sluis reflected back to his audience the discrimination about which others would not speak. Although he wrapped his social commentary in riotous hilarity and ribald spontaneity, it inevitably brought him into conflict with those who wanted his humour to be less controversial. But behind every great comedian is a savage social commentator and perceptive thinker, and in this respect, Harry van der Sluis was one of Australia’s greatest and best-loved comedians.
Harry van der Sluis, better known by his stage name Roy Rene (after a famous French clown) and bawdy character ‘Mo McCackie’, was an iconic Australian comedian who achieved success on the vaudeville circuit during World War I, teaming up with fellow performer Nat Phillips in 1916 to form the famous duo ‘Stiffy and Mo’. When the two split, van der Sluis went on to tour with his own company and, at the close of World War II, appeared on the radio show ‘McCackie Mansion’. Exaggerating his own lisp to cover it, peppering his act with pork jokes and big nose puns to make prominent his Jewish heritage, van der Sluis reflected back to his audience the discrimination about which others would not speak. Although he wrapped his social commentary in riotous hilarity and ribald spontaneity, it inevitably brought him into conflict with those who wanted his humour to be less controversial. But behind every great comedian is a savage social commentator and perceptive thinker, and in this respect, Harry van der Sluis was one of Australia’s greatest and best-loved comedians.
Production placeAustralia
Production date 1985 - 1985
Subjecthumour, vaudeville, entertainment
Object namegramophone records
Dimensions
- height: 310.00
width: 310.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection