To millions today who see the fast food chain across America called Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips, the younger generation has no idea who Arthur Treacher is. But to us who are of the older generation, Arthur Treacher (1894-1975) was the ultimate, the very ultimate English butler in the movies. From the time he appeared in “Thank You Jeeves” in 1936, Arthur went thru 30 years as a butler appearing in dozens of films as a butler. He was also a part of the stock company for Shirley Temple in the 1930s, forever playing a butler – be it in “Curly Top Stow Away”, or “Little Princess”. He was very close to young Shirley. His other films were classics such as “Heidi”, the best of Shirley Temple, “In Society” with Abbott and Costello, “That Midnight Kiss”, “National Velvet”, part of an all-star ensemble in the Paramount blockbuster “Star Spangled Rhythm” and finally ending up with “Mary Poppins” in 1964. In between were scores of TV shows highlighted by his 12 year association on “The Merv Griffin Show”, a talk show veteran, where Arthur played second fiddle to Merv, forever sitting on the couch along side Merv’s seat at the desk as Arthur, brooding in silence, took in the news of the guest that night. To younger generations he is known here. And to younger generations too he is the spokesman, the named star, in his Fish and Chips chain. I see him these days in reruns of old game shows from the 50s as a celebrity guest and the one constant re-airing of a TV credit is the “Beverly Hillbillies” where he played what else but the butler in a famous 2 parter in 1964, winding up his acting career with his last years devoted to the Griffin show. It’s fun seeing Arthur ,n the DVD release of “The Best of Merv Griffin”. His constant dry English wit is evident as he takes in the news of the day shooting back with biting wit.
Well, in 1970 I wrote Mr. Treacher in NYC and sure enough he replied with an 8by10 glossy from “Thank You Jeeves” signing it, “My dear Mr. Kessel, would you care for a spot of tea old boy? Eternally yours, Arthur Treacher”. A week later what followed was a letter answering some of the many questioned I posed to him. He wrote it himself. No secretary, no mimeoograph machine but the aging actor always appreciative of fans took time to reply in his own hand. In part this is what I find revealing in what he said. “Thomas sir, your mention of dear Shirley Temple conjures up many happy memories. Young as she was, she was an old pro. She knew her lines had eloquent manners, had no airs about herself. She was more concerned going off to a circus event or having a picnic rather than to meet for instance the President of the United States. She was the genuine article unaffected by the pressures of the day. Your repeated reference to “Heidi” delights me. This seems to be most remembered part. Remember the scene of the milking goat squirting milk on yours truly? We had to do several retakes old chum. The goat was most uncooperative. I see Shirley only when our paths cross say for a social event. She’s unaffected by the passage of years and remains friends with the same people she’s known as a child. I adore her dearly. You mention Abbott and Costello. They were not the most pleasant guys to work with. These old chums preferred wild hi-jinks on the set than to be properly behaved and on time to film a scene. They have had a reputation for such behavior for some years now. Mario Lanza…yes, I enjoyed working with him. I never heard such a voice. He would practice live on the set before cameras rolled to do our film. I marveled at his voice. We lost him at such a young age. I enjoyed my years at 20th Century Fox but I also enjoyed the benefits of freelancing to other studios. My name was well known. I was on call 24 hours a day to play the same role, one tailor-made for me for better or for worse, the butler. But that’s fine. I’m glad just to be remembered. You mentioned “The Beverly Hillbillies”. Yes, that pretty much wrapped up my acting career right after “Mary Poppins” but in that one I played a bobby, not a butler. Your knowledge of names, places, films, and events amazes me. I’m very happy you watch the Griffin show. It’s an easy chore. I could phone it in to be honest. So simple to apply yourself to a seated cushion and look disinterested with a ready made remark. I still have a legion of fans who appear to enjoy my antics if that’s the word. But the money is good and Mr. Griffin or Mervin as we all know I call him in jest is a very learned man, highly intelligent, and he has a good grasp on the events of the day to make great copy on the show. I’m having a lot of fun these days doing pretty much not much of anything. Thanks again, Thomas, and I hope you continue watching. Respectfully yours, your butler in waiting, Arthur V. Treacher”.
Folks if you are like me and can read the words this gifted thespian wrote, you can detect that his sparkling wit and very British way about him is in full force here. I can almost hear Arthur say the very words he wrote in his descriptive mode. Arthur in later years lent his name to the restaurant chain that still bears his name. But to me and to millions there was no other butler ever in the films. He served his role well, did a great service, and gave every role a prestigious quality performance no matter how demeaning at times it might be to repeat the same role. He gave the butler business a sense of pride, giving it great honor. Many of these actors like Arthur Treacher could be looking for an outlet in opening up and revealing to us fans a truer side to their hard-edged character. It’s an outlet to say what’s on your mind privately knowing no cameras are afoot.
Thank you, Arthur Treacher. What a character, what a fine decent man, very British upper crust, possibly a bit stuffy and regal but hey, you did the butler profession proud. We are proud of you. Thanks for your remarks. And thank you fans again for letting me tell you in a small way how the other half lives when conversing privately. God rest your soul, Mr. Treacher. You are indeed a treasure. Not a buried treasure of course. The movies will never again see the likes of you .This man was one classy act. It’s been 35 years since he died at 81. Where have the years gone since I added his obits to my collection? Arthur Treacher: England’s pride and joy.
This is Tom Kessel. Thanks all of you.
Like you, I could hear Arthur Treacher’s voice saying the words he wrote to you, Tom. He seems to have truly enjoyed his long career, despite being type cast as a butler. I found his comments about Shirley Temple very interesting. How refreshing to know that she wasn’t the typical spoiled child star, all the more remarkable when you consider how young she was when she started in show business. Thanks for sharing!
Dear Mr. Kessel, I really enjoyed reading what you wrote. Thanks for sharing Mr. Treacher’s humble and entertaining words. They put a nice “period” on his life for me.