Mike Connors
Born
Michael Aloysius Connors

1891
New York, United States
Died1949 (aged 57)
Australia
Occupation(s)Radio presenter, vaudevillian
SpouseQueenie Paul

Michael Aloysius Connors (1891–1949) was an American-born Australian vaudevillian and radio presenter.

Biography

He was born in New York and came to Australia in 1916 on a six-month stage contract as part of a vaudeville act, contracted by Benjamin Fuller.[1]

After arriving in Australia, Connors met Queenie Paul whom he co-starred with in a revue.[2]

Connors and Paul married in Newcastle on 17 November 1917, and the couple subsequently became known for their collaborative stage work.[2][3][4][5]

After gaining financial backing in 1931, Connors and Paul established Con-Paul Theatres.[2] In 1932, Con-Paul Theatres took over the lease of the Grand Opera House in Sydney and renamed it the New Tivoli Theatre.[6]

The couple had three children together, Celestine, Colleen and Paul. Colleen Connors died at the age of five in December 1933 from meningitis.[7]

In 1938, Connors began working in radio at the ABC, hosting a national breakfast program and The Hospital Half-Hour.[8] Connors became seriously ill in 1948 from what was reported to be a blood clot. During his illness, he received many messages of support including one from Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley. [9] He returned to radio in December 1948, only to again fall ill several weeks later with his condition worsening.[10]

Mike Connors died at the age of 57 on 16 January 1949.[11] Fellow entertainers Roy Rene, Jack Davey, Harry Pringle, George Wallace, Jim Gussey and Reg Quartley served as pallbearers at Connors' funeral.[12] Radio announcer Russ Tyson, who was already filling in for Connors during his ill health, replaced Connors on his radio programs.[13][8]

Connors' widow, Queenie Paul commenced working nine months after the death of her husband.[14]

References

  1. ^ (17 January 1949) 'Mike' – hero to sick, The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Lees, Jennie Paul, Eveline Pauline (Queenie) (1893–1982), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 18, 2012. Accessed 24 October 2018.
  3. ^ (15 December 1922) Vaudevillians Arrive – Connors and Paul for the Royal, The Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  4. ^ (24 February 1930) Last curtain on vaudeville at Fuller's – theatre going Over to talkies, The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  5. ^ (27 December 1933) Connors and Paul back with 'flying colours', The Daily Standard. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  6. ^ McPherson, Ailsa (2010) Entry: New Tivoli Theatre, Dictionary of Sydney. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  7. ^ (20 January 1934) Human tragedy too deep for tears – vaudevillians mask their sorrow with smiles, Smith's Weekly. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  8. ^ a b (3 May 1975) Hospital Hour to end, The Canberra Times. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  9. ^ (12 December 1948) Mike's a lot thinner now, Truth. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  10. ^ (17 January 1949) Personality on radio – Death of 'Mike' Connors, The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  11. ^ (17 January 1949) Comedian's last bow, The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  12. ^ (19 January 1949) Mike Connors' funeral, Queensland Times. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  13. ^ Burns, Nelson (16 January 1949) Carrying On For Mike, The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  14. ^ (9 October 1949) Comedian's widow stages comeback, The Sun. Retrieved 24 October 2018.


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