The Stocks 1950 & 1961

The Stocks — 1950 and 1961 (simplified version)



In the early 1950s, the front rows of the East side stalls were simple wooden benches. Seats were numbered, but they folded down. Charlie would first appear in the circus among the audience, usually dressed up as a big, buxom lady.

For the 1950 “Fun at the Tower Garden Party,” a young boy playing the part of a stooge sat in the gangway, dressed in khaki denim, to reserve a seat for Charlie. Charlie only came down from the ring when it was time for the Dorocinas’ act, which was fourth on the programme.

As soon as the horse act finished, Charlie came down in the spotlight, dressed as a nanny carrying a “baby.” He went to sit with the “family,” then walked forward and complained to the ringmaster:

“I came here for fun — and nothing is happening!”

The ringmaster told him to wait. The boys then brought out the Stocks and table of prizes.

Paul Freeman, the white-face clown, told the audience that anyone locked in the Stocks who escaped within 60 seconds would win £5 — otherwise they’d get a small prize.

Charlie was doubtful. Paul demonstrated how it worked, escaping himself with the help of a hidden pedal that released the lock. Charlie wasn’t impressed.

While Charlie grumbled, Delbosq (the clown counting the time) accused Charlie of interrupting and asked for his ticket. Charlie borrowed a ticket from the stooge, who was pretending to be an attendant, and proudly showed it.

Charlie was told:

“Ask this gentleman for his ticket!”

Delbosq  invited Charlie into the ring — but once the baby bottle had burst, soaking the stooge, the “attendant” angrily stormed into the ring to complain.

By now, Charlie was back. He teased:

“Why don’t you try to win the £5?”

The stooge agreed and was locked in. Of course, he couldn’t get out and ended up covered in slosh and ice cream.

Then Charlie was persuaded to try. He was also trapped — receiving slosh, two ice cream cones on his forehead, and a jet of water from the siphon.

Charlie complained they would never get anyone into the Stocks again!

Paul insisted they would — and pointed out the escape pedal to the stooge. The stooge bet £10 he could do it.

While the stooge prepared, Charlie secretly disconnected the pedal. The stooge soon realised he was trapped and begged to be freed. Charlie refused:

“You haven’t earned it — now it’s my turn!”

Charlie poured custard down the stooge’s trousers, slapped a cream cake on his back, then put a bucket of slosh over his head and turned it twice.

Charlie then spotted a dartboard and, with mischief, picked up the darts — but just then the stooge discovered the entire Stocks frame could be lifted off its supports. He ran out of the ring with it around his neck. Charlie and Paul had to take a bow, disappointed.

1961 version

In 1961, Charlie didn’t arrive from the audience. There was no stooge, but most of the routine stayed the same.

Sammy Morris (son of comedian Dave Morris) acted as Charlie’s stooge from 1958 onward. Like Charlie, he was trapped in the Stocks — but this time there was no cake or darts.

Paul King, the new white-face clown, was the final “victim,” dressed as an attendant in brown overalls. He received the ice-cream cones — plus a full pint of milk poured over his head.