Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
A E MATTHEWS OBE (1869-1960)
- The first edition of This Is Your Life to be repeated
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Alfred Edward Matthews, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre, having been led to believe he was there to be interviewed by Eamonn for a different programme.
'Matty', as he was affectionately known, began his theatrical career in 1886 as a fifteen-bob-a-week call boy. Eventually, he took up acting and made his professional debut in a play entitled The Nobel Vagabond. In a career that lasted over 70 years, Matty made over 30000 stage appearances, in the West End, on Broadway and on tour.
He was among several theatre figures who began a film career during the silent era and became a familiar face in post-war British films of the 1940s and 1950s, most often cast as crotchety and sometimes rascally older men in such films as Quiet Wedding, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp and The Chiltern Hundreds.
programme details...
- Edition No: 65
- Subject No: 65
- Broadcast live: Mon 5 May 1958
- Broadcast time: 8.45-9.15pm
- Repeated: Thu 10 Jul 1958 9.30pm
- Venue: BBC Television Theatre
- Series: 3
- Edition: 31
on the guest list...
- Ellaline Terriss
- Marie Lohr
- Charles Moore
- Pauline Chase
- Margaret Lockwood
- William Douglas Home
- Cecil Parker Filmed tributes:
- Robert Morley
- Gladys Cooper
production team...
- Researchers: Ray Marler, Bill Nolan
- Writer: Peter Moore
- Director: unknown
- Producer: T Leslie Jackson
- names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life
spotlight on the stars
the show's fifty year history
Press coverage as the third series ends
Somewhere, Someone - This Is Your Life
Talk of Thames feature on the programme's 1969 relaunch
Photographs of A E Matthews This Is Your Life
The programme that springs to a number of minds as one of the liveliest of the lot was the one that featured the late A E Matthews. Matty had been a bit of a hellion all his life, a loveable, unpredictable rebel whose sense of fun was monumental. I knew I had a tough assignment on my hands once the decision was made to present his "life". On transmission he did just about every solitary thing calculated to wreck the show's intricate timing and drive me up the drapes.
He snorted, contradicted, interrupted, laughed, and at one stage even stretched out on the couch and said he was going to have a snooze. When I came off at programme's end, the perspiration had soaked right through my vest, shirt and jacket, making a huge dark stain where my jacket clung to my back.
It was at a time when the programme was receiving a dose of its periodic criticism from the Press. Words like "intrusion", "unfair", "torture" were being bandied about with gay abandon. At the end of that programme there was a little incident which in its own way was the most effective answer to most of the accusations.
Usually at the end of a programme, after the presentation of the book, and when the end-titles have faded off the screen, I say a few words to the studio audience. This time though, before I had a chance to walk downstage, Matty held up his hand to quell the applause that was still rolling in from the packed auditorium. There were tears brimming his eyes, this tough old actor who had been on the stage most of his nearly ninety years, and so had experienced just about everything show-business can offer in the way of honours and surprises. He had never seen This Is Your Life before, and had no idea what was involved. But now, when the hush clamped down on the theatre audience, he came downstage and said in a voice shaking a little – "Ladies and gentlemen, I would just like to say, this has been the greatest experience in my whole life..."
He obviously wanted to go on, but his voice broke. Then after a pause he said: "Thank you, and God Bless you."
It was one of the most moving scenes I have watched. Two minutes before Matty had been full of mischief and fun. Now, near the end of his life, he was saying that he had had to wait until this night for his greatest experience.
There was nothing I could say.
One of the programmes that Eamonn liked to remember involved the veteran actor A.E. Matthews. It stretched his nerves to breaking point. Even now, some years after Life was first introduced to British viewers, Eamonn was nervous at the pick-up moment and was often seen to perspire freely. He knew he faced in Matthews a warm-hearted but unpredictable 'rebel'. 'I had a tough assignment on my hands once the decision was made to present his life,' he said later. 'On transmission he did just about every solitary thing calculated to wreck the show's intricate timing and drive me up the drapes.'
Viewers at one point watched in amazement as Matthews contradicted, interrupted and laughed aloud. He was seen to stretch out on the couch and told all and sundry he was going to have a snooze. But there was a happy ending when he told the audience with tears in his eyes, 'Ladies and gentlemen, I would just like to say, that it has been the greatest experience in my whole life...'
He wanted to go on, but his voice broke. Then after a slight pause, he muttered, 'Thank you, God Bless You.' For Eamonn, it was a memorable moment. The old actor was nearly ninety years of age and had all the fame theatre can offer, yet that night he had tasted an altogether new experience, or as Eamonn put it: 'Two minutes before Matty had been full of mischief and fun. Now, near the end of his life, he was saying that he had to wait until this night for his greatest experience. There was nothing I could say.'
Eamonn was pleased for another reason. Occasionally the newspaper critics sniped at him - and at the programme. They accused him of 'intruding in people's private lives' and of 'inflicting a kind of torture'. He dismissed these accusations out of hand. He saw Life as a celebration. As he liked to say, 'We do not shock, nor do we pry. We try to make the show a joy. It brings people together.'
Daily Express 6 May 1958
By ROBERT CANNELL
VIEWERS rang up the BBC to protest when A.E. Matthews, the 88-year-old actor, was faded out just as he began to speak at the end of last night's This Is Your Life.
They said it was clumsy and unforgivable. And the BBC apologised for "an unintentional mistake which we regret. It was a pure misunderstanding."
"Mattie," subject of the programme, had been laughing and wiping away a tear by turns during half an hour of the most human television that this series has screened.
Complaining
Again and again he complained "I can't get a word in" as he met some of the actresses with whom he has worked in his long career – Margaret Lockwood, Pauline Chase (the original Peter Pan), Marie Lohr ("Darling, have you got a job?"), and Ellaline Terriss, 87-year-old widow of Sir Seymour Hicks.
Lady Hicks talked of the time when "Dear Mattie" gave her famous husband his first stage job: "You used to walk to and from the theatre to save the bus fare."
But Mattie glared: "We hadn't got the bus fare to save."
There was a filmed tribute from Robert Morley in Vienna. And Mattie, ignoring the fact that it was a film, talked to Morley about "a boy called Rex Harrison whom I read about every morning in the papers."
Startling
He was startled when Eamonn Andrews produced the birth certificate of Alfred Edward Matthews, born November 22 1869.
"Where did you get that?" he demanded. "I've been looking for it. I'm off to Naples on Friday and they won't let me go without it."
Once he burst through the script to exclaim: "This is the night of my life. This is the greatest thrill of my few years on the stage. This is wonderful. Is there a good house out there?"
This was THE life of the whole series. Mattie was so touched that as Eamonn Andrews began the closing ritual the actor beckoned him and whispered.
It was obvious he wanted to say something. He got up and walked to the footlights.
A finger ran round his collar. For the first time Mattie looked serious, close to tears.
And then he was faded out.
Manchester Evening News 6 May 1958
TOO many shows in need of pep have lately relied on importing A E Matthews, so I was not too happy when it became clear he was to be the subject of last night's This Is Your Life, the last in the current BBC series.
The depression soon went, for Matty, always unpredictable, gave a dazzling performance. He embraced all his "girl friends" from Ellaline Terriss to Margaret Lockwood, and was often one move ahead of Eamonn Andrews. He managed to get in what must be the regular complaint of This Is Your Life subjects: "But you don't let me say anything!"
Evening Chronicle 6 May 1958
SHOW business yet again for This Is Your Life and as exuberant a display of him acting from A E Matthews as has ever been on the small screen, and there's been some competition.
He played for laughs all the way through and maybe he even got some. But not from me.
Liverpool Daily Post 6 May 1958
The last number of the present series of This Is Your Life was far less embarrassing than most of its predecessors, one in particular. A E Matthews is no stranger to the television camera and he obviously does not shrink from its searching eye. Indeed, this programme turned out to be a good comedy act by Eamonn Andrews and the old actor who is still such an original character.
The Birmingham Post and Gazette 6 May 1958
For the last programme in the present series of This Is Your Life on BBC television, the subject was A E Matthews, the veteran actor. He had been invited to the studio to give a talk about his life, and he was indignant when one after another friends and colleagues came forward to speak about their associations with him and he himself was not allowed to speak. One of his oldest friends was the late Sir Seymour Hicks, and Lady Hicks (Ellaline Terriss) came on stage to greet him, followed by Marie Lohr, Pauline Chase and Margaret Lockwood. Robert Morley spoke to him on film from Vienna and Gladys Cooper from California. This was show business life that really deserved to be recalled, for it included reminiscences of theatrical occasions throughout 70 years, and allowed viewers to see again some of the famous stage beauties of the past.
Yorkshire Post 6 May 1958
By JOHN MARSHALL
THERE has never been a This Is Your Life quite like it. The subject was the 89-year-old Mr A.E. Matthews, who declared it to be "The greatest night of my life in my few years on the stage."
Mr Matthews is an unpredictable person and threw all the carefully pre-arranged timing plans out of gear. He chattered on about all manner of things - his boots, his leading ladies, his work, his pay on a long-forgotten Australian tour - and it was quite impossible at times for anyone else to get a word in edgeways. But the result was wonderful television.
Nottingham Evening News 9 May 1958
IT was a glorious finale to the present series of This Is Your Life when the unpredictable "Mattie" gave viewers some moments of splendid fun and Eamonn Andrews his toughest assignment. Never has Mr Andrews shown his gracious discipline to greater effect, for "Mattie" was almost under control and almost overwhelmed by the memories which confronted him. This programme will have increased the affection which so many people have for a gay veteran.
Ireland's Saturday Night 10 May 1958
BY Hastings Maguinness
FOR the finale of the winter series of This Is Your Life the BBC certainly picked a winner in taking A E Matthews as the subject. I do not remember any programme of this series which has given me greater pleasure.
I concede right away that many people feel that "Matty" was hamming on several occasions throughout the half hour. But never mind that. The veteran actor is licensed to do this sort of thing on television or anywhere else because he is undoubtedly one of the real personalities in entertainment today.
But even if A E did do a little bit of extra acting on this occasion it was obvious that there were phases during which he was genuinely moved.
As I have said before there may be some aspects of This is Your Life which fall into the cliché category but that does not alter the fact that the programme deservedly maintains its huge pulling power despite sneers of some of the experts.
Apart altogether from A E Matthews now is the time, I think, to pay full compliment to Eamonn Andrews for the way he has handled this series.
Of course Andrews has had much praise but I want to add to that at this stage with the hope that the BBC will ignore any attempts to bring This Is Your Life to a close.
In this particular sphere Andrews probably earns top marks in a versatile career in which he seldom falls short in any role.
It will be a sorry day for the BBC if Andrews should be allowed to stay across the Atlantic on one of his trips over there and it will be the hope of most viewers that he will not succumb to any blandishments during his stay in the United States.
For remember this, without Andrews even with the best subjects in the world, This Is Your Life would not succeed with British audiences if it were not for Andrews's contribution.
The range of approaches Andrews uses with such success is amazing.
Of course I know I have said this before but I think this tribute to a very great TV personality is appropriate at this time when he is about to leave our screens for a spell.
Sunderland Echo 27 June 1958
A E MATTHEWS, the exuberant octogenarian who gave a remarkable ad lib performance on the last of the This Is Your Life series will be appearing in two serials "The Royalty," and "The Sky Larks."
"Matty," who became equally famous overnight for squatting in the street outside his home to prevent workmen from erecting a lamp-post, should feel at home in "The Sky Larks," a 13-part naval comedy series which begins on July 11 as he has often played irascible old admirals in films.
But these appearances are not sufficient to satisfy the appetites of an appreciative TV public. The telerecording of his "Life" will be on view on July 10.
Manchester Evening News 27 June 1958
SO successful was the appearance of A E Matthews in This Is Your Life - the show was seen by 11M viewers, the BBC claims - that the tele-recording will be shown again on July 10.
Matty turns up in "The Royalty" on July 4 and in later episodes of the naval comedy series "The Skylarks," which begins on July 11.
Northern Daily Mail 1 July 1958
THAT exuberant octogenarian, A E Matthews, brought the last series of This Is Your Life to a close with a vigorous Victorian bang, and in response to many requests BBC television will present a telerecording of that occasion on Thursday, July 10.
This is the first time that viewers have had an opportunity to see a repeat performance of This Is Your Life.
Mr Matthews will be appearing in "The Royalty" on July 4, and in later editions of "The Skylarks," the title which has now been given to the 13 part naval comedy series starting on July 11.
Birmingham Weekly Post and Midland Pictorial 4 July 1958
A E "Matty" Matthews, who caused such a stir on the final "This Is Your Life" programme, has now achieved another record.
The public demand for a repeat of his performance has been so great that the BBC is presenting a telerecording of the programme on Thursday.
Evening Express 5 July 1958
Radio-TV By Kelvin Portland
ONE of the most moving, dramatic and embarrassing episodes I have ever seen on television is to be repeated next Thursday by popular demand.
I refer to that remarkable performance by veteran actor A E Matthews which ended the last series of This Is Your Life with a bang or a whimper, I'm not sure which.
More than 11,000,000 viewers looked on as the fine old man ran the gauntlet of emotion stirred in him by memory.
It will be the first time a repeat broadcast of This Is Your Life has ever been made.
I am not convinced that a man's emotions should be exposed in this way for our "entertainment," but the programme shows television at its most powerful.
The Northern Whig and Belfast Post 7 July 1958
THERE was never such an uproar of laughter - not to mention a few tears - as when 89-year-old actor A E Matthews rounded off the This Is Your Life series at the end of May. It has been estimated that 11,000,000 viewers were looking in on the Victorian past of this top-booted stage veteran in the deer-stalker hat.
At the time his name was in every newspaper in connection with his stout-hearted challenge to the local council against the erection of a concrete lamp-post outside his Hertfordshire cottage.
So many viewers wrote in asking for a repeat performance that the tele-recording is being given a second airing on Thursday night - the first time that This Is Your Life has ever been transmitted more than once.
"Matty's" audience was the second biggest ever recorded. Biggest of all was for Harry Secombe.
Leicester Mercury 7 July 1958
IF all your friends told you what excellent entertainment you missed when "Matty" (octogenarian actor A E Mathews) was the subject of This Is Your Life recently, then you have the chance on Thursday to see if they were right in their praise. The BBC are telerecording the show - even though it was seen by 11 million people.
Matty has created a record. This will be the first time that This Is Your Life has been repeated.
Sunderland Echo 8 July 1958
"A E Matthews - This Is Your Life." Those words by Eamonn Andrews sparked off one of the most brilliant unrehearsed programmes seen on television.
"Matty" was so popular that viewers have demanded a repeat of the programme - which can be seen on Thursday.
Daily Mirror 10 July 1958
BBC viewers have been asking for another look at "Matty's Life" - the This Is Your Life programme on veteran actor A E Matthews which was seen by more than 11,000,000 viewers.
So tonight at 9.30, the BBC are putting on the telerecording of the show - the first time there has been a "Life" repeated.
The Guardian 10 July 1958
THAT EXUBERANT octogenarian A E Matthews brought the last series of This Is Your Life to a close with a vigorous Victorian bang.
Matty's remarkable performance was seen by more than eleven million viewers (the second largest audience ever to watch the show), and in response to many requests BBC Television will present a telerecording of that occasion tonight.
This is the first time that viewers have had an opportunity to see a repeat performance of This Is Your Life.
Evening Chronicle 11 July 1958
The repeat of the delightful This Is Your Life programme about A E Matthews was a good and successful idea.
The sparkle and vivacity of the near ninety-year-old filled the television screen with an irresistible spirit.
Evening News 17 July 1958
One was left wondering a little why it was thought necessary, or even desirable, to repeat the This Is Your Life programme featuring veteran A E Matthews.
Of all the programmes in this series this was one of the most futile and the most embarrassing and the BBC programme planners must know this.
Mr Matthews is also featured each week in "The Royalty." As his appearance does not seem to have any important bearing on the plot and is of the most fleeting character, one can only assume that he is included because of his star value.
Daily Record 4 August 1958
Stage and TV actor A E Matthews, who will be 90 in November, yesterday telephoned red-haired starlet Pat Laurence, who is 16, and said: "How about another lesson?"
And Pat hurried from her home at Neasdon, Middlesex, to his house, at Bushey, Herts. There she had her fifth lesson from Mr Matthews on "What Not to Do in the Theatre."
That's the subject of a secret course Pat is taking from Matty - a course which she hopes will help her to become a great actress.
The idea for the lessons came to Pat when she saw Matty in BBC television's This Is Your Life. She heard actor Robert Morley say: "Matty, the greatest tragedy of our business is that you have never taken a pupil."
Evening Express 27 July 1960
LAST NIGHT on T.V.
In a make-believe summer devoted largely to repeats, last night was something of a landmark, what with another Mounties drama, more of Stanley Baxter, scenes from the sequel to "Sailor Beware" at the Aldwych Theatre, with Kathleen Harrison, the first of a new inquiry series on crime, by Christopher Mayhew, MP, and a surprise item - an excellent tribute to "Matty," that doyen of actors, who died this week.
And "Matty." We could not say goodbye to him without recalling that amazing performance he gave in This Is Your Life not so long ago - the one that almost turned Eamonn Andrews' hair grey. We can ill afford to lose such characters as A E Matthews.
Series 3 subjects
Albert Whelan | Colin Hodgkinson | Vera Lynn | Arthur Christiansen | John Logie Baird | Richard Carr-Gomm | Jack TrainEdith Powell | Anne Brusselmans | Norman Wisdom | Victor Silvester | Jack Petersen | Lucy Jane Dobson
David Bell | Matt Busby | Minnie Barnard | Gordon Steele | Louie Ramsay | Tubby Clayton | Daniel Angel
Anna Neagle | 'Dapper' Channon | Frederick Stone | Paul Field | Noel Purcell | Barbara Cartland
Harry Secombe | Archie Rowe | Humphrey Lyttelton | Francis Cammaerts | A E Matthews