Parker Fennelly
| Parker Fennelly | |
|---|---|
The "Allen's Alley" cast (l to r): Fred Allen, Kenny Delmar, Minerva Pious, Peter Donald and Parker Fennelly.
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| Born |
October 22, 1891 Northeast Harbor, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 1988 (aged 96) Peekskill, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1924-1971 |
Parker Fennelly (October 22, 1891 – January 22, 1988) was an American actor who appeared in ten films, numerous television episodes and hundreds of radio programs.
The son of gardener Nathan Fennelly and Estelle Dolliver Fennelly, he was born and raised in Northeast Harbor, Maine, and studied classical acting in Boston. He was a member of Boston's Toy Theater company and participated in Chautauqua readings. He studied under performing arts educator Leland T. Powers.
In 1915 and 1916, Fennelly toured on the Midland Chatauqua Circuit with the Maud Scheerer Shakespeare Players. In 1919, he traveled and acted with the Jack X. Lewis Stock Company. Fennelly and his wife, Catherine Reynolds Fennelly, formed the Parker Fennelly Duo, presenting short plays, readings and impersonations (1921 - 1923).
Fennelly's performances on Broadway included Mr. Pitt (1924), The Small Timers (1925), Florida Girl (1925), Babbling Brookes (1927), Black Velvet (1927), The County Chairman (1936), Yours, A. Lincoln (1942), Our Town (1944), Happily Ever After (1945), Live Life Again (1945), Loco (1946), and The Southwest Corner (1955). His other Broadway credits include directing Technique (1931), providing source material for Fulton of Oak Falls (1937), and writing Cuckoos on the Hearth (1941-1942).
Fennelly and Arthur Allen played "Yankee codgers" on two programs, The Stebbins boys of Bucksport Point and Snow Village Sketches, in the early years of radio.
Fennelly personified the crusty New England Yankee in roles on radio, films and television. He was heard weekly as Titus Moody on the "Allen's Alley" segment of Fred Allen's radio show where he delivered his famous opening line: "Howdy, Bub."
Fennelly's other roles on radio included the following:
In 1960, Fennelly recorded Moody Speaking, a series of "sparkling one-minute and five-minute vignettes" produced by Banner Radio Company for local stations.
Fennelly made numerous appearances on live television shows of the early 1950s, including Lux Video Theatre, The Philco Television Playhouse and Studio One. In 1970-71, he played Mr. Purdy on Headmaster on CBS.
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