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Optimists of 1931

Billy Scarrow vocalist in Motherland at Hippodrome, South BankFilm Work

Billy Scarrow started off in 1931 as we assume he finished 1930, ie doing film work. In May he worked as a vocalist for the picture "Motherland", playing from May 11th to 13th at the Hippodrome, South Bank, Middlesbrough. There were two showings each evening, one at 6:30pm and the second at 8:45pm. Ticket prices 3d, 5d, 8d and 1/-. This is the only material we have so far unearthed which illustrates his film work.

The Optimist's are born

Later on in the summer Billy re-opened his Redcar pierrot show, which was last seen in the 1927. This time he had a new name for his troupe, "Billy Scarrow's Optimists".

Takings in first week were a mere £5 7s, which would then have been shared among the eight pierrots are deduction of expenses. At the end of the season, the show had made a net loss for the year of £120. As a result of this poor return, Billy Scarrow was offered a free trial for his pitch rent for the following season by Redcar Council.