Following the death of Jimmy O'Dea his comedy partner the writer, producer and actor Harry O'Donovan pays tribute to his friend.
The Irish actor and comedian Jimmy O’Dea died at the age of 65 on 7 January 1965. For almost 40 years he and the comedy scriptwriter and stage manager Harry O’Donovan were among the most successful partnerships in Irish theatre. In 1927 the duo formed O’D Productions.
From the stage of the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin Harry O’Donovan pays tribute to Jimmy O'Dea. He recalls how the pair's partnership was founded,
On a handshake with no legal formalities.
He remembers the first day he presented Jimmy O’Dea with a script featuring his character the Dublin street seller Biddy Mulligan,
I hope you’ll like it.
Harry O'Donovan recalls their first gramophone record 'Sixpence Each Way’, a series of comedy sketches featuring the inimitable Mrs Mulligan.
The death of his partner marks the end of Harry O’Donovan’s writing career for the stage,
I live in the past with Jimmy and I’ll sure you’ll forgive me for that.
A recitation sums up the many years he spent with Jimmy O’Dea,
Half my heart lies buried there.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 January 1965.
