Dear PICTURE SHOW Readers, Ever since I started out in films I have been a constant reader of this excellent magazine. And ever since I started out in films I have honestly hoped that one day I might be invited to write to you through this medium of this "open letter column" Now the opportunity has arisen, and I'm at a loss for words to express my sincere thanks to you. It's always the way. It seems a long time since I gave up my job as a call-boy at the magnificent Shepherd's Bush Studios to become an actor. To-day I think most people know that in my youth I cherished an inborn urge to act, but I must confess that I often said to myself: "What a hope, with all of this superfluous fat on me!" I've got a lot of people to thank for establishing me as a pretty successful screen player. You've probably heard lots of stories as to how I gained my first part. Here is the true version. Working at Gaumont-British Studios, I had naturally seen Tom Walls many times going in and out of the sound stages. And he always had a cheerful "good morning" or "good afternoon" for me. One particular morning I greeted him at the lift gates and gave him a cheery smile as best I could. I was later informed that it was the smile that persuaded him to pick me out from among my colleagues to play a "bit" in " A Cup of Kindness" I was in the choir scene in that film with one line to say. When I recently played with that grand actor George Arliss in "Dr. Syn" the picture opened up with myself singing in the country church choir with a group of other boys. Who said history doesn't repeat itself? I know I'm a lucky boy. Nobody has to remind me of that fact. Sometimes I look back at my home-life with my mother, father and two sisters, and think how wonderfully kind life has been to me. I have my own car, lots and lots of model aeroplanes - making them is one of my hobbies - and a number of other entertaining pastimes which keep me well occupied when I am not filming.  Now, a word about my fellow actors. Will Hay is not only a brilliant comedian, but in my opinion, he's also a grand friend. We get on enormously well together at work, and if you could see him in front of the cameras you'd realise just what a first-class artiste he really is. Moore Marriott is perhaps my greatest friend in the film business. It is to him that I owe a lot  of my success. He is always willing and ready to coach me in lines and situations. We often pay each other visits at home when not working, and if ever I happen to be appearing in a film without him, Moore Marriott always makes a point of visiting me on the set inside the studio or on location. Although neither Moore Marriott nor myself are in Will Hay's latest picture, "Hey, Hey, U.S.A.!" we will be reunited with him in his next, which is to be called "Old Bones of the River."  So until then, all the best of luck. Plumpingly yours, G.M.

Graham Moffatt was an absolute natural in front of the cameras and before long he was starring alongside Will Hay in the 1936 film 'Where There's a Will' in which he played the office boy. He teamed up with Hay and Marriott for the first time in the film 'Windbag the Sailor' and thus began a very successful period for young Graham. He would go on to star with Will Hay in eight films in total. After the break-up of the partnership with Hay, Graham and Moore Marriott remained at the Gainsborough studios and appeared in several films with Arthur Askey.These films with Askey, viewed today are very much in the same vein as the roles they played with Hay and are recommended viewing for anyone who enjoyed these two great actors performing at their peak. Graham made a few more films and then he left the acting profession and became the licensee of the Swan Inn at Braybrook, near Market Harbrough. He later moved to Bath and kept a pub there for seven years. Whilst being a publican he was offered occasional work and appeared as a champion ale drinker named Jumbo, in the film, 'Inn For Trouble.' Other small film roles presented themselves and he also appeared in the popular T.V sitcom 'The Army Game' In 1965 Graham Moffatt died in hospital at Bath. He was forty-five years old. It is a sad fact that Graham Moffatt's 'Albert' character along with Moore Marriott's 'Harbottle' coupled with the genius of Will Hay are now one of the forgotten comedy teams of their day. These guys were once at the pinnacle of their profession. There was no other comic team to touch them.  

Moore Marriott, real name George Thomas Moore Marriott had starred in silent films before the First World war and had appeared in leading roles in the late 1920's. By the 1930's he had started to specialise in character roles. His first appearance with Will Hay was one for which he was un-credited and it was as the stable boy in the 1935 film 'Dandy Dick'

He came from a theatrical family and had made his stage debut at the age of five. He had originally planned on a career as an architect, but later abandoned the idea and went into films to exploit the uncanny knack that he had in the art of disguise, very often playing the old man who invariably would be many years older than his real self. Moore Marriott appeared in seven films with Will Hay. He went on to feature in many other films with Arthur Askey and The Crazy Gang. He also played in notable dramatic roles like as the shepherd in 'Owd Bob' with Will Fyffe and in 'The History of Mr Polly.' Moore Marriott died in December 1949 aged sixty-four. He had out lived his screen partner Will Hay by eight months. At the time of his death he was keeping a grocers store in Bognor Regis. His partnership with Will Hay and Graham Moffatt was one of the finest that the British cinema as come up with and few doubt if it's comic hilarity can ever be bettered.

           

             Moore Marriott