AustLit

Comedian, dancer, patterologist, actor, theatre manager, company general manager.

Chic Arnold and Charles Norman formed a popular partnership in the early 1920s, specialising in song, patter and eccentric dancing. For much of their time together the pair toured Harry Clay's Sydney suburban and regional New South Wales circuits. They also worked briefly for the Fullers. After the pair went their separate ways, sometime during the mid to late-1920s, Arnold relocated his career to the UK. He and Norman revived their act there in 1930 after a chance meeting, and returned to Australia in December 1932 for Ernest C. Rolls. After two years working in pantomime and revue they ended their partnership for good. Arnold continued to perform live and on radio well into the 1940s (including the Tivoli circuit). From the early 1930s he was also involved in the film industry, initially working as an assisant director for Charles Chauvel (notably on the 1934 feature Heritage) and in 1938 as an actor on the film Show Business.

After moving to Adelaide in 1938 Arnold worked as a voice recorder, photographer and community singing leader. From 1946 he was also employed as General Manager of Harry Wren Theatres Ltd.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]