Sam Cree facts for kids

Samuel Raymond Cree (1928–1980) was a famous playwright from Northern Ireland. He wrote many popular plays in the 1960s and 1970s. These plays were often for well-known comedians like James Young and Jimmy Logan. Even today, his plays are loved by audiences and amateur theatre groups in Northern Ireland.

A Playwright's Journey

Sam Cree was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, on February 19, 1928. His parents were Robert Campbell Cree and Sarah Hanna. Early in his life, Sam worked in a drawing office in Lisburn.

First Steps in Writing

One day, Sam was asked to create something fun for his company's Christmas party. He wrote a short play called A Day in the Life of a managing director. Sam kept writing these short plays, which were often funny and a bit embarrassing for his co-workers!

Sam felt good about his writing. He sent one of his short plays to the famous comedian James Young. Young's business partner, Jack Hudson, thought it was not very good. The play needed a whole street of houses for the set, the jokes weren't funny, and it had no clear ending.

James Young wrote back to Sam. He thanked him for his effort. Young also suggested Sam come to his next show. This would help Sam understand what was needed for a good play. Sam took Young's advice. He even kept the letter, calling it his first professional feedback.

Working with James Young

After that, Sam's writing often appeared in James Young's shows. Young would share his ideas for plays. Sam would then quickly turn these ideas into ready-to-use scripts.

Later, a play called Over The Bridge was removed from the Ulster Group Theatre. James Young was then asked to bring his comedy to the theatre. Young asked Sam to change a play called The Love Match by Glenn Melvyn. Sam was to make it fit an audience in Ulster.

A Big Success

Sam's version of The Love Match was about Alec Galbraith. Alec was a huge fan of Linfield Football Club. His son, Davy, joined the rival team, Glentoran. The play first opened on March 8, 1960. It ran for ten weeks and was a big hit!

Because of this success, Young and Hudson became leaders of the Group Theatre in Autumn 1960. They asked Sam to write a follow-up play. Sam wrote Wedding Fever.

The first night of Wedding Fever was a very special event. Important people like the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Lord Brookeborough, and the Belfast Lord Mayor, Sir Robin Kinahan, were there. Sam's play ran for 42 weeks! Its success helped the Group Theatre pay off all its debts.

An agent offered Sam a lot of money for the rights to Wedding Fever. But Sam did not sell. Later, his plays were earning a huge amount of money each day.

Writing for Others

After Wedding Fever, Sam wanted to write plays without James Young's direct input. He wanted to create his own style.

Sam also wrote for Scottish comedian Jimmy Logan. Logan appeared in many of Sam's short plays and full plays. These included Cupid Wore Skirts, Married Bliss, Second Honeymoon, and Wedding Fever.

Sam was offered a large sum of money for his play Cupid Wore Skirts. At the peak of his success, he spent three weeks in Hollywood. He toured the famous studios and met stars like Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Liza Minnelli.

Sam also wrote for The Carry On films. He even wrote for famous comedians like George Formby and Arthur Askey.

Sam's later plays first showed at the Arts Theatre, Belfast. This theatre was run by actor and manager Hubert R. "Hibbie" Wilmot.

Difficult Times and Later Life

When The Troubles began, many theatres in Belfast closed due to civil unrest. During this time, Sam tried to start a promotions business. However, it was not as successful as his playwriting.

Sam kept writing, even when he became ill. He would still make jokes. A friend named Webster visited him in the hospital to read new material. Sam once said he had "one foot in the grate." Webster asked, "Don't you mean one foot in the grave?" Sam replied, "No, one foot in the grate. I want to be cremated."

After his business failed, Sam became ill. His wife's unexpected death also happened around this time. Sam Cree passed away in 1980 at the age of 52.

Today, Sam Cree's plays are still very popular. Amateur drama groups in Northern Ireland love them. This is because of their simple humor, characters people can relate to, and their appeal to audiences of all ages.

Works

Plays

• The Love Match (1960) (based on the play by Glenn Melvyn)
• Wedding Fever (1960)
• Second Honeymoon (1962)
• Fanci Free (1963) (With Elizabeth Quinn)
• Strictly for the Birds (1963)
• Cupid Wore Skirts (1965)
• Married Bliss (1965)
• Widows' Paradise (1966)
• Don't Tell The Wife (1967)
• Stop It Nurse (1968)
• Family Fever (1968)
• The Mating Season (1969)
• Separate Beds (1970)
• The Love Nest (1971)
• The Bed (play) (1971)
• Busman's Holiday (1973)
• Let's Get Laid
• Love & Marriage (A One-act play)
• Pyjama Tops
• Sink or Slim
• Tickle Your Fancy
• Wimpsie (A Pantomime)

Television

• The Love Match (1965)
• Mugs and Money (1965)
• Goodnight Mrs Puffin (1965)
• The Trouble With Alec (1965)
• A Scrape of the Pen (1965)
• All This, and Christmas Too! (1971)
• The Mating Season (1976)
• Mary Rose (1981)

Film

• Let's Get Laid (1978)