Dave Willis, King Kong, and the Loch Ness Monster

Publisher: Fred W. Hardie, Aberdeen
Series: N/A
Catalogue: N/A
Type: Real Photo
Date of Issue: First half of 1934
Artist: Unknown
Usage: Unused

Some early postcards of the Loch Ness Monster featured contemporary celebrities. This particular postcard, featuring the Scottish comedian and songster Dave Willis (1895-1973), a prominent music hall performer, is a great example. 

It features a photograph of Willis, superimposed on a painting of the monster, itself superimposed on a pre-existing print of Urquhart Castle. Additionally, it reproduces lyrics from a song. It is unclear to me at present if these were the lyrics of an actual Willis song, or if they ae a parodic adaptation. The text reads:

Have you seen the Loch Ness Monster? I don't believe it's anything at a'!  

I've heard folks say "Ach away! It must be King Kong's Mother-in-Law,"

But I'm tellin' you it's not true; I'm telling you just for once, sir, 

It must have been a haddie, lookin' round tae find its daddie, and they thocht it wis the Loch Ness Monster. 

The text is interesting for mentioning the 1933 movie King Kong, which may have played a role in influencing perceptions of the Monster as a prehistoric creature during the 1930s, as well as in shaping artistic representation of the Monster on contemporary postcards. The influence of King Kong on the infamous Spicer land sighting and others has been the subject of a very interesting post by Glasgow Boy over at the great Loch Ness Mystery blog. 

The postcard itself is interesting for not being produced by a major firm. Instead, it is a short-print example published by the firm established by Aberdeen photographer Frederick William Hardie (1867-1923). Presumably, the company was operated by his children following his death. This firm was also  responsible for an additional postcard, which will be featured in another post. That card made reference to another prominent celebrity, the American showman and entrepreneur Robert Ripley, famous for his 'Believe it or Not!' empire.

Perhaps in order to forestall any legal action from Willis, this card appeared with an apologia on the verso stating "With acknowledgements and apologies to Dave Willis." A different version was printed with this statement prominently displayed on the front of the card.