When I was a kid there was a fast-food chain on the east coast called Arthur Treacher's Fish 'n' Chips. I seem to recall that Treacher was some kind of celebrity from long before my time. Whatever happened to that place? I can't think of any other fast-food chains that have entirely disappeared since then. Did the fried-fish eating demographic just vanish? I still remember their jingle: "Arthur Treacher's fish 'n' chips/Arthur Treacher's fish 'n' chips/The meal you cannot make/The meal you cannot make/The meal you cannot make/At home."
Posted by xian at November 11, 2002 09:12 AM | TrackBackFirst the man. Treacher was a brit actor who came to America in 1928 in a musical theater revue. He began his film career in 1933, and is best known for his butler roles, including several Shirley Temple films, and a couple of Wodehouse movies, "Thank You, Jeeves" (1936) and "Step Lively, Jeeves" (1937). Also played a constable in Disney's Mary Poppins (1964). Last seen as the acerbic sidekick of Merv Griffin on TV in the 60s.
Now the Fast Food Restaurant. According to their website, Arthur Treachers is still in business, and traces its origins to the 1860s, when a London restaurant called Malin's of Bow began serving deep-fried whitefish with a dousing of malt vinegar accompanied by oversized fries. Arthur Treachers dates from the purchase, in 1969, of both Malin's and the original fish and chips recipe. Capitalizing on the popularity of Treacher, the actor, the new owners of Malin's bought the rights to his name and image and started franchising. And here we are today.
I was delighted to stumble across your blog and the reference to Arthur Treachers Fish & Chips. The main reason is that I'm in the middle of writing a one man comedy show based on my childhood as the geeky son of a tough guy Cowboy. It's called 'Saddle Sore'.
My Dad went into the fast food business when his body gave threw in the towel and he chose to buy an Arthur Treachers Fish & Chips. His name is Chuck.
Chuck Knowles...bronco rider, calf roper and now a part time Persian Rug salesman. He wears his hat and boots to the shop. He works for Ranjit’s Carpet Warehouse. He’s the lone cowboy among all those Indians.
Undeterred by the colossal failure of his first resturant, 'Swanky Frankys - "More than just hot dogs", Chuck sunk the family fortune into the fastest growing resturant chain in America at the time...Arthur Treachers. He built the custom designed building with the best bow windows, fancy booths etc. and opened the resturant with huge fanfare and me standing proudly, if rather nervously, behind the deep fryer. The advertising worked and people came...once. Chuck had neglected to factor in the fact that frozen battered fish sells well in the Midwest, but we lived in Nova Scotia off the Grand Banks, the fresh fish capital of the world. No amount of jingles, hush puppies or the introduction of fried chicken was going to keep this baby afloat. It went under with Arthur at the helm, albeit in spirit as the actor had died five years before. Chuck's thoughts are not among the 'Success Stories' on the Arthur Treachers Franchais page.
Also, I was heartened to read your thoughts on getting your childhood stories onto paper. This has been my task in writing this show and I share your enthusiasm and non-structured methods. A great memory jogging exercise is to find your favourite old toys on a site like http://www.yesterdayland.com and write about the kids who you played alongside with them.
Thanks for the inspiration. Let me know if you'd like to know more about the show or whatever.
Cheers
John Knowles
Sydney Australia
c_john_knowles@yahoo.com.au
Do you have an Arthur Treachers in Michigan or Indiana?
Posted by: kathy blanchard on January 15, 2003 08:59 AM