Ranny Williams was a legend. His stories and life were colourfully played out for the public to see and when he died, just days more than 41 years ago, an entire country mourned. The story of his passing was just as dramatic as any other Ranny was involved with and The Gleaner represented that drama in its pages all the way back in 1980 when the cultural icon breathed his last breath.

Published Monday, August 11, 1980

Ranny Williams dies shouting: 'the show must go on'

RANDOLPH SAMUEL WILLIAMS, popularly called "Ranny" - one of Jamaica's most famous entertainers died from a heart attack in the Toronto East General Hospital in Canada, early yesterday morning characteristically shouting from his death bed: "the show must go on."

Ranny, who would have turned 68, on October 26, was in Canada, with members of the cast of the Ed Wallace Productions play, "Operation P". He was specially requested to do the part of Dr Ted Lindsay, formerly played by Claude Clarke, who is determined to remove the sexual organs of a patient.

As Ranny insisted, and despite his death, the show played out its final performances Saturday night and last night in Toronto, without him.

His daughter, Mrs. Joan Remain, with whom he was staying in Toronto, has agreed to a request from the Jamaican Government for an official funeral in Kingston, but his body might not reach here for another week, she told The Gleaner.

Ranny, who was on his first-ever visit to Canada, landed in Toronto, the most heavily West Indian populated Canadian city, on July 31. Mrs Romain had invited him to the christening of her second child, and so he decided to stay with her instead of at the hotel where the other members of the cast stayed.

He played the first engagement at The Auditorium at 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto on August 1, after which he took ill. His relatives and friends were concerned about his condition the following morning as he kept gasping for breath, but he said: "I am alright. I feel fine. The show must go on."

Getting worse

He had always suffered from severe gas pains and tried to explain that as the source of his illness. The Sunday night show last week was cancelled because of that illness.

He stayed home with his daughter, who said that by Thursday, she felt his condition was deteriorating, but by Friday night he was back on stage playing the role of Dr Lindsay. After limping through the show, he broke down again later that night.

He was taken to the hospital where he protested against his admission. He kept shouting: "the show must go on" and even asked producer Ed Wallace to go ahead with the arrangements for the New York performances as he felt he would be fit to resume his part. He said he wanted to leave the hospital.

At about one o'clock yesterday morning, Mrs Romain received a call from the hospital and rushed there. She found him laughing and in high spirits, despite the doctors' pessimism. She returned home, but by 2:45 am, Mrs Remain received another call. This time the doctors said that Ranny's heart had stopped. The doctors tried until 3:15 to revive him, but without success.

Although losing a leg to diabetes last year, Ranny continued playing parts in various productions, including the annual pantomime According to Mrs Remain; "He never complained about his leg. All he said was that it took him a longer time to do things, but 'thank God' he could still perform.

Life steady

Ranny was born in Panama to Jamaican parents. While he was an infant. his parents returned home and lived in Kingston for a short while before settling in Williamsfield, St Catherine. His mother was a music teacher, who sang with the Coke Chapel Choir and produced several children’s concerts.

At one stage, his parents wanted him to become a Baptist minister, but Ranny opted for comedy. He attended Kingston Technical High School. In the early 1930s, he got his first chance at serious theatre work when the late National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey, set up the Edelweiss Performing Company.

He started with the company as "Hoofer" (chorus/dancer). He rose to the leading ranks of the dancers and started doing monologues. He moved on to Ernest Cupidon's Christmas Morning Concerts at the Ward Theatre, earning ten shillings and sixpence per performance. He later wrote feature articles on folklore, traditional and contemporary cultural history for The Gleaner.

In 1942, he joined the cast of the second annual pantomime, produced by Henry and Greta Fowler and has been a permanent feature since. He partnered the Hon. Mrs Louise Bennett-Coverley, "Miss Lou", from those days, creating the most successful stage duo in the history of the Jamaican theatre.

Several movies

He hosted the "Henry Morgan Show" on ZQI radio and "Morgie and Putus" on RJR with Alma Hylton. Other radio shows he has written include "Lou and Ranny" (JBC), "You Out There In the Country" (RJR) "You Did Kno' Sey" (JBC) and "As Time Goes By" (JBC).

He has appeared in several movies including "The Marijuana Affair", "White Sails", "Zacca Experience" and "High Wind in Jamaica".

He did a study tour in television work in the United States and Britain in 1963. He was one of three persons selected for travel grants to pursue further studies by the then Minister of Development and Welfare, Mr Edward Seaga.

In 1964, he went to Britain, with a team sent by the Jamaican government to promote National Savings Bonds and helped to sell £50,000 worth. He was the president of the Diabetic Association of Jamaica. In 1976, he was invested with the insignia of a Commander of Order of Distinction (C.D.).

Prime Minister Michael Manley, in a tribute yesterday, said that the strength and courage which Ranny showed on the stage was a part of his own character and although he would be missed he would be remembered with gratitude.

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