Randolph Samuel Williams (Maas
Ran) was born in Colon, Panama on October 26, 1912.
He came to Jamaica at the age of six with his mother. He lived in
Kingston for a while and the rest of his childhood was spent in Williamsfield,
St. Catherine. He attended Tutorial College, Calabar High and Kingston
Technical High.
Ranny Williams was a dramatist and a comedian. He first started his
acting career as a child reciting poetry at church, Lodge halls and
schoolrooms.He achieved professional status in 1930, when he was invited
by the Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey to become a member of the
vaudeville group at Edelweiss Park and to organize entertainment for
the thousands of people who attended meetings there. Several productions
at the Park have been listed as having been originated by Ranny Williams.
Maas Ran and Lee Gordon became a formidable duo known as "Amos
and Andy", and together went on to appear in the second LTM Pantomime
"Babes in the Wood". Ranny and Lee provided a great deal
of comic relief in the topicalities or "knockabout" sections
which facilitate scene changing in the pantomime. But Ranny Williams
really came into his own when he began playing Brer Anancy which started
when Louise Bennett and Noel Vaz created "Anancy
and Busha Bluebeard". He performed in over 29 Pantomimes
, wrote two (Jamaica Way and Quashie Lady) , adapted Robinson Crusoe
and is listed as co-writer for Queenie’s
Daughter and Bredda
Buck. His partnership with Louise Bennett was legendary.
Maas Ran was the host of the “Ranny Williams Show” on television
which premiered in 1963. His films include “A High Wind in Jamaica,”
“Oh Dad, Poor Dad,” “White Souls”, “Jamaica
No Problems”, “Tropical Isles”, “Zacc Experience”
and “The Marijuana Affair.” Along with Lee Gordon, he had
a series of shows on ZQI, Jamaica's first radio station which began
operating at the beginning of World War II. He shared the spotlight
in the radio revue “Morgie and Putus” with Alma Hylton (Mock
Yen). At the same time he had another radio show called "Hello,
You Out There", and he developed the "Lou and Ranny Show"
for the opening of JBC Radio in 1959.
His outstanding achievement in the field of entertainment and drama
earned for his several awards: The Jamaica Certificate and Badge of
Honour in the Queen’s, New Year honours list (1968). The Institute
of Jamaica Silver Musgrave Medal (1968), Commander of the Order of
Distinction (C.D.) for outstanding Services in the field of Entertainment
(1976) and the Centenary Medal (1979). The Ranny Williams Entertainment
Centre stands as a monument to his work.
Although Maas Ran accomplished much in his lifetime, his greatest
accomplishment was of the love for the people of Jamaica whom he served
outside of entertainment. He was a social worker, JAMAL worker, founder
of the Ranny Williams Youth Club and a regular on “The Nugget
for the Needy Show”.
Maas Ran died on August 11, 1980, his last pantomime was The
Hon. All Purpus and the Dancing Princess. He has left behind a
rich legacy to the theatre world.
On
the 25th Anniversary of his passing the LTM held a Tribute to his
memory. The life and work of Ranny Williams was recalled by Mr. Wycliffe
Bennett in a presentation: “A man for all seasons.” Reminiscences
also came from Roman Catholic priest Msgr. Kenneth Mock Yen, who,
as a youngster, learnt his own lessons of Jamaican culture from Mass
Ran; musicologist Marjorie Whylie who said that she first met Ranny
when she was five and later performed with him in Pantomime; radio
personality Alma Mock Yen who teamed with him in the ground-breaking
radio serial “Morgie and Putus” and Dr. Keith Amiel who
also trod the Ward Theatre stage with Ranny. Lois Kelly-Miller read
a message from “Miss Lou.” A selection of songs was performed
by members of the Pantomime Company. Video and audio clips of Ranny
engaged in story-telling and interviews were also presented.
A
souvenir poster commemorating the event was presented by Pantomime
Company senior member Faith Bucknor to Mr. Norman Williams, Ranny’s
son, who, along with other members of the Williams family, attended.
On the occasion of his 100th birthday, a commemorative poster exhibition and Tribute concert was held on the grounds of the Little Theatre. Friends and family once again raised a toast to the memory of Ranny Williams and his cotnribution to Jamaican theatre.