Robbie asked, "Was Cyril Smith a real person, or a character created
by Stanley Holloway?"

Cyril Smith was a real person, a music hall performer of note who, in
addition to his performances and recording in England, toured the USA
at least once.  My mother saw him in St. Louis in the 1930s.  He was
best known in the US for his recording with Rudy Vallee of "The Old Sow
Song", a music hall song known for its assortment of rude (but funny)
noises.  His voice was _nothing_ like Stanley Holloway's.

Regards,

Bob Loesch

 [ Thanks, Bob, and now I remember the song:  "There was an old farmer
 [ who had an old sow: (rude noises)" !    -- Robbie