in his later years, elen went to america owing to the english music hall strike which was taking place. elen, performed the same act as he did in the uk, but box-office sales indicated that he was less successful than his friend, the singer albert chevalier, and so elen returned to the uk. elen then undertook various performances as a top attraction in music halls across london. he appeared on stage occasionally in the 1930s, albeit briefly, where he appeared in the 1935 royal command performance. he retired in 1914, shortly after returning from america. he made occasional appearances on stage and film before his death in 1940 aged 77.