Where did George Formby grow up?
Wigan, LancashireBorn in Wigan, Lancashire, he was the son of George Formby Sr, from whom he later took his stage name. After an early career as a stable boy and jockey, Formby took to the music hall stage after the early death of his father in 1921.
Was George Formby born?
May 26, 1904, Wigan, United KingdomGeorge Formby / Born
Where did George Formby live?
IrelandLondonBlackpoolGeorge Formby/Places lived
What was George Formby real name?
George Hoy BoothBorn George Hoy Booth in Wigan, Lancashire on 26 May 1904, he later took his father's stage name of George Formby.
Why is Formby called Formby?
The name “Formby” was originally spelt “Fornebei” and has the meaning of “the old settlement” in the Norse language. The grade II listed manor house Formby Hall dates back to 1223 and is currently undergoing refurbishment.
Is Formby a safe place to live?
Formby is the third safest small town in Merseyside, and is among the top 10 safest overall out of Merseyside's 39 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Formby in 2021 was 43 crimes per 1,000 people.
Is Formby posh?
Guide to living in Formby. Formby is one of the most affluent areas of Merseyside and boasts Shireburn Road, the most expensive road in the whole county, amongst its offerings.
What has been filmed on Formby Beach?
Filming Location Matching "Formby beach, Merseyside, England, UK" (Sorted by Popularity Ascending)The Witness for the Prosecution (2016) Not Rated | 120 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery. ... Jimmy Wilde (2009) ... The Wayward Son (2013) ... Shearer on Shearer (1996 Video) ... Elegies to Lessons Learnt (2008) ... Brookside (1982–2003)
Is Formby a village or a town?
Formby is a small, affluent town in Merseyside. Formby's sleepy atmosphere, wealthy residents, and National Trust Reserve make it a popular destination for tourists in the summer months.
What was George Formby catchphrase?
The Formby comic specialty became a rising panic akin to a distressed hen seeing a fox, enabling him to yell his catchphrase, “Ooooh, Mother!” 'NO LIMIT!
Who used to say turned out nice again?
George FormbyTurned out nice again. A catch phrase used by George Formby a 50's British star who played songs like that on his banjolele.
Where is George Formby buried?
Warrington Cemetery, Warrington, United KingdomGeorge Formby / Place of burialEntertainer George Formby's grave is in Warrington Cemetery, where he was buried after his death in 1961. The popular singer and actor was buried alongside his father, also George, who died in 1921.
Was George Formby born blind?
George Formby passed away nearly four months later. In spite of his wealth, he was described as being tight with his money and rarely paid for a round of drinks. Was born blind, until he had a bad coughing fit as a baby and this was what gave him his sight.
What was George Formby catchphrase?
The Formby comic specialty became a rising panic akin to a distressed hen seeing a fox, enabling him to yell his catchphrase, “Ooooh, Mother!” 'NO LIMIT!
What happened to George Formby ukulele?
Mr Johnson kept most of his Formby mementos hidden under his bed and in the attic so as not to anger his wife. The Dallas D was bought by Anthony Mason, 61, from Salford, who said he hopes to hold a Formby night at his bar to celebrate. He said: "I've liked George Formby for years, since I was a boy.
How many people live in Formby?
FormbyTownFormby Town CentreFormby Location within MerseysidePopulation22,419 (2011)17 more rows
What was George Formby's father's name?
He was the illegitimate and only child of Sarah Jane Booth (c. 1856–1912), a poor, illiterate cotton weaver. His father, Francis Lawler , a coal miner, was not named on the birth certificate; six months after the birth of their son, the couple married, both aged about 19. Sarah worked as a prostitute; she was small, around 4 feet (1.2 m) tall, and sang in pubs in exchange for alcoholic drinks. She was convicted 140 times for offences that included theft, prostitution, drunkenness and brawling. The marriage was turbulent, and Formby was often neglected, mistreated and suffered malnourishment. Because Sarah was frequently absent from home, and often detained overnight at the local police station, Formby was regularly forced to sleep outside. As a result he developed asthma and became susceptible to bronchitis. In his later years he recalled that his "childhood was the most miserable as ever fell to the lot of a human creature".
Where did the name Formby come from?
The origin of the Formby name is more likely to have been a suggestion from Dennis Clarke, the manager of the Argyle Theatre in Birkenhead, while George was chosen in honour of the music hall star George Robey. Formby first used his new stage name in Birkenhead in 1897. One of the earliest characters Formby developed was "John Willie".
What movie did George Formby appear in?
In March 1914 Formby appeared in No Fool Like an Old Fool, a 20-minute-long silent comedy film, which is thought to be lost; it was his only film appearance, and little is known about the plot or his character. When the First World War broke out in August that year, he tried to enlist, but was turned down on medical grounds; instead he, like many music hall stars, was active in the recruiting campaign for the army and spoke at rallies, particularly on behalf of the Derby Scheme.
Why did Formby sleep outside?
As a result he developed asthma and became susceptible to bronchitis.
How many recordings did John Willie formby leave?
Formby left over 190 recordings, and after his death The Times commented, "There cannot be many people who have not heard at some time in their lives either the words or the refrain of 'John Willie – Come On', 'One of the Boys', 'I was Standing on the Corner of the Street', or 'Playing the Game in the West ' ", songs described by Fisher as "afizz with gaiety and champagne".
How did George Formby die?
Tuberculosis and influenza —the latter contracted in the pandemic of 1918 —weakened his constitution further, and he died of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1921 at the age of 45. Formby's act, and one of his costumes and canes, inspired Charlie Chaplin in the formation of his character the Tramp. Formby's son also used parts of his father's act when starting his stage career and, once established, also changed his name to George Formby; Formby Jr went on to become the top British male star in box office takings between 1937 and 1943.
Why is George Formby called the Wigan Nightingale?
His nickname, "The Wigan Nightingale", was coined because of the way he would use his bronchial cough as a comedic device in his act.
How did George Formby die?
He died of a heart attack just two days before they were due to wed in 1961. But the George Formby show descended into a circus when it was revealed he’d cut most of his family out of the will, overlooking his mother and three sisters. Instead nearly all his fortune, the equivalent of £3 million, went to Pat.
What is the dark side of George Formby?
Dark side of George Formby: the marriage from hell, the affairs and drug addiction. Trapped in a marriage from hell, the Queen's favourite entertainer had several affairs, became a drug addict and got engaged seven weeks after wife died. By.
Why did George Snr change his name?
But George Snr – he changed his name to Formby after seeing it as a destination on a railway carriage – became one of Britain’s biggest music hall acts.
Why did George and Beryl have a hysterectomy?
Beryl, who quickly became uninterested in sex with George, is believed to have had a hysterectomy shortly after they wed to ensure they couldn’t have children. Meanwhile George targeted his beautiful leading ladies, including Phyllis Calvert, his co-star 1940 film Let George Do It.
How many people lined the streets of Warrington for George Formby's funeral?
Mourners at George Formby's funeral (Image: Rex/ANL/Shutterstock) But along with the vultures were the 150,000 people who lined the streets of Warrington for his funeral.
Who loved the ukulele king so much she toyed with becoming President of the George Formby Society?
But Her Majesty – who loved the ukulele king so much she toyed with becoming President of the George Formby Society – was one of the millions who took the cheeky chappie at face value.
Who was protective of George?
Beryl remained highly protective of George and would fly into a rage if he went near another woman, as Carry On star Irene Handl once recalled.
Who is Deborah Bean?
Deborah Bean is an exemplar of her class and time. A child of the 1940s and 50s, she belongs, she admits, to the “Daniel Neal/Peter Jones generation”: ‘We took tea at Dickins & Jones and stood up automatically when the National Anthem was played on television.’ Her father was Master of Hounds at Eggesford in Devon, her mother was a housewife. Her grandmother painted lampshades for Liberty’s and bought a shop selling needlework and wool. Debs went to Croydon High School (a Girls Public Day School Trust) and, aged eighteen, enrolled at Mrs Hoster’s Secretarial College in the Cromwell Road.
Did the Queen ever tell her she loved George Formby?
Yes, I am responsible. In 2003, I interviewed Deborah Bean, Her Majesty's long-serving Correspondence Secretary, and during our conversation Mrs Bean revealed to me that the Queen had once told her that she loved the songs of George Formby, knew all of them, could sing them - and frequently did. What Mrs Bean told me I then told the world - and as a consequence George Formby has now become the go-to repertoire when people want to play the kind of music they think Her Majesty will enjoy.
Overview
George Formby (born James Lawler Booth; 4 October 1875 – 8 February 1921) was an English comedian and singer in musical theatre, known as one of the greatest music hall performers of the early 20th century. His comedy played upon Lancashire stereotypes, and he was popular around Britain. His nickname, "The Wigan Nightingale", was coined because of the way he would use his bron…
Biography
George Formby was born James Lawler Booth in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, on 4 October 1875. He was the illegitimate and only child of Sarah Jane Booth (c. 1856–1912), a poor, illiterate cotton weaver. His father, Francis Lawler, a coal miner, was not named on the birth certificate; six months after the birth of their son, the couple married, both aged about 19. Sarah worked as a prostitut…
Stage persona and technique
Formby was the first comic to use a delayed entrance as a joke to make the audience laugh before he arrived: his orchestra played his entrance music, and then he failed to appear on stage. His act included songs, described by Smart and Bothway Howard as "characteristically simple, some with tunes derived from Methodist hymns, and with catchy choruses", and he would chat to the orchestra conductor and front rows, punctuating his stage patter—delivered in a deadpan sty…
Legacy
Six weeks after Formby's death, his son George first appeared on stage in a copy of his father's act; he initially appeared under the name George Hoy—using his mother's maiden name—but soon took his father's stage name. Formby Jr later went on to become the top British male star in box office takings between 1937 and 1943, and the highest-paid entertainer in Britain.
Sources
• Bret, David (1999). George Formby: A Troubled Genius. London: Robson Books. ISBN 978-1-86105-239-1.
• Fisher, John (1975). George Formby. London: Woburn-Futura. ISBN 978-0-7130-0139-6.
• Gildart, Keith (2013). Images of England Through Popular Music: Class, Youth and Rock 'n' Roll, 1955–1976. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-137-38425-6.
External links
• Recording of six of Formby's songs from the Internet Archive
• Biography at George Formby fan site
• Links to the lyrics of many of Formby's songs
• List of Formby's songs