Frankie Howerd Documentary - 2004

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 4 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 69

  • @englishincontext4025
    @englishincontext4025 Рік тому +25

    I was a dancer back in the early 70s, and had the honour of working with Frankie at the London Palladium. The show was the pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, and also featured Dora Bryan, Mark Wynter, Alfie Bass and Elisabeth Larner (Lurkio's mistress in Up Pompeii). It was a long run - about 6 months, with a matinee and evening performance 6 days a week. We'd arrive mid day and not leave the theatre until late at night. I know that Frankie found this all very tiring. It's true that Frankie used to 'try it on', but like all the other eccentricities in show biz people, we tolerated it. There were no angels. I was 19 at the time - and pretty good looking so became the object of his attention. He used to look for me between shows and when I'd get back to the dancers' dressing room the other guys would laugh and tell me that Frankie had come to look for the 'welsh boy' as he used to call me. I'm from the north-east of England, so had a northern accent which unsurprisingly Frankie confused with the Welsh lilt. They are both rather musical accents so it wasn't surprising.
    I just wanted to tell you this ancient history because Frankie was rather lonely, but basically a very decent guy. We would chat in the wings about this and that while he waited for his cue to go onstage. He used to listen to my immature bleats about this or that problem in my life and would give me sterling advice (him having been through some really low times himself during his life and career). One thing he said to me I've never forgotten - because I've subsequently found it to be true .. "you can never know whether something in your life is good or bad until 5 years down the line." Sometimes what you feel as the worst thing to have happened to you turns out to be the best thing.
    At the end of the run we had a cast party at the White Elephant, on the Thames, and I was invited to sit on the main table with the stars of the show (God knows why). I sat next to Elizabeth Larner, who had a devilish wit. She turned to me and said "Be a good boy and I promise to rape you later.". Obviously, at that age I had charms I was unaware of. Story of my life, only realising my potential when it's far too late. Anyway ... being young and inexperienced I had far too much to drink and ended up being completely sloshed. I remember very little except one moment when we were leaving the party and I was staggering all over the pavement. Frankie turned to another of the male dancers and said "See he gets home OK" - then gave the lad some money for a taxi. Later, I was as sick as a dog.
    Now if Frankie was as predatory as some of these talking heads would like us to believe he would have used his manager, Dennis to ensure that I got back to HIS home safely. But he didn't. He was kind and unselfish. At some point during the run of the show he turned to me and said "How would you like to be kept"? To which I didn't respond (though he got the message the answer was no). All in all Frankie was a lovely man, though a lonely man. As usual people look back in hindsight and judge people, though back in the 70s acceptance of gay people (I'm gay) was much less than it is today.
    Elizabeth Larner was racy and very nice; Dora Bryan was fantastic, and used to sit in the wings knitting while waiting for her cue (she was lovely to me). Alfie Bass was past his best and used to go on stage pissed as a fart every night. He used to just make his lines up as he went, spouting any old rubbish. God knows what the audience thought. He was rather full of himself and not very pleasant. So, happy memories. And no, Frankie never had his wicked way with me. 😂😂😂

    • @manfromnocky
      @manfromnocky Рік тому +3

      Nice words. Thanks for sharing.

    • @the_trooper_72
      @the_trooper_72 Рік тому +1

      Thank you for your story,. I've been a huge fan of Frankie ever since I child.. I don't believe in the tales of him.. He seemed like a gentleman..

    • @_Ben4810
      @_Ben4810 10 місяців тому +1

      Great stories...I was just thinking of Dora Bryan tonight, they played her "All I Want Is A Beatle..." song on overnight radio...She was a great character...👌

  • @rajo741
    @rajo741 Рік тому +16

    Wow…the misinterpreted comments on here are mind blowing. There is absolutely nothing disparaging about this documentary. In light of his behaviour , it’s remarkably sensitive and loving.

  • @naradaian
    @naradaian Рік тому +9

    Absolutely lovely that the Oxford Union 'honoured' him and to hear of the warmth extended to him

  • @marcwaters2600
    @marcwaters2600 Рік тому +7

    well its now 2023 and i can't wait to watch the man on vhs we love you Frankie

  • @baldevis
    @baldevis Рік тому +7

    They're mocking Francis...they mustn't mock Francis, no!!!

  • @davidstankiewicz2049
    @davidstankiewicz2049 Рік тому +7

    I watched everything he was in on UA-cam - he's brilliant!!

  • @jodif916
    @jodif916 Рік тому +7

    Loved him in the carry on films, Mr bigger who didn’t believe in medical care in carry on Dr 1968, brilliant stand up, up Pompeii he was one funny fella.

  • @solcutta3661
    @solcutta3661 3 роки тому +26

    I don't care about his preferences, beautifully comic man that has enlightened my days,nights many times since a boy to a man. will always be a comedy legend to me.

    • @Kiki-yw9kc
      @Kiki-yw9kc 3 роки тому

      You don't care? He was a serial sex offender. Every male who crossed his path he sexually molested them.

    • @rajo741
      @rajo741 Рік тому +4

      It’s not about preferences… it’s about him using his power for his own gratification. Most often without permission from the other party. If you’ve ever been in that position you’ll know that it haunts you for life.

    • @ysthafellgynghori8423
      @ysthafellgynghori8423 Рік тому +2

      @@rajo741 Thanks for your sanctimonious comment. The world is a better place for it.

    • @rajo741
      @rajo741 Рік тому

      @@ysthafellgynghori8423 you clearly don’t know the meaning of the word. You blindly defending Howerd of course does make the world a better place. Perhaps you’re a secret groomer? There we go….

    • @naradaian
      @naradaian Рік тому

      @@rajo741the MeToo movement did have its day -but not as far as gays in thebiz....
      his predatory behaviour may echo heterosexual predators at the time but it was a grim story, being gay is one thing - locking the door is another

  • @ColtDee
    @ColtDee Рік тому +7

    Frankie Howerd a comic genius!

  • @talcumpowder1000
    @talcumpowder1000 2 роки тому +6

    I love Graham McCann's wig. It rivals Howerd's

  • @stephenfreestone7956
    @stephenfreestone7956 2 роки тому +10

    Don't you love the irony of this user that he/she nicks other peoples work and sticks a great big logo on the side, totally destroying the upload, so paranoid they are at someone else putting it up on their channel....

  • @christaylor5124
    @christaylor5124 2 роки тому +6

    Thank god for tape and film. The tension between high public achievement and private anguish is there in great art from the
    earliest times. This sad accumulation of Howerd's private destructiveness can't cancel the truly great comic art of his public
    performances. He was a great comic actor, and most of us are quite aware of the extraordinary personal conflict that is there in almost all great actors - their private lives are rarely anything to write home about - indeed are almost always a problem (Brando, Olivier, Redgrave, and back to Plautus probably) - but are thrown into the irrelevant darkness by the incandescent glory of their creativity in the theatre spotlights. Picasso was a squalid individual in his dealings with women; but what a sketcher, dauber of paint, and manipulator of objects. As I say thank god for the tape and film evidence of a truly great, public, performer! Comics wanting illumination about their art and craft will be studying Howerd's performances a century hence.

  • @howardsternisbatman
    @howardsternisbatman 2 роки тому +9

    FF thru the hatchet job of diagnosis by the Psychologist who never met him, and Rory McGrath who went on to...
    In May 2013, McGrath assaulted two people whilst intoxicated, leaving one person with a bloody nose and scratches. He received a caution.
    In January 2017, McGrath was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, for harassing a former lover

    • @rajo741
      @rajo741 Рік тому +6

      So because McGrath had his problems, it negates Howerds history. Understood. It would be so wonderful if people thought a moment before they commented.

    • @marcusclark5330
      @marcusclark5330 Рік тому

      Paul Ross and Thicket Roundabout

  • @jnuttso1
    @jnuttso1 3 роки тому +19

    Sod all the crap lets just enjoy 😉how many times he made people laugh though out his life 🤣 god bless you Frankie Howerd

  • @carlmitchell9958
    @carlmitchell9958 Рік тому +8

    Muck raking a man who’s not here to defend himself, disgraceful.

  • @monkmell
    @monkmell Рік тому +3

    He was very funny! I’m not going to judge his character because I don’t know the facts. I wasn’t there.

  • @howardsternisbatman
    @howardsternisbatman 2 роки тому +7

    His whole act was rehearsed and calculated? Not like all the other comedians who are telling you the truth when they say a funny thing happened to them on the way over to the studio.

    • @traciemarsh1611
      @traciemarsh1611 Рік тому

      how do you know hes not telling the truth when hes talking about himself?

  • @westhamunited67
    @westhamunited67 2 роки тому +8

    Without frankies talent these people making disparaging comments on him wouldn't have a platform to be heard.

    • @Handlebar-MustDash
      @Handlebar-MustDash Рік тому

      Without Lucy Letby's murder lust, the crime documentary commenters wouldn't have a platform to be heard.
      Every cloud 'eh? 😂

  • @peterfenton2750
    @peterfenton2750 Рік тому +2

    Just love a bit of franki👌

  • @marcusclark5330
    @marcusclark5330 6 днів тому

    Jess Conrad with his chiv is the best bit

  • @Candolad
    @Candolad Рік тому +2

    At 6:27 the presenter says, "It was the '70s; homosexuality was legal". No, it was decriminalised, but not legal.

    • @traciemarsh1611
      @traciemarsh1611 Рік тому +1

      it started to be legal in the 70's so get your facts straight

    • @Retrochild1979
      @Retrochild1979 Рік тому +1

      @@traciemarsh1611 The Sexual Offences Act 1967 legalised homosexual acts between consenting adults over the age of 21 in England and Wales. Get YOUR facts straight.

  • @puszilak
    @puszilak 2 роки тому

    Very bad lag between audio and video, so just lstened to it as an audio. Interesting tho.

  • @chriswalford9228
    @chriswalford9228 Рік тому +1

    Genius to fill 70 mins with oh er ah mrs no ah er yes no ah mrs ah well yes no

  • @martinackbar7876
    @martinackbar7876 2 роки тому +1

    your mother knows you always

  • @geoffreyswain1490
    @geoffreyswain1490 2 місяці тому

    Frankie howard wonderful man 👍

  • @timelordvictorious
    @timelordvictorious Місяць тому

    Do think it sad really this documentary puts Franks name in the mud.if this is true why put it on the documentary

  • @beecee2205
    @beecee2205 6 місяців тому

    I see the Jimmy Saville fan club can be found all over this HYS. showing their support for dear Frankie

  • @stephenguppy7882
    @stephenguppy7882 11 місяців тому

    Who the hell is Rory McGrath anyway? He has a criminal record for drunken harassment for Christ's sake. And as for Paul 'Radio Graveyard Shift' Ross, he had a full-on gay affair when one of his marriages broke up in the wake of a drug addiction, so HE can talk.
    Frankie was a one-off, a real star. I spotted him once on the beach at Burnhsm-on-Sea, learning a script, and when I approached him he told me to piss off. It made no difference, I loved him and still do.

  • @Digmen1
    @Digmen1 Рік тому +6

    This documentarty is a bit over the top
    You are destroying the happy memories we all had of him

    • @67psych
      @67psych Рік тому +1

      This documentary is making out homosexuality is sleazy and sorrid. Pathetic

  • @nathelondon3719
    @nathelondon3719 3 роки тому +19

    50 years at the top making people laugh. After his death produce this low attack when he can’t sue or answer. Nice.

    • @arthursteven5601
      @arthursteven5601 2 роки тому +4

      Total agree sir

    • @traciemarsh1611
      @traciemarsh1611 Рік тому +4

      its barbaric

    • @the_trooper_72
      @the_trooper_72 Рік тому

      I totally agree..

    • @imemine6494
      @imemine6494 Рік тому

      .. he got away with a lot... if it was against women???.. he would be wiped away from history.. did some very bad things

    • @beecee2205
      @beecee2205 6 місяців тому

      @@the_trooper_72 same as Saville and Rolfc and Gary Glitter innit. all real heroes eh ?

  • @trevortrevatrevortreva1520
    @trevortrevatrevortreva1520 Рік тому +1

    Frankie howerd talent a side was a predator. In today's world men would not put up and shut up. Any repressed person we can have empathy however we must also remember the victims and the damage such actions of predators do which is anything other than funny. Rip Frankie may you now live your authentic life

  • @leewillavise7812
    @leewillavise7812 3 роки тому +6

    Load of rubbish. He wasn't like that at all.

    • @puszilak
      @puszilak 2 роки тому +3

      Seems pretty clear he was, but doesn't take anything away from his comc genius

    • @nathelondon3719
      @nathelondon3719 2 роки тому +3

      @@puszilakdo you have evidence?

  • @traciemarsh1611
    @traciemarsh1611 Рік тому +2

    i adored frankie i still do. there was nothing wrong with him at least he wasnt a peodo or rapist. these idiots always do these nasty documenteries when the person has died so they cannot defend themselves its barbaric, i dont care if its man and man lady and lady or lady and man it shouldnt be ilegal who someone is attracted too. he was brilliant in carry on jungle and doctor loved him in in nightmare park. no one really knows anyone.....they think they do. everyone hides something even from family

    • @Actingskint
      @Actingskint Рік тому +1

      It wasn't a nasty documentary at all , it might not have painted him as perfect , but it reflected very well , the conflict between his professional career , as well as his personal demons .
      I worked in a Theatre near my home town , where he made an appearance with a one man show . He was , as many people in the documentary pointed out , a man who was always unsure of his place in the world . And he barely uttered a word to any of the stage crew .In fact , on the evening of his performance , he had apparently fallen out with his then partner .
      Such was his fear of going on stage , mixed with his black mood over the rift in his relationship , that he arrived at the venue with a bottle of whisky , which he consumed in one sitting .
      He went on stage , did a reasonable , if not amazing show , then disappeared again into his dressing room , without uttering a word to anyone .
      Given the experience I had on that night , I can quite understand , that hee must have been a difficult man to ever really be close to . While on the one hand , he certainly enjoyed a long career , which certainly had it's ups and downs , I don't believe he ever found a sense of acceptance or true happiness .
      He made me laugh , he was a professional performer . But it was aa fascinating insight as to what drove him to perform .

    • @traciemarsh1611
      @traciemarsh1611 Рік тому

      @@Actingskint i said after they died....did you read it?? ffs

  • @jonwizard3989
    @jonwizard3989 Рік тому +9

    All this muck raking is awful... show me the perfect human.! He was brilliant ! For goodness sake, leave the man alone !

  • @colinhill4963
    @colinhill4963 Рік тому

    The trouble with this documentary that did,nt mention his Frankie Howard confessions,BBC show,s they missed out a lot of his good shows that he done.