I guess this is about as early George as we're going to see. Notice he's not trying for that high penetrating tone in his voice quite so much as later, and especially notice the interesting "uke" he's playing. It looks like a Concert neck on something like a tenor body. No doubt to get a bigger sound. And no fancy playing in this number anyway. It shows that George worked very hard on his playing and singing and was still on his way up in '34
You must mean his father - George Formby Sr - who was also a notable music-hall singer and comedian before & after WWI - Chaplin incorporated much of his persona including his cane and baggy trousers, which Formby once lent to him, and his duck-like walk into his character of The Little Tramp. George Formby Jr, who originally trained as a jockey but followed his father into the halls after his death in 1921 to pay off his father's debts, would have been only 1 year old in 1905 and therefore not in a position to write songs!
Indeed the song was one of Formby snr's that Formby jnr adopted for himself. The story of Formby snr is a remarkable one. The son of an alcoholic prostitute who suffered from asthma and bronchitis whilst performing for pennies on street corners in all weathers as a youngster. He later contracted TB in 1916 and having got over that he then caught Spanish flu in the 1918/19 epidemic. This eventually did for him in 1921 after continuing to perform through ill health often coughing up blood after coming off stage.
Striking intelligence and creative brilliance in comparison to today George could make his way, that is intelligence is universal, this is a scientific fact.
His records and films never really made it over to the US; we had plenty of low budget comedies-with-music of our own. Also, like many music hall performers he has a particularly English sensibility which didn't transatlanticate, as it were. Stanley Holloway was one of the few who were able to make the leap, and he only became popular here after My Fair Lady.
"transatlanticate" love it. your comments are helpful. some did tiptoe here. i think 'leaning on the lamppost' was a formby number that was a hit here in the 60's w herman's hermits. benny hill was big here -- but more bawdy jokes than music. and yeah holloway was rather big here too (if somehow exotic) as liza's shiftless dad. i do not know english geography but formby was from wigan - i recall a george orwell book about 'wigan pier' that explores and exposed the hardship of lower-class life
Of course it's an act. That''s what actors do. Though at the time he made Boots Boots he wasn't yet the UK's highest paid entertainer. It would take a few more films before he attained that distinction.
Elliot Nesterman I have to agree. George Formby was great, definitely one of my favourite British Prime Ministers. I thought it was great when he decreed 'My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock' should be national anthem. Shame it was revoked in the mid 70's after it was revealed the whole song was one big innuendo - that was a dark day for British history, I think you'll agree. Boots! Boots! is probably my second favourite Formby film where of course he starred along side his wife, portraying the romantic true story of how they met, in Boots the pharmacy. I love the bit where they both reach for the last box of Lysol soap powder and their hands touch. He needs it to polish up his French horn, she needs it to scrub her cobblestone steps which, in the North in 1930's, would on a daily basis become congealed with chimney smoke and Bisto gravy. Such a hilarious film, if it were up to me I'd force every schoolchild in Britain to take up the French horn so they too can be just like George.
Standard tuning, more or less. Formby could only play in one key, so he actually had a series of ukes tuned across all the scales so he could accompany himself in the appropriate key for each song.
Just a minor point. Are you sure it was written by George Jnr and not George Snr? George Jr was only born in 1904! Nice upload, btw, George is a hero of mine from childhood :-)
Poor George was so Bluepill! He was singing about his youth when he was broke like every other man, cash, fame and power is what women want to this day.
George Formby Never Gets Old!!! 😎👍
Timeless. This song was on the Smiths' intro tape for their 1986 The Queen Is Dead tour.
"i know why women dont like you, have you seen your face?" kills me everytime
I ask myself this almost everyday.
George's songs always make me laugh.
Innuendo galore but a master at his work, always smiling always pleasing
This is a clear precursor to Is She Really Going Out With Him by Joe Jackson.
ha ha
I've had a terrible day and this has really cheered me up!
I love this guy 🤩
lovely song i love old songs and this is one of the greats
I guess this is about as early George as we're going to see. Notice he's not trying for that high penetrating tone in his voice quite so much as later, and especially notice the interesting "uke" he's playing. It looks like a Concert neck on something like a tenor body. No doubt to get a bigger sound. And no fancy playing in this number anyway. It shows that George worked very hard on his playing and singing and was still on his way up in '34
You must mean his father - George Formby Sr - who was also a notable music-hall singer and comedian before & after WWI - Chaplin incorporated much of his persona including his cane and baggy trousers, which Formby once lent to him, and his duck-like walk into his character of The Little Tramp.
George Formby Jr, who originally trained as a jockey but followed his father into the halls after his death in 1921 to pay off his father's debts, would have been only 1 year old in 1905 and therefore not in a position to write songs!
Indeed the song was one of Formby snr's that Formby jnr adopted for himself.
The story of Formby snr is a remarkable one. The son of an alcoholic prostitute who suffered from asthma and bronchitis whilst performing for pennies on street corners in all weathers as a youngster. He later contracted TB in 1916 and having got over that he then caught Spanish flu in the 1918/19 epidemic. This eventually did for him in 1921 after continuing to perform through ill health often coughing up blood after coming off stage.
i love this song soooooooooo much
"She ran like the devil and she grabbed the rest" gets me every time lol
Killer film cut to George singing :) Love it
Striking intelligence and creative brilliance in comparison to today George could make his way, that is intelligence is universal, this is a scientific fact.
yes he did have a lot of women lined up if he could get away from the wife.
His records and films never really made it over to the US; we had plenty of low budget comedies-with-music of our own. Also, like many music hall performers he has a particularly English sensibility which didn't transatlanticate, as it were. Stanley Holloway was one of the few who were able to make the leap, and he only became popular here after My Fair Lady.
Now i know where Eric Idle took some ideas for his Monty Python’s little funny songs
Wonderful.
Brilliant
Classic
hi just listing gourge funby ,1907 ,1961,shot a singer. ,,bless him. shot a hero he nos brave xxx John Duggan,21,07,1963,burn,
eeeeeee brillant .love the acting of are george formby .plus of corse the classic uke playing
"transatlanticate" love it. your comments are helpful. some did tiptoe here. i think 'leaning on the lamppost' was a formby number that was a hit here in the 60's w herman's hermits. benny hill was big here -- but more bawdy jokes than music. and yeah holloway was rather big here too (if somehow exotic) as liza's shiftless dad. i do not know english geography but formby was from wigan - i recall a george orwell book about 'wigan pier' that explores and exposed the hardship of lower-class life
Love this 👍👍👍
The world's favorite Gary Brannan brought me here.
Love George Formby, quite sexy here actually.
George was born in May 1904, so i doubt he wrote it in 1905 unless it was his Father George senior.
Yes, it was his father's song. I think I made that correction in a comment down below somewhere.
Thank you for the confirmation.
Well, he was one year old, which explains why women like them didn't want to go out with him!
I was brought here by Gary Brannan from Citation Needed
Everyones favourite Gary Brannon Gary Brannon?
This is an act, he was the highest paid UK entertainer, he had chicks lining up for some Formby action.
Of course it's an act. That''s what actors do.
Though at the time he made Boots Boots he wasn't yet the UK's highest paid entertainer. It would take a few more films before he attained that distinction.
Elliot Nesterman I have to agree. George Formby was great, definitely one of my favourite British Prime Ministers. I thought it was great when he decreed 'My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock' should be national anthem. Shame it was revoked in the mid 70's after it was revealed the whole song was one big innuendo - that was a dark day for British history, I think you'll agree.
Boots! Boots! is probably my second favourite Formby film where of course he starred along side his wife, portraying the romantic true story of how they met, in Boots the pharmacy. I love the bit where they both reach for the last box of Lysol soap powder and their hands touch. He needs it to polish up his French horn, she needs it to scrub her cobblestone steps which, in the North in 1930's, would on a daily basis become congealed with chimney smoke and Bisto gravy. Such a hilarious film, if it were up to me I'd force every schoolchild in Britain to take up the French horn so they too can be just like George.
They had to get passed Beryl first!
PigeonFancierFilms 😂😂😂
Beryl would not even allow him to kiss the leading lady in any film. If I remember correctly.
Awesome. Anyone know how the Uke is tuned?
Standard tuning, more or less. Formby could only play in one key, so he actually had a series of ukes tuned across all the scales so he could accompany himself in the appropriate key for each song.
It’s too sweet to be the Incels’ Anthem.
Just a minor point. Are you sure it was written by George Jnr and not George Snr? George Jr was only born in 1904! Nice upload, btw, George is a hero of mine from childhood :-)
is this british country?
If all the world's hunks were wiped out we'd stand a fricking chance. This life is cruel.
Did Tommy Steele have a version of this song ?
:)
Poor George was so Bluepill! He was singing about his youth when he was broke like every other man, cash, fame and power is what women want to this day.
IOI
The perfect song for Andrew Tate!
Oh George, don't take it personally but... It's your voice, not your looks... Just saying
never heard of him
The MGTOW theme song.
X'D
What daft and foolish people!