My opinion of George Formby has changed forever after watching this video. Not only was he an articulate, intelligent man.....he was a really, REALLY nice guy. I'm looking forward to seeking out his movies now!
When we were proud to be British. Sadly as l type this l'm embarrassed to admit it. What an honest and genuine gentleman he was. And what a sad end to his life.
It went out on December 16, 1960; filmed at ABC Television Studios, East Didsbury, Manchester, and Beryl - who was dying at the time - watched the show, propped-up in bed, at their home, at Saint Annes-on-Sea. Beryl died on the Christmas Day, and George died, aged 56, on March 6, 1961, just three months after he made this wonderful programme: The Friday Show, or *The Confession Programme* as some Formby devotees prefer to call it. Thanks, dear George, there'll never be another ! Gerry George.
+MrKeys57 He wouldn't be popular today. You've heard what the young people listen to and watch on television these days, right? He was from a different time.
+Joe Snow. You seem to forget that he still has a fan base now. Who the hell will remember the flavour of the months around now in decades to come.? People are too obsessed with musical street cred. If you listen to someone and they appeal to you then who cares about when they sang it? You're right about one thing though. He wouldn't be popular now - and that's because harsh, soulless, shallow, unintelligible bullshit is what's popular now.
I think the same goes for any accent which reflects the working classes or ordinary folk, I'm from Bolton btw but I love to listen to the Welsh who I consider to have the most beautiful accent in the world.
Better times? Are you joking? His life story and the stories of his parents is truly heart breaking. Poverty, alcoholism, chronic illness, abuse, prostitution. It was a rough and dangerous time.
My husband and a brother-in-law introduced me to George Formby's music. I own a DVD of one of his movies, "It's In The Air". Just as I supposed, this video proved to me he was one charming, kind-hearted fellow.
Cheery Hog It's always rather depressing when people like you can't simply appreciate stars of yesteryear without being so negative and moaning about how terrible things are today. Boring.
@@cquilty1 What on earth are you burbling on about? I am a great fan of George. You my thick friend are on another planet and maybe you should try a little of Grandma´s home remedy. Thick knob end. So Cu*ty1 get a grip and crawl back under your stone.
Miserable Hog Any chance you be more rage filled and bitter:) Don't be shy of the 21st century, princess - it won't bite... Adorable how you call me "cuty" btw. Why I'm blushing 😌😌 Hee! Hee!
Nothing at all wrong with his songs,BBC stuffed shirts..................better than a lot of the shit we are presented with now,rest easy George.........we all loved you.
His father George Fornby Senior used to lodge in the Brixton house I was born and bred in, although it was before my time, but he gave my parents a few 78 ‘s which I well remember.
To think it had been his father who told Charlie Chaplin he should try his luck in America. I grew up watching George and still enjoy his movies to date. The funny thing is my eight year old now enjoys watching his movies with me. He is one of those actors that literally crosses generations and is still enjoyed by a great amount of people. An absolute legend
what a humble man telling you his life shame what happened to his house and belongings when he passed away. People bidding for his clothes etc and apparently a huge amount of money went missing
This is the very first time I have seen a clip of the great man himself that was made when he was getting on a little bit. I am pleasantly surprised to see what a brilliant personality he had. I actually thought George never had a ride in public, but it looks like I got that wrong because he says he had his first ride at 10 years old!! I never knew that was allowed as it appears to be far far too young to be riding a thorougbred in a proper race. But this is a real beauty of a clip. I appreciate George Formby more now than I ever did before. RIP mate.
George never lost the common touch throughout all the years of enormous fame, his warm character radiates through time and his versatility with the ukulele is legendary. Thank you for posting.
Good old George His films before and during the second war was just what Brittain needed, I also did a Formby impersonation around Theatres and Clubs all around Britain thanks George for being you , never be another you
Why has`nt this show not been repeated on BBC 4 ?....... great tunes and story by the much missed George Formby............ can someone upload the rest of this recording please !......... i do believe this was infact the last show George ever did not long before he died in i think either 1960 or 1961.
oh yes i remember when i met George at the Alhambra in Bradford, i was very interested in G banjo,s and all string instruments, any way i went back stage to see George, and he was great, showed me all his instruments tuned up in different keys. that was in the 40s; and i am still inspired today. and still playing.
i've never seen anything with him older...wow. Thanks for posting..nice to hear things from his own mouth. this was 1960?..still love his music and humour..nothing wrong with his songs at all..to me anyway
This is so sad. He was old before his time and died at a criminally young age, even by 1961 standards. That's an ill, broken man still performing like a trooper.
They are thin on the ground these days for entertainers who are as decent and kind of heart as George Formby. Just a profanity laden bunch of self centred narcissists. Not all but you get my drift
It's sad because you can hear and see him cough between songs. It was likely the first outward sign of him being sick and getting closer to dying by the sounds of it. One might also note that despite his wife not being dead yet, he referred to her in past tense already. "Beryl [i]was[/i] in charge of the business..." [sighs] So sad... Such a sweet fun entertaining fellow.
Catherineone Sadly I think you're right. Imho Morecambe and Wise were the last to embody this sort of kindness, decency, and integrity. Thank heaven for youtube and dvds eh?
So honest and open. What integrity. When you think that George was a massive movie star, this humility about his background is touching and should be learnt as a lesson by many lesser celebrities nowadays.
+Thomas Kallmyr Biological Grandfather ? What other sort of grandfather is there then? He's your grandfather. 'Biological' is redundant....or are you claiming no schooling like George ?
Sorry for the late response but aside from the fact that he says he never had children in this video I did some research and confirmed that he never did so stop lying for attention.
Can anyone name a present day comic who doesn’t rely on words like shit fuck and cunt in their act to make it (and I use the word loosely) funny Men like Form y and his ilk were funny without swearing 🤬. True gentleman not present in today’s show business
