Frankie Howerd: Stand-up Comic

Graham McCann

ISBN 10: 1841153109 / ISBN 13: 9781841153100

Published by London: Fourth Estate, 2004

About this Item

Condition Notes: Leans slightly.; First edition (first printing). Hardback. Dust wrapper over black boards with gilt titles to the spine; Measures 9½" x 6¼" (0.9 kg); pp (xii) 369; Index; Bibliography; Contains: Black & white photographs; Filmography; || The book is on the shelf, ready to be appropriately packed, and posted from the pastoral paradise of Peasedown St. John, Bath, by a real bookseller in a real book shop - with my personal guarantee and beady eye on the Consumer Contracts Regulations. REMEMBER! Buying my copy means the book shop Jack Russells get their supper! My Book #189243 ||.

Seller Inventory # 189243

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Frankie Howerd: Stand-up Comic
• Publisher: London: Fourth Estate
• Publication Date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1841153109
• ISBN 13: 9781841153100
• Binding: Hardback in Dust Wrapper.
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Biography & Autobiography

About this title

Synopsis

The most authoritative biography of Britain's most subversive twentieth century clown from celebrated biographer Graham McCann, author of DAD’S ARMY and MORECAMBE & WISE.

The rambling perambulations, the catchphrases, the bland brown suit and chestnut hairpiece: such were the hallmarks of a revolution in stand-up comedy that came in the unique shape of Frankie Howerd. His act was all about his lack of act, his humour reliant on trying to prevent the audience from laughing ('No, no please, now…now control please, control').

This new biography from Graham McCann charts the circuitous course of an extraordinary career – moving from his early, exceptional, success in the forties and early fifties as a radio star, through a period at the end of the fifties when he was all but forgotten as a has-been, to his rediscovery in the early sixties by Peter Cook. Howerd returned to television popularity with ‘Up Pompeii’, which led to work with the Carry On team. In his last few years he became the unlikely doyen of the late eighties 'alternative' comedy circuit. But his life off-stage was equally fascinating: full of secrets, insecurities (leading at one point to a nervous breakdown) and unexpected friendships.

Graham McCann vividly captures both Howerd's colourful career and precarious private life through extensive new research and original interviews with such figures as Paul McCartney, Eric Sykes, Bill Cotton, Barbara Windsor, Joan Simms and Michael Grade. This exceptional biography brings to life an exceptional British entertainer.

About the Author

Graham McCann is a lecturer in Social and Political Theory at Kings College, Cambridge. He writes regularly on politics and culture for a wide range of publications. Previous books include, Cary Grant: A Class Apart, Morecambe & Wise and Dad’s Army also published by Fourth Estate.