At one time he was one among The UK's record remunerated performers but very few people would know the name George Hoy Booth. Born in 1904 in Wigan, Lancashire, George Booth went on to construct one of the most recognisable characters in early British cinema. An straightforward, kind but accident-prone idiot called George Formby.
With his ukulele in his hand, his big toothy smirk and broad Lancashire pronunciation he began to amuse theatergoers everywhere with his rude style of humour and even cheekier song lyrics. The guise George fashioned led to over 20 films that saw him get into all kinds of ludicrous calamities and trouble but as always he continually came out on top through mere good luck and some help from those surrounding him. Like so many screen film stars he developed a number of catch phrases like: “It’s turned out nice again”, “Ooh Mother!”, and “Never touched me” especially when losing a fight.
George Formby was by and large notorious for his cheeky comic songs which, in contrast to today’s objectionable, expletive ridden, comedy scene, are not even moderate. Packed with double entendre his songs were considered enormously cheeky at the time that the solitary television station in the UK, the BBC, banned one completely. It thought the lyrics of “With my little stick of Blackpool Rock” so odious that it would not allow it to be broadcast. Formby's songs are predominant with tricky humour, as in 1932's "Chinese Laundry Blues," where Formby is going to sing "ladies' knickers" and swiftly changes it to "ladies' blouses". Perhaps his most recognized song was “When I’m Cleaning Windows”
Although the applauded achievement of George Formby’s films in the United Kingdom and Canada they in no way seemed to catch on in the US. Columbia Pictures gave George Formby a deal worth over £500,000 but never circulated his films within America. In 1939 Hollywood came calling but George turned down all further offers in order to entertain Allied troops during the Second World War in Europe and Africa. A magnificent effort which earned him an OBE (Order of the British Empire) medal in 1946.
George Formby had his first heart attack in 1952 and was forced to semi retire from show business. He appeared every so often as guests on assorted programs but never won back his previous career reputation again. His wife Beryl died from leukaemia on 24th December 1960 and unfortunately George Formby experienced a second heart attack and died in hospital on 6th march 1961.
The legend of George Formby survives on through fan clubs, websites, tribute acts and of course YouTube. There is a bronze statue of Formby leaning on a lamppost on Ridgeway Street, nearby to the intersection with Lord Street, in Douglas, Isle of Man. On 15 September 2007 another bronze figure was unveiled in Formby's home town of Wigan, Lancashire in the Grand Arcade shopping centre.
Even though there have been numerous ‘comic song’ acts, none have ever bettered the legend that is George Formby, England’s Clown Prince of Song.
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George Formby was a legend, but don't take our word for it. Visit our website which contains more information and video clips of the man in action and a chance to vote for your favourite. Visit George Formby now and see for yourself!
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