The 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 unique British
entertainer. |
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