History Music / GeorgeFormby

* UsefulNotes/WorldWarII: The war started at the height of George's fame, and several of his post-1939 movies (''Let George Do It!'', ''Get Cracking'', etc) have a war theme as do some of his songs. He signed up for ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association - the organisation that provided entertainment for service personnel) and travelled extensively to entertain British troops in various locations ... sometimes ''very'' close to the front line; footage of him performing "Imagine Me On The Maginot Line" for soldiers in France in 1940 can be seen in an episode of ''Series/TheWorldAtWar''. When not abroad, he entertained people in factories, theatres and even air-raid shelters in addition to serving in the Home Guard as a dispatch rider.

* UnderdogsNeverLose: So very much in the films - whether he's taking part in the Isle of Man TT (''No Limit''), trying to stop a German spy from sending vital information to Berlin (''Let George Do It!'') or up against saboteurs in the Liverpool docks (''Spare a Copper''), George is the underdog. And he will prevail. With his [[DoubleEntendre little ukulele in his hand]].

--"When I'm Cleaning Windows", 1936.

Along the promenade I stroll,\\

Tucked inside my little cell\\

--> ''Oh Mr Wu, he's got a naughty eye that flickers,
--> You ought to see it wobble when he's ironing ladies' ... blouses!''

* {{Sequel}}: Many of his songs have sequels, most notably the 'Mr Wu' series.
* SoundEffectBleep: One of the first to do the musical version:
-->''They told me they would treat me swell, tucked inside my little cell\\
But up to now it's been like h('''LOUD NOTE''')! Oh Mother, what'll I do now?''

* The "Mr Wu" songs, including "Chinese Laundry Blues", the UsefulNotes/WorldWarII-themed "Mr Wu Is Now An Air Raid Warden" and "Mr Wu Is In The Air Force", and "Mr Wu's A Window Cleaner Now".

* "Fuck'em All." No one's quite sure who wrote it, but [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYGyAez5_MI Formby's recording]] is the best known to use the original lyrics (although the chorus is sanitized to "Bless'em All").

He was one of the most popular British entertainers of his day; it was estimated that during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII he had performed in front of more than ''three million'' people. His career declined after the war although he continued to appear in variety shows. When not touring, he lived in his native Lancashire (he named his house in Lytham St Anne's "Beryldene" in honour of his wife). After suffering from various health problems in the 1950s, he died relatively young at the age of 56 in 1961.

Between 1937 and 1942, he was — in terms of UK box office takings — the most successful British cinema actor ''bar none''. In his films, he always played a good-natured working-class underdog who overcomes the odds and invariably gets the girl.

One of the most popular British entertainers of his day -- by 1946 it was estimated that he had over the years performed in front of ''three million'' people -- he lived in his native Lancashire for many years (he named his house in Lytham St Anne's "Beryldene" in honour of his wife). After suffering from various health problems in the 1950s, he died relatively young at the age of 56 in 1961.

* UsefulNotes/WorldWarII: The war started at the height of George's fame, and several of his post-1939 movies (''Let George Do It!'', ''Get Cracking'', etc) have a war theme as do some of his songs. He signed up for ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association - the organisation that provided entertainment for service personnel) and travelled all over the world to entertain British troops in various locations ... sometimes ''very'' close to the front line. When not abroad, he served in the Home Guard as a dispatch rider.

Formby started out as a music hall performer using the same songs and jokes as his father (also a music hall performer). This changed in 1923 when he married fellow-performer Beryl Ingham, who became his manager and transformed his act by introducing the ukulele to his performance and insisting he dress smartly while on stage (as he himself later noted with regards to his famously suggestive lyrics: "You know, some of the songs are a bit near. But they'll take them from me in evening dress; they wouldn't take them if I wore baggy pants and rednose").

Between 1937 and 1942, he was — in terms of UK box office takings — the most successful British cinema actor ''bar none''. In his films, he always played a good-natured working-class underdog who overcomes the odds and invariably gets the (middle-class) girl.

One of the most popular British entertainers of his day -- by 1946 it was estimated that he had over the years performed in front of ''three million'' people -- he lived in his native Lancashire for many years (he named his house in Lytham St Anne's "Beryldene" in honour of his wife) and, after suffering from various health problems in the 1950s, he died relatively young at the age of 56 in 1961. The next year, Music/TheBeatles would rise to prominence; Music/GeorgeHarrison was a fan of Formby's and often put references to him in his songs, most notably at the end of the reunion piece "Free as a Bird". Today, his work is championed by [[UsefulNotes/TheWestMidlands Midlands]] comedian [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Skinner Frank Skinner]], who does a spectacularly good impersonation.

!!His most famous songs are probably:

* ''Off the Dole'' (1935)

* ''South American George'' (1941)

* ''He Snoops to Conquer'' (1944)

George Formby [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever OBE]] (born George Hoy Booth, 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961) was a [[OopNorth Lancastrian]] singer-songwriter, comedian and film star who had his biggest hits in TheThirties. Between 1937 and 1942, he was — in terms of UK box office takings — the most successful British cinema actor ''bar none''. In his films, he always played a good-natured working-class underdog who overcomes the odds and invariably gets the (middle-class) girl. He often mixed comedy into his songs together with a healthy dose of innuendo. His signature musical instrument was the ukulele, or 'uke' for short.

Formby started out as a music hall performer using the same songs and jokes as his father (also a music hall performer). This changed in 1923 when he married fellow-performer Beryl Ingham, who became his manager and transformed his act by introducing the ukulele to his performance and insisting he dress smartly while on stage (as he himself later noted with regards to his famously suggestive lyrics: "You know, some of the songs are a bit near. But they'll take them from me in evening dress; they wouldn't take them if I wore baggy pants and rednose"). One of the most popular British entertainers of his day -- by 1946 it was estimated that he had over the years performed in front of ''three million'' people -- he lived in his native Lancashire for many years (he named his house in Lytham St Anne's "Beryldene" in honour of his wife) and, after suffering from various health problems in the 1950s, he died relatively young at the age of 56 in 1961. The next year, Music/TheBeatles would rise to prominence; Music/GeorgeHarrison was a fan of Formby's and often put references to him in his songs, most notably at the end of the reunion piece "Free as a Bird". Today, his work is championed by [[UsefulNotes/TheWestMidlands Midlands]] comedian [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Skinner Frank Skinner]], who does a spectacularly good impersonation.

* ShoutOut: During one episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'', Director Bullock of the CIA, in his downtime in between interviews, picks up a ukulele and performs "The Window Cleaner". Creator/PatrickStewart even does this in his native Yorkshire accent. Which must really bemuse Americans.

--> "Oh Mr Wu, he's got a naughty eye that flickers
--> You ought to see it wobble when he's ironing ladies' ... blouses"

-->"They told me they would treat me swell, tucked inside my little cell\\
But up to now it's been like h('''LOUD NOTE''')! Mother what'll I do now?"

* ''Keep Your Seats, Please'' (1936) - first appearance of "The Window Cleaner"

It's nice to have a nibble at it now and again!\\

-->''Last night I went out walking\\
My intentions were to click\\
But the sights I saw while walking out\\
They nearly made me sick\\
I saw a lot of lovely girls\\
Attractive little dears\\
Arm in arm with ugly men\\
With cauliflower ears\\
Well, if women like them like men like those\\
Why don't women like me?''\\
--"Why Don't Women Like Me", 1936.

He lived on the Isle of Man for many years and died young at the age of 56 in 1961. The next year, Music/TheBeatles would rise to prominence; Music/GeorgeHarrison was a fan of Formby's and often put references to him in his songs, most notably at the end of the Beatles reunion piece "Free as a Bird". Today his work is championed by [[UsefulNotes/TheWestMidlands Midlands]] comedian [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Skinner Frank Skinner]], who does a spectacularly good impersonation.

* "The Window Cleaner" - [[RefrainFromAssuming the title is universally mistaken]] as "When I'm Cleaning Windows"

* ''Keep Your Seats, Please'' (1936)

\\

His most famous songs are probably:

He lived on the Isle of Man for many years and died young at the age of 56 in 1961. The next year, Music/TheBeatles would rise to prominence; Music/GeorgeHarrison was a fan of Formby's and often put references to him in his songs, most notably at the end of the Beatles reunion piece "Free as a Bird". Today his work is championed by [[UsefulNotes/TheWestMidlands Midlands]] comedian [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Skinner Frank Skinner]], who does a spectacularly good impersonation.

* UsefulNotes/WorldWarII: The war started at the height of George's fame, and several of his post-1939 movies (''Let George Do It!'', ''Bell-Bottom George'', etc) have a war theme as do some of his songs. He signed up for ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association - the organisation that provided entertainment for service personnel) and travelled all over the world to entertain British troops in various locations ... sometimes ''very'' close to the front line. When not abroad, he served in the Home Guard as a dispatch rider.

* UnderdogsNeverLose: So very much in the films - whether he's taking part in the Isle of Man TT (''No Limit''), trying to stop a German spy from sending information about the Royal Navy to Berlin (''Let George Do It!'') or up against saboteurs in the Liverpool docks (''Spare a Copper''), George is the underdog. And he will prevail. With his [[DoubleEntendre little ukulele in his hand]].

* RichardNixonTheUsedCarSalesman: Formby appears in the Literature/ThursdayNext novels, having led the British Resistance after the Nazi invasion (AlternateHistory) and, after the liberation, becoming President-for-Life of England. "When I'm Cleaning Windows" becomes the new national anthem.

* "The Window Cleaner" ([[RefrainFromAssuming title universally mistaken]] as "When I'm Cleaning Windows").

--> You ought to see it wobble when he's ironing ladies'...blouses"

* UsefulNotes/WorldWarII: The war started at the height of George's fame, and several of his post-1939 movies (''Let George Do It!'', etc)have a war theme. He signed up for ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association - the organisation that provided entertainment for service personnel) and travelled all over the world to entertain British troops in various locations in addition to serving in the Home Guard as a dispatch rider.

* DoubleEntendre: Constantly. Probably the most blatant examples are in "With My Little Ukulele In My Hand" and "With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock". The latter was actually banned by the [[Creator/TheBBC BBC]] in 1937 for its suggestive lyrics. When he was invited to perform for the Royal Family, he was told to rewrite his songs to make the lyrics less offensive, only to find when he got there that the King wanted to hear the original versions.

* ShoutOut: Much to the bafflement of an American audience, one episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' sees Director Bullock of the CIA, in his downtime in between interviews, pick up a ukelele and perform "When I'm Cleaning Windows". Creator/PatrickStewart even performs this in his native broad Yorkshire accent. Which must really bemuse Americans.

* UnderdogsNeverLose: So very much in the films - whether he's taking part in the Isle of Man TT (''No Limit''), trying to stop a German spy from sending information about the Royal Navy to Berlin (''Let George Do It!'' or up against saboteurs in the Liverpool docks (''Spare a Copper''), George is the underdog. And he will prevail. With his [[DoubleEntendre little ukulele in his hand]].

* RetroactiveRecognition: It happens in the films. One of the saboteurs in ''Spare a Copper'' is played by Bernard Lee -- who would go on to be [[Characters/JamesBondM M]] in the Bond films.

* SpiritualPredecessor: In terms of his films, George is this to Creator/NormanWisdom, who also excelled in the underdog role.

UnderdogsNeverLose: So very much in the films.

* TheDanza: In his films, he invariably played a character called 'George'.

George Formby [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever OBE]] (born George Hoy Booth, 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961) was a [[OopNorth Lancastrian]] singer-songwriter, comedian and film star who had his biggest hits in TheThirties. Between 1937 and 1942, he was — in terms of box office takings — the most successful British cinema actor ''bar none''. In his films, he always played a good-natured working-class underdog who overcomes the odds and invariably gets the (middle-class) girl. He often mixed comedy into his songs together with a healthy dose of innuendo. His signature musical instrument was the ukulele, or 'uke' for short.

* AdolfHitlarious: During a dream sequence in ''Let George Do It!'', he parachutes into a Nuremberg Rally and punches Adolf Hitler. This film was very popular in the USA (where it was called ''To Hell with Hitler'') and even the Soviet Union as well as Britain.

* DoubleEntendre: Constantly. Probably the most blatant examples are in "With My Little Ukulele In My Hand" and "With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock". The latter was actually ''banned by Creator/TheBBC'' in 1937 for its suggestive lyrics. When he was invited to perform for the Royal Family, he was told to rewrite his songs to make the lyrics less offensive, only to find when he got there that the King wanted to hear the original versions.

* IMeantToDoThat: "Sitting On The Ice In The Ice Rink" is based on this trope--it's George insisting that, no, he hasn't fallen while skating, he ''likes'' sitting on the ice in the ice rink with his skates on.

* PatrioticFervour: Sort of averted, as he made patriotic songs during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII but they were just as comedic as his usual fare.

George Formby [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever OBE]] (born George Hoy Booth, 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961) was a [[OopNorth Lancastrian]] singer-songwriter, comedian and film star who had his biggest hits in TheThirties. Real name George Hoy Booth, he inherited the stage name from his father, who was a music hall comic. He often mixed comedy into his songs together with a healthy dose of innuendo. His signature musical instrument was the ukulele, or 'uke' for short.

* DoubleEntendre: Constantly. Probably the most blatant examples are in "With My Little Ukulele In My Hand" and "With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock". The latter was actually ''banned by Creator/TheBBC'' in 1937 for its suggestive lyrics.

* LastSecondWordSwap and SubvertedRhymeEveryOccasion: Fond of using these.

** Another example:
---> "We landed home at half past two, I rang the front door bell,
---> The wife said "Where've you been?" and I said "You can go to...bed!"

** Possibly a riff on his experiences in South Africa, see PrecisionFStrike above.

* StageNames: George's real name was George Hoy Booth. His father, James Lawler Booth, was a music hall comedian and singer who performed under the stage name "George Formby" -- the son did likewise, meaning that the father is now known as "George Formby Senior".

George Formby [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever OBE]] (born George Hoy Booth, 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961) was a [[OopNorth Lancastrian]] singer-songwriter, comic and film star who had his biggest hits in TheThirties. Real name George Hoy Booth, he inherited the stage name from his father, who was a music hall comic. He often mixed comedy into his songs together with a healthy dose of innuendo. His signature musical instrument was the ukulele, or 'uke' for short.