When he hugged a black girl in South Africa, The leader of the Nationist party called to complain, and his wife said "Piss Off you horrible little man"
This is so important in musical history. George lived near my home and my mother met him. A wonderful man. But not let's forget his father -- George Formby senior
Its not racist at all, we british take the piss and can take it when we get the piss taken out of us, look at the way all the impressionists took the piss out of george formby, all those jokes about him being a pervert and britians own war crime etc etc.
Have you heard the recording of his Dad that was played on one of these 1960 shows?I thought it was him,but it was his Dad,So similiar it was uncanny.They Played it to him as he sat in his chair.
Wonderful to see this clip! Fact is that Chinese immigrants had a reputation for running laundries so it's no more racist than singing a song about an Italian restaurant, French cheese, or Japanese sushi. It's no more about the Chinese than it is a blues. The humour (and, if you don't think it's funny, so be it) comes from George's opportunity to sing about underwear (which he does with relish) on the original recording!
@timechannel He's not merely not racist he's a freedom fighter - he went to South Africa at the beginning of Apartheid and was told that he couldn't play to blacks and whites together so he chose to only play to blacks until they kicked him out of the country (one of the people he was with was shot dead ). He's considered a hero in South Africa.
What a delightful clip! Thanks for sharing it with us! Too bad this was his last performance. I wonder if it was the Wong Brothers Chinese Laundry that he was singing about. They had a quite unique slogan: "TWO WONGS CAN MAKE IT WHITE!"
I always loved George Formby as a kid. My dad was a great fan, and it's so good to be able to view the Inimitable George here on Youtube. It's priceless
What a fabulous, A1, 5* entertainer George was. I used to know very well ('74 to '78) a guy who has acted in the Scottish detective drama Taggart, and had penned many of the Taggart storylines. This particular guy did an unbelievably good impression of George Formby, even doing the banjolele sounds with his lips!
Utterly charming, a top entertainer. This was the first song i ever heard from him, i was completely stunned (having never heard him although i listen to tons of 'golden era' music-'27-'35) and thrilled to bits to come across it. (Rare to come across his music here in the US but hopefully that will change)
@Perranporth Yes, I think so but the most remarkable thing was that he was 10 years older than his mother when he was alive. A natural phenomena that nobody could work out at the time, back in Lancashire.
And his teeth! Bloody hell: he was always toothy, but compate the state of his mouth with an earlier clip, say "Our Sergeant Major" and poor guy has suffered drastic dental deterioration. These days, of course, he'd never get past a first audition with gnashers like that!
@fatmanshrinking He had a trick with his teeth in that they protuded so much, he could core an apple first and then eat the apple. He could also eat a banana without removing the skin. He used to go in through the stalk. An amazing trick.
When he hugged a black girl in South Africa, The leader of the Nationist party called to complain, and his wife said "Piss Off you horrible little man"
tomobrien1888 1 week ago
He looks and sounds a right twat
rolflmaoweeee 10 months ago
@rolflmaoweeee... A twit as well as a twat!
elghian 9 months ago
This is so important in musical history. George lived near my home and my mother met him. A wonderful man. But not let's forget his father -- George Formby senior
CountKryzal 11 months ago
@CountKryzal lets forget both of 'em!
elghian 9 months ago
@ISTeslaYT He sure did the poor sod
26highstreet 1 year ago
Its not racist at all, we british take the piss and can take it when we get the piss taken out of us, look at the way all the impressionists took the piss out of george formby, all those jokes about him being a pervert and britians own war crime etc etc.
Rip geroge
26highstreet 1 year ago
Wigan salutes you George. I live across the road from where you were born x
bynot1 1 year ago
@bynot1 BIG DEAL!
elghian 9 months ago
Wgan salutes you George x
bynot1 1 year ago
great artist......
johnlemmon 2 years ago
this is george formby sr nor jr right?
purenight77 2 years ago
Have you heard the recording of his Dad that was played on one of these 1960 shows?I thought it was him,but it was his Dad,So similiar it was uncanny.They Played it to him as he sat in his chair.
crunterstamps 2 years ago
Wonderful to see this clip! Fact is that Chinese immigrants had a reputation for running laundries so it's no more racist than singing a song about an Italian restaurant, French cheese, or Japanese sushi. It's no more about the Chinese than it is a blues. The humour (and, if you don't think it's funny, so be it) comes from George's opportunity to sing about underwear (which he does with relish) on the original recording!
MDBellamy 2 years ago 3
Nothing racist in this or any British humour..we love to take the piss out of ourselves above any of those Chinkys.Spics.Yankees etc
And obviously..We can take it back when You Guys give us some Verbals!!!!
timechannel 2 years ago 6
@timechannel He's not merely not racist he's a freedom fighter - he went to South Africa at the beginning of Apartheid and was told that he couldn't play to blacks and whites together so he chose to only play to blacks until they kicked him out of the country (one of the people he was with was shot dead ). He's considered a hero in South Africa.
glaatraa 2 months ago
put a bit on weight on but wat a great star- came for wigan well in and great
philjimandpim 2 years ago
What a delightful clip! Thanks for sharing it with us! Too bad this was his last performance. I wonder if it was the Wong Brothers Chinese Laundry that he was singing about. They had a quite unique slogan: "TWO WONGS CAN MAKE IT WHITE!"
JubalCalif 2 years ago 2
God bless you George ! you've made me Pee my pants laughing many a time !
skyraider200 3 years ago 6
@skyraider200 You incontinent dickwad!
elghian 9 months ago
he looks old like most people who lived through the depression and an England that had poor rations during the war.
edwardsedgwick 3 years ago
he looks old here
SamWilliams13 3 years ago
that's because he was! :O
StrokMcHaggis 3 years ago
56 years old to be precise,I'm 52 and i don't feel old ...yet!
crunterstamps 2 years ago
yeah he has less energy from his voice, but i think he's old...
is he alive?........
oprechtvanmensen 3 years ago
No he died in 1961 aged 57
EILSELREYD 3 years ago
Shame it stops there! My favourite bit comes after that.
# Now Mr Wu. He's got a naughty eye that flickers.
# You ought to see it wobble when he's ironing lady's blouses.
&
# Now Mr Wu. He's got a laundry kind of tricky.
# He'll starch my shirts and collars but he'll never touch my w-aistcoat.
maxcadyuk 3 years ago
I always loved George Formby as a kid. My dad was a great fan, and it's so good to be able to view the Inimitable George here on Youtube. It's priceless
Gillyyorkie 3 years ago
What a fabulous, A1, 5* entertainer George was. I used to know very well ('74 to '78) a guy who has acted in the Scottish detective drama Taggart, and had penned many of the Taggart storylines. This particular guy did an unbelievably good impression of George Formby, even doing the banjolele sounds with his lips!
squadr0nleader 3 years ago
go george!
for a bit more ukulele
click on the username above...
Yookyoolaylee 4 years ago
He never lost it - what a shame he died, he would have been entertaining for many more years. Top song, and just right for Chinese new year!
dfarmbrough 4 years ago
He looks so tired.
Pitcairn2 4 years ago
Utterly charming, a top entertainer. This was the first song i ever heard from him, i was completely stunned (having never heard him although i listen to tons of 'golden era' music-'27-'35) and thrilled to bits to come across it. (Rare to come across his music here in the US but hopefully that will change)
soundlanguage 4 years ago
George.....A great entertainer in a world where people knew how to relax and laugh.......
penfloyd 4 years ago
Didn't his mother out live him by about 20 odd years?
Perranporth 4 years ago
26 years, if I remember right. I think she died in 1987 or so.
marktuson123 4 years ago
@Perranporth Yes, I think so but the most remarkable thing was that he was 10 years older than his mother when he was alive. A natural phenomena that nobody could work out at the time, back in Lancashire.
dannyamosflynn 8 months ago
It is wonderful that you are posting classic old clips like this, THANK YOU.
Billy244 4 years ago 2
I do so agree with you about this. I love to hear the banjo, and especially by the master himself !
Jo
Norfolk
29/5/2008
josparkes 3 years ago
lololol mr woo!!
wood221 4 years ago
And his teeth! Bloody hell: he was always toothy, but compate the state of his mouth with an earlier clip, say "Our Sergeant Major" and poor guy has suffered drastic dental deterioration. These days, of course, he'd never get past a first audition with gnashers like that!
fatmanshrinking 5 years ago
@fatmanshrinking He had a trick with his teeth in that they protuded so much, he could core an apple first and then eat the apple. He could also eat a banana without removing the skin. He used to go in through the stalk. An amazing trick.
elghian 9 months ago
Great, but eee, in't 'e lookin' old! When was this from?
fatmanshrinking 5 years ago
Was from the Friday Show, which was recorded in late December 1960, about 3 months before he died.
marktuson123 5 years ago