TimR

I am curious about these two entertainers.

I am watching the classic series World At War yet again, and there are film clips of both Gracie Fields and George Formby.

He is playing the ukelele and entertaining the troops. In another clip, she is singing a comedy song - it starts with "I'm the girl who makes the thing that does the...something or other..." It's about a factory worker.

I know who she is: at least, I know her name. But Formby was identified by a much older family member who educated me. I had not heard of him.

Were they film actors as well as comedians and singers? I know they made some films, but they must have been significant in British culture or they would not have appeared in that series - still the gold standard of documentaries, as far as I am concerned.

Thoughts?

thanks,
Tim

Zandalee

George Formby and Gracie Fields were popular entertainers - national treasures! -of the stage who no doubt became film stars due to the popularity of cinemas during the 1930's and 40's especially during World War Two.

THE THING-UMMY-BOB (That's Gonna Win The War)
(written by Thompson / Heneker, 1942)

Variation as recorded by Gracie Fields:


Spoken: "I can't pretend to be a great celebrity
But still, I'm quite important in me way,
The job I have to do may not sound much to you
But all the same, I'm very proud to say....."

I'm the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole
that holds the ring that drives the rod that turns the knob
that works the thing-ummy-bob
I'm the girl that makes the thing that holds the oil
that oils the ring that takes the shank that moves the crank
that works the thing-ummy-bob.

It's a ticklish sort of job making a thing for a thing-ummy-bob
Especially when you don't know what it's for
But it's the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole
that holds the ring that makes the thing-ummy-bob
that makes the engines roar
And it's the girl that makes the thing that holds the oil
that oils the ring that makes the thing-ummy-bob
that's going to win the war

Spoken: "I'm not what you would call a heroine, at all
I don't suppose you'd even know me name
But though I'll never boast, of my important post
I'll strike a blow for freedom just the same"

(Music)
That works the thing-ummy-bob
(Music)
That works the thing-ummy-bob

It's a ticklish sort of job making a thing for a thing-ummy-bob
Especially when you don't know what it's for
But it's the girl that makes the thing that drills the hole
that holds the ring that makes the thing-ummy-bob
that makes the engines roar.
And it's the girl that makes the thing that holds the oil
that oils the ring that makes the thing-ummy-bob
that's going to win the war.

"I'tis an' all"

TimR

Thanks for the insights Zanadee. Yes, that's the song.

You mention the term "national treasure". That was my impression: that there was some emotional connection that went beyond just film roles - similar (perhaps) to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby here during the war.

The part of the series I was watching was about the home front in Britain and the courage and humor of the Brits - always an interesting topic to me.

Zandalee

You're welcome TimR

Yes, Gracie and George were indeed like Bob and Bing...national treasures that went out and entertained the troops!

Just out of interest the World At War is being repeated yet again on UK TV History!

TimR

Ah!

I just looked at the UK TV History site. What a marvelous selection!

If I had that channel, I would never go to work and my wife would have to hit me over the head to get the remote....

Zandalee

UK TV History is one of my favourite telly channels.

orpheum

George Formby was the number 1 box office attraction in the 1930s and well into the 40s despite the fact that his films were not popular in the South and London.

Welcome To Highbury The Home Of Football

samkydd

They were two of the best paid British stars of the era. Gracie was getting around £40,000 per film in the 1930s.

A friend of mine was a PO on a naval ship visiting the Med and he and some officers and ratings were invited to dine with "our Gracie" at her home on Capri, I think. My friend wore his No1 uniform, and the officers wore their dining-in monkey suits but the other ratings did not have this type of formal dress uniform and so they wore whites; a uniform comprising a white naval tee-shirt with a square cut collar, white bell bottoms and white shoes and of course their normal hats. Gracie was so aghast at their "informal" appearance that she suggested that the officers and my friend could dine with the other guests but the ratings would have to eat in the kitchens! Being something of a decent bloke my friend said "No!" (or something more meanigful and graphic, as you would) and left with the other ratings for a night out in more hospitable company.

Who would have thought that such a perceived working-class hero could have ended up such a bloody snob!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"