Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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FORMBY, George Jr

(b George Hoy Booth, 26 May '04, Wigan; d 6 March '61, Penwortham, England) Singing comedian, son of famous Edwardian comedian, a jockey at 15, first appearance on stage at 17. Played ukulele, sang saucy songs with toothy grin; made 20 comedy/musical films '34--46; playing an amiable dope who got the girl, incl. Keep Your Seats Please ('The Window Cleaner'), Feather Your Nest ('Leaning On A Lamp Post'), Let George Do It ('Mr Wu's A Window Cleaner Now', 'Grandad's Flannelette Nightshirt'), etc. The UK's top male entertainer performed for troops world-wide '39--45, OBE '46. West End debut in Zip Goes A Million '51, musical version of G. B. McCutcheon's novel Brewster's Millions; left cast due to illness and semi-retired. 'Lamp Post' was interpolated into West End revival of Me And My Girl '85. Compilations in UK on Flapper, Pavilion, Music For Pleasure etc.