Statue for les

Ivan,i saw Bill hicks in edinburgh at the fringe,in a tent believe it or not, the mans observations on life and its Odyssey’s was pure genius.Now genius is not a word that should be bantered about willy nilly,but among the few i do count as a genius ,is billy Connolly.Billys exhausting brand of stand up leaving you fighting for breath and praying for just a break,also his reverence for life the country and his background totally amazes me,just imagine having teachers like Fred dibnah and billy when you were at school.

Agreed martin and its old hat don’t you think,bernard manning has done this for years and among the best of the bunch ,a comic called bill hicks, sadly not with us. But his thought provoking humor along with biting wit i did enjoy.

Aaahhh ….. Mr Hicks. I think he had more death threats than any other US comedian. Very, very funny man. I had the chance to see him in Leicester Square once but decided to attend our pub football teams awards night instead…. what a pillock!!

Pete, as regards Dibnah; As was previously stated on the Alex Henshaw thread, the best honour is the respect and admiration of people in the “know”. I think we both agree that our respect is honour enough and that our respect passed to our kids etc has far more impact than a statue. Met him at Bratch Pumping Station a few years back, a triple expansion steam powered jobbie! Good bloke!

But enough of pulling at petes hackles:diablo: :diablo:
Id like to add to the list the great Stanley unwin.
http://www.stanleyunwin.com/home2.htm[/QUOTE]

Nice one, have you listened to Ogdens Nut Gone Flake by the Small Faces, if not, appreciate the input by Staney Unwin. Unwin was an unrecognised genius in my opinion.

I tend to think of the Goons as the originators of modern comedy, whatever that means, and thats led me on to another comedy hero, what about Michael Bentine, who remembers ‘It’s a Square World’, a classic of it’s time, much discussed in the playground in the 60’s and largely forgotten about, do the BBC have any of these recordings in their archives, I wonder.

Lets turn this into a ‘I remember’ comedy thread.

I can’t imagine a bronze statue of Fred Dibnah sitting happily in Bolton town square, can you, I’d sooner see a plaque on a plinthed seam roller, and that would be a waste of a steam roller, statues are for dead Victorian generals, I don’t find them very tastefull, I think that Eric Morecambes statue is out of place and a bit strange, I would sooner have seen the local theatre restored and dedicated to him instead, they could have done with the money as well, bronze and sculptors come at a price.

I feel some of the more modern comedians feel just to shock is funny, But comedy is more than that.

Agreed martin and its old hat don’t you think,bernard manning has done this for years and among the best of the bunch ,a comic called bill hicks, sadly not with us. But his thought provoking humor along with biting wit i did enjoy.
http://www.billhicks.com/
Don’t get me wrong, I’m no nun and do like blue humour ,but only when its done slick and well .Chubby brown always comes to mind and having met the man dozens of times, i must say he was one of the nicest comics ive ever met.

People like bland brand still haven’t been tested yet lets see if there still popular with a new audience in twenty or god forbid fifty years,like harry and spike were.
Im very choosy with new talent believe me ive seen hundreds of live acts some good some utter crap.
Among the new acts ,peter kay shines far above the rest at the moment just because of his inoffensive humour and hes a class writer.

But enough of pulling at petes hackles:diablo: :diablo:
Id like to add to the list the great Stanley unwin.
http://www.stanleyunwin.com/home2.htm

I have to say i have very similar views to you when it comes to comedy, I would also say Peter Kay is the best of the bunch, I know from his interviews he puts Ronnie Barker as one of his idols and i think that influence shows through.
I feel some of the more modern comedians feel just to shock is funny, But comedy is more than that.

Pete, don’t get me wrong, I too do like some current comedians. Peter Kaye is a family fave. Good comedy actor aswell. But I do have to mute certain sections of his DVD’s. (mind you the kids probably hear worse on the playground!) Its just that I can’t think of any current comedians who are “clean” enough for Granny to Grandson to listen to. Bill Bailey is but “Gran” just sits with a blank expression. I know it may be rose tinted specs, but it was nice for 3 generations of a family to sit and laugh at the same time. The only recent time when 3 generations of our family sat together and shared the same intense feelings was watching the Wolves. Heads and Brick Walls were in good use.!! 😀

Comedy is such an emotive subject.
I know that some/many people find Gervais hillariously funny. I cannot stand the bloke myself but I appreciate teh difference.

People like bland brand still haven’t been tested yet lets see if there still popular with a new audience in twenty or god forbid fifty years,like harry and spike were.
Im very choosy with new talent believe me ive seen hundreds of live acts some good some utter crap.
Among the new acts ,peter kay shines far above the rest at the moment just because of his inoffensive humour and hes a class writer.

But enough of pulling at petes hackles:diablo: :diablo:
Id like to add to the list the great Stanley unwin.
http://www.stanleyunwin.com/home2.htm

Here we go, knocking modern comedians because you are trying to compare them to your heroes of the past.
I’m an old git, and not only do I remember the old boys but I’ve seen alot of them onstage as well, yes, I used to curl up in front of the steam radio and listen to The Goon Show and pretend I understood it, I remember Round the Horn, the Navy Lark and even Archie Andrews, they were fantastic, but we live in a different world, like it or not. The last series of Ricky Gervais Extras was absolutely fantastic, I was crying with laughing all the way through it, but on the other hand, I am quite capable of watching a repeat of say, Porridge or Hancocks Half Hour afterwards and, despite having seen it 10 times before, it will invoke the same reaction. Ah ha, you say, will the same thing happen to Ricky Gervais in 30 years time, who knows, people were no doubt making comparisons between Ronnie Barker and Jimmy Handley, Stinker Murdoch, Arthur Askey etc etc etc. Incidentally, I think that Russell Brand is brilliant, hackles rise……….
This is all beside the point, my nomination for a statue is for the late great Harry Secombe, a wonderfull man, please read Mulligans books starting with Adolf Hitler, My Part in his Downfall, to find out how they met.
Secombe had the ability to not only involve himself in the dark side of comedy, but to present himself to the public as a classical singer and a very religious man, he must have been a very complex character.
I once saw him in a live show at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal with Jimmy Clitheroe, it was awesome, the fishermans sketch I remember in detail to this day.
One day I was on my lunch hour in Nottingham, walking through the Vic Centre when I heard this histerical laughter, who appears but Mr Secombe, striding through the centre without a care in the world, I approached and he said, ‘Hello mate, how are you doing, I’m having a lovely time here’, I was struck dumb, off he went to talk to the next batch of people, what a lovely man.
A few years later I went to see the Lord Mayors Show in London, me and the kids managed to get a good spot opposite the Mansion House. All the way through the show, someone was causing mayhem amongst the Glitteraii in the official grandstand opposite, who was it, of course, Mr Secombe, in fact, when the show finished, a group sat surrounding the great man, it was quite amusing to watch this scene of empty grandstands and a large group of people refusing to move because of him.
On the other hand, statues have an aura of the British Empire and ‘famous generals’ from battles that we have forgotten.
I’ve seen Eric Morecambes statue and I’m not sure about it, Morecambe is a very run down place and it doesn’t work.
Please note, I have relatives in the town and we had connections to the great man, perhaps things will be better when the Midland Hotel is restored, but who will stay in it it is another matter.
OK, I nominate the great Harry Secombe for a statue, it should be out on a headland in Cardiff Bay and only accessible to those who appreciate the great man.

Can you also include Ken Dodd who is still going strong – very funny live.

Spike Milligan also deserves a bigger mention – he was a comic genius with ‘Q’ Goon show and a cameo role in ‘Life of Brian’

One thing stads out here – all these greats were (and still are that) without the use of foul language.
Simple decent humour. Yes there is/was innuendo and hints but it never crossed that line.

Can I also add Marty Feldman to our esteemed list. I have one of those DVD’s of BBC Comedy Greats that came free from a newspaper and my son loved MF’s lightning tours sketch on there.
Morecambe and Wise also appear with their stripper routing – another one the kids like as the timing, presentation and concept are so simple and yet pulled off to a tee. Yes I know Eric has a statue already. I also know that some of their stuff is much better than other bits.

More up-to-date does anyone remember the Punt and Dennis show? Did you ever notice that the writers were only listed as Punt & Dennis?

I agree with you Barry ,without good writers most comedians wouldn’t be propelled into the stardom they have.
And one of these greatest comic genius writers has to be ,Barry cryer, hes written for such talents as Dave allen ,Stanley baxter and even Richard pryor.
He even had a no1 record in 1958.
And best of all ,hes a yorkshireman.:D 😀
Barry co wrote with another, sadly now passed away, Willy rushton,a brilliant satirist and one of the co founders of private eye.By the way willy has a blue plaque commemorated to him at mornington crescent tube station..

I also thought it would be nice if the new wembley staduim tributed the heroes of old………….. and a statue of Freddie Mercury who without a doubt was a hero of Wembley.

Seconded….motion carried,now let’s pass round the hat.His appearance at Live Aid and the later Queen tour,was MAGNIFICENT.Both gave me goose-bumps.If a statue was erected,as with the Hollywood Walk of Fame pavement stars,I would offer to keep it clean.:cool:.It beats “plane scrubbing”;)

May I put a hand up for the great Eric Sykes.
Way back in time,he opened a small office,along with the colaboration of a certain S.Milligan to write radio shows for Educating Archie,The Goon Show, Frankie Howard,Jimmie Edwards,Tommy Cooper and Tony Hancock to name but few.
When their office became too small,due to the volume of business,they moved to bigger premises and rented an office to a couple of up and coming writers named Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.Without Eric,would they have got their break with Steptoe and Son……who knows.
Eric,along with the great Hattie Jaques and Derik Guyler went on to give us ,on TV,”Sykes”and “The Plank”,which was also re-made for the cinema.
Eric is still alive(and nearly deaf),but still kicking.I last saw him in a Harry Potter film and understand that a telly appearance is due.
Remember,a great comedian needs great gags.Sykes gave them the material to make us all laugh.A statue? This man should be listed under “English Heritage”:cool:

charlie drake did the famous wallpaper routine ,now done on stage by the equally entertaining chuckle brothers.
dick emery’s ooo you are awful, but i like you character was mandy.:D
but as for drag acts Lilly savage live must be the best.

I have to agree with your list totally, And feel its a great thing that there will be a statue for Les Dawson, Eric Morcambe has already been remembered this way and i feel its a great idea.

Along with your list i would add the following comedy hero’s
*Sid James
*Peter Sellers
*Benny Hill

I also thought it would be nice if the new wembley staduim tributed the heroes of old with a statue representing the whole world cup of 1966 squad not just Bobby Moore, and a statue of Freddie Mercury who without a doubt was a hero of Wembley.

Aviation wise there are many too, I personally would like to see a statue on the old Croydon Airport site for Amy Johnson.
I also hope at some point we will be able to remember Alex Henshaw and Ray Hanna in some way, I hope i do not offend anyone by mentioning this.

I forgot to mention

Charlie Drake.

Dick Emery.

I can still remember Dick Emery sketches, especially the takes on the young thug, and Biker. But that dear old lady who said ” Oh you are awful, but I like you ” must surely be one of the best British comic drags acts, I can remember.:D 😀
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I cannot see the future even contemplating a memorial to Russel brand or Ricky gervais.
memorials to the aviation heroes past and present would be great too.:)

Many years ago, when I actually bothered to watch Television, Les dawson was one of my favourite comedians. His jokes about the mother in law, never failed to make me laugh. This man was a comic genius, far better than whats around these days. I am glad there will be a statue to remember him by, he certainly deserves to be remembered, as one of the great comedians.
Other comedians that really made me laugh, and deserve a statue are,

Ronnie Barker.

Tommy Cooper.

Tony Hancock.

Harry H Corbett.

It’s really great to be posting on this thread, because it brings back memories, of the greatest era in comedy. It really is very sad, that they are no longer with us.
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I have to agree with your list totally, And feel its a great thing that there will be a statue for Les Dawson, Eric Morcambe has already been remembered this way and i feel its a great idea.

Along with your list i would add the following comedy hero’s
*Sid James
*Peter Sellers
*Benny Hill

I also thought it would be nice if the new wembley staduim tributed the heroes of old with a statue representing the whole world cup of 1966 squad not just Bobby Moore, and a statue of Freddie Mercury who without a doubt was a hero of Wembley.

Aviation wise there are many too, I personally would like to see a statue on the old Croydon Airport site for Amy Johnson.
I also hope at some point we will be able to remember Alex Henshaw and Ray Hanna in some way, I hope i do not offend anyone by mentioning this.

Many years ago, when I actually bothered to watch Television, Les dawson was one of my favourite comedians. His jokes about the mother in law, never failed to make me laugh. This man was a comic genius, far better than whats around these days. _

Spot on! If I want to laugh at a comedy programme, its straight onto UK Gold! Les was a man who made me and my mum and dad and my grandparents laugh week in-week out. Can the same be said of “comedians” like Russel Brand?

On a personal note, my Great Aunt (I think its just one great) was Dolly Allen, a Black Country comedienne who was world famous in Dudley! I’d like her to have a statue in Dudley High Street. At least there would then be a good reason to visit the town!! 😉

I can agree with you on all of those even though i was only one when tony hancock died.Id like to think bob monkhouse deserved some sort of recignition,i really like the very early comedians Arthur askey,jimmy james and Joice grenfield types,class….