Latest news with #GeorgeFormby
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
George Formby: Fans celebrate Manx TT film's 90th anniversary
George Formby fans from across the British Isles are to retrace the entertainer's steps to mark the 90th anniversary of his Isle of Man TT film No by Monty Banks, the film shot in 1935, saw Formby take on the role of George Shuttleworth, a chimney sweep from Wigan who dreamt of winning at the their trip, the George Formby Society (GFS) will join a special screening of musical comedy at the Manx Museum, visit filming locations and perform some of the star's most popular songs. Society president Andrew Poppleton said the film, which combined two of Formby's favourite interests - ukuleles and motorbikes - was responsible for "kick-starting his career". Marking the anniversary by "coming to the Isle of Man, seeing his statue, seeing the film locations is really special for our members". An actor, singer-songwriter and comedian, Formby was once the UK's highest paid entertainers during his heyday in the 1930s and Limit was shot against the backdrop of the 1935 TT races in locations around the Mountain Course, Douglas beach and the Palace 20 GFS members who have travelled from Gloucester, Yorkshire and Lancashire will join Manx members at the events across the will perform in Port Erin on Saturday and after a screening of No Limit being held at the Manx Museum on Sunday. Audiences can expect to hear classics such as Leaning on a Lamppost, When I'm Cleaning Windows and Riding in the TT fan Nick Saunders, from the Isle of Man, said Formby's "personality captivated people, he had that magic something that you can't put your finger on, that you can't teach, and the resonates now as it did then".He said the production of the picture was "huge for the island at the time... and the fact the George went on to be the star that he was... I'm very proud of that, being a Manxman myself". Mr Saunders said he thought it would be "magical" for other enthusiasts visiting for the first time to see locations "you can still recognise from the film, because the island hasn't changed that much in 90 years".He said it was "important to mark big milestones with tours like this because when the members get together with their ukes and the memories and the laughter, it keeps that flavour, that vibe of George alive".Created in partnership with the society, an exhibition about the film, that includes a ukulele signed by Formby, will also be on display at the Manx Museum in the Cabinet of Curiosity until 14 died, aged 56, in 1961. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Display celebrates 90 years of Isle of Man TT film classic
A new exhibition celebrating 90 years since the release of a film that helped to introduced the Isle of Man TT to a wider audience is set to Limit, starring actor, singer-songwriter and comedian George Formby, tells the story of an unknown rider's bid for glory in the by Monty Banks, the 1935 film saw Formby take on the role of George Shuttleworth, a chimney sweep from Wigan who dreamt of winning at the of social history for Manx National Heritage Matthew Richardson said the film had "immortalised" the races. It was a "fascinating time capsule capturing a moment in the island's history when the TT races were the pinnacle of sporting achievement", Mr Richardson said."There can't be many Isle of Man TT fans who haven't seen No Limit, he from the exhibition include a ukulele signed by George Formby, the original back bib worn by Manxman and film extra Jack Cannell, and a selection of 1930s TT racing display, which has been created in partnership with the George Formby Society, will be on display at the Manx Museum in the Cabinet of Curiosity until 14 coincide with the display, a screening of No Limit will be held on 27 July, which will be followed by a two-day Ukulele Discovery Workshop on 30 July and 1 August. The museum is open daily from 09:30 until 16:30 BST. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic city centre venue where BBC legends once starred ‘to be demolished' after 110 years
AN ICONIC city centre theatre is being demolished after a series of arson attacks. The venue has hosted Morecambe and Wise along with some of Britain 's all-time greats of the stage. 7 7 The Derby Hippodrome is being demolished, despite the historic building's Grade II protected status. Derby City Council said it had to use emergency powers to make the site safe after damage from a series of arson attacks. The building was set ablaze on Friday last week, with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirming on Monday that this was done deliberately. This was the third fire the theatre has suffered in just over a month, with incidents in mid-April and early May causing significant damage to its structural integrity. On Sunday, contractors began the process of demolishing the Hippodrome. The theatre is over a hundred years old, having been erected in 1914, and seats over 2,000 spectators. It spent the first 20 years of its life as a cinema, before Morecambe and Wise appeared in the panto classic Babes in the Wood in the 1950s, when it reopened. George Formby and comic Frankie Howerd. Until as late as 2007, the structure was still being used as a bingo hall, before closing its doors to the public. In February, the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust announced its ambition to compulsory purchase the site and renovate it as an alternative music venue. Wrecking machines move in to demolish 'ghost town' Scots estate dubbed 'Britain's Chernobyl' These hopes were boosted by The Theatres Trust (TTT) recently awarding a grant to the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust to advance this work. But tragically, these hopes seem to be in vain, as the council has said it does not yet know if any of the red brick theatre can be saved. Its Public Safety chairman, Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, said: "At the end of the day, we have a responsibility to keep residents safe. "I understand there are people upset because it is a Grade Two listed building but ultimately you must compare that with the possible loss of life if it comes to collapse." The council said the roof of the building, next to Macklin Street, was destroyed on Sunday, and one of the Hippodrome's walls was demolished. This work was done to "level the basement" so that machines can move further into the site and destroy other parts of the structure. While necessary for public safety, the demolition has caused a great deal of upset among local bodies and residents. TTT Chief executive Joshua McTaggart said: "Derby Hippodrome had an irreplaceable social and cultural heritage, much of which is now likely to be sadly lost. "But this is about more than just heritage. 'Until this recent series of fires, there was still a realistic opportunity to save parts of the building and bring it back into use as an independent music venue." Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust added: "This marks the final chapter in a long and troubled history that has ultimately led to the loss of a building of significant historic and architectural value." Derby Hippodrome is owned by a foreign finance firm. The public have been asked to stay away from the demolition site to enable works to take place. 7 7 7 7
