One of the earliest Sykes scripts I know of was a monologue written for Frankie Howerd on "Variety Bandbox" back in the days when the Light Service ruled the wireless. In it, Howerd had got work in a zoo and the first job he was given to do was to deliver an elephant to an address across town. By bus and tube. Frankie Howerd milking the fits of giggles generated by the mental picture of his trying to coax an elephant up an escalator is a joy and I wish I could find a copy to post on here.
Instead, I'll offer up a piece of gentle silliness from the 1963 Royal Variety Performance:
I wonder if she did do that second house...
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI loved his gentle demeanour.
ReplyDeleteAnd he reminded me of my Dad.
I learned last week that there are younger generations at work who have no idea who he was.
ReplyDeleteThank god I never tried to explain the Light Service to them
dinahmow: you're welcome
ReplyDeletePat: and me of mine, too, which is nice
Macy: ah... I've been there. Last week I had to try and explain Hughie Green
I don't remember the Light Service but I do remember Hughie Green!
ReplyDeleteZig: You poor dear. You must try to forget.
ReplyDeleteHave you read his autobiography, "If I Don't Write It, Nobody Else Will"?
ReplyDeleteGod rest you, Sykes. :)
Ms Parrish: I have, and I had entirely forgotten! [hangs head in shame].
ReplyDeleteRevisiting that book is on my to-do list.