| frankie howerd |  |
| roaring forties | gunner howerd and the war |
| frankie howerd | |
| roaring forties | gunner howerd and the war |
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5 months after the War started Frankie was called up, but spent the first 2 years doing exactly what his initials stated - F.A. - and he was posted to Shoeburyness in Essex. After Dunkirk a call came for volunteers to cheer up the demoralized troops with camp concerts. Frankie was instantly taken on by the Entertainment's Officer and at the first concert was introduced as "Gunner Frankie Howerd" - the name change from Frank (to his mates) stuck. Later in the War at one concert party he was with his piano accompanist , Mrs. Vera Roper. He was about to start a song and there was silence from the Vera. She has been musing about her meat coupons, looking at the ration book atop the piano, and was in a daydream. Frankie covered up the silence with "That's all I need, a deaf accompanist!". He look back and she was still in a reverie and he added "Poor dear, she's past it" which raised the roof. Another element of the act was added. |
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De mob came 3 months after the War ended. He went around the West End agencies looking for work in the musical halls and theatres - but without an Agent it was nigh impossible. One agent, Harry Lowe, advised Frankie to take a spot at the Stage Door Canteen - non fee paying ex-Serviceman's bar off Piccadilly. Only one problem - they didn't let civilians perform! Running back to Eltham he dug out his old uniform and took to the stage. He did his act, despite nerves, and went down a storm - but Harry Lowe didn't turn up to see his act. Luck played its part, however, as another agent was in the adjoining bar next to the hall, and heard the gales of laughter. Stanley Dale watched the act and reported back to Jack Payne, eventually to become a powerful agent but still starting out at this time. In Spring 1946 For the Fun of It took to theatres over the UK. Also on the bill with Frankie (who had altered the spelling of his surname to Howerd rather than Howard), was a young impressionist Max Bygraves. After 9 months the tour finished, and Frankie got a call to audition for the BBC's Variety Bandbox. With no TV, cinemas shut on a Sunday, radio was the place to be. He stuttered his way through the audition and passed. A young producer of the day, Dennis Main Wilson brought a lot of ex-Service talent into the BBC - names such as Tony Hancock, Max Bygraves, Alfred Marks, Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan, Eric Sykes, etc. |
 Variety Bandbox |
His first show went on at 6.00 in the evening of 1 December 1946 with his now usual opener of "Ladies and Gentle-men". Frankie stayed with Bandbox for two and half years - with ratings as high as 15 million. During the Bandbox run, Eric Sykes offered to be his scriptwriter and the two met and discussed their humour. Another 6 year contract was signed with Jack Payne. In 1948 he starred in a revue put on by Bernard Delfont called "TA-RA-RA-Boom-De-Ay". To cap it all he went into panto that Christmas with Jack and the Beanstalk. Variety Bandbox went from strength to strength, and Frankie's fee went up too . In May 1948 he was earning £26.5s and by 1949 that was £66 guineas. He was becoming slightly restless with the constant fame, as Most Popular BBC comedian (May 1950), and looked for something else to do. His ambition would eventually lead him into a nervous breakdown. |
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