The Heart and Soul of Eric Morecambe

On the television...

An indepth look at the life of the comedy genius that took his name from a seaside town.

This well produced documentary covers Eric's life from an early age up to his tragic death in 1984. People that knew him talk about how is used to be, from school friends to cousins. Laced with old pictures and film, the initial steps into show business were by no means easy.

Joan talks about how they first met in Edinburgh, and how she was not interested him initially. Eric, however was, and his infatuation caused him to proclaim that he would marry her. All this within the first week of them meeting. A year later and they had tied the knot.

As TV began to grow, Stan Stennett talks about the move from radio, and how difficult it was. The first series they did, Running Wild, was panned by the critics and some of the comments cut deeply. One review Eric carried with him at all times.

"Is that a TV in the corner, no, it's the box they buried Morecambe & Wise in."

Of course, a few years later, they got a new series that launched their TV career, and as Des O'Connor notes, they had worked all the dumps and had the bad audiences, it was about time they got some luck.

With the luck came hard work. They had been at the bottom and didn't want to be there again. After the success of the show, they did sold out live shows and summer seasons until their next TV show came along. Sid Green, one of their original writers, talks about star quality, and how Eric had it in abundance.

Others who tell of their encounters with Eric include Dave Allen, who mentions the innuendo that was often present in the shows, but delivered by Eric, they took on different meanings for different age groups.

When the pair were not on the small screen, they were continuing to work harder, touring the clubs and doing live shows up and down the country. The strain was beginning to tell, and Eric suffered his first heart attack in Leeds. Joan describes how after the event, and the departure of his old writers Sid and Dick, Eric really believed he would not work again.

Thames got a new writer, Eddie Braben..He saw the closeness of Eric and Ern, he saw the love there was between them, and knew if he could portray that correctly, they would be unbeatable. Eddie talks about how he had initially said no, but after meeting them, his mind was made up.

Next it's the Christmas shows and again Joan talks about what was happening behind the scenes, and how Eric would try routines out, even while they were on holiday.

As the strain of bettering themselves each year, Eric suffered another heart attack, from which point on, he more or less retired.

Stan Stennett recalls his last performance, a relaxed trip down memory lane in front of a live audience in the Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury. His encores became more and more manic as he took up various instruments to the delight of crowds. Sadly, as he left the stage, Eric collapsed, and later died in hospital from his third heart attack.

"The brightest light on the Christmas tree has gone out." Des O'Connor says, his sentiments mirrored by everyone.

Gail, Gary and Steve, Eric's children tell of their memories of their father, with anecdotes and home movies to capture the real man.

This is a brilliant, well produced and compiled documentary that should not be missed by anyone calling themselves a fan.


© morecambeandwise.com 2007