George Formby as The Lamp Post on the Corner of the Street
Caricature
15 September 1948 (dated)
15 September 1948 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This caricature shows George Formby (1904-1961), as the Lamp Post on the Corner of the Street, a reference to one of his most famous songs, topping the bill of a variety programme at the Oxford New Theatre, September 1948. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn't needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.
George Formby was the comedian, songwriter, singer, actor and ukulele banjo player whose early stage success in the north of England in the 1920s as the cheerful 'urban little man', was followed by film roles and hit songs including Mr Wu and When I'm Cleaning Windows. By the late 1930s he was one of Britain's most highly-paid entertainers.
George Formby was the comedian, songwriter, singer, actor and ukulele banjo player whose early stage success in the north of England in the 1920s as the cheerful 'urban little man', was followed by film roles and hit songs including Mr Wu and When I'm Cleaning Windows. By the late 1930s he was one of Britain's most highly-paid entertainers.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | George Formby as The Lamp Post on the Corner of the Street (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil on paper |
| Brief description | Pencil caricature of George Formby as The Lamp Post on the Corner of the Street, New Theatre Oxford, Gilbert Sommerlad, 15 September 1948 |
| Physical description | Pencil caricature of George Formby as The Lamp Post on the Corner of the Street, 15 September 1948. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Michael Sommerlad |
| Object history | Gilbert Sommerlad was a member of the resident orchestra at the New Theatre, Oxford when he drew this caricature. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This caricature shows George Formby (1904-1961), as the Lamp Post on the Corner of the Street, a reference to one of his most famous songs, topping the bill of a variety programme at the Oxford New Theatre, September 1948. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn't needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums. George Formby was the comedian, songwriter, singer, actor and ukulele banjo player whose early stage success in the north of England in the 1920s as the cheerful 'urban little man', was followed by film roles and hit songs including Mr Wu and When I'm Cleaning Windows. By the late 1930s he was one of Britain's most highly-paid entertainers. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.131:92-2002 |
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| Record created | December 12, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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