- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; 1st ed 1st printg edition (2 Nov 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593045823
- ISBN-13: 978-0593045824
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 69,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Lacking the self-confidence to take herself seriously as an actress, June Whitfield developed "a kind of aversion to heavy, serious roles" so concentrated on comedy instead. Whitfield figured that since the audience was going to laugh at her anyway, she might as well appear in things that were intended to be funny. And so began a comedic career that has seen the Queen Mum of mirth appear in some of the funniest series ever made; such as the Carry On films, Hancock, Steptoe and Son and Absolutely Fabulous.
Encouraged by her mother, Whitfield pursued a career on the stage at an early age and was learning to sing, dance and play the piano by the time she was three. After a "comfortable and uneventful" childhood, Whitfield successfully auditioned for a place at RADA and went on to work in London's West End with such luminary luvvies as Noel Coward and John Gielgud. But it was in comedy that Whifield was to make her name, most notably in the long-running television sitcom Terry and June. Her name became so indelibly linked with that of her co-star, Terry Scott, that many people thought they were actually husband and wife. Once, while dining out with her spouse, someone asked Whitfield where her husband was. "Right here," she replied. "Not that one, the real one", said the fan. And June Whitfield charts the longevous career of an enduring character actress who, while transcending the times, has worked alongside some of the best-known names in British comedy. "The nearest thing I had to a career plan was to keep on working", writes Whifield. And at 75 it seems this seriously funny actress has no intention of stopping. --Christopher Kelly
Review
An apt title for the memoirs of one of the most popular and successful comediennes and actresses in post-war Britain. June Whitfield has never been a headliner in radio, TV or the theatre, but she has always been a professional, dependable and extremely funny supporting character actress in an amazing sequence of broadcast series and stage productions spanning over 50 years. From the unforgettable portrayal of "Eth" to Dick Bentley's "Ron" in Take It From Here to the droll, imperturbable performance as Jennifer Saunders' mum in Absolutely Fabulous, Whitfield's characterisations have been many and varied and inevitably successful. She has worked with the cream of British comedy including Arthur Askey, Tony Hancock, Jimmy Edwards, Bob Monkhouse, Ronnie Barker, Dick Emery, Julian Clary and Roy Hudd. She has also maintained an admirable personal life as wife and mother amidst the non-stop work. The book appears to mark Whitfield's 75th birthday, a major serialization has been negotiated and she will be undertaking a full-scale author tour to back what should be a high-selling title in the pre-Christmas market.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By June Whitfield's own account her life has not been one of overwhelming struggle against the odds. She was born into a prosperous south London home, made her way into show business in the 40s, married happily and has had a long and successful career. Not much drama here perhaps but Miss Whitfield is an engaging and modest narrator and has many enjoyable insights into the entertainment world of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. If you're too cool for June Whitfield...well then you're too cool. I can't imagine anyone who enjoys British Comedy not finding something of interest in this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
If you don't like this book, you are not the sort of person I want to know.
If honesty and humour, gentleness and sincerity, unpretentiousness and self-deprecation, don't warm your heart, you must be ice cold.
Some into the warm, and learn to laugh and to love.
Gentle June has so much to teach us. This is the best Theatre autobiography I have ever read, and I have read many.
This book shows that the good people do survive - may she live to 100!
If honesty and humour, gentleness and sincerity, unpretentiousness and self-deprecation, don't warm your heart, you must be ice cold.
Some into the warm, and learn to laugh and to love.
Gentle June has so much to teach us. This is the best Theatre autobiography I have ever read, and I have read many.
This book shows that the good people do survive - may she live to 100!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
June Whitfield is such a great comedy actress that I'm inclined to agree with the surprise of Frank Muir and Denis Norden that anyone should contemplate a comedy show without her. And indeed, it appears that very few did during the sixties and seventies in particular. What I hadn't realized was how long June Whitfield had actually been treading the boards, going right back to 1947! This book details her career right up to 2000 and features a veritable who's who of British comedy from Noel Coward to Arthur Askey, from Tony Hancock to the Carry On's, and from Terry Scott and Harry H. Corbett to Jennifer Saunders and Absolutely Fabulous. Through it all June Whitfield's approach of accepting work whenever it was offered and ensuring that her role was supporting the lead and not stealing the limelight means that she was at the forefront of most British comedy, and very entertaining it is too. The book portrays her career as trouble-free and almost straightforward. Undoubtedly there were lows to go with the apparent highs but the book has no vitriol to heap on anyone, offering instead the kind of happy reminiscing that you'd like to think represents the era best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good read but a bit repetitive
This is a nice book by a nice lady who has contributed so much to our world of entertainment. I found the first half of the book better than the 2nd, which got rather repetitive.. Read more
Published on 6 July 2007 by Mrs Bookworm
an absorbing read
i found this book really good june whitfield tells a great story i found this hard to put down i found it touching when she talked about her working relationship with terry scott... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2001
I want her to be my Aunty June
I just love this lady. Instead of one of those autobiographies were skeletons are dragged out of the closet and dark secrets emerge of a teriible childhood, June Whitfield has had... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2001
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