- Hardcover: 432 pages
- Publisher: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd; illustrated edition edition (10 Oct 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0283073381
- ISBN-13: 978-0283073380
- Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 15.8 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
39,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28 in Books > Biography > Film, Television & Music > Theatre Performers
- #41 in Books > Biography > Theatre & Performance Art
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Bruce Forsyth has been a regular guest in British living rooms since the dawn of the television age as we know it. As king of comedy and light entertainment, his appearances are part-ringmaster, part-showman, hugely professional, highly polished and practised to each perfect ad lib. While we are used to such a staged, two dimensional knowledge of Forsyth, it is refreshing to see him from behind the slap 'n' tickle veneer of the consummate performer. Bruce: The Autobiography is a fair-paced chronicle of a public figure now well into his 70s. As such, its remit is, to some extent, predictable; middle-class life in Edmonton, North London, then evacuation, the war years, and on to the theatre-land world of pier shows and music hall, egged on by an ambition to dance like Fred Astaire and later Gene Kelly, before variety show breaks on TV, and finally the honour of a starring role on the small screen. Forsyth's tone is triumphant; his unparalleled success over decades showing with bravado in his storytelling. Young ambition and statesmanlike expectation of his place in the grand scheme of showbiz shine through, and, as with many star biogs, first wives and kids get shorter shrift than those who replace them in later years. Still, the writing is entertaining, and although perhaps unintentional, a little vindictive streak against ex-agents and seaside landladies alike adds--perhaps unintentional--humour, as does his impatience with those with whom he does not quite see eye to eye.
Forsyth's career began in the WIndmill Theatre, whose revues included many a woman wearing tassels, so he was well prepared to play alongside many a glamourous Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right hostess, and more prepared (and proud) still to marry a former Miss World. Very much traditionalist in outlook, but with plenty of sparkle in the style which made him famous, Bruce: The Autobiography should delight an older generation of fans who have grown up and older in the comfortable shadow of one of the last true variety performers. The don't make 'em like this any more! --Helen Lamont
Mark Lawson, Front Row, Radio 4
Best Read for Christmas.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Don't get me wrong I like Brucie, but the main reason that I purchased this was because I was driving a long way and wanted something to distract me and relax me whilst driving and it was the only suitable talking book available.
From start to finish I learned about Brucies life and realized he is not the persona he is on telly. Oh he is a consumate performer and an excellent one at that but more how his whole life has seen his career take on a path that he might have wanted to be different, well more variety perfomance at least.
It is worth reading if only to hear about one of TVs most loved celebrities even if you are not a big fan of Brucie.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I used to love watching Bruce do his thing on TV - he gave me some good laughs, which is why I bought this book. Having read a few similar biographies before, I looked forward to learning about his ups and downs and bits of his career that I'd have never known about otherwise.
Unfortunately, the entire book is one huge pat on the back for himself. The love he has for what he does comes shining through, but it's all done in such a self-congratulatory way it made me rather dislike the man by the end of the book.
The structure is poor. I'm not saying I could do any better about MY life, but it jumps about all over the place and has many repeated thoughts and ideas.
Compared with Bob Monkhouse's "Crying With Laughter" or "Over The Limit", Bruce's book is very, very poor - and I hate to say it, 'cos I was looking forward to it immensely. But it reads as though he's done no wrong.... ever.... and that nothing remotely bad or unfortunate has happened to him apart from losing the odd TV show.
Sorry, but if this book had been written by anyone else, I'd have given it 1 star!
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having always been a fan of Brucie Forsythe, I rushed to buy this book as soon as I discovered it was to be released. Unfortunately, I was a month early, and an agonising four week wait was finally over when this book finally plopped through my letterbox.
From the minute I opened the cover, I couldn't put this book down. Brucie is the UK's favourite entertainer, I'm sure (perhaps one of the world's greatest) and I knew that I was going to hear some great anecdotes from the master. I was not disappointed. One has to remember that this man has been in the business for years and has made millions smile with his fantastic humour. However, he has also done a lot of great work for charity which is often overlooked these days, as celebrities + charity = cheesy. This shouldn't be the case though, and any reader should read the accounts of Bruce's work with respect for a great man.
Of course, 'Brucie' is most well known for being a fantastic quiz show host and a regular on the celebrity pro - am golf circuit. Indeed - he excels at both! Bruce made The Generation Game his own - a tough job having to come behind Larry Grayson. But, Brucie did it. He introduced that fabulous thing he did at the beginning, where he took the pose of a muscle man, then almost tap danced down to centre stage. There was never a week that went by that he didn't do that, and he discusses this in the book. Bruce was also a presenter on You Bet! a forerunner to programmes such as Don't Try This At Home. What we must remember though is that Brucie did it FIRST and he did it BETTER. In this book, Bruce explains the driving force behind his fantastic ability to be able to do things like this, and why he continues even though many say he should have retired years ago (not me though!). Bruce is a national institution in the UK and this book is a fantastic account of why he did it and how he succeeded. If you are a fan of major celebrity biographies or Bruce, then this is the book for you.I would also recommend it if you like one or the other of the above. However, if you like neither, I would look for something else! However, I enjoyed this great read immensely and wish it had gone on for longer. Go on, give it a go!
From the minute I opened the cover, I couldn't put this book down. Brucie is the UK's favourite entertainer, I'm sure (perhaps one of the world's greatest) and I knew that I was going to hear some great anecdotes from the master. I was not disappointed. One has to remember that this man has been in the business for years and has made millions smile with his fantastic humour. However, he has also done a lot of great work for charity which is often overlooked these days, as celebrities + charity = cheesy. This shouldn't be the case though, and any reader should read the accounts of Bruce's work with respect for a great man.
Of course, 'Brucie' is most well known for being a fantastic quiz show host and a regular on the celebrity pro - am golf circuit. Indeed - he excels at both! Bruce made The Generation Game his own - a tough job having to come behind Larry Grayson. But, Brucie did it. He introduced that fabulous thing he did at the beginning, where he took the pose of a muscle man, then almost tap danced down to centre stage. There was never a week that went by that he didn't do that, and he discusses this in the book. Bruce was also a presenter on You Bet! a forerunner to programmes such as Don't Try This At Home. What we must remember though is that Brucie did it FIRST and he did it BETTER. In this book, Bruce explains the driving force behind his fantastic ability to be able to do things like this, and why he continues even though many say he should have retired years ago (not me though!). Bruce is a national institution in the UK and this book is a fantastic account of why he did it and how he succeeded. If you are a fan of major celebrity biographies or Bruce, then this is the book for you.I would also recommend it if you like one or the other of the above. However, if you like neither, I would look for something else! However, I enjoyed this great read immensely and wish it had gone on for longer. Go on, give it a go!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Grandparents loved it!!
I bought this for my Grandparents (who are also in their 80's) and they were thrilled to bits with it!! Bruce is their "era" and they are big fans. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2009 by Sellie
Didn't I Do Well!!
Why does Bruce Forsyth have a big chin, because a normal size one would look daft on such a big head. Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2009 by Peter Finneran
A show biz must
Anyone with even the slightest interest in the recent history of the British Theatre could learn so much from this book. Captivates the atmosphere brilliantly.
Published on 1 Jun 2009 by Mrs. Christine A. Morgan
A Sad Fading Srat
Why does Bruce Forsyth have a big chin, because a normal size one would look daft on such a big head. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2007 by Peter Finneran
Didn't he do well!
Bruce Forsyth was born in to the family made famous in the Forsythe saga! No, I jest. But that's an example of the warm wit that glows from the page and into this reader's face as... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2001
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