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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Cavalcade of Emotions, 20 May 2004
We are all familiar with "Morecambe and Wise", British comedy's best-loved double act. However, until recently, Gary Morecambe has been unable to tell us more of the story behind the legend, as he felt it was unfair to write a true critique of either partner while one or both of them were alive.
Ernie sadly passed away 5 years ago and, after a period of respect, Eric's son has written this book (his third or fourth about his father and his career). He is now able to tell us truthfully - and somewhat poignantly - about who his father really was.
There are many stories told in the book concerning his relationship with his father. I felt, reading these, that Gary didn't think he lived up to his father's high expectations. He loved his father and was loved in return, but he gives the impression that something was missing.
This is not a criticism, merely a "take" on the man's own words. It was, after all, the story of the first half of his life and there's not a lot one can do to alter that.Generally, I thought the book was well-written, humourous and a fair summary of a great life and partnership. The book moved easily from happiness to sadness, from pride to irony.
I did draw one negative from the book: Gary referred to his Dad throughout most of the book as "EM"... This puzzled me, because he calls him "Dad" in quotations from earlier years and he calls his mother "Mum" or Joan, yet he consistently refers to Eric as "EM". I think perhaps he was trying to make it easier for us to read without having to decipher "Dad would do" or "Dad did this", but it felt unnatural and unnecessary - the book was given to me as a present, but I cherish it as written by an "insider", someone who can let us into the private life of our favourite comic.
However, this one criticism aside, the book was thoroughly enjoyable, very moving and will remain a reference book of "EM" history for many years. I totally recommend it and would urge you to let it take you back to a time when Variety was the Spice Of Life.
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by Bob McCabe
by Eric Sykes
