It Ain't Half Late Mum

Häftad, Engelska, 2026

509 kr

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Melvyn Hayes has spent over 75 years in show business,carving out a unique path from child performer to beloved character actor.Bornin South London in 1935 and evacuated during WWII, Melvyn had his first taste of the stage playing theGingerbread Man at primary school.A brief attempt to become a jockey gave wayto his first paid role in entertainment - performing The Indian Rope Trick for The GreatMasoni for GBP4 a week.His career began in earnest in the early 1950s, leading torepertory theatre, West End productions, and eventually over fifty filmappearances. He signed with Associated British Picture Corporation in 1958,starring in films such as No Trees in the Street, Crooks in Cloisters,and the Cliff Richard classics The Young Ones, Summer Holiday,and Wonderful Life. He also appeared with Peter Cushing in several films including Hammerhorror film The Curse of Frankenstein.In the 1970s, Melvyn won over TV audiences as Gunner'Gloria' Beaumont in the hit BBC sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum. His stagesuccess included over 1,000 performances of Spring and Port Wine inthe West End, followed by decades of pantomime and television appearances.Told with warmth and comedic flair with laugh-out-loudhumour , Melvyn's memoir is full of behind-the-scenes anecdotes, from famousco-stars to flops and odd jobs between roles. He reflects candidly on hispersonal life - three marriages, six birth children, the adoption of two sons, and the devastatingloss of his third wife, Jayne.Honoured as King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats andonce the subject of This Is Your Life, Melvyn continues to perform, mostrecently on Not Going Out and Would I Lie To You?. His storyis a rich, funny, and moving tribute to a lifelong love of showbiz.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-01-22
Mått140 x 217 x 25 mm
Vikt672 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor436
FörlagAlliance Publishing Press
ISBN9781838259877

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Självbiografi: konst och underhållning inom Biografier

Melvyn was born on11th January 1935, the third of four sons.His parents were ofJewish descent, and the family all lived above their men's outfitting shop inthe Wandsworth Road, South London.Melvyn and hisbrothers were evacuated to Dawlish in Devon when war broke out in 1939.However, they returned to London in 1944 and lived in Clapham for the rest ofthe war. Melvyn passed his 11plus exam and, in 1946, attended Sir Walter St John's Grammar School inBattersea and represented the school in chess and boxing.Neither being veryacademic nor tall, Melvyn left school at fifteen to train as a jockey.Since this turnedout to be a rather unsuccessful career, he entered the world of entertainmentand, in 1950, first earned his living climbing a rope and disappearing twicedaily for the magician The GreatMasoni.For the nextseventy-five years, he built a huge acting reputation, starting in localrepertory theatres, then moving into films and television, playing many partsalongside famous household names.In 1957 he playedyoung Frankenstein in The Curseof Frankenstein starring PeterCushing as the older character.In 1958 he signed afilm contract with Associated British Corporation where he starred in No Trees In The Street. During the 1960's hethen acted alongside Cliff Richard and The Shadows in three top box-office-grossingfilms; The Young Ones,Summer Holiday, and WonderfulLife.His own bigtelevision break came in 1973 when he landed the part of Bombardier GloriaBeaumont in It Ain't Half Hot Mum, which ran for nine years on the BBC.He also starred inmajor West End theatrical productions, performed in cabarets, and topped thebill in pantomimes for over forty years, including a memorable seasons at The London Palladium.In 1981 Melvyn was the subject of This Is Your Life, presented by the late Eamonn Andrews.Melvyn recentlyfeatured on Talking Pictures TV and is still offered acting roles at theyoung age of ninety.He is honoured to bea member and past 'King' of the 'Grand Order of Water Rats' and in March 2025was presented with a 'LifetimeAchievement Award' Melvyn likes to keepfit and regularly visits his local gym.Married three times,Melvyn is the proud father of eight children, thirteen grandchildren and twogreat-grandchildren.He currently livesin South London with his youngest daughter and her husband.