What do you think?
Rate this book
Strawberries and Cheam
In this second volume of autobiography, Harry Secombe covers his life after 1951. He tells wonderful behind-the-scenes stories of the legendary Goon Shows, he recalls marvellous anecdotes about his role as Mr Bumble in the film Oliver!, and discusses his family life in Cheam.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 28, 2022
This is the second volume of Harry Secombe's autobiography. This one is structured around topics as opposed to date order. This means we jump backwards and forwards in time as he covers topics ranging from The Goon Show, travel and Highway.
His first volume, Arias and Raspberries, which had been published six years earlier had taken us from his birth to the earliest parts of The Goon Show. Strawberries and Cheam picks up with The Goon Show. There are a couple of stories that appear in both volumes, told slightly differently. This includes the story of his first meeting with Spike Milligan.
It's briskly and clearly written. There is a lovely tribute to Roy Castle that makes you realise that he was as nice as he always seemed to be.
It also gives you a clear idea of how much he loves his wife but it is also interesting how much he missed out on based on how busy he was. Two of his children became actors.
There are some interesting stories told well, which is what you would expect.
I'm reading this for a thing and might never have bothered otherwise. I'm glad I did.
His first volume, Arias and Raspberries, which had been published six years earlier had taken us from his birth to the earliest parts of The Goon Show. Strawberries and Cheam picks up with The Goon Show. There are a couple of stories that appear in both volumes, told slightly differently. This includes the story of his first meeting with Spike Milligan.
It's briskly and clearly written. There is a lovely tribute to Roy Castle that makes you realise that he was as nice as he always seemed to be.
It also gives you a clear idea of how much he loves his wife but it is also interesting how much he missed out on based on how busy he was. Two of his children became actors.
There are some interesting stories told well, which is what you would expect.
I'm reading this for a thing and might never have bothered otherwise. I'm glad I did.
Displaying 1 of 1 review