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Harry H. Corbett: The Front Legs of the Cow
Harry H Corbett rose from the slums of Manchester to become one of the best-known television stars of the twentieth century. Widely respected as a stage actor, he became a leading light in Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop until his life was changed by the television comedy Steptoe and Son. Overnight he became a household name as the series drew unparalleled viewing figures of over 28 million, with fans ranging from the working classes to the Royal Family. However, the glittering lights of show business couldn't hide the scars he bore from his time in the Royal Marines during the Second World War. With the Marines he travelled through Europe before ending up in Asia, where he saw first-hand the devastation wrought by the Hiroshima bomb. Naturally shy and a committed socialist, fame and fortune didn't sit easily on his shoulders, and for the next twenty years, until his untimely death at the age of only 57, he had to learn how to be ''Arold'. Written by his daughter, Susannah, this is the first biography of Harry H Corbett, the man who was once called 'the English Marlon Brando'.
- GenresBiography
472 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 29, 2012
I'm not actually sure what I was hoping for in this book.
I think I wanted myths dispelled. The two primary ones being...
1. As a huge fan of "Steptoe and Son", did Harry H. and Wilfrid really loathe the sight of one another?
and
2. Was Harry H. a tortured soul, shackled by the success of "Steptoe" and unhappy in his career choices and offers.
SPOILER ALERT!
Well, I was absolutely delighted that Harry's daughter, Susannah was able to lay to rest both of these things with style and aplomb!
1. No they didn't!
and
2. No he wasn't!
Written in a matter of fact way, Susannah really does explore both of these topics and many more in the story of her father's life and career, relying on many anecdotes and stories from the people who were there.
By all accounts he was a happy, friendly, shy, gregarious and loving man, adoring of his family and adored by the public.
And whilst his continued success post-Steptoe may have meant he didn't get offered some of the more seriously meaty roles at the big theatres of the West End, there's no indication that he even wanted them in the first place having done a lot of so-called "proper" theatre in the early years!
He seemed to have been a man, content with all that he had, always happy to be working, doing variety and various other entertainments and not at all resentful of the "Steptoe" fame - tired of it occasionally? Perhaps. But not embittered or loathing.
And that, dear Reader, is exactly what I wanted to know!
As I love Harry H. in "Steptoe", I was happy to be reassured that the body of work I enjoy him in most, was not some all encompassing yoke.
Harry H. was taken from the world far before his time, so it's only through timeless excellence like "Steptoe" can the public truly see just what a superb actor he was.
The book - whilst never overly sentimental - breathes fondness for him and his career.
At times, the Theatre Workshop segments do seem long and a little off topic, but as this was a big part of Harry's life, it's only fitting to be there.
But mostly, I was delighted to see that travesty of taste and justice - BBC4's "The Curse of Steptoe" - so beautifully addressed and utterly trounced! For shame that it was even made!
And, I'll say this - if the Epilogue or the quotation on Harry and his beloved wife, Maureen's headstone doesn't move you to tears, then stuff my old boots! :)
Happy to have read it and thank you, Susannah for writing it.
Recommended.
I think I wanted myths dispelled. The two primary ones being...
1. As a huge fan of "Steptoe and Son", did Harry H. and Wilfrid really loathe the sight of one another?
and
2. Was Harry H. a tortured soul, shackled by the success of "Steptoe" and unhappy in his career choices and offers.
SPOILER ALERT!
Well, I was absolutely delighted that Harry's daughter, Susannah was able to lay to rest both of these things with style and aplomb!
1. No they didn't!
and
2. No he wasn't!
Written in a matter of fact way, Susannah really does explore both of these topics and many more in the story of her father's life and career, relying on many anecdotes and stories from the people who were there.
By all accounts he was a happy, friendly, shy, gregarious and loving man, adoring of his family and adored by the public.
And whilst his continued success post-Steptoe may have meant he didn't get offered some of the more seriously meaty roles at the big theatres of the West End, there's no indication that he even wanted them in the first place having done a lot of so-called "proper" theatre in the early years!
He seemed to have been a man, content with all that he had, always happy to be working, doing variety and various other entertainments and not at all resentful of the "Steptoe" fame - tired of it occasionally? Perhaps. But not embittered or loathing.
And that, dear Reader, is exactly what I wanted to know!
As I love Harry H. in "Steptoe", I was happy to be reassured that the body of work I enjoy him in most, was not some all encompassing yoke.
Harry H. was taken from the world far before his time, so it's only through timeless excellence like "Steptoe" can the public truly see just what a superb actor he was.
The book - whilst never overly sentimental - breathes fondness for him and his career.
At times, the Theatre Workshop segments do seem long and a little off topic, but as this was a big part of Harry's life, it's only fitting to be there.
But mostly, I was delighted to see that travesty of taste and justice - BBC4's "The Curse of Steptoe" - so beautifully addressed and utterly trounced! For shame that it was even made!
And, I'll say this - if the Epilogue or the quotation on Harry and his beloved wife, Maureen's headstone doesn't move you to tears, then stuff my old boots! :)
Happy to have read it and thank you, Susannah for writing it.
Recommended.
October 31, 2019
I started reading this after only knowing of Harry H Corvett in Steptoe and son as Harold the long suffering son of Albert (Wilfrid Brambell) and also n Carry on Screaming as Sidney Bung. I never realised what an accomplished actor he was at this point. After reading this amazing insight into his life i have realsied how versatile an actor he really was. With this being written by his daughter i expected a lot of fawning sentimentality and i am glad that i was proved wrong. This is a very revealing, moving and motivational book written with care and consideration. As well as her own personal experiences she draws on people from stage and screen that include but are not limited to Bryan Murphy, Lynda Baron and writers such as Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. One of the best bigraphies i have read for a very long time. Its a long book and tells of the history of the various theatres that Harry worked at and for but i found this interesting rather than distracting. This also includes a section at the end that debunks some of the myths associated with Steptoe and Son (them hating each other, Wilfrid Brambell always being drunk etc). All in all a five star read.
October 26, 2012
Susannah Corbett's biography of her late father Harry H Corbett is a fascinating, well written, and heartfelt account of a very private man's life (from his early days in Burma, to the beginnings of his career, to his popular role in the long running classic sitcom that he will be forever remembered for to his life with his family to his untimely death at the age of 57) who had made countless millions laugh all over the world and continues to do so three decades after his death.
It also blows a lot of previously held misconceptions about the man and his relationship with his co-stars and his view on his career (and the effect the one role that he was always best known for) totally out the water and her opinions, and that of other people who actually knew what really went on of The Curse of Steptoe film that BBC 4 made a few years ago (which I actually quite liked at the time) are fascinating especially after reading what really happened in the book.
Very highly recommended indeed.
It also blows a lot of previously held misconceptions about the man and his relationship with his co-stars and his view on his career (and the effect the one role that he was always best known for) totally out the water and her opinions, and that of other people who actually knew what really went on of The Curse of Steptoe film that BBC 4 made a few years ago (which I actually quite liked at the time) are fascinating especially after reading what really happened in the book.
Very highly recommended indeed.
May 7, 2019
A delicious book filled with lots of memories written by the late actor’s daughter Susannah.
Having never read a book about Harry H Corbett or Wilfrid Brambell I was delighted to find this book on the Book Depository website.
This book dispels the myths that surrounded both men and shares a great number of memories shared by those who knew Harry (and Wilfrid) who was originally a classically trained actor and who graced our screens either in television or in film.
I enjoyed this book with references to Harry’s upbringing and how Susannah had given us a history lesson on places such as Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) and Manchester, UK in the 1930’s.
Had Harry lived I am sure that he would continue to light up our screens and entertain us with his excellent comic timing and professionalism.
A great read.
Having never read a book about Harry H Corbett or Wilfrid Brambell I was delighted to find this book on the Book Depository website.
This book dispels the myths that surrounded both men and shares a great number of memories shared by those who knew Harry (and Wilfrid) who was originally a classically trained actor and who graced our screens either in television or in film.
I enjoyed this book with references to Harry’s upbringing and how Susannah had given us a history lesson on places such as Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) and Manchester, UK in the 1930’s.
Had Harry lived I am sure that he would continue to light up our screens and entertain us with his excellent comic timing and professionalism.
A great read.
June 12, 2021
Well, she should know!
Knowing very little about Corbett, but having had my formative years brightened by his portrayal of 'Arold, I should like to believe his daughter's description of his character and see no reason not to. She portrays him as a decent sort and she is persuasive in countering the depiction of the Corbett and Brambell relationship as a tragic example of "life imitating art ". It's also pleasing to learn that he wasn't stifled as an actor by his most famous role. Bryan Murphy comes out well from this book too. Joan Littlewood, not so much.
Knowing very little about Corbett, but having had my formative years brightened by his portrayal of 'Arold, I should like to believe his daughter's description of his character and see no reason not to. She portrays him as a decent sort and she is persuasive in countering the depiction of the Corbett and Brambell relationship as a tragic example of "life imitating art ". It's also pleasing to learn that he wasn't stifled as an actor by his most famous role. Bryan Murphy comes out well from this book too. Joan Littlewood, not so much.
August 14, 2024
I was so looking forward to reading this one, I'm such a big Steptoe fan! I have to admit though that I was a little disappointed with it. Firstly, the book is massive, very thick with small print, although sadly not many pictures. I expected tales of Harry H Corbett from his childhood to death, and as it was written by his daughter, one of the people who knew him better than anyone, I hoped the stories would be warm, loving and funny. However, I found it all a bit serious. There was so much information about his life, but it all felt very scripted with LOTS of big paragraphed quotes from various people who had dealing with Corbett throughout his life. Considering it was a book about him, there was lots of information and writing about other people - I get that some of these people were important to his story (Galton & Simpson to name two) but this was supposed to be about Corbett and not them! The book did drag because of this, and even the Steptoe years weren't really interesting to me, with only episodes being described and not much stories from behind the camera. However, as it got towards the end, it did get more personal and I felt we got to hear more of Corbett's life. It did leave me feeling really sad of him dying at such a young age with so much of his life and career ahead of him. Overall, I hoped for more from the book, but parts of it I did really enjoy.
June 29, 2021
A good biography of theatre workshop but a bit disappointing as a biography of Corbett. There's surprisingly little about him but lots (and mostly interesting) about Theatre Workshop. It was a big part of his life but this account often errs by saying too much and losing the focus on Corbett.
It's surprising that there's not more depth and detail about the man himself, considering his daughter wrote it. What there is is interesting, intelligent and nuanced. For instance the relationship with Brrambell is neither presented as problem free, nor mutual hatred but somewhere inbetween.
There is also an episode guide of every programme and film, not as an appendix but as part of the text. This feels like padding to reach a word count.
It's surprising that there's not more depth and detail about the man himself, considering his daughter wrote it. What there is is interesting, intelligent and nuanced. For instance the relationship with Brrambell is neither presented as problem free, nor mutual hatred but somewhere inbetween.
There is also an episode guide of every programme and film, not as an appendix but as part of the text. This feels like padding to reach a word count.
December 30, 2021
3.5 - 4 stars as there is quite a bit of barely relevant padding early on, but do stay with it as the narrative, episodes and events do engross more so, by the end, one is moved and sadly reminded of the early loss of this gifted but self-effacing man. Written by his daughter, who consciously eschews filial sentimentality though objective she axiomatically cannot be. One ends the bio. feeling no one could have disliked this man, though impresario Joan Littlewood comes close, and the author provides countless evidence why this appears to have been so.
So interesting, absorbing at times was it that I will read a Wilfrid Brambell (watch that spelling) bio. next.
So interesting, absorbing at times was it that I will read a Wilfrid Brambell (watch that spelling) bio. next.
June 30, 2021
A lovely, loving book.Harry H Corbett was an actor I always admired, but I will now be able to respect him as a very warm and loving human being.
Written with obvious love for her subject, with countless quotations from family and colleagues. Written with great talent and eloquence. One of the best biographies that I have read, and one that will form a bench mark with me for the genre. Sorry the book had to end. Thank you, Susannah.
Written with obvious love for her subject, with countless quotations from family and colleagues. Written with great talent and eloquence. One of the best biographies that I have read, and one that will form a bench mark with me for the genre. Sorry the book had to end. Thank you, Susannah.
September 9, 2024
A wonderfully well researched biography, as you would expect from Harry's daughter. I always thought that Harry H Corbett was a gentleman and so it proved to be. Nobody had a bad word to say about, even Wilfrid Brambell who, as the twisted media reported back then and for a long time after, was supposed to hate Harry. Not true. Not even remotely true. A fascinating life.
April 23, 2025
A wonderful and interesting book, well worth reading even if, like me, you only vaguely know about Corbett through Steptoe. Does the rare trick of digressing without feeling padded out and while keeping its subject at the heart of the story. Funny, frank and interesting. Highly recommended.
May 2, 2021
A bit of a slog, couldn’t finish as too boring on the whole....
July 30, 2022
This is a lovingly written biography by Harry's daughter about his work and life. I didnt really know a lot about Harry before I read this. A lovely man who really loved his profession and family.
December 1, 2022
loved this insight into Harry H
his history on the stage was somehting i didn't know about
his history on the stage was somehting i didn't know about
April 3, 2024
Harold steptoe
A decent read of Harry's career and life story.no photos so a bit of an anti climax really.still recommend though.
A decent read of Harry's career and life story.no photos so a bit of an anti climax really.still recommend though.
July 25, 2012
A good read. Well written and interesting
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews