Clips From A Life: A Witty British Memoir of the Golden Age of Radio and Television Comedy

by Denis Norden

Classic stills from the life of one of Britain's most venerated entertainers.

This is the extraordinary life story of comic legend Denis Norden, told in momentary snapshots by the master British comedian himself. Containing reminiscences of a career stretching back to the golden age of the radio, through the heyday of cinema and the early pioneering days of television comedy, Back Then showcases Denis Norden's creative genius at its very best.

Told with Denis' hallmark flashes of brilliant humour and sharp observation, the extraordinary life of this enduring humorist is unravelled through his private recollections of the ways things used to be, back then.

Denis' school-day musings, dry witticisms, and old-time sayings unearthed from days gone by, combined with remembrances of collaborations with famous figures of the day, from Eric Sykes to Bill Fraser, will sweep you back instantaneously to the magical gags, lively characters and laughter of the past.

Flitting between Denis' East End childhood and early career in Variety as a cinema manager for the Hyams Brothers, to his post-war work as a scriptwriter on the groundbreaking radio shows Take It From Here and In All Directions, to the phenomenally successful television comedy Whack-O!, (all written with long-term collaborator Frank Muir), to his years as a solo writer, performer, and presenter on programmes such as the much-loved It'll Be Alright on the Night, it is easy to see how Denis' comic appeal has endured for decades, to make him one of the greatest British writers and performers to date.

Brimming with Denis' unique wit and personal warmth, this is a rich and compelling mix of anecdote and autobiography from a very special entertainer.

Genres: Biography

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anecdotal memoir of the life and times of comedy writer, radio and TV personality and presenter Denis Norden. From picture house manager tales, through to World War II stories, 'Looks Familiar' and It'll Be Alright On The Night anecdotes, stories of Sykes, Hope, Monkhouse and other comedy greats, his partnership with Frank Muir - all in brief, very funny sketches littered with jokes, puns, misunderstandings, literal interpretations and more, that not only captures the heart of who Denis is and was, but in many cases are very funny... with Norden's origin of Descartes' 'I think therefore I am' being just one of the many laugh out loud moments! 7 out of 12

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for the equivalent of 'A Kentish Lad' and got a bitty,quick trip through Denis Norden's life. From what I recall the most detailed part was about his work in the cinema running business. I enjoyed this book, but wished for so much more, such a lot seemed omitted, even where Frank Muir was not involved (one of DN's possible titles was something like "Some of the bits Frank left out"). Actually I think it would have been interesting at some points to have had another POV of an incident in FM's book. So all in all, I liked most of this, but was disappointed that it was just clips not a full story.
Edited to add: in his obituary it mentioned his problems with his vision I think this probably affected how much writing he felt capable of.

[Richard Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine light book which the author's fast wit and easy style make it both easy to read and a pleasure to do so.

[Steve Cann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve long been a fan of the likable Denis, and was intrigued to find out more about his life and work with this autobiog.

Unlike other autobiographies I’ve read, this one is more a series of anecdotes assembled into chronological order - and Denis readily admits at the outset that this was his preferred method of putting his life-story to paper.

What results is a funny, easy-to-read and swift journey through the decades as Denis regales us with his fascinating early days as an apprentice at the local picture house/variety club, his army days in World War 2, and then of course his moves into radio and television writing and presenting for which he is most famous.

When he mentioned early on that he was part of the D-Day landings, I braced myself for a harrowing chapter of warfare, chaos and fallen comrades... you’ll have to read the book to see how Denis got on!

This book is perhaps not the most in-depth or personal autobiog - there’s very little here about his actual personal life - but it’s certainly an enjoyable read, and packed with witty stories and sparkling vignettes.

Denis was certainly a well-loved and respected national treasure (and a master of comic timing) and, in reading this light-hearted book, it’s easy to see why.

[Jason Cotton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that give you a look at history of things and how they have changed. I like Dennis Norden though there is no was I could be considered a fan. That aside this book is good and some of the stories and anecdotes are laugh out loud funny. Its only when you read his biography that you realise how much he did without that much recognition. Along with Frank Muir and a few others he literally kept the BBC going on both radio and television. Definitely worth a read and a chuckle :)

[Basia Korzeniowska · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyable but too much left out. He started writing it too late and seems to have forgotten quite a lot of what he wanted to say. But his voice comes across well and it was nice to be reminded of some of his early tv programmes which I can just about remember. What’s my line? In particular. I’ve only just this minute realised that line means line of work!

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has done so much in his life. So many sketches from well-loved comedians have come from the pen of Denis Norden. It's a trip down memory lane, tales of abuse of power which was accepted and proved a great foundation and resource for later life. Great fun and told in his impeccable style and wit.

[Peter Harland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, you can hear Denis speaking through his prose, loved the early days working in a cinema, brilliant.