Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe and Wise

by Louis Barfe

British television has hosted some celebrated double acts over the years – from the Two Ronnies to Reeves and Mortimer, from French and Saunders to Fry and Laurie and from Mitchell and Webb to Matt Lucas and David Walliams. But none of these acclaimed duos come within a million miles of challenging the cherished place in the folk memory of television's golden age occupied by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, whose partnership lasted from 1941 to Morecambe’ death in 1984. Icons of British television in the 1970s, Eric and Ernie were, in the words of one commentator ‘the most illustrious, and the best-loved, double-act that Britain has ever produced’.

And Louis Barfe is one of the best-connected and most knowledgeable writers about British post-war light entertainment – both on stage and on television. He has a gift for narrating celebrity lives in a manner that is informative and affectionate but never hagiographic. Funny, human and incisive, Sunshine and Laughter gets to the heart of what made TV’s most enduringly popular double act tick.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morecambe and Wise were one of Britain's best loved double acts, attracting TV audiences of over 20 million at the peak of their fame in the 1970s. This book charts their career from pre-war child stars through theatre, radio, TV and film.

What shines through is their mutual respect for each other's talents and their perfectionism in honing their craft. While Eric Morecambe was an instinctive and 'always on' comedian, Ernie Wise was never a conventional straight man, but together they formed a special chemistry. There are some great insights into the way they worked, notably Eric's advice to guest stars to play it straight because, 'it doesn't work if you find it funny.'

The book is rounded out with a long catalogue of theatre, radio and TV performances with the result that the actual narrative is only just over 50% of the Kindle edition.

Whether you remember the duo in their heyday or have discovered them since through repeat showings this is an affectionate and very readable account of their career.

[Rob Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

British television has hosted some celebrated double acts over the years. But none of them challenge the cherished place occupied by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. A successful partnership which lasted from 1941 to Morecambe' death in 1984.

This comprehensive biography offers most of what you need to know about the comic duo. Starting from their early days as child performers in variety, to the ups and down of their decades on television. It shows why Eric and Ernie are the gold standard for double acts.

Funny, warm and incisive, Sunshine and Laughter gets to the heart of what made TV's most enduringly popular double act tick.

[Chris Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the history of Morecambe and Wise didn't need to be told yet again, however this is so well told and researched it's one that should be top of any pile. A hard to achieve combination of almost painstaking detiail packed into such a short space. No word is wasted and yet it's funny and entertaining. The appendix - which takes up an astonishing percentage of the book - might indicate an academic tome, yet it's as accessable and entertaining as the duo themselves and puts in just as much graft to get there.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew all about Eric and Ernie, but this had some very interesting facts I didn't know with some great behind the scenes anecdotes. Certainly a good one to have in my collection of M&W literature. A very comprehensive list of all the shows the boys have done on TV and film and theatre was an added bonus.

[Kevin Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, thoughtful, affectionate and witty biography of the greatest UK comedy double act, though in a sense we could call them a triple act, for they would not still be on our TVs at Christmas if Eddie Braben had not effectively created their personas for 70s TV. I found the stuff on the early years particularly fascinating because I knew very little about it. Ernie found a level of fame in his adolescence and partnered up with Eric and then the two drifted apart only to accidentally meet again.

The book did a good job of sensitively covering their relative failures as well as their successes. Eric comes across as a really worrier, being, for example, utterly convinced that the famous Andre Previn sketch wouldn't work because of lack of rehearsal. He was also someone who could not turn off his perfomance mode when in company (he died after taking 6 encores at the Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury on an evening when his wife had wanted to cancel the show because of his ill-health).

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never actually read any books about Morecambe and Wise so have nothing to compare this to, however it was informative and filled with some classic jokes especially from their peak years at the BBC. Two very different personalities who kept their private and professional lives apart which explains why they were so successful for so long.

[Ben Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

the real Eric and Ernie

An easy read following Eric and Ernie from their childhoods through to their deaths.
Deals with disappointment, elation, difficulties in rising to the top and the pressure of staying there.
An entertaining book and a definite for fans of the duo or nostalgia for a lost era of television.

[Philip Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew everything there was to know about Eric and Ernie being a massive fan and read a lot of books about them. But this portrays their lives in a refreshing way and covers everything you'd expect but a lot more as well.

[Nick Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography of the lads.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to the BBC audio book. Interesting to hear how they started but it was quite stilted, formal language.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gives so much detail about the iconic duo, especially some of the now legendary Christmas shows.
If you're a fan of Eric and Ernie a must read.

[Neil Brewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really two books

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the read, I was somewhat surprised by the end of the book just shy of halfway through. The remaining content was a pretty incredible log of all of M&W's output- something itself of huge value.