|
Tommy Cooper ‘Jus’ Like That!’ A
Life In Jokes and Pictures
by John Fisher
Preface Publishing. Hardback, 96 pages
Reviewed by Roger Woods
John
Fisher must be regarded as the expert on the late comedy magician Tommy
Cooper having written the definitive biography Tommy Cooper: Always Leave
Them Laughing (Harper Collins, London 2006) and a number of compilations of
his jokes and gags. This present volume is in a scrapbook style with an
attractive A4 sized hardback presentation. The book contains photographs,
memorabilia and documents from the author’s own collection, together with items
from Tommy’s family and others, many of which have never been seen before.
Tommy’s biography is set out largely in a chronological fashion and the book is
interspersed with many of his favourite jokes and gags. There are many colour
images and items such as news clippings on every page.
It is fascinating to see Tommy’s original notes and scripts together with family
photographs, theatre bills, contracts and the like. For example, the contract
for his last television performance on the night of his death on stage shows
that he was to receive £6,000 for one night, which is a goodly sum today never
mind in 1984! It is hard to believe that it is nearly thirty years since Tommy
left us, although repeats of his shows on television still continue to capture
the public imagination.
There is so much to browse and enjoy in this volume and it represents excellent
value for money. It would make a great Christmas present to anyone who remembers
the antics of one of our greatest comedians.
Available from:
www.amazon.co.uk
©
Roger Woods, December 2012