Born 24th March 1909, Tommy Trinder started entertaining for laughs at the young age of 13. The ‘funny faced’ comedian developed a reputation for comedy entertainment across the UK in traveling variety shows with his trademark leering glare, wagging finger, spade-jawed grin, effortless ad-libbing, and catchphrase "You lucky people!".
He made his film debut in 1938 in the musical comedy Save a Little Sunshine and in the same year starred in the comedy Almost a Honeymoon. In 1940, he appeared in Laugh It Off and She Couldn't Say No and also co-starred in the cheeky WWII comedy Sailors Three. Sharing the top billing with Claude Hulbert and Michael Wilding, the plot tells the story of three tipsy navy friends who accidentally find themselves aboard a Nazi ship and become heroes. Trinder's standout role kept him in the Ealing Studios fold for years to come.
He continued to be a huge radio favourite alongside his film roles and his live stage appearances at the top of the bill at theatres such as the London Palladium. His film career continued throughout the war years with comedy relief in the war adventure The Foreman Went to France (1942), then showed a serious side in a moving tribute to firefighters during the "blitz" with The Bells Go Down (1943).
For fans of Charters and Caldicott, Tommy Trinder made an appearance in 1943’s Millions Like Us as the Radio Announcer.
Other films during the war years that he appeared in include Fiddlers Three (1944) and the almost semi-autobiographical role in Champagne Charlie (1944), the story of 1860s music hall entertainer George Leybourne.
His film career began to wane after the war and he did not appear in another film until Bitter Springs (1950). He eventually moved in to TV productions becoming a top presence in variety shows. In later years the entertainer continued to draw large crowds on stage, in pantomime and in cabaret shows.
The entertainer died 10th July 1989.
He made his film debut in 1938 in the musical comedy Save a Little Sunshine and in the same year starred in the comedy Almost a Honeymoon. In 1940, he appeared in Laugh It Off and She Couldn't Say No and also co-starred in the cheeky WWII comedy Sailors Three. Sharing the top billing with Claude Hulbert and Michael Wilding, the plot tells the story of three tipsy navy friends who accidentally find themselves aboard a Nazi ship and become heroes. Trinder's standout role kept him in the Ealing Studios fold for years to come.
He continued to be a huge radio favourite alongside his film roles and his live stage appearances at the top of the bill at theatres such as the London Palladium. His film career continued throughout the war years with comedy relief in the war adventure The Foreman Went to France (1942), then showed a serious side in a moving tribute to firefighters during the "blitz" with The Bells Go Down (1943).
For fans of Charters and Caldicott, Tommy Trinder made an appearance in 1943’s Millions Like Us as the Radio Announcer.
Other films during the war years that he appeared in include Fiddlers Three (1944) and the almost semi-autobiographical role in Champagne Charlie (1944), the story of 1860s music hall entertainer George Leybourne.
His film career began to wane after the war and he did not appear in another film until Bitter Springs (1950). He eventually moved in to TV productions becoming a top presence in variety shows. In later years the entertainer continued to draw large crowds on stage, in pantomime and in cabaret shows.
The entertainer died 10th July 1989.
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