Formby on film
Ten years old George Formby Jnr made his screen debut in this silent film made at Epsom. Young George playing the abandoned son of the Squire's nephew, who is adopted by the Squire's horse trainer, rides an exciting race to win £10,000 for his benefactor. "It is the race itself which lifts the film above the ordinary and the sight of the tiny jockey (George Formby Jnr) gradually drawing away from his rival will raise the most phlegmatic audience to enthusiasm." (Bioscope, August 1915) No copy of this film is known to exist. Brendan Ryan What can I say that hasn't been said above by the late Brendan Ryan? I have never seen this film (neither has anybody else!). Is it in somebody's private collection? If anybody can find it they'll get the 'freedom of the city', they'll be a star in the Formby Society and - if they break the news through this site they'll make me famous as well! Whilst the film may be lost, this is a photograph of George in riding clothes taken around the age of 10, just about the time when he was involved in the film. Note the mouth organ in George's hands, I understand that he was quite a good player. Thankfully he found the banjo-uke a few years later! Many of you might be asking why a young unknown should be plucked from obscurity to star in a motion picture? Don't forget that George's father was a major variety artist and owned a string of race horses himself. This is the obvious connection. If anybody has any information, or photographs - please get in touch. Peter Pollard
By The Shortest Of Heads
BY THE SHORTEST OF HEADS Barker Films Produced by: Will Barker Writers: Jack Hulcup/Percy Manton Director: Bert Haldane Silent - 1915 Cast: Violet Hobson, Sidney Blackmere, George Formby Jnr, Jack Tessier, Moore Marriot, Jack Hulcup, Percy Manton. 
formby on film
Ten years old George Formby Jnr made his screen debut in this silent film made at Epsom. Young George playing the abandoned son of the Squire's nephew, who is adopted by the Squire's horse trainer, rides an exciting race to win £10,000 for his benefactor. "It is the race itself which lifts the film above the ordinary and the sight of the tiny jockey (George Formby Jnr) gradually drawing away from his rival will raise the most phlegmatic audience to enthusiasm." (Bioscope, August 1915) No copy of this film is known to exist. Brendan Ryan What can I say that hasn't been said above by the late Brendan Ryan? I have never seen this film (neither has anybody else!). Is it in somebody's private collection? If anybody can find it they'll get the 'freedom of the city', they'll be a star in the Formby Society and - if they break the news through this site they'll make me famous as well! Whilst the film may be lost, this is a photograph of George in riding clothes taken around the age of 10, just about the time when he was involved in the film. Note the mouth organ in George's hands, I understand that he was quite a good player. Thankfully he found the banjo-uke a few years later! Many of you might be asking why a young unknown should be plucked from obscurity to star in a motion picture? Don't forget that George's father was a major variety artist and owned a string of race horses himself. This is the obvious connection. If anybody has any information, or photographs - please get in touch. Peter Pollard
By The Shortest Of Heads
BY THE SHORTEST OF HEADS Barker Films Produced by: Will Barker Writers: Jack Hulcup/Percy Manton Director: Bert Haldane Silent - 1915 Cast: Violet Hobson, Sidney Blackmere, George Formby Jnr, Jack Tessier, Moore Marriot, Jack Hulcup, Percy Manton.