Eric Morecambe

John Eric Bartholomew OBE (14 May 1926 – 28 May 1984), known by his stage name Eric Morecambe, was an English comedian who together with Ernie Wise formed the award-winning double act Morecambe and Wise. The partnership lasted from 1941 until Morecambe's death of a heart attack in 1984. Eric took his stage name from his home town, the seaside resort of Morecambe. He is best remembered for the television series The Morecambe & Wise Show, which for some of its Christmas episodes gained UK viewing figures of over twenty-eight million people.[1] The duo's reputation enabled them to have a number of prestigious guests on the show, including Angela Rippon, Princess Anne, Cliff Richard, Laurence Olivier, John Mills, the Dad's Army cast, Glenda Jackson, Tom Jones, Elton John, The Beatles and even former Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Works

The Sweeney

Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.

Release Date1975-01-02

Charactersd Eric Morecambe

Episode Count1

Vote Count25

Omnibus

Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.

Release Date1967-10-13

Charactersd Narrator

Episode Count1

Vote Count8

That Riviera Touch

Eric and Ernie decide to take a holiday to the South of France and unwittingly become mixed up with a band of jewel thieves.

Release Date1966-03-29

Charactersd Eric Simpson

Vote Count17

The Intelligence Men

A chance meeting with a Schlecht agent forces a humble coffee shop manager into the secret world of spies in Swinging London. With the help of his MI5 friend, he poses as the recently dead Major Cavendish who had managed to infiltrate the dreaded organization; he knows that they are intending to assassinate someone - could it be the famous Russian ballerina who has recently arrived for an appearance at Covent Garden?

Release Date1965-04-13

Charactersd Eric Morecambe

Vote Count9

The Passionate Pilgrim

A pilgrim attempts to gain entry to a castle by any means possible, to get to a beautiful maiden, but the lord of the castle will go to in order to stop him

Release Date1984-01-01

Charactersd The Pilgrim

The Best Of Morecambe & Wise

A collection of some of your favourite sketches from an irreplaceable comedy partnership, including: "Anthony & Cleopatra", starring Glenda Jackson (but without Caesar, who'd come down with a touch of the "hieroglyphics"). "Monty On The Bounty" - with Arthur Lowe as Captain Blight, Eric Morecambe as Fletcher Christian and Ernie Wise as Midshipman Tinkle. "The meeting of Byron and Keats" - including such unforgettable lines as "two cows eating grass on a sunny hillock, by four tomorrow that grass will be mil-lock!" "Eric being well and truly "lacquered" as a long-standing member of a bar-football team - with new recruit, Ernie, strapped alongside him on the wooden bar. The classic "Singing In The Rain" Sketch. And, most famous of all, Eric & Ernie making breakfast to the sound of the stripper music.

Release Date2001-10-01

Charactersd Himself

The Perfect Morecambe & Wise

A collection of the very best sketches, songs and comedy routines from the much-loved Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.

Release Date2014-03-01

Charactersd Himself

Episode Count9

Morecambe & Wise: Christmas Specials

Running from 1969 until 1977, the BBC Christmas shows were usually on Christmas Day. These classic sketches revolved around famous guest stars, such as Eric Porter, Fenella Fielding, Ann Hamilton, Peter Gushing, Glenda Jackson, Andre Previn and Des O'Connor, being made fun of by Eric and Ernie.

Release Date1969-12-25

Charactersd Himself

Episode Count8

The Magnificent Two

Two salesmen travel to a small South American Country to peddle their wares. However the country is in the middle of a major conflict between the Government led by Diaz and the rebels led by Torez. When Torez is accidentally killed the rebels mistaken pick up one of the salesmen, Eric, as he looks like Torez. Eric and Ernie are promised millions to carry on the charade once the rebels take charge. However once Eric takes charge he finds himself back in danger as scheming general Carillo plans to remove the impostor from his role.

Release Date1967-07-05

Charactersd Eric/Fernando Torres

Vote Count22

Running Wild

Release Date1954-04-21

Charactersd Host/Presenter

Episode Count6

Night Train to Murder

When Eric's niece Kathy becomes one of the heirs to a considerable fortune, her life (and those of the other heirs) is placed in jeopardy by the actions of a mysterious inter-loper.

Release Date1984-01-01

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Charactersd Eric

Vote Count3

Simon Simon

A comedy short with very little speaking. Graham Stark and John Junkin have a new elevated platform to work with but still manage to get into lots of trouble. Lots of celebrity appearances.

Release Date1970-06-01

Charactersd Roof Tiler

Vote Count2

Morecambe & Wise: In Their Own Words

Jonathan Ross introduces the story of British television's greatest double act as they told it themselves, using television appearances, rare radio material and correspondence from the BBC archives to build up a fascinating portrait of their lives and careers. The programme reveals how, as young performers, Eric and Ernie really did share a bed, and reveals the BBC's rather lofty response when they first auditioned for television in 1948.

Release Date2008-01-01

Charactersd Himself

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

Release Date1948-06-20

Charactersd Self

Episode Count1

Vote Count22

Morecambe & Wise: The Lost Tapes

A series of sketches taken from the recently-unearthed Morecambe & Wise tape that contained footage which had not been seen for 50 years, and was believed to have been lost forever. The newly discovered half-hour show featured a series of gag-packed routines involving stage curtains, ventriloquism and a daring sketch in which Eric eavesdrops on a newly wedded couple in the flat next door. Now, contributors including Jonathan Ross, Ben Miller and Eddie Izzard look back at this rare slice of classic comedy once again.

Release Date2021-07-28

Charactersd Self (archive footage)

Vote Count1

Morecambe & Wise

Release Date1961-10-12

DepartmentWriting

JobWriter

Charactersd Self

Episode Count170

Vote Count10

The Morecambe & Wise Show

Long-running BBC variety show presented by Britain's best-loved comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Based around irreverent stand-up routines, comedy sketches and comical song and dance numbers involving a stream of beleaguered guests, the series ran for nearly a decade from 1968 to 1977 and included sketches such as 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'The Breakfast Stripper'.

Release Date1968-09-02

DepartmentCreator

JobCreator

Charactersd Self

Episode Count[ 62 ]

Vote Count1

Morecambe & Wise: The Unseen Tapes

Hilarious rare and unseen footage of Britain's beloved comedy duo, including some footage previously unseen on network television. Also features Gail Morecambe, Gary Morecambe, Judi Dench, Wayne Sleep, Rula Lenska and more.

Release Date2025-04-12

Charactersd Self

Parkinson Meets Morecambe and Wise

Michael Parkinson looks back at his 1972 interview with comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, who he describes as 'the funniest double act we ever produced. The interview, which Parkinson cites as the wittiest he ever conducted, sees Morecambe and Wise at their absolute best, speaking about their pasts, their heroes and their friendship.

Release Date1999-09-03

Charactersd Self - Guest

Eric & Ernie's Home Movies

Morecambe & Wise are arguably the most popular and loved double acts ever to have been on television, but off it they built up quite an archive too - largely unseen until now - which reveals what Eric and Ernie were really like in the company of family and friends. Both Eric and Ernie were avid home movie makers, chronicling their rise to fame and recording key moments in their private and family lives, at home and abroad. Now for the first time, with access to Morecambe & Wise's entire home movie collection, this documentary shows Eric and Ernie at work and at play, on tour and on holiday, from summer season in Blackpool to trying to make it in the USA, from their pre-television fame days to the height of their career.

Release Date2017-12-29

Charactersd Self (archive footage)

Two of a Kind

Two of a Kind was an early TV series for comedy duo Morecambe and Wise. It ran from 1961 to 1968 on ATV.

Release Date1961-10-12

Charactersd Self

Episode Count71

Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes

A history of the British television comedy double act Morecambe & Wise to coincide with the BBC drama about their early lives.

Release Date2011-01-01

Charactersd Self (archive footage)

Eric & Ernie Live

The only ever full recording of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise's live stage act, made at Croydon's Fairfield Halls on Sunday 28th October 1973.

Release Date1973-10-28

Charactersd Self

The Best of Morecambe and Wise

Compilation of sketches featuring the much-loved funnymen Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Includes 'Anthony and Cleopatra' with Glenda Jackson, 'Monty in the Bounty' with Arthur Lowe, the famous 'Singing in the Rain' routine, and Eric and Ernie making breakfast to the sound of 'The Stripper'.

Release Date2001-10-01

Charactersd Self (archive footage)

Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy

Narrated by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, this documentary about "Laurel and Hardy", one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. It features interviews with Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke, Babe London, Marcel Marceau, Lucille Hardy (Ollie's wife), Bob Monkhouse, Hal Roach, Marvin T Hatley, Jack McCabe and many more.

Release Date1974-12-21

Charactersd Self - Narrator (voice)

Look at Life: Funny Business Is No Joke

A peek behind the scenes at the business of the comedian and how it is being expanded for film and television.

Release Date1967-01-01

Charactersd Self

The Reluctant Vampire

A young vampire finds out he is not in fact a vampire at all, and has to live a double life.

DepartmentWriting

JobAuthor

Russell Harty

Release Date1980-10-28

Episode Count1

Morecambe & Wise: Christmas Specials

Release Date2007-11-12

The Morecambe and Wise Show

The Thames ITV series that ran from 1978 to 1983.

Release Date1980-09-03

Episode Count26

Vote Count1

Piccadilly Palace

Release Date1967-05-20

Episode Count15

Eric & Ernie Live

For the first time ever on video, Morecambe and Wise are once again live in concert. This video shows the only ever live recording of what some would say are Britain's top all time comedy double act, featuring all their famous routines as they perform for over an hour at Fairfields Halls in Croydon in the mid-70s. Morecambe and Wise delighted millions with their unique brand of humour, they reigned supreme in the 60s, 70s and 80s as comedy kings and their success and popularity has never since been equalled. The filming of this concert was a present from their long time manager as a way of showing thanks and admiration for all their hard work over the years. When you watch this video, you will be witnessing comedy history in the making, for the first time in years Morecambe and Wise are once again live in concert. Marvel at their comedy genius.

Release Date1973-10-28

Late Flowering Love

Light dramatisation of four poems by poet laureete Sir John Betjeman, set on location in the south of England

Release Date1981-06-21

Morecambe and Wise: Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive

Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party.

Release Date1963-12-24

One Pair of Eyes - No, But Seriously

Marty Feldman, for many years a successful comedy writer before turning to performing, explores humour through the people who create it, comparing their traditions, motivations and anxieties with his own. Among the people Marty talks to are Peter Sellers, Eric Morecambe, Peter Brough and Archie Andrews, Dudley Moore and Barry Took.

Release Date1969-06-07