52-576: The Tommy Steele Story is a 1957 British film directed by Gerard Bryant and starring Tommy Steele , dramatising Steele's rise to fame as a teen idol . Along with Rock You Sinners , it was one of the first British films to feature rock and roll . In the US, where Steele was not well-known, the film was released under the title Rock Around the World . The film was announced in January 1957, three months after
104-599: A Soho party. The trio began writing together and formed a loose band, the Cavemen. Usually with the Cavemen, Steele began playing in Soho bars, including " Blue Suede Shoes " and " Heartbreak Hotel " alongside country songs in his set. A performance backed by members of the Vipers Skiffle Group at the 2i's Coffee Bar was seen by John Kennedy, a photographer and publicity man who, within two weeks, got Steele
156-541: A dual role in his second film vehicle, The Duke Wore Jeans , released in March 1958. The film's soundtrack topped the UK Albums Chart . In May 1958, Steele was hospitalised after being mobbed by fans at a concert at Caird Hall , Dundee , having had his right arm hurt, chunks of his hair pulled out and his shirt ripped off. Steele subsequently largely withdrew from performing concerts and increasingly worked in
208-570: A merchant seaman , Steele learned to play guitar and began performing country and calypso music , inspired most by Hank Williams . He has claimed that when a ship he was serving on docked in Norfolk, Virginia , U.S., he saw Buddy Holly perform and fell in love with rock and roll . The story conflicts with the known performances of Holly, making it appear impossible that it could have occurred as described. On shore leave in summer 1956, Steele met writer Lionel Bart and actor Mike Pratt at
260-687: A Sixpence and played character roles in The Happiest Millionaire and Finian's Rainbow . In this last film, he played Og, the leprechaun turning human and co-starred with Petula Clark and Fred Astaire . In 1968, British exhibitors voted him the fourth most popular star at the local box office. The following year, he starred with Stanley Baker in the period drama Where's Jack? In April 1971, Steele starred in his own show, Meet Me in London , originating in Las Vegas before
312-560: A cockney kid, he's been in the merchant navy, so let's have some cockney songs, and let's have some calypso ." The soundtrack album was the first UK number one album by a British act. Its two singles, "Butterfingers" and the double A-side "Water, Water" / "A Handful of Songs", were both top-ten hits on the UK Singles Chart . In 1958, "A Handful of Songs" received the Ivor Novello Award for Most Outstanding Song of
364-561: A deal with Decca . With impresario Larry Parnes , Kennedy arranged a publicity stunt in which Steele performed at a staged debutante ball , getting the singer his first national press in The People under the headline " Rock 'n' roll has got the debs too!". Within weeks, Steele was headlining variety bills. Steele's first single, " Rock with the Caveman ", was one of the first British rock and roll hits, reaching number 13 on
416-404: A limited run at London's Adelphi Theatre . The London production was troubled when Steele demanded cuts to the first act on opening night. Singer Clodagh Rodgers refused to accommodate the cuts, and walked out fifteen minutes before the first night curtain. She was eventually replaced by Susan Maughan . In 1978, Steele performed in a TV movie version of Gilbert and Sullivan 's The Yeomen of
468-665: A new stage production of The Glenn Miller Story " which enjoyed two UK tours before heading for a summer season at the " London Coliseum ." He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1958 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre . In December 2019, he hosted a 'Magic of the Musicals' event at the British Film Institute, where he narrated and spoke about some of his favourite musical theatre film routines. Steele
520-547: A novel titled The Final Run about World War II and the evacuation of Dunkirk . He also wrote a children's novel, entitled Quincy , about a reject toy trying to save himself and his fellow rejects in the basement of a toy store from the furnace the day after Christmas. Released in 1981, it was based on his own television film, Quincy's Quest , from 1979, in which Steele played Quincy and Mel Martin played Quincy's girlfriend doll, Rebecca. Steele co-wrote many of his early songs with Lionel Bart and Mike Pratt , but he used
572-566: A production of Scrooge: The Musical , an adaptation of Scrooge . Following this return, he reprised his role at the Palace Theatre , Manchester, over Christmas 2004 and brought the production to the London Palladium for Christmas 2005 and which toured over the next ten years. In 2008, at the age of 71, Steele toured in the lead role of the stage musical Doctor Dolittle . In 2015, Steele began touring as Glenn Miller in
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#1732783256745624-466: A specially recorded festive tale, The Christmas Mystery of Muchhope . This story was re-released for the festive period of 2022 with new edits and sound effects and a new story, 'The Magic of Christmas,' was written and recorded by Steele for a limited release for Christmas 2023. In June 2021, to celebrate his 65 years in the entertainment industry, his authorised biography, A Life in the Spotlight ,
676-696: A three-day concert visit to Moscow , where The Tommy Steele Story was screened at the Kremlin . In his first colour film, Tommy the Toreador (1959), Steele proved "a real, true Danny Kaye ", according to its cinematographer Gilbert Taylor . A hit single from the film, " Little White Bull ", became a children's favourite after it was released in aid of a cancer research unit for children. Considered Britain's first rock and roll star, Steele has been described by AllMusic as "the English teenager who let
728-513: A three-day promotional visit to Moscow for a screening at the Kremlin . The Tommy Steele Story received a generally positive critical reception. Writing in Melody Maker , Tony Brown deemed Steele "a natural", commenting "he can amble in front of the cameras cocking a snook at RADA technique and still go over with a bang". Brown criticised the film's plot as having "no dramatic impact. Every thing, it seems, happened so easily", but praised
780-536: A trace of sex, real or implied", whilst Stephen Glynn has written that Steele's voice "was genial before threatening, his stage demeanour more playground skip than bedroom thrust". Steele's live performances were marked by frenzy from the teenage audience. His first album, Tommy Steele Stage Show , was recorded at a London concert the night before his twentieth birthday and issued in March 1957. "Doomsday Rock", Steele's second single, failed to chart after its apocalyptic theme drew controversy. His third, " Singing
832-689: Is a respected sculptor and four of his major works have been on public display. Bermondsey Boy at Rotherhithe Town Hall in London, was stolen in 1998: its whereabouts are unknown. Eleanor Rigby , which he sculpted and donated to the City of Liverpool as a tribute to the Beatles , stands in Stanley Street , Liverpool, not far from the Cavern Club . Union , featuring two rugby players,
884-735: Is most closely associated with the first six of the Carry On ... film series, for which he wrote the screenplays until he was replaced by Talbot Rothwell . Born in Stepney , London, Hudis began his writing career on a local newspaper, the Hampstead & Highgate Express . When World War II broke out, Hudis joined the RAF and served in the Middle East writing for Air Force News . Like many other post-war writers his first foray into entertainment
936-674: Is on display at Twickenham Stadium . Trinity , designed during the regeneration of the docklands area in Bermondsey, stood outside the Trinity building in Bermondsey. When Steele lived in Montrose House , Petersham, Surrey , his life-sized sculpture of Charlie Chaplin as " The Tramp " stood outside his front door. He is also an artist of some note and has exhibited at the Royal Academy . In 1981, Steele wrote and published
988-456: Is popular with audiences and gets a recording contract. Steele was approached to make the film by Nat Cohen and Stuart Levy . He later wrote in his memoirs, "They were quite different from that other British film mogul, J. Arthur Rank . Where Rank was C. Aubrey Smith , Cohen and Levy were Abbott and Costello . They didn't so much as hold a meeting as do an act." He added "there was a degree of madness about them – but you had to be mad to take
1040-585: The Doctor film series, mostly worked with Gerald's brother, the director Ralph Thomas ). The producer and director team of Peter and Gerald chose Hudis to rewrite the screenplay to R. F. Delderfield 's The Bull Boys . He obliged and the screenplay became the first of the Carry On... film series as Carry On Sergeant . Following the success of this Carry On début, Hudis wrote a further five Carry Ons ( Carry On Nurse ; Carry On Teacher ; Carry On Constable ; Carry On Regardless and Carry On Cruising )
1092-550: The 1979 New Year Honours , he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his work as an entertainer and actor. He was knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity. Steele's teen idol stardom was the subject of several contemporary parodies. On his album The Best of Sellers (1958), Peter Sellers portrays Cockney rock and roll star named "Mr. Iron" in
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#17327832567451144-752: The London Palladium , but "didn't think you could be English and be a star". In 1952, at the age of 15, Steele joined the Merchant Navy , working on the Cunard line. He was not eligible for national service because of a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy . Steele attended Bacon's College in Rotherhithe , south London. Through his paternal line, the full family name (Still-Hicks) influenced his future stage name, as he adapted it to become known professionally as Tommy Steele. Whilst working as
1196-554: The UK Singles Chart in November 1956. He promoted the single with his first television appearance, on bandleader Jack Payne 's BBC series Off the Record , and quickly became a national teen idol . Steele's success saw him dubbed "Britain's Elvis ", though his appeal has been characterised as less provocative than Presley's. A 1957 concert review by Trevor Philpott of Picture Post described Steele's act as possessing "not
1248-523: The West End and on Broadway , reprising his role in the 1967 film version . As an actor, he notably appeared in the films The Happiest Millionaire (1967) and Finian's Rainbow (1968) and as the lead in several West End productions of Singin' in the Rain . Also an author and sculptor, Steele remains active. He was knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity and
1300-450: The "castration of early rock and roll". In 2009, the greatest hits collection The Very Best of Tommy Steele reached the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart , the first UK chart entry for Steele in over 46 years. The increase in home-grown musical talent during the 1950s and 1960s allowed Steele to progress to a career in stage and film musicals, leaving behind his pop-idol identity. In 1957, he
1352-506: The 1958 Ivor Novello Award for Most Outstanding Song of the Year for "A Handful of Songs". He starred in further musical films including The Duke Wore Jeans (1958) and Tommy the Toreador (1959), the latter spawning the hit " Little White Bull ". Steele shifted away from rock and roll in the 1960s, becoming an all-round entertainer. He originated the part of Kipps in Half a Sixpence in
1404-588: The 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho , London, Steele recorded a string of hit singles including " Rock with the Caveman " (1956) and the chart-topper " Singing the Blues " (1957). Steele's rise to fame was dramatised in The Tommy Steele Story (1957), the soundtrack of which was the first British album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart . With collaborators Lionel Bart and Mike Pratt , Steele received
1456-712: The BBC programme Six-Five Special (1957–58), though agent Ian Bevan restricted the singer's bookings in the belief that television "tends to cheapen an artist of that nature". He performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC's Third Annual Festival of Dance Music in April 1957 and topped the bill at the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in November 1957. In 2008, theatre producer Bill Kenwright alleged that Elvis Presley
1508-435: The Blues ", reached number 1 in January 1957, staving off a recording by Guy Mitchell for one week. Steele was among the first British pop stars to be heavily merchandised, with tie-in sweaters, shoes and toy guitars. Only a few months after his first chart presence, the singer was filming his life story; The Tommy Steele Story (1957) featured twelve new songs, written hastily by Steele, Bart and Pratt, that expanded
1560-572: The Guard (misspelt as "The Yeoman..."), singing the role of the hapless jester Jack Point. In 1983, Steele directed and starred in the West End stage production of Singin' in the Rain at the London Palladium . In 1991, he toured with Some Like It Hot the stage version of the Billy Wilder film. In 2003, after a decade-long hiatus, save his one-man shows An Evening With Tommy Steele and What A Show! , he toured as Ebenezer Scrooge in
1612-449: The Year, Musically and Lyrically. Tim Rice has described the song as "a lovely composition, a show song disguised as a pop song and it showed the way both of them were heading." Side one Side two Tommy Steele Sir Thomas Hicks OBE (born 17 December 1936), known professionally as Tommy Steele , is an English entertainer, regarded as Britain's first teen idol and rock and roll star. After being discovered at
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1664-412: The chances they took – with a little eccentricity for good measure." "We knew that if we could sign him in time we'd have a winner," said Cohen. Steele agreed to do the film. He met with Mike Pratt and Lionel Bart and they spent a month writing the songs. Two weeks later the film was shot. Bart considered the film premature, reflecting "Here's this guy, he's only 20, he ain't even started his story". He
1716-591: The film and the way it rocketed to first feature status knocked me for six." Steele says director Gerald Bryant "was more like a poet than a showman." According to Kinematograph Weekly the film was "in the money" at the British box office in 1957. According to another account, The Tommy Steele Story was the 13th most popular film at the British box office in 1957. Steele was voted the seventh most popular star in Britain for that year. Kine Weekly claimed in 1959
1768-542: The film's production value and concluded "it must be counted as a triumph for the Bermondsey boy. There should be a few red faces along Tin Pan Alley when it goes the rounds". An uncredited writer for Bristol Evening Post praised Steele's performance in an "engaging" film that "could so easily have been embarrassing to anyone not addicted to the youth" The Tommy Steele Story is the first soundtrack album and
1820-461: The genie out of the bottle, even if he wasn't the genie." Steele's rock and roll recordings have often divided critical opinion. In Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop (2013), Bob Stanley describes Steele's early singles as "charming and naïve, endearingly amateurish, with odd smudges of echo and strangely slurred vocals". In his 1970 book Revolt into Style: The Pop Arts in Britain , George Melly derided Steele’s films of being emblematic of
1872-589: The highpoint being his second, Carry On Nurse , which was the UK's top-grossing film of 1959. Hudis decided to move permanently to the United States in 1966 as he had received offers of work following the successful American release of Carry On Nurse . His American television writing credits include, The Wild Wild West , The F.B.I. , The Man From U.N.C.L.E. , Hawaii Five-O , Cannon and Baretta . Hudis continued to write for film, TV and theatre. He
1924-579: The pseudonym of Jimmy Bennett from 1958 onwards. On 7 November 2019, Steele was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Music Hall Society at a celebratory luncheon in Mayfair 's Lansdowne Club . Those paying tribute to his then 63 years and two days in show business included Tim Rice , Wyn Calvin and Bill Kenwright . In May 2020, Steele announced a new project which he had been working on titled Breakheart , which
1976-410: The release of Steele's first single " Rock with the Caveman ". Tommy Steele lives with his mother and father in their London home. He works with a bellboy until he injures his spine doing judo. In hospital he is given a guitar to help with his therapy and he starts to play to entertain patients and staff. He works on an ocean liner, performing in his spare time, and gets a job playing in a coffee bar. He
2028-472: The second album release by Tommy Steele , issued as a 10-inch LP by Decca in May 1957. The album's twelve songs were composed quickly by Lionel Bart and Mike Pratt , with Steele co-writing all but one. The soundtrack features a broader range of genres than Steele's previous releases, with Bart having convinced Norman Hudis that "they couldn't all be rock and roll songs if they were doing [Tommy's] story. He's
2080-569: The singer's repertoire to incorporate ballads and calypso music . The film's soundtrack was the first UK number one album by a British act, and the hit single "A Handful of Songs" received the 1958 Ivor Novello Award for Most Outstanding Song of the Year, Musically and Lyrically. By the end of 1957, Steele had bought a four-bedroomed house in South London for his parents and was reported to be earning more than British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan . Steele made several appearances on
2132-515: The sketch "The Trumpet Volunteer". Steele's rise to fame was satirised in the 1958 West End musical Expresso Bongo and its 1959 film adaptation starring Cliff Richard. There is a London Borough of Southwark blue plaque on Nickleby House, in the Dickens Estate in Bermondsey, commemorating Steele. Norman Hudis Norman Hudis (27 July 1922 – 8 February 2016) was an English writer for film, theatre and television, and
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2184-472: The success of the movie was a turning point in the fortunes of Anglo Amalgamated. "Cohen and Levy still blush at the budget but the picture is regarded as a Wardour Street phenomenon. It made a fortune within its first year and continues to make money in every corner of the world it plays." In 1959, The Tommy Steele Story became one of the few British films shown in the Soviet Union after Steele made
2236-409: The theatre. He continued to record rock and roll over 1958 and 1959, finding chart success with covers of US hits, including " Come On, Let's Go " and " Tallahassee Lassie ". In September 1958, he appeared in the first episode of Oh Boy! , Jack Good 's ITV series which featured several new British rock and roll stars, including Cliff Richard and Marty Wilde . In August 1959, Steele undertook
2288-540: Was available exclusively online throughout May. Announced via a specially recorded video during the COVID-19 lockdown, Breakheart was a seven-episode audio thriller, written by Steele and set during the Second World War. A new episode was released each day for a week culminating in the full story. Following the re-release of the complete version of Breakheart for the 2020 festive period, Steele also released
2340-521: Was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2021. Steele was born Thomas Hicks in Bermondsey , London, in 1936. His father, Thomas Walter Hicks, was a racing tipster and his mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Ellen Bennett, worked in a factory; they had married in 1933, in Bermondsey. As a child, Steele spent time in hospital for porphyria . He dreamt of being a star performer after his parents took him to
2392-432: Was paid £3,000 for the lead role. Norman Hudis was hired to write the script by Peter Rodgers. Hudis did it in ten days saying "it was one of the easiest I've ever done" as "I was a cockney like Tommy Steele. I came from the same sort of street: I knew how he talked. I knew how he thought." Hudis felt it "was an astute and alert move to make the subject but at most I thought it would be a sterling support film. The success of
2444-426: Was published by FontHill Media, written by fan and archivist Sebastian Lassandro. Steele and Winifred Anne Donoghue or Donoughue (born 1936) married at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Soho Square , London, in spring 1960. The couple have one daughter. In 2019, Steele was awarded the Freedom of the City of London . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the ceremony at Mansion House was delayed until 20 July 2021. In
2496-419: Was soon to become a prolific screenwriter of B movies during the 1950s. He was the writer for the biopic The Tommy Steele Story (1957). Hudis met the film producer Peter Rogers in the year of its release who offered him the job of writing another screenplay for Tommy Steele ( The Duke Wore Jeans , 1958), which was directed by Gerald Thomas . (Peter Rogers' film producer wife Betty Box , who produced
2548-485: Was taken on a tour of London by Steele in 1958, challenging Glasgow Prestwick Airport 's accepted status as the only place in the United Kingdom where Presley set foot. The unverified claim caused controversy, with Steele telling the media "I swore never to divulge what took place and I regret that it has found some way of 'getting into the light'. I can only hope he [Elvis] can forgive me." Steele starred in
2600-472: Was the co-writer of the long-running play Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners , which has played around the world since 2003, and he also wrote the one-man play Jeffrey Archer's Prison Diaries by FF 8282 , the authorised adaptation of Jeffrey Archer 's diaries which were written during his incarceration, both of which are produced by Marc Sinden Productions . He also wrote the semi-autobiographical play Dinner with Ribbentrop about his time working with
2652-605: Was voted the seventh-most-popular actor at the British box office. In 1960, a tour of Australia had not been particularly successful and upon his return to England he received two offers, one to star in the play Billy Liar , the other to join the Old Vic Company. He chose the latter. In the West End , he appeared in She Stoops to Conquer , and played the title role of Hans Christian Andersen . On film, he recreated his London and Broadway stage role in Half
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#17327832567452704-408: Was writing for camp concerts. After the war Hudis decided to become a playwright, but only one of his plays Here Is The News met with critical success. This was enough to get him noticed by Pinewood Studios , who offered him a job as trainee screenwriter. During the two years he spent there he failed to get any of his screenplays into production. Hudis left Pinewood and became a freelance writer and
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