The Immortal Harry Lauder

[unclevenus]

I know that a few of you have mentioned this man's name before (good and less than good) in term of dress. I finally stumbled upon a vinyl this weekend. It's this outfit that I likely have heard some of you mention. Maybe Jock??




Photo isn't the greatest, but I also found this online, too:

http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/z...100814/033.jpg

[ThistleDown]

Perhaps you are referring to this one I posted a few years ago:

[unclevenus]

They made him look like a giant on the album. The photo, the opposite.

[Jock Scot]

Funnily enough I am sitting typing this post only a mile or so from the hedge in Gloucestershire , some 300 miles from Scotland, where that crooked stick is reputed to have come from. I have no doubt that Sir Harry was a very cleaver music hall performer and without doubt he very successfully milked the Scottish character that he is so well known for. I still cringe at the mention of his name and feel quite sad that many non Scots think that is how all Scots dress and behave-------even now.

[tulloch]

He was very clever. We had that album back in the last century.

Incidentally, why was he knighted?

[auld argonian]

From what I've read about Mr. Lauder, he had an interesting life...lost a son in the First World War and spent his time entertaining the troops tirelessly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Lauder

Sure...that type of characterization may be unflattering but it's the basis of comedy and performance going back to Roman times...consider Will Farrell and the typical buffoon roles he takes or Woody Allen acting like the neurotic New Yorker...can't even get into some of the ethnic actors who have been criticized through the years for reinforcing negative stereotypes of their respective races and ethnic groups...the list is long when you think of it. Best to take it with a large grain of salt...you're either laughing with them or laughing at them...

Best

AA

[ThistleDown]

Probably for just that cleverness and popularity you mention, Tulloch. Others come to mind: Sir Paul, Sir Sean, to name two. In his case he was a stand-up music hall comedian who based his character on his own heritage. A bit like some of the Jewish television comedians in America, or Flanders and Swan in England. As Jock said, though, the sad part is that his character has come to be Scotland's to many people. The great, twisted walking stick. The Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ hazelnut has even been given the common name Harry Lauder's Walking Stick.

[McClef]

He is renowned for some classic songs such as Roamin in the Gloamin, Jest a wee Deoch n Doruis, and I belang tae Glesca.

[creagdhubh]

Funnily enough I am sitting typing this post only a mile or so from the hedge in Gloucestershire , some 300 miles from Scotland, where that crooked stick is reputed to have come from.

Hahaha! What were the chances of that?!

[Grizzly]

As a Gloucestershire man whereabouts are you Jock. I have probably been past that hedge hundreds of times and not known.