You Dirty Old Man

The Authorized Biography of Wilfrid Brambell

By: David Clayton

Narrated by: Stephen Perring

Wilfrid Brambell was one of Britain's most loved and complex character actors. As Albert Ladysmith Steptoe, the unscrupulous rag-and-bone man with questionable habits in Ray Galton and Alan Simpson's long-running Steptoe & Son, he quickly became a household name with co-star Harry H. Corbett. But despite scores of other successes in roles on stage, TV and film, Brambell died a sad and lonely man.

Alongside fame and fortune, ‘You Dirty Old Man!' reveals how Brambell suffered unbelievable personal heartache, battling an inner turmoil that eventually drove him to drink as his marriage collapsed in the most deceitful circumstances imaginable. His torment led to a secretive life off camera where he did everything possible to stay out of the public eye.

Featuring original interviews with film directors Richard Lester, Terence Davies and Tony Palmer, as well as recollections from his own family members, the family of Harry H. Corbett and those who worked alongside him, author David Clayton seeks to re-examine the legacy of a man whose loyal fanbase remains undiminished sixty years on from his heyday.

©2022 David Clayton (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd

A fine audiobook with a glaring exception

If you know of Wilfrid Brambell only as Paul's Grandfather in A Hard Day's Night, you may be in for a number of surprises in terms of how varied a career he had. Stephen Perring did a fine job narrating as well, but I couldn't help but notice a major inaccuracy. In the chapter on A Hard Day's Night, the author, in discussing director Richard Lester, claimed that he directed the first three Christopher Reeve Superman films. Actually, the first movie was directed by Richard Donner, while Superman II was begun by Donner and was finished by Richard Lester. Lester did fully direct Superman III, however. I was surprised at such an obvious error, given the incredible research done for the book otherwise. Hopefully, this will be corrected in future editions.