Max Miller

The great British comedian Max Miller performing his signature song 'Mary From The Dairy' (from the film 'Hoots Mon' 1940).

[@olgierdogden4742]

I live 7 minutes walk from the Theatre Royal Brighton and Max never said a bad word but got those English Roses blushing. Bless him.

[@alanwann9318]

Max holds the audience attention . I studied his stagecraft whilst learning my solo entertainer act

[@BarryCBrown999]

"I like the girls who do. I like the girls who don't. I like the girls who say they will, But then they say they won't. But of all the girls I like the best, And I think you know I'm right, Are the girls who say they wont, But look as though they might!" Classic Max

[@finnhermitage882]

Thanks so much for sharing this documentary! I recorded off the TV at the time but it was a terrible recording even before the tape dissolved so it's wonderful to see it again 😁👏

[@porthrepta]

Material that was once thought smutty now almost seems sweet and innocent - but Max's charm still shines through.

[@SM-dt1pr]

Jago Tremain "surely you could squeeze me in a little back room?"

[@busterfriendly6305]

@@SM-dt1pr I could but I haven't got time now

[@martinplatt5928]

My late grandmother (1899-1991) loved Max Miller. He was a very clever comedic genius and the audience loved the innuendo. Wonderful to watch.

[@Corinthian44]

Max often said that, 'they'll never be another'; how right he was!

[@porkwilliam]

I'm born and bred in Brighton, my granddad new Max and always said he was a real gent. Thanks for posting this; wonderful stuff!

[@SalCapone6499]

Pork William then you’re grandad must’ve been one lucky man

[@LectroBer]

Checking on the manager and imploring the audience not to laugh while he conspiratorially addresses them is a fantastic concoction.

[@ykrgfk]

I was lucky enough to see Frankie Howerd live at the Hackney Empire just a few years before he died. He was on top form and much of his routine had the same MO as this rare gem of a film of Max Miller: as if he's keeping an eye out for the management because he'd get into trouble if 'they' knew what he was telling you.

[@lucythompson6412]

Max Miller was my great great great great great uncles he grow up in Brighton

[@neonatalpenguin]

I always assumed Paul Whitehouse was exaggerating when he did Arthur Atkinson. If anything, he was underplaying it.

[@alangiles8103]

I think that was more inspired by Arthur Askey - the same vintage as Max but not really up there with him.

[@wildyone172]

Dreadful. Boring, not even amusing. Paul Whitehouse nailed it. They were laughing at nothing

[@frankscivier4874]

Max Miller was one of THE all-time great stand up comedians who influenced a number of greats who came after him. Benny Hill absolutely loved him and Bob Monkhouse said he always remembered the advice that he was given by Max Miller when he was starting out.

[@chapsnaps1]

My dad was born in 1921 and he saw Max Miller on stage. He went round to the stage door afterwards to get his autograph. Max asked him the date of his birthday and his address, and sent him a birthday card for several years afterwards. It's now hard to understand why he was banned by the BBC. The innuendo is tame by modern standards. He was a real gentleman.

[@mediantrader]

Bravo Max !. It still stands up some 80+ years later.......this was forbidden when i was a post war kid in 60's by middle class parents but so glad i watched it The older i get the more i know i will soon miss it. Greatest of all time music hall acts ( especially during the last war) and a wonderful peek into our parents and grandparents past

[@jillfoley6389]

what I would not give to have seen the amazing Max Miller in person. I have all his cds, my favourite is lu lu, what a lovely voice, and so handsome! There has never been anyone to touch Max - thank goodness for you tube so I can see Max in all his glory!

[@Corinthian44]

'mikelheron', Max was of an era when almost anything was regarded as 'rude', and therefore not allowed.The BBC hardly touched Max, in case he transgressed their rules. Max's trick was to have the audience think that he might overstep the mark, and say something really rude. He rarely did, nor had to, but he was a peerless comic genius!

[@philgray1023]

George Formby was a bit before his time because the BBC showed his movies. It took me years to understand why my grandmother wasn't impressed. Well I was only 12 at the time.

[@AndreaElizabeth100]

Was he considered a "blue" comic? My Grandad liked him but my Grandma thought he was too rude.

[@Nojnotpu]

When I married my wife my father in law said " I'll give you 3 acres and a cow" (brilliant pause to allow the audience to work out the punch line themselves). Your quite right missus, your quite right, I'm still waiting for the 3 acres. The man was brilliant

[@SalCapone6499]

John Upton haha 🤣

[@brwhizz3060]

*You’re

[@hoodatdondar2664]

Known to the public as a slogan for land reform from the 1880’s.

[@SloopyDog]

I love Max Miller, what a comedian. I would loved to have seen him perform. Why can't we have talent like that today?

[@SloopyDog]

A great music hall comedian. A hero of mine as I love music hall. We have stand up comedians now that just aren't funny. I may be getting old as I just don't enjoy modern comedy. Sickly sit-coms and foul mouthed comics don't work for me. We have lost so much talent over the years that is not being replaced.

[@JimmiBiscuit]

Sloopy .Dog Because we want to actually laugh.

[@Trev359]

Well, there;s nothing to laugh at with today's so-called comedians.

[@davidwhyberd7612]

Ken Dodd was the last of the great music hall comedians. The last time that I saw him was at the Cliffs Pavillion in Southend, where he performed for four and a half hours. Like Max, his delivery was fast and his timing was brilliant. I was in row B and felt the full force of his stage presence and delivery. He was funny all the time. I also saw him at the London Palladium. He was a good singer too and started his career as a ventriloquist. His Dicky Mint act was superb. There no comedians today in their class. Max and Ken were at their best live.

[@TheSpiralnotebook]

Genius! A man born to bring cheer if ever there was!

[@andrewrcmadwilkinson6999]

MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE ❤

[@billga2010]

Fantastic . I have watched this 30 times .

[@mattiemclean9882]

you need help

[@Jamiewelling]

Mattie Mclean Oi THATS MY FAMILY MEMBER

[@pragmatic272]

Although this was from a film I think it still demonstrates how Max was one of the best at 'holding an audience'

[@richardbrown1189]

I believe this is the only film in existence of Max's stage act.

[@lkijju]

Boy, this is the most extensive clip I've seen of Max. He was very good. Thanks for uploading it Pamfino2.

[@nickladey]

one fantastic video he was a true grate there will never be another thanks for posting

[@ValEGwangi]

I was actually searching for Tasting History with Max Miller videos but so glad this was suggested. Never heard of this guy before, shame he's not more famous. What a quick wit.

[@joshuarosen6242]

He is (or at least was) pretty famous here in the UK but probably like some US greats like Jack Benny, memories fade and most younger people probably don't know him either.

[@indiosbravos1896]

Brilliant

[@gordonharkerfan]

The greatest stand up comedian there ever was.There will never be another will never be another.

[@davidwhyberd7612]

I will say that Max and Ken Dodd were the greatest. Micky Flanagan is funny, but is rather dirty at times.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

How old are you?

[@angloaust1575]

Classic one about walking over a bridge!

[@joeroyle1399]

His banter and repartee was amazing. He taught Bob Monkhouse some of his tricks. The story I like he was by the sea in his beloved Brighton with a mate. He said ‘Do you think they will miss me if I jump into the sea?’ His friend replied, ‘At least they will say you died when you were on the crest of a wave!’ Nice one.

[@ricklangley3438]

I believe this is the only film of Max's stage act in existence. Funnily enough, he never liked playing in Scotland and was always regarded as a "Southern' comedian throughout his career.

[@brwhizz3060]

Didn’t Tommy Cockles do a feature on this feller?

[@garyloughran9758]

Where's me washboard????

[@stevemaclaine4547]

the godfather of comedy, bless him.

[@danpinner1873]

very tame by today's standard ,but Max pushed the boundaries,I loved his delivery, Music hall is all about fun .

[@shadowcrimsonflare]

"Can you squeeze me in a little room in the back?"

[@ianbentley7276]

yes that made me chuckle

[@margaretrobertson4695]

Loved him, and music hall generally. Used to write to the late Roy Hudd (an authoritative on Max, to ask information on him. Got 33’s with this act Max at the Met on record plus lots of his turns sung and his jokes.

[@andrewclark891]

Max was always a favourite, when I was little I used to watch the afternoon matinée movie's on TV. All of the old films from the 30s to the 50s

[@philippaine]

If you like Max ...join the Max Miller appreciation society ...four great mags a year.

[@Faybolicious]

I'm related to Max miller :)!

[@Jamiewelling]

So am I-?

[@davids8449]

That's funny so am I, I believe he liked to travel alot

[@BritishComedyUK69]

Fantastic memories

[@mlynn9720]

Max was a master of comic timing. I think one of the ladies is Florence Desmond (No Limit, George Formby). Interesting use of phrases like "Ducky". Is the laughter dubbed? Max had such a big following "real laughs" would have been easy with a live audience, but for film they'd have to control the volume and audience reaction. His act I gather is "as if he's not supposed to be there" which is very clever. Frankie Howerd was kind of similar, 30 years later.

[@duncefunce1513]

Looks a lot like Spike Milligan

[@Myplop]

Ooooh I say Mrs!!!!!

[@yojimboxxx2805]

I don't know why but when he gets down on his knees it cracks me up... .

[@lynnesaunders3771]

wonderful.

[@garyspong]

This fellow made the cover of Sgt. Pepper's!

[@transporttimeagain3632]

No he died in 1963

[@Gretchluver1]

@@transporttimeagain3632 He still made it onto the cover.

[@nickladey]

love this comedian best ever you look at comedians to day no comparison loved you in bread pam

[@taiterobinson793]

Thank god no bombs dropped

[@saxongreen78]

The REAL stuff...this post is a treasure.

[@xsasukex]

I was actually typing mac miller, but accidently typed max miller. lol no regrets

[@ianbentley7276]

Superb

[@diminisheduk]

never even heard of him before today! the dance commentary is awesome, ha! excellent, would love to see more!

[@savsci87]

next level shit! hanging his coat on the scenery, pretending to suppress the audience laughter, the dance commentary, frickin brill

[@melsagelord3991]

Great. Never knew southerners used the word “ducky” either.

[@brain8484]

this geezer is amazing

[@SusanH871]

this man is funny love him

[@oz1902]

There will never be another.

[@vintagebrew1057]

'Tis True....

[@danielburger1775]

Thankfully

[@wildyone172]

Awful. What's funny?? I don't get it

[@MegaDazza87]

Thank you SGT peppers lonely hearts and Brighton.

[@CrankCase08]

@geoff1945 Yes, I've seen my various comments I made a year ago and more and on reflection wish I'd never entered it. Miller is well before my time and it's such a shame there's not more recordings of him; he leaves the modern 'alternative comedians' standing.

[@stephendartnall8928]

THE PATHFINDER

[@videocurios]

Max Miller - Heres a Funny - Thing - John Bardon - stageshow 1982

[@davidwhyberd7612]

John is brilliant! He is the best Max Miller impressionist that I have seen.

[@anatolia707]

classic

[@glover361]

dont make em anymore lady

[@geoff1945]

When you watch this you realise where so much modern,risque comedy started. I believe Max Miller was the Jim Davison thru to Frankie Boyle of his time. Yet everyone could laugh at his gentle innuendo. Many great comedians since have used his stage-craft as part of their act. This is a great example of stage-to-film. Well found and shared Pamfino! ***** and well promoted Max!

[@tonydevine4782]

HOW VERY CLEVER....FUNNY.... DEV....

[@josieharttt]

Tony Devine

[@boysnips]

Terrific and there's nowt like him nowadays

[@Blacksmith1959]

This is the era when comics were funny

[@davidwhyberd7612]

Ken Dodd was his successor. He was brilliant with the same fast delivery and perfect timing, and was funny all the time. I was in the second row and got the full force of his stage presence. Modern comedians rarely make me laugh.

[@Jamiewelling]

Haha he is my great great great uncle!

[@hyena131]

@@davidwhyberd7612 What did you get for your 129th birthday?

[@jakeeiseman-renyard3505]

Has anyone got a video (or an audio track) online of La Di Da? I loved that song!

[@mattdavies7398]

Have you seen it?

[@endofthelinejoel]

I've seen you wrapping presents when it's nobody's birthday.

[@MARKMANIATT]

A genuine genius!

[@kevinastraw]

As camp as you can get without guy ropes. The little back door joke was a bit near. But he is absolutely at one with his audience.

[@bobgrover999]

I thought that was in the second part referring to a woman.

[@davetodd7444]

From the film Hoots Mon?

[@MrDavey2010]

John Osborne based his character Archie Rice on MM.

[@margueritejohnson6407]

MrDavey2010 In fact, Osborne wrote in his autobiography: Archie Rice was a man, Max Miller was a god.

[@tiggermedia]

Does anyone know where I can get a copy 'Hoots Mon'?

[@tiggermedia]

Does anyone know where I can get a dvd of 'Hoots Mon'?

[@Pamfino2]

There's a 2 DVD set on Ebay with 6 of Max's films; one of them is 'Hoots Mon'. There's also one on i-Offer, but the Ebay one is cheaper (£8.95) Haven't seen anyone selling a DVD of the film on its own. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAX-MILLER-2-DVD-6-FILM-SET/273386928380

[@tiggermedia]

Thank you!

[@dave03085]

Diet the fella from east endears do a play about him

[@tomhaskett5161]

The greatest comic England has ever produced.

[@hyena131]

Tom Haskett You clearly haven't heard of paul squire. Shame on you.

[@tomhaskett5161]

@@hyena131 comedy is subjective, agreed. I watched Paul Squire just now. It was a bigger laugh when the local orphanage burned down.

[@hyena131]

@@tomhaskett5161 That orphanage burning down is my line!!! Agreed. paul squire about as funny as max miller. Now Arthur Atkinson another story. Tears of laughter that genius generates! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJDLYZKFiriGmcU

[@alexfletcher5192]

Morecambe & Wise would later recall the times the curtain would get dropped on him when the material got too 'blue'. Including the one about the little girl who swallowed a pin 'and didn't feel the prick till she was 16' - and not forgetting the tightrope walker who gets half way across a canyon on the rope, when who should he see coming the other way but a female tightrope walker. 'What should he do? Go back... or toss himself off?...'

[@barrydavis8232]

I think it was block her passage or toss himself off.

[@SuperMikado282]

​@@barrydavis8232Yes.

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

What was edited out at 2:47? Something that offends modern sensibilities?

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

"I didn't know it was a cissy horse." I've never even understood that particular joke, never mind found it offensive.

[@dabedwards]

Yes, not one of Max's better jokes. Presumably we are supposed to find it funny that Max is unaware that they think HE's the cissy (wearing a skirt), and but believes onlookers think the HORSE (not wearing a skirt) might be a bit gay. There is no logic to that at all. But Max often played with the notion of sexual ambiguity, a subject so taboo then that it served to heighten the tension and increase the laughs.

[@ACNC1]

Please explain to me without the trollish replies... I just dont get it... 03:48 - 'organs is the name the boy who wrote it, film star, lady' can anyone tell me why this is funny...please Im must be thick as pig poo, please decipher the hidden meaning for me. Maybe without the 1940's censorship, a modern day audience would have a better understanding of his act. It all seems a bit tame by todays standards, but was he so risque back then it resulted in the 1940's audience into fits of laughter? Even the innuendo was a bit unclear at times due to his rapid delivery.

[@apprenticemart2]

ACNC1 He says 'Hawkins' which could be a reference to Jack Hawkins who had a bit part as a boy in a film called 'The Good Companions' which Max Miller was also in? I don't know what the humour is but The Good Companions is mainly about three people and maybe that is a suggestion that the song he sings 'Mary From the Dairy' is also about three people (a threesome), I'm just reading between the lines here myself.

[@Mr3sheds]

Max first sang the song in a film called "Hoots Mon" in 1940. He played a character by the name of Harry Hawkins.

[@Emerton321]

This clip is from 'Hoots Mon' in which MM plays Harry Hawkins. At the time, music hall was being taken over by cinema and Max is probably saying that film cannot re-create the intimacy of an entertainer on stage live with an audience. Probably a way of suggesting that he would rather be himself than play a role in a film.

[@phaasch]

"A proper caution, enniy?"

[@iansinfield1836]

Comic genius ....

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

"What are you gonna do when he says something funny?" Now THAT was funny!

[@user-wb2zc6fm3h]

これはなんという映画ですか？

[@OldManScratchingHisBalls]

No I haven't seen his washboard either

[@hoodatdondar2664]

どのように奇妙な !

[@ivorhogg9970]

Who else is 12 watching this. Laughing lol.

[@ajay999999]

The first stand up hero others could only follow best they could.

[@1tinosugar]

When Lily Plays My Little Ukulele (Short Version)

[@SALTOWNPRODUCTIONS2]

I don't think this is representative of Max Miller's actual style. It was obviously set up to suit the comparatively primitive filming techniques of the time, and filmed with a single camera. There'd be three or four performances of the same act edited to make one, with the 'laugh track' dubbed on later. That's why it looks so contrived and awkward. To get the real flavour of Max, you should listen to the sound recordings of his actual performances. 'Max at the Met' is a good one, recorded at the Metropolitan, Edgware Road. With a real live audience to work to (not a bunch of extras, as seen here) he was brilliant. Unsurpassed, even.

[@Joebunkyss1]

fist dirty joke i ever eard.

[@Seaventeares]

Chubby Brown copied his 'dress'.

[@paulbaker9308]

total class , i dont think we can produce these stars anymore under PC controlled thinking

[@barrylhawker]

Nice ute

[@taiterobinson793]

Why aren’t people like max miller not in today’s theatres

[@brwhizz3060]

Can you actually pick out one thing he said that would be funny to modern audiences?

[@TWG1982]

@@brwhizz3060 Where's me washboard then?

[@pickneydem4087]

because you're bloomin foreign

[@geoff1945]

@CrankCase08 - On reflection, it may have appeared insulting but I still think that audiences and performers are relative. There are critics of Davison and Boyle, like you and I and there were critics of Max Miller in his time. While we are both entitled to our opinion on taste, we have to expect others would disagree with our concept of gutter humour. For me the only tasteless thing about Max Miller was his clothes sense.,,,,,,,,,,,,,I am joking here!

[@bellyruffian]

Impossible to better this, the demon king of Hibblesvania

[@BigSnipp]

I speak English, but have trouble following his words.

[@MDBellamy]

@kazantzakis01 And no Benny Hill, Frankie Howerd, or Tommy Cooper either! Rude AND brilliant.

[@mediantrader]

Why is the word " sissy" removed? ................."I did not know it was a sissy horse". My god what a world we have created when 1930's films are dubbed over.

[@sirgashmbe_nwa5397]

fast show ripped him off

[@althejazz]

Raid 517 has been watching too much of Michael McKintyre - if he finds THAT guy funny it's no wonder he doesn't like Max. Saw him live several times but was too young appreciate him properly. He was very careful with his money was Max and he could drink all night in a pub without putting his hand in his pocket once. Not mean - just clever.

[@deltorso]

+Alan Bond Michael McKintyre is about as funny as a dose of Clap.

[@johnlewis9158]

+Alan Bond . you have to take into consideration that this is a family film. I Would imagine the routine he use for clubs and alike were a lot more near the mark

[@colinwilkes8957]

Deltorso glad I’m not the only one can’t stand mcintire