The Art of Tommy Cooper

Copyright: BBC
Tommy Cooper was a national comedy institution whose catchphrases still remain in the language today. This bumbling giant with outsized feet and hands, whose mere entrance on stage had audiences erupting with uncontrollable laughter, was born in Caerphilly in 1921.
This programme looks at the life and art of the man in the fez, whose clumsy, fumbling stage magic tricks hid a real talent as a magician. His private life was complicated and often difficult, but as far as his audiences were concerned, he was first and foremost a clown whose confusion with the mechanisms of everyday life made for hilarious viewing.

[@cookeeee1962]

Beloved Tommy Cooper...born to make a bad day better. In England my childhood this fella made medicine....laughter xx

[@marineboy1964]

RIP Tommy cooper and Michael Parkinson both giants in entertainment and never forgotten

[@KatMusic2009]

Also R.I.P. Tom O'Connor, Barry Cryer, & Victor Spinetti.

[@ballysboots6937]

A complete an utter comic genius who still makes me fall about laughing to this day.

[@eastcoastuk1120]

Saw him live in Southend. Came on an Hour and 40 minutes late. I had to hold my face muscles because they hurt from laughter. He did nothing but my face hurt so much from face cramp. Amazing man to see.

[@WalterJoergLangbein]

Thank you, Mr. Cooper! You were a giant in every respect!

[@freddoflintstono9321]

My late father in law met him after a recording at LWT - afterwards he always had a drink so he was at their bar, naturally surrounded by the TV staff, doing tricks. Bumbling as he made himself appear on the stage, Tommy Cooper was actually a very, very good magician who had no problem doing magic tricks while multiple people tried to work out how he managed them. He was a true performer.

[@WalterJoergLangbein]

Tommy Cooper makes me smile, he makes me laugh and he makes me get better. I guess, he makes my soul smile!

[@nicholc7300]

I wish I had been born back in the days of Tommy Cooper, Morecambe and Wise, Les Dawson etc, he was a genius, comedian and magician, I've got dvds of him which I watch and just laugh and laugh you don't get comedy like his anymore, he was a one off Rest In Peace Tommy 🙏❤️🌹

[@Kiki-yw9kc]

He was a genius and a legend, thankyou Tommy for all the laughs and no doubt in heaven and bringing the place down

[@1959Berre]

Such a wonderful man. He was able to make the impossible combination of laughter and sadness work. Still miss him.

[@emilywhitfield2780]

He strikes me as having a sadness about him especially in the eyes! I think he felt people were laughing at him and Not with him! To me he was a sweet funny beautiful man!!!

[@Parkhana12]

Good televisual summary, well-constructed, no flimmary or flammary. Flimmary. THANK You.

[@johnprice7303]

U-tube is the greatest medium ever created, It contains so many memories, and so much history

[@supergrahamg]

I totally agree, a treasure trove of stimulating documentaries on every conceivable subject...

[@MrAsBBB]

You Tube will be one of the very few good things to come out of social media as it does curate history and memories!

[@LindaBrown-ut6dj]

@@supergrahamg qa

[@libbyreesbarresi7459]

we lost such an awesome and funny man...he was the best, there will never be anyone that can do better than Tommy Cooper. I will never forget the day he died I knew as soon as he fell he was gone...so sad but he went out with everyone laughing, the best way to go....RIP Tommy you were the best, you made my childhood to my 20's very funny

[@stephencutajar2548]

The only comedian that could make you laugh just by walking on the stage and doing nothing. I watch his shows over and over again and still laugh till I cry.

[@malahammer]

And Eric Morecambe....the only two

[@petergreen2552]

He was SO funny. Blessed with the most perfect comic timing. Only had to walk on the stage and look to one side. That was enough. 😂

[@emilywhitfield2780]

What a sweet, wonderful and beautiful man! He's in Heaven making Dove, Tommy Jr and his parents laugh!!!

[@cameronfitzgerald4043]

There will never be anyone like him in another fifty years one of a kind genius.

[@jerryjames9502]

THE GOAT...GREETINGS LOVE AND MUCH RESPECT FROM DUBLIN IRELAND...

[@mpdalyful1]

I agree Tommy cooper was the funniest person I ever saw on TV. 2nd was Les Dawson

[@geoffjoffy]

This man was so naturally funny he didn't even have to say anything funny. Haha. Legend.

[@johnledingham852]

Tommy gave me much entertainment. Lots of chortles and laughter. Was that coincidental, no that's what Tommy was after. Tommy put a smile in my heart, a great big grin all over my face. We all know he was a treasure, a gem for the whole human race.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

He cheers me up every time i see him

[@brianmcnamara8553]

He was the only comic who made my grandfather laugh.....I'm a different generation and he makes me laugh out loud.

[@jocksmen]

RIP THANK U 4 MAKING MY LIFE & THE WORLD A "BETTER PLACE". RESPECTS.

[@markharrison2544]

What about beating his wife?

[@deepee1988]

Me too❤✌👌👌👌❤👌❤👌❤

[@peterholland3746]

@@markharrison2544 she gave as good as she got. A tough woman

[@bunnyboyau]

I remember as a kid crying till I pee'd myself at the new ham old ham sketch, great man

[@overlordbleak3994]

Easily my favourite comedian of all time. If I watch him, I laugh. Simple as that. Wish I'd been able to see him live

[@cheeselewoo4825]

An amazing man and a great loss to all who knew him and watched him perform.

[@MrAsBBB]

Simply the best! The one and only.

[@jrbs]

I loved him when I was a kid. He really was unique and I think his complicated troubled character was actually what made him so special. God bless him😉😉😁

[@cashmandillian4600]

A man came up to me and said "Have you seen a Policeman about?" I said "No" And he said "Okay stick' em up"

[@worldofameiso5491]

I remember in the early eighties drinking in the Star Inn in Eastbourne, and Tommy and his wife would come in and sit quietly at a table. Tommy would drink Holsten Pils, and occasionally people would briefly greet him and he would respond, but generally people would just leave him alone to enjoy a quiet drink. He came across as a humble, gentleman...

[@someoneelse.2252]

A total classic.

[@raybokor2]

loved him on tv ...i lived in bournemouth in the mid to late 60s and mother was a barmaid at the royal and she would come home and tell us who she had sered that day. michael bentine tommy cooper so many names . he still makes everyone laugh today . long live the king of comedy

[@kushcloud420]

Your mum is so lucky my nan told me he's my great great uncle or something like that he's related to my nans mum I wish I got to meet him I was also born in the same town same hospital the miners

[@raybokor2]

@@kushcloud420 these comedians and entertainers were trailblazers Tommy and many others are still legends because their comedy is timeless .people of all ages still quote them . hold that i your heart when you think about him as a relative that you never met .

[@kushcloud420]

@@raybokor2 I'd love to learn more about him like how I happen to be related to him and all sorts Ive always loved his jokes and failed magic attempts he's such a big romodel where I grew up there a big statu in the town and all sorts when my nan mentioned I was related to him my curiosity peeked

[@cucaenkel5373]

Find tommy just a few days ago (strange, I'm 43 today). what I know is that he is the best comedians I've ever seen. I watch all the clips I can find, check not only the day's entertainment without search back in time, you never know what you may be missing out of. thanks Tommy

[@Theoobovril]

Tommy, along with Franky Howard, two of the most unique comedy performers ever known.

[@gmy33]

alcohol kills all .. thats why its legal ..thank you tommy for being great !!

[@Cykoid]

"The man literally died to the sound of laughter".... and I would bet my bottom dollar that was exactly the way he wanted to go.

[@Sheffield_Steve]

I remember being a young lad, watching that moment at Her Majesty's when it happened. I, just like the audience at Her Majesty's, thought it was part of the act, I soon realized it wasn't. Such a sad night.

[@nickpayne4711]

Watched it as well with my dad. Both thought it was part of the act. Very sad

[@janinefarnell8570]

10 years old and the memory has never left me.

[@emilywhitfield2780]

It was sad the way he died but died doing what he loved!!

[@hankheavy]

Comedy Genius!

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

The number one giant of comedy in his era. Never surpassed, or even equalled.

[@louisreniers9887]

Stewart Nicol as BILLY CONNOLLY your right about that never a better comedian

[@peterhunt5890]

Loved tommy he was BRILLIANT thank you

[@mcfcste99]

Just like that R.I.P Tommy Cooper hilarious 👏

[@bartknegt]

legend...

[@markevans7860]

woo what a man, so bloody funny but without using the f& cwords .a great showman & entertainer- people like this don't come around that often so we need to remember his brilliance and have a few hundred drinks to keep up with the legend

[@CMDR_Verm]

Great tribute. It means I have to watch him doing the hat routine now as it always makes me laugh out loud.

[@barryjacobs8524]

What a great man. Yes I still remember Tommy. He always made me laugh. Even when I saw him slip down the curtain I thought it was part of the act. 19 April 1984, so very sad. See clips of him on u tube and he is still as funny now as he was then. There is a man called Paul who goes around cemeteries called Unusual Things. He visited Tommy’s gravesite, just a small grave stone, neglected. So sad I would have taken him some flowers, Paul always taps the graves and always says Thankyou mate, you made us laugh. Goodbye Tommy RIP dear soul you will never be forgotton so if you happen to know where Tommy is buried, please take some flowers and say thanks for the memories. ❤

[@cs_fl5048]

The best line in this video: "It was a shared joke with the audience; it was like a conspiracy." I never realized that... but it is true. You KNEW it was corny, you were WAITING for it to be corny, You went hoping to hear it be corny... I was indeed a conspiracy between Tommy and the audience. But then he would zing you with a real trick and THEN you knew inside that he was brilliant, and you were a part of it.

[@theBESTelvis]

GENIUS, THE BEST EVER !!

[@mekydro]

'Deep Blue Day' (background music) at the start - a really unusual choice! Great video of a truly great talent, all the same.

[@MorbidlyObeseCat]

Brilliant, thank you

[@hughgrection4205]

As I watch this video, I notice that 143,423 others also watched it before me and yet there is but 84 comments. Strange. Has there ever been a comedian that could gain such laugher from just standing there. In my youth.... everybody told jokes, it's who we were. Tommy's jokes were corny but never failed to make us laugh no matter how many times you had heard it. Why, because the joke made you picture Tommy and that was enough. Nothing has changed for those of us that grew up with that lovely man.

[@gtrman9706]

Tommy was a one and only.

[@3vimages471]

Funny bones …… some people just have it. Tommy Cooper, Peter Kaye, Ken Dodd. Just funny.

[@nobunaga240]

Now that’s a great pub quiz question to honour a great man …….”which British performer appeared on the Ed Sullivan show twice before the Beatles did?

[@drweetabix]

Great upload thanks

[@tommygregory1486]

brilliant man 👨

[@mickeybigbuds]

thumbed up by 4 min 23 sec. such a talented man.brilliant.

[@BrianSmith-gz7op]

the best on tv in all times

[@qrit91]

Absolute legend, greets from The Netherlands. Also, congrats with Brexit! I hope we will follow you soon.

[@roberttaylor2507]

YES the " Guilder " will re-emerge once again ...and hopefully prosperity all around....But only time will tell, if we have done the right move.

[@gremlinuk1968]

was 16, when I seen him die 1984,!! on tv,!!

[@johnheckley4002]

My father looked like him and adored him ! A magical man

[@deb8498]

They say everyone has a double.. I was just thinking.. Could there possibly another man that looked like Tommy.. And I then saw your comment..🙂 We all love Tommy Its so easy to Love Tommy He makes you laugh Raises your spirits Just like that...🙂💚🌿🕊 Gob Bless Tommy...

[@normanj1975]

One of a kind.

[@clauderebello2850]

I was a cab driver.. in DUNSTABLE.. in 1981.. was sent to the NORMAN KING.. to take him to the PINK ELEPHANT..CEASARS.. SKIMPOT LANE.. and when we were set to go.. the car battery..died.. while waiting for a back up cap.. I'M PANICKING.. he leaned over.. and jaded me a £20 note.. and said.. no worries..son..R.I.P..

[@emilywhitfield2780]

How sweet

[@weavethehawk]

I was watching the fateful TV show. After he collapsed, which the audience thought was all part of the act, there was a fade to commercials, after which the show continued. It was only when the news came on after the show, that it was announced that he had died. I could not believe it.

[@MrBarreloflaughs]

He was - like a poet

[@RP12ification]

Roam the stars Tommy, u was great sir!

[@johndearden7931]

It was a strange scenario when he died. I was in a bar in Holland and they put a TV on a stool just to watch him. It seemed strange to me that the Dutch loved him so much. But they did.

[@abezierkje6938]

Yes we did and I still do. I had all of him on video 😀The Dutch love all the British humor. And the comicseries.

[@fatbelly27]

The man was unique

[@MrStevebarclay]

Just the funniest man ever!

[@deepee1988]

I was 11years old when he died and seen it live on TV when it happened..

[@northnsouth6813]

Good clean entertainment, not like a lot of the foul mouth comics of today.

[@peterholland3746]

Your so right

[@bernardbrady1926]

They, will never be another genius like Tommy Cooper RIP my friend

[@hazycd]

This was awesome to watch the beginning of stand up

[@susannah1948]

Brilliant

[@archiebald4717]

In those days comedians were actually funny. Imagine that!

[@martinevans7771]

he is the best I think so

[@michaelholmes4374]

Great tribute lovely man flord but who isn't

[@peterwood-jenkins3634]

Clever Comic sad really a very mixed up personal life and an alcholic

[@freqeist]

REMEMBER THE NIGHT HE DIED it was part of my (our) life watching live, with my dad, it was my "what was you doing when JFK was assasinated" type thing, I was still wearing a towel after having a bath..like it was yesterday I was 20..im now almost 55 and my dad has gone too. Great memories.

[@Kkardemumma]

The big man had a big funny funny bone. Just naturally funny. His timing wasn't impeccable, it was just right.

[@weeman1357]

I've searched high and low to see some footage of the mighty Tommy Cooper's bank manager, I can now rest easy. (Said no one ever!)

[@robertgibbs7387]

My dad and his family were Welsh . Respect for Wales and the Welsh.

[@mrjules2008]

A wonderful and unique English comic. I’m surprised watching this he was successful in America I thought laughing at our failings was very English humour.

[@99beatmonster]

an English comic from...Wales, ha ha !!

[@mrjules2008]

O yeah my bad I should’ve said british 🤦‍♂️

[@99beatmonster]

@@mrjules2008 it's all good...just like that !!

[@stephenrandall3551]

His brother had a magic and joke shop in Slough. Went there many times.

[@errolkim1334]

There's fuck all in Slough now mate I can assure you of that much. Nice old Railway Station, and a whole pile of scumbags.

[@timeconstrained2400]

...and there he was....just like that, no more no less.

[@jjff7507]

Lovely man

[@andrewcorbett5729]

A true one off.

[@labellaescrima1996]

Sadly he was a drunk and never tried to fight it off, he was not a happy man even though he made a living of making us laugh. Sad man, sad story, sad life, RIP Tommy!

[@gabrielsalvador334]

Really!!. La Bella

[@tunercvr]

Nice doc, I loved him growing up. Anyone know the incidental music starting around 4:00 and at 14:34? There's nothing in the show credits.

[@sunnysammut1332]

Try to 'Shazam' it

[@Wadaryu1000]

"Just like that!"

[@jackcooney7825]

Funny funny funny i am still laughing

[@LucVanHecke0007]

I can't help it but he's the best ever lived because he was in real life the same as in his shows and yeah i like to laugh and be funny :)

[@deepee1988]

He was a proper clown. He had big feet an all😂 best comedian in human history. And an.alcoholic like I am.

[@Alan-io2ew]

I stand corrected...and check out Tony Hancock,the Blood Donor.

[@MitchellLeary1]

I've been into magic for over 50 years and I've never heard of Tommy Cooper. What a great person to discover, all that comedy and magic to hear and watch. I've got to put myself in the right state of mind to fully appreciate this. I do have a trick Fez like his that I assume doubles as a magician's egg bag.

[@squeakeththewheel]

The music at 2:44 is not Brian Eno, it is Sigur Ros

[@danmayberry1185]

I could listen to Rhod Gilbert read the phone book.

[@emanueldavid7174]

Funniest comedian ever

[@stefantwotimes]

did you say 13 feet ??!!

[@kevinmorse8814]

He lived and then He died, Just like That 😃

[@sunnysammut1332]

Not like that, like that

[@stelley08]

definitely looked like his mum and dad

[@Merca230e]

I still remember how he did his tricks. Not like that-----like that.

[@petersutton2182]

Date of this interview?

[@23in1]

The date of production of the movie seems to be 2007 (information confirmed by the last screen of the end credits).

[@MrVinamp]

17:41 LOL