Emney Enterprises – Nostalgia Central

1 9 5 4 – 1 9 5 7 (UK)
22 x 30 minute episodes

Born in London on 12 February 1900, the gruff, witty, monocle-wearing, cigar-smoking Churchill-lookalike Fred Emney appeared several times on pre-war British TV, usually in sketches with Richard Hearne.

When the television service resumed after WWII hostilities had ceased, commitments prevented him from returning to the medium until this mid-1950s series.

Guest stars aiding Emney in his scripted enterprises included Deryck Guyler, Rita Webb, Roger Avon, Edwin Styles, Robin Richmond, Margaret Holmes and Kenneth Connor.

A brief sequel, of sorts – The Fred Emney Show – had the ‘Big Man’ once again providing his own material in a series of sketches in 4 x 30-minute episodes between 7 February and 21 March 1957.

Fred Emney died in Bognor Regis, Sussex, on Christmas Day 1980. He was 80.

Fred Emney
Deryck Guyler
Rita Webb
Kenneth Connor
Roger Avon
Edwin Styles
Robin Richmond
Margaret Holmes