Ernest Wiseman, OBE (27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became a national institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials.
Early life and education
Ernest Wiseman, born in Bramley (a district of Leeds) to Harry and Connie Wiseman (née Wright), was the eldest of five children, and changed his name (as did his future partner) to go into show business. He attended first Thorpe Infant and Junior School, and then East Ardsley Boys' School, but entered the entertainment industry in 1933, appearing as an actor and singer in music hall. His father, Harry, a railway lamp man, was also a semi-professional singer, and they appeared together under the name "Bert Carson and his Little Wonder". He started making solo appearances—singing, dancing, and telling jokes—in 1936, and, in autumn of 1938 he came to the attention of Bryan Michie, a leading juvenile talent spotter, who recommended him to the impresario Jack Hylton.
Tributes from Des O'Connor, Angela Rippon and Bill Cotton to the much-loved comedian upon his death 21.3.99 (news item heavily edited to remove all Morecambe & Wise Show copyrighted material). Also continuity for the M&W Show repeat that was shown, and a trail for a new natural history documentary called Supernatural that followed.
published: 15 Mar 2021
Eric and Ernie: Mastermind
Morecambe and Wise - absolute class
published: 18 Dec 2007
Morecambe and Wise - Snooker Clip with Steve Davis
published: 24 Dec 2011
Morecambe And Wise (1960)
M/S of a stationary merry-go-round at the fun fair at Battersea Festival Gardens; comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise (carrying a small leather case) enter shot from right, look round and then walk off again. M/Ss as they walk past the Big Dipper and roundabouts towards the restaurant and stop to look at a sign; C/U of the sign reading 'Festival Beer Garden': C/U of Eric and Ernie mouthing "Beer Garden" and nodding, then they walk in.
M/S of a terrace by a lake with a kind of model village with windmill and Ferris wheel in the background; two men are sitting at tables with drinks as Eric and Ernie walk into shot; they walk past the table of the first man and stop to peer at his beer mat, walk on to the next table to peer at the second man's beer mat, sit at the next table and Eric ...
published: 13 Apr 2014
The Shocking Death of Tommy Cooper: Ernie Wise Pays Tribute (1984)
On 15 April 1984, titan of British entertainment Tommy Cooper suffered a fatal heart attack during a segment on the London Weekend Television variety show Live from Her Majesty's. As the show was broadcast to the nation live, the audience of 12 million – as well as the production crew – initially believed the comedian and magician's collapse to be part of the act, and laughed along. The show then continued to its end, with the following acts performing in front of the curtains while attempts were made to revive Cooper backstage. It was not until the following morning that Cooper's death was reported, although the onstage incident led the Late News programme that followed the show.
The next day, Ernie Wise appeared on the News at One to pay tribute to his longtime friend and colleague. One...
published: 16 Apr 2023
This Is Your Life - Ernie Wise
Ernie Wise featured on an episode of This Is Your Life, which was first shown on ITV on Boxing Day 1990.
published: 18 Nov 2018
Ernie Wise talks about Eric Morecambe
published: 24 Apr 2024
Ernie Wise - The London Palladium 80th Birthday Show
Ernie Wise on the 80th Birthday show for The London Palladium 1990
Tributes from Des O'Connor, Angela Rippon and Bill Cotton to the much-loved comedian upon his death 21.3.99 (news item heavily edited to remove all Morecambe & ...
Tributes from Des O'Connor, Angela Rippon and Bill Cotton to the much-loved comedian upon his death 21.3.99 (news item heavily edited to remove all Morecambe & Wise Show copyrighted material). Also continuity for the M&W Show repeat that was shown, and a trail for a new natural history documentary called Supernatural that followed.
Tributes from Des O'Connor, Angela Rippon and Bill Cotton to the much-loved comedian upon his death 21.3.99 (news item heavily edited to remove all Morecambe & Wise Show copyrighted material). Also continuity for the M&W Show repeat that was shown, and a trail for a new natural history documentary called Supernatural that followed.
M/S of a stationary merry-go-round at the fun fair at Battersea Festival Gardens; comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise (carrying a small leather case) enter ...
M/S of a stationary merry-go-round at the fun fair at Battersea Festival Gardens; comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise (carrying a small leather case) enter shot from right, look round and then walk off again. M/Ss as they walk past the Big Dipper and roundabouts towards the restaurant and stop to look at a sign; C/U of the sign reading 'Festival Beer Garden': C/U of Eric and Ernie mouthing "Beer Garden" and nodding, then they walk in.
M/S of a terrace by a lake with a kind of model village with windmill and Ferris wheel in the background; two men are sitting at tables with drinks as Eric and Ernie walk into shot; they walk past the table of the first man and stop to peer at his beer mat, walk on to the next table to peer at the second man's beer mat, sit at the next table and Eric rubs his hands with glee and beckons the waiter. Commentator says "To put you in the picture Eric Morecambe (the one with the specs) and Ernie Wise are keen tegestologists - which (for the uninitiated) means they collect beer mats". Waiter enters shot, takes their order and walks off.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table as the waiter brings them two beers; they examine the beer mats the waiter places on the table - obviously not thinking too much of them and start to drink. M/S from another angle showing the man at the next table in foreground, reading a newspaper. Commentator says "To quote them: 'Our interest at first was mild but now we follow it through to the bitter end!'"
Eric and Ernie peer over the reading man's shoulders to look at his beer mat and nod at each other. Then follows a bit of 'business' as Ernie asks the man for the time while Eric tries to steal his beer mat; he doesn't quite manage it as the man turns round and almost catches him; Eric smoothes the man's jacket and sits back down. C/U of the first man sitting at a table who has seen the whole thing; he is quite old and formally dressed. He looks shocked and his monocle falls out of his eye.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table with the reading man in foreground; C/Us of Eric and Ernie as they seem to be arguing about who should approach the man next. M/S as Ernie reluctantly taps the man on the shoulder, snatches his newspaper and starts to read it. The man sits there looking bemused; while he is distracted Eric replaces the man's beer mat with his own; Ernie hands back the newspaper and they both sit down. C/U of the old man looking outraged and taking a gulp of beer.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table looking delighted with their new mat while the reading man carries on none the wiser. Ernie unzips the small leather case and starts to take out piles of beer mats. C/U of old man watching. Commentator says "Morcambe and Wise actually have many thousands collected on tours in this country and abroad". C/Us of Eric and Ernie setting out hundreds of mats on the table; Eric taking another wad of mats from his jacket pocket; brilliant C/U of him patting them and grinning, then of Ernie rubbing his hands with glee.
C/Us of Eric looking round suspiciously; the old man looking on; Eric pulling up his jacket collar to try and cover his face and hide the mats in his hands. C/U of the table covered with beer mats as we see Eric and Ernie's hands sorting them.
Note: Fabulous film with the wonderful Eric and Ernie looking very young - Eric looks gorgeous! On file is a suggested commentary for the film from The George Bartram Press Relations Organisation in Birmingham who represented Morecambe and Wise at the time.
FILM ID:107.1
A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT'S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS, AND CLASSIC MOVIES. http://www.britishpathe.tv/
FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/
British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website. https://www.britishpathe.com/
M/S of a stationary merry-go-round at the fun fair at Battersea Festival Gardens; comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise (carrying a small leather case) enter shot from right, look round and then walk off again. M/Ss as they walk past the Big Dipper and roundabouts towards the restaurant and stop to look at a sign; C/U of the sign reading 'Festival Beer Garden': C/U of Eric and Ernie mouthing "Beer Garden" and nodding, then they walk in.
M/S of a terrace by a lake with a kind of model village with windmill and Ferris wheel in the background; two men are sitting at tables with drinks as Eric and Ernie walk into shot; they walk past the table of the first man and stop to peer at his beer mat, walk on to the next table to peer at the second man's beer mat, sit at the next table and Eric rubs his hands with glee and beckons the waiter. Commentator says "To put you in the picture Eric Morecambe (the one with the specs) and Ernie Wise are keen tegestologists - which (for the uninitiated) means they collect beer mats". Waiter enters shot, takes their order and walks off.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table as the waiter brings them two beers; they examine the beer mats the waiter places on the table - obviously not thinking too much of them and start to drink. M/S from another angle showing the man at the next table in foreground, reading a newspaper. Commentator says "To quote them: 'Our interest at first was mild but now we follow it through to the bitter end!'"
Eric and Ernie peer over the reading man's shoulders to look at his beer mat and nod at each other. Then follows a bit of 'business' as Ernie asks the man for the time while Eric tries to steal his beer mat; he doesn't quite manage it as the man turns round and almost catches him; Eric smoothes the man's jacket and sits back down. C/U of the first man sitting at a table who has seen the whole thing; he is quite old and formally dressed. He looks shocked and his monocle falls out of his eye.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table with the reading man in foreground; C/Us of Eric and Ernie as they seem to be arguing about who should approach the man next. M/S as Ernie reluctantly taps the man on the shoulder, snatches his newspaper and starts to read it. The man sits there looking bemused; while he is distracted Eric replaces the man's beer mat with his own; Ernie hands back the newspaper and they both sit down. C/U of the old man looking outraged and taking a gulp of beer.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table looking delighted with their new mat while the reading man carries on none the wiser. Ernie unzips the small leather case and starts to take out piles of beer mats. C/U of old man watching. Commentator says "Morcambe and Wise actually have many thousands collected on tours in this country and abroad". C/Us of Eric and Ernie setting out hundreds of mats on the table; Eric taking another wad of mats from his jacket pocket; brilliant C/U of him patting them and grinning, then of Ernie rubbing his hands with glee.
C/Us of Eric looking round suspiciously; the old man looking on; Eric pulling up his jacket collar to try and cover his face and hide the mats in his hands. C/U of the table covered with beer mats as we see Eric and Ernie's hands sorting them.
Note: Fabulous film with the wonderful Eric and Ernie looking very young - Eric looks gorgeous! On file is a suggested commentary for the film from The George Bartram Press Relations Organisation in Birmingham who represented Morecambe and Wise at the time.
FILM ID:107.1
A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT'S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS, AND CLASSIC MOVIES. http://www.britishpathe.tv/
FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/
British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website. https://www.britishpathe.com/
On 15 April 1984, titan of British entertainment Tommy Cooper suffered a fatal heart attack during a segment on the London Weekend Television variety show Live ...
On 15 April 1984, titan of British entertainment Tommy Cooper suffered a fatal heart attack during a segment on the London Weekend Television variety show Live from Her Majesty's. As the show was broadcast to the nation live, the audience of 12 million – as well as the production crew – initially believed the comedian and magician's collapse to be part of the act, and laughed along. The show then continued to its end, with the following acts performing in front of the curtains while attempts were made to revive Cooper backstage. It was not until the following morning that Cooper's death was reported, although the onstage incident led the Late News programme that followed the show.
The next day, Ernie Wise appeared on the News at One to pay tribute to his longtime friend and colleague. One half of the iconic Morecambe and Wise duo, Wise and his partner Eric Morecambe had come up through the post-war music hall entertainment scene alongside Cooper. "He was an actual funny man... when you were with him, you were laughing all the time."
#TommyCooper #ErnieWise #Comedy #Comedian #News #Magic #Magician #EricMorecambe
To license the footage featured in this clip, follow the link below:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/prince-and-princess-of-wales-attend-e-t-film-premier-news-footage/816074110?phrase=AS091282034*&adppopup=true
To search the ITN Archive collection on Getty Images, follow the link below:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/footage/itn
🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel (tap the bell icon and stay up to date with all the latest ITN Archive videos!) - https://www.youtube.com/@ITNArchive
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🎥 Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ITNArchiveITNP
🎥 Check out our TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@itnarchive1955
On 15 April 1984, titan of British entertainment Tommy Cooper suffered a fatal heart attack during a segment on the London Weekend Television variety show Live from Her Majesty's. As the show was broadcast to the nation live, the audience of 12 million – as well as the production crew – initially believed the comedian and magician's collapse to be part of the act, and laughed along. The show then continued to its end, with the following acts performing in front of the curtains while attempts were made to revive Cooper backstage. It was not until the following morning that Cooper's death was reported, although the onstage incident led the Late News programme that followed the show.
The next day, Ernie Wise appeared on the News at One to pay tribute to his longtime friend and colleague. One half of the iconic Morecambe and Wise duo, Wise and his partner Eric Morecambe had come up through the post-war music hall entertainment scene alongside Cooper. "He was an actual funny man... when you were with him, you were laughing all the time."
#TommyCooper #ErnieWise #Comedy #Comedian #News #Magic #Magician #EricMorecambe
To license the footage featured in this clip, follow the link below:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/prince-and-princess-of-wales-attend-e-t-film-premier-news-footage/816074110?phrase=AS091282034*&adppopup=true
To search the ITN Archive collection on Getty Images, follow the link below:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/footage/itn
🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel (tap the bell icon and stay up to date with all the latest ITN Archive videos!) - https://www.youtube.com/@ITNArchive
🎥 Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ITNArchive
🎥 Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ITNArchiveITNP
🎥 Check out our TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@itnarchive1955
Tributes from Des O'Connor, Angela Rippon and Bill Cotton to the much-loved comedian upon his death 21.3.99 (news item heavily edited to remove all Morecambe & Wise Show copyrighted material). Also continuity for the M&W Show repeat that was shown, and a trail for a new natural history documentary called Supernatural that followed.
M/S of a stationary merry-go-round at the fun fair at Battersea Festival Gardens; comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise (carrying a small leather case) enter shot from right, look round and then walk off again. M/Ss as they walk past the Big Dipper and roundabouts towards the restaurant and stop to look at a sign; C/U of the sign reading 'Festival Beer Garden': C/U of Eric and Ernie mouthing "Beer Garden" and nodding, then they walk in.
M/S of a terrace by a lake with a kind of model village with windmill and Ferris wheel in the background; two men are sitting at tables with drinks as Eric and Ernie walk into shot; they walk past the table of the first man and stop to peer at his beer mat, walk on to the next table to peer at the second man's beer mat, sit at the next table and Eric rubs his hands with glee and beckons the waiter. Commentator says "To put you in the picture Eric Morecambe (the one with the specs) and Ernie Wise are keen tegestologists - which (for the uninitiated) means they collect beer mats". Waiter enters shot, takes their order and walks off.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table as the waiter brings them two beers; they examine the beer mats the waiter places on the table - obviously not thinking too much of them and start to drink. M/S from another angle showing the man at the next table in foreground, reading a newspaper. Commentator says "To quote them: 'Our interest at first was mild but now we follow it through to the bitter end!'"
Eric and Ernie peer over the reading man's shoulders to look at his beer mat and nod at each other. Then follows a bit of 'business' as Ernie asks the man for the time while Eric tries to steal his beer mat; he doesn't quite manage it as the man turns round and almost catches him; Eric smoothes the man's jacket and sits back down. C/U of the first man sitting at a table who has seen the whole thing; he is quite old and formally dressed. He looks shocked and his monocle falls out of his eye.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table with the reading man in foreground; C/Us of Eric and Ernie as they seem to be arguing about who should approach the man next. M/S as Ernie reluctantly taps the man on the shoulder, snatches his newspaper and starts to read it. The man sits there looking bemused; while he is distracted Eric replaces the man's beer mat with his own; Ernie hands back the newspaper and they both sit down. C/U of the old man looking outraged and taking a gulp of beer.
M/S of Eric and Ernie at their table looking delighted with their new mat while the reading man carries on none the wiser. Ernie unzips the small leather case and starts to take out piles of beer mats. C/U of old man watching. Commentator says "Morcambe and Wise actually have many thousands collected on tours in this country and abroad". C/Us of Eric and Ernie setting out hundreds of mats on the table; Eric taking another wad of mats from his jacket pocket; brilliant C/U of him patting them and grinning, then of Ernie rubbing his hands with glee.
C/Us of Eric looking round suspiciously; the old man looking on; Eric pulling up his jacket collar to try and cover his face and hide the mats in his hands. C/U of the table covered with beer mats as we see Eric and Ernie's hands sorting them.
Note: Fabulous film with the wonderful Eric and Ernie looking very young - Eric looks gorgeous! On file is a suggested commentary for the film from The George Bartram Press Relations Organisation in Birmingham who represented Morecambe and Wise at the time.
FILM ID:107.1
A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT'S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS, AND CLASSIC MOVIES. http://www.britishpathe.tv/
FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/
British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website. https://www.britishpathe.com/
On 15 April 1984, titan of British entertainment Tommy Cooper suffered a fatal heart attack during a segment on the London Weekend Television variety show Live from Her Majesty's. As the show was broadcast to the nation live, the audience of 12 million – as well as the production crew – initially believed the comedian and magician's collapse to be part of the act, and laughed along. The show then continued to its end, with the following acts performing in front of the curtains while attempts were made to revive Cooper backstage. It was not until the following morning that Cooper's death was reported, although the onstage incident led the Late News programme that followed the show.
The next day, Ernie Wise appeared on the News at One to pay tribute to his longtime friend and colleague. One half of the iconic Morecambe and Wise duo, Wise and his partner Eric Morecambe had come up through the post-war music hall entertainment scene alongside Cooper. "He was an actual funny man... when you were with him, you were laughing all the time."
#TommyCooper #ErnieWise #Comedy #Comedian #News #Magic #Magician #EricMorecambe
To license the footage featured in this clip, follow the link below:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/prince-and-princess-of-wales-attend-e-t-film-premier-news-footage/816074110?phrase=AS091282034*&adppopup=true
To search the ITN Archive collection on Getty Images, follow the link below:
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/footage/itn
🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel (tap the bell icon and stay up to date with all the latest ITN Archive videos!) - https://www.youtube.com/@ITNArchive
🎥 Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ITNArchive
🎥 Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ITNArchiveITNP
🎥 Check out our TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@itnarchive1955
Ernest Wiseman, OBE (27 November 1925 – 21 March 1999), known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became a national institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials.
Early life and education
Ernest Wiseman, born in Bramley (a district of Leeds) to Harry and Connie Wiseman (née Wright), was the eldest of five children, and changed his name (as did his future partner) to go into show business. He attended first Thorpe Infant and Junior School, and then East Ardsley Boys' School, but entered the entertainment industry in 1933, appearing as an actor and singer in music hall. His father, Harry, a railway lamp man, was also a semi-professional singer, and they appeared together under the name "Bert Carson and his Little Wonder". He started making solo appearances—singing, dancing, and telling jokes—in 1936, and, in autumn of 1938 he came to the attention of Bryan Michie, a leading juvenile talent spotter, who recommended him to the impresario Jack Hylton.
Jaane Kaun Saa Rastaa Usake Ghar Ko Jaataa Jaane Kaun Saa Rang Hai Usake Mann Ko Bhaataa Aisi Kai Hai Paheliyaa Man Mein Kare Jo Athkheliyaan 2 Jaane Kaun Saa Vaadaa Usako Lubhaata Jaane Kaun Saa Rastaa Usake Ghar Ko Jata Kahi Door Se Main Hoon Gungunata Hua Uske Liye Naye Geet Gaataa Jaaane Kaun Saa Nagmaa Uske Mann Ko Bhaata Aisi Kai Hai Paheliyaa Man Mein Kare Jo Athkheliyaan 2 Jaane Kaun Saa Rastaa Usake Ghar Ko Jaataa Jaane Kaun Saa Rang Hai Usake Man Ko Bhaataa (Kabhi Dhoop Hai Kabhi Chhaanv Bhi Hai Kabhi Sard Hai Barsaat Bhi Hai) 2 Jaane Kaunsaa Mausam Usako Suhaataa Aisi Kai Hai Paheliyaa Man Mein Kare Jo Athkheliyaan 2 Jaane Kaun Saa Rastaa Usake Ghar Ko Jaataa Jaane Kaun Saa Rang Hai Usake Man Ko Bhaataa
The awkward exchange started when Tony Livesey said. 'They are uber professional, it's a privilege to sit alongside them' ... Clearly his email to / about @claremcdonnell1 told a few home truths, she Ernie Wise to his Eric Morecambe, just his stooge.’ ... .
The atmosphere was electric ... This week, 40 years after those Games were held right next to the pioneering hospital of the same name, the ParisParalympics opened ... Read More ... Other guests at his birthday included comedians Les Dawson and Ernie Wise ... .
... soggy election date announcement was further sabotaged by the Downing Street cat, Larry, shuffling about on the No 10 steps, like Eric Morecambe in the background of an excruciating Ernie Wise song?.
Ernie Clement homers to left field ... Daulton Varsho grounds out to shallow center field, Brett Wisely to Wilmer Flores ... Brett Wisely strikes out swinging. Thairo Estrada grounds out to shortstop, Ernie Clement to Vladimir Guerrero.
Comedy actress Miranda Hart (below) pays tribute to Eric Morecambe, telling his story by retracing his steps and visiting the places he appeared with partner Ernie Wise.
Because if Joan Bartlett had turned down Eric Morecambe in 1952, it's likely his double act with Ernie Wise would not have survived – and they could never have become the best-loved comic duo in TV history.
THEATRE. SHOW OF THE WEEK...Rating. ... L-R ... Siddons’ deep talent – we get a hint of her famous Lady Macbeth – is offset by her controlling brother, John Philip Kemble, a shouting ham actor played by Dominic Rowan with Ernie Wise levels of pretentiousness ... .
Many TV duos have come and gone, but none have enjoyed the enduring appeal of comedy pairing Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise...Morecambe and Wise with their wives Joan Bartlett and Doreen Blythe ... Doreen and Ernie.
She married the famed funny man, known for his double act Morecambe and Wise alongside Ernie Wise, in Margate in 1952... to unveil a statue in memory of her husband and his comic partner Ernie Wise.