Funny Up North

Top 10 Billed Cast

C.P. Lee
C.P. Lee

Himself

Tony Wilson
Tony Wilson

Himself

Frank Randle
Frank Randle

Himself

George Formby
George Formby

Himself

Norman Evans
Norman Evans

Himself

Arthur Askey
Arthur Askey

Himself

Jimmy Jewel
Jimmy Jewel

Himself

Jimmy James
Jimmy James

Himself

Betty Driver
Betty Driver

Herself

Harry Korris
Harry Korris

Himself

Loading Trailer Videos...
  • HomePage

  • Overview

    Documentary featuring a cavalcade of Northern comedy stars including the great Frank Randle, George Formby, Arthur Askey, Norman Evans and many more. The North of England has always enjoyed its own very particular brand of comedy, best seen today in Coronation Street. 80 years ago however Mancunian Studios produced feature films for the northern masses. Funny Up North tells the story of the Mancunian Studios, its eccentric owner John E Blakeley and its cavalcade of stars including such household names as Arthur Askey, Jimmy Jewell, George Formby and the legendary Frank Randle. Hosted by Professor Chris Lee, the authority on northern cinema, Funny Up North takes you on a journey from its humble beginnings to its sad demise in the 1960s.

  • Release Date

    2011-07-23

  • Average

    6

  • Rating:

    3.0 starts
  • Tagline

    The History Of Northern Comedy

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    English
  • Keywords

Similar Movies

Dogtown and Z-Boys
70%

Dogtown and Z-Boys(en)

2002-05-10

This award-winning, thrilling story is about a group of discarded kids who revolutionized skateboarding and shaped the attitude and culture of modern day extreme sports. Featuring old skool skating footage, exclusive interviews and a blistering rock soundtrack, DOGTOWN AND Z-BOYS captures the rise of the Zephyr skateboarding team from Venice's Dogtown, a tough "locals only" beach with a legacy of outlaw surfing.

Me and You and Everyone We Know
70%

Me and You and Everyone We Know(en)

2005-05-12

Single dad Richard meets Christine, a starving artist who moonlights as a cabbie. They awkwardly attempt to start a romance, but Richard’s divorce has left him emotionally damaged. Meanwhile, Richard’s sons—one a teenager, the other 6-years-old—take part in clumsy experiments with the opposite sex.

Thumbsucker
62%

Thumbsucker(en)

2005-09-16

Justin Cobb, a teenager in suburban Oregon, copes with his thumb-sucking problem, romance, and his diagnosis with ADHD and subsequent experience using Ritalin.

What a Whopper
59%

What a Whopper(en)

1961-10-17

A writer attempts to raise some cash by writing a book about the Loch Ness Monster. No publisher will take it because they all think there isn't really a monster. The writer and some of his friends make a fake monster and take photographs and then travel to Scotland to see if they can convince the locals.

The Rules of Attraction
62%

The Rules of Attraction(en)

2002-10-11

The incredibly spoiled and overprivileged students of Camden College are a backdrop for an unusual love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate.

Russian Dolls
66%

Russian Dolls(fr)

2005-06-15

Five years after their summer together in Barcelona, Xavier, William, Wendy, Martine and Isabelle reunite.

Nowhere
68%

Nowhere(en)

1997-05-09

In Los Angeles, a colorful assortment of bohemians try to make sense of their intersecting lives. The moody Dark Smith, his bisexual girlfriend, her lesbian lover and their shy gay friend plan on attending the wildest party of the year. But they'll only make it if they can survive the drug trips, suicides, trysts, mutilations and alien abductions that occur as one surreal day unfolds.

The Trials of Alger Hiss
27%

The Trials of Alger Hiss(en)

1980-03-09

Documentary by lifelong friend that supports the innocence of Alger Hiss (convicted in January 1950 on two counts of espionage-related perjury)

Stereotype
90%

Stereotype(sl)

1997-11-30

Marjetka is living ten years with Maks, who is a painter, and an uncompromising conceptual artist. At first, it seemed different: Max was witty, charming, talented and promising, so he hired Marjetka to reach fame and success. "Well, it is funny today, but fame and money is not coming out of nowhere". The film has a poet, Srecko, Max's mother, an opera singer, and Vilma, Marjetka's friend. In short, the artists themselves, or as Max says from his point of view: "Slovenian - Country artists". And when Marjetka a few days after her 30th birthday, full of doubts about this way of life, which is not to her liking, she realizes that Maks is not only an irreversible bohemian, but also a slacker and sarcastic, she decides to change her life. And this is very radical. Rather than leave it to him.

2 Days in Paris
63%

2 Days in Paris(en)

2007-02-09

Marion and Jack try to rekindle their relationship with a visit to Paris, home of Marion's parents — and several of her ex-boyfriends.

Out of Sight
0%

Out of Sight(en)

1995-06-20

America may be ready for a blind woman who has a career or is raising a family, but is it ready for a blind woman who doesn't conform to the norms of proper behavior?

Man of the Year
28%

Man of the Year(en)

1995-09-15

First-time director Dirk Shafer also penned this raucous "mockumentary," a blend of fact and fiction that re-creates his 1992 reign as Playgirl magazine's Centerfold of the Year. When Shafer chooses to keep the fact that he's gay a secret from the magazine's editors, he finds himself living the ultimate lie -- and incapable of giving female readers what they really want. Will he succumb to his lover's pressures to come out of the closet?

Along Came Polly
60%

Along Came Polly(en)

2004-01-16

Reuben Feffer is a guy who's spent his entire life playing it safe. Polly Prince is irresistible as a free-spirit who lives for the thrill of the moment. When these two comically mismatched souls collide, Reuben's world is turned upside down, as he makes an uproarious attempt to change his life from middle-of-the-road to totally-out-there.

A Night in Heaven
45%

A Night in Heaven(en)

1983-11-18

Faye Hanlon is a community-college professor with an emotionally depressed husband and an abundance of sexual frustration. Her sister drags her to a male strip-club for a girls-night out, where she discovers that one of the dancers is her failing student Rick Monroe, a.k.a. "Ricky the Rocket". A heated affair between teacher & student ensues, as Faye struggles to reconcile her emotions and make consequential life choices: Continue her lustful sessions with the studly-but-shallow teen stripper? Or break it off with Ricky & work to salvage her marriage to the loving-but-distant husband?

Hannah Takes the Stairs
53%

Hannah Takes the Stairs(en)

2007-08-22

Hannah is a recent college graduate interning at a Chicago production company. She is crushing on two writers at work, Matt and Paul, who share an office and keep her entertained. Will a relationship with one of them disrupt the delicate balance of their friendship?

The Tumbling Trapalhões: Heading to Hollywood
70%

The Tumbling Trapalhões: Heading to Hollywood(pt)

2017-01-19

Since the ban on use of animals in circus shows, the Great Sumatra Circus faces a major financial crisis. Baron, who owns the circus, accepts unseemly proposals from the mayor to hold cattle auctions, rallies and other alternative events at the circus. Unhappy with the news, circus artists come together to plan a new show and re-attract the audience, led by Didi, Dedé and Karina.

2nd Serve
44%

2nd Serve(en)

2012-10-17

(Long Synopsis) "When former tennis pro Owen “Game Set” Match gets fired from his cushy job instructing at the affluent Fountain Club, he’s forced to take a position at the gritty public courts of the Derby City Recreation Center. There he contends with his new co-workers, a ragtag group of tennis pro misfits; his boss Sherry, a strong-willed, single mother; and her son Jake, a goth teenager and secret tennis hopeful. Slowly Owen begins to win over his colleagues, mend his broken friendships and help Jake fix his serve … and develops a romantic connection with Sherry, despite her insistence that she doesn't date tennis pros. Just when things seem to be looking up, Owen’s former boss and court nemesis challenges the Derby City club to a showdown in the annual Combo Cup tennis tournament. As he leads his team of oddball amateurs, Owen learns the most valuable lesson of all … On the court or off, everyone deserves a second chance!"

The Very Thought of You
56%

The Very Thought of You(en)

1998-05-08

Laurence recounts to his neighbour how his life long friendship with Frank and Daniel has been overturned in just three days by their each independently meeting, and falling for, Martha, who has no idea of their connection. Slowly the tale unfolds, the narrative moving backwards and forwards gradually filling in the gaps until we see the whole picture

SLC Punk
71%

SLC Punk(en)

1998-09-24

Two former geeks become 1980s punks, then party and go to concerts while deciding what to do with their lives.

Home Movies
56%

Home Movies(en)

1980-05-16

A cult guru urges a shy disciple to make life a movie and be its star.

Recommendations Movies

Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie
59%

Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie(en)

2003-01-10

The comedic stylings of four sort-of famous funnymen are brought to the big screen courtesy of this 2002 documentary.

Kevin Hart: Irresponsible
67%

Kevin Hart: Irresponsible(en)

2019-04-02

Stand-up comedian Kevin Hart talks about his family, travel and a year full of reckless behavior in front of a live sold-out crowd in London.

Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny
70%

Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny(en)

2010-07-20

Fresh off the heels of appearing in movies like Superhero Movie and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, fast-talking comedian Kevin Hart stars in his second live stand-up performance in Cleveland, Ohio, where he makes fun of everything and everybody - especially himself.

Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given
67%

Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given(en)

2020-11-17

Kevin Hart serves up laughs and brick oven pizza from the comfort of his home, and dishes on male group chats, sex after 40 and life with COVID-19.

Richard Pryor: Here and Now
66%

Richard Pryor: Here and Now(en)

1983-10-28

One of comedian Richard Pryor's later stand-up performances. As foul-mouthed as ever, Pryor touches on most of the same topics as in his previous live shows. Filmed at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans.

Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth
76%

Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth(en)

2004-09-04

Comedian Dave Chappelle does what he does best in this outrageous and hilarious standup performance, which allows him to push the envelope far beyond what he does on his TV show. Taped in San Francisco at the famed Fillmore, Chappelle lets loose on such topics as black celebrities, what it's like to have raunchy fans of his TV show approach him while he's trying to enjoy Disneyland with his kids, Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant... and crackheads, of course. It's comedy Chappelle-style and, for what it's worth, no one is safe from his barbs. But you already knew that!

Comedian
66%

Comedian(en)

2002-10-11

A look at the work of two stand-up comics, Jerry Seinfeld and a lesser-known newcomer, detailing the effort and frustration behind putting together a successful act and career while living a life on the road.

Funny Bones
65%

Funny Bones(en)

1995-09-20

Tommy Fawkes wants to be a successful comedian. After his Las Vegas debut is a failure, he returns to Blackpool where his father—also a comedian—started, and where he spent the summers of his childhood.

Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs
71%

Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs(en)

2023-09-05

In a rowdy stand-up set, Shane Gillis riffs on his girlfriend's Navy SEAL ex, touring George Washington's house and being bullied by an Australian Goth.

Jim Jefferies: Freedumb
73%

Jim Jefferies: Freedumb(en)

2016-07-01

Returning for a second Netflix comedy special, Jim Jefferies unleashes his famously ferocious black humor to a packed house in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kevin Hart: What Now?
64%

Kevin Hart: What Now?(en)

2016-10-14

Comedian Kevin Hart performs in front of a crowd of 50,000 people at Philadelphia's outdoor venue, Lincoln Financial Field.

An Evening with Kevin Smith
74%

An Evening with Kevin Smith(en)

2002-12-17

Kevin Smith interacts in Q&A sessions throughout various college stops in the USA.

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
74%

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip(en)

1982-03-12

Richard Pryor's stand-up act includes his frank discussion about his freebasing addiction, as well as the infamous night on June 9, 1980 that he caught on fire.

Louis C.K.: Live at The Comedy Store
74%

Louis C.K.: Live at The Comedy Store(en)

2015-01-27

This material was developed and prepared over the last year or so, mostly in comedy clubs. This special kind of goes back to when he used to just make noises and be funny for no particular reason. It felt right to him to shoot this special in a club to give it that live immediate intimate feeling. The show is about an hour long. The opening act, who is seen at the beginning (good place for an opening act) is Jay London. One of his favorite club comics going way back to the late 80s when he first started in working in New York.

American Pie: Revealed
60%

American Pie: Revealed(en)

2004-01-02

Documentary about the making of American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001) and American Wedding (2003).

Jonas Brothers Family Roast
66%

Jonas Brothers Family Roast(en)

2021-11-23

Kevin, Joe and Nick face down quick wits and deep cuts in this comedy special featuring Pete Davidson, John Legend and more. Hosted by Kenan Thompson.

Eddie Murphy Raw
73%

Eddie Murphy Raw(en)

1987-11-25

Eddie Murphy delights, shocks and entertains with dead-on celebrity impersonations, observations on '80s love, sex and marriage, a remembrance of Mom's hamburgers and much more.

Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness
68%

Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness(en)

2008-08-26

A behind-the-scenes mockumentary of Tropic Thunder.

Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping
67%

Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping(en)

2016-04-22

Patton Oswalt delivers a fresh hour plus of stand-up, covering everything from misery to defeat to hopelessness. It's his most upbeat special to date.

Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True
66%

Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True(en)

2011-10-22

In the world of stand-up comedy in South Africa, Trevor Noah uses his childhood experiences in a biracial family during apartheid to prepare for his first one-man show.