Born
at 50 Wigan Road, Aspull, Greater Manchester on 30th January 1901,
Frank was a childhood friend of George Formby and both of them went
on to become legends of their time. Frank was just 15 when he first
appeared in the theatre as an acrobatic artist (under the name Arthur
Twist). It wasn't until 15 years later though that he achieved great
popularity as a music hall comedian whose wild and manic temperament
brought a new style of quite risqué, if not downright vulgar,
comedy to the stage.
For ten years Frank Randle ran his
own touring company, Randle's Scandals, which played to big audiences
all over the country, including headlining Blackpool's distinguished
summer-season show. By 1950 he was Britain's highest paid comedian.
Prior to his retirement due to failing
health, he appeared in 10 films, most of which he wrote himself,
all produced by John E. Blakeley of The Mancunian Film Corporation.
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