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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Formby, George and George Snr.

7 Comments

French poster
French poster
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,174
Item #: 30388
A french poster advertising the film NO LIMITS with George on his "SHUTTLEWORTH SNAP". Not a good likeness of George though<g>

Comment by: LDB on 3rd April 2018 at 19:28

is it the Shuttleworth snap or the Rainbow?

Comment by: WILLY WACKUM on 3rd April 2018 at 19:47

From wikipedia
George Shuttleworth (Formby) is a chimney sweep from Wigan who dreams of winning the Isle of Man TT. Unfortunately, George's attempts to secure a factory ride with the Rainbow Motorcycle Company are unsuccessful and consequently he resorts to entering his own machine the "Shuttleworth Snap", a motorcycle derived from an old Rainbow machine. Whilst running the engine of his machine, George inadvertently knocks the motorcycle off its stand and crashes into the fence of his next door neighbour, Mr Hardache, who goads George about his dream of winning the T.T.

Undeterred, George asks his mother if she could lend him £5 so as he can make his way to the Isle of Man in order to compete at the races. Although unable to give him the £5 directly, George's mother endeavours to take the money from his Grandpa's savings which he keeps concealed in the lining of the settee. With money 'borrowed' from his grandfather, George make his way by train to Liverpool and embarks on the steamer for Douglas.

As he prepares to embark, George's attention is drawn to the arrival of the more famous T.T. competitors -such as Bert Tyldesley- who embarks onto the steamer with the secretary of boss of the Rainbow Motorcycle Company, Florrey Dibney (Florence Desmond). George attempts to be included in a photograph with Tyldesley and another T.T. rider -Norton-, but as they assemble for the photograph, George observes a stray cargo crate heading towards them. In order to save Florrie from being struck by the crate, George pushes her out of the way and consequently knocks her hat over the side of the ship.

More concerned at the loss of her hat than the danger posed by the cargo crate, Florrie takes George to task, and he resolves to climb down the side of the ship to retrieve the hat. As George begins to descend the side of the ship on a rope, the order is given to cast off and the deck hands begin to haul in the rope just as George reaches the ship's side belting. Holding onto the very end of the rope, it is suddenly hauled up and George falls into the water.

He not only succeeds in winning the race, but the girl as well.

Comment by: Poet on 3rd April 2018 at 20:39

The film features George's magnificent rendition of 'In my little Wigan garden'. Absolutely essential viewing.

Comment by: GW. on 3rd April 2018 at 21:01

"borrowed" indeed Willy but if ever the end justified the means it's George's triumphant finish. And yeah'of course he wins his fair maidens hand. What a classic!

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 4th April 2018 at 14:13

I agree with you Ron: it doesn't look very much like George. It's a great poster, though, and not to far removed in style and appeal from the poster for this years FIFA World Cup. I'd seen the list of 'probables' for the FIFA poster, and wasted litte time in going for the eventual winner - a one horse race if ever there was one. Great posters both.

Comment by: Poet on 4th April 2018 at 20:20

LDB, George starts out with the Shuttleworth Snap but actually wins the race on a Rainbow after the Snap crashed over a cliff.

Comment by: Philip Gormley. on 4th April 2018 at 23:25

Ron. A correction to my previous post: The 'list of probables', mentioned in the post, was in fact a list of previous tournament posters.

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