Tommy Trinder

An amiable, beloved Cockney cut-up from the 1930s on, London-born Tommy Trinder, the son of a tram driver, quit school and sought the stage, milking laughs at the tender age of 13 in a musical revue that was touring South Africa. Following that he became a boy vocalist at Collins' Music-Hall. The wry, rubber-faced comedian gradually built up his name in traveling variety shows, clubs and dance halls, then achieved stardom in the musical revues "Tune In" and "In Town Tonight" (both 1937). Known for his trademark leering glare, wagging finger, spade-jawed grin, effortless ad-libbing, pork-pie hat and catchphrase "You lucky people!", Trinder made his film debut in 1938 in the musical comedy Save a Little Sunshine (1938). He then top-lined the mild comedy Almost a Honeymoon (1938) and kept things moving in Laugh It Off (1940) and She Couldn't Say No (1940). He scored one of his biggest hits sharing top billing with Claude Hulbert and Michael Wilding in the cheeky WWII comedy Three Cockeye