Firearm Accident

[scotman]

Hi all

This is one for us oldies.
Does anyone remember the comedian Charlie Drake almost being killed during his show due to an accident with a prop gun.
I have googled this but can't find any info. I am reasonably sure I didn't imagine it although it happened a long time ago. It was on television that I saw it.
Maybe I am thinking of some other person.

[Milvus]

I remember when he was thrown through a window on the set and hit his head on the top frame knocking himself out

[karenmac60]

It wasn't a gun Scotman - if I remember rightly he was smashed into something or had something broken over his head (furniture of some sort) and then thrown out of a window. It was supposed to be stunt furniture that would break easily, but it wasn't and whoever threw him out the window wasn't aware he was now unconscious. I'll see if I can find a clip cos I've seen it on TV not that long ago.

[brionon]

No but I remember he hit the boxer Freddy Mills with the wrong stool and knocking him out.

[karenmac60]

Here's the blurb that goes with it

Broadcasting of the Charlie Drake Show by the BBC was cut short by a serious accident that occurred in 1961, during a live transmission. Drake had arranged for a bookcase to be set up in such a way that it would fall apart during a slapstick sketch in which he was pulled through it. It was later discovered that an over-enthusiastic workman had "mended" the bookcase before the broadcast. The actors working with him, unaware of what had happened, proceeded with the rest of the sketch which required that they pick him up and throw him through an open window. Drake fractured his skull and was unconscious for three days. It was two years before he returned to the screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL_WKGKZKXc

[Vicasso]

All live TV then wasn't it?
I can't remember a fake gun incident, I do recall him being injured, or knocked out, when he was a hamfisted handyman and had to be yanked through a tall bookcase. The bookcase was supposed to be a lightweight prop, but was actually the real thing.

[Vicasso]

Karen...snap! :-)

[andy-hughes]

I very vaguely recall this happening at the time - I was seven at the time.

I also recall the story of an actor on 'Z-Cars' which was also a 'live' show, who dropped dead on set, and the other actors had to ad-lib while his body lay on the studio floor where they were standing.

[jackthehat]

My dad was in Z-cars.........:o)

[scotman]

Thanks to all for the info

I knew nothing of the bookcase incident. I believe this is what I was thinking of.

http://www.lycos.com/...monkhouse.html?page=3

It is in the last chapter.

I have no idea where/when I saw this as the live broadcast was in the 1950s when I was too young. It may have been shown as part of the 'This Is Your Life' programme. I have not found any video of the actual incident.

If anyone knows more I would appreciate some pointers.

thanks