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Malcolm McFee - inspiration for "Little Man, What Now?" (not Jack Wild)

posted by davidt on Saturday July 31 2004, @12:00PM
Abigail Lawson writes:

I am a source close to Morrissey.

I feel moved to write to you to correct the post by Miranda Grey that Jack Wild is the inspiration behind "Little Man, What Now".

"Little Man, What Now" is most positively not inspired by the child actor Jack Wild, and in no way refers to him.

The words to the aforementioned song are concerned with a British actor called Malcolm McFee who appeared in two (UK) situation comedies in the early 1970s: "Please, Sir!" and "The Fenn Street Gang". He also appeared briefly in the film "Oh What A Lovely War!" (1969).

He died of cancer in Braintree, Essex in November, 2001.

I hope this lays to rest the Wild misapprehension.
---
The story which incorrectly referenced Jack Wild is here.
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  • Thank you Abigail. Neither of the actors mentioned seem to have had a fortunate life do they? Very sad.
    Tell Morrissey we send our love. :)
    Madge -- Saturday July 31 2004, @12:46PM (#117379)
    (User #11705 Info)
    Gentle and kind... which is unusual in a librarian
  • A source close to Morrissey? Then tell us something far more interesting like tour dates or Alain's condition.
    Anonymous -- Saturday July 31 2004, @01:19PM (#117389)
  • The only thing he did post the 70s was pop up as an extra in one episode of Birds of a Feather as 'Impatient Man' and one episode of the truely awful Goodnight Sweetheart as 'Minicab Driver'.
    Sonny Jim -- Saturday July 31 2004, @02:58PM (#117409)
    (User #6638 Info)
  • Now I'll be able to get some fuckin sleep at night knowing that.

    What happened to freedom of the mind, why won't you let us make our own interpretations of the songs that saved our lives.

    Now you've ruined this song for me, I shan't be able to listen to it in the same light EVER AGAIN.
    Anonymous -- Sunday August 01 2004, @01:14AM (#117449)
  • Thank you Abigail, this doesn't surprise me and it's embarassing to read some of the postings on here from people that think they are in the know about everything to do with Moz's song lyrics and need kicking into touch at times. I've never for a second bought the story that the influence was Jack Wild, you only have to listen loosely to the lyrics to know that, and some sad drongo even typed a whole posting beneath the Mirana Grey item about the Morrissey/Jack Wild Phenomenon, incredible! There are many people who are sources close to Morrissey, past and present, but these people here just refuse to believe it. Nevertheless, it's funny to think of somebody wasting years of their life thinking about Jack Wild, using their 'informed knowledge and intellectualism' as they listen to Little Man, What Now? Ha ha, nodody likes a clever clogs!
    Anonymous -- Sunday August 01 2004, @04:26AM (#117470)
    • The whole point of the "Morrissey-Wild" post was a satire on the way Moz fans will concoct the most absurd beliefs and believe everything they read.
      Obviously, some remedial reading classes are in order for some here....it's called READING COMPREHENSION...You DO know how to read, don't you?

      Here it is in black and white dears...
      The post was written as a farse on the Diana-Morrissey myth.

      So, mourn for yourselves and cry over your own abysmal tendency to take it ALL way too seriously to the point of sacrificing your own objectivity and senses of humor.

      I'm still laughing at the bit about the flute solo and Jimmy's magic flute conncetion at the end of "I'm Not Sorry"...that was brilliant! HAHAHAHAHAHA
      PerfectlyWretched -- Sunday August 01 2004, @10:29AM (#117493)
      (User #9140 Info)

  • Wild about Jack (Score:2, Interesting)

    The reason that Jack Wild is often seen as the subject of 'Little Man, What Now?' stems back to a review of 'Viva Hate' that was either in the NME or the Melody Maker. The reviewer stated "The song 'Little Man, What Now?' tells of the fall from grace of a one-time TV child star(Jack Wild?)".

    If the lyrics are accurate then Jack Wild never appeared on any ATV show from 1969 that ran for four seasons, and, as his performances in Oliver and HR Puffnstuff prove, he was very talented and would never have 'murdered every line' of some crappy TV script.

    Still, it appears that whoever it was about hasn't exactly been blessed with the greatest of luck.
    Requiescant Inpacce -- Sunday August 01 2004, @11:14AM (#117496)
    (User #10687 Info)
    "You should not go to them...let them come to you...just like I do..."
  • the child actor from 'dennis the menace'...goes to show what harm being deprived of british television will bring
    thirsty fists <[email protected]> -- Monday August 02 2004, @05:12AM (#117588)
    (User #149 Info)
    "world's ugliest boy"
  • atv = Anglia Television ?
    Anonymous -- Tuesday August 03 2004, @03:04PM (#117847)
  • Thanks for clearing that up, I was always curious as the song is a favourite of mine. Jack Wild never seemed right for it, whereas Malcom Macfee is perfect Morrissey icon material, being a gorgeous, cockney lovable rogue character.

    For his best moment, see his role as Lukie Sparrow in an episode of the Sweeney from 1975 in which he plays the son of Diana Dors.

    Please Sir in the early 70s was huge, and very much in the carry-on mode.
    Anonymous -- Wednesday August 04 2004, @01:25PM (#117988)

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