Inspiration behind the most immortal lines in showbiz

WHEN The Generation Game’s Larry Grayson famously said: “Shut that door” he was actually referring to a real door.

The catchphrase became synonymous with the legendary TV host in the 1970s and 1980s, but he first used it long before he became a star. He was working the summer season at a seafront theatre in Redcar, Teesside when his act was interrupted by a door to the beach that kept flying open in the wind, and out came the now-classic line.

Now the door has been found during regeneration of what is currently the town’s Regent Cinema and is being preserved.

But the Regent’s manager Neil Bates adds: “The catchphrase originated from his manageress. When she wanted to talk to clients she would invite them into her office and say in a rather stern voice, ‘Shut that door’.”

It seems that when it comes to a catchphrase, there’s a story behind those immortal words: STAGE Larry CARROTS Bugs & Gable repeating it and she knew she was on to something.

She said: “It’s a blessing because you can’t sit down and write a catchphrase, it is the audience that actually picks up on something.” Bugs Bunny: Bugs first said these immortal words while nonchalantly chewing on a carrot in A Wild Hare, in 1940. The phrase was the writer’s, but Bugs’ manner was adapted from Clark Gable’s performance in It Happened One Night in which his character leans against a fence eating carrots and gives instructions with his mouth full. The scene was well-known at the time and audiences were well aware that Bugs was spoofing Gable.

Fred Flintstone:

The origin of

Fred’s iconic “Yabba dabba doo” catchphrase came from

Alan Reed, who voiced Fred from 1960-77 – and he nicked it from his mum.

He just came out with it, when the script only called for ‘Yahoo’. He explained his mum used to say: “A little dab’ll do ya” which she, in turn, got from a Brylcreem commercial.

Stu Francis: CREEMED OFF Fred