Al Debbo

Al (Alec) Debbo (22 June 1924 – 13 July 2011) was a South African comedian, singer and actor. As one of the most prominent artists of his generation he made a significant contribution to Afrikaner music and culture.

Early life Alec Debbo, the son of Lebanese parents, was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. As a child he had to help out in his parents’ general merchandise store. His parents taught him Lebanese Arabic and English but he learned Afrikaans at an early age, as it was the dominant language in Bloemfontein.

At school concerts he displayed a knack for making people laugh, but he did not initially consider comedy a viable career. After matriculating, he qualified as a plumber. Singing and comedy remained his hobbies and he performed at functions and weddings. In 1947, his career changed after friends encouraged him to participate in a nationwide talent competition, associated with the South African Industries Fair, which he won. As a result, he landed his first film role in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak. Although the role lasted only three minutes, it brought him national recognition.

After his success in films such as Alles sal regkom (1951) (Everything will turn out well), Dis lekker om te lewe (1957) (It's great to be alive) and Fratse in die vloot (1958), he made his debut as producer in the 1961 film Boerboel de Wet. In 1969 he produced the film Stadig oor die klippe (Slowly across the rocks), while playing the lead role of Boetie Flenters (a bungling private eye who – à la the Pink Panther – somehow still managed to get the bad guys). However, Al always thought that Donker Afrika (1957) (Dark Afrika) was his best film. He died three weeks later at the hospital, on 13 July 2011, at the age of 87.

Filmography 1948 – Die Kaskenades van Dr. Kwak (The Shenanigans of Doctor Quack) 1949 – Kom Saam Vanaand (Come Along Tonight) 1950 – Hier's Ons Weer (Here We Are Again) 1951 – Alles Sal Regkom (Everything Will Be Alright) 1952 – Altyd in my Drome (Always in my Dreams) 1957 – Dis Lekker om te Lewe (It's Good to be Alive) 1957 – Donker Afrika (Dark Africa) 1958 – Fratse in die Vloot (Stunts in the Navy) 1960 – Hou die Blinkkant Bo (Keep the Bright Side Up) 1961 – Boerboel de Wet (a nickname and surname) 1962 – Gevaarlike Spel (Dangerous Game) 1962 – Tom, Dirk en Herrie (Tom, Derek and Harry) 1962 – Die Geheim van Onderplaas (The Secret of Onderplaas- literally "Underfarm") 1964 – Die Wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer (The wonderful (magical) world of Kammie Kamfer) 1969 – Stadig oor die Klippe (Lit.: Slow over the rocks, or stones, meaning: proceed with care)) 1970 – Satan's Harvest 1974 – Pens en Pootjies (Lit.: Tripe and Trotters, meaning: Boots and All) 1975 – Kniediep (Original Title: Kniediep in Boontjies, meaning literally Knee deep in beans or, in figurative terms, Knee Deep in Trouble) 1976 – Haak Vrystaat (Rugby chant meaning "Hook/Get the ball", Free State- the Orange Free State (a province of South Africa) always fielding a formidable side in the old days of rugby in southern Africa) 2004 – Oh Shucks I'm Gatvol (Oh Shucks I'm Fed Up)

Discography

Albums

1949 Kom Saam Vanaand (Come Along Tonight) 1952 Altyd in my Drome (Always in my Dreams) 1954 Die Skatkis van Afrikaanse Musiek (The Treasure Trove of Afrikaans Music) – with Nico Carstens, His Master's Voice 10" LP (Compilation) 1957 Donker Afrika (Dark Africa) 1964 Die Wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer (The Magic World of Kammie Kamfer)- Al Debbo with Nico Carstens, Columbia 33JSX 11059 1968 Baas Jack (Boss Jack) – with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11124 1968 Sonbrilletjies (Little sunglasses) – with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11135 1969 Die Beste van Al en Nico (The Best of Al and Nico) – with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11142 1969 Stadig oor die Klippe (Proceed With Care) – with Nico Carstens, Columbia SCXJ(D) 11157 1970 Die Tantes van Nantes (The Aunts (or old ladies) of Nantes, a fictional farm made famous by a (very serious) serial broadcast on Springbok Radio. Satirical in the extreme) – with Nico Carstens, Columbia SCXJ 11180 1974 Pens en Pooitjies (Boots and All) 1978 Zulu Warrior – with Nico Carstens, MFP SRSJ 8089 1996 Ek lewe nog (I'm still Alive) 2000 Pieringoog Potpourri – Al Debbo sê Dankie (Saucer Eye Potpourri – Al Debbo says Thank You)