05.08.26.
Intra-Tent Journal 201
The latest issue of the Intra-Tent Journal has arrived, containing and abundance of tent news. Contact editor Bill Oates at itj.inbox@gmail.com.
Absent friends
I was sorry to read about the death of Lee McBeath on Bowler Dessert Online. In 1996 Lee and Dee organised the most innovative and unusual Sons convention Anni and I have ever attended. To be on board the Carnival cruise ship ECSTASY with fellow Sons was a memorable experience. I still have the proposal brochure and the programme both of which, apart from providing information, are written with brilliant wit and genuine affection. Truly in the spirit of Laurel and Hardy.
I should also like to add my memories of our friend Harry Hoppe and his lovely Mum, Christel. Anni and I first met Harry at either the 1990 or the 1992 international convention (can't remember which), and I always spent much time with him in the dealers room! In 1997 Harry and Mathias were staying with us before the Wigan Laurel and HarDay, and we set off on deserted roads on Saturday morning. I needed petrol but, in my naivety didn't realise that the petrol stations would be shut because it was Diana’s funeral. I drove carefully and it turned out OK. Harry was a great friend and Anni and I will both miss him.
I shared with Christel a love of old books, and she knew I collected 1966 World Cup memorabilia. When we were at their apartment she gave me a German commemorative glass of the World Cup final with facsimile autographs of both teams. I had never seen one before and I was very touched. It has pride of place in my cabinet but when I read about Christel I had a small big one in it in her memory. We didn't see Christel very often but we will miss her too.
It's very sad to keep losing these people but we have lovely memories."
Grahame Morris
I visited a real ale micro pub in New Mills, the Beer Shed. I was the first customer, in after they opened at 14.00. The second chap to walk in ordered his pint and, “like you do,” we got chatting.
Turns out he was visiting, on the train, from Sheffield. During our conversation I mentioned that I was in the Laurel and Hardy appreciation society. He said, "Oh I used to have a mate who was into all that.” None other than “Heppy”. This chap knew him through supporting Sheffield United. When we got talking it was apparent that he knew him very well. But, ironically, he didn't know his real name, just “Heppy”.
We soon realised that we had a lot in common (pubs and beer mostly).
Who would have thought Heppy would have brought two complete strangers together, in a pub, years after he died?
Dave Williamson
Of a Tuesday
I came across this play that will be performed at Cast Theatre. The title of the show bears an uncanny resemblance to a line from Stan in Way Out West.
I Think He Died of a Tuesday | Cast
John Burton
Laughing Gravy Tent of Birmingham
The next Laughing Gravy Tent meeting is on Thursday 6th August. It will be a Charlie Hall Night, and they will be showing The Battle of the Century, Laughing Gravy and Midnight Patrol. Everyone is welcome at the usual venue: Crown Club, Tyburn Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 0TH From 7.30pm.
Bonnie Scotland Tent of Paisley
Gary Winstanley has updated a logo from the 1990s for the Bonnie Scotland Tent, at the request of Grand Sheik Janice Hawton. The fine new logo will appear on T-shirts, coasters etc.
Come Clean Tent of Widnes
Beau Chumps Tent of Sunderland
I was really proud and humbled to make our biggest donation yet (£500) to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen. It’s amazing what Andrea and the team do to raise funds - they get no government or council support - but what they achieve is remarkable.
Thanks to everyone who bought a book (or two) entered a raffle or invested in memorabilia, and to Peter, Anth and Graeme for coming along to present the ‘cheque’ (which was drawn on the Finlayson National Bank!) .
Mike Jones
Fin again
Tony Bagley sent us a postcard with this unusual photo of James Finlayson.
Just for fun
We wondered what our first issue might have looked like if we had had colour printing at our disposal all those years ago.
Then and Now movie locations
Watch a quick excerpt from my new Then and Now filming locations video of the location used in the Laurel and Hardy comedy movie Helpmates (1932) vs today.
Click to watch and read about the filming locations.
https://video.chrisbungostudios.com/quickpreview-laurelandhardy-helpmates.html
Chris Bungo
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Happy video memories
I remember 30+ years ago flying to Amsterdam to buy a whole set of Movies Select Videos VHS tapes of Stan and Babe's solo films. I spent a few weeks organising, phoning Virgin store in Amsterdam to reserve and come across to buy this set.. I was so hyper...
It came with this rather special and rare book!
Glynne MacDonald
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Yours Retro
By chance I bought a copy of this magazine to give to an elderly lady whom I visit. By co-incidence it features a four-page article about the silent comedians to sound. It is worth a read.
The magazine also includes some other interesting features.
Roger Robinson
...and finally