13.01.23.
Saps at Sea Tent
The Saps at Sea Tent in Southend have a meeting every 2nd Sunday in the month. Next month’s meetings is entitled WIVES so I will be showing different films with different Mrs Laurels and Mrs Hardys.
Now I’m sure that you all know I sadly lost my wife Rita suddenly just 4 days before Christmas. I have decided that next month’s meeting will now also be a tribute to her and also an opportunity to raise money on the night for her favourite charity The British Heart Foundation. I am therefore inviting family, friends and SOTD to this evening on Sunday 12th February at the Naval & Military Club , Royal Terrace, SS1 1DU. The evening will start at 5pm and finish around 8.30pm but I am advising everyone to get there early if they want a seat.
I am asking that everyone who comes along brings something for the raffle for the charity. We will have family, friends, food, films and fun. So if you love L&H , knew Rita or know me I would love you to make it. Look forward to seeing you on the night.
Ray Dempsey
Rita and Grand Sheik Ray
Intra-Tent Journal
Bill Oates writes, “The Intra-Tent Journal is ready to go out and it seems like the printer let the machine run some extra copies. So, if you would like the latest issue, to start your subscription contact Bill at itj.inbox@gmail.com.”
Wigan Today
Charles Graham had a splendid article in Wigan Today (06.01.23.).
Postage stamps
The Boys appeared on the following countries stamps
Touva a sheetlet in 1995
Sommaliland 1999
Abkhazia
Touva one stamp on a mini sheet showing them playing golf
Burkino Fasu 1995
Fujeira playing golf
Ghana 1995
Fans
Amongst the Boys show business fans are Jimmy Tarbuck, Lenny Henry, Al Murray, Jason Manford, Brent Spiner, John Culshaw, Alastair McGowan and Joan Rivers.
Two Tickets to Broadway
Going through some old show biz cuttings and putting info onto IMDB I came across this regarding a 1951 film Two Tickets to Broadway starring Janet Leigh and Tony Martin:
Laurel and hardy had been lined up to play the parts of Leo and Harry but had to drop out because of an illness Stan had caught while making the French farce Atoll K which was their final film. They were replaced by the legendary vaudeville comic duo Smith and Dale whose career inspired Neil Simons play and later film The Sunshine Boys.
Tony Hillman
‘Beanie’ Walker
I posted a wonderful Blog by Andrew Cobby on the Roach writer who was instrumental in the success of the early Laurel and Hardy productions, H.M. ‘Beanie’ Walker. Not a lot has been written of the gentleman who Randy Skretvedt refers to as “A brilliant writer” but you’ll know his work from some of his wonderful title cards in many of the Boys’ classic films. Click on this link - HM 'Beanie' Walker - for the article. I think you’ll really enjoy this. I certainly did!
Mike Jones
On the telly in Italy
Giancarlo Manfredini tells us that the movie Stan & Ollie was shown on television on Rai 3 in Italy on 8th January.
Night Owls Tent
In Edinburgh
I noticed a mention of the Boys in an article about some old photos of the former Princess St railway station in Edinburgh. The photo has probably been seen before, so nothing special.
Taken in April 1954.
The station was closed to passengers in 1965, but wasn't completely demolished until 1969. Only the former railway hotel survives on the site.
Dave Williamson
...and finally
Some stuff from Christmas
