22.12.25.
The Perry Winkle
The latest edition of The Perry Winkle has arrived and, as always, it brings great joy to the festive season - a cheerful herald to the Sons of the Desert year ahead. To subscribe (and you really ought to!) contact Roger Robinson. You won’t be disappointed.
Blu-ray on eBay
A six-disc set on Blu-ray comes from Rarewaves. It costs £26.03 with free UK delivery.
Christmas cards
Our favourite Christmas card came from Pat Finney. She describes it as “The last of one of Barrie’s drawings”.
A lovely card and a lovely thought from a very special lady.
Other cards that caught our eye include this one from the Men o'o War Tent.
And this one from the Saps at Sea Tent.
Did you know?
Each of the principals of the cast [of Babes in Toyland] had to be fitted with outfits dictated by the tradition of the fantasy, which were fashioned in triplicate to avoid production delays in the event of anyone’s wardrobe becoming soiled or otherwise rendered useless.
Picturegoer Weekly (Dec 1934)
Sailors Beware Tent
The Sailors Beware Tent’s Annual Christmas Curry was on 19th December. “Remember, plenty of onions, bhajis and a little tincy wincy one!” they said.
On the telly
On Personal Cinema (BBC Four, 14.14.25.), Michael Aspel talked to Maggie Smith in a programme first shown in 1970. Maggie’s first choice of favourite films was Way Out West and we were treated to the dance sequence outside the saloon bar.
Parkinson Takes a Christmas Look at Morecambe and Wise (BBC Four, 17.12.25.) inevitably referenced Laurel and Hardy, in a programme first shown in 1970.
There were, of course, several showings of The Snowman and the Snowdog, on more than one channel, so we had several opportunities to see “Stan and Ollie” making a guest appearance.
On the radio
“So where would Christmas be without Mary and Joseph, Morecambe and Wise, Laurel and Hardy, cracker surprise,” sang Squeeze on a curious 1979 record. Willie McIntyre played it on Heartland FM on 18th December.
In December 1953 Laurel and Hardy spent some time at the Bull Inn, Bottesford, Leicestershire, while they performed a show at the nearby Nottingham Empire. Stan’s sister, Olga Healey, was the landlady. Customers and staff said the duo spent time serving behind the bar, signing autographs and chatting with regulars.
Roger Robinson, Dave Williamson and Richard Smith caught a 9 minute account of Laurel and Hardy in Bottesford on BBC Sounds. Some of the audio clips were new to us and others are remembered from the BBC radio show from years ago.
Pie TV
On Facebook, Gary Winstanley has set up his own site called PieTV.
Coloured Block-Heads
From You Don't Believe Me - latest book by Mike Jones.
Contact beauchumpssunderland@gmail.com
...and finally
