25.05.26.
Chester Convention
At our convention next year, we will be making a big fuss of the teaming of Laurel & Hardy, which happened in 1927. Yes they were working together before then, but not as a comedy team.
We'd love to see you all in a Laurel & Hardy film themed fancy dress for our "Fancy Dress Competition of the Century".
Not only that, we will be screening the premiere of "A Lot of Fun with Laurel & Hardy", the sequel to "Laurel & Hardy's Road to Laughter". This time we will be looking at their time at the Hal Roach
studios. Not just the films, but what was going on behind the scenes and in their private lives.
There's so much to tell. This will be the biggest documentary I will have ever produced, and you guys will all see it first. Can you beat that!
Gary Winstanley on Facebook
Norwich Convention Quiz
Here is a picture of our Graham with the Quiz shield that he has now had engraved and the certificate he was awarded.
Steve Trodd
The winning team, representing the Live Ghost Tent of London, consisted of Graham Walker, Del Kempster, Mark Harris and Jason Liddiard.
Visiting Paul
After two wonderful weeks - following a brilliant convention in north Norfolk - we followed Paul Allen’s invitation and visited him and his family in Southend. We could have spent days to browse through his fantastic collection and listen to all the stories behind every item.
Thanks for showing us, Paul. We really had a very lovely evening and a very good dinner in a decent restaurant to which we were invited.
In honour of Harry who visited Paul last year we held up Harry’s banner.
Many thanks to the entire family, we really had a swell time.
Michael and Emi Schmitz
Ollie and Henry
I believe it was in John McCabe's 1954 interview with Babe in which Babe spoke of a "Helpful Henry" cartoon that he said was partially the inspiration for his "Ollie" character. I had never seen any of those cartoons until I saw this video. The guy made a mistake in figuring Babe's age in 1922 (he was 30), but it's a good video, and I appreciate any time that anyone brings attention to L&H.
The lost comic strip that inspired Laurel and Hardy
Eric Schultz
In the news
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0p513rzdvo
The above link was in BBC News online. I had never seen this before!
Alan Ellsworth
Chefs spied
Janet and I were in a tiny little Italian restaurant in Shrewsbury. I noticed these two little figures, dressed as chefs, not very accurate, especially of Stan.
Dave Williamson
Fred’s photos
Fred Terris has a terrific collection of photos at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7853549@N04/alb
Included are some great photos of this year’s UK Convention in Norwich.
Sons’ Spiff Up
Many Sons will be congregating at 2.00pm on 6th June at the Sir John Moore pub in Glasgow for the annual third Sons’ Spiff Up. We have, however, evidence that the event if far from new, dating back to the last century.
...and finally