Our next film show is this Wednesday, 18th July at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm. Hopefully we’ll be upstairs again.
All are welcome and entry is free.
Our film show is a sequel to our Laurel & Hardy in Bully-wood theme where we have a continued emphasis on wood, trees, etc. This month we’ll be showing the Laurel & Hardy feature “Fra Diavolo” aka “The Devils Brother or “Bogus Bandits”. It’s a film we haven’t seen in 6 years, so is definitely due an airing. In the film Stanlio and Ollio become reluctant bandits to the feared Fra Diavolo in the forests of Northern Italy. The film was a favourite of both Stanlio and Ollio and it is deemed their most successful film at the box-office. It doesn’t get a regular airing because it runs at 90 mins and does have a few operatic interludes which can put one or two off. However, it is a Hal Roach film production with many magical Laurel & Hardy moments…including the Finger-wiggle and the Kneesie, Earsie and nosey routines . It also features many Hal Roach regulars including James Finlayson and the beautiful Thelma Todd. As its the university of Thelma Todd’s birth this month, we will also be paying tribute to her during the evening.
We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and we have a few rarities. We will have the usual raffle, any donations are gratefully accepted.
Thanks to everyone who attended our event at the Bull Inn and for making it a great success. Special thanks goes to John Palmer for bringing his Model T Ford which provided many photo opportunities especially with L&H lookalikes Gregg Taylor and Tom Seymour. Also, special thanks goes to Dave Wyatt for a re-showing of the most complete version we have of Battle of the Century, which was projected from 16mm film. We had over 60 attend with visitors from 7 different tents and from the village of Bottesford. We had visitors from Huddersfield, Sheffield, Ulverston (including Marion Grave from the L&H museum), Southend, Gillingham (including Rob Lewis from the L&H Magazine), Stoke and Brighton. We also had a surprise visitor, Ron Stokoe from Southend….Ron was Laurel & Hardy’s actual taxi driver for the week in Southend in 1952. Ron hasn’t been too well of late (now 92) so it was great to see him in fine spirits in Bottesford. I’ve attached a photo from the event below, Ron and Marion are in the front seat of John’s Model T. I hope to put some more photos up on our website in time (http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk/). And indeed, yes…..we shall do it all again next year.
Due to holidays, we are having to move our August meeting a week earlier to Wednesday 8th August, which will be a “by special request” evening where you will chose the short films you want to see……but, it must feature either James Finlayson or Charlie Hall as we celebrate their birthdays in August. I will prepare a list of films to chose from nearer the time.
Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday. Please bring friends and family – all are welcome.
Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
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