Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
I hope all’s well with you all and not going stir crazy after being locked up…down for so long! Sadly. again, and on the eve of Stan Laurels birthday, we’re having to cancel this months meetings, firstly our monthly film show at the Bridge Inn on Wednesday June 17th and then our annual event at the Bull Inn, Bottesford on Saturday June 20th. It’s a real shame as on Wednesday we would have celebrated Stan’s 130th birthday….which is actually tomorrow, and then of course on Saturday we would have celebrated our own tents 20th anniversary.
To be honest, Stan probably wouldn’t have cared too much for us celebrating his 130th….he was quite superstitious and had his name changed from Stan Jefferson….13 letters long to Stan Laurel…10 letters….that 13×10=130, indeed! However, this didn’t always work out for him as sometimes he was known as Stanley Laurel….which is back to 13 letters! One film we may have shown this month was where Stan….addressed himself as “Sir Stanley Laurel”. That film would have been the Boys first ever feature film, the prison break film, Pardon Us with Walter “The Tiger” Long. However, in the current climate, that might not have been the best film to show at this time, as I wouldn’t want to provoke any thoughts that they were in any way racist via use of black face to create a comic disguise. I’m fully 100% behind the peaceful BLM movement, but sadly IMO this has been hijacked by many distractions (eg statues). Stan & Ollie and the Hal Roach studio (particularly with the Our Gang series) were absolute pioneers at creating comedy that was loved and enjoyed by all creating no divisions of any kind.
Our Bull Inn event has now been formally cancelled until next year….I’m aiming now to have our 21st year celebration on Saturday, June 19th. This year I would have themed it the 2nd 10 years for our 20th year anniversary…which is a play on one of the Boys early silents….”The 2nd 100 years” ….another Prison break film. We were hoping that Robin Cook would be able to show his latest restoration of this film…but alas that will have to save. As present restrictions now allow us to travel, I will be making the car journey to Barkston to tidy-up and lay a few flowers on Arthur Jefferson’s grave…followed by a short walk around the village. Anyone wishing to join me, I will be outside the Stag Inn at 11am…..obviously all subject to current social distancing/group sizing rules. As Nottingham University’s goverment Covid scientist, Professor Van-Tam, said at one of Boris’s press conferences, as long as we don’t “tear the pants” out of the gatherings we should be safe…I was wondering if he was thinking about “You’re darn tooting” where at the end of the film….several pairs of trousers get ripped off.
Afterwards, I may pass by the Bull Inn…raise a bottle of soda to the tent, before a swift return home to go to the loo! Therefore, on a practical point, if you are to make the journey…please be sure you’ll be able to make the round trip…I don’t think there will be any public loos open on the trek!
So for your homework this month…. I’d suggest any or all of the following films from the 21-DVD Boxset…
“The Second 100 years” – a prison break
“Twice Two” – The Boys celebrate a double anniversary
“You’re Darn Tooting” – pants ripping fun!
“The Hoose Gow” – another prison break film
“County Hospital” – celebrating William “Hardy old bean you’ve got my trousers on” Austins birthday on June12th.
And of course, don’t forget to raise a glass to Stan (130 tomorrow!) and to the Beau Hunks tent (20 this month) and yes, to the tent founderer and exhausted Grand Sheikh, Dave Scothern.
If I don’t see you Saturday – stay safe and keep in touch. Hopefully we can meet again soon.
Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
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