Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
I hope you are all well and still keeping very safe.
I’m afraid again I’m having to say no Laurel & Hardy film shows this week/month….but fingers crossed I’m hopeful we can meet again in the autumn…probably, Octember, all subject to a good positive outcome of the vaccine roll-out and a zapping out of that pesky delta variant. Denise and I, have now been double jabbed and feeling a little confident in braving the new world whilst infection rates are still relatively low. Although we won’t be holding our usual “Boys at the Bull” event this year, we do intend to make the small annual pilgrimage to Barkston in the morning and then to spend an hour or two at the Bull Inn (Bottesford) in the afternoon – THIS Saturday June 19th. All are welcome to join us. We have had some interest in this.. including Ant & Jo from the Midnight Patrol tent from Stoke.
As i mentioned last month, this can only be an informal gathering at the Bull Inn at Bottesford, sadly there will be no film show, and it will be subject to the pub’s social distancing rules with table service. For those that don’t know, the pub was once run by Beatrice Olga, Stan’s sister and her husband Billy during the 1950s. It saw a number of visits by Stan & Ollie during their 1952 and 1953/4 theatre tours…including a visit on Christmas Day 1953, when Stan & Ollie pulled the pints for the locals. Although recently decorated, the lounge exhibits Laurel & Hardy memorabilia and there’s a plaque on the outside wall that commemorates the Boys visits. The pub currently runs with an outside “beer garden” which has now been extended into the car park at the back of the pub (in front of the bowling alley). The tables are well socially distanced so you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. We will be there at approximately 1pm and should be there for a few hours in the afternoon. I believe its not necessary to book but please can you let me know if you are thinking of coming so I can warn Callum, the current landlord of the pub. It certainly would be good to see many of you again.
In the morning, I plan to lay a few flowers on Arthur Jefferson’s grave (Stan Laurel’s father) in Barkston in memory of a remarkable man. He died in 1949 whilst Olga was running her first pub, the Plough Inn on West Street. I plan to do the usual walk around this very fine village, 4 miles north of Grantham. All are welcome to join me…of course subject to usual social distance rules, meeting at the usual place (The Stag Inn) at 11am.
As mentioned last month, I haven’t advertised what we are doing this year beyond our tent (and the recipients of this email), so numbers will be down, but manageable and safe. But , don’t be put off – all are welcome and please bring family ad friends.
This year we have number of things to celebrate and toast at the Bull Inn….and that’s aside from the progress we’ve all made to end lockdown. First, it’s Stan Laurel’s birthday this week…he would have been 131 years old on Wednesday if he was still alive. So, Happy Birthday, Stan. Secondly, Laurel & Hardy’s first film together was filmed early 1921 and released in October 1921 – 100 years ago this year. That film was “The Lucky Dog” Congratulations Stan & Ollie. Thirdly and not least, the Beau Hunks tent celebrates its coming of age…we are celebrating our 21st anniversary this month. So, well done everybody and thanks for your support…we will have a special celebration later in the year.
Though this months June meeting is obviously cancelled, we would have chosen a programme to reflect all these celebrations….so like me , if you’re missing your monthly injection of Stan & ollie frivolity, then howzabout this”
The Luck Dog (1921) – Stan & Ollie’s 1st film together, though admittedly this was more a chance meeting in a Stan Laurel film production.
Beau Hunks (1931) – Our tents title film and a thank you to all our tent members for their support
Twice Two (1933) – a multi-anniversary celebration
Blotto (1930) – the Boys celebrate with the wifes liquor!
Another Fine Mess (1930) – a Bull Inn favourite, based on Stan’s fathers play “Home from the honeymoon”
Towed in a Hole (1932) – John Palmer’s favourite film – a special thank you to John for making past Bull Inn events so special
Helpmates (1932) – as a thank you to all Helpmates out there who have supported our past events.
Some news…
As part of the 100 year anniversary celebration, Talking Pictures TV is running a season of L&H short and feature films every Saturday/Sunday 4-6pm in July and occasional films on Saturday Morning commencing Saturday 3rd July with Brats at 9.10am then the Music Box at 4pm followed by Pack Up Your troubles (see advert below). Roger Robinson also has tipped me off that his and Dave Wyatts new book “Hard Boiled Eggs and Nuts” will be advertised off the TV channel, though under a different cover. This is a brilliant book with contributions provided by our own tent members. We were hoping to have Dave and Roger up to sell at at the Bull Inn this year – but there is always next year. Being a hard boiled egg-head..it look like I’m going to have to buy another one of these books with the alternative cover design from the TV channel. Doh!
There is another new Laurel & Hardy book out entitled Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy in Film Fun. This is a softback book containing a sample of at least 100 reproduced pages of L&H Film Fun comic strips from the 1940s and 1950s…if you like your Film Fun comics then this is for you. Its available from HOYD Publishing at hoydpublishing.co.uk. Separately, Tent member Steve Holden has just contacted me and has an original 1958 Film Fun Annual in decent condition. It has 2 full Laurel and Hardy Cartoon Strip stories in it, one in full colour. If anyone would like it he can do it for £10 including postage etc; you can contact Steve directly at busesfanclub@aol.com
Finally, but not least, Dave Barson has spotted that the latest (ie June 2021) copy of Best of British has the Boys featuring in a two-page article and also on the front page in colour. It concerns their well-publicised visit in March 1947 to the reopening of the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway in Kent. This you purchase at your local WH Smiths. I’ve seen it and its worth the money. See the cover photo below.
Phew…not much else L&H to report this month!
Repeating the usual mantra…. please stay safe everyone and hopefully we will see you all again real soon that is if we don’t see you at the Bull Inn!
Laurel & Hardily Yours,
Dave and Denise T
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