Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next Laurel & Hardy film show will be on Wednesday Nowonder 20th, 7.30pm till 10.30 pm at the THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW – in the outside function room as per usual.
Worryingly…it’s now less than 6 weeks to Christmas! It’s that strange time of year when everyone, everywhere, seems to go crazily mad. But then again I think this year I think the whole world has gone crazily – but politics aside….so yes, indeed, it is the start of panto season. I like theatrical panto…and I know Stan particularly was a big fan of pantomime. Stan was highly influenced by the pantomime king…the Kings Jester…Dan Leno from the 1900s. Dan played many a pantomime dame. Though Stan never played a panto dame, its well known that Stan loved to impersonate the ladies on stage, in solo films and in a number of Laurel & Hardy films. During their latter UK tours, the Boys were given offers to play in panto – but sadly as a result of Ollie’s untimely heart attack in 1954 -this never came to fruition.
So, this month I’ve entitled our Laurel & Hardy film show “What a Dame!”. We will be showing 4 of at least 8 films where Stan and/or Ollie dress up in drag and impersonate a member of the fairer sex. As a tease, I can say that 3 of these films will be from the Hal Roach studio; a silent short, a talkie short and a 1980s cut-down re-issue of a feature film for the home market entitled “Home Helps”!
Our main feature, however, is the Fox Film “Jitterbugs” from 1943. The 6 Laurel & Hardy Fox films don’t usually get good press from L&H aficionados, but from most accounts, this is one of their best. This is not necessarily because of the comedy (where there are some very good original gags) but because of the Boys fine acting. We haven’t shown it for 5 years, so it’s certainly due an airing. A young Vivian Blaine plays the main female lead (excluding Stan’s short time in drag as her aunt Emily). Vivian is probably best known for her appearances on stage and in film of the musical “Guys and Dolls”. She also appeared on the Boys 1954 This is Your Life episode. As it is her birthday this month we will certainly be paying a little tribute to her.
We will however start the evening with yet another fine short silent film from the restored 1927 films US Blu-ray boxset…again this will be a short we haven’t seen in a long time. We will also be continuing our series of cartoons from the 1940s and if we have time, I’ll show some clips of recent appearances of the Boys or associated memorabilia on TV.
There will be the usual raffle & toasts, any donations are gratefully accepted.
Please be aware that our Christmas meeting has been moved to Wednesday December 11th 7.30pm. We plan to show the usual Christmas L&H short films served with plenty of mince pies and various table snacks.
As always our film shows are FREE and all are welcome to come and enjoy them.
Unfortunately, this year I’ve not been able to secure any 2025 Laurel & Hardy calendars . However they are available in the pop-up “The Calendar Shops” stalls in many of the large city shopping centres for £12. You can also buy an alternate calendar from the bowler dessert website.
Note that in the new year our film shows will revert back to the 3rd wednesday in the month.
Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)
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