Hello Gough & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this  Wednesday, 15th Nowonder at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.   

All are welcome and entry is free as per usual.

This month, we have a special guest.  Danny Lawrence, has kindly agreed to give us a small talk on his new book entitled Arthur Jefferson – Man of the theatre and Father of Stan Laurel.  Arthur Jefferson Senior was a very colourful person….not the least of it, his birth!    Most people know that Stan’s real name is not Laurel but Jefferson……but not many know that AJ’s father was probably not a Jefferson….but very probably a Gough!   Under different circumstances….we may have known the Boys…not as Laurel & Hardy…..but Gough and Hardy!

AJ was a successful man of the theatre….a comic actor, a theatre owner, a playwright.  He was also a politician.  Danny’s book is absolutely amazing…with some excellent new research concerning Arthur Jefferson’s life  and his family.  I highly recommend it and Danny will be bringing his book to sell and sign – making it an ideal Christmas present.

We will of course be showing a good number of Laurel & Hardy (or I should say Gough & Hardy films) throughout the evening….all with a good connection to Stan’s father Arthur Jefferson.

Last month we completed the UK end of the 1947…this month, I will be showing some rare film footage from exactly 70 years ago of their tour on the continent and their return back to the UK for their one-off Royal Variety Performance….in front of the King.

Our Christmas meeting has been set for the usual 3rd Wednesday….December 20th .  We intend to show the usual traditional films and to have another mini-buffet….just like the one we had last year.  We will also be running our Beau Hunks tent Kneesie, Earsie, Nosey  competition.  All are very welcome.

Talking about Christmas and Christmas presents;  I attended The Helpmates UK Laurel & Hardy Convention and I have got 20 2018 L&H calenders for sale on a first come first served basis at the reduced price of £10 each.  I’ve also secured a few  “It Sure Is – Laurel & Hardy at the London Palladium” books signed by Roger Robinson/Dave Wyatt , these are available at £15 each.    I also have a few Laurel & Hardy autographs for sale – if interested, please email me.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this  Wednesday, 18th Octember at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.   

All are welcome and entry is free as per usual.

This month, by special request by one of our tent members, we have themed our meeting “Dizzy spells and Drunken Ghosties”……yes, because its Halloween!  Indeed, the all clues are there…..we hope to show the Laurel & Hardy  feature film  “A Chump at Oxford”….Stan has quite a few dizzy spells, including an a-mazing encounter with a Ghostie.  We will also be showing 3 Hal Roach two-reeler shorts…..two that will feature resident studio drunk, Arthur “Hic-cup” Housman, whose university of his birth it is this month…128 years ago on October 10th.  Indeed, one of those films….he is a live drunken ghostie….in the other one he’s a ghostie faced drunk!

As time allows….we will also try and catch up ,a little bit, with the 1947 tour; which exactly 70 years on, has now left these shores for Denmark!  If time permits…we’ll also show the Driver Licence sketch as performed by the Lucky Dog theatre company at the pre-international convention in Southend last year…and we’ll also play a 5 min audio clip of the sketch actually performed by the Boys, October 4/5th 1947 in Copenhagen.

Our own Danny Lawrence has been busy writing a new book entitled Arthur Jefferson – Man of the theatre and Father of Stan Laurel.  This has been 6 years in the making…and I know will be a very interesting read….Arthur Jefferson Senior was a very colourful person….not the least of it, his birth!    Most people know that Stan’s real name is not Laurel but Jefferson……but not many know that AJ’s father was probably not a Jefferson….but very probably a Gough!  Well it is Halloween!  AJ ran a string of theatres and was a major influence on his son’s life and artistry. Of course, there’s also the strong link to our tent via Barkston.  I’ve only read one chapter…and I know that alone is worth the purchase price.

The book is to be launched in North Shields next week so Danny can’t make our Octember meeting, but he has kindly agreed to give us a little talk on Arthur Jefferson next month at our Nowonder meeting (ie Weds, November 15th).  He will also have some books available to sell and personally sign……which I know will make an ideal Christmas present for any Laurel & Hardy fan that doesn’t want to receive socks again from their nearest and dearest!

Our Christmas meeting has also been provisionally set for the usual 3rd Wednesday….December 20th .  We intend to show the usual traditional films and to have another mini-buffet….just like the one we had last year.  All are welcome.

Talking about Christmas and Christmas presents, I will be at The Helpmates UK Laurel & Hardy Convention on Saturday 4th November at the Holiday Inn in Chatham.   No doubt Rob Lewis will be selling next years calendars…if you want one, let me know and I’ll try and get you one.  They are presently selling at £13 each on the L&H website, but if I buy in bulk, I maybe able to get them a little cheaper from Rob.  Roger Robinson/Dave Wyatt are  also launching their “It Sure Is – Laurel & Hardy at the London Palladium” booklet – this covers not only the Palladium engagements but also other events during their stay in London in 1947….including the Boys trip up to Barkston in March 1947.  This is a also a recommended buy.  The price is £15, but again on the day, I might just be able to ask Roger/Dave for a discount on a bulk order …just let us know if you want one.

The Helpmates UK Laurel & Hardy Convention is always a great Laurel & Hardy day out and tickets are still available…  Information can be found on the Laurel & Hardy Magazine website  http://www.laurelandhardy.org/convention.html   The latest news is that Laurel & Hardy experts, Randy Skredvedt and Richard Bann will be video-calling LIVE from Los Angeles.

Other great news this month is that Talking Pictures TV is presently in negotiation for screening a number of short film subjects.  L&H back on TV soungs very good.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
This is a reminder that we have two film shows in the forthcoming week.

Our first film show is this  Wednesday, 21st June at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the earlier time of 7.15pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.   

Our Wednesday show I’ve entitled “The Bullfighters – part 1″…..  After showing Way out West last month, we remain way out west and travel a little “way down south”…..to Mexico (before they build the wall!).  We will be showing the Boys penultimate film from 1945….a Fox film, entitled, you guessed it “The Bullfighters” .   Being a Fox film, admittedly its not one of their best….but is probably one of their best during the post Hal Roach studio period and has some good comedy moments with Stan & Ollie which are worth seeing.

Yesterday was the university of Stan’s birthday, 127 years ago….so will be celebrating this with a piece of birthday cake….and keeping in with the Bull-fighter  theme, we’ll be showing the Stan Laurel solo “Mud & Sand” from 1923….which we also see Mae Laurel…Stan Laurel’s common-law wife who he met in vauderville.  She was responsible for changing Stan’s name from Jefferson to Laurel.  “Mud & Sand” is actually a comedy parody on Rudolph Valentino’s Bull-fighter film “Blood & Sand”, a major film production from 1922.  As you may have noticed, I’m hoping to start the film show 15 mins earlier than normal…..this is because I would like to screen the beginning and end of Valentino’s film…..so that you can appreciate more of the comedy in Stan’s solo film…where he plays Valentino as Rhubarb Vaselino.  The Valentino film also strongly features a Spanish/Mexican bandit….played by a young looking, Walter Long….so its worth seeing the clips just for this.  If you can’t make it 15 mins earlier no problem…we’ll start the show with the Laurel Solo film at 7.30pm.

We shall also be continuing our recomembrances of the 1947 tour….which will include some brief film footage of the Boys trip back to Ulverston on 27th May 1947 during their theatrical stay in Morecambe, before they moved onto Blackpool and then Glasgow where Stan celebrated his birthday.  We hope also to show a couple of L&H short films.

As per usual – all are welcome and entry is free……and don’t forget your ponchos and sombrero hats.

Our second film show is next Saturday, June 24th, 1pm-6pm, at the Bull Inn, Bottesford (NG13 0BW)  entitled “The Bull Fighters – Part deux”…..indeed like “two peas in a poduh”.  This will have a strong programme of short films where the Boys become wrapped up in battles including a good number of tit-for-tats.  The highlight of the day will be a showing of the most complete version of the Boys silent film Battle of the Century….which includes a showing of the recently discovered complete 2nd reel  on 16mm by our special guest, Dave Wyatt.   This  is not to be missed.  For those that are new to the tent, the Bull Inn was regularly visited by Stan & Ollie during the early 1950s as Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey ran the pub as landlords.  In the lounge there are numerous photos of their visits….including photos of the boys pulling the pints behind the bar.

In the morning, we will  again be venturing out to Barkston (a few miles north of Grantham) to lay flowers on the Stan Laurels father’s grave (AJ) and to visit the Plough Inn (the pub that Beatrice Olga and Bill ran during the 1940s).  Meet at the Stag Inn, Barkston 10.30am (NG32 2NB)  All are welcome to Bottesford & Barkston, and it always makes a fun day out.

All this information is on our website, thanks to Mark Elvin…

http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk

Our next meeting is on the usual third Wednesday July 19th.  Due to holiday arrangements….our August meeting has provisionally been switched to the 4th Wednesday August 23rd, when we may have our tent’s Kneesie Earsie Nosey championships.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday (and then Saturday).  All are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this Wednesday, 17th May at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.
All are welcome and entry is free.

This month, we have themed our film show “May Out West”. After so many requests….yes, this month we will be showing one of the Boys best feature films ….”Way Out West”. This was actually released in April 1937…so what a good way to celebrate its 80th birthday with a showing this Wednesday. But I hear you ask….why theme the show “May out West’…well, I’m not thinking Theresa May – infact, Wednesday eve will be an election free zone – nor am I thinking Mae West !! Yes, OK it is May….and the reason being is that the tent has made the month of May when we celebrate the university of the birth of Annie Mae Busch. Admittedly, her actual birthday is in June…just 2 days after Stan’s…but, then obviously our thoughts of Stan would over-shadow Mae’s birthday. So ,after so much of my peramubulating waffle… we will be showing at least 3 short Laurel & Hardy film subjects where Mae Busch takes (almost) top billing with Stan & Ollie…..and infact one of the films we are showing could have been alternatively titled “May out West” . I will let you try and work that one out on the night. We shall also continue our recomembrances of the 1947 tour….which will include a showing of the Boys antics at the Daily Mail Film Awards ceremony on April 28th 1947.

In June, we have two film shows…

Firstly, our regular 3rd-Wednesday-in-the month, evening show will be on Wednesday, June 21st….where will be celebrating the summer solstice with a trip to Mexico…and the showing of the 1940s Fox film “The Bullfighters” …themed “The Bullfighters – Part 1”. We will also be celebrating Stans birthday.

Then, on Saturday, June 24th, 1pm-6pm, we will be at the Bull Inn, Bottesford for “The Bull Fighters – Part 2”. This will have a strong programme of short films where the Boys become wrapped up in battles including a number of tit-for-tats. The highlight of the day will be a showing of the most complete version of the Boys silent film Battle of the Century….which includes a showing of the recently discovered complete 2nd reel on 16mm by our special guest, Dave Wyatt. This is not to be missed. For those that are new to the tent, the Bull Inn was regularly visited by Stan & Ollie during the early 1950s as Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey ran the pub as landlords. In the lounge there are numerous photos of their visits….including photos of the boys pulling the pints behind the bar. In the morning, we will be again be venturing out to Barkston (a few miles north of Grantham) to lay flowers on the Stan Laurels father’s grave (AJ) and to visit the Plough Inn (the pub that Beatrice Olga and Bill ran during the 1940s). Meet at the Stag Inn, Barkston 10.30am. All are welcome to Bottesford & Barkston, and it always makes a fun day out. We have already started to advertise the event, see under coming events on the Bowler Desert website, http://www.bowlerdessert.co.uk/

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday. All are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this Wednesday, 19th April at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.
All are welcome and entry is free.

First of all I must apologise for the pandemonium of last months film show….seemingly, the pub had double booked on their spaces thinking we were booked the following week when I checked the night before! Fortunately, we got there early enough to take the lounge space downstairs but, yes, it was from ideal. I’ve made sure that they have booked us up correctly this month in their diary…so we should be back upstairs again.

This month, we have themed our film show “Laurel & Hardy on the Wrong Tracks”. We will be showing short Laurel & Hardy film subjects where train, tram or tire tracks play a significant part or where the Boys fall off the rails and are in trouble with the law…..yes, I know the theme is all very tenuous!! We will also be celebrating the university of the birth of Edgar Livingstone Kennedy who was born 26th April 1890…127 years ago. He regularly played a police officer in support of the Boys and we will be showing no less than 3 Laurel & Hardy films that he appears in. We shall also continue our recomembrances of the 1947 tour….which will include a showing of all the extant film footage taken 70 years ago, when the Boys visited the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch (RHDR) railway in order to celebrate their 21st birthday and the opening of the extended line from Romney to Dungerness. For the majority, I’d say at least one of these clips you would not have seen before.

Our next film show will be May 17th…..when we will be showing one of the Boys best feature films “Way out West”

In June, we have two film shows…

Firstly, our regular 3rd-Wednesday-in-the month, evening show will be on Wednesday, June 21st….where will be celebrating the summer solstice with a trip to Mexico…and the showing of the 1940s Fox film “The Bullfighters” …themed “The Bullfighters – Part 1”. We will also be celebrating Stans birthday.

Then, on Saturday, June 24th, 1pm-6pm, we will be at the Bull Inn, Bottesford for “The Bull Fighters – Part 2”. This will have a strong programme of short films where the Boys become wrapped up in battles including a number of tit-for-tats. The highlight of the day will be a showing of the most complete version of the Boys silent film Battle of the Century….which includes a showing of the recently discovered complete 2nd reel on 16mm by our special guest, Dave Wyatt. This is not one to be missed. For those that are new to the tent, the Bull Inn was regularly visited by Stan & Ollie during the early 1950s as Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey ran the pub as landlords. In the lounge there are numerous photos of their visits….including photos of the boys pulling the pints behind the bar. In the morning, we will be again be venturing out to Barkston (a few miles north of Grantham) to lay flowers on the Stan Laurels father’s grave (AJ) and to visit the Plough Inn (the pub that Beatrice Olga and Bill ran during the 1940s). Meet at the Stag Inn, Barkston 10.30am. All are welcome to Bottesford & Barkston, and it always makes a fun day out.

Finally, some absolutely brilliant news…at long last filming has started in Bristol on the laurel & Hardy biopic film. See
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/3313691/steve-coogan-and-john-c-reilly-snapped-filming-scenes-for-laurel-and-hardy-biopic/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4401748/Steve-Coogan-transforms-iconic-comedy-character.html
I must admit I’m not sure on the navy blue colour of the berets…..whenever I’ve seen old black&white 1950s of the Boys, they are not that colour!

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday. All are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this Wednesday, 15th March at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.
All are welcome and entry is free.

This month, we have themed our film show “Our Relations” for two good reasons…..first of all, the obvious, we are going to show this, one of the Boys best feature films at the Hal Roach studios and one of my own personal favourites…..yes, entitled “Our Relations” from 1936. The second good reason, is that in our recomembrances of the 1947 tour….exactly 70 years ago, we will be following the Boys trip up from London, on their first Sunday off from playing at the London Palladium, to the Plough Inn, Barkston (nr Grantham) on March 16th 1947 and sharing in the joy of Stan seeing his father (AJ) and his sister, Beatrice Olga again for the first time in 15 years.

We also have a good supporting programme of related Hal Roach Studio short film subjects. As it is Jeannie Weenie’s, Jean Harlow’s, birthday we will be showing an all- talking version of her best silent films with the Boys!! Er…tell me that again! We will also be recomembering Walter Long, whose birthday it is also this month with a fine tribute by the Dirty Work Tent .

The Boys at the Bull Inn, Bottesford has now been set for Saturday, June 24th, 1pm-6pm. We have something pretty special organised. As you may know the silent film Battle of the Century, known for the mega pie fight at the end….a pie fight to end all pie fights….has for many years been a partially lost film, in that not all the pie fight is shown. However, quite recently a 16mm version of the whole second reel that covers the full pie fight scene has been discovered in what was originally the Robert Youngson collection of films. Dave Wyatt has obtained a 16mm copy of this complete 2nd reel from the current owner and has kindly offered to show this (along with the rest of the available film!) during the Boys at the Bull event on June 24th. You need to make sure you mark this in your dairies and collanders – believe me you wouldn’t want to miss this one.

More on the restoration of this film at Battle of the Century

Of course, in the morning of June 24th, we will again be venturing out to Barkston to lay a few flowers on AJ’s grave and to visit the Plough Inn.

Our next meetings, always on the 3rd Wednesday of the month are April 19th – where we are going to show all the extant film coverage of Stan and Ollies trip on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railway, which some prtions you would not have seen before; May 17th; June 21st – where we will celebrate Stan’s birthday and maybe show a 1940s film.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday. Please bring all your friends and relations – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

All are welcome and entry is free.

By royal approval….we have themed our Wednesday film show “LUGH and Marriage” recognising that this is the closest date we can ever have to Valentine’s Day. We have a strong programme of Hal Roach Studio short film subjects where Stan & Ollie are smitten by their young ladies fair. Indeed I hear you say, imitating real life Stan & Ollie. In this, we will be showing the 4-reel film featurette…..Beau Hunks from 1931, our tent’s signature film. For those who haven’t seen this film before you’ll at long last get to understand why our Vice-shieikh Martin can’t help himself and toast “Jeannie-Weenie” at every meeting. Though, she doesn’t actually appear in the film…the young lady in question is Jean “well read, travelled all over the world, loved by everyone” Harlow. However, undoubtedly she would get decent royalties by the number of times her photograph appears during the film!!

We will also be recomembering Anita Garvin and Tiny Sandford, whose birthdays are in this month on the 11th and 26th respectively , with a tribute by the Dirty Work Tent . I’m also going to start a month by month feature on the Boys 1947 variety tour of the UK….now exactly 70 years ago.

If you haven’t yet seen the Lucky Dog’s Theatre Companie’s superb production of the docu-play “Hats Off to Laurel & Hardy”, then you still have an opportunity to see it locally at the end of this week. They will be at the Leicester Guildhall on Friday evening 17th Feb 7.30pm as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival and then at the Century Theatre, Coalville on Saturday evening 18th Feb 7.30pm….tickets are approx £10 each. I will be going to the Saturday Coalville performance.
See http://www.luckydogtheatreproductions.com/dates.html

The Boys at the Bull Inn is provisionally set for June 17th (but this may move to the 24th). We are hoping to show something pretty unique and special – so make sure you mark it up on your Laurel & Hardy Calenders. More details to follow on this before next months film show which will Weds March 21st.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday. Please bring friends, wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, valentine’s, family and the kids – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

BS I hear you ask why is the show by Royal Approval….well its just been revealed that the amazing secret of the Queen’s recovery from her nasty cold over the Christmas period was a good dose of Laurel & Hardy films.
See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4192496/The-Queen-cheered-watching-Laurel-Hardy.html
So if its good enough for the Queen…….
BBS I might just write to invite her to one of our shows next time she’s in the area!

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

A belated Happy New Year to you all. Our next film show is this Wednesday, 18th January at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – in the “Beeston cinema”.
All are welcome and entry is free.

This Wednesday just happens to fall on Babe Hardy’s birthday….and not just any birthday, he was born 18th Jan 1892 and so we’ll be celebrating the 125th university of his birth…yes that’s 125 years ago! We have a strong programme of Hal Roach Studio short film subjects planned which reflects the day, Babe’s talents or his real life personality. I’m also taking the opportunity to show a solo one-reel (10 mins) silent comedy film from 1915 where a young Babe Hardy plays a very prominent role. We will also be showing latter age film, newsreel and home movie clips of Babe from the 1950s.

Yes, there will be a birthday cake, usual snacks…..and of course the famous raffle, any unwanted christmas presents would be gratefully accepted.

After Wednesday, our next film show will be the usual 3rd Wednesday….February 15th.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you this Wednesday to celebrate Babe’s 125th birthday. Please bring friends and family – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Our “Boys at the Bull” film show is Saturday, June 18th at the Bull Inn in Bottesford 1pm -6pm. It is FREE and all are welcome. Stan’s sister “Beatrice Olga” ran the pub with her husband Bill Healey in the early 1950s. Stan & Ollie would occasionally visit the pub on their travels between venues during their theatrical tours of the UK. Notable visits include Easter Day 1952 and Christmas Day 1953 during their theatrical engagement at the Nottingham Empire theatre. The Bull Inn is worth a visit as there are photos/ press clippings that mark their visits. This year we will be theme-ing the film show “Stan & Olly-inpics at the Bull” in recognition of the future Olympics in Brazil. If anyone wants to join me, I’ll also be visiting the village of Barkston (north of Grantham) in the morning….to lay some flowers on Arthur Jeffersons grave (Stan Laurel’s father) and to visit the Plough Inn (Beatrice Olgas first pub, which Stan & Ollie visited in 1947). Meet outside the Stag Inn, Barkston for 11am and I’ll take you round this little village – with so many L&H connections.

Fraternally Yours,
Dave T
(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Please join us for a FREE film show:

Every 3^rd Wednesday of the month

7:30 – 10:30pm

At: White Lion Bar & Kitchen (home of The Beeston Cinema),
24 Middle Street, Beeston, NG9 1FX.  Opposite Tesco’s

This is a family film show and ALL ARE WELCOME

This is organised by the Derby & Nottingham Beau Hunks tent – your local group of the international Laurel & Hardy appreciation society aka ‘The Sons of the Desert’. We are a friendly bunch, always looking for new members. No membership fees, subscriptions or entrance charges, just lots of laughs in the company of Stan and Ollie.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.

For further details contact Dave Tomlinson at

01332-673685 or email DTomlinson@Tinyworld.co.uk