This month the Beau Hunks tent was hoping to celebrate its 20th year University with a film show at the Bull Inn, Bottesford on Saturday 20th June 2020.

As with all good things this year we have had to accept the inevitable and we have had to cancel our annual event.  Doh!  It’s a shame, as we had themed our show “The second 10 years” with a special restored viewing of “The Second 100 years” by film expert Robin Cook…..and of course a rather fitting showing of “Twice Two”!

A few of us are still hoping to make the short trip out to Bottesford and then on to Barkston to pay our annual respects to Arthur Jefferson (Stan Laurel’s father) by the laying of flowers on his grave….of course, all in accordance with the current social distancing rules.  Anyway, we will celebrate our 20th as soon as its deemed safe and we can show films again at the Bridge Inn, Sandiacre, Nottingham…and of course, we will have our coming of age, 21st anniversary, to look forward to next year…provisionally booked for Saturday June 19th 2021.   Stay Safe everyone and hope to see you all again soon.

Tootle loo.

Dave Tomlinson

GS Beau Hunks tent of Nottingham

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

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

I hope all’s well with you all and still practising your social distancing…..infact with all this practising you must all be quite good at it by now!  Sadly again, there is no L&H film show this (or even next) Wednesday at the Bridge Inn….if you recomember I was going to bring it a week forward this month due to a prior engagement, but given that engagement has been cancelled, i could have had our meeting re-arranged for next week to the usual 3rd wednesday but as the pub isn’t open due to this virus thingy, neither is now possible!  However, as i hadn’t reminded you all, you probably would have turned up next week anyway!  Tell me that again….. Well simply put, its all off!

However, if we did have a meeting this May, we’d probably be paying our usual annual tribute to the ever-popular Mae Busch.  Annie Mae Busch was born on June 18th, 1891 and she appeared in no less than 13 films with the Boys.    Again for anyone, suffering from L&H withdrawal symptoms (like me) and needing a really good laugh during these times then mae I suggest any one (or more) of the following L&H films with the temptress vamp Maesie Mae…

She appears as a formidable Mrs Hardy in…Unaccustomed As We Are, Their First Mistake, Sons of the Desert, and The Bohemian Girl

She appears as a strong and independent wayward woman in ..Love Em & weep, Oliver the 8th, Come Clean, The Live Ghost, Chickens Come Home, Going Bye-bye, and The Fixer                           Uppers

But, undoubtedly her Best short films are as Mrs Hall in Them Thar Hills and Tit for Tat……...tra la la la la la la la la la….pom pom!

Unfortunately, last Sunday Boris has spoken to say that pubs/cinemas etc will not open before the end of June, and a date for opening is likely to drag well into July and possibly longer and no doubt with some form of restrictions.  Sadly, this will mean that we’ve lost our monthly June meeting and our 20th anniversary celebrations at the Bull Inn.  I’ve not yet formally cancelled our “Boys at the Bull Inn” event on Saturday June 20th with the pub as we could put something together at the last moment if a miracle happens.  That is, a miracle such as UK wide immunisation, immediate and reliable COVID  testing, C-19 is irradicated, it mutates into something less problematic or….. it just surrenders to our wonderful NHS staff with a white flag.  However, in reality, recognising now the prevailing situation, the likely pub availability, the difficulties of the small bowling alley to adequately social distance, the age of our membership and the potential  risks involved, and the ability to put on a show, I believe it is extremely unlikely now that we could do this not just in June or July but at anytime during the summer.   So informally, our 2020 Bull inn event is now cancelled….or I should say postponed until next June when we will be celebrating our coming of age 21st year as a tent.  I’ll formally cancel with the pub early in June.  I am still hoping to visit AJs grave and lay some flowers on June 20th and dependent on the prevailing restrictions,  we may be able to meet and walk round Barkston/Bottesford and possibly have a drink in the Bull Inn.

As regards this and our monthly meetings….all I can say is watch this space!

In the interim….do stay safe and keep in touch.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Acting on tonights very sombre advice given by the prime minister, I’ve reluctantly taken the decision to postpone this Wednesday’s meeting/film show and possibly future shows.

Hopefully, it won’t be too long before  we can all get back together again and hopefully at the Bridge Inn.  I will keep you informed, but in the meantime do take care, stay safe and of course watch a few Laurel & Hardy films from the box set as we all need a laugh at this difficult time.

Keep in touch.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this forthcoming Wednesday, 18th March at our  NEW VENUE…..THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We will again be in the outside function room.

All are welcome and entry is free.

After the storms we now have this horrible Covid-19 to deal with….its not been a good start to 2020 has it?  At the moment I’m still planning to run our film show next Wednesday as I’m sure you will agree we all need some comedy magic at this time to cheer us up…especially from our comedy heroes, Stan & Ollie.  Of course if you don’t feel well – please do stay at home and we wish you all the best to get well, or if you just feel uncomfortable attending a public gathering at this time, then we certainly understand and hope to see you again very soon.

If you can make it,  I have a “Tough Guys (& Dolls)”  theme where Stan & Ollie are confronted by some really tough characters….one of these is Walter Butch Long, whose birthday we will be celebrating this month.  I will be showing a number of Laurel & Hardy short films with Walter long, Noah Young, Anita Garvin and Frank Brownlee.

We will also be continuing our series of cartoons with an Ub Iwerks short from 1935 entitled Balloon Land, a musical tale in which the happy people of Balloon Land live in peril from the dreaded pincushion man (and indeed not Covid)….Stan and Ollie appear as balloons – its all quite surreal.

We also intend to run the usual raffle and all donations are very gratefully accepted.  All monies raised go directly to funding our tent.

The Bull inn, Bottesford. is booked for Saturday June 20th 2020 for our annual Laurel & Hardy film show.  We will be celebrating our 20th tent anniversary so accordingly i’ve entitled our show “The 2nd 10 years”.  Robin Cook has kindly agreed to show us his restoration of the 2nd 100 years L&H silent film.  More info on our special university will follow in the forthcoming months.

Our April show is on Weds, April 15th.

So, hopefully, if you are well and can tough it out, we’ll see you on Wednesday.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this forthcoming Wednesday, 19th February at our  NEW VENUE…..THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We will again be in the outside function room.

All are welcome and entry is free.

First, there was storm Ciara, then there was Dennis the Menace next is Laurel & Hardy – floundering in a typhoid off Hawaii !  Indeed, I hope none of you have been seriously affected by the storms.  However, this Wednesday we will be continuing the “Wet ‘n windy” theme with the showing of one of the Boys best , if not their best, film…..“The Sons of the Desert ” from 1933.   We will be supporting this with a silent where having plenty of wind helps!   We also have two talkie shorts where the Boys are feeling a little miserable, under the weather….but all with a whirlwind of laughs to cheer you up!

We will also be continuing our series of cartoons with a Looney Tunes short from October 1935 entitled Hollywood Capers where “Beans” the cat” (oh no not more wind!) disguises himself at Oliver Hardy and meets WC Fields and Charlie Chaplin.  In the cartoon, the Oliver Hardy disguise blows away in the wind.  Also, Frankinstein’s monster is energised and comes off worst in a fight with ….guess what …a Wind Machine!  Surreal or what?

We also intend to run the usual raffle with some great prizes –  as usual, all donations are very gratefully accepted.

I have just ONE more 2020 Laurel & Hardy Calendar left on sale at £5.   If it doesn’t go early on, it’ll go in the raffle.

The Lucky Dog theatre company are returning to Leicester to perform 2 shows at The Guildhall (Kings Hall) as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival this forthcoming Saturday. February 22nd.  In the evening,  at 8pm , they will be performing their wonderful 2- hour biographical show “Hats Off to Laurel & Hardy”.  This will be preceded by a 2-hour show  in the afternoon entitled “The                                            Laurel & Hardy Cabaret” commencing at 3pm.  This appears to be an extended show  –  looking at a number of Laurel & Hardy film sketches and their sketches used during their 1947, 1952 and 1953/4 tours.  Its a £10 admission for each show and will need to be booked in advance as last year it sold out.  I will be at both shows.  Go to luckydogtheatreproductions.com to book.

The Bull inn, Bottesford. is booked for Saturday June 20th 2020 for our annual Laurel & Hardy film show.  We will be celebrating our 20th tent anniversary so accordingly i’ve entitled our show “The 2nd 10 years”.  Robin Cook has kindly agreed to show us his restoration of the 2nd 100 years L&H silent film.  More info on our special university will follow in the forthcoming months.

Our March show  is on Weds, March 18th.

So, hopefully, weather permitting, we’ll see you on Wednesday.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Happy new year to you all.

Our next film show is this forthcoming Wednesday, 15th January at our  NEW VENUE…..THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We will again be in the outside function room.

All are welcome and entry is free.

I hope you all had a great Christmas.  As per tradition, this month, we will be celebrating the university of the birth of Oliver Norvel Hardy…one half of undoubtedly the worlds greatest comedy team of all time.  He was born January 18th 1892, 128 years ago.  I have lined up another fine programme of Hal Roach studio films where Ollie puts in more than a stellar performance alongside Stan Laurel….providing everything From Soup to Nuts on his travels from Hollywood to Oxford!    I thought after showing “Home Helps” in November, we should complete the modern day “The Chump at Oxford” by showing the full original US slim-liner version of the film that was released in 1939….it’s a version I haven’t shown for at least 10 years.  Also, as its Babe’s birthday, I’m hoping to show a 2 reel Glenn Tryon silent from 1926 where Babe plays a good supporting role….it would be termed a solo film except that Stan puts in a fleeting and disguised appearance at the end of the film.    This will all be supported by a few popular talkie L&H short films. ….and yes, of course there will be a birthday cake!

We will also be continuing our series of cartoons with a Looney Tunes short from November 1934 entitled Buddy’s adventures.

We also intend to run the usual raffle with some great prizes –  as usual all donations are very gratefully accepted, especially those unwanted presents from Christmas.

I have just  FOUR  2020 Laurel & Hardy Calendars left…..they are now on sale at £5 each.  First come first served on Wednesday.

I’ve re-booked the venue for each and every 3rd Wednesday of the month….except for May, where due to circumstances within my control I’ve had to set it for May 13th!  Next meet though is Feb 19th with a showing of a tent favourite….Sons of the Desert.

I’m also targeting Saturday June 20th 2020 for our Laurel & Hardy film show at the Bull Inn, Bottesford.   I hope to firm this all up in the next week or two.

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

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our Christmas film show is this forthcoming Wednesday, 18th December at our  NEW VENUE…..THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We will be in the outside function room.  I’ll give the venue a ring beforehand to make sure they have warmed it up beforehand.

All are welcome and entry is free.

It’s our Christmas film show……and as expected we will be screening the Boys in some of their best talkie shorts that cover the Christmas festive season – and of course, our annual screening of the Boys selling Christmas trees in Big Business!

Early in the evening, at about 8.30pm, we will be holding our 5th annual Kneesy Earsy Nosey competition….this is not just for the kids, it’s an open competition and anyone can join in and have a bit of fun.   But I hear you say…..what is this……well check this out on Youtube……and it will kind of explain it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFEFL6ThRI

The clip is from the Laurel & Hardy film Fra Diavolo.  You now have just six days left to practice the basic movements.   There’s a tent trophy and a prize for the winner.  Denise,  Martin and our ex-tent champions will be on hand to show you the basic movements on the night…..Denise, incidentally is a 3-times world champion from the Wigan Laurel & Harday – but she’s not permitted to compete!!

We also have a Christmas based cartoon from 1933 entitled “The Merry Old Soul” and a one or two other Christmas based items.

The pub owner has agreed that we can put on a small christmas fuddle….I’d say it will be more of a super snack than a full buffet – just like we had last year!!   It’s free…we’ll bring the food so all you need to do is bring yourself, friends, relatives, etc.

We also intend to run the usual raffle with some great prizes –  as usual all donations are gratefully accepted.

I just have a few 2020 Laurel & Hardy Calendars left at £10 each making an ideal Christmas present for a friend, relative or even the boss.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you on Wednesday.  If not, I wish you a Laurel Christmas and Hardy New Year,

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is next Wednesday, 20th Nowonder  at our usual NEW VENUE…..THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We will be in the outside function room.

All are welcome and entry is free.

As we are slowly but surely approaching the Christmas and Panto season, this month I’ve entitled our Laurel & Hardy film show “What a Dame!”.  We will be showing 4 of 7 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 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 8 years, so its certainly due an airing.  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.

We will also be continuing our series of short cartoons from the 1930s.    This month we intend to show “The Autograph Hunter” a 5 min Krazy Kat cartoon from 1934,  featuring many characterisations  of Hollywood celebrity at the Brown Derby Restaurant in LA, including  Laurel & Hardy washing and dropping dishes in the restaurant’s kitchen years before they did it for real in Thicker than Water (1935) and Swiss Miss (1938)……could the cartoon have been the influence for the film gag ?  See what you think.

We will have the usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully accepted.

I do still have a number of the “official” 2020 Laurel & Hardy calendars to sell.  I will be bringing these down to the meeting this month and I can still sell them at last years price of £10 each.  But in January, the price will have to go up 😉 !!

Our Christmas meeting is still in the Bridge Inn diary for Wednesday December 18th 7.30pm – I was given reasonable assurances that it  was unlikely to be trumped by a much better offer, but if it was we’d be given at least 2 weeks notice….so assume this is the date.    We plan to show the usual Christmas L&H short films, have a mini-buffet and yes we will be running our annual tent Kneesie Earsie Nosey ……the competition is open to all, so start practising your moves…..there’s less than 6 weeks to Christmas!

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday at the NEW VENUE.  This is a family friendly show – all are very welcome from 4 to 104 years.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

The bridge is now open so it is possible to get to the The Bridge Inn from both directions.