“Boys At the Bull”

The Nottingham Beau Hunks Tent again invite everyone everywhere to join them in an afternoon of film fun and frivolity at the Bull Inn in Bottesford (between Nottingham & Grantham, NG130BW) on Saturday 22nd June, 1pm until 6pm.  The Bull Inn was once run by Stan’s sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey.   Stan & Ollie  visited the pub on a number of occasions during their 1952 and 1953/4 variety theatre tours of the UK.   The pub’s lounge is adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those very special visits. 

This year, we have entitled our film show “LAUREL & HARDY’S ANIMAL CRACKERS”.  This is a tribute to the brilliant animals that appear in many  wonderful Laurel & Hardy films….including Ethel the chimp, MGM the lion and of course….. poor old Laughing Gravy!  Indeed, we will be showing many short Laurel & Hardy films during the day.

The highlight of the day will be a premiere screening of a fully complete and restored version of the silent short DUCK SOUP (1927) by film historian and tent member, Robin Cook.  Robin has meticulously restored the US version of this film himself using professional software from four different sources – the 1928 British print rediscovered at the British Film Institute in 2013, the actual Belgian print discovered in 1974, a censored clip from the Library of Congress, USA, and a French 9.5mm home-movie print from 1937.  I’ve been told by authorative observers that the print quality is absolutely amazing – indeed the best they’ve seen!

We will also have author Danny Lawrence selling and signing his book on Stan’s father, Arthur Jefferson (AJ),  and co-authors Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite will be talking about their interesting series of books entitled  “Two Peas in a Pod”…duh.   

John Palmer will also be bringing his fabulous Model T Ford motorcar, presenting an ideal opportunity for photos.   We will have the usual raffle and observational quiz.   

The event is FREE and all kids aged from 4 to 104 are very welcome.

In the morning,  we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ,  and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where of course Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 variety tour.   We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects to a very special father.    Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG322NB) at 10.30 am, Saturday morning.  

The Beau Hunks Tent continue to meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the White Lion Pub,  24, Middle Street, Beeston, NG91FX, Nottingham at 7.30pm.     

All are very welcome to join us.

 For more information please contact Grand Sheik, Dave Tomlinson at DTomlinson@tinyworld.co.uk

Bull Inn Bottesford, Easter Sunday 13th April 1952  – a day before they perform “A Spot of Trouble” for a week at the Nottingham Empire theatre.

(courtesy of the Nottingham Evening Post from an article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian Apr 19th 1952 – colourised by the Leicester Mercury in 2010)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this Wednesday, 15th May  at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   Hopefully we’ll be upstairs again.

All are welcome and entry is free.

This month is our  “Nothing but Mae” film show in tribute to the eternally ever-popular Mae Busch.  Though her birthday is next month (June 18th), its always over-shadowed by Stan’s birthday just two days latter – so it has now become our annual fixture to pay tribute to one of our favourite supporting actresses a month earlier – in May….indeed, the month that was named after her wasn’t it?   Though she was a major silent film star, infact a million dollar babe of the 1920s where many of the films she appeared in grossed a million dollars, she was actually a year younger than Stan, born June 18th 1891.  I intend to show nothing but a series of Laurel & Hardy short films in which the eternally ever-popular Mae Busch provides a supporting, and in one film, a top billing role!

We will also continue our history of L&H cartoons with a short cartoon from 1933 entitled “The Five and Dime” , where Oswald the Rabbit performs the song “Million Dollar Baby” on the piano in a five and dime store with cameo appearances by Jimmy Durante, Charlie Chaplin and of course Stan & Ollie.   We will have the usual raffle, all donations are gratefully accepted.

May I remind you that we have not one but two film shows next month…both with an animal theme.  Firstly, on Wednesday evening, June 19th,  at the White Lion,

we will be screening  ZENOBIA (1939), the so-called “Elephant in the Room” film that was the cause of that controversial argument in the recent STAN & OLLIE (2019) film.  We shall of course  be celebrating the university of Stan’s birth 129 years ago!

Then, on the following Saturday, June 22nd, we have our annual  “Boys at the Bull”  film event at the Bull Inn in Bottesford (between Nottingham & Gantham, NG13 0BW)),  with the usual 1pm start (until 6pm).   The Bull Inn was once run by Stan’s sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey.   Stan & Ollie  visited the pub on a number of occasions during their 1952 and 1953/4  theatrical tours of the UK.   The pub’s lounge is adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those very special visits.

This year, we have entitled our Bulll Inn film show “LAUREL & HARDY’S ANIMAL CRACKERS”.  This is a tribute to the brilliant animals that appear in many  wonderful Laurel & Hardy films….including Ethel the chimp, MGM the lion and of course….. poor old Laughing Gravy!  Indeed, we will be showing many animal-related short Laurel & Hardy films during the day.  The highlight of the day will be a premiere screening of a fully complete and restored version of the silent short DUCK SOUP (1927) by film historian and tent member, Robin Cook.  Robin has meticulously restored the US version of this film himself using professional software from four different sources – the 1928 British print rediscovered at the British Film Institute in 2013, the actual Belgian print discovered in 1974, a censored clip from the Library of Congress, USA, and a French 9.5mm home-movie print from 1937.  I’ve been told by authorative observers that the print quality is absolutely amazing – indeed the best they’ve seen!  We will also have author Danny Lawrence on-hand selling and signing his book on Stan’s father, Arthur Jefferson (AJ),  and co-authors Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite will be talking about their interesting series of books entitled  “Two Peas in a Pod”…duh.   John has graciously agreed to bring his fabulous Model T Ford motorcar, presenting an ideal opportunity for photos (weather permitting).   We will have the usual raffle and observational quiz.   The event is FREE and all are very welcome.

On the morning of June 22nd,  we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ,  and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where of course Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 theatre tour.   We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects to a very special father.    Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG32 2NB) at 10.30 am.

We have already started to advertise the event amongst the Laurel & Hardy fraternity, so we are hoping for a few “out-of-towners” with us.  Rob Lewis has already confirmed with me that he’ll be making the trip up again with his family from the “South of London”.  I’m also hoping to have the Helpmates L&H lookalikes (Gregg Taylor) with us too.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – 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 March at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We should be upstairs again!

All are welcome and entry is free.

For those that are fed up of the another nice mess we have got ourselves into, called Brexit…you will be pleased to know that next Wednesday I have declared our film show a Brexit free zone….i will not be mentioning that B-word again!  However, as I’m short of a theme this month….I will be mentioning a lot of other B-words….and infact our beautiful and  brilliantly funny films will all begin with the letter “B“.  I was quite amazed to learn that of the 106 (or is it 107?) films  that Stan & Ollie are credited , that no less than 16 of them begin with the letter “B“…and infact three of them comprise of two words beginning with the Letter B (ie Be Big, Big Business and Busy Bodies)!!  In this list of 16 films…3 are silent shorts, 7 are talkie shorts and 6 are feature films.  All interesting stuff, I hear you say….but what you going to show on Wednesday?  Well, certainly no B-movies.  We’ll be starting with a  silent short from the Boys featuring Edgar Kennedy, whose birthday it is this month….with a young Jean Harlow.  This will be followed by the  Boys 1936 feature film  “Bohemian Girl“…with Thelma Todd and Mae Busch.   In this film Stan has trouble bottling wine whilst siphoning from a large barrel and ends up being “guzzled”

After the break, it is talkie short films all the way until the end (or should I say exit!).  First, we will be showing the film I’ve been trying to fit in for the last  couple of months  “Berth Marks” … that has a beginning that had been adopted and adapted for the beginning of their “Birds of a Feather” sketch used during the 1953/4 British tour, which was the subject of the “Stan & Ollie” film.  This will be followed by one or two talkie of your choice from a list of 4 (“Be Big”, “Blotto”, “Brats” or “Busy Bodies”).

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s, which will be in the B-theme!  Of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received.

Our following film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – May 15th, when we will be paying tribute to the ever-popular Mae Busch.   Our event at the Bull Inn in Bottesford is set for Saturday June 22nd 1pm to 6 pm – we will be having a bit of an animal theme.  This is the pub, that Stan & ollie visited a number of  times during the 1950s UK tours.  It was run by Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill.  We will also be out at Barkston in the morning visiting the Plough Inn (Stan’s sister s 1st pub) and paying our respects to Arthur Jefferson (Stan’s father) who is buried in the local cemetery.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome, to what should be a B-good evening!

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 20th March at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   I hope we will be upstairs again!

All are welcome and entry is free.

There were many film careers sustained and many others launched by an appearance with Laurel & Hardy.  None more so than that of an a young american actress born Harlean Carpenter….. later known to the world as Jean Harlow.  However, we know her best as the young lady that broke Oliver Hardy’s heart …and yes so many other hearts in “Beau Hunks”. the much travelled and toasted, Jeannie Weenie (….she’s mine all mine!). This month we will be celebrating the university of her birth, by showing not 1 but 2 of the 3 short films she appeared in.…and we’ll be showing our tents namesake film “Beau Hunks”, where her image fails to be a distant memory.

“Stan & Ollie” can still be seen in many local cinemas and the good news is that the DVD is shortly to be released (March 26th in the USA, but no date yet over here in the UK).  As mentioned in my previous emails, this is an absolute brilliant film with some absolutely great touches with Messrs Cougan & Reily capturing their on and off screen personas superbly.   Unfortunately, the writer played a little fast and loose with the facts concerning the 1953/4 UK tour on which the film is supposedly based.   In the last few months, I’ve been looking at what was good about this storyline but more importantly what was not so good and trying to correct some….or i should say, many of the errors.   In January, we looked at the timing of the Cobh visit and the unreal  “Elephant in the room” argument between Stan & Ollie.  In February, we took a week by week “whistle-stop” view at the theatre tour, corrected any ideas that this was a rags to riches story, clarified what exactly they were performing or indeed not performing on stage, and the real circumstances of Ollies heart attack.  Also as a tent, we generally expressed our disappointment that there was no representation of the 5 week visit to Nottingham for their special and unique sold-out Christmas Party show and of their trips to the Bull Inn, particularly when they served behind the bar on Christmas Day.  I  wouldn’t be unbiased in thinking that THIS was the highlight of their UK tour after visiting Cobh….rather than fictitious appearances at the Worthing Lido and the London Lyceum.    Thanks goes out to Stan Laurel book author Danny Lawrence, who gave his personal thoughts/concerns on how Stan was depicted during the movie – particularly in his harshness to Hal Roach and in his treatment of Babe, which I thoroughly agreed with.

In our third and final part looking back over the storyline, I’m looking very briefly at the mentioned Robin Hood film that was never made and also some of the other people that were/weren’t mentioned by the film.  “Stan & Ollie” is a very good film, putting Laurel & Hardy generally in a good light.  It’s just a shame the storyline wasn’t quite right.  Of course, without an interesting and engaging storyline, “Stan & Ollie” may never have been filmed….which would have been a bigger shame!   As a close to our final ramblings on the film, I will be showing the full 30 min restored version of the “This if Your Life” US TV broadcast  from December 1954.  This was broadcast just 6 months after they returned from their 1953/4 UK tour.

We will also be showing “Berth Marks”, which unfortunately we couldn’t show last month that has a beginning that had been adopted and adapted for the beginning of their “Birds of a Feather” sketch used during the 1953/4 UK tour.

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received.

Our next film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – April 17th.   Our event at the Bull Inn in Bottesford is set for Saturday June 22nd 1pm to 6 pm – we will be having a bit of an animal theme.  We will also be out at Barkston in the morning visiting the Plough Inn (Stan’s sisters 1st pub) and paying our respects to Arthur Jefferson (Stan’s father) who is buried in the local cemetery.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 20th February at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We could be upstairs or….ermm downstairs!!

All are welcome and entry is free.

Though the sad news is that the wonderful “Stan & Ollie” cinematic film show may have come and gone, the good news is that it has generated a great deal of interest, new information and a new fervour for all things Laurel & Hardy including their films…and so the party continues.   Horray!!  This month, we will be showing one of the Boys best feature films……“Way out West” from 1937.  Indeed this was the film that the Boys were making at the start of the latest “Stan & Ollie” film with the “At the Ball, That’s all”  dance routine, which was then later reproduced on stage.   It also contains the magical “Trail of the Lonesone Pine” …..also reproduced in the “Stan & Ollie” film.    I will also be  showing a number of short Laurel & Hardy films from the Hal Roach studio which include some gags/routines that are seen in the new film release.

As I’ve mentioned before, though the “Stan & Ollie” film is a great film, the writer was a bit (OK a lot) fast and loose with the true facts of the 1953/4 UK tour and the UK tours in general.  Yes…hmmm, why should the true facts get in the way of a good story!  And indeed, its a good story!  Last month, we highlighted two of the major untruths in the film.  First concerning their trip to Cobh, which though it did happen, it occurred at the beginning of their 1953/4 tour, that is before they travelled on to the UK England and certainly not at the end.  We also exposed that the “elephant in the room” argument concerning Zenobia was just pure fiction, another rouse for a good story line.  Though undoubtedly they would have had a few grumpy moments during the tour, there were certainly no reported grudges, arguments or upset between them; then or ever.  Of course without these dramas, “Stan & Ollie” may never have been filmed.  This month, I will continue to look at the UK leg of the 1953/4 tour….and dismiss the myth that it was a rags to riches story as depicted – infact, sadly it was probably more the opposite!

The film is a great film and if you haven’t yet seen it, I still urge you to go and see it.  The characterisations are brilliant and you will soon forget you are watching Messrs Cougan & Reily.

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received.

Forthcoming Events…

1. The Lucky Dog theatre company are performing 3 shows at the Leicester guildhall as part of the Leicester comedy festival.  First off is a 2- hour biographical show “Hats Off to Laurel & Hardy” for £10 on Friday at 7,30pm.  Then on Saturday and Sunday is a 1-hour  “The Laurel & Hardy cabaret”  show which looks at sketches in films and on UK-tour for £8 at 3pm.  I’ll be at the first show.

2. Jeffrey Holland will be at the Century Theatre in Coalville on Saturday March 9th 7.30pm with his wonderful play, “…And this is my friend Mr Laurel” .  £16 & concessions £14.  They also have a screening of “Stan & Ollie”  Friday, March 22nd.  Indeed, I will be there.

3. Our next film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – March 20th.

4. Rob Lewis and Roger Robinson are planning a Laurel and Hardy event on May 25th with a visit to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch mini Railway that Stan & Ollie partly re-opened in 1947.  Details to follow.

5.  Our event at the Bull Inn has now been set for Saturday June 22nd – we will be having a bit of an animal theme.   Rob Lewis GS of the Helpmates UK tent will again be joining us…Rob, was one of three Laurel & Hardy consultants who were on set during the filming of “Stan & Ollie”.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 16th January at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We’ll probably be downstairs again in the warmth.

All are welcome and entry is free.

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, 127 years ago.  We will also be celebrating the release of “Stan & Ollie”, a bio-pic that has already attracted award nominations both here with the BAFTAs and across the pond with the Golden Globes.  I can’t believe how much publicity has gone into this with newspaper and magazine articles and TV coverage covering not only the film but also the real Laurel & Hardy…there has also been a multitude (if not an embarrassing level) of film ads in newspapers, magazines, ITV, electronic advertising signs….even advertising on the sides of double-decker buses.   Obviously we all hope it will do well at the box-office.  Some of you I know have already seen it and enjoyed it.

Yes, I highly recommend you do see it.

….Back to theme – this month I will be showing a number of short Laurel & Hardy films from the Hal Roach studio with a good leaning to Babe Hardy, some with gags that are duplicated in the new film.  I will also show clips from the best TV articles I’ve seen concerning L&H and the film release.  I also intend to show a few clips from the “Elephant (in the room)” film that is mentioned in the Stan & Ollie film….that is the film that Babe did with Harry Langdon and “apparently” upset Stan when he was out of contract!   I will avoid any spoilers for those that have not seen it…but as I’ve mentioned before there are several facts that do go astray, but these do not significantly detract from what is a very good film that shows the great love, respect and affection that these great men had for each other throughout their lives.  We will expose some of these inaccuracies at future meetings – just to put the record straight!

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received  – particularly any unwanted Christmas presents (but best not to bring those from nearest & dearest) :-).

More information..

1.  I believe there are still places left for Laurel & Hardy courses being run at the Derby Quad cinema (Sat 19th January) culminating in a showing  of “Stan & Ollie” and at the Nottingham Broadway cinema (sat 26th January) with a showing of “Atoll K”.  I will be at both, but the former is recommended over the latter!!

2.  There is a wonderful newspaper article on the local L&H connections…particularly the Bull Inn, in the Leicester Mercury.

See  https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/day-laurel-hardy-came-bull-2410951

3.  Next film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – February 20th, when we hope to show one of the Boys best features, Way out West  which is the basis of much of the goings on…off in the “Stan & Ollie” film.

4.  I’ve been informed that Jeffrey Holland will be at the Century Theatre in Coalville on Saturday March 9th with his wonderful play, “…And this is my friend Mr Laurel”

5.   Rob Lewis and Roger Robinson are planning a Laurel and Hardy event at the end of May, with a visit to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch mini Railway that Stan & Ollie partly re-opened in 1947.  Details to follow.

6.  We are again planning an event at the Bull Inn – provisionally for  Saturday June 22nd, but we will firm up details before next months meeting with our usual meeting at the White Lion on  Wednesday June 19th.

Egg-citing times indeed,

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 21st Nowonder at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   I‘m expecting that we will be upstairs again.

All are welcome and entry is free.

This month, we will be commemorating 100 years since the World War 1 Armistice with the screening of a related L&H short silent film and with the screening of the wonderful 1938 feature film favourite, “Block-heads”, from the Hal Roach film studios.  In this feature film, Stan returns to the USA as a war hero ….that is after being discovered still guarding a trench on the front line 20 years after Armistice!!

We will also be the celebrating the birthday of Dorothy Granger, an actress who played a minor supporting role in at least 4 Laurel & Hardy short films at the Hal Roach studios…one of them, which we’ll show where she plays two separate roles.

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully accepted.

Our Christmas meeting has also been provisionally set for the usual 3rd Wednesday….December 19th .  We intend to show the usual traditional Christmas films and to have another mini-buffet….indeed, just like the one we had last year.  All are welcome.

Talking about Christmas….and more specifically Christmas presents, I have now secured a total 20 Laurel & Hardy 2019 calenders from Rob Lewis at the Chatham L&H convention.  These I can sell at the reduced price of £10 each….there should be enough for all who originally requested them but I’m afraid they will have to be sold on a first come first served basis, as I can’t recomember who asked for one. Doh!   I’ve also secured a few  “A Spot of trouble in Southend” books written and signed by Roger Robinson.  This is a significantly expanded re-issue of his original book that not only covers the Boys visit to Southend in 1952 but several chapters covering a context to this; covering the 1952 tour in general and their other tours and performances.  These are signed by Roger and are available at a reduced price of  £10 each.

I have been lucky enough to have now seen the new Stan & Ollie biopic film –  I have to say that it is absolutely brilliant and well-recommended to watch in January when it is on general release in our cinemas…..its a good story and characterisations of Stan & Ollie are absolutely spot on during the film.  The only (minor) negative comment i have against it is that the storyline is very loosely based on fact which sadly is full of misleading information and is totally lacking in any significant biographical content….but unlike Laurel & Hardy’s Christmas cards (in The Fixer Uppers)…its full of sentiment and reflects the true love and respect that these fine men had for each other at the end of their lives.  So, its highly recommended.  If I get to learn about any advance showings in our area, i’ll certainly let you know.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this Wednesday, 17th Octember at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   I‘m expecting that we will be upstairs again.

All are welcome and entry is free.

I want to thank Danny Lawrence for his fascinating talk on Arthur Jefferson, Stan Laurel’s father last month.  I know that many of you learnt a lot and were surprised at how interesting AJ was as a character and what a significant influence he was on Stan’s life and career.  Thanks again Danny.

This month, we will be celebrating the birthdays of two of the most significant supporting actors/actresses in Laurel & Hardy films ……  the diminutive and forceful Daphne Pollard (October 19th) and the eternal drunk Arthur “Hiccup”  Housman (October 10th).   We’ll be showing a number of L&H films that they appeared in together or separately – particularly one of my favourites, the Hal Roach feature film “Our Relations”, where Stan & Ollie eventually meet their twin brothers Bert and Alf.  Daphne plays Mrs Hardy…and Arthur Housman is the drunk!

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully accepted.

I’m afraid no more news on the Stan & Ollie film, except that it will be premiered in London next Sunday (21st October).

There’s been much chatter concerning the trailer amongst the Sons….but I think the attached pdf presents a representative set of thoughts by highly respected USA Son, Tracy Tolzmann. Stan & Ollie essay

Our Christmas meeting has also been provisionally set for the usual 3rd Wednesday….December 19th .  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 3rd 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 (http://www.laurelandhardy.org/2019_CALENDAR.html), but if I buy in bulk, I maybe able to get them a little cheaper from Rob just as we did last year.

I also understand that Antony and Joanne Mitchell Waite will be launching their new book entitled “Like Two Peas in a Pod – A visual guide to Laurel & Hardy Look-alikes  and Tribute Acts on the stage: in Pantomime, Theatre, Burlesque and Street Performance” at the Helpmates Convention…I’ve been given a sneak preview at a few of the early chapters and it looks very interesting.  From other books Ant and Jo have produced I have no doubts it’ll be a sure hit…and there’s even a short foreword written by…a certain Beau Hunks Grand Shreak  – which was an honour for me to write.  I’m hoping to get Ant & Jo to one of our future meetings, but if you want an advance copy let me know.  Price is still yet to be determined.

I also (also) understand that Roger Robinson is launching a re-edit and expansion of his “On the Spot” book based on the Boys appearance in Southend in 1952.  Again, if interested, let me know and I’ll find out price and I’ll obtain the book in Chatham.

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

Our next film show is on the usual 3rd Wednesday of the month….November 21st at 7.30pm, when we will be commemorating 100 years since the  Armistice in our own little way,  with the showing of the Laurel & Hardy feature film “Block-heads” .

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – 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 September  at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   Hopefully we’ll be back upstairs again.

All are welcome and entry is free.

This month, we are celebrating the university of the birth of Stan Laurel’s father “Arthur Jefferson” (senior), who’s date of birth (we think) is September 12th, 1862.  In celebration, our very own Danny Lawrence, has kindly agreed to give us a small talk on his  book entitled “Arthur Jefferson – Man of the theatre and Father of Stan Laurel” that he released late last year.  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….but sadly not a great businessman.    It is full of many interesting and fascinating new facts not only on Arthur Jefferson but on the other members of his (and Stan Laurel’s) family.  I’ve read Danny’s book and it is absolutely amazing…and I’d say one of the most important books written concerning Laurel & Hardy in the past 10 years.    Indeed yes, I highly recommend it and Danny will be bringing books to sell and sign.  Danny’s talk will also be supported by some rare film footage.   I’ll also be showing some interesting Jefferson family memorabilia, some of which was once owned by the family (ie Beatrice Olga Jefferson).

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

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully accepted.

Thanks to the wizardry of Mark and Fran Elvin, our Beau Hunks webpage has been updated with a write-up and a few photos of our day-out to the Bull Inn, Bottesford and to Arthur Jefferson’s grave in Barkston.  See  http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk/

Our next film show is on the usual 3rd Wednesday of the month….October 17th at 7.30pm.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 8th August  at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   Hopefully we’ll be upstairs again.

All are welcome and entry is free.

As you know, we brought our August film show a week earlier than the usual 3rd week but we’ll be back to the usual 3rd Wednesday, next month (ie September 19th).  But, back to our August film show it will be our “by special request” evening where YOU will select the short films you want to see from a list of films.  As it is the university of the births of James Finlayson (on the 27th)  and Charlie Hall (on the 19th), I’ve prepared a list of 10 films to choose from where one or both of them appear and indeed these are films we haven’t seen for at least 3 months!

So that you can get your thinking caps on….you can choose any 3 from the following list of ten Laurel & Hardy films:-

Films that BOTH Charlie and James appear in:-

1. Men O war (1929) –  The Boys go boating in the local park
2. Me and My Pal (1933) – Stan starts a Jigsaw on the morning of Ollie’s wedding
3. Thicker Than Water (1935) – The Boys win a grandfather’s clock at an auction

Films that only James appears in

4. Night Owls (1930) – the Boys attempt to burgle the police chiefs house
5. Our Wife (1931) – Ollie elopes with Babe London
6. The Chimp (1932) –  With Ethel and the of course the flea circus.

Films that only Charlie appears in

7. Laughing gravy (1931) – with poor ole Laughing gravy!
8. Them Thar Hills (1934) – pom pom
9.  Tit For Tat (1935) – between the Boys electrical shop and Charlie’s grocery shop
10.  The Live Ghost (1934) – the Boys are shanghaied onto a ghost ship!

You can indeed choose on the night and for one night only….there will be choices of color or b/w!!.

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s, and we have a good one this month….Disney’s Mickey;s Gala Premiere from 1933 and we also have a few rarities to show.  We will have the usual raffle, any donations are gratefully accepted.

As its the school summer holidays you are cordially invited to bring all the kids….little and big kids alike aged from 4 to 104!  This is always a family friendly film show.  As mentioned at our Julyt film show we will be running our annual Keesie Earsie Nosey tent championship.  This is an open competition to all competitors not just for the little kids but also for the big kids too.   So don’t feel embarrassed, join in….andof course a little practise may help.  I know our current champion, Katherine is very good (OK, OK ..yes, she’s absolutely brilliant)….but I’m sure she can be beaten and if not there are always 2nd & third prizes available.   So keep practising.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFEFL6ThRI

Some final news…..The world premiere of the new Stan & Ollie film will close the BFI London Film Festival on 21 October, and it’s set for nationwide release on 11 January 2019.  I understand that there maybe simultaneous premiere viewing at a selected number of cinemas – so I’ll let you know as soon as i know.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family and of course, the kids – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)