|
Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Apr 4, 2017 11:47:06 GMT
The past is catching up with me... The 1970s have just turned up! That is, the bits of the 70s that revolved round terrifying television programmes, creepy comics, petrifying public information films, fright-filled films, ghastly games, and beastly books, and all the other things that made childhood so... ah... interesting in the 1970s. Scarred For Life Volume One by Stephen Brotherstone and Dave Lawrence is a thick brick of a book, 740 pages wide, illustrated throughout, and with a free, full colour PDF copy if you buy the print edition. Just flicking through it, it goes from the expected horrors of Sapphire and Steel, A Ghost Story For Christmas, Doctor Who, Quatermass, the Pan Books of Horror, Misty and Spellbound comics, and so on, to more specific scenes or sequences that strike home - I thought I was the only one who found the revelation of the possessed baby in the sitcom Soap utterly terrifying. I can imagine many of my fellow vault dwellers finding lots to enjoy within these pages, with chapters on NEL, killer crabs, pulp paperbacks, and various horror comics getting a sizable chunk of coverage. (In fact, I see our very own Vault Keeper listed in the acknowledgements now I look more closely.) I think I'll be dipping into this one for some time to come. If I don't emerge again it'll mean I've ended up trapped in a time-loop somewhere around 1977 and I may be some time in escaping... www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJAgQ8lo8WAwww.lulu.com/shop/stephen-brotherstone-dave-lawrence/scarred-for-life-volume-one/paperback/product-23116461.html
|
|
|
Post by dem bones on Apr 4, 2017 18:13:43 GMT
Not seen the final version, but can appreciate from an epic early draft how much work the authors put into Scarred For Life - even at that early stage (about this time last year) it was a thing of rare beauty. Think they've also made substantial progress on Vol II: The Eighties, which should put to bed once and for all the myth that the 'seventies were "the decade that fashion (and taste) forgot". Particularly enjoyed the sections on The Pan Horrors, Richard Allen's Skinhead novels and many of the days other terrifying paperbacks & comics, plus entries on hideous sit-coms and scores of TV shows I never heard of. Arguably the scariest of all, a sequence devoted to the public information films that traumatised an entire generation. Am really pleased they've got the thing published!
|
|
|
Post by mcannon on Apr 5, 2017 10:00:36 GMT
Not seen the final version, but can appreciate from an epic early draft how much work the authors put into Scarred For Life - even at that early stage (about this time last year) it was a thing of rare beauty. Think they've also made substantial progress on Vol II: The Eighties, which should put to bed once and for all the myth that the 'seventies were "the decade that fashion (and taste) forgot". Particularly enjoyed the sections on The Pan Horrors, Richard Allen's Skinhead novels and many of the days other terrifying paperbacks & comics, plus entries on hideous sit-coms and scores of TV shows I never heard of. Arguably the scariest of all, a sequence devoted to the public information films that traumatised an entire generation. Am really pleased they've got the thing published! *AARRRRRGGGGHHH*!!!! Yet another "must buy" - why do the gods of popular culture continue to torture me? While obviously it's the 1970s with a British focus, the front cover alone brings back enough memories - good and bad - to make me desperately want a copy. Speaking of "hideous sit-coms", what could be more appropriate than "Love Thy Neighbour", highlighted in the cover's lower right hand corner? Though if you think that was bad, the short-lived Australian version - in which loveable small-minded bigot Eddie migrates to Oz - was even worse, if that's possible..... Thanks for the information, Dem - I think! Mark
|
|
|
Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Apr 5, 2017 10:29:42 GMT
Speaking of "hideous sit-coms", what could be more appropriate than "Love Thy Neighbour", highlighted in the cover's lower right hand corner? Though if you think that was bad, the short-lived Australian version - in which loveable small-minded bigot Eddie migrates to Oz - was even worse, if that's possible..... That got shown in the UK. My memories of it are vague, thankfully, but I recall seeing an episode or two. Just one of several UK comedies that got picked up in Australia after the UK version had been cancelled or was on a break, as 'Doctor Down Under' picked up after 'Doctor On The Go' ended, and things like 'The Two Ronnies' and 'Are You Being Served' had Australian runs, and a stage version of 'Steptoe and Son' toured Australian theatres in the late 70s, years after the series had finished. The Australian AYBS is particularly odd. John Inman and a bunch of old BBC AYBS scripts in a different shop staffed by wonky semi-clones of the Grace Brothers staff. Since the BBC original already seemed to be known in Australia, I can't quite figure out why re-using already familiar scripts but with a cast doing iffy impersonations was seen as a good idea. Unlike the Australian 'Love Thy Neighbour', I don't think any of the others got shown in the UK.
|
|
|
Post by cromagnonman on Apr 5, 2017 14:25:35 GMT
Speaking of "hideous sit-coms", what could be more appropriate than "Love Thy Neighbour", highlighted in the cover's lower right hand corner? Though if you think that was bad, the short-lived Australian version - in which loveable small-minded bigot Eddie migrates to Oz - was even worse, if that's possible..... That got shown in the UK. My memories of it are vague, thankfully, but I recall seeing an episode or two. Just one of several UK comedies that got picked up in Australia after the UK version had been cancelled or was on a break, as 'Doctor Down Under' picked up after 'Doctor On The Go' ended, and things like 'The Two Ronnies' and 'Are You Being Served' had Australian runs, and a stage version of 'Steptoe and Son' toured Australian theatres in the late 70s, years after the series had finished. The Australian AYBS is particularly odd. John Inman and a bunch of old BBC AYBS scripts in a different shop staffed by wonky semi-clones of the Grace Brothers staff. Since the BBC original already seemed to be known in Australia, I can't quite figure out why re-using already familiar scripts but with a cast doing iffy impersonations was seen as a good idea. Unlike the Australian 'Love Thy Neighbour', I don't think any of the others got shown in the UK. And, of course, Worzel Gummidge also once went Down Under. Much to Aunt Sally's surprise I shouldn't wonder.
|
|
|
Post by mcannon on Apr 5, 2017 22:41:38 GMT
Speaking of "hideous sit-coms", what could be more appropriate than "Love Thy Neighbour", highlighted in the cover's lower right hand corner? Though if you think that was bad, the short-lived Australian version - in which loveable small-minded bigot Eddie migrates to Oz - was even worse, if that's possible..... That got shown in the UK. My memories of it are vague, thankfully, but I recall seeing an episode or two. Just one of several UK comedies that got picked up in Australia after the UK version had been cancelled or was on a break, as 'Doctor Down Under' picked up after 'Doctor On The Go' ended, and things like 'The Two Ronnies' and 'Are You Being Served' had Australian runs, and a stage version of 'Steptoe and Son' toured Australian theatres in the late 70s, years after the series had finished. The Australian AYBS is particularly odd. John Inman and a bunch of old BBC AYBS scripts in a different shop staffed by wonky semi-clones of the Grace Brothers staff. Since the BBC original already seemed to be known in Australia, I can't quite figure out why re-using already familiar scripts but with a cast doing iffy impersonations was seen as a good idea. Unlike the Australian 'Love Thy Neighbour', I don't think any of the others got shown in the UK. I suspect that as well as capitalising on the local popularity of the original versions, it may have been a relatively cheap and simple way to help some of the commercial stations to meet "Australian content" broadcasting requirements. The Aussie non-government networks have never really been noted for their originality when it comes to developing programs. From memory, Patrick Cargill also featured in a local version of "Father Dear Father" as well! Mark
|
|
|
Post by helrunar on Apr 6, 2017 1:08:19 GMT
In Roman times, Patrick Cargill would have been venerated as the living incarnation of the Numen of the Arched Eyebrow and the Veiled Icy Sneer.
Divinity in any age...
cheers, H.
|
|
|
Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Apr 6, 2017 10:24:42 GMT
In Roman times, Patrick Cargill would have been venerated as the living incarnation of the Numen of the Arched Eyebrow and the Veiled Icy Sneer. In Roman times he was the Emperor Nero... at least according to the Up Pompeii film. There wasn't an Up Pompeii in Australia, but there was a one off Up the Convicts starring Pompeii's Frankie Howerd and Wallas Eaton.
|
|
|
Post by mcannon on Apr 6, 2017 12:00:15 GMT
In Roman times, Patrick Cargill would have been venerated as the living incarnation of the Numen of the Arched Eyebrow and the Veiled Icy Sneer. In Roman times he was the Emperor Nero... at least according to the Up Pompeii film. There wasn't an Up Pompeii in Australia, but there was a one off Up the Convicts starring Pompeii's Frankie Howerd and Wallas Eaton. Oh, Lordy - the memories. Make them stop! Mark (Mind you, I loved "Up, Pompeii" - ABC-TV, late Friday nights!)
|
|
|
Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Apr 6, 2017 16:25:31 GMT
"All the old comedy stars are going Down Under, I hear."
"Well, it's age, dear. Ye-esss. It strikes us all and spares no-one. Oh, what? Yes. No, don't. It's wicked to mock!"
Etc...
Meanwhile, back at the book, a few chapters in and working my way through the selection of essays on 70s children's programmes, I'm pleased to say that the book is great fun to read. The authors have done plenty of research, but the text is far from dry. Though it thankfully avoids the sneery tone some commentators will use when looking back on the decade, or an attempt at forced jokiness. A definite feel of a celebration of the era and the shows.
|
|
|
Post by helrunar on Apr 6, 2017 19:27:36 GMT
I'm interested in that book. It's too bad it would most likely cost me around 30 bucks in postage to order it since I live in the US.
There was a really interesting interview with the director of the Lonely Waters film in a book to which I contributed last year, Unsung Horrors. I did pay the thirty bucks to have that shipped over but don't think I will be springing for the sequel even though I am writing a couple of bits for it.
cheers, H.
|
|
|
Post by mcannon on Apr 7, 2017 3:15:47 GMT
I'm interested in that book. It's too bad it would most likely cost me around 30 bucks in postage to order it since I live in the US. There was a really interesting interview with the director of the Lonely Waters film in a book to which I contributed last year, Unsung Horrors. I did pay the thirty bucks to have that shipped over but don't think I will be springing for the sequel even though I am writing a couple of bits for it. cheers, H. Helrunar - it may cost you quite a bit less than that, since it's a Print On Demand book through Lulu. I've ordered a copy and I assume it'll be printed here in Australia. The standard postage option I chose was only a few dollars, which is a fairly cheap domestic postage rate for what looks to be a rather substantial book. It's certainly worth following the link and finding out the cost before making a decision. Mark
|
|
|
Post by helrunar on Apr 7, 2017 3:45:18 GMT
Cool. Thanks, Mark.
Best, H.
|
|
scarred
Crab On The Rampage
Posts: 63
|
Post by scarred on Apr 9, 2017 12:02:54 GMT
Hi, I'm one of the writers of the book. Many thanks to those of you who've bought it and I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed writing it. If any of you have particular suggestions for the 80s book let me know!
|
|
|
Post by dem bones on Apr 10, 2017 14:02:54 GMT
Hi, I'm one of the writers of the book. Many thanks to those of you who've bought it and I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed writing it. If any of you have particular suggestions for the 80s book let me know! Would love to help, but the problem is, if you were a 'seventies kid, short of becoming a teacher, parent or Jimmy Saville, you were unlikely to have any business hanging around in school playgrounds the following decade, so you may need an entire new raft of contributors for Scarred For Life: Vol 2. I'm guessing in place of the previous decade's Skinhead & NEL horrors, copies of the critically maligned Hamlyn slashers and the second wave of 'When Animals attack!' atrocities may have exchanged hands behind the bogshed, though perhaps '80 kids had already progressed to swapping video nasties over paperbacks?
|
|