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Post by cromagnonman on Apr 9, 2020 21:52:08 GMT
Thanks, Dr Shrink Proof! I looked out the synopsis of David Essex's film That'll be the Day from '73 and this is what I found: "Despite his apparent intelligence, Jim decides not to take the exams that would pave his way to university. He lives, for a time, a life consisting of dead-end jobs and meaningless sex, before returning home to work in his mother's shop. But still he can't settle down. He begins to think that the life of a pop musician might be the thing for him." The film includes appearances by Ringo, Billy Fury, Deborah Watling, and other names of the era... sounds like fun, maybe even fab. cheers! Wishing you and yours health and sanity. Steve You're welcome. I saw the film at the time it came out but remember little about it. I do recall that it felt as though it finally got into its stride and got going and then suddenly ended. And like an idiot I never dealt with that by going and seeing "Stardust", the sequel. Oh, and Mr Cromagnon is right, Ringo turns in a fine performance. Thanks for the good wishes for health and sanity. Am fairly healthy but being sane isn't how it's cracked up to be. And vice versa. Stay well... Stardust was directed by Michael Apted. Made some other interesting films in the 70s that are unfairly neglected now like The Triple Echo and, especially, The Squeeze which, among other things, is notable for a great totally straight performance from Freddie Starr.
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Post by helrunar on Apr 10, 2020 1:32:43 GMT
Talking of the Seventies, I checked y.t. but was unable to locate a clip of Dusty Springfield at an awards show circa 1978. She was presenting a trophy to the Bee Gees as "best group of the year" and somehow the dear girl uttered it as "best GROPE." She somehow managed to maintain her composure, and she well deserved a special award of her own for that leonine effort.
That moment really sums up the late Seventies for me, especially the visuals. The fringe, the sequins, the eyeliner. A couple of the boys had hair with considerably more volume and weight than la Dusty's.
H.
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Post by samdawson on Apr 10, 2020 12:21:47 GMT
Ray Connolly - Stardust (Fontana [5th impression], Feb 1975: originally 1974) Blurb; Jim Maclaine becomes a rock 'n roll superstar - in the sequel to That'll Be The Day
Tonight was the night: his golden opportunity. Walking right to the centre of the stage Jim took the microphone. 'And now, I'd like to do my latest hit record,' he shouted, and turning to nod to J.D. he began stamping his foot while away went Stevie with his guitar solo opening. From now on it would be Jim Maclaine and the Stray Cats, he was sure of that. Now there would be no stopping him.
That'll Be The Day is shown regularly on Talking Pictures TV channel (https://talkingpicturestv.co.uk/schedule/) If you don't know this channel but can get it it's well worth a look. They have a healthy number of old horrors and sci-fi films, as well as some classics, lots of policiers etc. TBTD has stood up fairly well. Essex and Ringo Starr both acquit themselves well, supported by some experienced character actors (even the actress who played Dr Who's assistant, Victoria, turns up briefly). As mentioned below, it does seem to end just as it's getting going though. The soundtrack LPs of both this one and the follow up, Stardust, are rather good. Unfortunately I haven't seen Stardust since getting in, underage, to see it at the cinema on release, so am not sure how good or not a film it was. My critical faculties were probably overcome by the sex scenes, as is to be expected having sneaked in at a young age. I remember that Essex seemed to do OK, and Adam Faith (by then quite an experienced TV actor) played the same supporting role that Robert Lindsay did in the first film.
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Post by cromagnonman on Jul 18, 2020 19:32:44 GMT
One for you here Kev. Wondered if you were aware that the spirit of the Partridge novels lived on in the pages of Look-In where for two years in the early 80s Buck's Fizz had their own adventure comic strip. From what I can gather this entailed an alarming tendency for them to be checked into haunted hotels between gigs or finding themselves roped into monster hunts.
I think we can all agree that the entire run needs to be collected for the purposes of posterity. I for one shall certainly be investing heavily in back issues. Seems to be a lot of bare chested Bobby and Jay and Cheryl in bikinis if extra incentive is needed.
Anyway, while you're making your mind up.....ho ho ho
In an adjoining pigeon-hole of the bizarre Haircut 100 had their own comic strip there too. This one was almost as short-lived as the band itself. But get this: it was drawn by John Bolton [wtf?]. At the same time as he was drawing Marada the She Wolf for Epic he was chronicling the exploits of Nick Heyward and crew. Who'd ov thunk it.
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Post by dem bones on Jul 19, 2020 13:33:33 GMT
One for you here Kev. Wondered if you were aware that the spirit of the Partridge novels lived on in the pages of Look-In where for two years in the early 80s Buck's Fizz had their own adventure comic strip. From what I can gather this entailed an alarming tendency for them to be checked into haunted hotels between gigs or finding themselves roped into monster hunts. I think we can all agree that the entire run needs to be collected for the purposes of posterity. I for one shall certainly be investing heavily in back issues. Seems to be a lot of bare chested Bobby and Jay and Cheryl in bikinis if extra incentive is needed. Anyway, while you're making your mind up.....ho ho ho In an adjoining pigeon-hole of the bizarre Haircut 100 had their own comic strip there too. This one was almost as short-lived as the band itself. But get this: it was drawn by John Bolton [wtf?]. At the same time as he was drawing Marada the She Wolf for Epic he was chronicling the exploits of Nick Heyward and crew. Who'd ov thunk it. 'Bucks Fizz'? The Johnny-come-lately, flash-in-the-pan Fizz, more like it! As would so often prove the case, the Cass got there first. Nine years before the poor man's Scooch inexplicably wowed Europe with their steamy skirt-ripping antics, Look-In showcased The Adventures of David Cassidy & The Partridge Family, an all-action strip which saw the peerless pin-up caught up in a hostage crisis while flying to a gig! A later nail-biting thriller sees the Daydreamer heartthrob escape prison to hunt down the embittered stunt man who framed him on a dangerous driving charge! Further proof, as if it were required, that where the Cass lead, inferior acts followed. There are several samples of the Fizz strips and two PF pages on this lovely Look-in twitter account. Knock yourselves out!
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Post by cromagnonman on Jul 19, 2020 22:26:20 GMT
One for you here Kev. Wondered if you were aware that the spirit of the Partridge novels lived on in the pages of Look-In where for two years in the early 80s Buck's Fizz had their own adventure comic strip. From what I can gather this entailed an alarming tendency for them to be checked into haunted hotels between gigs or finding themselves roped into monster hunts. I think we can all agree that the entire run needs to be collected for the purposes of posterity. I for one shall certainly be investing heavily in back issues. Seems to be a lot of bare chested Bobby and Jay and Cheryl in bikinis if extra incentive is needed. Anyway, while you're making your mind up.....ho ho ho In an adjoining pigeon-hole of the bizarre Haircut 100 had their own comic strip there too. This one was almost as short-lived as the band itself. But get this: it was drawn by John Bolton [wtf?]. At the same time as he was drawing Marada the She Wolf for Epic he was chronicling the exploits of Nick Heyward and crew. Who'd ov thunk it. 'Bucks Fizz'? The Johnny-come-lately, flash-in-the-pan Fizz, more like it! As would so often prove the case, the Cass got there first. Nine years before the poor man's Scooch inexplicably wowed Europe with their steamy skirt-ripping antics, Look-In showcased The Adventures of David Cassidy & The Partridge Family, an all-action strip which saw the peerless pin-up caught up in a hostage crisis while flying to a gig! A later nail-biting thriller sees the Daydreamer heartthrob escape prison to hunt down the embittered stunt man who framed him on a dangerous driving charge! Further proof, as if it were required, that where the Cass lead, inferior acts followed. There are several samples of the Fizz strips and two PF pages on this lovely Look-in twitter account. Knock yourselves out! Now I could be wrong - and correct me if I am - but do I detect just the merest smidgin of a hint of anti-Fizz hostility? Clearly they weren't in the Cass's league but then who was apart from Donny, the rhinestone wearing Godzilla to the Cass's Kong. But clearly Jay, Cheryl and co must have had something if they could cause their fans to lapse into comas playing tennis. Thought it was only their singing that had the power to do that. Thanks for the link Kev. Smashing stuff. Especially the Robin of Sherwood strip.
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Post by helrunar on Jul 20, 2020 4:37:28 GMT
Ooooohhh, Richard you said a Robin of Sherwood strip... I must see that.
For Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten. Blessed be!
Steve PS. About 20 years ago I happened to see a Partridge Family episode on a TV rerun... it was a crashing bore, except for this physical attribute of "Keith's" that suddenly made me realize just why I was so obsessive about that show as a burgeoningly horny tween. I think somebody may have had the task of ironing his jeans to emphasize this, er, element. The things you learn in your old age...
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Post by helrunar on Jul 20, 2020 4:40:36 GMT
Also, interesting to look at the scan of the Partridge Family Annual for 1975 and see that it appears Danny Bonaduce was photobombing David Cassidy in that cover picture. That picture looks as if it was around 3 years old in 1974 when that book was published.
H.
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Post by andydecker on Jul 20, 2020 7:58:28 GMT
Ooooohhh, Richard you said a Robin of Sherwood strip... I must see that. Me too. Loved this show, never knew there was a comic. This and Arthur of the Britons, which at the time left a bigger impression. Arthur was kind of lame, I was a fan of his pal Kai, the blonde saxon with the axe and the sheepskin jacket. I can't remember anything about the actual plot, only that it was made to look "historic" with everybody living in the wood. Guess I would be bored to tears when watching it again today. On the other hand, just yesterday I watched the trailer to Netflix' new series "Cursed", which looked like another needless and wearysome retro-reversion of the Arthur myth. Don't they employ fighting-coaches for the actors any longer? It looked just laughable. Time to put Adrian Paul and Anthony De Longis in the player again. Those guys knew how to handle a sword.
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Post by cromagnonman on Jul 20, 2020 8:58:40 GMT
Ooooohhh, Richard you said a Robin of Sherwood strip... I must see that. Me too. Loved this show, never knew there was a comic. This and Arthur of the Britons, which at the time left a bigger impression. Arthur was kind of lame, I was a fan of his pal Kai, the blonde saxon with the axe and the sheepskin jacket. I can't remember anything about the actual plot, only that it was made to look "historic" with everybody living in the wood. Guess I would be bored to tears when watching it again today. I don't believe you would find it disappointing now Andy. I watched it again only a year or so back and enjoyed it every bit as much as I did the first time around. Sure, the budget was clearly minimal and the Saxons are laughably absurd in their job lot cut down bedspreads for costumes. And I witnessed more convincing battles running the gauntlet of the after school kick ins. But the calibre of writing is exceptional for what was, after all, a kid's show. The look of the thing remains terrific and is probably a lot closer to the reality than any big budget version has ever managed. And there remains much fun to be found in the typically bombastic turn from the mighty Blessed as Mark, and striking guest appearances from the likes of Martin Jarvis and Tom Baker. I feel honour bound to leap to the defence of Tobias who was a childhood hero of mine, and I think makes a superb Arthur. And what a Robert E Howard hero he would have made. Had the look of one to a T. But you're quite right about the tragic Michael Gothard. Fantastic screen presence. Absolutely terrific in a rarely screened Michael Caine film called The Last Valley.
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Post by andydecker on Jul 20, 2020 9:59:39 GMT
Just looked it up and can't believe I've never seen The Last Valley. It seems to be made for me. Also never realized that Gothard was one of the villains in the James Bond movie For your Eyes Only. Of course! The only killer which after the comedy-Bonds had a bit of an edge. Over the years I watched this film quite a few times and never made the connection. The only mercenary/middle ages movie I have on the shelves is Verhoeven's Flesh&Blood. 90 minutes of carnage, mud, misery and death with the unforgotten Rutger Hauer and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Arthur is just this month being re-run for the first time on German TV. Unfortunatly I can't watch it as I ditched the pay-tv-channel. Maybe it will made the round. These British productions were wonderful, they knew how to made the most of a small budget. It was a huge hit back then, Tobias was marketed as a teenage heartthrob in the press. I still have the YA novelisation, which was done as as a hardcover.
Tobias wasn't bad, as I dimly recall, but I have this strange fascination for the second-in-command or the side-kick. For me Watson always was more interesting as Holmes, Spock before Kirk and of course Gabrielle before Xena
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Post by andydecker on Jul 20, 2020 10:38:24 GMT
I apologize for derailing this thread! But I have found the Arthur novelization. For once this was no translation but written for hire. With lots of stills included. It is typically YA from 1974, broad strokes, no big descriptive scenes, a quick look suggests that they shrunk diverse episodes to ten pages of text. Included to my surprise is even a historical overview about Arthur, the Celts and the mythical Arthur. Not a bad package. Here are the cover and a few pages.
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Post by samdawson on Jul 20, 2020 10:59:33 GMT
Michael Gothard was the attractive vampire murderer in the endearingly bonkers Scream and Scream Again, and had just the right face for the role. Having bought the box set last year, it's evident that he also acquitted himself well in The Machine Stops as part of the BBC's Out of the Unknown. Afraid I haven't sat all the way through The Last Valley, so don't remember him in it.
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Post by Swampirella on Jul 20, 2020 11:16:00 GMT
Ooooohhh, Richard you said a Robin of Sherwood strip... I must see that. Me too. Loved this show, never knew there was a comic. This and Arthur of the Britons, which at the time left a bigger impression. Arthur was kind of lame, I was a fan of his pal Kai, the blonde saxon with the axe and the sheepskin jacket. I can't remember anything about the actual plot, only that it was made to look "historic" with everybody living in the wood. Guess I would be bored to tears when watching it again today. On the other hand, just yesterday I watched the trailer to Netflix' new series "Cursed", which looked like another needless and wearysome retro-reversion of the Arthur myth. Don't they employ fighting-coaches for the actors any longer? It looked just laughable. Time to put Adrian Paul and Anthony De Longis in the player again. Those guys knew how to handle a sword. For what it's worth, I loved this Robin Hood as a kid (lame production values, but what did I know then?) & still know the theme song by heart.....feel free to stop after the first 1min7sec.....
However I was really in love with ("iron in his thighs") Hercules!
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Post by Dr Strange on Jul 20, 2020 12:33:31 GMT
Arthur of the Britons was brilliant. That and The Flashing Blade were two TV shows I watched as a kid in the 1970s that I still finding myself thinking about now, even though I don't remember any individual episodes. I liked the Robin of Sherwood series of the 80s too, the Michael Praed ones especially. The supernatural elements were very well done.
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