Not Phyllis Calvert
Download this short story about a real life mix up involving Phyllis Calvert
The History Usherette
Dormant Last read · last published · next check
Read 13 hours ago and current, but nothing has been published for 3 years.
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The Gossipers' Association - Cicely Courtneidge and Thorley Walters
At the close of 1947, Cicely Courtneidge took her production of "Under The Counter" to tour Australia and New Zealand. The tour lasted for a year and she was accompanied at all times by her leading man, Thorley Walters. What was the relationship between the pair? This extended short story explores this, using Cicely's autobiography and contemporary newspaper reports as a string of clues. Extract:…
Myrtle Bagot's Pages Part 5 - A Revoluntionary Cake
Myrtle Bagot’s Pages Chatelaine of Milford Station buffet explains all about our mid 20 th century diet. 5. I’m Alright Jack (1959) I was very interested to see a film called “I’m Alright Jack” because it was about those trade unionist type people. It always fascinates me to see that those with funny ideas, quite different to your own, live similar lives to normal people. It was pleasing to notice…
Myrtle Bagot's Pages Part 4 - Green Pea Puffs
Myrtle Bagot’s Pages Chatelaine of Milford Station buffet explains all about our mid 20 th century diet. 4. The Tawny Pipit (1944) It’s that time of year again. Time to hitch up your skirts, squat over a bowl and shell a few peas. Mr Godby and I were watching a lovely film called “The Tawny Pipit” which is all about a rare bird taking up residence in a perfect English village. Now, Mr Godby says…
Myrtle Bagot's Pages Part 3 - A Uniform Consistency
Myrtle Bagot’s Pages Chatelaine of Milford Station buffet explains all about our mid 20 th century diet. 3. Windbag the Sailor (1936) I do like to see a man in uniform. If you’re wondering why I tolerate Mr Godby’s attentions there’s your answer and I’ll thank you to stop asking personal questions. But yes, it is why I had to move away from Portsmouth. That’s probably why I’m such a fan of Will…
Myrtle Bagot's Pages Part 2 - Giant Marrows
Myrtle Bagot’s Pages Chatelaine of Milford Station buffet explains all about our mid 20 th century diet. 2. Two-Way Stretch (1960) My friends are always saying to me, “Mrs Bagot, my husband’s given me a giant marrow and I haven’t the first idea what to do with it.” It’s mostly those friends whose husbands have an allotment…or a nice big garden and a terrible competitive streak. Given half the…
Myrtle Bagot's Pages Part 1 - Prune Cake
Myrtle Bagot’s Pages Chatelaine of Milford Station buffet explains all about our mid 20 th century diet. 1. Holiday Camp (1947) ‘Holiday Camp’ is a very interesting film all about a family who take a holiday at one of those camp places just after the war. You wouldn’t catch me at one of those, they don’t give you a minute’s peace. All those disembodied voices ordering you about…I should be telling…
Sin in the cinema
In this latest History Usherette book, the torchlight sweeps across the cheap seats and reveals some very illegal goings-on. From spivs and prostitutes to murderers and mayhem, all human life went to the flicks with trouble in mind during the heyday of British cinema. The History Usherette brings together some of the most fascinating crimes, illuminating British society at its worst. Prepare to be…
Spotlight on Ask a Policeman 4
What, With This Car? The three heroes of “Ask a Policeman” have their cushy lives rumbled when the BBC come along to celebrate the “lack of crime” in Turnbotham Round. A letter from the powers that be states that as there is no crime in the village, there is no need for their jobs to exist. They then of course set themselves the task of defeating a few crimes in order to keep their paypackets, and…
Spotlight on Ask a Policeman 3
Harbottle’s Stores Will Hay’s sidekicks, Moore Marriott (the old man) and Graham Moffatt (the fat lad) are as well-loved as the main man himself. Marriott plays old Harbottle, prematurely aged after seeing the headless horseman driving the phantom hearse. It made all his teeth fall out. The scene where he explains this to the Chief Inspector is priceless. When he isn’t doing his constable-ing…