h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Oh no, really? That's a shame. They're one of those things I remember dimly from childhood, like Tommy Cooper would be if they didn't keep showing tribute programmes. Have I run completely mad or did they once advertise sherry? Bit of a marketing own goal there wouldn't you say?

You know, I think you are right. Having read some stuff on the web, seems they did quite a lot, in character, even to appearing in serious plays as Hinge and Bracket.
When i googled and saw a picture i had this sudden rush of nostalgia. It was rather weird really.

I love the idea of fictional characters who have a life outside the thing in which they originally appeared. The British comic double act Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne used to appear as the same bumbling pair of gents in all sorts of British films in the Thirties and Forties. In more than one they were called Charters and Caldicott: most famously in Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes. I think this must have been their stage act and it was written into films as a sort of public property. I'm afraid I leaned on them rather heavily for Blinky and Dogger; let's face it, I ripped them off something rotten. Damn it, I should have called them Charters and Caldicott and extended their lives further. Why didn't *I* think of that?

Here are a couple of paraphrased bits remembered from Millions Like Us - a morale booster from the war where they play military middle brass:

Caldicott: swap you a sandwich.
Charters: what's in them?
Caldicott: bloater paste. What's in yours?
Charters: bloater paste.

and (overseeing mine laying operation on beach):

Caldicott: I say old man, remind me not to bathe here after the war.

Sort of the opposite of Margaret Rutherford really. She was simply Margaret Rutherford in a succesion of things, and jolly good at it too.

See you at the meet indeed!

Oh yes, lovely Margaret. Do you suppose she was born looking like that? I think it is a mark of great acting to play the same character again and again and get away with it: unless it's a really irritating character. For true Forties Brit comic eccentric overload watch Passport to Pimlico: Ms Rutherford *and* Mr Radford *and* Mr Wayne all in the one film. Bliss. Not to mention Stanley Holloway, Charles Hawtrey and Hermione Baddeley.

Are you going to be wearing your entry from the last bikini competition MaW? I have one just like it but I'll be wearing it under my clothes.

Wow

Nostalgia breaking out all over the place - not to mention Wowbaggers beard running rampant (see other cartoon thread!).

H&B had their own radio series in the late 80s-early 90s I remember and also ran a pretty good music quiz.

So, I'll be seeing you guys in either one or two days depending on whether you are able/brave enough to attend the pre-meet.

shazz

Pre-meets are far too expensive for me. That and I reckon my chances of drunkenly finding the train on two consecutive nights is very unlikely.
Must make a note of Passport to Pimlico, I have a large gap in my black and white film experience which needs plugging.

Willing but unable to attend the pre-meet. Wish I'd caught that H & B show: it'd be nice to get to know them properly. See you Saturday, shazz. xx

hullo... what's that tickling me ankles? Oh no! It's...

Spimcoot, I will of course be wearing my bikini cunningly crafted from nothing at all - UNDER my clothes. It's far too cold at this time of year to show it off in public unfortunately.

* sigh *

Maybe if we have a meet near the equator somewhere.

It's quite hot and sunny where I am...

Isn't here. It's grey and damp

Hi all,

I just dropped by to say i loved the Eustace page; great stuff!

And then in the thread i find that i am not alone in appreciating the 'comedy gent' duo from The Lady Vanishes!

I missed out on H&B, but there was a great entry on them in PR recently, thanks to which i finally actually heard about them (late as usual) - A759611.

Whilst i'm here and dishing out the compliments, i've also been following the Newbie with glee and giggles -

ta muchly
spiff

*enjoying mental image of Caldicott and Charters in the Austrian hotel in TLV, outraged that the travel disruptions may prevent them from catching the action at Old Trafford*

Hello, simcoot, good to see you back. in your chair. Nobody has kicked me off this stool in the corner, yet. so I'm brooding ideas, and guilt and shame. that I may try, but I have towers of genuitiy to compare. I shall return my self. but not before I have a better time solution to the world. and better ideas. perhaps you need to be alot more creative to draw what you think?


-- DoctorMO --

Spiff: thank *you*. Likewise glad to hear of another Charters and Caldicott fan. The Lady Vanishes has many excellent moments (especially those involving the maid whose room they've purloined) but the best part is when Charters is shot and merely says 'hm', as if he's stepped outside on a rainy day without his brolly, before turning and walking calmly back to the train.

DoctorMO: I know just how you feel. I wish I'd settled back and relaxed during my personal interregnum, but I worried too. Nothing to do but ride it out on your stool I think. Good luck.

I have been spared into action, now that the CAT is filling up, the responsabilies are watering down, I may just bable to find time...

-- DoctorMO --