Sunday 21 August 2011

Nowhere To Go (1958)

Paul Gregory is sprung from jail in London by his accomplice after getting a stretch as expected for robbing a woman who falls for his charms. Only he knows how to get to the money, but his partner is getting greedy and as things turn sour Gregory finds that home in Canada is a long way away.
If this film had been made in 1950s France by Directors named Clouzot or Melville, this Ealing production would be a regular on the revival circuit and in film school classrooms. Sadly, it is a completely unheralded film. Directed expertly by Seth Holt who co-wrote the film with critic Kenneth Tynan. The film features an on his way to Europe George Nader as an American con man in London, looking to score by stealing a valuable coin collection (the owner is played by American expatriate and silent film star Bessie Love.
His companion in the crime is the docile Bernard Lee, and there are double crosses and dirty dealings aplenty. The star of the film is Paul Beeson's amazing cinematography, always artistic but never too showy. Beeson also did sterling work for Ealing's The Shiralee (1957) and it is hard to understand how his career ended up on the Harry Alan Towers scrap heap. Dizzy Reece's outstanding jazz score (his only film work) fits the story like a glove and Maggie Smith makes her film debut as Nader's love interest. This is a great film and a true work of art!

The Best of Status Quo (1973)

Status Quo,The Best Of Status Quo,France,Deleted,LP RECORD,374140
Status Quo: The Best Of Status Quo released in 1973 was a French 11-track compilation LP of the very best of the Quo!
Status Quo,The Best Of Status Quo,France,Deleted,LP RECORD,374140

1. Down The Dustpipe
2. Gerdundula
3. In My Chair
4. Umleitlung
5. Lakky Lady
6. Daughter
7. Railroad
8. Tune To The Music
9. April Spring Summer & Wednesdays
10. Mean Girl
11. Spinning Wheel Blues

Radio Times (1966)

This edition of the Radio Times dates back to 1966 and features as its cover, Hugh Lloyd and Terry Scott from the series, "Hugh and I"

The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966)

The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery is a British comedy film set in the fictional St Trinian's School and was released in 1966, three years after the Great Train Robbery had taken place. It also parodies the technocratic ideas of the Harold Wilson government and its support of the Comprehensive school system.

Directed by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat to a script by Sidney and Leslie Gilliat, it was the fourth in a series of five St. Trinian's films. However it retained only George Cole, Richard Wattis and Eric Barker from the earlier films. Several new actors were brought in, including Frankie Howerd as Alfred (Alphonse) Askett, Reg Varney as Gilbert, and Dora Bryan as Amber Spottiswood, the headmistress. Although asked twice, Joyce Grenfell refused to appear again as Sergeant Ruby Gates. She was later reported to have said that she regretted appearing in the St Trinian's saga.

Raymond Huntley appeared as the "Minister of Schools" (a fictional title), and Cyril Chamberlain appeared as Maxie.

The first colour St. Trinian's film takes its inspiration from the notorious real-life mail train robbery of 1963, and is the fourth entry in the series based on Ronald Searle's cartoon schoolgirls.

"Alphonse" Askett (Frankie Howerd) is a hairdresser who is also the operational leader of a gang of crooks who are led behind the scenes by an invisible mastermind (Stratford Johns). He gives instructions to Askett about the robbery, Operation Windfall, using a variety of almost James Bond-like communications devices -- including a converted showerhead.

The crooks hide the loot in a deserted country mansion, and after waiting for the hue and cry to die down return to collect the numerous mailbags which contain £2.5 million (the same amount as in the real robbery). However, following a Labour Party election triumph, the house has been converted into a new home for St. Trinian's School for Girls. The crooks decide to infiltrate the school by sending Askett’s delinquent daughters, Lavinia and Marcia Mary, to St. Trinian’s to find out where the money is concealed. The crooks' subsequent attempt to retrieve the mailbags on Parents' Day, disguised as caterers, results in a climactic train chase between the robbers and the girls.

A sub-plot is the affair between the headmistress of St Trinian's and the Minister, who uses his influence to obtain a large government grant for the school, thus allowing it to move to the mansion. This angers his staff who are normally Conservatives but early in the film are seen excitedly watching labour win as they believe St Trinians will be shut down. This aspect of the story was probably the reason why the Ministry of Education became the fictional "Ministry of Schools" for this film, to avoid possible action for defamation from a real Minister of Education.

1971 Sony Clock Radio

1971 Sony Clock Radio #004023
This ad dates back to 1971 and introduces the Sony dynamic clock radio for the office, the living room, the kitchen. For almost anywhere!