Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Sons and Daughters - Episode Eight

Fiona tells John that Bill won't be able to help, and that John is going to the worst possible place to get an answer. She reminds him that he has no money, and says he's throwing away his life (not to mention the job she's set up for him). Fiona says she's going to bed, and tells John that if he's not there in the morning, he can go to hell for all she cares.

A while later, John is hitching a lift at the roadside. A car eventually stops, and an attractive woman driver lets John get in. She tells him she's driving to Melbourne from Surfer's Paradise, then adds that she's going to Russell Street, where she's a police cadet!

Patricia tells Angela that she's an inverted snob and likes "Scott" because he has no money. Angela says that "Scott" makes her feel happier than anyone else, and adds that she wants to invite him over to Dural again. She calls the boarding house and Fiona answers. She tells Angela that "Scott" has gone back to Brisbane because of a family problem. Angela asks if he's coming back, to which Fiona replies that she would say if she knew.

Lynn and Kevin lie on Kevin's bed. Kevin tells his girlfriend that he's glad he's best man, and she's bridesmaid, so they can spend the wedding day together.

At Bill's house, Bill tells Susan that he's had a heavy day at work, and wants to unwind. Susan offers to pay for a trip to the movies, and Bill suggests they go at once as he wants to avoid his mother. He says he's looking forward to moving out after the marriage.

Angela turns up at the boarding house. Jill answers the door, and, not knowing that Fiona told Angela that "Scott" had gone to Brisbane, tells Ms. Hamilton that "Scott" is probably out with Fiona.

John has reached Melbourne and catches up with Bill. He explains that he needs help to clear himself by finding out who really killed Sam Selmar. John wants Bill to go around asking questions such as whether Selmar had any enemies, or whether Mrs. Selmar could have murdered her own husband. Bill tells John that Mrs. Selmar has re-hired him and that she couldn't kill anyone. Bill advises John to give himself into the police, as they won't convict him if he's innocent. John accepts that Bill won't help him. Bill gives his friend some money, tells him to find somewhere to stay, and says he'll call him in the morning.

Jill tells Fiona that Angela visited. Fiona tells her boarder that "Scott" has gone away for a while. Jill says Angela might be alright if she didn't act as if there was a permanent bad smell all the time.

At the Hamiltons', Patricia answers the 'phone to Simon. He wants to speak to Angela, and he invites her out that night. She agrees to go. Patricia tells her daughter to cheer up as it's no use moping for "Scott".

The next morning, Susan and Beryl discuss the wedding - there's still so much to arrange. Susan offers to drive her mother to the market to get the shopping.

John rings Bill from a callbox. Bill says he will help John, and John says he's staying at the Rembrandt Hotel, in room 23. Bill tells John to stay in his room to keep out of danger.

Angela tells her mother she had an OK-ish time last night. Patricia says she realises Angela thinks she takes too much interest in her daughter's social life, then adds that she's happy Angela is seeing Simon. Patricia tells Angela it was so unusual for her to be interested in someone like "Scott"

Angela goes back to the boarding house, wanting to see "Scott". Jill comes to the door and, when she sees who's there, she calls Fiona. Angela introduces herself and Fiona looks startled. Angela wants to know who out of Fiona and Jill was lying the previous day. Fiona says she won't tell Angela where "Scott" is, and adds that it would be better if Angela didn't see "Scott" any more. When Jill leaves the room, Fiona tells Angela that Jill is pregnant to "Scott"! Fiona says "Scott" wanted one last fling to blot out his responsibilities. Angela asks if "Scott" is going to marry Jill, to which Fiona replies that "Scott" is very fond of Jill but isn't sure if he loves her. Fiona says she's sorry Angela had to find out. Angela tells Fiona that she knows she isn't really sorry, and won't be bothering her again.

In Melbourne, John watches Beryl from a distance. When she leaves the market to head home, John runs towards her, and they have an emotional reunion. John tells his mother he's going to sort things out by himself and says he'll explain everything when it's all over. Beryl tells John to stay in touch; she is overwhelmed to see him.

At Bill's flat, Bill makes a telephone call: he calls the police, and tells them John's hotel address. Bill won't reveal his name, but says he's not a crank and that he's telling the truth.

Music Star (1973) Part Two

This edition of the mag dates back to 7th July 1973 and features, Brian Connolly, Jay Osmond, Marty Kristian, Merrill Osmond, Marc Bolan & Elvis Presley.

Donny Osmond appears on the cover from this 1973 edition. Among the posters were, David Cassidy, The Osmonds, Mick Flinn, Dave Hill & Marty Kristian. There were features on, Randy Jackson, John Denver, Slade, Gary Glitter & David Cassidy.

This edition was released on 1st September and among the posters were, David Cassidy, Michael Cassidy, Noddy Holder, Donny Osmond & Mick Jagger. There were features on, The Osmonds, Alice Cooper, Rick Springfield, Sweet & Noddy Holder.

The 8th September and stars featured include, David Essex, Brian Connolly, Jermaine Jackson, David Cassidy & Marty Kristian. Posters were of, Slade, The Osmonds, Gary Glitter & Junior Campbell.

The Beatles - Baby It's you

The Beatles,Baby It's You - 12
THE BEATLES Baby It's You (1994 UK Apple/EMI label promotional 12" x 12" in-store card display flat produced to promote the release of the single taken from the 'Live At The BBC' album, features the superb sepia image of the Fab Four as used on the single artwork).

Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Episode Three: All Work & No Play

RandallHopkirk3.jpg
All Work and No Pay is the third episode of the classic 1969 British Television series, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) starring Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope and Annette Andre. The episode was first broadcast on 5 October 1969 on the ITV Network and was Directed by Jermey Summers.
The Foster Brothers (Alfred Burke and Dudley Foster), two rich conmen who claim to be spiritualists, try to convince Jeannie that Marty is haunting her as a poltergeist by using electronic equipment to smash objects in her apartment. Holding her trust, they then recruit her to leave Randall and Hopkirk and work for them, earning £75-£100 to ensure that widows like her use their medium service.
Attempting to lure Jeannie back, Jeff pays an actress friend Laura Watsin (Adrienne Corrie) a scraped £250 to play the role of a client looking for a lost son. However, the actress shortchanges Jeff by only handing £25 over to Jeannie, who in turn introduces her to the Fosters. While there, they reveal that they intend to kill Laura, the only difference between her and their previous victims being that they're telling her in advance, so that she'll know they'll try to reach her on the "other side". Genuinely interested in being mediums, they also ask her to contact Marty Hopkirk after her death, as a reward for his widow Jeannie.
Using Marty's help Jeff uncovers their plans, whereby they decide to kill both Jeff and Jeannie using their equipment. Marty teleports to a nearby electricity power station and overloads the grid, blacking out the whole of southern England, including the Fosters' home. With Jeff calling the police, the brothers are arrested, and Jeff finds Laura Watson hiding in the back of his car, covered in only newspapers after having swam to safety while the plot developed.

Making a Monkey out of Clint!

Every Which Way But Loose materialised in 1978 and was an American adventure comedy film, released by Warner Brothers, produced by Robert Daley and directed by James Fargo. It stars Clint Eastwood in an uncharacteristic and offbeat comedy role, as Philo Beddoe, a trucker and brawler roaming the American West in search of a lost love while accompanied by his friend/manager Orville and his pet Orangutan, Clyde. In the process Philo manages to cross a motley assortment of characters, including a pair of police officers and an entire motorcycle gang (the "Black Widows"), who end up pursuing him for revenge.

Eastwood's appearance in the film, after his string of Spaghetti Western and Dirty Harry roles, somewhat startled the film industry and he was reportedly advised against making it. Panned by critics, the film went on to become an enormous success and became, along with its 1980 sequel Any Which Way You Can, two of the highest grossing Eastwood films.

Philo Beddoe is a truck driver for a pipe supply company and a part-time auto mechanic living in California's San Fernando Valley. He lives in a small house behind that of his best friend Orville Boggs and his mother, Ma. Philo also has a pet Orangutan named Clyde. Philo makes money on the side by hustling as a bare-knuckle fighter; he is often compared to another fighter named Tank Murdock (Barnes), of legendary status.

One night Philo becomes smitten with Lynn Halsey-Taylor, an aspiring Country Music singer he meets at the Palomino Club, a local honky-tonk. His relationship with her seems to be going well until one day she and her camping trailer disappear from the ramshackle trailer park. Believing that he is falling for her, Philo decides to set off for Lynn's home in Denver, Colorado.

Throughout all of this is a subplot involving a motorcycle gang called "The Black Widows", who incur Philo's wrath after two gang members insult him and Clyde at a traffic light one day. Philo chases them down and takes their bikes (which he repaints, repairs, and resells), and every attempt they have made to get even has resulted in even more disaster, including a showdown with the shotgun-wielding Ma. Philo also unknowingly has incurred the wrath of a LAPD officer named Putnam, whom he roughed up at the Palomino after learning that Lynn has left town. The cop, his partner Herb, and the Widows learn of Philo's trip to Colorado and head off to find him.

Orville and Clyde accompany Philo to Denver, and on the way, they meet the feisty Echo working at a produce market. She becomes Orville's girlfriend. The trio earn their money for the trip by booking Philo fights with other area bare-knucklers. One fight in a slaughterhouse in nearby Santa Fe almost goes awry when a man holding the money for the fight tries to stiff Philo, clearly outnumbered. Two gunshots fired by Echo's .38 pistol, causes the man to quickly hand over the money and they leave without further incident.

Later, it is revealed that Lynn uses men for sex and money in the towns where she plays her gigs. Knowing that Philo has come to look for her, she assists Black Widow gang leader Cholla into luring Philo into a trap. Philo takes the bait and unwittingly engages in a showdown with the Widows. Philo manages to fight most of them until Orville, watching the fight, intervenes. He gets into a parked garbage truck with a dumpster hoist, and dumps every Widow bike into the back of the truck to be crushed. The rest of the Widows chase the garbage truck in a futile attempt to catch it, but it is of no use. Philo, Echo, and Orville reunite and continue their trip.

Philo finally finds Lynn and she reveals her true cold-hearted nature to him. Hurt at her callousness and after she calls him dumb, Philo says that he has been the only one dumb enough wanting to take her further than her bed. Feeling cheap, Lynn erupts in a fit of rage, where she strikes him repeatedly until she collapses in tears of anguish.

Orville learns that Tank Murdock, based in the area, is ready to retire after one more good fight. Orville makes the arrangements, and Philo, up for the challenge, faces his kindly yet pudgy and elderly nemesis. While Murdock hits hard and has considerable endurance for a man his age, Philo is faster, and is able to dodge most of Murdock's strikes. However, during the fight, the crowd, initially pro-Murdock, begins to insult him while he is bloodied and on the ground, with some murmurs that Philo is going to be the next Tank Murdock. Philo, hearing the murmurs, is suddenly saddened by the fickle crowd's loss of respect for Murdock. Liking Murdock, he allows him to save face by taking a dive. As Murdock is swaying and barely able to stand, Philo lets his guard down, giving Murdock a clear shot, which knocks Philo down for the count. Murdock, having regained the crowd's esteem, is allowed to retire undefeated. Both men exchange glances from a distance, and without words acknowledge their respect for one another. Philo, Clyde, Orville, and Echo head home the next day. Along the way, they pass by the Widows (driving a beat-up 1959 Cadilac Sedan Seville) and Putnam & Herb (in their damaged 1977 Chevy C2500 Pick up.)

Monday, 20 June 2011

Baseball Magazine

Baseball Magazine was Founded in 1908, in the early days of professional baseball. Baseball magazine presented news, background stories, art, and trivia about America's national game.
Baseball 1932-07
This particular edition of Baseball is from 1932 and the cover shows a Baseman stretching out to make an important catch.


Baseball 1932-08
Another cover from 1932. Catcher in full stance, ready for the pitcher to send the ball his way. "The Passing of John McGraw," by F. Lane, "Fonseca Blasts a Fallacy," by D. Daniel, "Shoes," by D. Bancroft, "Winning Temperament," by E. Collins, "On the Spot," by W. Brandt, and "Revolutionizing Players," by H. Burr.

Baseball 1932-09
Yet another copy from 1932. Portrait of George Earnshaw. "Turning Points of the Pennant Races," by J. Gould, "Why Not Help the Tail-Enders?" by F. C. Lane, ""Speed Pitching," by G. Earnshaw, Constructive Trades," by C. Street, and "Filling Robbie's Shoes," by M. Carey.

"Remembering the Big O"

Roy Orbison,The Monument Singles,UK,CD ALBUM,535270
This year has seen the release of ROY ORBISON The Monument Singles, a 20-track CD album. Roy Orbison was one of the few established hit-makers from the late 1950s and early 1960s to not only hold his ground, but to actually increase his popularity in the wake of the British Invasion. He maintained his popularity through music, which displayed an extraordinary variety of content, structure, tempo and rhythm and an authentic emotional connection that transcended mere craft. Celebrating the 75th birthday of Roy Orbison, 'The Monument Singles Collection' presents The Big O's core classic catalogue the way it's meant to sound).

Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) - Episode Two: A Disturbing Case

RandallHopkirk2.jpg
A Disturbing Case was the second episode of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and was first broadcast on the ITV Network on 28th September 1969.

Jeff's car is stolen and used in a robbery, whereby the perpetrators use hypnotic suggestion to rob wealthy upper class businessmen.

Concerned for Jeff's mental health after hearing him talking to himself (in reality, Marty), Jeannie's sister Jenny (Judith Arthy) places a hidden tape recorder in a drawer in his office to capture him doing it again. When they have a "one-sided" conversation on tape, Jenny and Jeannie arrange to send Jeff to a Dr. Conrad (David Bauer) at the Lambert Clinic Nursing Home.

Retaining Jeff against his will and filling him with illegal drugs, it happens that Conrad is the mastermind behind the robberies, in league with a criminal known as William Smith who enters each household and robs the customers as they are hypnotised by telephone.

Dr. Conrad uses hypnosis to erase Marty from Jeff's mind, but Marty manages to impersonate Dr. Conrad's voice in order to communicate with Jeff. He instructs Jeff to break out of the facility and eventually the Police are led there, arresting Dr. Conrad and his associates. Jeff claims that his "talking to himself" was all part of an elaborate ploy to get him placed in the Hospital, and celebrates his success by taking the two sisters to dinner.

The exteriors for The Lambert Clinic Nursing Home were shot at The Grocer's Institute on Grange Lane, Letchmore Heath. Whitty's home exterior was filmed at a private house named Aragon on Aldenham Road, Letchmore Heath. Arthur Phillips house was shot on the exterior standing backlot sets at ABC Elstree studios, Borehamwood.

Sunday, 19 June 2011

Elvis in court on assault charges (October 19th 1956)

On October 19th 1956 Elvis Presley, along with Edd Hopper and Aubrey Brown appeared in a Memphis Court on assault and battery charges. It was alleged that all three had had a fight the previous night when Elvis had pulled into a Station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was swamped by fans. Edd Hopper the Station Manager demamded that Presley leave and an altercation then ensued.

Elvis Presley: October 19, 1956

Elvis, Hopper and Brown were all arrested for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Charges against Elvis were later dismissed. Hopper and Brown both ended up having to pay fines!

Life Magazine - John Lindsay (1965)

1965 Life Cover - John Lindsay #018549
This edition of Life Magazine dates back to 1965 and features US Congress man John Lindsay as he prepares to run for the post of Mayor of New York.

One for sorrow, Two for joy! Remembering Magpie

I don't know about you guys, but I always preferred Thames Tv's cool Magpie to the stuffy, staid, patronising BBC crap that was Blue Peter. I found Magpie to be more hip and with it, and I found its presenters spoke to kids in an uncondescending way.
The programme, made by Thames Television, was first transmitted on 30 July 1968, which was Thames Television's first day of broadcasting. It was shown once a week for the first year, but from then until it ended in 1980 went out twice a week. The first presenters were the former BBC Radio One Disc Jockey Pete Brady, Susan Stranks, and Tony Bastable. Brady left the show in 1969 to be replaced by Douglas Rae, and Bastable left in 1972 when he was replaced by Mick Robertson. Jenny Hanley replaced Susan Stranks in 1974. This lineup remained until 1977, when Tommy Boyd replaced Rae.

Approximately 1000 episodes were made, each of a duration of 25 minutes.

Like Blue Peter, Magpie featured appeals for various causes and charities. Notably however, it asked for cash donations rather than stamps or secondhand goods, familiar on Blue Peter. The cash totaliser was a long strip of paper which ran out of the studio and along the adjacent corridor walls. The Mascot was a Magpie called Murgatroyd.

The theme tune was played by the Spencer Davis Group under the alias of The Murgatroyd Band, and written by their guitarist Ray Fenwick. The main lyric was cribbed from an old children's Nursery Rhyme:
One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a story never to be told
Eight for Heaven
Nine for Hell
Ten for the Devil himself