Islington to the M25 By Public Transport
I had to go back to Suffolk to pick some bits and pieces up and thought that the easiest way to do this was to get to Cockfosters Station, which is just a few minutes from Junction 24 on the M25.
So I took the 141 bus to Manor House taking a few pictures and a video on the way, where I got the Piccadilly Line to Cockfosters.
The journey from the Balls Pond Road took just 35 minutes and that included a delay of two minutes at Arnos Grove station, where they changed drivers. I could even have got a bus to the M25 from Cockfosters.
As I was running early, I did make a detour at Southgate Station to take a few pictures.
The station has been sympathetically restored and still contains many of the Art Deco features. It is still very much as it was, when I used to use it to go to Minchenden Grammar School in the early 1950s and late 1960s.
I also seem to remember reading somewhere, that the ticket barriers can be removed, so that the station can be used for period film and TV productions. Parts of the film, The End of the Affair were shot in the station.
I just think that Southgate Station sums up everything that was so good about the designs of London Transport before the Second World War. It was designed as a bus/tube interchange and still fulfils that function, with style and panache.
Southgate Station was one of the buildings created by the archtect, Charles Holden. If he had been of any other nationality, than British, he would be one of the most famous architects in the world. But he was a modest man, who twice declined a knighthood. On the other hand, his buildings speak eloquently of the quality and beauty of his work.
Ingrid Pitt
Ingrid Pitt, one of the stars of British horror films died a few months ago. So it is rather fitting that the Rio cinema in Dalston is showing some of her films.
Rio Cinema, Dalston
In some ways the biggest story about Ingrid Pitt, is that she survived a Nazi concentration camp. A documentary and perhaps a longer film is being made.
Black Swan
There was a pub in a 1950s British comedy called the Black Swan. It was always called the Mucky Duck.
Was it Hancock?
Not sure I can go to see the new film and keep a straight face.
The King’s Speech
I went to see this film last night and it is one not to be missed.
The publicity described Lionel Logue as a controversial speech therapist, but although I know little about the field, a lot of what he said to the King would now be considered main stream. For instance, in the film, Logue suggests that the King’s problems are routed in how he was treated as a child. This would be something that would be accepted by many people today.
I have only the vaguest memories of George VI, as he died when I was six. I have read an excellent biography, which I seem to remember doesn’t mention Logue at all. I think, when the history o the British monarchy is written in a couple of hundred years time, George VI will be ranked as one of our best. Especially, as he overcame his difficulties to be a much-needed wartime inspiration. We probably wouldn’t be here now, if his dreadful brother had been king at the time.
Beckham Makes It to North Korea
Pehaps the most surprising news over Christmas, was the news that Bend It Like Beckham was shown, albeit heavily edited, on North Korean television.
What odds would you get on David himself going to North Korea this year?
Not very good, I suspect!
The Elephant Man
This fascinating tale about the war in Burma has just been saved for posterity. It is now safe in the hands of Cambridge University.
They had the widow of one of the men he saved on the television last night, who filled in a few more details.
I can see a film being made of this tale. It’s the lure of the elephants! After all isn’t the most loved film made by Michael Winner, Hannibal Brooks?
And after all we haven’t had a film starring elephants for many years!
Made In Dagenham
I’ve not been to the cinema alone much, but as I had a day to fill, I went to see Made in Dagenham at the 11:30 showing in the Arts Picture House in Cambridge. I thought that it would be rather empty, but there were a total of sixteen in one of the smaller screens. I think the last time, I was in front of that screen, was when I saw the films of Mitchell and Kenyon with C, about six years ago.
It was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. I remember the strike in 1968, that the film is all about and they catch the period well. Miranda Richardson gets Barbara Castle well and in some ways steals a lot of the film.
If you’ve seen the poster for the film, you’ll see Sally Hawkins in an iconic red Biba dress. C had one like that but her’s was shorter and came from Through the Looking Glass in Mount Pleasant in Liverpool. This was a boutique that had been started by a member of the Scaffold. I can’t find any references to the boutique on the Internet.
The Tunnel Road Cinema in Liverpool
Despite always being an avid filmgoer, I never got to go to Liverpool’s most infamous cinema. But as they were talking about horror movies on the radio I remembered this story about the place.
On Sunday nights, they used to show bad horror films with little on no merit at all. The audience then generally had a good time and often made everybody laugh, by being much funnier than the film.
On one particular night, the following conversation ensued between a couple of blokes in the cinema, according to a friend of mine at the time.
Aggressive male voice: “Get em off”
Squeaky female voice: “No!”
AMV: “Come on! It won’t hurt!”
SFV: “No! I’m still a virgin!”
AMV: “Alright then!”
At which point, he ripped his handkerchief in two and the audience collapsed in laughter.
Not Just an Obituary in The Times, but a Leader Too!
I wonder what a young Norman Wisdom would have said, if that many years later, when he died, he would not only have an obituary in The Times, but a leader inside the cover, praising his life and work. But then he was one of those small, tough men, who often come out on top despite what the world throws at them!
There have been so many memories on the TV and radio in the last day or so, about one of Britain’s most-loved comedians. I particularly liked the stories of such as Chris Hollins, who is far too young to have seen the films or the classic TV sketches of the 1950s and 1960s, but remembers him from the match when England played in Albania.
I think we always forget what a good actor he was. He won a Bafta for a start! But I do wonder what would have happened if the film he had written about Benny Lynch in the 1950s had ever been made. As someone who could box, Wisdom saw himself playing the great Scottish boxer, but then the film industry in those days of the 1950s, saw him as a comic and not a serious actor. Some years ago, I read about this part of his life in the sports pages of The Daily Telegraph. It was one of his regrets in life, that the film was never made. Perhaps it should be!
What Shall I Do Tomorrow?
Today is not really the problem, as there is plenty of good sport on television, with the Grand Prix and some football. But it is tomorrow!
I thought that I might like to go to the cinema in Haverhill, as it would be possible with a taxi both ways.
But having seen the list of awful American films they are showing, that is a complete no-no. Most seem to be in 3-D, which is totally appropriate for someone with bad eyesight. I should also say that this relives some really bad Bank Holidays in the past, where C and I would vargue because there was nothing to do. Often we’d go shopping in London or Bluewater, or perhaps go and have a meal. But I can”t do that as I’ve got no transport and must stay here in my beautiful and lonely prison.
I could go to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, as I haven’t been for many years.
I can’t even do some of my new found love and time filler; cooking. I’m miles from the nearest shop and that would again mean a taxi both ways, just to get the things I need.
So I’ll just stay here and rant at all the people , who’ve said they’ll visit me and never have!
But at least there’s Tuesday to look forward to!
The Anonymous Widower 