Phillips 66

Rooting around in the loft the other day, I came across a broadsheet-size supplement to the Evening Gazette (dated 3 April 1968) marking the formation of the new borough of Teesside, which incorporated Stockton, Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Redcar, Billingham, Eston, Stokesley, Guisborough, Saltburn and Maske. As my wife comes from Stockton, it must have come to us from her family at some time.

Although there is lots to scan, quality is not brilliant, being on newsprint. However, this advert for Phillips 66 petroleum, with it's AEC and Leyland tankers, certainly attracted my attention.

Magic D7

When Midland Red disposed of 10-year old BMMO-built D7 class 4111 in 1964, it turned up in the USA, seeing use as a promotional vehicle at Hollywood's Universal Studios. The old girl later turned up on the cover of The Who's 1968 album Magic Bus - The Who On Tour. Despite the title, it was a studio album, only released in the US. I don't know how long the bus survived in the States, I just hope that it wasn't given to Keith Moon to play with!

Frankie & Benny

Twenty years ago, in April 1992, British comedy lost both Frankie Howerd and Benny Hill. Although they died on consecutive days, 19/20th, Benny was not found until two days later, such was the reclusive life that he was leading by then. Although they were very different in their approach to comedy, Howerd's more hesitant delivery contrasting to Hill's more slick and saucy style, both learned their trade in the West End, radio and then film and television. Benny Hill was also a singer, with a number of  comedy records to his name

By the 1980s, The Benny Hill Show was suffering falling ratings and was becoming increasingly more expensive to make and changing attitudes saw much criticism of the perceived sexism in his comedy. The cancellation of his Thames series in 1989 appeared to be the beginning of the end for him.

Frankie Howerd however, was making something of a comeback during his later years, touring with his one-man show and becoming an unlikely hit with university audiences. I personally love the work of both, Up Pompeii in particular for Howerd, with his little asides to the audience and Benny Hill was probably at his best in the 1970s; trawling through DVDs of The Benny Hill Show for this period has been a delight. Despite the bashing he got in this country in his later years, he remained popular abroad; I have a Hungarian DVD featuring mainly his slapstick routines, brought back by my son off holiday a few years ago. May they both rest in peace and their influence live on.

Frankie Howerd (1917-1992)

The Ladykillers (1955)
With Katie Johnson

The Fast Lady (1962)

The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966)
With Reg Varney and others

Carry On Doctor (1967)
With Anita Harris, Hattie Jacques and June Jago

Up Pompeii (1971)

Up The Front (1975)
From Star Turns, by Barry Took

Benny Hill (1924-1992)

An early publicity shot
From Star Turns, by Barry Took

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
With Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes

The Italian Job (1969)

Benny Hill sings Ernie (1971)

The Benny Hill Show (1976)
With Henry McGee

The Benny Hill Show (1976)
With Jack Wright and Jenny Lee Wright

The Benny Hill Show (1976)
With Moira Foot

Brian Walker

A book that has been sitting on my bookshelf for many years is a 1968 copy of How To Be a Motorist and Stay Happy' by George Haines. It is a very funny look at the trials and tribulations of car-ownership and how to survive it. Although I have never actually been a driver (I've driven a steam locomotive further than I have a car - never let your dad try to teach you!), the subjects covered seem quite familiar, such as learners, the Sunday driver and even down to avoiding authority and road rage, everything I suppose, except speed cameras. (I do recall reading of an early motorist, caught speeding by two constables using a stop-watch, however).

It was the illustrations accompanying the text that have always attracted me, the artist being Brian Walker, who, according to the notes on the dust-jacket, was better known for his 'decorative atmospheric drawing' and can play the tuba. A Google search reveals that he later drew for DC Thomson comics,  and later for IPC in Whizzer & Chips. His drawings seem to capture the period well. Enjoy.