Knit yourself a new wardrobe!

Three 1970s copies of Stitchcraft magazine, bought yesterday in a charity shop. I think that the couple on the middle cover are wearing their tops inside out........

Have it Awayday

Saucy goings-on in the British Rail publicity department in the 1970s; the cartoonist of the right hand,1975, leaflet, was Styx, otherwise known as Leslie Harding (1920-80).

Heath Robinson Absurdities

This collection of William Heath Robinson's illustrations originally appeared in 1934, this copy being a 1975 re-issue, bought recently in a charity shop in Egham. Absurdities features more of his well-known contraptions as well as more general humorous work, such as Christmas Eve and the Toy Railway. Both are equally delightful and still very funny. Heath Robinson's world looked a fine place to live.

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

Jane & Jag

Model Jane Mercer, not her real name, I'm sure, adorns 1960s Jaguar XKG 318 amongst the pages of Span magazine for March 1975. My father did some glamour photography from a studio set up in the spare bedroom (which made my early teenage years interesting!) and also owned a Mark 2 Jag. I don't think that he ever combined the two interests, although I suspect that my mother would have taken a dim view if he had!