August 2009 Archives
On the Whisky Trail…
The Glenlivet… Glenfarclas…. Glenfiddich… Cragganmore… Macallan…. Lagavulin… Taliskar… Aberlour… Tomintoul….
Dispite Tartan and an over abundance of Sainsbury’s obsession with Haggis and Shortbread… Scotland’s best outgoing product, aside from wandering Scots… Is Scotch Whisky! Thought to have been introduced into The Highlands and The Lowlands by Irish Monks determined to inflict their rare concoction on the rest of civilization, set about a myriad on the unsuspecting Scots – After all, it had only been the Romanos and their wine-ways until then! But you have to understand Scotch to fully appreciate its wonderful value to mankind. ‘The Water of Life’ is what the Scots call it! Early distillation in the 17th Century was a very ‘Dodgy’ affair! – ‘For shots’ are poisonous and ‘after shots’ are undrinkable… And Gunpowder was even added! Scotch is distilled in copper vats – why?… well, if you have ever cut yourself on stainless steel you will know what I mean - copper can heal much quicker than Stainless Steel…! Scotch is matured in Oak Sherry Casks for a minimum of 3 years – in order to be called Scotch Whisky! – Single Malt means that it is the product of a single distillery. On my many visits to this wonderful land… I would tell you that ‘The Scots’ are the most welcoming people in the World!
Isle of the Dead… 1945
Vorvolaka… This nightmare vampire was very much on the minds of the people in the time when Greece fought her war of 1912…A classy screenplay from RKO which features Boris Karloff, Ellen Drew, Marc Cramer, Katherine Emery, Helen Thimig, and Jason Robards. It was written by Ardel Wray and Josef Mischel, with masterly direction from Mark Robson. Not a run of the mill - ’blood and guts’ vampire movie… but a creative story with strong and convincing acting from the whole cast!
Kiss Me Deadly… 1955
Maxine Cooper - Park Lane Pictures
It was under the creative direction of Robert Aldrich that Mickey Spillane’s novel came to life staring Ralph Meeker and Maxine Cooper. The film is often considered a classic of The Noir Genre and Ralph Meeker’s portrayal of private detective Mike Hammer became the definitive ‘tough guy’ image of the 50s. The movie grossed a remarkable amount of money in the US and UK for a film at this time!… Britain and America were still recovering from World War II! Sadly, Ralph Meeker died in August 1988 from a heart attack, and Maxine Cooper died only this year, at the age of 84! Maxine retired from acting in the late 1960s, making one or two cameos in the 70s, but concentrated on raising her three children. Later she became a political voice within the US and never lost the public acclaim for her performance in ‘Kiss Me Deadly’ Her great line: ”Do me a favour will you?… Keep away from the window… Someone may blow you a kiss!” Shot almost entirely on location, it is a movie that is very evocative of a 1950s Los Angeles!
Film Reference: “Remember me, when no more day by day, you tell me of a future that you planned, only remember me, you’ll understand. But if the darkness and corruption leave a vestage of the thoughts that once we had… Remember me”… Christina Rossetti, British Poet 1830 – 1894
Film Reference: Cerberus, a legendary three headed hound which guards The Gates of Hell! to prevent those who have crossed the River Styx from ever escaping… From Greek and Roman Mythology.
The Vauxhall Wyvern…
Vauxhall Wyvern
The first Wyvern appeared on the British roads in 1948, introduced by Vauxhall from their Luton based factory. The Vauxhall Wyvern sold well in Britain until 1957, when the more modern styled Vauxhall Victor replaced it… Robert Morey continues his travels in Bedfordshire.
Stockwood Park and Gardens
The beautiful gardens of Stockwood Park in Luton offer much in a wonderful summer display of wild and cultivated flowers and shrubs. The old manor house built in 1740 has long since gone, and the extensive acres are now home to Luton’s ‘Discovery Centre’ , ’The Mossman Collection’ of fine horse drawn carriages, and an excellent ‘Park Cafe’… The gardens and grounds are a perfect place to soak up the tranquillity of this experience, and tucked away in a secret place is a statue walk. The park also offers a riding school and golf course, and some of the oldest and tallest trees in Bedfordshire can be found here, offering a welcome shade to the many hundreds of visitors in the summer sunshine.
Real English Ales!
Patrick by Marilyn Bailey
A very interesting website… is that of Fuller’s Griffin Brewery in Chiswick London. Fuller’s are the last remaining family run brewery in London, and it’s here in Chiswick beside the leafy River Thames, that Fuller’s produce a wonderful selection of fine English Ales – such as ‘London Pride’ and ‘Organic Honey Dew’ - a very refreshing golden beer. The Brewery has existed on the same site since 1845 and in addition to Real Ales has introduced some fine wines from around the world. Fuller’s can be found at: www.fullers.co.uk and whilst you’re there… click the ‘panoramic views’ for some wonderful images taken from the roof of the brewery – very ingenious! and very interesting! Cheers! Good Drinking!
Patrick.
Moving the Royal Mail…
Royal Mail Delivery...
This time Robert Morey makes a visit to the ‘Moving Mail – from Horses to Horsepower’ Exhibition at Stockwood Discovery Centre in Stockwood Park Luton. This Exhibition explores the story of road transport within the British Postal Service, in which vehicles and images provide the visitor to this free exhibition - until the 27th of September, with an insight into the men, women, and machines that have been delivering the Royal Mail for over 200 years!
The Hi-Jackers… 1963
‘The Hi-Jackers’ from Butcher Films… features Anthony Booth and Jacqueline Ellis. A neat and interesting little screenplay in which a band of characters steal a lorry-load of Scotch Whisky. At his very best is the fatherly figure of Derek Francis as the gang boss with strong support from David Gregory, Romo Gorrara, and Glynn Edwards (later to become a regular in the TV series of Boon) This is a well-rounded British thriller!
No Rain in Tea Green…
The torrential rains of this English summer has sent many of us scurrying for cover… Well, this shelter was certainly empty when Robert Morey made a flying visit to the village of Tea Green in Bedfordshire. Robert tells me that Tea Green is a great place to buy property… So perhaps it never rains in Tea Green! He also tells me that Shelters are in this year!… Well, I got news for you Robbie… So are brollies!
Pool of London… 1950
A wonderfully evocative film drama of London and The London Docklands in 1950. Shot almost entirely with locations on The Thames and around Central London- it’s a look into a times past world! There are so many dramatic and nostalgic locations in the production- that it’s near-impossible to keep up with them! Released by Britain’s famous Ealing Studios…it features a strong cast in Bonar Colleano and wife Susan Shaw, Renee Asherson, and Earl Cameron. The screenplay was written by Jack Whittingham and John Eldridge, and the direction was handled by the master Basil Dearden.
