Saturday 27 February 2016

1972, Belgian Comics: “Kari Lente”

In 1972 the "Kari Lente" album "Het Zwartgallige Spoor" is published (04/10/1972 – 14/12/1972) in the Flemish newspaper "Gazet van Antwerpen". The series "Kari Lente", initially titled "Kari Lente lost het op", was created by Bob Mau (1926 - 2006) in 1962. The stories were published in album form until 1969 by "Standaard Uitgeverij". The album "Het Zwartgallige Spoor" was published in 1976 by "Born" under the title "Kari Lente & Co". The album was republished in 1982 as "Het energiegas van Professor Knitsel" by P.S.I./Bridge as a sales promotion for Bonzo/Purina.

The main character of the comic is the journalist Kari Lente (translation: Kari Spring), along with her faithful little cat Titus and fellow journalist Bikkel. The somewhat frumpy detective Sus Pens, the strange creature Slurfie and the awkward professor Knitsel were added later.
"Het Zwartgallige Spoor", cover (1976)
Het Zwartgallige Spoor
  • black and white
  • never published in English
  • story and drawings by Bob Mau
Bikkel and constable Dries
Synopsis
Professor Knitsel has invented the gas "Energistel" that makes people very energetic. However due to a problem during the production, a black gas is produced which convert people in senseless slaves...
Kari Lente and Bikkel
Main characters 
Kari Lente, Bikkel, Titus, Sus Pens, Slurfie, professor Knitsel, doctor Grootvertier, Zacharini, Slover, nurse Klaartje, constable Dries.
Nurse Klaartje, Kari Lente, Bikkel and doctor Grootvertier
Professor Knitsel
Professor Knitsel, Sus Pens and Slurfie
Slover and Zacharini
Titus, Bikkel and Kari Lente
Cars
  • Matra Simca M530 LX
  • Sus Pens oldtimer (probably Ford or Citroën)
  • Ford Escort Mk I
  • Mercedes-Benz W111
  • Ford Thames 400E
Matra Simca M530 LX
Sus Pens oldtimer (probably Ford or Citroën)
Ford Escort Mk I
Mercedes-Benz W111
Ford Thames 400E

Monday 15 February 2016

1971, Car Spotting: Plymouth, Derry's clock

From front to back:
  • First group of cars at the bottom of the photo with six cars, three of them are recognisable. There is a Wolseley 16/60 (or Austin A60 Cambridge / MG Magnette Mark IV / Morris Oxford VI / Riley 4/72), a Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16) and a Singer Vogue Estate.
  • Second row: Ford Escort Mk I and Austin/Morris Mini (BMC ADO15), Hillman Minx (Rootes Arrow series), Austin Maxi (BMC ADO14), Ford Escort Mk I, unidentified car.
  • Third row: unidentified car probably Rover P4 series and Singer Vogue Estate, Vauxhall Viva HC, Rover P4 series, Triumph Herald Estate, unidentified dark coloured car, unidentified light coloured car.
  • Fourth row: Ford Cortina XL or GXL Mk III (TC1) and Renault 16, Austin A40 Farina, Vauxhall Viva HC, Wolseley 16/60, Ford Anglia Van, unidentified car (probably Rootes), Ford Cortina L or XL Mk III (TC1), unidentified car probably Daimler or Rolls-Royce.
  • Fifth row: Renault 10, Ford Anglia Van, Simca 1000, Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), Morris A30, Renault 12, Triumph Herald Estate, Morris Minor, Renault 12.
  • Sixth row: Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), unidentified car probably Hillman Minx (Rootes Arrow series), Ford Cortina Mk II, Fiat 125, Austin/Morris Mini (BMC ADO15), Hillman Imp.
  • Seventh row: Vauxhall Victor F, unidentified car probably Morris A30, Austin Maxi (BMC ADO14), Simca 1300/1500, Ford Cortina Mk I, Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), unidentified car probably Ford Cortina L or XL Mk III (TC1).
  • Eight row: Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), Austin Maxi (BMC ADO14), Morris Minor.
  • Ninth row: Morris J4, Morris Minor, unidentified car probably Hillman Minx (Rootes Arrow series), unidentified car, Ford Anglia (105E/123E).
  • Tenth row: Ford Transit Mk I, Morris Minor, Volvo 121 Amazon, Ford (Consul) Corsair, Ford Anglia (105E/123E).
  • Eleventh row: Morris J4, unidentified car, unidentified car, Ford Escort Mk I, Vauxhall Viva HC, Ford Cortina XL or GXL Mk III (TC1), unidentified car probably Ford Cortina Mk II, unidentified car probably Triumph Herald, unidentified car probably Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16).
  • Twelfth row: Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), unidentified car probably Vauxhall, unidentified car, Ford Anglia (105E/123E), Ford Cortina Mk II, four unidentified cars.
  • Thirteenth row: two unidentified cars, Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), Ford Anglia Van, Ford (Consul) Corsair, Land Rover Series IIA, four unidentified cars.
  • Fourteenth row: there are eight cars, recognisable are the Volkswagen T1, Ford Anglia (105E/123E) and Triumph Herald.
  • Fifteenth row: unidentified car probably Austin Maxi (BMC ADO14), Ford Cortina L or XL Mk III (TC1), unidentified car probably Ford Cortina Mk II.
  • Side parking (right row) front to back: Ford Cortina Mk I, Austin / Morris 1100/1300 (BMC ADO16), Ford Escort Mk I, Austin 1800 (BMC ADO17), unidentified car probably Austin/Morris, Ford escort Mk I, Ford (Consul) Corsair, unidentified car probably Rootes, Hillman Imp, Vauxhall Viva HC, unknown car probably Austin/Morris, unknown car probably Simca 1300/1500 Break, Ford Cortina Mk II Estate.

Sunday 7 February 2016

1970, Television: “Catweazle”

On 15 February 1970 the British children's television series "Catweazle" premieres on ITV. The series produced by "London Weekend Television" was created by Richard Carpenter. Two series with each thirteen episodes were produced. Main actors for the first series, directed by Quentin Lawrence (15/02/1970 – 10/05/1970), were Geoffrey Bayldon, Robin Davies, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell and Neil McCarthy. The second series (10/01/1971 – 04/04/1971) was directed by David Reid and David Lane with main cast Geoffrey Bayldon, Gary Warren, Moray Watson and Elspet Gray.

"Catweazle" was broadcast in Ireland, the UK, Gibraltar, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Czechoslovakia, Nicaragua and Canada.
Geoffrey Bayldon as Catweazle
Synopsis
Catweazle (Geoffrey Bayldon), an eccentric 11th century wizard, accidentally travels with his pet toad Touchwood through time to the year 1969 after casting the wrong spell. He befriends Edward Bennett (Robin Davies), a young red-headed boy nicknamed 'Carrot'. Edward tries the entire series to hide Catweazle from his father Mr. Bennett (Charles 'Bud' Tingwell). In the meantime, Catweazle tries to find a way to return to his own time. Frequently Catweazle mistakes modern technology for powerful magic, for example 'elec-trickery' (electricity) and the 'telling bone' (telephone).
Geoffrey Bayldon as Catweazle and
Robin Davies as Edward 'Carrot' Bennet
Awards
  • Writers' Guild of Great Britain award for Best Children's TV Drama Script (1971).
Geoffrey Bayldon as Catweazle and
Gary Warren as Cedric 'Owlface' Collingford
Elspet Gray as Lady Collingford, Gary Warren as Cedric 'Owlface' Collingford
and Moray Watson as Lord Collingford
Main cast
  • Geoffrey Bayldon as Catweazle
  • Robin Davies as Edward Bennet (aka 'Carrot') (series 1)
  • Charles 'Bud' Tingwell as Mr. Bennet (series 1)
  • Neil McCarthy as Sam Woodyard (series 1)
  • Gary Warren as Cedric Collingford (aka 'Owlface') (series 2)
  • Moray Watson as Lord Collingford (series 2)
  • Elspet Gray as Lady Collingford (series 2)
  • Peter Butterworth as Groome (series 2)
  • Gwen Nelson as Mrs. Gowdie (series2) 

Catweazle Intro (1970)