Laurel and Hardy and the Sons of the Desert are at the heart of Bowler Dessert magazine and Bowler Dessert Online

Bulletin 29.09.11.

Animated Antics As we have sold out of our initial and limited run of animation books, we have decided to reprint it. . . but in a slightly different version. It is a pocket edition, 10x17cm, with 148 pages. We have redesigned the inside to be simply an A-Z listing, so no index, no chapters, and far less pictures. The original one that many of you already have will not be reissued in that form - ever. You can order it directly from http://www.lulu.com at £6.99 paperback, and it is also available as a download at £3.50. Ant and Jo Mitchell-Waite 100th meeting of The Live Ghost Tent You are invited to another evening of fun and frolics when The Live Ghost tent holds another fine meeting on Saturday October 8th 2011, 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. at The Calthorpe Arms, 252 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8JR. This meeting will not only mark our 17th birthday, but also a century of our meetings since this tent was formed in 1994. (Normally we hold our meetings on the first Saturday of every even numbered month, but due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to postpone this meeting for one week so apologies for any inconvenience caused.) Naturally, the theme for this meeting will be celebration. Of course, there will be the usual showing of hilarious L&H films but you can expect a few extra delights which (we hope) will add to your fun. For this meeting there be no admission charge on the door for non-members so all Sons of the Desert and their guests all are very welcome - it's totally free! You are advised not to miss this very special occasion. We predict it's really going to be a memorable evening so please help us to get off to a good start to our second hundred meetings! Del Kempster Jitterbugs Tent in Holland wakes up again Just like a volcano, the  Jitterbugs Tent kept quiet for  a few years, but there's an eruption. The tent woke up again and will have its first meeting in 3 years at a new location. On Monday evening, 24th October, the tent will organize a film show at Pol's Place, known as the smallest jazz club in Holland, which is located on the town square of Bergen op Zoom. For this meeting, everyone is welcome. Contact jitterbugstent@gmail.com. Germany update The German Laurel and Hardy Museum welcomed its thousandth visitor in August, with a surprise bag of Laurel and Hardy goodies. On 25th September, a 25-musicians brass band played film music in the courtyard of the museum, including the Cuckoo Song in its long orchestral version. On 27th September they welcomed the German physics Professor Metin Tolan. Wolfgang Günther says, "He has a way of explaining physics with the films of James Bond or soccer and he also has a programme in which he explains his physics with the comedy of Laurel and Hardy." Andreas Baum finished filming in the museum. The first broadcast of his documentary will be on 18th December, 2011 on the French/German channel ARTE, following a couple of films. The documentary will be on DVD next year. Bonnie Scotland Tent It was a bit of a Fin night in August as he was born in August; he appeared in Way out West as well as The Soilers and Me and My Pal, with good old Tom and Jerry and Jerry's cousin concluding the viewing. There was another reason for showing Me and My Pal - one of our Bonnies, Willie Black, was due to get hitched to Christine a couple of weeks later. In keeping with the solemnity of the occasion, there was of course a presentation of a signed card from the Bonnies at the meeting and a Laurel and Hardy jigsaw puzzle. This jigsaw made it to the wedding, and there was some angst among the guests when they could not find the last piece (suitably hidden in a sporran). Janice Hawton In The Sunday Post (25.09.11.), Bill Crouch spotted. . . Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison interview Sunshine Sammy Morrison, one of the earliest stars in the Our Gang series, talks with Nutty Nut News Network reporter Steve Wichrowski in a 1989 audio interview. His "Sunshine" nickname derived from his broad smile and Sammy's friendly demeanour is evident as he speaks. He notes that he first started working with Hal Roach even before the Roach studio was built. Sammy recalls his experiences in vaudeville and cinema with interesting facts such as his work with the first child star in motion pictures. Finally, he discusses his involvement in The East Side Kids series in the 1940s and his life after leaving show business. This enjoyable interview with one of the most popular characters from the early Roach years is at www.nuttynutnewsnetwork.com, where you can also read more about his life. I say Stan: Waiter! Waiter! The crust on my pie was too tough. Waiter: You appear to have eaten the plate, Sir. Bobby Pyrah Did you see? On Dickinson's Real Deal (ITV, 14.09.11.) a lady's mother (Jean) brought along an autograph book with many other stars including, of most importance, Laurel and Hardy. This woman's mother started collecting autographs in the 1950s. The autograph page has a vignette sticker (of Laurel and Hardy) but, most unusually, the page is also given provenance by (also) a signature by Laurel and Hardy's then manager, which says, "God Bless, Gordon Graves". I must confess in all my 56 books I had yet to come across this gentleman. I hope this doesn't mean this is a fake. I've never heard of him, but if other Sons have info let me know. The autograph is probably taken backstage at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton or the Birmingham Hippodrome. Dealer Alison secured the book for £200 without commission deducted. Peter Andrews The episode of Antiques Road Trip (BBC2) on 22nd September featured a piece in the Laurel and Hardy Museum, interviewing Mark. Dean McKeown