Many years ago one of my uncles was a bus inspector and worked at Oxford Circus. One day whilst crossing the road he 'met' Kenneth Williams (probably popping to the co-op for his fags) half way across. He enquired as to how KW was and he rather gruffly replied ''fine thank you', then my uncle asked how his mother was to which he responded ''oh dear boy, she's very well, how kind of you to ask'' ''lovely weather we're having'' etc etc... This enquiry as to the wellbeing of Louie completely changed KW's frame of mind and just backs up what we already know of his fondness for his mother. I always loved this little story and would often get my uncle to repeat it. Has anyone else had any Carry On encounters they'd like to share?
8 comments:
My uncle George was a bus conductor in the 1950 and 60s until he fell off the running board and lost a leg when a following motorcycle ran over him. He often use to take the bus fare from Kenneth Williams when he was on his way to or from the Paris studios in Regent Street. George says Williams kept himself to himself. He often had a Sony Walkman on which George thinks he wore to avoid conversation. I think George lost part of his brain in the accident as I'm almost certain there were no Walkmans as early as the 1960s - let alone the 50s. Perhaps he meant ear-muffs.
Either Anonymous is daft or his uncle is. Or perhaps they both are and it runs in the family. Either way don't post comments that are clearly untue.
That's a bit harsh Mr Can. So I might have got the detail's of Uncle George's story a little wrong. He has been dead for over thirty years so it's been a very long time since he told it to me. So it wasn't a Sony Walkman. Relace it with a little transistor radio or something else. I resent the implication that I and my uncle are stupid. I think you are stupid with a name like Genghis Can. A better name for you would be Genghis Can't.
Now now now boys - we'll have no fights here - take it outside please :-)
At least I have a name and don't hide behind an "anonymous". I suppose I should be glad that he/she didn't change the "a" to another vowel when mocking my soubriquet. That said I have done a little research and have discovered that the first commercial transistor radio was the Regency TR-1 in 1954. So it is possible that Williams did have one. They were expensive but doubtless as successful an actor as Williams could have afforded one. Especially if he saved his pennies travelling by bus. Even so I still think Anonymous, his uncle and all his relatives are a bunch of berks and if any of them want to take it ouside... just name the time and place.
I'll be at the Lady Luck on Peter Street in Canterbury on Friday night. You can't miss me as I'll be wearing Uncle George's 1960s London Transport cap. I'll also be wearing his campaign medals from the 2nd World War and Korea. So Mr Can't if you dare I'll see you and your Mongol hordes there and we can have our own Brief Encounter.
For God's sake if you think I'm coming all the way from Muswell Hill for a brief encounter in Canterbury with you then you need to think again. Anyway, I'm a lady and you wouldn't hit a lady would you?
No, of course not. You misunderstand me Miss, I was just hoping to buy you a port and lemon and talk about our shared interest in Kenneth Williams.
Post a Comment