Monday, December 21, 2020

Christmas at Dingley Dell


The 1836 publication of The Pickwick Papers (The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club) by 24-year-old Charles Dickens and illustrated by Hablot Knight Browne, following the death of Robert Seymour, was a sensation with the public and a game-changer for the publishing business.

We follow the fictional exploits of Samuel Pickwick, his friends and acquantainces as they travel throughout the country observing and gathering facts about life while "life" buffets them about in amusing and unexpected ways.


Chapter 28 is A Good-Humoured Christmas Chapter. Let Charles Laughton tell us all about Mr. Pickwick's Christmas recorded for Decca Records in 1944 by clicking HERE.
 


Merry Christmas, One and All from the four of us in Toronto.

Janet, Paddy Lee, Gavin, and Garry











20 comments:

  1. CHARLES LAUGHTON and his wife ELSA LANCHESTER both have a connection to ELVIS PRESLEY. Charles was the guest host when Elvis made his first of three appearances on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Elsa had a part in the Elvis movie EASY COME, EASY GO.

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    1. Interesting. I didn't realize the Sullivan show had guest hosts.

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  2. ELSA LANCHESTER was in the DISNEY movie THAT DARN CAT. It was the first Disney movie that DEAN JONES did and the sixth-and last- one that HAYLEY MILLS did. So Dean was saying hello to Disney and Hayley was saying " I must be going."

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    1. The three movies Elsa made at Disney are among my favourites of their live-action work.

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  3. Speaking of THAT DARN CAT it also had WILLIAM DEMAREST in the cast. He played the husband to ELSA LANCHESTER. As you know William played the dad to ANN-MARGRET in the ELVIS movie VIVA LAS VEGAS. I remember that you didn't care much for that movie. I remember that you are a big fan of MY THREE SONS(as I am also). William was nominated for an EMMY(supporting role) as UNCLE CHARLEY O'CASEY. Surprisingly, MY THREE SONS had no CHRISTMAS episodes-in a 12-year run!

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    1. Uncle Charley was a hoot; one of my all-time favourite TV grouches.

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  4. Thanks for the link, Paddy! That was a lot fun in 17 minutes. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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    1. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. In a far off time, I would read it to my sisters until one year they hid the book.

      A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  5. What a delightful treat for the holidays! Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!

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  6. CAFTAN WOMAN, I was happy to see a picture of you and your family! Last year I saw a picture of you and Janet. I have also seen a picture of Gavin. Is Janet busy with her animation work? What about Garry and Gavin? MERRY CHRISTMAS to the HALL family!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you and all you hold dear.

      Both Garry and Janet are on winter break right now. She'll be working after two weeks while my school bus driver hubby is off the job at least until the middle of January due to the pandemic.

      This will be a strange Christmas with no Gavin in the house. We have sent his gifts to the group home and have plans for a video messaging party on Christmas day.

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  7. Garry and Gavin have the same initials as GENERAL HOSPITAL! (Also GOOD HOUSEKEEPING). I don't watch the soaps but GH is having their CHRISTMAS episode today. I have only seen a little bit of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL but according to TV GUIDE their CHRISTMAS ep is tomorrow and will be musical. JOHN MCCOOK is going to play the piano. I know John from his role as LANCE PRENTISS on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS way back when I was still in school. He was on the show from 1976 to 1980. John was also on one of my favorite MURDER, SHE WROTE eps. KEEP THE HOME FRIES BURNING with SHARON ACKER and MARCIA RODD-two lovely and talented actresses.

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    1. Keep the Home Fries Burning is one of my favourite episodes as well. The "choreography" of the jam jar in the restaurant is priceless.

      I have a sporadic relationship with B&B, but I'll be sure to check out their Christmas episode.

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  8. Paddy Lee and readers of this most wonderful site a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    Walter S.

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    1. Walter, I am so happy to have this opportunity to wish you best wishes. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. The trying circumstances will make our joy all the sweeter.

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  9. ELSA LANCHESTER was in DREAMBOAT with CLIFTON WEBB, GINGER ROGERS and ANNE FRANCIS. Anne was in the MURDER, SHE WROTE ep that had JOHN MCOOK. She did two other eps. P.S. Next week will be the time to read about GINGER ROGERS!

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  10. Thanks for the link. Am listening to Charles L as we speak.

    Not that it matters, but I read Pickwick Papers for the first time last Christmas, and it was delightful (if a bit clunky in places). Charles L is a perfect narrator.

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    1. It's funny how much human nature remains relatable from Dickens' time to today. The chapter on the election especially rings true. Pickwick is my desert isle book.

      Merry Christmas. It may be different, but different doesn't mean bad.

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