The Artful Dodger

Does anyone else, in this coronavirus lockdown that besets us, turn to Youtube videos? I happened to chance on Terry Wogan interviewing Jack Wild and Mark Lester together in 2012. What struck me was how different these two actors were. One question Terry asked was whether either of them ever watched the film now. Mark said yes, often. Jack responded saying Mark he was mad to!

The film "Oliver" left a lasting impression on me, as I explained in a previous post.  I have watched it several times since and would gladly watch it again on the big screen. It remains one of my all-time favourite films.

What I hadn't realised until I started Googling after watching that interview was... Jack Wild was born in September 1952, just a few months before me.  The film was released in September 1968 so allowing a few months both Jack and I were then 16 years of age.

Quoting from his obituary in The Guardian: Jack was a millionaire at 18 and an alcoholic by 21, has died after a long battle with oral cancer, aged 53. He was also a diabetic and a heavy smoker.  And I thought - how sad.

At least he himself reckoned, as told in It's A Dodger's Life: "I only wish I’d invested the money and not drank quite so much. But other than that I don’t think there is much else I’d change. And I did have a lot of fun. And I honour him for that honesty.

In contrast, once past youthful flings, Mark studied hard to become a professional osteopath and is still alive.  And I'm kind-of glad he still watches the film he starred in, because it makes me feel OK about loving it.

And where does that place me?

Morning with Marty

Marty in the Morning is an early morning show on Lyric-FM and I like his repartee. Yesterday morning, on the way to the airport to pick up these visitors, I was spoilt by his choice of Cat Steven's well-know rendition of Morning Has Broken

followed by Haydn's Trumpet Concerto In E Flat and then Terry Wogan's rendition of the Cornish Floral Dance, all of which brought back sweet memories.

Checking up on the Floral Dance I find the song is all the better for being based on the composer Kate Moss's actual experience.  Wikipedia has it that the music and lyric were written in 1911... The song tells the story of an incident that apparently actually happened to herself on a visit to Helston during the springtime 'Furry Dance' celebrations and the song was reportedly written directly afterwards as she was going home on the train. She introduces the original Furry Dance tune in the piano part just as the singer is describing the sound of the band.

As for the Furry Dance, Wikipedia tells us it is one of the oldest British customs still practiced today. It takes place every year in Helston, Cornwall, early in the month of May. Regrettably Terry omits some of the lyrics.

As I walked home on a Summer night

When stars in Heav'n were shining bright

Far away from the footlight's glare

Into the sweet and scented air

Of a quaint old Cornish town

Borne from afar on the gentle breeze

Joining the murmur of the summer seas

Distant tones of an old world dance

Played by the village band perchance

On the calm air came floating down

I thought I could hear the curious tone

Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone

Fiddle, 'cello, big bass drum

Bassoon, flute and euphonium

Far away, as in a trance

I heard the sound of the Floral Dance

And soon I heard such a bustling and prancing

And then I saw the whole village was dancing

In and out of the houses they came

Old folk, young folk, all the same

In that quaint old Cornish town

Every boy took a girl 'round the waist

And hurried her off in tremendous haste

Whether they knew one another I care not

Whether they cared at all, I know not

But they kissed as they danced along.

And there was the band with that curious tone

Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone

Fiddle, 'cello, big bass drum

Bassoon, flute and euphonium

Each one making the most of his chance

All together in the Floral Dance

I felt so lonely standing there

And I could only stand and stare

For I had no boy with me

Lonely I should have to be

In that quaint old Cornish town.

When suddenly hast'ning down the lane

A figure I knew I saw quite plain

With outstretched hands he came along

And carried me into that merry throng

And fiddle and all went dancing down.

We danced to the band with the curious tone

Of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone

Fiddle, 'cello, big bass drum

Bassoon, flute and euphonium

Each one making the most of his chance

Altogether in the Floral Dance.

Dancing here, prancing there

Jigging, jogging ev'rywhere

Up and down, and round the town

Hurrah! For the Cornish Floral Dance

Kate Emily Barkley Moss 1911