The Famous Five

[billy farmer]

Fans of Enid Blyton's Famous Five will definitely be interested in this Book - Hirst Publishing Web Shop - Spies, Smugglers & Spook Trains

[CaptainWaggett]

Gary Russell wrote a long essay about his experiences as a child actor, now removed from the web presumably as it forms the basis for this book. Interesting stuff as he's very informative about the casting process and what happens when rhe cast of a long running don't get on (as happened with the Famous Five) and when the producers realise that one of the actors isn't up to the job (ditto). Should be a good read. And yes, I suppose one has to point out that he's the same Gary Russell who writes Doctor Who novels and editing the DW magazine for years.

[Onedin]

Cheers!



I read all 21 books in my childhood......................................... 21, was it....? I could read them all over again today............................................. ...have the Sea in my blood myself as an islander's daughter so I guess that's one reason why it appealed to me so much and still does.





Thanks for that, Billy......

[Number Six]

name='Onedin' timestamp='1280937' post='460252']

Cheers!



I read all 21 books in my childhood......................................... 21, was it....? I could read them all over again today............................................. ...have the Sea in my blood myself as an islander's daughter so I guess that's one reason why it appealed to me so much and still does.





Thanks for that, Billy......

I remember reading these too, usually with 'lashings of ginger beer'





Ah, what memories of sitting in my garden during the summer holiday reading these books.

[midnight sheep]

Yes, they were wonderful.Of all her continuing series my favourites though were the adventure books of which there were 8.They featured Philip, Lucy Ann, Dinah , Jack, and Kiki the parrot.



Is it really true that Michelle Gallagher who played George in the 1970's series died in 2000?.

There seem to be conflicting stories but it seems to be the case from what I can gather.

[Onedin]

name='midnight sheep' timestamp='1281026979' post='460680']

Is it really true that Michelle Gallagher who played George in the 1970's series died in 2000?.

There seem to be conflicting stories but it seems to be the case from what I can gather.

You might find a bit more in these discussions I just found..................someone says that it seems she took her own life.







http://www.enidblyto...t=1220&start=30





http://www.enidblyto...topic.php?t=495











Nathalie

[billy farmer]

A very interesting interview from 2008 with Jennifer Thanisch (Anne) and Marcus Harris (Julian).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv8NWAGPehg

[Sgt Sunshine]

Ahhhh I see this has nothing to do with my "Famous 5"......

[jch]

I loved all of Enid Blyton books when I was a child, and I can just about remember the TV series of The Famous Five in the late seventies. In fact, I could read them over again, even though I am almost 40!

[LadyKat]

I loved all of Enid Blyton books when I was a child, and I can just about remember the TV series of The Famous Five in the late seventies. In fact, I could read them over again, even though I am almost 40!

I'm nearly 48 and I've just re-read a load of them :-)

About Gary Russell's book, I'm sure I pre-ordered a copy of it at the time but never received it, did it ever get published? It was a while ago but someone might know. I'll have a look on Amazon in the meantime, I've been meaning to find out.

No worries, I've answered my own question, it appears not to have been published yet, don't know if it ever will be but I hope so.

[SilverTyne]

Gary Russell wrote a long essay about his experiences as a child actor, now removed from the web presumably as it forms the basis for this book. Interesting stuff as he's very informative about the casting process and what happens when rhe cast of a long running don't get on (as happened with the Famous Five) and when the producers realise that one of the actors isn't up to the job (ditto). Should be a good read. And yes, I suppose one has to point out that he's the same Gary Russell who writes Doctor Who novels and editing the DW magazine for years.

And here it is, rescued from the depths of the interwebby.

http://www.fuenffreundefanpage.at/en...ler78-gary.htm

[Ian Beard]

I'm nearly 48 and I've just re-read a load of them :-)

About Gary Russell's book, I'm sure I pre-ordered a copy of it at the time but never received it, did it ever get published? It was a while ago but someone might know. I'll have a look on Amazon in the meantime, I've been meaning to find out.

No worries, I've answered my own question, it appears not to have been published yet, don't know if it ever will be but I hope so.

If you did order it, then I suspect you'll never receive it...

https://showaddywaddy.wordpress.com/...st-publishing/

[LadyKat]

If you did order it, then I suspect you'll never receive it...

https://showaddywaddy.wordpress.com/...st-publishing/

Oh hi, thank you for taking the trouble to let me know about this, that's really kind of you! I read the piece and it sounds like that publisher guy is well dodgy!

I pre-ordered it and paid for the book on paypal, so long ago I can't remember how much it was, maybe �10-�12, maybe I got a refund, I never checked, but it doesn't matter too much if I didn't. What I am glad about is that it's not Gary Russell's fault if I didn't get my money back. I did gather back along he was taking his time to write it and there were delays because of that, and I'd assumed he'd just finish it one day. With his Dr Who related work etc. I guessed it was on the back burner. Perhaps it still is and he'll finish it one day - but get it published by someone reliable!

As for the alleged Mr Dodgy Publisher, if he's done things like that he'll pay for it one day, one way or another, I'm a great believer in karma/fate and that ill deeds always catch up with those responsible one day.

On a happier note ref your link, I liked Showaddywaddy when I was little, I had one of their singles I think, but I can't remember which one, possibly Dancing Party??? - I was about 7-8, around the same time I had my Purdey haircut

Thanks again
Kat

[LadyKat]

And here it is, rescued from the depths of the interwebby.

http://www.fuenffreundefanpage.at/en...ler78-gary.htm

Oh cool, I will have a read of this, thanks for posting the link! I loved the TV series and yes, in case anyone is wondering, Dick is my favourite character - in the books and on TV!

[Why do I feel I have to justify that sentence and assure everyone I'm not being rude lol. It reminds me of that Are You Being Served Episode where you find out the first names of the staff - and yes - Mr (Dick) Lucas was my favourite in that too!!!! I guess you could say Trevor Bannister was my very first actor crush]

[billy farmer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKluTnhZmgM

[cassidy]

I think I only read one Famous Five book but I can't remember which. I was more into the Billy Bunter series of books which had it's own "famous five" namely Harry Wharton, Bob Cherry, Frank Nugent , Johnny Bull and Hurree Jamset Ram Singh (aka The Nabob of Bhanipur). They were often called the famous five in the early Magnet comics and Billy Bunter books but I dont know of any litigation on either side. I can't quite see that happening these days !!