1952: Something to scratch
This is a neat little joke. The hirsute man on the left can scratch his own head. The bald man on the right uses the docile dog instead.
You’re just showing how young you are, Summer.
For me it was Andy Pandy, the Wooden Tops, Muffin the Mule and others.
1953: The amateurs competing with the professionals
Brockbank is doing what he knows best. He is clearly giving an accurate account of what actually happens.
5:00 until 6:00pm. Nowadays though there seems to be several children’s channels, with programmes on all day!
Thelwell did a comparison cartoon too. Rough shoot compared to posh shoot. I have the book somewhere. He did fishing cartoons as well.
1953: Special spectacles
I have a vague memory of participating in this sort of thing. We were all handed these cardboard specs with a coloured space in front of our eyes. Was the effect to make it seem three dimensional? I’m not sure. Certainly, this innovation did not take root.
Usherettes in smart uniform? Don’t see that nowadays.
Well I remember them and, yes, they worked (the glasses, not the usherettes), although the 3D images were monochromatic.
I remember those too. We used to make our own from discarded sweet wrappers so we could look at the novelty 3D stories in some comics. Not good for the eyes.
1953: “Deprivation”
Such innocence! What does she think that Henry is missing? Were ear trumpets the only aid afforded to the heard of hearing in 1953? I would imagine that hearing aids were already available – though not as tiny as they are now becoming.
1953: Castle adaptation
What is the point here? Using this bathroom this is not exactly cosy but it is hardly torture.
1951: Complaining about the weather
Although the instances vary this subject is always topical.
We always will complain about the weather here in Britain.
1951: A clear message
There is no need for an explanation since the speaker is holding an easily understood visual aid.
1953: The importance of using your eyes
Here is a neat little joke. This man is on his way to put up a sign outside an optician’s shop but he isn’t using his own eyes.
1954: Intellectuals!
This joke is directed at highbrows who pontificate about things they ought to leave alone.
1956: Live luggage
A professional snake charmer needs to carry the tools of his trade. His snake seems to have been really charmed to accept this mode of transport.
Fancy finding that in lost luggage
1954: The only good television …
… is one with a blank screen. Punch persisted in its losing battle against this much more powerful competitor.
1953: Not recommended by Egon Ronay
Before tripadvisor came along we had to rely on Good Food Guides which were unable to keep up to date. It was quite possible to visit a restaurant which had seriously declined since the book was published. Indeed, it was also quite possible that a venue had declined in the time between writing the entry and the book’s arrival in your local bookshop. Today we can read up to date opinions.
1951: Canine enthusiasm
His dog likes this new game. The owner is less pleased.