Petula Clark - she Coloured my World!

[michduncg]

Mum and Dad had 'cassette' of hers (this was 1973 and such things were new back then!) featuring her later recordings. I played this tape so much that it broke, but not before I had become hooked on Petula's songs. It was tape of her 'later' stuff e.g. The Other Mans grass, Don't Sleep in the Subway, and Colour My World - all great 60s songs in the Eurovision style!

I am sure that my love of 'easy listening' music stems from these early memories, great tunes, beautifully sung wth wonderful arrangements. Petulas long career goes back to the days of radio, thru early pop before flourishing into one of Britains top entertainers in the 60s and 70s - why she even advertised cars (The Chrysler/Talbot Sunbeam in the UK). She has been quieter since those heady days but even now I have those great tunes on my i-pod!

[john]

Yes, I like Our Pet as well, saw her 4 years ago in Manchester and would like to see her again sometime, I like a lot of her earlier numbers including KISS ME GOODBYE and THE LITTLE SHOEMAKER. She also wrote a lot of her own songs like YOU'RE THE ONE, SOFTLY HERE COMES THE MORNING and one I really like TWO RIVERS. She has just done a few weeks with Andy Williams at his Moon River Theatre and released a single duetting with him.

[mariana44]

Petula Clark wrote a musical some years ago--I forget the name of it--but she discovered Dave Willetts to star in it, who has since become very popular in musicals--"Phantom " "Les Miserables " etc etc.

She has done duets with several singers-I have her singing with Bobby Darin, and also Johnny Mathis.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

As far as we know, unless recently cancelled, Petula Clark is due to appear at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 26th Nov: with Guest Michael Ball and Tony Hatch. The BBC are going to record the show AND WILL BE broadcasting it on Radio 2 in Dec.

[ROBERT M.]

Must have been a very popular "musical" PC wrote Marian, if you cannot remember the name of it

[paul jh]

The musical was called Someone Like You. Petula Clark wrote the music and Dee Shipman wrote the lyrics. It opened at the Strand Theatre on March 22, 1990 and closed on April 26, 1990. No soundtrack album was recorded, but Petula Clark has recorded some of the songs through the years.

[mariana44]

Thanks Paul for that information--I recognised the title as soon as I read it.

Robert-I did not say that it was a popular Musical--I know it did not do as well as Petula Clark would have liked--but I had not realised that it only ran for barely a month.

But it did bring Dave Willetts to the public eye. If you have never heard him sing "Bring him Home"--you should, as it is just beautiful.

[ROBERT M.]

"Bring Him Home" was performed at George Bests funeral service last December, it sounded heartbreakingly fabulous

[Marian]

Hi all,
Petula Clark started in show business as a child actor. She played the daughter in the "Meet the Huggetts" films, with Kathleen Harrison as the mum. Later she went on to be a big singing star.
I'm sure I have a single somewhere from "Someone Like You" where she sings with Dave Willetts. I also have a brochure from the show.
I've seen Dave Willetts many times in "Phantom" "Les Miserables" and "Sweeney Todd" amongst others. Also in his own show a few times.
He's an excellent singer and performer. He is touring at the moment in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."Another great performance.

Marian.

[ROBERT M.]

The father in the "Huggets" films was played by the lovely "George Dixon", better known as Jack Warner

[mariana44]

I know I have mentioned this before-the version of "Bring Him Home" at George Bests funeral was by Brian Kennedy--just outstanding. Going on fior a year ago now !! I guess it is just such a terrific song, it always sounds fantastic.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

We certainly remember "The Huggets" and Kathleen Harrison always known for playing cockney roles was born up North somewhere and was about 102 or 103 when she died. A great character
Have met Jack Warner on two occasions once at Harry's Boys club when he was guest for the evening and presented awards, and another occasion when he topped the bill in a show at the long ago demolished St Pancras Theatre.
It was a memorable evening that nearly didn't happen, one of those pea souper nights when he finally arrived very late and I brought him a welcome cup of tea.
Remember a very young Petula Clark in the film "Dance Hall" with Bonar Colleano, Donald Houston and Diana Dors. This film another reminder of dancing at the local Palais.

[Marian]

Lena and Harry, I believe Jack Warner's sisters were Elsie and Doris Waters, the comediennes. Do you know if this is true?

In the film "The Blue Lamp" Jack Warner played a policeman for the first time, and was shot dead by a young Dirk Bogarde.
I think that's when they got the idea of him playing "Dixon of Dock Green"

Marian

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Hi Marian, yes Elsie and Doris Waters were Jack Warner's sisters, affectionately known on the radio in those days as Gert and Daisy, who in their weekly series was married to Bert and Wally and lived next door to their nosey neighbour "old mother Butler"
They also appeared on stage and in films.
One of their songs that we remember in the days of rationing goes something like. "You can take all my ham my plum and apple jam, but please leave my butter alone."
Another one "There's rollicking fun for fourpence down in Petticoat Lane." and the weepie "Goodnight Children Everywhere"

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Marian, you were probably right about Jack Warner and how he became Dixon Of Dock Green. The scene where he got shot was the Coliseum cinema in Harrow Road. Although that wasn't what we called it.
Times have a changed, the Coliseum has gone and the area is now considered up market and trendy