! ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006! AUTUMN 2005 The Jester

PITY THE FOOL CREATURE FEATURE YOUR ANIMAL GAGS INSIDE

“The lawyers took everything.”

AGM APPROACHES / NEW CARTOON MUSEUM OPENS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LONDON TOON / AT 70 DAVE GASKILL INTERVIEW / PAUL BAKER ON VALOTT ELLINAS’S INKWELL / JUDGE COLLINS / SUBS STILL DUE!

The Newsletter of the Cartoonists’ Club of Great Britain THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK The Jester News Issue 384 - April 2006 Buzz about show Virtually ready Published 11 times a year by The Cartoonists’ Club AN exhibiton called Pixar: 20 Years ALTHOUGH still in an early, of Animation is being held at the experimental form, the International of Great Britain Science Cartoon Virtual Museum is now Museum, open at www.cartoonvirtualmuseum. London, from The CCGB Committee org. It is a fascinating site to browse, April 1 to June find cartooning news and competi- Chairman: Terry Christien 10. Pixar has tions and to sample work from 020–8892 3621 been making cartoonists from all over the world. [email protected] computer- animated short Secretary: Richard Tomes films, and More Simpsons 0121–706 7652 movies such as [email protected] Toy Story and Treasurer: Jill Kearney The Incredibles, TWO more series of The Simpsons for 20 years. have been commissioned by Fox TV, 020–8590 8942 ensuring the show will be on screens [email protected] The show is billed the first chance fans in the UK will get to see until at least 2008. The decision hundreds of pieces of artwork, means the popular animated sitcom Les Barton: 01895–236 732 models and digital paintings from its will rack up its 400th episode in the [email protected] studios. Pre-booking is advisable. next two years. The show is now in Clive Collins: 01702–557 205 To book call 0870-870 4868. its 17th series.  [email protected] Prices: £9 adults, £7 children. SOUL singer Isaac Hayes is to Family discounts available. stop providing the voice for Chef in Neil Dishington: 020–8505 0134 the cartoon series South Park [email protected] because he objects to its Ian Ellery: 01424–718 209 “inappropriate ridicule” of religion. [email protected] Hayes, 63, has been a regular on the Graham Fowell: 020–8590 8942 show since its US TV debut in 1997. [email protected] But creator Matt Stone said Hayes had “never had a problem” until the Pete Jacob: 01732 845 079 show featured his own religion – Helen Martin: 01883–625 600 Scientology: “In ten years of South [email protected] Park, Isaac never had a problem with Roy Nixon: 01245–256 814 the show making fun of Christians, Jed Pascoe: 01767–682 882 Muslims, Mormons or Jews. He got [email protected] a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on Roger Penwill: 01584–711 854 the show.” © bbc.co.uk/news [email protected] Bear baiting Derek Quint: 01984–632 592 Jed Stone: 020–7720 1884 THE Man Who Hated Pooh – The [email protected] Political Cartoons of E.H. Shepard is Mike Turner: 01206–798 283 now running at the Political Cartoon Gallery, 32 Store Street, London, [email protected] until May 2006. The exhibition is Jock Williams-Davies: being staged in association with the 01473–422 917 Cartoon Study Centre at the Univer- [email protected] sity of Kent and the Punch archive. The exhibition will consist of 50 of Jester Editor: Shepard’s original cartoons which were published in Punch from 1933 Royston Robertson up until his dismissal by Malcolm 01843–871 241 Muggeridge, the Editor in the early jester_magazine @yahoo.co.uk 1950s. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm and on Front cover: Alex Noel Watson Saturdays between 11.30am-5.30pm. Back cover: Tim Harries Phone 020-7580 1114 for further details or email info@ politicalcartoon.co.uk

2 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK The Chair

WHAT a nifty March meeting we had amongst us. Keep watching The – blessed with not just one but two Jester for details. talks! The first was given by John A random thought here, but under McInnerny of King Features, all about the subhead of a grumpy ol’ git, I was cartoon syndication. And very inter- doing a caricaturing gig at Birming- esting it was too. ham NEC and was unable to get He distributed sample American through the carriages to my booked newspapers showing all the well seat on the train and had to plonk known strips and singles across three myself in a first class seat of which broadsheet pages can, you believe? there was an abundance as always. I The AGM: April 4 Virtually no news, but wall to wall thought, I don’t mind paying an up- cartoons – the sort of coverage we can grade to finish off the journey. “How THE April 4 meeting is the club’s only dream of! much?” I enquired, after much delib- Annual General Meeting – a good Even though King’s annual take up eration. “£79,” says he (for 45 min- chance to come along and catch up is only a handful – three or four new utes, no more stops to London Eus- with fellow members, and enjoy the ideas – it’s still worth having a go ton) so I politely told him where he free buffet of course. New committee with submissions. Encouragingly, could place it! Why on earth couldn’t members will be voted in at the some of the published material was Virgin Trains have been more astute committee meeting and announced really quite naff. You somehow just and said something reasonable like later in the evening. If you would like assume that every strip is as good as £10 or £15? I would have gladly paid to join the committee, get in touch. Hagar the Horrible, one of King’s that. As it was, they got nothing! Committee: 5.30pm. Members: 7pm. star turns, so you just never know. What’s it all about? The annual statement of accounts will Send to: Jay Kennedy, Editor in Chief And finally, our April meeting is the be available for perusal and will be c/o Allsorts Media Ltd, 15 Grove AGM and it’s not too late to put your- published in the May Jester. At the end Place, Bedford, MK40 3JJ. Telephone self forward for the committee if you of the business of the committee 01234-212411/211601. so wish. There will be no talk at the agenda, the committee will be Then Tim Harries graced us with a meeting, so there will be plenty of dissolved. After a short break (at the talk on his favourite comic strips [see banter and not a little socialising and bar, traditionally) the new committee page seven] dovetailing superbly with catching up with this and that. See will be restored. Prospective new John’s talk. Yes, surprisingly, the club you there. committee member: Anne Boyd for can do dovetailing! Where Tim’s car- Terry Christien Treasurer. Jed Stone is nominated for toon book collection had doubled up, Secretary; Jed Pascoe for the new post he generously donated half a dozen of Membership Secretary. Stepping books as prizes to ad hoc questions – down from committee: Roger Penwill. excellent. Thanks again guys. On my way to the meeting, I popped in to take a look at the new Cartoon Animal magic Museum in Little Russell Street, Lon- don [see page six]. It’s good to see PROBABLY unsurprisingly, you all some permanency with the Cartoon loved the cartoon theme of animals Art Trust’s collection. Incidentally, and there were far too many to use! there was a strip from Many of those not used will appear on , one of D.C. Thomson’s com- the website. The next theme: Film ics. They’re in ideal premises which Funnies, Movies Mirth, Puns at the used to be a dairy, all superbly reno- Pictures, that kind of thing. Action! vated including a classroom which is good for meetings, so they won’t mind if you milk it for all its worth! Which, looking ahead, brings me to the June Friday meeting (June 16), extra to the first Tuesday meeting at The Cartoonist pub as usual. It now looks as though it will be at the aforementioned Cartoon Museum, especially for the Fridayphobes

3 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK The Shakesperience of a lifetime All welcome at Stratford 2006! COME along to sunny Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 11 August till Sunday 13, or Monday 14 ... or however long you like! Just like last time, those interested in coming along should let me know (as soon as possible) and I will send you a brochure of lots and lots of B&Bs and hotels to choose from, covering a wide range of sizes and prices. Then it’s up to you to organise your accommodation. This is essentially a Cartoonists’ Club of Great Britain convention. It is a purely social event for the club’s members, their families and their friends. All are welcome – the more the merrier. Stratford is fab and is slap-bang in the middle of England, so I don’t want to hear any North/ South arguments (except from the Scots who are allowed). There’s plenty to see and do in Stratford (when not in the pub). There are the theatres, the world’s best row of restaurants in Sheep Street, and the shopping is simply fabulous, dahling. Then there’s the town itself, the you brochure as soon as possible. It’s a very popular town surrounding countryside and historic locations. especially in summer, so do book early. We had a very good meet-up plan last time, so we’ll do it Call Richard Tomes on 0121-706 7652 or email again. We meet up at the good old Windmill Pub at 7pm [email protected] for your brochure or with any on Friday evening and then meet there at noon on the questions you have. remaining days. Again, please let me know and I’ll get Richard Tomes

4 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK Members’ Dear directory A HANDY directory of CCGB members is to be compiled. It will Jester be printed in the same format as The Jester and will appear in January, when there is no regular Strips and syndication newsletter. The good news is that unlike the THE comic strip was the subject of a CCGB handbook, which you had very entertaining stand-up slot to pay £50 to take a page in, it’ll delivered by Tim Harries at the last Postal address: The Jester cost you nowt! meeting which coincided with an All you have to do is send me the insider’s view of the game from John c/o Royston Robertson following details, preferably by McInnerny of King Features 20 Upton Road, Broadstairs, email, but by post if that’s not Syndicate [see page seven]. If I heard possible: Kent CT10 2AS correctly, King Features looks at 100 Your name strips a month and picks three a year. Email: jester_magazine Address As good ol’ Les Barton always says: @yahoo.co.uk Telephone number “Keep plugging away” ! and, if you have them ... Mike Turner Mobile number London EC4Y 8EQ Tel: 020-7353 Email address London Press Club 7086/7. Membership is £50 per year for all those affiliated to newspapers Website address and magazines, and all applications A NUMBER of CCGB members Please also send a small piece of have asked about membership of the for membership go before the board. The club organises a great many artwork. It must be roughly square London Press Club: group and fit a single column. Like this: membership is not available to the events throughout the year, from CCGB as a club, but individual book signings to talks by internation- members who wish to find out more ally known speakers, and a regular about the LPC and its aims should monthly meeting is held on the first contact the Secretary, Dr Mark Thursday of each month in the Dr Bryant on [email protected], or Johnson Bar upstairs at The Cheshire write to him at London Press Club, Cheese, Fleet Street. St Bride Institute, 14 Bride Lane, Clive Collins

CARTOONISTS are sometimes accused of stealing ideas. Sometimes, perhaps, they are guilty, but it is also possible that two or more cartoonists have the same idea at the same time. A remarkable coincidence is recalled by Mark Bryant in History Today (March 2006). On 6 March 1915, when Germany’s ally Turkey was coming under pressure from allied troops, It must not need a separate caption. cartoons in the Evening News, the Evening Standard, and the Daily Graphic each showed Turkey sweating in a steam bath. All three cartoons were To submit via email: reproduced in The Weekly Dispatch the following day (below). [email protected] Donald Rooum To submit via post: The Jester c/o Royston Robertson 20 Upton Road Broadstairs Kent CT10 2AS

The deadline is November 12. If you do not submit your details, those on the existing database will be used – right or wrong. Your entry will not include artwork. So hey, why not do it now, while you remember!

5 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK The Cartoon Museum What’s that? The opening of the new museum on the Ten o’ Clock News !? Well, maybe the recent Danish cartoons fiasco helped, but it was good to see a positive cartoons story in the news. The museum was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on February 22, From Neil Dishington: I don’t and the doors opened to the public think that I have ever shaken the following day. There was a hands with a lord before. preview night on February 21 for Anyway, the folks at the Cartoon supporters of the Cartoon Art Trust, Museum have done a terrific job, converting an old dairy into a light including several CCGB members. and airy museum space. Below are some of their reactions, On the ground floor the cartoons taken from the Website Forum. are displayed chronologically, from Hogarth through to Scarfe and Matt Buck: It’s fab. Go. Steve Bell. There is also a “satire section” – Dave Brown, Steadman, Pete Dredge: I echo Matt’s economic Matt etc. The upstairs is devoted to critique! Great location near to Gosh! comics and strips, , comics [see page 8], great space and Rupert etc. light and beautifully designed and pre- It really is an eye opener to see sented exhibition. There was a respect- these originals from the pre- able CCGB representation there on computer days. What loving care Tuesday evening – Matt Buck, Alex went into them. Hughes, Andy Davey, Neil Dishington, Anita O’Brien and her team have Alex Noel Watson, Mike Turner, plus done a fantastic job to get this old boy Bryan Reading. museum up and running and they deserve our support, so if in Mike Turner: The new museum is a London, get along. It is £2.50 to get very interesting venue, with an open in, nearest tube is Tottenham Court interior balcony on four sides and an all Road. white decor. Well worth a visit to see a Oh, the lord was Kenneth Baker. good collection of original cartoon He is, by his own admission, their work. From my point of view the only chief fundraiser. dischuffing thing that happened was when a small group of cartoonists, who shall remain nameless, found the funni- ED’S NOTE: The museum features the work of several CCGB members. est thing on show was my shirt (con- When I visited I spotted a gag cartoon by Clive Collins, an original page sidered to be a “babe magnet” when from Sparky by Bill Ritchie and a page from David Lloyd’s V for Vendetta. purchased in the early 1990s). Will the Do get along next time you’re in London. It’s well worth a visit. cruelty never end?

Andy Davey: Wonderful … go and see it. Please. Hats off to Oliver [Preston], Anita [O’Brien] and even m’Lord Baker at the CAT for finally getting it going. The museum will now be the obvious point of call for interested journos – and it wouldn’t fail to im- press. It’s not all political stuff – far from it. There is a whole floor of beau- tiful cartoon strip work and some lovely gag work. And contrary to popular belief, it’s not all the work of dead cartoonists. It is a great show of the best of British cartoon art.

Matt Buck: Re. pithy review. The hangover has gone now. Thanks.

6 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK

King of the hill: John McInnerny

Forthcoming Prize guy: Comic strips connoisseur Tim Harries with wife Nikki and talks and events Derek Quint at the March club meeting Speakers may change, or be added, so watch The Jester ‘Prizes for applause’ and the website for updates More speakers needed. scandal revealed April: The Annual General Meeting. There will be no TIM HARRIES assured speaker but there will be a a warm reception and positive buffet! What more incentive do coverage in The Jester by you need to come along? handing out prizes – one of May: Royston Robertson. Er, which was won by your looks like it’s going to be “Gag Editor – during his “Comic cartoons wot I like”! Strips Wot I Like” talk at the March meeting. June: Alex Noel Watson The prizes of cartoon books “Memories of The New Yorker” were given out during the talk in response to yelled-out Currently we only have answers to Tim’s questions, speakers up until June, so many of which had to be more are needed. If you would Mike Turner welcomes visiting cartoonists hastily rethought as people like to do a talk, a turn, host a Chi Chi Parrish and Will Dawbarn who had already won insisted quiz Ð whatever you like Ð on shouting again. Ahem. or invite a non-member to The talk opened with Tim’s address the meeting, do let favourite strip Calvin and The Jester or the committee Hobbes and went on to know. All talks are informal, introduced members to a series of American strips most don’t have to be very long, and can be on any subject you think See page 18 for of us had never heard of. may interest members the full list of Many thanks to Tim for an comic strips excellent talk. And the prizes. recommended Many thanks also to John Club meetings are on the first by Tim and their McInnerny of King Features Tuesday of every month at respective for a fascinating talk on syn- websites. They dication. For more on John’s The Cartoonist pub, Shoe are well worth talk see The Chair, page three. Lane, London EC1, at 7pm checking out Royston Robertson

7 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK London: it’s capital for cartoons

Of course, we have to start at the Literally around the corner from the Cartoonist Pub (1). Situated in Shoe Cartoon Museum is the comic shop Lane, it’s the official meeting place of Gosh! (3) which makes up in sheer the club, and also home to many fine inventory what it lacks in size. (Com- cartoon originals by club members pact and bijou, Mostyn!) Here you can past and present. But it’s only really find a large and diverse range of worth going to if a meeting is on, graphic novels, strip collections, mini- there’s not much else to do there. comics and independent titles, with However, if you do make it to on a knowledgeable staff to help you locate meeting night, you’re assured a warm that hard to find title. It’s open seven welcome by the committee. A quick days a week, and well worth a gander. word of warning – after several pints you may enthusiastically agree to give For any cartoonists with a craving for a talk at a future meeting. I speak from pen nibs and inky fingers, Great experience. Russell Street is also the home to L. Cornelissen and Son (4) – a Top of the list for places to visit is the supplier of art materials that was OK, so you’ve decided to new Cartoon Museum (2). Situated established in 1855 and is seemingly attend one of the club’s monthly near the ever-so-slightly larger British untouched by the modern world. It’s a meetings. Excellent! Let’s go Museum, this recently opened venue great place to have a nose around and through your essentials: First has more than 250 cartoons on display stock up on your quills. Tuesday of the month? Check. over two floors – the top covering Train ticket? Check. Spare comics and strip cartoons while the Just a few minutes away (if in doubt, ground floor features all the usual ask a policeman, or one of those chaps pants? Check. Overdraft for suspects from Gillray to Steve Bell. holding a “golf sale” sign) is our next beer? Check. Handy guide for (Personally, I was chuffed to see a Bill venue – the Political Cartoon Gallery cartoon sightseeing. Ummm … Ritchie strip among the D.C. Thomson (5) on Store Street. Touted as the Never fear! Here is your art on display.) Exhibitions will appar- world’s only centre dedicated to politi- easy to remember, cut-out- ently change regularly so hopefully cal cartoons and caricature, it’s exhibi- it’ll be worth revisiting. Even so, it’s tions and events make it a worthwhile and-keep guide to all that is well worth a few hours browsing the visit. March to May sees The Political Cartooning London. artwork. But don’t turn up on a Mon- Cartoons of E. H. Shepard while July By Tim Harries day like I did … it’s closed. and August will feature cartoons

8 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK commemorating the Suez Crisis. As you can see, there’s plenty to do in There are also many original cartoons London, and if you’ve managed to see available to buy should your wallet all that lot, congratulations and feel feel too heavy. free to head to the nearest pub. Which pub? Ah, now you’re on your own … Next we have two more - shops: Forbidden Planet (6), a “me- Addresses and gastore” found on Shaftesbury Ave- contact details nue. Forbidden Planet is indeed “mega” in size, although the ground floor is dedicated to toys and scary (1) The Cartoonist Pub looking figures (and that’s just the staff 76 Shoe Lane, … boom-tish!) while the comics and London EC4A 3JB graphic novels are relegated to the Tel: 020-7353 2828 basement. Loads of books to browse through, but if you’re after independ- (2) Cartoon Museum ent or obscure titles you may be better 35 Little Russell Street off heading to the smaller but excellent London WC1A 2HH Comic Showcase (7) on Charing Tel: 020-7580 8155 Cross Road. www.cartoonmuseum.org

If animation is your bag (baby!), try (3) Gosh! The the Animation Art Gallery (8) just by 39 Great Russell Street Oxford Circus. Aardman, Disney, London WC1B 3NZ Beast of Marvel, Cosgrove Hall and countless Tel: 020-7636-1011 others have been the feature of exhibi- www.goshlondon.com tions and exclusive events organized BESTIE by the gallery. Nick Park and Steve (4) L Cornelissen and son Box were there in March to sign lim- 105 Great Russell Street, ited edition storyboards from the London WC1B 3RY Wallace and Gromit film and there Tel: 020-7636 1045 will are similar events throughout the www.cornelissen.com year. There’s plenty of art on display to browse and purchase. (5) Political Cartoon Gallery 32 Store Street Another place to spend your money or London WC1E 7BS simply have a gawk is the Chris Bee- Tel: 020-7580 1114 tles Gallery (9) in St James’s. Again www.politicalcartoon.co.uk there are some excellent exhibitions to check out. March saw the opening of (6) Forbidden Planet the Michael Winner collection of London Megastore Donald McGill (calm down dear, it’s 179 Shaftesbury Ave only a postcard!) while Al Hirschfield London WC2H 8JR and Quentin Blake were featured Tel: 020-7420 3666 recently. Watch out, Beetles about! www.forbiddenplanet.com (sorry… ) (7) Comic Showcase 63 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0NE Tel: 020-7434 4349

(8) The Animation Art Gallery 13-14 Great Castle Street London W1W 8LS Tel: 020-7255 1456 www.theanimationartgallery.com

(9) Chris Beetles Gallery 8 &10 Ryder St St James’s London SW1Y 6QB Telephone: 020 7839 7551 www.chrisbeetles.com

9 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I just feel so alert and full of energy.”

“When you say he’s a 12-footer, is that length or the number of shoes we’ll get out of him?”

“Arthur, next door’s cat’s in the garden.”

"Why on earth do you let them “Phwoar, it’s a mammal! Show us yer tits darlin!” walk all over you like that?" 10 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK Animal Magic

“Be careful, Rita, he’s got that ‘We’re an endangered species’ look in his eye.”

“So that’s a pair of specs, false teeth, and some ear muffs?”

“No son, The Great Bear is over there.” “That’s the last time we use “So you’re a Pisces too? Wow, that taxidermist.” what a coincidence.”

“I suppose we all feel wee and timorous from time to time.”

11 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK Notes from the North A COUPLE of big cartoon events to report this month: firstly the celebra- tion of ’s strip Oor Wullie – which is now in its 70th year. BBC Scotland devoted a programme to this Scottish icon, similar to the celebrations for , Wullie’s companions in the newspaper. In the programme, narrated by Lord of the Rings actor Billy Boyd, we saw a selection of Scottish personalities giving their views on Wullie. Come- dian Tony Roper’s comment was: “He’s like all heroes – timeless.” Actor Sanjeev Kohli tried in his youth to mimic Wullie by sitting on a bucket one summer, only to end up with a big ring mark on his backside. We saw the present creators, editor David Donaldson, writer Tom Morton and artist Peter Davidson, in Peter’s house in beautiful Glenesk. They were discussing, over a few drams, his Mum? The question is still un- name for face) runs from April 7 until what Wullie’s surname might be. solved. But no matter if his name was July 2 and is the work of caricaturists After a considerable search it was Wullie Russell, or whatever, we wish from the Scottish Cartoon Art Studio. left to a reader to come up with a strip him a happy birthday and congratu- More than 250 works are on view, that had appeared in a wartime an- late him on an amazing cartoon run. depicting famous Scottish personali- nual. In one picture Wullie is talking ties from sports, politics and show- to his Uncle Watty (incidentally the THE next big cartoon event was an business. Among the names portrayed original creator Dudley Watkins’ exhibition that raises the profile (no are First Minister Jack McConnell, nickname) who is in army uniform. pun intended) of caricature in Scot- screen legend Sir Sean Connery, TV Next to him is his kit bag labelled land, which is running at the Scottish presenter Carol Smillie, celebrity chef with the name Watty Russell. But was National Portrait Gallery, no less, in Gordon Ramsay and sporting icons Wullie’s uncle related to his Dad or Edinburgh. Fizzers (a Glasweigan Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Alex

JINGS! Wullie and his pals’ antics were not to everyone’s liking. Apparently, creators R.D. Low and Dudley Watkins were on Hitler and the Gestapo’s death list – if they had invaded ! In wartime strips such as this, Wullie constantly insulted the Fuhrer and contributed greatly to morale on the Home Front. How Hitler and the Nazis could understand Wullie’s Scots tongue I don’t know – must have had the code-breakers working overtime. 12 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK

A Sean Connery caricature taken from the book Fizzers, published by Mercat Press to coincide with the exhibition of the same name

Ferguson. Plenty of celebrity spotting for the public! The gallery is also running a more in-depth history of caricature called Stranger Than Life – 400 years of Caricature. It follows caricature from its origins in Italy in the work of the Carracci brothers and includes ex- amples by many practitioners of the genre such as Hogarth, Kay, Spy and Scotland’s own Emilio Coia. Coia is probably our best-known caricaturist. He was born in of Italian parents. He studied at Glas- gow School of Art. After a spell in London in the 1930s, he worked in advertising. He decided to go free- lance and became art critic and cari- caturist for The Scotsman, art critic and artist for The Scottish Field and art adviser to Scottish Television. He was best known for his Edin- burgh Festival caricatures. He drew and interviewed many famous per- sonalities, a veritable Who’s Who of British cultural life: George Bernard Shaw, Dame Edith Sitwell, Charles Laughton – the list is endless. Yehudi Menuhin is quoted as saying “Coia is every musician’s favourite caricaturist”. Coia’s work in The Scottish Field is of particular interest, especially his full-page pastel drawings of clan chiefs. Coia has been described as Scotland’s Max Beerbohm. No better compliment can be paid to a carica- turist. Coia died on 17 June 1977, aged 86. Bill Ritchie 13 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK

THE JESTER has managed very well without my efforts for some time now, so it is high time to lower the standards of this esteemed organ with a large, juicy insertion of my own from time to time. Hence “Inkwell”. Well aware that non-cartoon-related travel wardrobe hardly larger than a became apparent (I won’t go into the items will be slashed bloodily by hat-case”. If anyone would like to see grisly details) that I needed a small Royston’s rapier-sharp and enthusias- these magazines, let me know and I’ll operation. Everything’s fine, now, tically over-used delete button, I will bring them along to a meeting. apart from having to be a regular try to slip one or two general topics visitor to outpatients. The strange through his fallen guard while he is HEALTH and the Cartoonist: The last thing is that all my former charming regaining his breath from the ecstasy six months of 2005 were strange for energies and enthusiasms are return- and rapture induced by the self-erotic me. I developed a painful (and I ing (I am currently typing this on a power of being an editor. mean, actually physically painful) flight to Edinburgh to draw a conven- aversion to doing anything in public tion of L’Oreal staff! Nice!). Could it LIKE buses or dogs in a park, and when it was unavoidable I was a be possible that for those six months Christmas and my birthday follow gibbering wreck. Alcohol, beta- my body was telling my mind that I each other very closely. So, in De- blockers and relaxation tapes didn’t had something to worry about? I cember I received four copies of help much. So, I stopped looking for don’t know. I’m too busy enjoying Lilliput – “The Pocket Magazine For on-the-spot work, became less out- life fully again to worry about it! Everyone” – and January brought going and encouraged more studio with it two issues of London Opinion work. I even worked part time for a PUBLICITY and the Cartoonist: and The Humorist. couple of months in a printing com- During that worrying period of inac- That universally useful timesaver for pany, making up artwork for such tivity and a complete lack of self- the terminally lazy, Wikipedia.org interesting things as tog labels for promotion, the phonecalls dwindled gives the basic information as follows: duvet covers. This “Blue” period and work dropped at an alarming rate. “Lilliput was a small-format British might also explain my lacklustre And this was after eight or nine years magazine of humour, short stories and presentation on Marvel Comics in of loudly broadcasting the Blazer the arts, founded in 1937 by the pho- October. Then, in November, it Man! Message complete with banter tojournalist Stefan Lorant ... the first and striped blazers. I was appalled to 147 issues (until late 1949) had covers find that I was not an established illustrated by Walter Trier; each design brand, that companies, agents and employed a man, a woman, and a dog. editors just simply did not remember Contributors included Bill Brandt, me. So, the blazer’s been consigned Brassaï, Aleister Crowley, Robert to the attic and all my office station- Doisneau, C.S. Forester, John Glashan, ery requirements have become much Robert Graves, Michael Heath, Nancy simpler. BlazerMan! is dead. All I Mitford, V.S. Pritchett and Ronald have to do now is update my listings Searle. From August 1960 it was on websites which bring in all those merged within Men Only (not yet jobs (about one every two years!) pornographic). ” And, indeed, London Opinion seems AS THIS column enters a word count to have been much the same, except in danger of inviting our rapacious with every cover featuring touched up editor’s swinging scythe, I will leave photos of two wooden dolls in vari- you with a personal reflection in- ous settings. Undoubtedly, these spired by the Danish cartoons fiasco. I charming magazines must have bene- was at a comedy club a while ago fited from a contribution from one or when the so-called comedian decided two of our oldest members. Perhaps to regale us with jokes making a this will jog their memories and send mockery of Jesus and Christianity in them on a misty-eyed trip down general. As a born Catholic, I regard Nostalgia Avenue. myself as being, more or less, a part Personally, although the cartoons of an institution, which, for all its were alright and some of the articles faults, exists because its members coyly amusing, I spent most time want to be, and, to do, good. It is my being transfixed by the old adverts. I great regret that I wasn’t strong wonder if you phoned some of those enough to express my objections to old numbers you could still buy a this vitriol by getting up and walking Ford “Ten” Saloon for £157.10 shil- out. Would this same gagster be so lings? And I’m sure I’ve seen Alex willing to do similar material about Noel Watson traveling with a Muhammad? Rev-Robe Men’s Model – “The new Selling point: those quaint ads Simon Ellinas

14 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK Baker’s Dozen In the fifth part of his series profiling 13 of his favourite caricaturists, Paul Baker looks at Valott, international man of mystery

I’M GOING to make this article a bit face; an attempt to capture the char- more brief than usual for a couple of acter rather than just a likeness. reasons. Firstly, it leaves more room I can’t find any evidence of his cari- for the drawings, and secondly, I cature work appearing in magazines simply don’t know a great deal about or newspapers in his native Switzer- Valott. He’s Swiss, probably in his land, and he doesn’t appear to have a mid 40s, and I first encountered his website. He has, however, published work when I came across his two several books in both Switzerland and volumes of political caricatures called France – most of which are annoy- Swiss Monsters. ingly out of print! In a sense, he fits into this part of The examples of his work that Baker’s Dozen as he appears to be a appear here are from the one book I cross between the two previous have managed to track down. Fan de caricaturists I’ve covered – Jean Mu- Series is an A5-sized gem featuring latier and Mort Drucker. He mainly caricatures from popular cult televi- works in pencil, both coloured and sion shows. graphite, and his caricatures have a Enjoy the drawings, and if anyone very solid three-dimensional aspect to has any further information on him – them. At a glance they are very remi- please let me know! niscent of Mulatier’s work. As with Mulatier, Valott too seems to rely on a supply of good photo refer- Gill, he seldom seems to be intent on Clockwise from below: the team ence for the detail, though he tends to ridiculing or debunking his subjects. from Mission: Impossible, use shading to bulk out the drawings There appears to be more a sense of Lee Majors as Steve Austin in rather than Mulatier’s detailed and celebration of the physiognomy of the The Six Million Dollar Man and textural cross-hatching. Patrick Macnee as Steed in The result of this approach is that his The Avengers characters have less of that “photo- realistic” quality and more of a “car- toony” feel to them. In a sense, he’s a sort of three-dimensional Mort Drucker. Although he very much favours the pear-shaped, swollen head approach to caricature that dates back to the time of Honore Daumier and Andre

15 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK

Clive Collins

THE Mystery of The Cartoonists place at a properly appointed time and TOOK some time out after a less- Who Didn’t Judge On The Night: So place when we (or whoever they then-helpful meeting with a client, there we were on February 27, at The invite) will be able to provide input. and went to Tate Britain to see the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel – Mar- It’s our bloody profession dammit! Gothic Nightmare exhibition. I’d not tin Rowson and your servant. Anyway, we sat down to dinner after been looking forward to it for the This year, for the first time, the we’d cleared the air, and an array of simple reason that the reproductions Sporting Journalists’ Association had sporting personalities paraded before of the Fuseli pictures in reviews had decided to add a Sports Cartoonist of our eyes, but the one aspect of the been so awful that I couldn’t imagine the Year Award to their list of prize evening that stuck in my mind – apart the originals being much better, but winners. Yours truly was invited from the waste of our time being how wrong can you be? There were along, as a former long-time sports there – was the bemused look on The Nightmare and The Changeling cartoonist (Mirror, Sun, People and Michael Parkinson’s face when the in all their creepy awfulness. Some Sporting Life), and Rowson as Cartoon Awards were announced: it Gillrays hung on the walls, looking as Chairman of the BCA, with the ex- was the look of a man asked to ex- if they’d wandered in from another press purpose of judging the Sports plain the offside rule. In Greek. show, and some of the Blakes had an Cartoonists’ section. As it turned out there were two good air of Frank Frazetta about them. Very We duly arrived at 6.30pm, as the results – Mahood of the Daily Mail dubiously muscular. Anyway, as Earl invitation had instructed, “to have received the Highly Commended might say in My Name is Earl, I ticked drinks and view the entries”. We were award, and Nick Newman of The “culture” off my list of things to do. then told – sheepishly it’s true – that Sunday Times was voted Sports Car- the judging had actually taken place toonist of the Year. It does seem, IN THE States, DC Comics have had on February 15. No one had bothered though, that specialist sports cartoon- the go-ahead from the US Postal to let us know, and a prize winner had ists are thin on the ground out there, Service to produce a set of superhero been chosen by Judges Unknown. since Newman and Mahood are also stamps, left, which will be released in Large gulps from drinks all round, topical news cartoonists. The days conjunction with this year’s San Di- and a few pithy, well-chosen words of of the specialist sports cartoonist ego Comic-Con. Marvel heroes will complaint from us, and they assured in the mould of Roy Ullyett seem to be on a set next year. It must be nice us that next year the judging will take be gone. to have a post office interested in cartoons. Our record is rather sad. There was a first-day cover, I believe, issued in the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of Clive Abbott, who had a contact at the PO, but since then we’ve had a set designed by Stead- man, a set of comedians by Scarfe, a set of Thelwells that never saw the light of day (“too whimsical”, was the PO verdict), and a set of “British” cartoons dominated by Americans. Maybe a sharper-eyed reader out there can correct me, but we don’t get much of a shout when it comes to being serrated and licked. Steadman, by the way, is a speaker at this year’s Reuben Awards in Chicago, on May 26, 27 and 28.

AND finally, still on things US, sad news for lovers of satyrs and nymphs: Eldon Dedini, the grand old New Yorker and Playboy cartoonist had the brush drop from his hand at the age of 84, from cancer. He drew wonderfully funny, sexy stuff. Once again, I’m indebted to the NCS Journal The Cartoon!st for all news from across the pond. Clive portrait by Les Barton 16 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK ‘Four strikes and I was out’ Lawrence Goldsmith talks to Dave Gaskill about his on-off relationship with Rupert Murdoch

You had an interesting start to your doing. I realised that Ms Wade was career. Tell us a bit about that. destined to take over and I would be Early 1970s, UK engineering was in on my way. She did and I was. First I the doldrums, and after a period of Dave resigned, was persuaded to remain Auf Wiedersehning it in Germany I Gaskill: and then sacked. There’s a cautionary emigrated to South Africa. Within “A touch tale here. I was kept on to illustrate months I’d swapped my position as a of cynicism the Littlejohn column on, I believe, designer draffie for that of editorial doesn’t his insistence. But when he jumped artist with the Rand Daily Mail. A come ship for the Mail, I too was gone. whole wedge of work followed on amiss.” Four strikes to Rupert and I was out! SA’s national press along with a regular spot on a TV show there. come to Fleet Street 1987-style. I Who are you working for now? They had wanted to kit me out survived the editorships of Monty, The Sunday Mail – Scotland’s highest a la Rembrandt which I resisted Dunny and Stottie but then Rupert circulation newspaper. It’s a joy to successfully. No Baftas there then. struck again and he closed Today late work for though the money could be Mid-1980s, I’d had enough of 1995. This was getting personal. better. The Church Times – in the Jo’Burg and it was off to Oz where I august company of club stalwarts initially worked alongside wellie You went to one the most high- Messrs Ford and Dredge (sounds like a boot-throwing champ Dean Alston. profile jobs in British cartooning: dodgy pair of lawyers though I’m From there it was to a new Mel- editorial cartoonist on . assured they’re not ). Some advertising bourne paper which a short time later Did you enjoy your time there? work. A lot of twiddling of thumbs. was closed by Rupert Murdoch I was also car- who’d just bought it. This was the toonist at the time, which, when Phil What materials do you use? start of my on/off relationship with Hall was in charge, was good fun. Pencil, waterproof lightfast pens (Ed- the Great Man. Currently it is in OFF Not so when Rebekah “Boom Boom” ding, Mitsubishi, Pitt etc ) on 220gm mode. Next to the New Zealand Her- Wade took over. I found her impossi- cartridge scanned into Photoshop CS, ald. A short stay in the Land of the ble to work for and I quit. The Sun, toned, coloured and twiddled with Long White Methane Cloud and I meanwhile, was a delight to work for. and emailed to anxious recipients. returned to dear Old Blighty. The All Stuart Higgins was an appreciative Blacks were devastated by the news. editor. OK, cartoons in The Bun ar- Advice for aspiring cartoonists? en’t into heavy politicising but there Don’t fall asleep whilst reading this. Who were your early influences? was scope enough for digs at the great I’ll be asking questions. Try to be Thelwell, Searle and Trog, masters of and good. David Yelland’s arrival amusing and think tangentially, hone line all. My first 16 years were spent heralded a somewhat more serious your drawing skills. A touch of cyni- overseas and this inclines me more to tone and a bit more interference but cism doesn’t come amiss. And give it the style of the likes of Oliphant, Jim again he appreciated what I was a go. Good luck. Borgman, Wright and the late great Jeff McNelly. But that is not to say that cartoonists of a different style and technique don’t impress and inspire me. In short I love cartoons that re- spond to a particular situation with style, wit and humour, professionally executed. I hope I haven’t left any- body out but if Michel Winner is offended I apologise.

How did you get the job when Today started up? Back in the UK wondering where to next, when I was invited by David Montgomery for a bite to eat in To- day’s offices. It was a takeaway and when the phone rang (probably my mate Rupert) I was ushered out of the office still clutching my half- consumed pepperoni thin-crust. Wel- 17 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK

Potted Minutes from CCGB committee meeting of March 7, 2006

Present: Graham Fowell, Jill Kearney, Mike Turner, Les Barton, Clive Collins, Royston Robertson, Derek Quint, Jed Stone, Terry Christien, Neil Dishington. Apologies: Richard Tomes, Jock Williams-Davies, Jed Pascoe, Roger Penwill. Matters Arising: Terry in talks with Cartoon Museum as possible alternative venue for the Friday meeting in June; Stratford event – plan to hold a Friday club meeting (of sorts) at The Windmill pub on the evening of August 11, a chance for those not attending for the whole weekend to come along. Projects: Graham to get in touch with Jock concerning the proposed Ipswich exhibition in June. Graham has suggested putting together a promo pack for future festivals. Website Business: Terry, Ian, Jed P, Jed S and Anne Boyd to get together to ensure the smooth running of the site. Above: from Press Gazette, Correspondence and Jester spotted by Tom Williams Editorial: After enquiring, Clive Left: from the Blackmore announces that the CCGB is Vale Magazine, spotted sadly not able to get any special by Sue Burleigh. concessions to join the London Press Club; Members’ Directory Jesterpuz under way, Royston will accept entries for the supplement up solution until November; Members invited (1) Thirteen – Baker’s dozen to comment on the new Cartoon ot I Like ...” (2) Beck’s beer – Museum for Jester feature. Neil W Paul’s favourite tipple Dish will write a few lines. (3) Le Any Other Business: Jack Boulanger Pennington is ill and in hospital. – French Terry to send card to Jack and for Baker Pip on behalf of the club; Roger to stand down from committee. It’s none He feels it is too large, causing other than too much talking in too many the Baker directions. Suggests committee boy, Paul should be limited to those with a complete list of “Cartoons himself! role – chairman, treasurer etc.; It is suggested that as Anne Boyd Caricature is to be club Treasurer, she by Rex should be co-opted as a club im Harries’

T [see page seven] Juriansz member. 18 THE JESTER ISSUE 384 – APRIL 2006 CCGB ONLINE: WWW.CCGB.ORG.UK A word from the Editor THE DEADLINE I MUST admit I had mixed feelings Museum is that it raises the profile of about the Cartoon Museum before I cartooning in this country and provides IS THE 12th OF visited it. For one thing, I often find that a focal point for the public and the when I view a lot of cartoons in one go media. So get along, support the gallery, EVERY MONTH they stop being funny (with the and let’s hope its great start continues. exception of Jester contributions of course). CARTOONS changed my perception of And without wanting to get into the self this month! I was looking through a big Are Cartoons Art? debate, I’m not compilation of Oor Wullie and The sure they are supposed to be viewed on Broons strips from the 1960s – despite the wall of a gallery. Cartoons are the name Royston Alexander Robert- designed to be mass produced and read son, I’m not Scottish, but I was raised in on cheap paper. Admittedly, I am the North East where the two strips always fascinated to see original art- were very popular – when I found a Contributions via email: work – if only for the amount of Tipp- strip for the Sunday following the day I [email protected] ex and stuck-on bits of paper masking was born. Trouble was, the date listed the mistakes – but I always suspected would mean I was born on a Wednes- Contributions via post: that was only of interest to cartoonists. day and not, as I had always been told, a Also, I’m not sure about the use of the Thursday. Further checks on the net The Jester word “museum”. I think “gallery” may proved that my birthday was, indeed, a c/o Royston Robertson have been better. They could have stuck Wednesday. So my Mum always told 20 Upton Road “national” on the front if they really me “Thursday’s child has far to go”, but Broadstairs wanted to give it some gravitas! it turns out that I’m Wednesday’s child Kent CT10 2AS But after a visit to the museum my ... “full of woe”! Still, it’s probably the Tel: 01843-871 241 doubts have been dispelled. It’s great natural state of mind for a cartoonist. seeing so many varied examples of car- Royston Robertson All articles and cartoons tooning on display. And there certainly welcomed (especially for the seem to be plenty of people interested. front and back covers). Apparently they’ve been getting 450 Remember: next month’s theme people through the door on Saturdays – is Film Funnies, Movies Mirth, quite impressive, particularly for such a Hollywood Hilarity etc. All Please note: The Jester is small museum. I think also that an outtakes, bloopers and deleted produced entirely to a regular important aspect of the Cartoon scenes gratefully received. template so send images and text rather than complete “Hey fellas, we pages. Email submissions are can use a couple preferred, as then images of men with and text do not need to be funny ideas!” scanned, but snail mail is still accepted! When sending images by email, send as a jpeg at a resolution of 300dpi. If you send artwork in the post that you want back, please include an SAE.

Reminder: the next two club meetings are Thanks to Rex Juriansz for this cartoon – I never thought I’d be April 4 (the Annual General caricatured in such, er, illustrious company. Meeting – free food!) and May 2 (talk by Royston Membership enquiries to: Richard Tomes (Secretary), 29 Ulverley Crescent, Olton, Solihull, West Midlands B92 8BJ. Robertson) at Tel: 0121-706 7652 Email: [email protected] The Cartoonist pub, Subscription enquiries to: Jill Kearney (Treasurer), 18 Cliff Drive, Shoe Lane, London. Radcliffe-on-Trent, Notts NG12 1AX. Tel: 020-8590 8942 Website enquiries to: Ian Ellery, 25 Nelson Road, Hastings TN34 Committee: 5.30pm BRX. Tel: 01424-718 209. Email: [email protected] Members: 7pm

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“Lookout? Why am I always lookout? I wanna drive the car!”

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