The Cricklewood Greats
2012, 44 minutes
A short comedy about the history of a fictional British studio.
The presenter recalls his boyhood heroes from the Cricklewood film studios, assisted by Tim Dempsey, founder of the Cricklewood Appreciation Society. The studio was established by failed magician Arthur Sims, creator of silent comedy legend Harold the Hobo - alias the Little Drunk - before succumbing to a fatal gag involving a steam roller. In the 1930s chirpy Northern lass Florrie Fontaine became the country's highest paid home grown performer, starring in 'Clog Capers of 1932' and 'Florrie Drives a Lorry', as well as featuring in her own comic strip. In World War II she was the forces' sweetheart, the German forces, leading to a decline in popularity and exile to Benidorm to run a bier-keller. Post war Acton Films' series of horror movies with former Shakespearean lead Lionel Crisp revived studio fortunes whilst the 60s saw perky Cockney lass Jenny Driscoll decorate the cheeky 'Thumbs Up' series of farces (Thumbs Up, Marie Antoinette, Thumbs Up, Uranus) until scandal ended her career. Final interviewee Terry Gilliam unfortunately destroyed the studio, accidentally flooding it whilst making his little-seen flop 'Professor Hypochondria's Magical Odyssey' and the building was knocked down to make way for a DIY superstore. However thanks to Tim Dempsey, to lovingly preserved archive footage and television repeats we can be sure that the Cricklewood Greats will always be remembered.
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