Wednesday, 21 February 2007
The Fairies Are Coming!
I have just finished reading a magical little book called "The Fairies Are Coming", by none other than the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As a native of Yorkshire, England the story about two young girls in the early 20th century claiming to have taken photographs of real living fairies is an oft-told one. Not until the 1980s did they admit that the pictures were hoaxes. In the meantime, Doyle, who had lost his son in the Great War and turned to Spiritualism, fell for the photographs hook, line and sinker. His book demonstrates how far it is possible to make oneself believe in something, however incredible it may seem to others. Incidentally, the girls also claimed that they really did see fairies but that they had to forge the images in order to prove their story to "the big people" (i.e. the adults). For what it's worth, I myself believe I saw some "little people" in an old garden some time during the late 60s. But then again...
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6 comments:
Hey Duncan,
read your comments about "fairies"; are you sure that you didnt see them out there in Roswell along with all the spaceships? anyway, are you and I the only ones bloggging here? where in the world is our fearless Blog Masater Richard??? Have the fairies taken him to Roswell?
the best Sherlock Holmes ever was Basil Rathbone, what do you think?
svon
Hey Duncan forgot to tell you that maybe you saw a "nome (sp?)" or a lepprucan (sp?) or maybe you had too much Sturm? what do you think? read you tomorrow
svon
Do I detect a note of sarcasm?
On the subject of Holmes, yes, Rathbone was excellent. However, you should not forget Peter Cushing in the Hammer Film version of "Hound of the Baskervilles", as well as the late great Jeremy Brett (he of "My Fair Lady"), the best ever TV Holmes. It's elementary, my dear Susan...
Ok Mr. Duncan Smith:
Yes, Jeremy Brett (sp?) was a great Sherlock; also a great Freddie Alsworth (sp?) to Audrey Hepburn's Eliza. He could sign quite well - on the Street Where you Live? - remember?
I still like Basil Rathbone with his sidequick, Watson; Mr. Rathbone was a classical traine Shakespearan (s/) actor so for us Yankees over here across the pond; he was just the epitome of an English gentleman.
Never saw the version with Peter Cushing -only saw him in those silly Hollywood horror movies.
How are you doing in Wien? I am a big fan of Oskar Werner and went to the Treather Museum when I was in Wien in January to see the Arthur Schnitzler exhibit (at the Lobkowitz palace) also saw the book they had on OW. Now I understand that there is an Oscar Werner park in the 6th District dedicated to him.
Can you put your Viennese expert hat on and tell me where it might be so that I can find it in May when I am there.
Oh by the way, I am still waiting for an answer about those hats at the Heldenplatz memorial!
all the best to you Duncan
svon
ps have you heard from our Blog Masater Richard? Did the fairies take him away to Roswell?
I only know of an Oskar-Werner-Platz, which is nothing to write home about. No park, I'm afraid. However, you should drop by the wall plaque on the house he live in at the corner of Lenaugasse and Tulpengasse, behind the Rathaus. Nearby is the lockmakers' headquarters and the "stock-im-eisen" I mentioned in ONLY IN VIENNA (page 130-131).
Glad you know Jeremy Brett. However, I was horrified recently to read that his singing was entirely dubbed: he was rather crest-fallen about it.
Hey Duncan,
Someone in Wien must be on his comuter now!!Wow, you are really getting into this blogging!
I'll say one thing for you, Duncan, you really do know your Wien stuff! I will go to the Oskar Wernerplatz - is it in the 6th District? - and also to the Rauthhas place. I dont remember it from your book, I will have to go back and check it out.
Now to the important stuff, have you heard from our Blog Master, Richard? I havent, at all, after several attempts. Hope he is not stuck in some bathtub like that lady in Linz several months ago.
Anyway, if I dont hear from him by Friday, I am getting on an Austrian Airlines airbus and coming over there!
Please give me an update about him if you can.
Danke
Svon
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