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Long ago, before the establishment of the Duke Video empire, there was an island in the Irish Sea which was bleached by eighteen hours of unbroken scorching sunshine for every day over a period of two glorious weeks in June. We awoke to wet pavements steaming in the early morning heat, light rain having fallen only while we were asleep. We watched the three hour races from the Creg, and spent agonising time with no Cream Sun Blockers in those days, as our skin turned lobster-red and peeled off in long strips. So what happened if ever rain was to invade the day ? On this extremely rare occasion we would all head out for Strand Street and one of the cinemas. The cinema ? Yes that was place where you could sit and relax in the dark, in the midst of a sweaty mixed-sex crowd, smoke yer head off without your neighbour shouting at you about pollution, and consume large cardboard tubs of Manx-produced ice cream or wadges of pink candy floss... We had only two options in those days...We could see the latest Blockbuster movie having its premier at the big cinema, or go and see the TT through the eyes of no lesser mortal than ukele-playing George Formby ! It was, at that time, the only way we could see on-bike footage and also visit the parts of the Island where the buses failed, or never had need, to venture. So there we were, on an only damp day of the TT, queueing along Strand Street to see "No Limit" and, on getting a seat, laughing ourselves silly as George "did" the 1935 TT, winning it against every odd thrown at him, getting the girl and being awarded a top flight franchise, all in Black and White !! The reason for me rattling this off is because in the 2002 TT Programme, it mentions that there was talk of remaking the film with the then current comedians and female songbirds.... In fact, back in the 1970s/1980s, one of the weekly motorcycling papers had a large pile of letters ( remember letters ?? These were hand written on paper and sent by "post" !!) from readers who wrote screeds about their "recommendations" for replacements for star George... Ventured forth were " Little and Large " and "Cannon and Ball" ( to act as sidecar teams ), Mike Yarwood and Des O'Connor, as possible people who would fill or displace the solo Georges character, and Susan George would replace Florrie Desmond even though singing was not Susans strong point. In the pile was a letter from me which was published in a prominent place in the paper, a copy of which I still have on file. My own documented suggestion was Ken Dodd, who obviously already had the teeth to out-do George Formby, and therefore needed no make up or false prostheses !!!!
It is interesting to note that in this years programme it mentions, in passing, that it was thought that this had been a serious suggestion and Ken Dodd had actually been put forward for the part...... OH, no, no, no, no-----It was all part of this re-awakening of interest in the film "No Limit" period, when the film was actually shown on Land-TV during the build up to the TT. Those of us who had early videos, recorded it to show our ever-widening circle of local TT fans. Plus, one of the Groups I managed in the seventies actually recorded their upbeat version of "Riding in the TT Races" which actually was reviewed by none other than Jimmy Saville and played by the early Manx Radio. I even purchased the temporary rights from the music publishers to sell this recording and it did sell a few at the time ( I still have a few copies ) !!! The "Spagforth Lightning" was the dream bike to have, and we were at that time, trying to establish who "Edgar Jessop" really was !! It was a series of "April Firsts" and no one was sure what was serious and what was tongue-in-cheek ! So that is my story and I am sticking to it, with the proof of what I say stored carefully in my extensive collection. Personally, I feel it is time to remake "No Limit", they are remaking everything else !!! Ian Huntly, BBHMG....... POSTSCRIPT: In 1984, Childrens TV produced a programme along the lines of "No Limit meets Treasure Hunt" starring Roger "Bunny" Walker (of Eldorado fame) and Anneke Rice (of Posterior fame) Roger, as Albert Buggins, emulated George in nearly every area but it was not made obvious whether he got the girl or was awarded the Velocette franchise !! It was a fair remake-----for the kids !!! I watched it being made on the Isle of Man, had a few moments with Anneke, recorded a video of it all and we watch it sometimes..... |
