My sister Jean has reminded me that it’s been a while since I’ve posted something about dear Petula Clark. Indeed! First, I would like to send you over to View Images to see a fabulous collection of over sixty Pet photos, some very early, and some very recent.
What a long and varied career Pet has had. She is so deserving of the title of Dame in the UK, but we’re still 100 shy of the 1000 mark for signatures on the PETition. I guess I’m not really entitled to say “we’re” because I can’t vote, not being a citizen or resident of the UK. There are only a couple more months to vote, folks! So please do it now. While you’re doing that you can listen to an audio interview with Pet, conducted for the U.S. Army in December, 1966, by disk jockey Harry Harrison, while he was with WMCA in New York. In ’68 Harrison jumped over to WABC to replace the departing Herb Oscar Anderson.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JAN/PetArmy.mp3]As a child, Petula sang for the British troops on BBC radio during World War II. She was famous for singing “Mighty Lak A Rose.” Later, as a young woman she sang it again. I’m not sure exactly when this recording was made.
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JAN/MightyLakARose.mp3]And finally, I’ve a confession to make. I never wanted any of the Beatles to hold my hand. That’s why I’m glad Pet recorded her own version of “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”
[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/2008/JAN/PetHoldHand.mp3]
The pressures on child stars are enormous. There are directors who are particularly good at working with children, of course, but I don’t know if Michael Powell was one of them. There are some scenes with kids in Powell’s “A Canterbury Tale,” and they’re boisterous and fun.
Yes I’ve seen the movie,; it gets on TV here from time to time, and, as a classic, I’m sure it’s out on DVD.
I think, if I remember rightly, that Petula was terrified of the director, and on one occasion had “an accident” because she was too scared to ask for a toilet break. A hard life for a little girl.
Dave,
Thank you for the greeting from Scotland! Speaking of Scotland, I assume you’ve seen the movie “I Know Where I’m Going!”? It’s one of my very favorites and it features, of course, Petula! It was the very first item I posted about her, back here, a year ago.
Yes, there are some real gems in those photographs of Petula. She’s always been a true professional, and a real trouper, but it must have been tough being a mother, with so many demands placed on her during the go-go 60’s.
Author Brian Sibley, in London, hasn’t posted an item about the PETition yet on his blog. I’ll pester him next month if he has nothing between now and then.
Thanks Doug for posting these photos, some of which I’d never seen before, and the cute little interview with Petula for the Army was something else!
The PETition is now well over 900 names, thanks to a lot of people publicising it… including you!
Thanks for the publicity you’ve given it.
Happy New Year from Scotland
Geoff Emerick’s book presents an interesting insider’s look at the Beatles recording sessions. Emerick has taken hits from fans for his criticisms of George and Ringo. Apparently Paul, who Geoff considers to be a friend, overdubbed lead guitar and drums more often than had been known, to the resentment of the lead guitarist and drummer!
That would make any guy weak in the knees — but as a girl, I still want Paul or John, or Ringo. Actually, any of them would have been great!