BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?

Subject: Quiz: ?20th Century English heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 17 May 01 - 12:48 PM

QUIZ: A Century of English Heroes - English Folk Heroes of the 20th Century

Some people don't believe in English heroes, but here's a quiz to remind you of a few people who are, at least, my personal heroes. Can you identify the people who provided some of the spirit of each decade of the last century. As well as their names, I would appreciate more details of them, and any thoughts you might have about other people who might have better characterised that decade.

Good luck!
Ian

1900s Regarded as the greatest comedian of the Victorian Music Hall, pioneering the style of stand-up comedy which held sway until the gag-men of the 1930s took over. Also a singer. Died of a brain tumour in 1904.

1910s A rather good looking lady, she was sent to a finishing school in Paris at the age of 15 and became famous in this decade for her apparent love of a rather unusual form of bondage. Next month, half the population of the UK should probably have cause to be grateful to her.

1920s Born and brought up in the London slums. He became one of the most famous child actors before moving to the USA to become one of the leading exponents of the new industry. By 1920, he was earning over $10,000 a week.

1930s I don't expect you to know his name, because this decade's hero was one of the anonymous poor. He died in 1979, aged 89. In 1936 he was one of 200 men, picked for their fitness strength and good health, to do a difficult job. After a derisory reception, he went home and spent the rest of his working life in the shipyards.

1940s Born on 9th January 1898 over her grandmother's fish and chip shop in Rochdale, she became a national star in 1925. Her soprano voice was so unique and splendid that even the great operatic Diva Louisa Tetrazzini tried to persuade her to sing in Grand Opera. By 1937 she was the world's highest paid film star and her career continued to flourish. She died in 1979.

1950s All but one of the four men who joined forces in a London pub in 1949, and whose first show went on air in 1951 The last series was done in 1960. 40- and 50- somethings still imitate them in the streets, much to the puzzlement of the younger generation. They made two hit records, one of which may be vaguely said to have become part of the "folk corpus".

1960s A musician, far from folk, became a well-loved folk hero. He claimed, with some justification, to have been responsible for votes for 18 year olds, as well as the abolition of both the 11 plus exam and the dog licence. What was his name, and what political party was he the leader of?

1970s She spent her early life in a prefab near Blackpool and is still an active performer. Famous for her energy while performing, as well as her singing voice, I think you might call what she does "folk".

1980s The real winner of the England vs Australia rugby match at Twickenham in 1982, weighing in with a score of 40, was a bookshop assistant. Just the name will do.

1990s It's probably too close to have 1990s heroes, but my vote at the moment might go to a good looking 30-something lady who was born in Chipping Sodbury. Until she hit the big time with her first novel, she was a French teacher.

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 17 May 01 - 01:06 PM

A Yank's guesses:

1910's - Lydia (?) Pankhurst, suffragette for the vote for women

1920's - Charlie Chaplin

1950's - The Goons, including Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers

1960's - Screaming Lord Sutch, founder and leader of the "Raving Loonies Party"

1990's - J.K. Rowling?

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 01 - 07:21 PM

1940's Gracie Fields 1980's Erica Roe

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 18 May 01 - 04:45 AM

Well done the yank! Here's the answers you got so far, with some links!

1910s Emmeline Pankhurst 1920s Charlie Chaplin 1940s Gracie Fields 1950s Spike Milligan, Michael Bentine, Peter Sellers 1960s David Sutch 1980s Erica Roe (* WARNING * - some nudity) 1990s J K Rowling

How about the 00s, 30s, 70s?

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 18 May 01 - 07:17 AM

1930's would have been one of the Jarrow marchers. 1900's Dan Leno?

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 18 May 01 - 07:22 AM

1970's Could it be Kate Bush?
Patrish

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 18 May 01 - 07:35 AM

Looking good:

1900s Dan Leno
1930s Billy McShane (Jarrow Marcher)

Still 1970s ... not Kate Bush.

Aren't we going to miss David Sutch next month! The only politician to get his party sponsored by a newspaper with no-one objecting.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 18 May 01 - 10:09 AM

English heroes? Harry Secombe was Welsh, Spike Milligan is Irish and Michael Bentine was Peruvian!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 18 May 01 - 10:31 AM

Lyndi

I deliberately missed-out HS, Spike was born in Brum, I think and as for Bentine, well.

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 18 May 01 - 10:38 AM

Oops, sorry. Terence Alan Milligan. Born in India. Son of an Irish officer of the British Raj and his (English) wife.

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 18 May 01 - 10:55 AM

1970's its Maddy Prior!

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 18 May 01 - 11:02 AM

Well done, Patrish

1970s Maddy Prior

Got 'em all, now.

I had thought of Dennis the Menace for the 1950s, by the way, but felt that ficxtional people might be cheating.

Anybody got any better ideas for a ten?

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 18 May 01 - 11:17 AM

What about the group formed in 1967 called the "1910 fruit gum company"
Patrish

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 18 May 01 - 11:21 AM

Spike Milligan was recently trying to renew his British passpor and got refused. He took an Irish passport instead; they were quite happy to have him. It was in the Sunday times 3-4 weeks ago

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: IanC
Date: 18 May 01 - 11:27 AM

Well, Lyndi - Take Dennis the Menace instead (unless you like Peter Sellers)

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: BS: Quiz: ?20th Century English Folk Heroes?
From: AndyG
Date: 18 May 01 - 01:00 PM

Two suggestions for people whose activities brought about massive change for the people of Britain (thus England)
1900's James Kier Hardie (A Scot)
1940's Sir William Beveridge (born Bengal)

AndyG