Obit: Gerald Campion - RIP

Subject: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: Fiolar
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 09:35 AM

The only actor to take the role of Frank Richards' great character Billy Bunter and make it uniquely his own has died at the age of 81 of heart problems. He starred on British Television from 1953 to 1961 in some 120 episodes. He was getting on for 40 when tha series finished. Frank Richards (real name Charles Hamilton) created the character in 1908 and his adventures were chronicled in the "Magnet" and in numerous books. Known as the "fat owl of the remove", Bunter was played to pefection by Campion. For many years he ran the Key Club in London but the part of Bunter will always be associated with him although he had parts in some films such as "Carry On Sergeant"; "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and appeared on TV in "Dr Who." Another childhood favourite gone.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 09:51 AM

yaroo!

i'm expecting a postal order!

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 09:53 AM

The woefulness is terrific

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 10:56 AM

He's in the celestial tuck shop actually, eating angel cake.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 11:09 AM

The series was also memorable for it's signature tune which was Playford's "Portsmouth". Many of us knew the tune a long time before Mike Oldfield's version because of "Greyfriar's School".

Mind you, Gluttony is a mortal sin, so perhaps Billy Bunter would be receiving an infinite number "of the best" down below.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: fat B****rd
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 03:16 PM

I was going to say Yaroo !! but I'm glad somebody did. Gerald Campion was offered money in his restaurant to Say it but always refused. One of my favourite childhood characters brilliantly played. RIP PS Some of his "chums" are now quite well known, I believe.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 05:34 PM

Bet Quelch is waiting for him, flexing his cane!

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: GUEST,vectis
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 06:37 PM

Bet you he'll scoff more tuck than Bessie in that celestial tuckshop.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: BanjoRay
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 07:00 PM

I was thinking of Gerald Campion and Billy Bunter last easter at Sore Fingers "Summer" School. It is held in a beautiful public school near Stow in the Wold that looks just like the place they used in the series. Lucille Reiley, an American autoharp tutor, played Portsmouth in the tutor concert - which I thought really apt,though I don't suppose she'd ever watched the program or read the stories.

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jul 02 - 10:21 PM

And as soon as the name of Gerald Campion appeared, that signature tune popped into m head again. Thanks Dave Bryant for identifying it with a name.

Here's a site with some pictures of the Fat Owl of the Remove.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: GUEST,Elaine Mac Neil Newport Beach
Date: 25 Jan 14 - 02:35 AM

actually found coin number 595 about one
year ago at A after a great dinner. interesting
way to have people remember those you love.
I will pass on.
e

Subject: RE: OBIT: Gerald Campion - RIP
From: Bugsy
Date: 25 Jan 14 - 05:32 AM

He was a favourite of mine when I was a lad.

I can see him poking his head around Heavens gates and calling "I say you chaps!"

RIP Gerald


Bugsy