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03 Apr 12 - 05:24 AM (#3332890) Subject: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: MGM·Lion In the 1960s children's tv stop-motion programme, Trumpton, the local fire brigade, who doubled as bandstand musicians, was Trumpton's most-recognised feature. Captain Flack's roll-call was recited, in a formalised sort of chant, in every episode: "Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub." My question is: why was only the third man on the roll called by his full name [forename + surname], while the others had to be content with surname only? ~ this even though two of them had the same name, so that one might expect their forenames to be added to distinguish them. A solution to this important literary, dramatic and musical mystery appears essential. Has anyone any suggestions? ~Michael~ |
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03 Apr 12 - 05:52 AM (#3332903) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray It's rumoured that the great Freddie Phillips created the extra Pugh for musical reasons. Otherwise, as the driver of the engine perhaps it was thought Barney McGrew had greater importance - or maybe it was a stipulation in his contract? Whatever the case, in the World of the Human Arts there are few things e'er so perfect as Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grub. Don't go asking it to bits. |
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03 Apr 12 - 05:57 AM (#3332905) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: banjoman I remember one episode where the name Grub was left off the end as he was (I think) away visiting his aunt. Still one of the best and my kids loved it. Bring it back I would watch it again. |
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03 Apr 12 - 06:11 AM (#3332911) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: Nigel Parsons From Here "The rhyme everybody remembers is the Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub. Where did that come from ? Well, it was just the rhythm. That was the big bit of choreography that I did, influenced by my wife who was a ballet dancer you see. Pugh and Pugh are twins you must understand - not Hugh, Pugh. I've seen it misrepresented in the press many times. I've explained until I am blue in the face. Barney McGrew is the only one with his Christian and surname - the driver, the sleepy driver. Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub are added ones to make the rhythm I think. I can't remember really! Did you have to play around with the names until you got that little formula ? I very often used the phone book for names, which is very useful. I've got a complaint to make about Barney McGrew. Everybody else turned their head as their name was spoken and Barney McGrew (lazy sod) didn't. Why ? Well he's always been a bit fed up with the whole thing really . He only does it for the money [laughs]. " |
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03 Apr 12 - 06:23 AM (#3332918) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: MGM·Lion I think it was actually Cuthbert who went on holiday and got left out once. The episode was called "Cuthbert's Morning Off". Many thanks for that heads-up, Nigel. But the best lit critics say you can never entirely trust the author on his own work; so I think there must be more to it than that! A possible solution is that Barney-McGrew might have been a double-barrelled name ~~ I mean, like mine. They are not always even hyphenated; officially mine isn't, tho my bank will put a hyphen in on my cheques & cards. Still, how about that for a possible solution to this all-consuming mystery then? ~M~ |
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03 Apr 12 - 06:30 AM (#3332924) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: Roger the Skiffler I DO know they never attended a fire as flames were too difficult for stop-frame animation! RtS |
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03 Apr 12 - 07:17 AM (#3332941) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: Nigel Parsons Last year (Elsewhere on Mudcat)I found the Roll Call fitted beautifully to The Old Dun Cow. This was the result: The Toytown Annual Do Some friends & I in a public house, Were playing dominoes the other night When into the pub some characters came, In monochrome (that's black & white) "What's up" said I "who are you?" "Who are these folk? I had to ask it. There was Andy, Teddy & Looby Loo Snuggling in their basket. "Oh" said the landlord, never you mind, I think tonight will sure suit you. Refresh your pints, soon you will find, That it's the Toytown annual do! ... Chorus: And .. There .. was .. Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble & Grubb. Oh how sinful, Having a skinful, Right in the middle of our pub. Over there was a smelly little bear, Somebody said "That's pooh!" And we all got blue-blind, string-tangled drunk, At the Toytown annual do. Then into the pub came the Tracey boys, And Parker, with Lady P in chains. They each bought a round of eight real ales, But they all started drinking Brains'! The drinking reached such a fever pitch, That when Mr Plod came on the scene. Barney McGrew called out for Hugh, And painted Camberwick Green, and … there … was ... Chorus: The "Riverbank" crew were sat in a corner Quietly drinking on their own. Ratty & Mole had a pint of "Badger's", Badger said, "Buy your own!" There in a smock, stood 'Windy' Miller They say "He's a patron of the arts" They call him "Windy" 'cos his party piece Is setting light to his farts .. and .. there .. was .. Chorus: Into the pub to shelter from the rain Came the soldier boys of Pippin Fort With 15 grams of good cocaine They call their leader Captain Snort. Stood by the bar were Popeye & Olive Bluto offered her a fag. Said she "No thanks, I'll roll my own, It's true, I'd rather have a 'shag'! Chorus: The animals there included Rupert The Bear, Sean The Sheep & Lamb Chop too. From PontyPandy, Sam Tân said; "I think I fancy ewe!" The 'mouse organ' played its multiple pipes As a soggy cloth cat came in view Professor Yaffle said "No stereotypes" Welsh racism will not do! Chorus: Cheers Nigel |
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03 Apr 12 - 09:28 AM (#3332998) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: MGM·Lion Captain Flack sez LoL |
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03 Apr 12 - 09:56 AM (#3333021) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: Nigel Parsons MtheGM: 'lots of Love'? Oh thanks! |
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03 Apr 12 - 10:52 AM (#3333062) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: Bainbo Actually, Roger, after watching this clip I think there's a more plausible explanation for us never seeing flames. After the fire crew plod out of the station, do the roll call, and then drive along at what looks like 25mph, any fire would be out by the time they got there. |
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04 Apr 12 - 05:13 AM (#3333459) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: banjoman I stand corrected - it was Cuthbert who had a day off. Do you recall the Fire Brigade being taken to task for sticking posters advertising their open day all over Trumpton and ending up only being able to stick them on the side of the Fire Station. I think they did once actually attend a fire - at the Fire Station. |
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04 Apr 12 - 05:54 AM (#3333483) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: Nigel Parsons A Fire Brigade that doesn't fight fires? Trumpton (U.K.) must be twinned with Pleasantvill (U.S.) |
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04 Apr 12 - 06:22 AM (#3333501) Subject: RE: The Trumpton Fire Station Mystery From: GUEST I remember them once attending a fire, albeit a small fire. I seem to remember someone's life savings (possibly Chippy Minton's?) being in a rocking horse that was on a bonfire. |