The mirth and misogyny of Andy Capp...

[The Peepmaster]

I thought this was an interesting article, on the BBC website.

I'm sure they would have learned a lot more had they interviewed Roger.

[Roger Kettle]

Interesting, Nige, but nothing really new. It's clear that some of Smythe's early stuff makes uncomfortable reading today but those were different times and Reg himself had moved away from the less palatable elements. He remains, in my view, a brilliant strip cartoonist----the best this country has produced.

[Redundant]

Interesting, Nige, but nothing really new. It's clear that some of Smythe's early stuff makes uncomfortable reading today but those were different times and Reg himself had moved away from the less palatable elements. He remains, in my view, a brilliant strip cartoonist----the best this country has produced.

I was going to argue a point, then I realised you had already done so, and I agree he was the greatest strip cartoonist.  I read somewhere that he regretted some of the excesses, but I don't think he had anything to apologise for, then or now.   Those were different times.   For me it was a bit strange, some [most] of the stuff I read and enjoyed in Andy Capp I lived through in in real life, and it wasn't quite so funny, but it was a reflection of the times for me.

I get a bit weird these days about the "historical corrections" people seem determined to push through, killing off statues, changing motto's or heraldry, how far does it go?   Should we destroy all Roman Emperor statues because the nasty men killed Christians and subjugated other countries?   Maybe we should dig up the ashes of Vladimir Nabokov and re-bury them in unconsecrated grounds for writing a book about child abuse [Lolita].   He didn't of course but that's as good a judgement as deciding  statues are responsible for the actions of those they depict.   Personally I'd be more impressed with the students of Oxford University for example if they refused to go to that terrible place due to its connections with Cecil Rhodes, but no they'd rather just get the statue removed, which is something I apparently share with the Chancellor of the university who suggested they "...think about being educated elsewhere".  But I digress.

  I was going to argue for my favourite non-strip cartoonist, Giles.   I read Giles even as a youngster, and I didn't always get the punchline, but I would sit and stare at those cartoons, seeking out the incidentals, particularly when the cartoon featured the "Giles Family".   I still read them and enjoy them to this day, and know enough about history now to get most of them, but I still prefer to wander my eyes over them, just taking them in.   Wonderful stuff.

[Roger Kettle]

Red, my father received the Giles annual every Christmas. Like you, as a kid, I didn't understand a lot of the humour but I loved the books. I would spend ages scanning every cartoon, looking for the superb little details he would cram into the drawing. His artwork was wonderful.

[Redundant]

My route to Giles was a tad more circuitous, as a kid I had made friends with a barber, Cesare, who was originally from Italy.  His barber shop was one of many 'havens' I established to avoid going home for as long as possible.   I'd sit quietly, absorbing Giles and others, occasionally with a glass of milk and a biscuit or two that Cesare provided, and once any of the annuals grew too tattered he would pass them on to me.   We remained friends for many, many years, and we'd listen to opera, he'd champion Caruso and I'd champion Bjorling, he [Cesare] had actually attended several Caruso concerts, so he tended to win that argument.

Giles was always about the discovery, and the delight of finding yet another detail missed previously.   I also loved the expressive faces he created, frequently on the faces of those in authority, the police for example, as they dealt with yet another bunch of the great unwashed, usually led by Grandma.   I don't know if Giles was published anywhere else in the world, to me he always seemed quintessentially British in his humour.   It was nice to grow older and finally understand and appreciate the humour as well, which had quite a bite to it on many occasions. 

[Roger Kettle]

Yes, the quality and bite of his humour was sometimes overlooked because of the sheer brilliance of his artwork.
My father died when I was 18 but the relative who gave him the books every Christmas continued the tradition with me for a few years after his death. I often wonder what my father would have made of my own cartoon creations which, of course, he never lived to see. I'm convinced "They're okay, but they're not Giles" would have been his honest and accurate response!

[Redundant]

I often wonder what my father would have made of my own cartoon creations which, of course, he never lived to see. I'm convinced "They're okay, but they're not Giles" would have been his honest and accurate response!

Beau Peep is up there with the greats of strip cartoons, at least in my opinion, so I have little doubt how proud he would have been, but I would have enjoyed hearing him say that!   My mum, who was [and remains] my definition of a decent human being, didn't use the whole expression, but when I told her I wanted to be a writer she came very close to "That's nice dear but what do you want to do for a real job?".

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Loved Giles! Still do. And Smythe. Both unwittingly taught me more about drawing than they'd ever have imagined. I copied their work avidly as a nipper. Two of the very, very best.

Along with Kettle and Christine, whose fathers have much to be proud of.

[Sandy Buttcheeks]

My memory of Giles is a holiday home in Rothesay! We went to the same place for several years, and there was always several Giles books/annuals(?) in a drawer next to the carpet bowls. I have little recollection of the humour, but always remembered the drawings (and the signature, for some reason). Never ever "got into" Giles. Maybe I should have a read sometime.

I do now have a desire to find where the holiday home was though. It was near a superb cafe, that sold the best cream cake ever. Google maps here I come !