In Frank Muir's hilarious autobigraphy, 'A Kentish Lad', he regales the reader with so much information, one has to stop reading and collect one's thoughts on regular occasions, and this is no exception!
One marvellous passage appeared last night, where he tells the story of fans suddenly appearing at the restaurant table which was occupied by Ethel Merman and a friend. One such admirer was a 'filthy-rich elderly Texan, with the big hat and thin tie and bits of silver all over him'!
Our lady commented on his silver cuff links, which turned out to be real, tiny pistols, and which actually worked!
'Try one' said the Texan, so she carefully took hold of one of the pistols and pulled the trigger!
There was a sharp crack, a little smoke and Ethel's best friend let out a loud yelp and clutched her large bosom! Miss Merman, who thought it was a live round, (it wasn't, it was just the wad from a blank), let out an enormous shriek and howled, 'Shit - I've just shot my best friend in the tit with a cuff link'!
Collapse of Scrobs in tears of uncontrollable laughter...
Sounds like a good winter read with a tincture to hand. We no longer produce chaps like Frank Muir and I'm sure we're poorer for that. A sunny sense of humour after an early life which couldn't have been easy.
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth a read, AK! There are many more anecdotes to enjoy, and what's so good about the book, is that you can 'hear' his voice telling you the stories!
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