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Meeting with Jean Darling on 21st Octember 2006 |
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“Mr Snow” from the original Broadway production of the musical Carousel boomed out of the surround sound speakers as Ms Jean Darling was led out onto the stage amidst the roars of the close to 100 people present at the latest meeting of the Another Fine Mess Tent of Northern Ireland. It was Jean who had sung “Mr Snow” all those years ago in 1945 and her voice was sweet and pure. Grand Sheik of the tent, Keith Davidson, welcomed her warmly and provided details as to how it was planned that the night would unfold. After an introduction by Gerry the programme began with Thicker Than Water, Stan and Babe’s 1935 masterpiece…you know, the one where the dialogue goes “You mean the money that she gave to me and I gave to you to pay him is the same money that you gave to me to pay to her?” A wonderful film and much enjoyed judging by the generous round of applause at the end. 
Jean was invited to take a seat at the front and Keith appeared with a large red leather covered book as the theme from This Is Your Life burst from the speakers around the hall. After some anxious moments when the another-fine-mess-of-a-cordless-microphone refused to work the thing suddenly kicked in and the enthralled audience listened as Keith unveiled Jean’s amazing life; chapter and verse. He invited Jean to expand upon a few particularly interesting points and Jean was delighted to do so, providing the assembled masses with a flash or two of her legendary mischievousness. Keith then announced that we would get to see some of Jean’s early work in the Our Gang comedy ‘Boxing Gloves’. As usual Gerry gave a précis of the film and the lights dimmed. The faces of the children in particular were a joy to see; they were glued to their seats, totally enthralled with the children on the screen. The film ended to bring us into the interval and Keith announced that Jean would be signing some beautiful photographs. During the interval tickets for the raffle were sold and a special auction — a beautiful sketch of ‘the boys’ — was held to raise money for the Romanian Orphan Fund. The bids steadily rose from an opening bid of £30 to an incredible £95…and the winner? Who else but the Grand Sheik! His wife had been bidding for him at times and his mother was bidding against him! Methinks they all took the auction scene from Thicker Than Water to heart! When the raffle tickets were drawn there was a lovely moment when junior member Breena Morrison donated her prize to Jean and Jean chose a mini fez. Another lucky winner in the shape of Breena’s cousin, Katie Morrison, resulted in another prize being donated to Jean, who this time chose a tent T-shirt. The usual round of toasts was made and special mention was made of: Keith’s Aunt Joan who had come all the way from Australia — not only to visit the Another Fine Mess tent we hasten to add; and members Patrick and Catherine Fitzgerald who had got hitched since the last meeting. Gerry presented them with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Finally, a toast was made in honour of the special guest, Ms Jean Darling. The after-interval session was a question and answer session with Jean and a veritable sea of hands was ready to ask Jean a variety of questions ranging from “What was it like working with Stan and Babe?” to “Why do you not like Bing Crosby?”…oh yes, one junior fan asked “Do you collect toy trains since you like them?”. Despite another junior fan’s question “Did you enjoy it?” — the ‘it’ being a matter of some conjecture — the Another Fine Mess Committee met hurriedly in closed session to award ‘The Most Unusual Question’ prize to the boy who asked the question about the toy trains. Towed In A Hole provided a fitting finish to another fine night. Only a hastily arranged on-camera chat with Jean and Keith at the behest of the man who had followed them around all night long like a shadow with his video camera prevented a swift exit. The next meeting of the Another Fine Mess Tent of Northern Ireland will take place on Saturday 25 November 2006. As this will be the Christmas meeting members may wear tinsel whenever and wherever the notion takes them! Perhaps there might even be a prize for the most unusual display! Watch this space! |
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We thank you. |
| Date last updated 04/02/2008 |
