The Billet Article - Librarians Page

This article is taken from The Billet Issue - 421 - Mar 2007, Authored by Peter Wright

Librarians Page

Well here we are at the start of another BMC year. I always think of the BMC year running form one AGM to another. I hope that you will continue to support the library as there are new books coming and I will soon have information about the trick library that I hope to set up. Perhaps you would like to start rummaging through those old effects which you no longer use and consider giving them a new lease of life by letting others members borrow them.

One book which is coming into the library is the Tommy Cooper biography ‘Always Leave Them Laughing’. This book seems to be on offer almost everywhere so many members may have already got it. I know one or two, including myself, did get it for Christmas.

The book is a very comprehensive account of Tommy’s public and business life. It has been written by John Fisher, who is best known to us as the producer of the BBC Paul Daniels Magic shows among others. John had a close relationship with Tommy and his family and now has possession of most of Tommy’s business correspondence. Based on this, the book details Tommy’s rise to fame from his roots at 19, Llwyn Onn Street, Caerphilly where he was born to the hot and cold relationship he had between him and his manager Miff Ferrie. Of course there are some lighter moments in the book, with a character like Tommy Cooper, life was full of them. One particular passage really makes me jealous. Tommy struck up a rapport with Edwin Hooper who of course was the owner of Supreme Magic in Bideford. (Now unfortunately long gone). When ever Edwin sent Tommy the company’s latest catalogue or sales sheet Tommy would phone Edwin and say “Send one of everything.” Edwin would reply that he had already sent Tommy some of the items in the catalogue. “Never mind” replied Tommy, “I’m just a big kid and it’s like Christmas when I receive your parcels”. I’LL BET IT WAS!!!

Edwin used to worry that Tommy would give the secret away to some of his tricks and thus spoil future potential sales. However throughout his career Tommy was careful never to reveal the secret of any commercial effects as he knew that magic dealers relied on the fact that they charge for the secret rather than the bits of stuff that make up the trick. Tommy’s life was magic both on and off stage. He prided himself on being an excellent magician often practicing an effect till the early hours to get it right. The book goes on to details Tommy’s TV appearances and tours round the country. His triumphs and disasters.

The final chapters are very sad as they detail almost minute by minute the details of Tommy’s last performance. Looking back it is surprising how many prophetic clues there were during that final show.

All in all, the book is a good read but I would have liked to know more about the private Tommy Cooper. What made him tick, where he got his ideas from, and his family life. Tommy’s brother David hardly get a mention. Having said all that, if you are a Tommy Cooper fan like most of us then this is an essential read.

Another book that I would like to acquire for the library is Martin Gardeners Encyclopaedia of Impromtu Magic. Published in 1978 this is rare 578 page volume rarely comes on the market. I remember kicking myself for not bidding enough when one was offered on E-bay and went for about £80. Since then I have tracked down this book and I have found one again on E-bay, but as you would expect it is not cheap. If anyone knows anything about this book, or has had sight of it, I would be pleased to have a chat as I intend to put it to the committee to purchase it.

Well that’s about all for this month; see you all next time.

Select a year to view - 2009 || 2008 || 2007 || 2006 || 2005 || 2004 || 2003 || 2001