Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
- Carlotta King
- Posts: 2828
- Joined: 15 Mar 2013, 19:01
- Favourite book/series: Adventure, Barney, Secret Series, Famous Five
- Favourite character: Bill Smugs,Lucy-Ann,Snubby,Mr King,Diana,Kiki,Paul
- Location: England
Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Found this just now, most of the stuff we already know but I was very interested to see a recent photo of Laura (Anne)!
http://showbizgeek.com/what-ever-happen ... mous-five/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
She also has a LinkedIn page
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/laura-petela/23/b37/624" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://showbizgeek.com/what-ever-happen ... mous-five/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
She also has a LinkedIn page
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/laura-petela/23/b37/624" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Fussy Gussy! Polly, Polly, Polly-gize!"
Society Member
Society Member
- Anita Bensoussane
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26885
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Thanks for the link, Carlotta. It's great to see an up-to-date picture of Laura Petela - I'd never have recognised her with her hair so different!
Isn't that Gail Renard (wearing yellow) with Gary Russell and Marcus Harris?
Isn't that Gail Renard (wearing yellow) with Gary Russell and Marcus Harris?
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
- Julie2owlsdene
- Posts: 15244
- Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
- Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: Cornwall
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
How lovely to look back on the faces now grown. Yes, that is Gail, Anita. I recognised her from the Enid Blyton Day.
I think it's so sad that so much secrecy surrounds, Michelle's death (George in the 70's series) I think if people knew the circumstances they'd be less inclined to ask questions and keep bringing the subject up.
I think it's so sad that so much secrecy surrounds, Michelle's death (George in the 70's series) I think if people knew the circumstances they'd be less inclined to ask questions and keep bringing the subject up.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Hmmm, not really the most accurate of online articles, it seems to have been hastily cobbled together. However, an interesting read nevertheless.
There is an interesting claim in the article that the 1970's Famous Five series was one of the most expensive children's TV series ever made owing to the fact that it was shot on film and not videotape. Up to now I had always been led to believe that the Worzel Gummidge (also shot on film)series had this distinction. Certainly film productions were more expensive owing to the film-stock, processing and editing costs, but look at the results, a far more pleasing image compared to the harsh videotape of the day.
There is an interesting claim in the article that the 1970's Famous Five series was one of the most expensive children's TV series ever made owing to the fact that it was shot on film and not videotape. Up to now I had always been led to believe that the Worzel Gummidge (also shot on film)series had this distinction. Certainly film productions were more expensive owing to the film-stock, processing and editing costs, but look at the results, a far more pleasing image compared to the harsh videotape of the day.
- Carlotta King
- Posts: 2828
- Joined: 15 Mar 2013, 19:01
- Favourite book/series: Adventure, Barney, Secret Series, Famous Five
- Favourite character: Bill Smugs,Lucy-Ann,Snubby,Mr King,Diana,Kiki,Paul
- Location: England
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
I agree - it's not the most well-written or accurate article, and I didn't like the title paragraph stating 'casual racism and sexism', I only really posted it because of Laura - she has been a bit of a mystery since the filming, and I thought everyone would like to see a recent photo.
"Fussy Gussy! Polly, Polly, Polly-gize!"
Society Member
Society Member
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Definitely. I love to watch old TV programmes that are shot on film. A bit like vinyl - vastly 'superior' to CDs and downloads.Petermax wrote: but look at the results, a far more pleasing image compared to the harsh videotape of the day.
That's one mystery I'd like to solve! Jemima, we might have a problem.....Cathy wrote:I only really posted it because of Laura - she has been a bit of a mystery since the filming
Society Member
- Fiona1986
- Posts: 10540
- Joined: 01 Dec 2007, 15:35
- Favourite book/series: Five Go to Smuggler's Top
- Favourite character: Julian Kirrin
- Location: Dundee, Scotland
- Contact:
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Laura Petela is on Twitter under her own name. If I remember right she works for an events organising business and likes to party a lot! She follows the blog on Twitter and we've spoken to her once or twice.
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
Society Member
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
Society Member
- Carlotta King
- Posts: 2828
- Joined: 15 Mar 2013, 19:01
- Favourite book/series: Adventure, Barney, Secret Series, Famous Five
- Favourite character: Bill Smugs,Lucy-Ann,Snubby,Mr King,Diana,Kiki,Paul
- Location: England
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
That's really nice that you've spoken to her and that she follows the blog, I always assumed that since she left acting she wasn't bothered about anything Famous Five-ish, but obviously she is!
"Fussy Gussy! Polly, Polly, Polly-gize!"
Society Member
Society Member
- Deej
- Posts: 1208
- Joined: 17 Dec 2012, 01:59
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: North Wales
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Not the best article (very hastily put together) but thanks for posting, Cathy. The author doesn't appear to be the biggest fan of the Famous Five with the comments on casual racism, sexism and the children being interfering snobs. I don't see the need to swear when describing the 1996 intro in comparison to the 1970s series either. Sad to read about Michelle but on the up side Jemima Rooper is looking great.
- Carlotta King
- Posts: 2828
- Joined: 15 Mar 2013, 19:01
- Favourite book/series: Adventure, Barney, Secret Series, Famous Five
- Favourite character: Bill Smugs,Lucy-Ann,Snubby,Mr King,Diana,Kiki,Paul
- Location: England
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
I hadn't noticed that bit about the 90s theme!! Yeah that's very unnecessary. I like the 90s theme - nothing wrong with it at all!
There also wasn't any need for the author to class them as interfering snobs - it's obviously someone who has got a chip on their shoulder!
Oh well at least there were some nice photos!
There also wasn't any need for the author to class them as interfering snobs - it's obviously someone who has got a chip on their shoulder!
Oh well at least there were some nice photos!
"Fussy Gussy! Polly, Polly, Polly-gize!"
Society Member
Society Member
- Deej
- Posts: 1208
- Joined: 17 Dec 2012, 01:59
- Favourite book/series: Famous Five
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: North Wales
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Yeah some great photos. Thanks for posting them, Cathy
- Gary Russell
- Posts: 391
- Joined: 10 Mar 2007, 21:41
- Favourite book/series: FF
- Favourite character: well duh...
- Location: Cold, windy but beautiful Cardiff
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
It was certainly the most expensive at he time we made it - Worzel came 18 months later, remember. But we were just over a million per series, which was pretty unheard of for kids TV in the austere 70s.Petermax wrote: There is an interesting claim in the article that the 1970's Famous Five series was one of the most expensive children's TV series ever made owing to the fact that it was shot on film and not videotape. Up to now I had always been led to believe that the Worzel Gummidge (also shot on film)series had this distinction. Certainly film productions were more expensive owing to the film-stock, processing and editing costs, but look at the results, a far more pleasing image compared to the harsh videotape of the day.
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
Astonishing. One million equates to about four million, eight hundred thousand in today's money. Nevertheless, it was money very well spent.Gary Russell wrote:It was certainly the most expensive at he time we made it - Worzel came 18 months later, remember. But we were just over a million per series, which was pretty unheard of for kids TV in the austere 70s.
- Courtenay
- Posts: 19314
- Joined: 07 Feb 2014, 01:22
- Favourite book/series: The Adventure Series, Galliano's Circus
- Favourite character: Lotta
- Location: Both Aussie and British; living in Cheshire
Re: Whatever Happened To... the cast of The Famous Five
I'd agree that the '90s intro lacks excitement, bounce and verve compared to the '70s (which I loved singing along with at a very young age!!), but you're right, Deej, it doesn't warrant a swear word. "Drab", "restrained" or "understated" would have been enough.
On a side topic that I wonder about, but it doesn't really warrant a separate thread: does anyone else reckon the dog playing Timmy in the '90s series is too small to be right for the part? There have been plenty of different portrayals of Timmy (and I don't think the '70s Border Collie was quite the right choice either), but both the books and the illustrations, from Eileen Soper onwards, make pretty clear he's quite a big, strong dog.
Other than that, Cathy, thanks for the "where are they now"!
On a side topic that I wonder about, but it doesn't really warrant a separate thread: does anyone else reckon the dog playing Timmy in the '90s series is too small to be right for the part? There have been plenty of different portrayals of Timmy (and I don't think the '70s Border Collie was quite the right choice either), but both the books and the illustrations, from Eileen Soper onwards, make pretty clear he's quite a big, strong dog.
Other than that, Cathy, thanks for the "where are they now"!
Society Member
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)