I have finally got around to fully reading my copy of Journal 40. Naturally, I was drawn to Norman Wright's article
Five Have a Mystery To Solve, Film Serial Reassessed. How I wish I had seen the screening of this at the N.F.T, as it looks like an interesting adaptation and probably less stilted than the 1957 C.F.F
Five On a Treasure Island. It is very good news indeed that both serials are proposed for a DVD release, I just hope that sufficient numbers purchase a copy in order make the exercise worthwhile. I for one would be quite willing to pay up front.
As always with the Journal it is difficult to single out any one particular article for special mention, such is the consistancy of each issue. Hanly Blyton's letter in
The Barbara Stoney Archives No1 was a revelation and I hope to see further such material in future editions. I did however have some difficulty in reading Hanly's handwriting which was almost as bad as mine! This is not a complaint I hasten to add, just an observation as it is important that original letters and documents are presented as they are and not turned into cold text.
A wonderful feature of the Journal is that we are introduced to short stories that many of us would otherwise miss out on altogether.
The Boy Who Changed His Name is a typical example and a rare occasion where Enid Blyton makes reference to world events. Certainly, any person with a German sounding name would have had a hard time during the war years and even ownership of a Dachshund for example would have invited derison. Enid homed in on this fact but went to great pains to point out that people could not be judged by their names alone. Nevertheless, Adolph became Nelson probably for the duration of the war and maybe for a good few years after the hostilities ended!
Enid Blyton's Adventure Magazine was a publication that I had never heard of prior to reading Anita's article. Perhaps the idea of Enid Blyton's stories being portrayed in picture strip form could have been pursued and therefore encourage new readers to eventually read the original books. Who knows what could have been, Enid Blyton graphic novels perhaps? (Now there's an idea for Chorion!) One only has to visit a bookshop to see the popularity of this format, mostly science fiction aimed at adults. I for one prefer text though.
Thank you Tony for yet another superb issue of the Journal, the quality never falters.
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