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Mike of CAS
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« on: November 19, 2011, 03:01:56 AM » |
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"I've often been asked on whom I based my portrayal of Miss Babs in Acorn Antiques, the TV comedy I did with Victoria Wood and Julie Walters, and which later became a hit West End musical.
Many people cite the Prisoner Cell Block H governor, Erica Davidson. It is amazing to watch how similar our characters are, but in fact I didn't get to see Prisoner Cell Block H until after we had finished making the first series.
The hair is similar too, but that was a simple coincidence. Miss Babs came first. My main study was the marvellous Noele Gordon playing Meg Richardson in Crossroads." - Celia Imrie
I know she said something similar on Radio 2 recently, but I suppose she wisely used the word marvellous to describe Nolly in case someone decided to go crap on her doormat like wot they did to ATV bosses in 1981.
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I'll never forget that night at Crossroads, when you said 'all good things must come to an end'. And then you smiled. And I knew that you meant it.
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Daniel Freeman
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« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2011, 04:22:01 AM » |
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I always saw Miss Babbs as being 'Meg' - and Mrs Overall as Amy Turtle to be honest. I imagined the leading guy (forgotten his name - him that played Doug in Emmerdale!) was supposed to be David Hunter-style as well.
Acorn Antiques was DEFINITELY a Crossroads spin-off! (They even changed the titles and theme music to match the Bowman-era!)
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Professional Seaman, Leisure Expert and Co-Owner of The Barge (when Aston lets me)
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oorshughie
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« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2011, 11:31:19 AM » |
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Yes I agree with above comments but think there's a touch of Mavis Hooper in Mrs Overall too,the apron,the strong accent(Like Amy
Turtle).
Think it was a nice touch that Rosie Collins who'd been in Crossroads was also in Acorn Antiques.
Victoria had it to a tea,when you saw an Actor frozen then suddenly come to life after missing their cue,lol.
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DJB
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« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2011, 10:00:52 PM » |
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And,of course,Duncan Preston(Mr.Clifford)played Ginger Parsons in Crossroads.
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oorshughie
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« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2011, 10:53:30 PM » |
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I liked it when Mr Clifford was fatally electrocuted by the faulty iron,a nod to Valerie Barlow being electrocued by the plug on Corrie.
Of course Anne Reid(Valerie) went on to be a stalward of Victoria's and a regular on "Dinner Ladies".
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Daniel Freeman
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« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2011, 08:26:02 PM » |
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I loved the way 'Acorn Antiques' always had the same two extras at the start of each(most) episode too. They would stand frozen untill the music started...and then walk away smiling  Mrs Overall would be hovering in the background (in view) awaiting her cue etc. Crossroads wasn't as bad as this - but I'm sure they did have a few "hiccups" like this in the early days! (so did many other dramas too - including Corrie!) |
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Professional Seaman, Leisure Expert and Co-Owner of The Barge (when Aston lets me)
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Aston Cross
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« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2011, 10:24:42 AM » |
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Yes I agree with above comments but think there's a touch of Mavis Hooper in Mrs Overall too,the apron,the strong accent(Like Amy Turtle).
Mrs Overall has long been compared with Amy Turtle, but when you look at the characterisations, it's clear that Mrs Overall is more like Mavis Hooper. I thought it was quite funny when Mr Clifford stood up and smacked his head on the boom microphone. |
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Freeman's utterly beautiful and rather easy-on-the-eye co-Bargee.
(I cannot accept any responsibility for Daniel's actions, especially when he upsets people)
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DJB
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« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2011, 06:41:51 PM » |
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I've heard Julie mention Amy in interviews,although I agree with the Mavis comparison.
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Mike of CAS
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« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2011, 01:38:17 PM » |
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Victoria has said her idea for Mrs O was Mavis Hooper and Mrs Mack from High Road, though can't recall where she said that. Julie certainly seems to have taken the short-very-brummie cleaner part of it from Amy though.
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I'll never forget that night at Crossroads, when you said 'all good things must come to an end'. And then you smiled. And I knew that you meant it.
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oorshughie
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« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2011, 03:20:37 PM » |
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Been watching 84 episodes when Mavis smiles a lot at Cecil,is quite scary,but I know Mavis cops it not long after.
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Daniel Freeman
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« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2011, 09:16:15 PM » |
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Mavis was a classic character - and I agree she was more like Mrs Overall (or vice-versa!!).
What baffles me is what was Miss Berta (Victoria Wood) meant to resemble? Miss Berta was a very bland character...I can only think of Avis Tennyson or Jane Smith !
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Professional Seaman, Leisure Expert and Co-Owner of The Barge (when Aston lets me)
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Douggie
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« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2011, 09:56:38 PM » |
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I've always thought Mrs Overall was far more like Mavis than Amy Turtle. The first time I saw Mavis in an episode I thought "That's spot on Mrs Overall".
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Mike of CAS
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« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2011, 01:24:13 AM » |
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Miss Berta was a bit 'dotty' so probs "Jill".
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I'll never forget that night at Crossroads, when you said 'all good things must come to an end'. And then you smiled. And I knew that you meant it.
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Daniel Freeman
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« Reply #13 on: November 26, 2011, 10:07:29 PM » |
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Actually, on reflection, I think Miss Babbs looked very Nicola Freeman in the end!
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Professional Seaman, Leisure Expert and Co-Owner of The Barge (when Aston lets me)
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Daniel Freeman
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« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2011, 07:08:13 PM » |
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Just watched some clips of Acorn on You Tube!  Mrs overall is definitely a Mavis lookalike, but an Amy regarding the fluffed lines etc. The character Derek has got to be their version of Benny too. Saw the scene of 'the sacking' of two of the main stars of Acorn Antiques aswell - that hilarious scene of Mrs Overall coming out of the studio dressed like Noele (white headscarf, dark glasses and fag in hand) never fails to amuse me! |
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Professional Seaman, Leisure Expert and Co-Owner of The Barge (when Aston lets me)
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