Memorabilia - Birmingham NEC 19-20 Nov

[DB7]

Quite a collection of film and tv actors on the guest list and reunions for Captain Kronos and Village of the Damned.

Media Guests | Memorabilia Birmingham

[Windyridge]

I didn't realise what a big industry this selling autographs had become. It seems a bit tawdry somehow, or is that just me? I remember Liz Fras
er years ago selling her autograph at a convention, before I realised you had to pay. My son was about 7 and a big Carry On Fan, but she kind of ignored that and was pressing for the money. Her nail varnish was chipped and it was all a bit shabby.

[smudge]

The signing costs for Memorabilia this winter appear to have been pegged. I wonder if the organisers are feeling the pinch or if the messages from the punters have finally got through. There have been a few grumbles in recent years and I don't remember overall costs being this low in ages...

Smudge

[CaptainWaggett]

I didn't realise what a big industry this selling autographs had become. It seems a bit tawdry somehow, or is that just me? I remember Liz Fras
er years ago selling her autograph at a convention, before I realised you had to pay. My son was about 7 and a big Carry On Fan, but she kind of ignored that and was pressing for the money. Her nail varnish was chipped and it was all a bit shabby.

Even Derek Jacobi is doing it Though there's a curious fascination is seeing who is worth £15 and who only £10 (it seems New Who fans s are prepared to pay more than Old Who groupies though I assume if you were desperate for Deborah Watling's autograph it wouldn't be that hard to get for free )

[smudge]

Must admit I was surprised when I saw Mr. Jacobi's name, but these days it's all a bit of a pension fund exercise for some I think... The best bits of these events are when you get someone who is keen to really talk about their work, not just churn 'em in and churn 'em out. Louise Jameson springs to mind - I had just seen her in the theatre and we had a nice little natter about performance, the director and the notes she'd been given.

I am a regular Memorabilia attendee - it started some years ago when my Godsons were very small and has become a 'tradition' now, even though one of them is in his 20s and both of them tower over me! They get their Pa to call me as soon as a decent size guest list is out and let me know who they are interested in this year.

As far as what's in it for me, these days 'eventing' is the only chance you'll get to meet/chat to some of the 'vintage' stars as they are semi-retired or resting for longer periods, so the chance to see them at a stage door is very much diminished; and occasionally a real gem of a performer will come up (Ann Lynn in this year's list!) who is far too good to miss...

Smudge

[Paul Waines]

I'm a regular at the N.E.C. myself, and will be there on Saturday. If you want to meet a first rate fellow, who's great to talk to. Do say hello to John Carson, he always seems to have time for anyone and everyone, a very pleasant chap.

[Paul Waines]

Forgot to add that the boxer Terry Downes is going.... who is he I hear some say. Well he was in one of my favourite films, Dance of the Vampires as Koukol. I will be very happy to get his signature...

[CaptainWaggett]

Must admit I was surprised when I saw Mr. Jacobi's name, but these days it's all a bit of a pension fund exercise for some I think...

Smudge

It's SIR Derek which somehow does make it even more shocking. he can't be that hard-up surely?

[smudge]

LOL A Sirhood doesn't, unfortunately, come with a cash bonus! As you no doubt know, Sirs (and Dames for that matter) even have to pay for their own replica insignia....

Smudge

[CaptainWaggett]

LOL A Sirhood doesn't, unfortunately, come with a cash bonus! As you no doubt know, Sirs (and Dames for that matter) even have to pay for their own replica insignia....

Smudge

But eight IMDB credits this year? Please don't tell me he's funding some sort of habit ? Or he just really, really likes insignia

[smudge]

Perhaps he's saving so that he can have copies of his Sirhood made for all his friends...?

Smudge

[didi-5]

I didn't realise what a big industry this selling autographs had become. It seems a bit tawdry somehow, or is that just me? I remember Liz Fras
er years ago selling her autograph at a convention, before I realised you had to pay. My son was about 7 and a big Carry On Fan, but she kind of ignored that and was pressing for the money. Her nail varnish was chipped and it was all a bit shabby.

I agree with you (I also agree with Smudge about diminishing chances to see your favourites, though). Selling an autograph when you're past your best is just that little bit sad. I've done the autograph tent thing once at St Paul's Covent Garden. June Whitfield and Brian Cant were definitely having off days (both came across as simply dotty old people) although Tom Conti was charming. I wouldn't bother again though, some of the 'fans' are very aggressive and it felt a bit like a meat market.

[smudge]

I agree with you (I also agree with Smudge about diminishing chances to see your favourites, though). Selling an autograph when you're past your best is just that little bit sad. I've done the autograph tent thing once at St Paul's Covent Garden. June Whitfield and Brian Cant were definitely having off days (both came across as simply dotty old people) although Tom Conti was charming. I wouldn't bother again though, some of the 'fans' are very aggressive and it felt a bit like a meat market.

Oh yes, I know what you mean - some of the folks you see at events (the real 'rabid' fans) occasionally think that the price of their autograph entitles them to the full 'pound of flesh'. Others of them would certainly not get jobs with the Diplomatic Corps! Those of the handful who get all folks tarred with the same brush (i.e. Loony!)

At the end of the day you have to keep some sort of perspective; after all if someone came to you after 25 years in your job and asked you to recall X, Y or Z day and precisely what you did, would you remember? It's nice to have a quiet chat - if there's time/space - and talk generally, not to clobber the guests with the ardent fan's minutiae and then look appalled/snigger/teach granny the egg thing (etc.) when the poor old human being on the other side of the table can't remember.

For me at the end of the day the signature on the picture is not an investment - it's personal and, more often than not, a small memento of meeting someone polite and pleasant and of having that brief, quiet, chat...


Smudge

[CaptainWaggett]

Last night's Life's Too Short (why yes, I did laugh ) had a rather neat scene at a convention

BBC iPlayer - Life's Too Short: Series 1: Episode 2

[Windthrop]

It's SIR Derek which somehow does make it even more shocking. he can't be that hard-up surely?

Doubt it after the Sony TV commercial !

[didi-5]

I realise it sounds rather mean when I said about 'off days'. I was genuinely shocked by both celebrities I mentioned and how frail and scatty they were. June Whitfield always comes across in interviews as very bright and engaging but the poor thing just seemed confused that particular day. Perhaps the autograph scrum just isn't for everyone (and I still feel privileged to have met her).

[CaptainWaggett]

Doubt it after the Sony TV commercial !

Plus 200 episodes of In the Night Garden syndicated around the world.

[smudge]

I realise it sounds rather mean when I said about 'off days'. I was genuinely shocked by both celebrities I mentioned and how frail and scatty they were. June Whitfield always comes across in interviews as very bright and engaging but the poor thing just seemed confused that particular day. Perhaps the autograph scrum just isn't for everyone (and I still feel privileged to have met her).

Apologies from me, too - my second para. was ref. the 'rabids' and in no way relative to your own comments ref June and Brian. Re-reading my lines I thought I had better clear that up...

Smudge

[didi-5]

The rabids are scary - I can't remember who it was at that particular event but their slot was obviously up and the next celeb to sit in their chair had arrived and the first celeb's path was blocked by this really rude 'fan' who was shouting at them and waving their memorabilia in their face basically ranting about having stood in line for ages and insisting they sign NOW.

I really think some people lose all reason in these circumstances. We just missed Warren Mitchell (who is now in a wheelchair) and we were disappointed but we wouldn't have gone chasing after him as he was leaving!

[smudge]

Have to report an excellent day at Mem; cos the 'minders' were a bit slow off the mark this morning, managed a handful of nice chats with a number of celebs who were - well - rather waiting around...

Nice chat to Wanda Ventham about her young man, natter to Bill Gaunt about various things and lovely to see the (still marvellous) Susan Skipper with her hubby, Anthony Valentine. A lot of damn fine actors - cost me a packet but certainly memorable!

And, yes, I can report that Sir Derek is certainly VFM; a charming man.

Smudge