Sunday 6 August 2017

John Sweet (and a 4 star review)


First The Archers, now Weave makes me wonder what the difference is between a Fete and a Fair. All I can think of is that one is French. Perhaps you can tell me?

We watched 'A Canterbury Tale' for the 700th time the night before last. I never get fed up with it.

If you Google-up the Powell and Pressburger film, you will see that we are not alone in our obsession. There are large groups or associations devoted to it, and they make regular pilgrimages to the various locations around Canterbury where it was shot in 1944. The last time we went to Canterbury, all we saw was the Cathedral, but H.I. had never seen it before, whereas I lived there briefly.

I found pictures on the net the other day, and I was amazed to find out that Sergeant John Sweet of the U.S. Army only died in 2012. In the film he plays a U.S. Army Sergeant stationed near Canterbury, which is exactly what he was when Michael Powell chose him for the film. He came with his own costume.

It seems he became star-struck with his role, and spent the rest of his life trying to get parts in others, but although he was charming and quirky (as all Powell and Pressburg characters are), he was no actor and was never given a part in another film at home in the U.S. after the war.

I think I will make a special trip to the Canterbury area this year, just to visit the Town Hall location in the 'then and now' photos.


I just found this very eloquent review from someone who could not have been old enough to now the old English way of life before the 1950s and 60s. If you've got half an hour to spare, he sums up pretty much every reason why I love A Canterbury Tale so much:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIaThhDDfQw&t=1323

32 comments:

  1. The title was pure coincidence, John!

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    1. You seem to be getting yourself in a bit of a muddle with Trelawnyd at the moment.

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    2. Like I say, pure coincidence.

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  2. One difference is a fete is always outside. A fair can be in or out (not talking about funfairs here) but is often in.

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    1. You just made that up didn't you?

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    2. No. There are other reasons. A fete is an event with lots entertainment like side shows as well as money raising stalls and a fare is more of a sale of goods and crafts with maybe one entertainment but not lots.

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    3. and entertainment at a fair would not be de rigueur where as it would be at a fete.

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    4. This is a little more scientific than your explanation, but not much:

      'As nouns the difference between fete and fair is that fete is a festival open to the public, the proceeds from which are often given to charity while fair is something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective) or fair can be a community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.'

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    5. Yep, it says it in a more grown up way.

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  3. I would agree with Rachel and with your explanation.

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    1. Well I am going to forget the whole thing now, Weave. I'm roasting lamb, tonight is the last Poldark and tomorrow H.I.'s last Summer School this year.

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  4. If it was about John it would have been headed Sweet John xx

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    1. Well it would have been headed, anyway.

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    2. It looks as though my posts now amount to a rather boring conversation between you and me, with the odd observation from Weave. Oh well, I suppose I can think of worse ways to end my career.

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    3. You're doing an uncharacteristically large amount of apologising these days.

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  5. I had the pleasure of working in the Beaney Institute, as it was then known, for 14 years. It was apparently Powell's inspiration for the Colpeper institute.
    I have read your blog for a long old time but am a newbie commenter.

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    1. Oh, welcome on your first comment then, Hilly. I don't know anything about the Beaney Institute but I would like to learn. Don't know much about the Colpeper Institute either!

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  6. I will order the DVD - at once.

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  7. Late to the conversation! I never want to see another fucking victoria sponge!

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  8. Can't wait to see it. In the US, a fete would be a big to do or event and a fair would be much more enjoyable that a hoity toity party.

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  9. I think I'm due for another viewing too. I don't watch TV at this time of year, so some Canterbury would be very welcome.

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  10. I'm going to Canterbury in two weeks time..

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  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. You will not make any money from me, so just disable the software. You give your country a very bad name. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

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  12. Submitted by John Sweet himself. ... They sought American stars then in the army, Burgess Meredith for one, Tyrone .... Reviews were moderately accepting.
    ตารางคะแนน

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