The son of actors Lon Chaney and Cleva Creighton, the man destined to star in classic horror movies was born Creighton Tull Chaney. Old man Chaney raised his son in an atmosphere of Spartan strictness and absolutely forbade young Creighton to enter show business, wanting his son to prepare for a more "practical" profession. This… Continue reading Lon Chaney Jr.
Mack Sennett
While not the first producer of Hollywood comedies, Canadian-born Mack Sennett was one of the best organized and most successful and the man who made them into real box office. He was known throughout Hollywood as the King of Comedy. His lesser-known, but nonetheless apposite, soubriquet was the King of Plumbers. Growing up in Canada,… Continue reading Mack Sennett
Michael Flatley
who would have thought that those flashing feet belonged to an ex-plumber
Tom Finney
Known as the Preston Plumber, this 76-times capped winger is still considered one of the greatest British players of all time. He became an apprentice plumber at 14, a trade he continued all his working life, even at the height of his international fame. Yet during the 40s and 50s he was never paid any… Continue reading Tom Finney
Ode to Nicola
An epistle to the bewitching Ms Nicola Stephen
An essay on the failings of universal suffrage
An ode on the sad and perturbing occasion of the Scottish parliamentary election fiasco of May 2007
Ode to oles
On the occasion of the Scottish parliamentary elections of 2007, a time of purdah and purgatory
Longchamp
Qua-a-a-a-nd il me prend dans ses bras, il me parle tout bas, je voie la vie en rose… What can you say about Paris that hasn’t been said a thousand times before? One of the most charismatic, romantic and fascinating cities in Europe. Home of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, Maxim’s and La Coupole,… Continue reading Longchamp
Red Nose Day
As all our members will know, the LLF is a caring and considerate organisation. We are dedicated to fair play, honesty, inetgrity (especially that of our catalogue) and concern for our fellow person. This is not in any doubt, we are good people. But sometimes this can be tested to the very limit. Brothers and… Continue reading Red Nose Day
Burger King Maker
Where do I begin with this one. Prince Charles has gone for McDonalds in his latest tirade. A case, I fear, of the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable, if I may borrow a phrase from Oscar Wilde (class mark 822.8). Now, don’t get me wrong, you’ll never catch any member of the LLF passing… Continue reading Burger King Maker