COME ON STEVE!
There is,for some of us,a fascination for early British comics and the characters/creators. Ally Sloper and Steve The Horse I have tried to deal with on my Yahoo British Comic Books Archives group.
And,about five years ago I used pages of art sent to me by the late comic historian Denis Gifford to produce an A5 tribute publication to Roland Davies creation,Steve The Horse –“Come On Steve”.
I knew Davies had been involved in animation and had produced features. However,I guessed that I’d never see these as buying 9.5mm 1930s film seemed like a fantasy.
Until,quite by accident,I was looking for more Davies info when I came across a site run by Grahame L. Newnham and well worth checking out if you have an interest in Pathe or other old films:
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was an advertisement of Newnham’s for “Come On Steve!”—a complete collection of the character’s animated features on a DVD. And the price was perfect!
Sadly,ill health put all idea of buying a DVD out of my mind. However,when I recovered and realised that I hadn’t ordered it -I did!
The disc includes:
Steve’s Treasure Hunt [1936]
Steve Steps Out [1936]
Steve Of The River [1937]
Cinderella Steve [1937]
Steve In
Steve’s Cannon Crackers [1937]
Bal Costume [French Silent version] 1937.
With a wonderfully vintage sound track it might be that some would find, in these somewhat ridiculously over the top politically correct times,Steve Of The River a little “racist” in its depiction of African natives. But I am totally opposed to retro censorship of historical images [such as using computers to remove the cigar from the mouth of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel!]. This was the 1930s and the truth is that not everyone was racist! This was the easiest way for a cartoonist to depict natives in a comical film.
So be warned!
The quality for 70+ year old films is great. I loved some of the wacky scenes featuring things such as a police gyrocopter!
If you don’t like black and white animation then it’s not for you. But if you have any interesting the history of British comics,the creators and animation you’ll LOVE this! And Grahame included some nice info fact sheets with background and all for £9.95 + 75p p&p!
Check out the website and contact Grahame for current price in case it’s altered. You won’t be sorry in adding this to your DVD animation collection!
Terry
Comic Bits Online is the web version of the Comic Bits magazine Edited and run by Terry Hooper. Currently Interviews Editor at Manga Life,Terry has over thirty years experience in the comic industry as script writer,artist,freelance Editor,publisher and much more. But if you want the facts:
Curriculum vitae Name:Terry HooperDob:6th June 1957 [50 yrs]Currently living Ashton Vale,Bristol,United Kingdom ...
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