OLIVER HARDY HAS A BAD BREAK...

In my local neighbourhood shopping precinct was once an

establishment by the name of STANLEY'S STORES.  At the

time of this trivial, self-indulgent reminiscence, it wasn't my local

neighbourhood, but the one next to it.  It had once been the area

in which I lived, but we'd moved in 1965 and weren't to return

'til '72, 'though that's neither here nor there, I suppose.

In this shop, tacked to the wall was a sign - the one you

see above, in fact.  I recognized the LAUREL & HARDY

figures as being in the style of the LARRY HARMON cartoon

programme of the famous comedy duo, which was then on TV.

It seemed likely that the sign's artist had copied them from the

strip in TV COMIC, or the cover of the 45 rpm single of the

theme tune (which I also had at the time).

Anyway, having paid particular attention to the sign on

numerous occasions, I one day ventured to enquire whether I

might have it.  Much to my surprise, I was informed that I could,

and that's how it came to be in my possession.  I've owned it, at

a guess, since around 1971 (perhaps even late '70 or early '72)

and because the shop is long, long-gone, it's a nice little re-

minder of a place I used to love going in to.

I bought my WADE porcelain YOGI BEAR (which I

still have) from the same shop, perhaps even on the exact

same day, so that's two items which conjure up images of a

long vanished era on which I look back with fondness.  Have

you got anything similar that you cherish?  Then tell your

fellow Criv-ites all about it, why dontcha?  Go on!

Posted in: Cartoons