TV Series: Just William (1994-1995)

This is the William series of my childhood. Without it, I may have never known of Just William, so I am forever indebted to all the crew of this two season series.

This series features Oliver Rokison in one of only two roles he has played (the other is Young Wallingford in Goodbye, Mr. Chips). He made me feel like I could be one of the Outlaws and, of course, I needed to read more of these adventures! While my version of William deviated, over time, from Oliver's, I am so grateful for him leading the way.

Series 1 aired between 13 November and 18 December 1994. The episode list was:
William and the White Elephants
Finding a School for William
William and the Great Actor
William's Birthday
William and the Russian Prince
William's Busy Day

Series two, which aired between 12 November and 17 December 1995 showed:
William Clears the Slums
Boys Will Be Boys
William and the Ebony Hairbrush
William and the Old Man in the Fog
Parrots for Ethel
William Turns Over a New Leaf

 

21.4 Portrait of William

Quote from the story
""It's jolly decent of you," he said for the thousandth time"
- William

This story begins with Jumble running out into the road to chase a rat he's spotted on the far bank. He gets hit by a car, however the woman driver, who we later discover is Miss Bryce, far from displaying the indignation of other drivers, takes them immediately to the vets. She acts lovingly towards Jumble and pays the bill. Before she can take them home, she needs to her home in Hadley, telling William and Jumble to stay in the car and she'll be as quick as she can.

Almost as soon as she is in the front door, a man, Mr Faversham appears from the side door. Commanding William to follow him, he then proceeds to draw him; with William responding "I say, I don't want to be drawn". The feeling between the two is mutual.
When the girl returns to the artist exclaiming that she can't find the boy, the artist replies that he is here. However, it becomes clear that another boy, named Freddie, was supposed to be having his portrait drawn for an aged aunt in America. The artist is at first annoyed that he has wasted his time, but friendly relations are formed when William simply says "It's jolly well been wastin' my time as much as yours".  As the aunt has never, and likely will never, see Freddie, the artist wants to send his William sketch and not waste any additional time on this job.
Miss Bryce is Freddie's mother's help and is likely to gain the wrath of said mother is the sketch isn't done by the time she returns.

We re-join the story several months later, with the Outlaws in the woods near Marleigh. They are discussing Sir Gerald Markham's new groundskeeper for Marleigh Manor, a Muggeridge. The Outlaws have of necessity become enemies with "Chief Mugface" due to their incessant fires, tree climbing, and general running wild through the woods. Recently, Victor Jameson had been caught in place of the Outlaws and Sir Markham had written home to his parents - the letter delivered in one hand by Mr Muggeridge, while still holding Victor's ear in the other.

Of course, William, as Chief Hawkeye feels that Chief Mugface wouldn't try such a thing with them! Which gives them confidence, until they hear Mr Muggeridge make his way towards them, making the leap to their feet and scamper. Unfortunately, William has tripped on a tree root and become ensnared in Mr Mudderidge's grasp. William tries to convince him that he's from Scotland Yard, here to trap a few trespassers for him, however, this quickly leads to an attempted bribe, which leads to William becoming the head of the gangsters.

Mr Muggeridge is silent until they reach Sir and Lady Markham. Sir Markham is threatening a letter to William's father when an old lady pipes up that it's Freddie. As Freddie, William is released by Muggeridge. Tea with his 'great aunt' and the Markham's follow. William tries to excuse himself, but Freddie's great aunt insists on taking him home. William agrees as he doesn't want Miss Bryce to get in trouble. He then says that he's staying with William Brown's family, but his great aunt want to speak to Mrs Brown about him staying with her instead.

While Mrs Shoreham goes to speak to Mrs Brown, William hides in his room. There is a great confusion and Mrs Brown seeks William out, who says that he just looks like Freddie and is often confused with being him. Just then newly married Mr and Mrs Faversham pop by to see William as it was the portrait that started off their relationship. William points to Mr Faversham saying that he can explain everything, taking the former Miss Bryce to see Jumble.

Characters	Places
William	Freddie's home
Jumble	Marleigh Woods
Miss Bryce (then Mr Faversham)	Marleigh Manor
Mr Faversham
Mr Muggeridge
Sir Gerald   Markham
Lady Markham	Gangs
Mrs Shoreham (Freddie's great aunt)	Indians (William as Chief Hawk   Eye, Mr Muggeridge as Chief Mugface)
Mrs Brown

Jimmy Story Review: 1.3 The Mousse

Jimmy and Roger have been invited to the birthday party of the girl next door, Sally. Jimmy is excited and has bought Sally a present, Roger does not want to go: "A soppy girl's party".

Sally is 9, an age inbetween Jimmy's 7 years and Roger's 11 years. This makes her view Jimmy as a baby (which he can't bear) and Roger as a hero.

Jimmy had purchased the gift of a paint box for Sally, which he'd saved up for. This goes down like a lead balloon as she unforms him that she has three now, which were given to her during the intervening period. Jimmy is saddened and wonders how to make it up to her.

Miss Manning asks Jimmy to read the note from Sally's mother as she's forgotten what time to arrive at the party. Along with the time is a list of things to bring, including mousse - which Jimmy mis-reads as mouse.

After looking long and hard for a mouse, including the blitzed house, Jimmy actually comes across a woman carrying a mouse in a humane trap. She, apparently, catches them at her home, walks a way, and lets them go.  She is more than happy for Jimmy to take the mouse, trap and all.

Upon reaching the party, evidently expecting everyone's excitement at his new present, Jimmy opens the trap. People run away and towards the mouse in a frenzy, the ultimate consequence that Jimmy is left pariahed from the event.

However, Roger comes up and congratulates Jimmy on such devilry, saying that he's always wanted to do that. Although, when Sally comes to ask Roger to dance, he "sheepishly, self-consciously" agrees, but avoids Jimmy's eyes as he does do.

Jimmy is in the happy position of having the plentiful leftovers at his command - an opportunity that he's planning to make the most of!

As for Roger, I guess girls aren't just soppy creatures after all!

Characters:

Jimmy
Roger
Mrs Manning
Sally
Sally's Mother

MIST Story Review: The House behind the Wood

The House behind the Wood is the sixth story from the compilation called MIST and other stories by Richmal Crompton.

Synopsis

Having run out of petrol, a good six miles from the nearest settlement, Monica, husband Frank, and their friend Harold are trying to see if there are any houses close by.
Harold sees a light in a window just behind the woods. All three trundle along a very muddy path tightly enclosed by trees and undergrowth. Having arrived at the cottage, no light can immediately be found, however through a bush they see the lighted window.
The door is eventually answered by a little wizened man, who reluctantly lets them stay the night. Having been showed to a room that they may share, Harold suddenly sees Monica in a new light. This woman that he has known his whole life is now exquisite to him. The caretaker then joins Harold and Frank in getting a few provisions from the car, they take the shortest route along the very muddy path.
Upon their return, it becomes obvious to Harold that Monica now returns his unspoken feelings. It becomes obvious to the caretaker too, who sets Harold up in another room.
In the middle of the night, the caretaker wakes Harold to say "She's in the garden waiting for you, sir.". Harold immediately rushes to meet his love and they run into the woods together, heading for the car. Just minutes later a furious Frank chases them with a stick with a mind to attack Harold, who has waited all evening for an excuse to strangle Frank's "thick red neck". A cackle from the house and a low moan from the road breaks the spell.

Monica has fainted, half in and half out of the car. Frank convinces himself they were all having nightmares and apologies profusely - to which Harold readily agrees. Dawn approaches and a cyclist takes and SOS to the nearest garage for petrol. They then head for the nearest pub before intending to return to collect their things and tip the caretaker of the 'unhealthy' house.
While Monica and Frank go upstairs, Harold hears the tale of this cottage from a maid that used to work there, who now works at the pub. She tells that Mr and Mrs Trammet lived in the house, but Mrs Trammet fell in love with Mr Trammet's cousin, Mr Moxton. The butler would send message between the two, but didn't like Mr Moxton.
When it came time to elope, the butler woke Mr Moxton to let him know that Mrs Trammet was waiting for him in the garden. However, he then told Mr Trammet what was occurring. The reason he told Mr Trammet are unknown, perhaps he didn't like Mr Moxton.
Mr Moxton strangled Mr Trammet to death, but not before receiving such a smash on the head that Mr Moxton died before trial. Mrs Trammet died within the year. The butler became the caretaker, but also died the previous year, of a kind of fit.
The barmaid tells Harold that the night before was the fifth anniversary of this terrible tragedy.

Monica and Frank return, with Monica avoiding Harold's eyes. Harold and Frank go to collect their things and cannot find anyone in the house. When they look at the muddy path, in an attempt to find the caretaker; the caretaker's footprints cannot be seen. 

 

Review
Richmal Crompton has a knack for taking the place we are supposed to feel safest: our home, and turning it against us with various nightmarish scenarios. The House Behind the Wood is no different.
Harold, who has known Monica his whole life and sees nothing in her, is suddenly besotted with her upon entry into this cursed abode. Frank is oblivious, however the all-seeing caretaker is not. While making Harold sleep in another room, he then tells Harold that "She's in the garden waiting for you" (interestingly not mentioning Monica by name, so likely the original words of that fateful night). As the evening progresses, you can really feel Harold's love for Monica being matched by his newfound hatred and eagerness to get rid of Frank.
Fortunately, for our cast of characters, all is well in the end - perhaps even better as Frank and Monica appear more in love than ever.
Perhaps, quite a soft ending to a story that was being set up for a vicious ending. Being told of previous events rather than living them always softens the blow and takes the emergency and vividity out of them.

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below:

Jimmy Story Review: 1.2 Miss Pettigrew's Parrot

After a week of terrible incidents, Roger is banned from the family outing to the circus by this father. The straw to break the camels back was Roger kicking his ball through Miss Pettigrew's open window and knocking over he parrot's cage; leading to the escape of the parrot.

Jimmy is terribly worried by this and comes up with a plan to exchange the lost parrot with his tortoise (painted parrot colours) and one of Bobby's kittens (which will miaow like the parrot could).

By the time they have delivered the gifts to Miss Pettigrew's empty house, Mr Manning has called his wife with a change of heart: Roger can come along after all. However, first words must be had with Roger.

Jimmy seems concerned now, about the gifts he has left - a tortoise dripping with paint and a cat hidden in Miss Pettigrew's work basket. This increases when he overhears two women conversing about Miss Pettigrew's work basket being destroyed by a cat and her carpet stained by paint. It appears that she may be on the war path. While this worries Jimmy, they are at the circus, the whole family, and tomorrow is such a long way away!

Characters:

Mrs Manning
Mr Manning
Roger
Jimmy
Bobby

21.3 William's Day Off

Quote from the story
""You can't have any fun with a cow. I've tried"
- William

Ginger begins this adventure by telling William that "some sort of soci'ty" is paying from children from the slums are going to stay with Mrs. Camp at Eastbrook Farm. They've never seen cows or woods, or anything like that. Miss Milton's sister will have the slum children to tea on the first day, William things that the children will be better off in the slums. William, of course, votes that they take the children around the woods and cows.
The Outlaws are distracted by the news that Hubert Lane is selling piebald mice, given to him by an aunt but unwanted, for a shilling each. The outlaws actually have a shilling and head towards Hubert's house, the feud set aside for the present. However, their mission is rudely brought to an end when Hubert refuses to sell the one at any price. Mrs Lane suddenly appears before William can challenge Hubert's decision. Heading back down the road, the Outlaws hear Hubert shouting that he'd rather give the mice away than sell them one.
Conversation turns to making Hubert sell them a piebald mouse. Various schemes are shot down because it is now of all importance that Hubert not only sells the Outlaws a mouse, but is also seen to be selling them one.

The next day, the Outlaws go to Eastbrook Farm and take Bert and Syd out to visit various places. Of course, relations are cemented with the typical rough and tumble game that shows all parties that everyone is a good sport. The old barn then being the next location on the countryside tour, starting a fire and cooking a meal for their guests - of course including liquorice water.

Bert and Syd tell the Outlaws of the street gang they're members of back home. Their stories impress even the Outlaws. William then suggests a game of smugglers at the caves at Marleigh, but Bert and Syd remember they are due at Miss Milton's house. As William is known to do, he suggests that he takes the place of Bert and ( as Miss Milton's sister has seen all the other Outlaws) that Syd has a cold. Ginger, Henry, and Douglas are, typically, less than confident in William's abilities, but he ignores all objections and suggests that they all meet at the old barn so William can change clothes with Bert.

After making some changes and disguising himself, William manages to get past Miss Milton (the sister of regular Miss Milton) without a fuss - even managing to make her believe that slum kids don't know what grass is! Miss Milton treats William to a very poor tea of a single serving. Miss Milton sends for a local, well-behaved boy, to come and keep 'Bert' company - a certain Hubert Lane. William tries to make his escape, but cannot. However, William's disguise is so effective that Hubert doesn't actually recognise him as William! Although he does have his suspicions. Hubert tries to trick 'Bert' into breaking the tool shed window at William's house. However, William, when out of sight, slips into his house and changes into his usual attire and questions Hubert, who says the boy ran away from him - along with a multitude of other fabrications.

Hubert is now anxious that Bert has disappeared. William suggests that he may have fallen into the rain tub and drowned, scaring Hubert in the process, before finding that Bert isn't there! William then turns the situation to his advantage and requests one of those piebald mice from the beginning of the story. Hubert relents.

With his new piebald mouse in hand, Herbert helps William disguise himself as Bert. William, as Bert, and Hubert return to Miss Milton's house and hear her inviting someone and their little boy to meet the slum child - who she says looks better already after being out in the open air. This someone turns out to by Mrs. Brown.

While Hurbert and Miss Milton persist that the boy is Bert, Mrs Brown knows her son - and is validated when the real Bert shows up from his adventures in Marleigh (sent to give back the suit he was wearing).

While everyone talks over each other in an attempt to understand the situation, William knows just one thing; he has won this one - he has a piebald mouse.

Characters	Events
Ginger	Visit from slum children.
William
Henry	Places
Douglas	Hubert Lane's House
Hubert Lane	Miss Milton's House
Mrs Lane	Old Barn
Bert	William's House
Syd
Miss Milton   (sister)
Mrs Brown

MIST Story Review: Marlowes by Richmal Crompton

Marlowes is a short story published in MIST and other stories, recently republished as MIST and Other Ghost Stories.

Synopsis

This is a sweet story about the Armour family and their deep love for their house, Marlowes. We are beig told the story second hand, our narrator having been told the story by an American lady, staying at a hotel while repairs are made to Marlowes.
The American lady, and her husband Bill, had moved to England upon Bills' retirement and almost immediately found a Tudor manor house in Sussex. They also discovered that the house did not like them and seemed to view them as interlopers.
The local gossip, a Mrs Jones, is eventually coerced into revealing the history of the previous owners, the Armours. Eventually the last male, Gilbert, dies at a young age after being brought up by his aunt, Mrs Flowers (his parents had died when he was young). They had both cherished the house very much and put all of their time into it. However, after Gilbert died, Mrs Flowers could not afford the upkeep of the house and some distant relatives ordered doctors notes to have her set up in the local mental home.
After standing empty for an age, the house is then sold to our American couple, who are aware that Mrs Flowers has escaped once in the past and ended up at the front door of Marlowes. If is, therefore, no surprise, when she does so again and sees Bill as her Gilbert. Bill plays along, not willing to send her back to that place, even when questioned by a police officer.
The day is filled with Mrs Flowers recollections of Gilbert and of her own childhood; Bill filling the place of Gilbert, or her brother, depending on the story. As the day is coming to a close, she wants to sit in her favourite spot in the garden. Bill brings her blankets and cushions, before the couple leave her to rest a while. Upon their return, Bill notices that she is dead.
These days the gossip is aimed at them, but they don't mind, in that short time they had come to love Mrs Flowers - and the house now welcomed and loved them.

 

Review

This was such a sweet story. Everyone should have the choice of when and where to die, when possible. Mrs Flowers, in such a confused state since she has been forced to leave Marlowes, now recollects the childhood of the nephew she brought up on her own after his parents had died and her own childhood - which were clear as crystal. The feeling of welcome that the house gives Bill and his wife after their kindness towards Mrs Flowers must have been a massive relief. To be able to live in your own home, within that the fours walls that are supposed to bring you safety, without a sensation that they hate you instead made such a difference to the couple that they rarely leave the house.
 

 

To read the story, and the rest of the book, buy it from Amazon by clicking the cover below: