Quote: sootyj @ March 31 2009, 10:48 AM BSTYou can now buy Tintin in the Congo and Tintin amongst the Soviets, seems everythings ironic these days.
Nothing wrong with Tintin in land of the Soviets. I've got it and it is a propaganda book, but lets be honest it was against an evil regime. Terrific art-work in the book. Not read Tintin in the Congo, but it is next on my Tintin list (I am a big collector of the comic book series). I've just not got the balls to buy it.
Quote: Jack Massey @ April 1 2009, 7:19 PM BSTNot read Tintin in the Congo, but it is next on my Tintin list (I am a big collector of the comic book series). I've just not got the balls to buy it.
Afraid of getting blackballed?
Quote: Jack Massey @ April 1 2009, 7:19 PM BSTNothing wrong with Tintin in land of the Soviets. I've got it and it is a propaganda book, but lets be honest it was against an evil regime. Terrific art-work in the book. Not read Tintin in the Congo, but it is next on my Tintin list (I am a big collector of the comic book series). I've just not got the balls to buy it.
Loads on eBay Jack - all with warnings that you may be offended by the colonial attitudes depicted in the book, but really the warning is the selling point -
Quote: Danny K @ April 1 2009, 8:56 PM BST
Why is Don Estelle being escorted around by the children of Papa Lazarou?
I've been to the Tintin shop!
I bought a t-shirt. It shrunk in the wash. 
Like the hopes and dreams of the Nazi's.
Quote: Danny K @ April 1 2009, 8:56 PM BSTLook at the expresion on the pall bearer at the back compared to the two at the front.
Forgive my pedantry, but they're not carrying Tintin off to his funeral/burial! He's in a sedan chair being transported by bearers (or carriers).
Jack Massey, you should also get hold of the 1931 facsimile of the first edition as it (like Soviets) shows how Herge was still developing his style and has the school lesson bit about "your country Belgium" (removed from later editions).
As a child, I never took much notice of the unflattering depictions of the Congolese in Tintin in the Congo, but rather I was fascinated by the scenes of Tintin's brutal hunting of big game. Here he dispatches a rhino by drilling a hole in its back and filling it with dynamite.
Lest anyone start bewailing this extreme lack of respect for animals, remember that it was only Herge's second book and he was still quite naive (and it was 1931). Within just two years, in Cigars of the Pharaoh, Tintin went off to live with some elephants and learned their language.
EDIT: Tintin fans should get hold of a documentary film called Tintin et Moi - all about the life of Herge. The Australian release of the DVD Tintin and I has been crammed full of extras, including a booklet, postcards, an additional documentary and more. Whereas the UK release consists only of the original documentary with no extras.
Quote: Danny K @ March 31 2009, 12:39 AM BSTThe book is simply called: Enid Blyton a Biography by Barbara Stoney.
That's THE biography to get. (Only reprinted in paperback these days though, but that's okay.)
Finally received my copy this week and just read it. Fascinating and illuminating. Thanks for the recommendation.
I think some aspects of Enid Blyton's "Famous Five" books look rather right-on now. The kids all ride bikes everywhere, thus helping to save the planet whilst they unravel the mysteries of the spooky island (or whatever). And George is clearly a lesbian, so despite Ms Blytons' rabid racism, at least she wasn't a homophobe!
(David Jason should apologise purely on the basis of being indirectly responsible for where this thread has ended-up...)
What was all that about? Sounded like a load of hype over nowt to me.
He said a very unfunny un-racist joke and has been wrongfully judged over it.
Quote: Pilot @ March 27 2009, 3:35 AM GMTHe should apologise for telling such a crap joke.
Agree...this pun is way better, and not in the slightest racist (from OFAH; "Yuppie Love"): " I bet this gaff has a guest suite, swimming pool, a jacuzzi.....what have we got????.......a put you up, a damp patch and a jakhazi"
Quote: Jenny17 @ June 21 2009, 8:34 PM BSTWhat was all that about? Sounded like a load of hype over nowt to me.
Let's remember him for his best roles and not for the shite he tells in interviews.
