There
has been some discussion on research for writers lately and I agree,
it is important to check your facts when mentioning historical
events. If I am writing a story set in the past I like to mention TV
programmes of the time, politicians who were in the news, pop bands
and sporting events etc. I think it helps to set the scene. My
biggest problem, however, is getting sidetracked by interesting
pieces of information while I'm supposed to be checking dates and
places. As a result I have accumulated quite a bit of trivia
knowledge which I'd like to share with you.
If
you have any spare time (and who hasn't at the moment?) please feel
free to add your own.
Here
are just a few examples:
The
1950s Robin Hood television series starring Richard Greene was
created by US scriptwriters who could not write for American
programmes due to them being blacklisted because of their left-wing
views.
Although
The Saint TV programme starring Roger Moore was set in the 1960s, the
character was created by author Leslie Charteris in 1928. If you are
watching the re-runs on Freeview you might notice that not only does
Charteris get recognition as a scriptwriter he is also given credit
for the theme tune. Charteris set up residence in the USA but was not
allowed citizenship because his father was Chinese.
When
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made the first of his three visits
to meet with Hitler in Germany in September 1938 this was the first
time he had flown.
Hero
of the 1966 Word Cup Final, Geoff Hurst, had also played professional
cricket. He played one game for Essex in 1962. He scored no runs, did
not bowl but took one catch.
I
look forward to whiling away an hour or two reading your
contributions.