RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31047, 30 April 1966, Page 44

RANDOM REMINDER

DRESSED TO KILL

The loss of “Laramie” from Christchurch television screens has been regretted in particular depth by a young man who lives somewhere near St. Andrew’s College. It was his custom to disappear some fifteen minutes before the scheduled hour for “Laramie” and to make a dramatic entrance, just before it started, dressed as a slightly over-armed cowboy—two guns in the holster, a rifle to put across the knees, cowboy hat and leggings, water bottle, and occasionally, to show his impartiality, a bow and arrows. Knives were not permitted.

This instance of dressing for the performance has something to commend it: it must surely help provide a proper mood for the full enjoyment of the piece, just as moonlight and soft background music are rather more fitting for a proposal of marriage than a cacophany from pneumatic drills. Why not try it for yourselves? There’s really nothing to it. After all, most of us look as if we have been In the Garden even if we haven’t. The children would enjoy being Sir Lancelots, and an impartial survey would no doubt disclose that a high percentage of viewers bear a distressingly close resemblance to the principle

characters in Coronation Street. There must be a few old ball gowns about for Barchester Towers and the Beverley Hillbillies are simple stuff. Father in a pith helmet for the Kipling stories is a diverting sort of thought, but it might not be too simple to persuade the family foxy that he is doubling for Rin Tin Tin. And it is not really easy to see Mum as Mrs Peel, even if she has been able to borrow some leather motorbike leggings, and jacket. Don’t be put off by the need for frequent changes during an evening’s viewing. It’s a good way of getting through the advertisements.