The original School for Snobs was a serial that followed how two snobby sisters reformed. This allowed for character development, and I reckon this made it the best story in the School for Snobs series. Sequels followed the episodic snob of the week format.Marionette wrote:I don't know if School for Snobs eventually became a "snob of the week" format, but the sequel series I've seen so far take several episodes to "cure" the snobs. And they invariably follow the format of "nasty girl attempts to put one over on the headmistress and fails repeatedly until the final page of the story when she has a change of heart and is completely cured".
The same plot is used for "Skivers' School" except the girls are lazy, rather than snobby. They even have the same artist. Later episodes of "School for Snobs" have a superior artist who makes an effort to draw in the same style, but the line quality and attention to detail are far superior.
I find it dull, repetitive, and entirely superficial.
If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls comics
Moderator: AndyB
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
There are some serials, Tammyfan, that don't seem to have any redeeming features, and in my opinion School For Snobs is one of them. I've read the pages that you posted, and I find them really depressing. Probably the most disturbing panel is the one where a girl is getting a spanking. Such violence is gratuitous, and in any case I am far from being convinced that snobs can be 'cured' by any methods, let alone the embarrassment ones, as their background and upbringing are too strong to allow themselves to be altered so significantly. This school's programme seems focused more or less on embarrassing and ill-treating these snobs. If it were consistently funny like say Skinflint School I would allow some leeway, but it isn't. It takes itself far too seriously, and loses credibility as a result.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
I hadn't thought of this one before, probably because it didn't grab me all that much when it first appeared in Tammy (it was Thursday's Child that held my interest back then). But in recent years I have come to appreciate how far ahead of its time it was in anticipating parental abduction, international custody disputes, and girls being sold into forced (and abusive) marriages. It came out years before Sold and Not Without My Daughter made such things all too familiar.
Title: Mouse
Publication: Tammy 13/01/1979-?
Reprint: Tammy Holiday Special
Artist: Maria Dembilio
Writer: Unknown
Plot: Mary Malloway is nicknamed "Mouse", and not just because she wears a mouse pendant. She is an extremely shy girl as a result of her upbringing with her solo mother, who has taught her to beware of strangers. Mary's life is constantly disrupted because her mother changes locations so much, and always goes for shabby backstreet flats (saying they cannot afford decent accommodation). She is stringent with security, having them lock themselves into their bedrooms at night. Mary feels as if they are in hiding and suspects Mum has a deeper motive for her actions.
At Mary's latest school, Sukie is determined to bring Mary out of her shell, and persuades her to enter a fancy dress competition. When Mary finds a peasant girl's dress in her mother's wardrobe, she enters the competition in it. Sukie is placed first, Mary second, and a reporter takes their photograph (and one thing Mrs Malloway never allows Mary to do is to have her photograph taken).
In a London hotel, two brothers, Innocente and Salvatore, see the photograph. Salvatore recognises Mary as his daughter from the mouse pendant he gave her at her christening. He says they can now take her back to Sicily as La Mamma intended.
Meanwhile, Mary finds out that the peasant costume is actually her mother's wedding dress. Mum explains that she married Salvatore Malvia on a holiday in Sicily, in defiance of her parents (who disowned her) and Salvatore's mother, La Mamma. As a result, La Mamma did not make Mum welcome in her home, the Casa Malvia. This forced Mum to run away with Mary as soon as she was born. But ever since, Mum had lived in terror that the Malvias would come and snatch Mary away from her. Hence the upbringing Mary has had. So Mary had been right about them living in hiding - in hiding from the Malvias. But that photograph had been the one slip that enabled the Malvias to find Mary. Soon after, Mum's worst fears come true when Salvatore and Innocente abduct Mary and drag her off to Sicily.
At the Casa Malvia, Mary discovers that La Mamma only wants her for one thing - to marry her off to Rico Cefalu in exchange for a vineyard from his family. La Mamma is a domineering matriarch who rules the Malvia household with an iron fist. She keeps her entire family under her thumb, treats them like servants, and expects them to obey her without question. (She did not take to Mum because Salvatore had dared to disobey her by entering the marriage.) Indeed, Salvatore and Innocente are terrified of her although they are now grown men. The Malvia family themselves rule Sicily with an iron hand and are all-powerful.
Mary is desperate to find a way to escape before the betrothal ceremony (she is not old enough for the marriage itself). She finds some stalling tactics, and also takes solace in a mouse she has befriended. But she can find no real way out of the iron grasp that La Mamma keeps over everyone. However, she does make it clear to her father that she is not happy about her forced betrothal to Rico.
Back in England, Mum has realised what happened. But the police say they cannot do much because it is the Sicilian court system that will apply, and they are known to be sympathetic to fathers. Mum knows it is up to her, but she does not have the wherewithal.
Then, Mary's father teaches her to row during a fishing expedition. He also shows her Santa Agata where he married Mum. Mary is surprised as she realises that he will surely guess that she will use her knowledge about rowing to steal a boat and get to Santa Agata. She concludes that her father is secretly helping her to escape.
But then the betrothal ceremony comes. Mary is particularly annoyed that she has not even met Rico Cefalu. When she steals a glimpse of an approaching boy who may be Rico (this is never clarified), she becomes even more desperate to escape - he looks a cruel, bullying boy who would make an abusive husband. Mary takes a boat and tries to row to Santa Agata. But as her father predicted, the currents are too strong and force her back. She nearly drowns and he rescues her.
However, Mary was right about Salvatore wanting to help her. For the second time in his life (the first was marrying Mum) he defies La Mamma; he found the courage after realising how unhappy Mary was. In so doing, he will be leaving La Mamma and the Casa Malvia forever, for there is no going back. "Innocente can take over there as La Mamma's heir - as La Mamma's walking, talking puppet!" He takes Mary to Santa Agata so she can telephone the British consul. When they arrive at Santa Agata, Mary asks to see the church where Salvatore married Mum. But when they arrive at the church, they are surprised to see Mum there too! Sukie's father loaned her the money to fly to Sicily after Mary. Salvatore insists on repaying the loan himself as he feels guilty about kidnapping Mary. Mum, Salvatore and Mary are now one family and go for their first-ever meal together.
Title: Mouse
Publication: Tammy 13/01/1979-?
Reprint: Tammy Holiday Special
Artist: Maria Dembilio
Writer: Unknown
Plot: Mary Malloway is nicknamed "Mouse", and not just because she wears a mouse pendant. She is an extremely shy girl as a result of her upbringing with her solo mother, who has taught her to beware of strangers. Mary's life is constantly disrupted because her mother changes locations so much, and always goes for shabby backstreet flats (saying they cannot afford decent accommodation). She is stringent with security, having them lock themselves into their bedrooms at night. Mary feels as if they are in hiding and suspects Mum has a deeper motive for her actions.
At Mary's latest school, Sukie is determined to bring Mary out of her shell, and persuades her to enter a fancy dress competition. When Mary finds a peasant girl's dress in her mother's wardrobe, she enters the competition in it. Sukie is placed first, Mary second, and a reporter takes their photograph (and one thing Mrs Malloway never allows Mary to do is to have her photograph taken).
In a London hotel, two brothers, Innocente and Salvatore, see the photograph. Salvatore recognises Mary as his daughter from the mouse pendant he gave her at her christening. He says they can now take her back to Sicily as La Mamma intended.
Meanwhile, Mary finds out that the peasant costume is actually her mother's wedding dress. Mum explains that she married Salvatore Malvia on a holiday in Sicily, in defiance of her parents (who disowned her) and Salvatore's mother, La Mamma. As a result, La Mamma did not make Mum welcome in her home, the Casa Malvia. This forced Mum to run away with Mary as soon as she was born. But ever since, Mum had lived in terror that the Malvias would come and snatch Mary away from her. Hence the upbringing Mary has had. So Mary had been right about them living in hiding - in hiding from the Malvias. But that photograph had been the one slip that enabled the Malvias to find Mary. Soon after, Mum's worst fears come true when Salvatore and Innocente abduct Mary and drag her off to Sicily.
At the Casa Malvia, Mary discovers that La Mamma only wants her for one thing - to marry her off to Rico Cefalu in exchange for a vineyard from his family. La Mamma is a domineering matriarch who rules the Malvia household with an iron fist. She keeps her entire family under her thumb, treats them like servants, and expects them to obey her without question. (She did not take to Mum because Salvatore had dared to disobey her by entering the marriage.) Indeed, Salvatore and Innocente are terrified of her although they are now grown men. The Malvia family themselves rule Sicily with an iron hand and are all-powerful.
Mary is desperate to find a way to escape before the betrothal ceremony (she is not old enough for the marriage itself). She finds some stalling tactics, and also takes solace in a mouse she has befriended. But she can find no real way out of the iron grasp that La Mamma keeps over everyone. However, she does make it clear to her father that she is not happy about her forced betrothal to Rico.
Back in England, Mum has realised what happened. But the police say they cannot do much because it is the Sicilian court system that will apply, and they are known to be sympathetic to fathers. Mum knows it is up to her, but she does not have the wherewithal.
Then, Mary's father teaches her to row during a fishing expedition. He also shows her Santa Agata where he married Mum. Mary is surprised as she realises that he will surely guess that she will use her knowledge about rowing to steal a boat and get to Santa Agata. She concludes that her father is secretly helping her to escape.
But then the betrothal ceremony comes. Mary is particularly annoyed that she has not even met Rico Cefalu. When she steals a glimpse of an approaching boy who may be Rico (this is never clarified), she becomes even more desperate to escape - he looks a cruel, bullying boy who would make an abusive husband. Mary takes a boat and tries to row to Santa Agata. But as her father predicted, the currents are too strong and force her back. She nearly drowns and he rescues her.
However, Mary was right about Salvatore wanting to help her. For the second time in his life (the first was marrying Mum) he defies La Mamma; he found the courage after realising how unhappy Mary was. In so doing, he will be leaving La Mamma and the Casa Malvia forever, for there is no going back. "Innocente can take over there as La Mamma's heir - as La Mamma's walking, talking puppet!" He takes Mary to Santa Agata so she can telephone the British consul. When they arrive at Santa Agata, Mary asks to see the church where Salvatore married Mum. But when they arrive at the church, they are surprised to see Mum there too! Sukie's father loaned her the money to fly to Sicily after Mary. Salvatore insists on repaying the loan himself as he feels guilty about kidnapping Mary. Mum, Salvatore and Mary are now one family and go for their first-ever meal together.
Last edited by Tammyfan on 19 Nov 2013, 03:06, edited 1 time in total.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
Thanks for showing The Fairground of Fear and Mouse Tammyfan. As I haven't seen many of the later editions of Tammy both Diane Gabbot and Maria Dembilio are new to me but it's really good to see IPC using more female artists on their girls' comics - especially when they were capable of producing such accomplished work.
Here's a brief outline of another nominated series:
Title: Mary Jo
Publication: Princess 1963 - 1967
Artist: Tom Kerr
Writer: Unknown
Mary Jo Minter became a fixture in Princess from late 1963 until that comic's transformation into Princess Tina in September 1967. Originally billed as 'the girl with the heart of gold' the American Mary Jo started out as a clear imitation of Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna - constantly melting the hard hearts of her hill-billy neighbours with an unsinkably optimistic attitude to life.
The direction of the series changed abruptly when a family crisis meant that the heroine was suddenly relocated to New York under the care of her cruel but rich Uncle Silas. Here at last was a heart so flinty that it was proof against even Mary Jo's rose-tinted philosophy, as a result of which she ran away from her new home on a desperate trek across America in search of a long-lost Californian aunt who now represented her only hope of happiness. During the course of this journey she encountered a procession of colourful characters - all the while having to avoid a private detective hired by her uncle.
Fortunately Aunt Polly turned out to be everything Mary Jo had hoped, welcoming the footsore vagabond with open arms and launching her onto a brand new series of adventures as they travelled the world together, mixing with outlaws and princesses alike (not to mention yet another hairstyle!). What's more, Aunt Polly even managed to rescue Ma and Pa Minter from the troubles that had put them at the mercy of Uncle Silas.
Freed from having to worry about her parents Mary Jo threw herself into the role of international adventurer with renewed enthusiasm - accompanying her resourceful aunt on one thrilling quest after another, as self-contained human interest stories gave way to longer serials. Here, for example, she is forced to crawl through terrifyingly claustrophobic tunnels and fight sinister arabs in the archeological ruins of a lost city:
The artist through all of this was the dependable Tom Kerr - better known as an occasional stand-in on some of Fleetway's major boys' strips such as Kelly's Eye and the Steel Claw. Though he might have appreciated being given a series of his own, however, the pressure of scripts that seemed to call for a million panels every week eventually took their toll so that some of his later episodes look increasingly rushed. Finally, a new artist was assigned (taking several decades off Aunt Polly in the process!), but this wasn't enough to save the strip when Princess was swallowed up by its more modern stable-mate Tina.
On the whole Mary Jo was a significant series with a lot to recommend it. Whether it really qualifies for the Top 100, however, I'm not so sure...
- Phil Rushton
Here's a brief outline of another nominated series:
Title: Mary Jo
Publication: Princess 1963 - 1967
Artist: Tom Kerr
Writer: Unknown
Mary Jo Minter became a fixture in Princess from late 1963 until that comic's transformation into Princess Tina in September 1967. Originally billed as 'the girl with the heart of gold' the American Mary Jo started out as a clear imitation of Eleanor H. Porter's Pollyanna - constantly melting the hard hearts of her hill-billy neighbours with an unsinkably optimistic attitude to life.
The direction of the series changed abruptly when a family crisis meant that the heroine was suddenly relocated to New York under the care of her cruel but rich Uncle Silas. Here at last was a heart so flinty that it was proof against even Mary Jo's rose-tinted philosophy, as a result of which she ran away from her new home on a desperate trek across America in search of a long-lost Californian aunt who now represented her only hope of happiness. During the course of this journey she encountered a procession of colourful characters - all the while having to avoid a private detective hired by her uncle.
Fortunately Aunt Polly turned out to be everything Mary Jo had hoped, welcoming the footsore vagabond with open arms and launching her onto a brand new series of adventures as they travelled the world together, mixing with outlaws and princesses alike (not to mention yet another hairstyle!). What's more, Aunt Polly even managed to rescue Ma and Pa Minter from the troubles that had put them at the mercy of Uncle Silas.
Freed from having to worry about her parents Mary Jo threw herself into the role of international adventurer with renewed enthusiasm - accompanying her resourceful aunt on one thrilling quest after another, as self-contained human interest stories gave way to longer serials. Here, for example, she is forced to crawl through terrifyingly claustrophobic tunnels and fight sinister arabs in the archeological ruins of a lost city:
The artist through all of this was the dependable Tom Kerr - better known as an occasional stand-in on some of Fleetway's major boys' strips such as Kelly's Eye and the Steel Claw. Though he might have appreciated being given a series of his own, however, the pressure of scripts that seemed to call for a million panels every week eventually took their toll so that some of his later episodes look increasingly rushed. Finally, a new artist was assigned (taking several decades off Aunt Polly in the process!), but this wasn't enough to save the strip when Princess was swallowed up by its more modern stable-mate Tina.
On the whole Mary Jo was a significant series with a lot to recommend it. Whether it really qualifies for the Top 100, however, I'm not so sure...
- Phil Rushton
Last edited by philcom55 on 19 Nov 2013, 14:25, edited 1 time in total.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
Climbing Rose : a young girl, Rose, with help from her aunt cons her way into rich houses as a companion. She then proceeds to steal from the people while working her way up to high society. Though her aunt takes majority of money and Rose does show a soft side. It was reprinted in a Lucky Charm.
"Come Home Kathleen" was also reprinted in Lucky Charm and in Bunty. Its been a while since I read it. Kathleen lives with her poor family in Ireland until her aunt and cousin offer her a place in their home in England. Feeling she has to go, not to be a burden on her mother, she soon discovers that they are more interested in treating her as a servant than being a family to her. She makes several attempts to try and get home. Then the outbreak of World War II changes a lot of things and Kathleen and her cousin actually become closer. Eventually she makes it back home with her cousin.
Further to the description of Jane - Model Miss here's her first appearance from Diana #3:
"Come Home Kathleen" was also reprinted in Lucky Charm and in Bunty. Its been a while since I read it. Kathleen lives with her poor family in Ireland until her aunt and cousin offer her a place in their home in England. Feeling she has to go, not to be a burden on her mother, she soon discovers that they are more interested in treating her as a servant than being a family to her. She makes several attempts to try and get home. Then the outbreak of World War II changes a lot of things and Kathleen and her cousin actually become closer. Eventually she makes it back home with her cousin.
Further to the description of Jane - Model Miss here's her first appearance from Diana #3:
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
I like the Climbing Rose one. I don't think I've ever seen a serial with a con artist as the protagonist before. Makes a change from protagonists who start out snobby, selfish, spoiled or unpleasant.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
Oh, I forgot about Skeleton Corner from Judy/M&J. The one where spooky stories are brought to you by a skeleton called Bones. Honourable mention at least, I reckon.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
I decided to drop one of my nominees, The Sad Star, but here is:
The Guardian Tree
The Guardian Tree first appeared in Mandy in 1975 as a text story. It was so popular that in 1980 it was reworked as a picture story, with art by Hugh-Thornton Jones (good ol' Tammy credits!). It was given a four-page spread instead of the usual three, which I find a bit surprising. I wonder why they did that? I have no information as to whether Mandy reprinted it (but I wouldn't have been surprised if she did). In 1995, M&J reprinted this "mega-popular story" as a Mandy classic.
As the story develops, the Guardian Tree does indeed seem to have strange powers. Rose draws on it for strength and advice, and leans against it whenever she is looking for a solution to a problem, or needs strength to carry on the fight for survival against the harshness of Victorian times. Even when the tree is not physically present it can still help, such as when hunger and desperation are threatening to drive Rose to temptation. The tree seems to cry out to Rose not to do it. In the final episode, Rose falls sick with typhoid and has no strength to fight it, having spent too much energy nursing Joe back to health from the same illness. Then Joe realises that the Guardian Tree will give Rose the strength to fight the typhoid fever, so some gipsy friends attach Rose to the tree in a hammock. Indeed the tree seems to say "Rose, be brave. We will fight this battle together. Fight, Rose - fight." Rose makes a complete recovery. A rich lady hears of the Shaws' situation and offers them a home and paid work. They leave the Guardian Tree but promise they will never forget it.
The Guardian Tree
The Guardian Tree first appeared in Mandy in 1975 as a text story. It was so popular that in 1980 it was reworked as a picture story, with art by Hugh-Thornton Jones (good ol' Tammy credits!). It was given a four-page spread instead of the usual three, which I find a bit surprising. I wonder why they did that? I have no information as to whether Mandy reprinted it (but I wouldn't have been surprised if she did). In 1995, M&J reprinted this "mega-popular story" as a Mandy classic.
As the story develops, the Guardian Tree does indeed seem to have strange powers. Rose draws on it for strength and advice, and leans against it whenever she is looking for a solution to a problem, or needs strength to carry on the fight for survival against the harshness of Victorian times. Even when the tree is not physically present it can still help, such as when hunger and desperation are threatening to drive Rose to temptation. The tree seems to cry out to Rose not to do it. In the final episode, Rose falls sick with typhoid and has no strength to fight it, having spent too much energy nursing Joe back to health from the same illness. Then Joe realises that the Guardian Tree will give Rose the strength to fight the typhoid fever, so some gipsy friends attach Rose to the tree in a hammock. Indeed the tree seems to say "Rose, be brave. We will fight this battle together. Fight, Rose - fight." Rose makes a complete recovery. A rich lady hears of the Shaws' situation and offers them a home and paid work. They leave the Guardian Tree but promise they will never forget it.
Last edited by Tammyfan on 19 Nov 2013, 10:20, edited 7 times in total.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
I was having a flick through my Mandy collection in search of The Guardian Tree and revisited another of my favourites. I'm not quite sure how this story would stand for nomination, but I thought I'd show it to you anyway as it was there. I know this story was reprinted twice, perhaps more (and I still don't know how it ended). I don't think even the Cat went through the abuse that Hattie had to endure for the sake of her sycophantic act. As well as putting up with constant thumpings and other torture such as soap being forced down her throat, Hattie sometimes has to abuse herself. For example, in one episode she deliberately burns her arm in order to help the girls who hate her. In another episode she has to turn down being adopted because it means leaving the orphanage and no longer able to help the girls. Also, Hattie sometimes adopts a disguise to help the girls. When she does, the girls think it is "The Angel Ghost".
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
The Guardian Tree : MANDY (1975)
Your statement, Tammyfan, that The Guardian Tree first appeared in Mandy in 1975 as a text story is incorrect. That happened in 1972. It was popular, as you say, but its first appearance in picture strip form was in Mandy 439 (Jun. 14 1975) - 453 (Sep. 20 1975). I haven't had time to check the 1980 version, but as your posted pages are identical to those in the 1975 strip, I don't need to. As your posted pages are the first instalment, and therefore set the scene, here is a brief synopsis of the rest.
As quietly as possible in order not to reveal their decision to the beadle Matthew Crowe, who is keen to get them all into the poorhouse, Rose moves the family and all their worldly goods into the cave dwelling under the huge tree. She takes on the role of mother with amazing maturity for a twelve-year-old, showing great sensitivity to their needs as individuals, while at the same time encouraging their skills. After all, a rabbit killed with a catapult will provide food, and fish caught in the stream can be sold, as can the fleece that she herself collects daily, to provide money for milk for baby Lucy, and ham bones and vegetables for nourishing stew for everyone else. However, children being children, the younger ones sometimes do silly or naughty things, and consequently need to be advised, and reminded about their perilous position, but Rose manages this with sensitivity. She even sees off some bullies who are tormenting her lame brother Joe. There are a few family illnesses for her to deal with during the harsh winter months, which are quite life-threatening, but the bond that is fostered by Rose's selfless concern for her younger siblings gets stronger, and when she catches typhoid fever all of them rally round. She has already realised that she might catch it because she has had to nurse Joe through it, so she gives Danny a talisman that she had been given once when helping a gipsy family with a sick baby. The words on it say that they are the adopted brothers and sisters of the Romany people. Her instructions to Danny are clear. Once she gets ill, he is to go and find any gipsies on the moor, show the talisman, and ask for their help. He manages to find some, and Reuben, the tribal leader, agrees to bring the tribe over to help. Rebecca, the wise tribal mother, has medicines, but even she thinks it will be touch and go. Then Joe suggests that they take Rose to the Guardian Tree, because throughout their time in the cave dwelling, whenever Rose has been desperate for advice, she has gone out on her own to commune with it, and in the solitude she has come up with a solution to the particular problem that she has been wrestling with. The gipsies do not find this suggestion at all absurd, and hoist her up into the tree on a kind of bed. Rose seems to hear the tree telling her that they will fight the battle together. She gets well, and meanwhile the gipsies have had an offer of a cottage for Rose and her family, with work for a fair wage. Three weeks later, when the family go off with the gipsies to their new home, Rose goes over to thank her Guardian Tree for saving her life.
In a way, this serial seems permanently on the brink of becoming overly sentimental, but it never quite does so. In fact, in my opinion, it could well be advanced without much protest.
Your statement, Tammyfan, that The Guardian Tree first appeared in Mandy in 1975 as a text story is incorrect. That happened in 1972. It was popular, as you say, but its first appearance in picture strip form was in Mandy 439 (Jun. 14 1975) - 453 (Sep. 20 1975). I haven't had time to check the 1980 version, but as your posted pages are identical to those in the 1975 strip, I don't need to. As your posted pages are the first instalment, and therefore set the scene, here is a brief synopsis of the rest.
As quietly as possible in order not to reveal their decision to the beadle Matthew Crowe, who is keen to get them all into the poorhouse, Rose moves the family and all their worldly goods into the cave dwelling under the huge tree. She takes on the role of mother with amazing maturity for a twelve-year-old, showing great sensitivity to their needs as individuals, while at the same time encouraging their skills. After all, a rabbit killed with a catapult will provide food, and fish caught in the stream can be sold, as can the fleece that she herself collects daily, to provide money for milk for baby Lucy, and ham bones and vegetables for nourishing stew for everyone else. However, children being children, the younger ones sometimes do silly or naughty things, and consequently need to be advised, and reminded about their perilous position, but Rose manages this with sensitivity. She even sees off some bullies who are tormenting her lame brother Joe. There are a few family illnesses for her to deal with during the harsh winter months, which are quite life-threatening, but the bond that is fostered by Rose's selfless concern for her younger siblings gets stronger, and when she catches typhoid fever all of them rally round. She has already realised that she might catch it because she has had to nurse Joe through it, so she gives Danny a talisman that she had been given once when helping a gipsy family with a sick baby. The words on it say that they are the adopted brothers and sisters of the Romany people. Her instructions to Danny are clear. Once she gets ill, he is to go and find any gipsies on the moor, show the talisman, and ask for their help. He manages to find some, and Reuben, the tribal leader, agrees to bring the tribe over to help. Rebecca, the wise tribal mother, has medicines, but even she thinks it will be touch and go. Then Joe suggests that they take Rose to the Guardian Tree, because throughout their time in the cave dwelling, whenever Rose has been desperate for advice, she has gone out on her own to commune with it, and in the solitude she has come up with a solution to the particular problem that she has been wrestling with. The gipsies do not find this suggestion at all absurd, and hoist her up into the tree on a kind of bed. Rose seems to hear the tree telling her that they will fight the battle together. She gets well, and meanwhile the gipsies have had an offer of a cottage for Rose and her family, with work for a fair wage. Three weeks later, when the family go off with the gipsies to their new home, Rose goes over to thank her Guardian Tree for saving her life.
In a way, this serial seems permanently on the brink of becoming overly sentimental, but it never quite does so. In fact, in my opinion, it could well be advanced without much protest.
Last edited by Phoenix on 19 Nov 2013, 13:48, edited 1 time in total.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
The Sad Star : MANDY (1974)
This thirteen-episode story is an unremittingly bleak picture of the life, if you can call it such, and tribulations of Annabel Richards during her time with Aunt Flo and Uncle Fred Barlow. She has been with the couple since she was two. They took her in when her parents died, and ever since have nagged and bullied her, and made her work like a slave for her keep. However, one day when Flo takes her two daughters, Celia and Shannon, to an audition for work as models in an advertising agency, and Annabel is forced to go along to carry the heavy suitcases, the owner Clive Miller sees exactly what he wants in Annabel, and gives her the job. This setback to Flo's money-making plans is severe, and Annie pays with more beatings. The only allowance she makes is not to belt the girl across the face because now Annie' face and sad smile are going to be providing the money, which they then spend on improvements such as new furniture, a new television, new clothes, a car, and a school cruise for Celia and Shannon. Annie gets nothing. Even Peppi, the puppy they get for her, is for blackmail purposes. If Annie doesn't do exactly as they tell her in every aspect, they will belt the puppy, and they do. However, what they don't notice is just how emaciated she is getting until she gets ill. There is even deliberate cruelty from Mr Brand's agency too. In fact, he pays her off, and tells Flo that he will be contacting other agencies to make sure she doesn't get any more work anywhere. The level of cruelty is being increased and Annabel finally cracks, breaks into the shed to get to Peppi, who doesn't seem to have been fed recently, and runs away. She is delirious and fortunately a patrolling police officer carries her to a hospital. Initially in an oxygen tent, she is in the hospital for three months. In the meantime the law comes down hard on Mr Miller and Mr Brand, who are fined heavily, and on Flo and Fred, who are sent to prison, all for abuse* of a minor. Annie gets adopted by a lovely family.
This serial is obviously not without its qualities but to me it only has one track, and moreover, the cruelty is excessive. Others may well feel differently about it so the verdict is down to you, Tammyfan. In my opinion, it doesn't have enough Top 100 attributes.
* The abuse for which both agents were fined, I must explain, was that of using Annabel for far more hours than they were entitled to, given that she was still a schoolgirl.
This thirteen-episode story is an unremittingly bleak picture of the life, if you can call it such, and tribulations of Annabel Richards during her time with Aunt Flo and Uncle Fred Barlow. She has been with the couple since she was two. They took her in when her parents died, and ever since have nagged and bullied her, and made her work like a slave for her keep. However, one day when Flo takes her two daughters, Celia and Shannon, to an audition for work as models in an advertising agency, and Annabel is forced to go along to carry the heavy suitcases, the owner Clive Miller sees exactly what he wants in Annabel, and gives her the job. This setback to Flo's money-making plans is severe, and Annie pays with more beatings. The only allowance she makes is not to belt the girl across the face because now Annie' face and sad smile are going to be providing the money, which they then spend on improvements such as new furniture, a new television, new clothes, a car, and a school cruise for Celia and Shannon. Annie gets nothing. Even Peppi, the puppy they get for her, is for blackmail purposes. If Annie doesn't do exactly as they tell her in every aspect, they will belt the puppy, and they do. However, what they don't notice is just how emaciated she is getting until she gets ill. There is even deliberate cruelty from Mr Brand's agency too. In fact, he pays her off, and tells Flo that he will be contacting other agencies to make sure she doesn't get any more work anywhere. The level of cruelty is being increased and Annabel finally cracks, breaks into the shed to get to Peppi, who doesn't seem to have been fed recently, and runs away. She is delirious and fortunately a patrolling police officer carries her to a hospital. Initially in an oxygen tent, she is in the hospital for three months. In the meantime the law comes down hard on Mr Miller and Mr Brand, who are fined heavily, and on Flo and Fred, who are sent to prison, all for abuse* of a minor. Annie gets adopted by a lovely family.
This serial is obviously not without its qualities but to me it only has one track, and moreover, the cruelty is excessive. Others may well feel differently about it so the verdict is down to you, Tammyfan. In my opinion, it doesn't have enough Top 100 attributes.
* The abuse for which both agents were fined, I must explain, was that of using Annabel for far more hours than they were entitled to, given that she was still a schoolgirl.
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Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
I started to read one of two Teddy Lester stories that was running in the Boys' Realm Sports Library, and he and his friends fought an epic battle with several bullies, who were later expelled. It then "merged" with the other serial (which appeared to abruptly stop) and suddenly there was another pair of "notorious bullies" who had not been mentioned at all until that point XDI don't know if School for Snobs eventually became a "snob of the week" format, but the sequel series I've seen so far take several episodes to "cure" the snobs. And they invariably follow the format of "nasty girl attempts to put one over on the headmistress and fails repeatedly until the final page of the story when she has a change of heart and is completely cured".
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
Phoenix: thanks for the corrections about The Guardian Tree. I had already decided to drop The Sad Star. I had considered it because Mandy said it was her most popular story in type ever. But as it was essentially a Cinderella story, I was not sure if that would be strong enough for the list (there were thousands of Cinderella stories in girls' comics after all). And after what you say, I think we will leave it off.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
Okay, after looking back over our latest discussion, it looks like these are the best contenders for the last three spots:
Jane - Model Miss
Hetty in the House of Secrets
The Guardian Tree
Climbing Rose
The Fairground of Fear
Skeleton Corner
But which three will advance and which receive an honourable mention? I think Climbing Rose and The Guardian Tree can advance (if there are no objections), but I'm not sure about the lucky last. Maybe Hetty in the House of Secrets?
Jane - Model Miss
Hetty in the House of Secrets
The Guardian Tree
Climbing Rose
The Fairground of Fear
Skeleton Corner
But which three will advance and which receive an honourable mention? I think Climbing Rose and The Guardian Tree can advance (if there are no objections), but I'm not sure about the lucky last. Maybe Hetty in the House of Secrets?
Last edited by Tammyfan on 20 Nov 2013, 20:17, edited 1 time in total.
Re: If we had a list of the 100 greatest serials in girls co
If this is any help, Tammyfan, I would leave Jane - Model Miss out, as there isn't enough substance in her stories. I also prefer Hetty In The House Of Secrets to The Fairground Of Fear, but then the latter is perhaps better than The Guardian Tree. You must decide. I'm taking some time out now, as I must get back to my projects.