Geoffrey Willans
Herbert Geoffrey Willans was an English author and journalist, is best known as the co-creator, with the illustrator Ronald Searle, of Nigel Molesworth, the "goriller of 3b and curse of St. Custard's". He was educated at Blundells School, Tiverton, and became a schoolmaster there. Molesworth first appeared in Punch in the 1940s and was the protagonist and narrator of five books, beginning with 1953's Down with Skool!, and followed by How to be Topp, Wizz for Atomms and, posthumously, Back in the Jug Agane and the anthology, The Compleet Molesworth. Comic misspellings, erratic capitalisation and 1950s public schoolboy slang are threads running through all the books. According to Ronald Searle in his obituary: "His cunning was more refined than Bunter...Willans was delighted that schoolmasters, far from feeling publicly disrobed, were in fact giving away his books as end of school prizes." Willans co-wrote the screenplay for the 1959 film The Bridal Path, which starred George Cole, but died at the age of 47 before the film was released. He also wrote a number of other, mostly humorous, books, including The Dog's Ear Book (also with Searle), My Uncle Harry (an exploration of the British gentlemen's club), Fasten Your Lapstraps! (an account of the early days of intercontinental flight), and Admiral on Horseback (a rather serious one about the navy). He was a keen amateur botanist, and spent so long in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew that the staff gave him a key. A review in The Times newspaper describes The Whistling Arrow as having a futuristic aeroplane as the 'heroine'. "It is his apparent strength in writing about planes and the people that flew them." The reviewer compares it with one of Evelyn Waugh's earlier novels.
30 Books Written
All skools make some sort at teaching the pupils things and the headmaster pin up a huge timetable of lessons ect. which make the heart sink when you look at it. Nigel Molesworth is back, this time taking the tinies in hand and showing that they can survive the first term - as long as you avoid the prefects and show all due respect to Molesworth 1. Back to Skool might be particularly hard on Mater and Pater, but think of those poor new bugs, forced to be their best at Latin, English, foopball and French (Armand in his striped shirt and feeble questions). Just follow his timeless advice, however, and you too could be Topp.
Comic observations on 1950s British school life complemented by illustrations.
If headmasters were honest a prospectus would be a book which sa how many kanes he hav, contane a warning about the skool dog and the amount of prunes and rice served during the term.Nigel Molesworth may not be the best student St Custard's will ever have, but he is certainly able to express his feelings about his beloved school - not to mention botany walks and foopball. With his handy guide to Masters at a Glance (Know the Enemy) and Lessons (chiz chiz) and How to Avoid Them, no noble brave fearless etc. boy will ever have to suffer at the hands of the 'swots, bulies, milksops greedy guts and oiks' ever again WIZZ.
I need hardly tell you the esential thing about a football i.e. nobody need tell me to get rid of it. i do not want it in the first place. Wot is the use of having a soaking wet piece of leather pushed at you? Give me a hadock every time, at least you can eat it. Poor Nigel Molesworth is back at St Custard's, being snarled at by Grimes and forced to endure the good old footer season. But despite the distractions of hideous Molesworth 2 and weedy fotherington-tomas, he will still share all his secrets to passing exams and being a grown up. But what's this? A resolution to be good? And to luv gurls? Is this the end of the Nigel Molesworth known and loved by millions - or will he be bored by teatime?
Nigel Molesworth, the curse of St. Custard’s, has been known to his huge army of fans through the four books Down with Skool!, How to be Topp, Whizz for Atomms and Back in the Jug Agane, which were first published between 1953 and 1958, all illustrated by Ronald Searle. What are fare less well-known are the Molesworth diaries that appeared in the magazine Punch between August 1939 and December 1942. Apart from a few of these pieces appearing in various compilation volumes, they have never been republished – until now. This is an opportunity to discover a slightly different Molesworth – less philosophical than the one portrayed in the books, but equally as sardonic, knowing and cynical. The diaries are not, perhaps, as consistently funny as the books, but they should be regarded as an introduction to the world and mind of Molesworth, and as such are essential reading for all Molesworth fans.
A comic look at air travel in the 50s era, when it was all a novelty. Considers fellow passengers, air hostesses, the custom service, and how it all appears in Hollywood.
Molesworth: A BBC Radio Collection: Down with Skool!, How to Be Topp & More
by Geoffrey Willans
A collection of BBC readings and dramas celebrating the much-loved schoolboy terror First featured in five books by Geoffrey Willans, with cartoon illustrations by Ronald Searle, Nigel Molesworth is one of the funniest comic creations in literature. A superbly satirical chronicler of 1950s England, he influenced a generation with his anarchic take on life. These wonderfully entertaining recordings show the self-proclaimed 'curse of St Custard's' at his very best. In Down with Skool! & How to Be Topp , based on the first two Molesworth books and read by Griff Rhys Jones, he gives us the lowdown on the Head Beak, masters, bullies and lessons - and offers his inimitable advice for tiny pupils on how to survive the first term. Simon Brett's sequel, Molesworth , finds the onetime 'goriller of 3B' now all grown up. Middle- aged and still surrounded by many of the characters from his youth, he's as keen as ever to share his wisdom. Across four episodes, he presents a guide to the home, the office, the arts and leisure. Willie Rushton stars in this full-cast drama, with a cast including Clive Swift and Penelope Nice. Topping off our collection is The Molesworth How to Be Topp , a celebration and philosophical assessment - ahem! - of Nigel Molesworth by some of his fondest fans. 'I couldn't live with someone who didn't enjoy the Molesworth books', says the poet Wendy Cope. John Walsh, Sir Tim Rice and Russell Davies also pay tribute to the world-weary, ink-spattered schoolboy, whose comic misspellings, mangling of English and Latin and detestation of swots, snekes and oiks gave the world a cache of unforgettable images and catchphrases. Credits Down with Skool! & How to Be Topp Read by Griff Rhys Jones Abridged by Wendy Cope Based on the books by Geoffrey Willans Produced by Susan Roberts First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13-21 August 1991 Molesworth Molesworth - Willie Rushton Grimes - Clive Swift Louise - Penelope Nice Gillibrand/Darryl - Robert Harley Peason/Grabber - Bob Sinfield Fotherington-Thomas - Phil Nice Arabella/Carole/Lucinda/Lady Eiderdown - Chrissy Roberts Written by Simon Brett and based on characters created by Geoffrey Willans and Ronald Searle Music by Oonagh Bernon Produced by Mark Robson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 March-13 April 1987 The Molesworth How to Be Topp With Wendy Cope, John Walsh, Sir Tim Rice and Russell Davies Produced by Penny Arnold First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 May 2004 Cover illustration by permission of the Ronald Searle Estate
Crisis Ottage
by Geoffrey Willans
Molesworth back in the jug agane
by Geoffrey Willans
Down with Skool!: A Guide to School Life for Tiny Pupils and their Parents
by Geoffrey Willans
The whistling Arrow
by Geoffrey Willans
Fasten Your Lapsraps! a Guide for All Those Who Wing the World in Super-Comfort and Super-Luxury in Super-Aeroplanes
by Geoffrey Willans
Admirals on horseback
by Geoffrey Willans
Peter Ustinov
by Geoffrey Willans
Crisis Cottage
by Geoffrey Willans
Black in the Jug Agane
by Geoffrey Willans
Back in the Jug Again.
by Geoffrey Willans
¡Abróchense los cinturones!: una guía para todos los que viajan por el mundo en super-confortables y super-lujosos super-aeroplanos
by Geoffrey Willans
Madrid. 20 cm. 124 p. il. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Colección 'El Club de la Sonrisa', numero coleccion(53). Willans, Geoffrey 1911-1958. Versión. J. Aguilar. Traducción Casten your lapstraps! .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario.
Down with Skool! a guide to school life for tiny pupils and their parents.
by Geoffrey Willans
1955. Sixth Impression. 105 pages. Illustrated dust jacket over black cloth boards. Gilt lettering. Contains black and white illustrations. Pages and binding are presentable with no major defects. Minor issues present such as mild cracking, inscriptions, inserts, light foxing, tanning and thumb marking. Overall a good condition item. Boards have mild shelf wear with light rubbing and corner bumping. Some light marking and sunning. Gilt lettering is darkened. Book has a slight forward lean. Unclipped jacket. Panels and spine have light edgewear with tears and creases. Visible wear marks to spine and panels.
Wit of Winston Churchill
by Geoffrey Willans
The humourous side of the great Winston S. Churchill, particularly his exchanges in the House of Commons. A well-researched book containing few of the more apocryphal comments so often attributed to Churchill. Illustrated throughout.
How to be topp: a guide to sukcess for tiny pupils, includin gall there is to kno about SPACE.
by Geoffrey Willans
A guide to Sukcess for tiny pupils, including all there is to kno about Space. Book includes 120 drawings by Ronald Searle.
Crisis Cottage
by Geoffrey Willans
Admiral on Horseback
by Geoffrey Willans
Admiral on Horseback by Geoffrey Willans is a satirical novel that humorously captures the intricacies of British naval tradition and protocol. Set in the early 20th century, the book follows the eccentric Admiral Fitzbattleaxe as he navigates the absurdities of naval life with his unconventional methods and larger-than-life personality. Willans's writing is clever and sharp, reminiscent of other British satirists of the time, such as P.G. Wodehouse. The witty dialogue and exaggerated characters make for an entertaining and insightful read into the world of British naval hierarchy. Geoffrey Willans, a former naval officer himself, draws upon his firsthand experiences to bring authenticity and humor to Admiral on Horseback. His keen observations and intimate knowledge of naval customs shine through in his portrayal of Admiral Fitzbattleaxe and his adventures. Willans's unique perspective adds depth and richness to the story, making it a standout in the genre of military satire. I highly recommend Admiral on Horseback to readers who enjoy witty and lighthearted satire, especially those interested in British naval history and culture. Willans's keen wit and expert storytelling make this novel a delightful and engaging read for anyone looking for a humorous take on the quirks of military life.