Wigan Casino - The Movie

[macca]

I can`t remember anyone wearing the type of "Full-Circle" pants that we`ve seen about recently.  Some of us wore what at the time were actually called thigh-flairs with a slightly higher waist band, not one that came up to your tits........ which were more for the ease of dancing rather than fashion. 

And the beer-towel tucked into your belt, well maybe back then but not today......please!!

Beer towel the height of divdom even back then for me. Loathsome appendage. 

[Quinvy]

In 1975 I did a seven mornings and seven nights paper round for £3 a week

Luxury! we used to d-r-e-a-m of a paper round. We lived in a shoe box in't middle et road. 

[Quinvy]

Beer towel the height of divdom even back then for me. Loathsome appendage. 

   

[Scal]

Beer towels........!

What about those naff plastic fists, one black glove and the Frank Spencer 'berets'.................."ooooh Betty!"

 

Where were the Soul Police when you really needed them.....?

[Ian Dewhirst]

Beer towel the height of divdom even back then for me. Loathsome appendage. 

 

I never got the beer towel thing ever. What is it meant to signify and what does it have to do with Northern Soul.......?

 

Ian D

[Kegsy]

I never got the beer towel thing ever. What is it meant to signify and what does it have to do with Northern Soul.......?

 

Ian D

 

Obviously you never hit the floor for hours after a hand full of Red & Browns.

 

Personally I never had a beer towel just an ordinary towel in my bag if and when required.

[Jordirip]

Is that the guy with the glasses Jordi?  He's the only one I don't know in that pic.

Left to right

the late Martin Randle (dancing), Barbara Thomas, Steve Smith, Shaun, John Jones, Andy Wall

Not my photo, I'd have been tucked up in bed having stopped going way before then.

Interesting though that the 'uniform' isn't as people seem to think it was.

 

Yes, Baz with the glasses, I've forgotten his surname. Him, Paul Cullen, Stoney and another lad Rob who has since died were the Walsall lads that I first met who were into Northern when I moved down to the Midlands. Haven't seen Paul for many years but I've seen Stoney quite a lot over the years. All Casino goers.

[Jordirip]

Obviously you never hit the floor for hours after a hand full of Red & Browns.

 

Personally I never had a beer towel just an ordinary towel in my bag if and when required.

 

Tennis sweat bands on the wrists were ok too.

[Betty Bump]

Wigan Casino Annual "Spot The Clown Trousers" competition, no one won that year

 

Martin Randal, Barbara, Ozz, Sean, Baz, John.jpg

Could I ask what year this is from?? 78-79??

[macca]

I'd wager it's 80-81...

[macca]

Beer towels........!

What about those naff plastic fists, one black glove and the Frank Spencer 'berets'.................."ooooh Betty!"

 

Where were the Soul Police when you really needed them.....?

I admit to a FS berét. The bottom feeding fraternity at Peterborough's White Lion prior to the Wirrina allniters took particular exception to it, as I remember. 

[jocko]

I urge everyone who thinks they can do it, to go and try to do something as epic and then you will really, really see, what soul means.

 

 

Talk is cheap as we all know,  but making an embodied experience and memory into a a tangible expression to share with others is an incredible achievement and takes a big heart and soul.

This sums it up. Lots of us talk a good game, but actually doing it, and doing it well is rarer than a Russ Winstanley original thought. And the Soul Boy shimmy whatever definitely didn't! And the lack of heart and soul in that was so evident.

Reading behind the lines here, people are saying they want to tell their story, well on they go, I have talked about writing a book my whole life, the first sentence is the best opening sentence ever written, in my opinion. Just struggling to get beyond that. Never mind, another 20 or so years to write the second and that should get me really going.......

And sure you would agree Paul, its just completely made up to say Elaine said this was the definitive story of Northern Soul, I don't know why people just make things up.

I actually thought the title was as much about the characters as the scene, and was therefore quite clever.

Edited October 29, 2014 by jocko

[jocko]

....some great DJ's came from there...like Peter Young on Jazz FM! He used to be a red coat back in the 60's.

Only at Butlins......

You mean the Jeff Young thats been, along with Clive Richardson, slagging of the Northern Scene and anyone on the scene all week on FB, What is it with these bitter never were very good hacks that seem to always want to have a dig, Its not just these two, wouldn't have lasted a minute on the Northern scene writing their pish for specialist magazines and droning on like the old farts they were, Until Mr Cosgrove the standard of soul journalism was, apart from the obvious exceptions, abysmal. Read Clive Richardson's book for one of the blandest ever, and funnily very little of interest about music. Cant even call them has-beens as generally they never were! So its quite hilarious, and very ironic, they want to make personal attacks on Elaine.

Your enthusiasm is great Carl, and I love your musical passion, and unlike most of us moaners on here, you have done something, but if you dont understand the irony of your statement Only at Butlins re the Northern scene, then sorry mate, you need to get yourself along to a Lifeline or something.

[Drewtg]

This sums it up. Lots of us talk a good game, but actually doing it, and doing it well is rarer than a Russ Winstanley original thought. And the Soul Boy shimmy whatever definitely didn't! And the lack of heart and soul in that was so evident.

Reading behind the lines here, people are saying they want to tell their story, well on they go, I have talked about writing a book my whole life, the first sentence is the best opening sentence ever written, in my opinion. Just struggling to get beyond that. Never mind, another 20 or so years to write the second and that should get me really going.......

And sure you would agree Paul, its just completely made up to say Elaine said this was the definitive story of Northern Soul, I don't know why people just make things up.

I actually thought the title was as much about the characters as the scene, and was therefore quite clever.

 

Surely, your humble opinion? Call me Jocko?

Edited October 29, 2014 by Drewtg

[jocko]

Surely, your humble opinion? Call me Jocko?

Humble, how very dare you. Call me many things but never humble 

 

And expect a lawyers letter tomorrow for your attempts to steal my name.

[BrianB]

If you thought the drugs in the movie were a bit over the top, you needed to visit

Burnley from 74 to 77. It was unreal.

[Mike]

.

 

time to take this exchange to pms

ask both do so

 

thanks

mike

[Mike]

time to take this exchange to pms

ask both do so

 

thanks

mike

 

 

offtopic post removed

 

use the feedback/support forum if you have any q's on moderation

[Steve G]

I never got the beer towel thing ever. What is it meant to signify and what does it have to do with Northern Soul.......?

 

Ian D

 

Passing fad to wipe the sweat from you when dancing. I remember that I nicked one from the Nelson Arms in Tonbridge Very cool ha ha!

[Steve G]

You mean the Jeff Young thats been, along with Clive Richardson, slagging of the Northern Scene and anyone on the scene all week on FB, What is it with these bitter never were very good hacks that seem to always want to have a dig, 

Pete Young has also been having digs too James…..you are right though some people have never been able to expunge their hatred of the northern scene. It'll go with them to their graves.

[Whiskyagogo]

Wigan, Wigan, Wigan!

 

Most of us were there, most others heard about it, if you want a movie about Drugs, plenty to choose from, take your pick. We know the scene and first off it's about the music, the drugs assisted but Wigan has gone, the music and the venues are still here and it is still about the music!! KTF

[macca]

More about the music? It's still about identifying oneself with a tribe for many, hence the retro clothing and obsession with oldies at events that draw that kind of people. If you read the comments of people like Shelley in the book, for the first five years of the scene, the music played second fiddle to getting smashed and being part of a cool, underground and often shady clique ("you didn't waltz around The Torch"). Put simply, no drugs, no scene...

[Mike]

various posts removed as per post in feedback forum thread

[maslar]

I remember there were supposed pie in the sky plans to make a "Quadrophenia style" movie about the Casino being thrown around in 1981. I think Echoes mentioned it.  I used to imagine that deep American voice in the trailers: "One man had a dream ..........

[Paul-s]

This sums it up. Lots of us talk a good game, but actually doing it, and doing it well is rarer than a Russ Winstanley original thought. And the Soul Boy shimmy whatever definitely didn't! And the lack of heart and soul in that was so evident.

Reading behind the lines here, people are saying they want to tell their story, well on they go, I have talked about writing a book my whole life, the first sentence is the best opening sentence ever written, in my opinion. Just struggling to get beyond that. Never mind, another 20 or so years to write the second and that should get me really going.......

And sure you would agree Paul, its just completely made up to say Elaine said this was the definitive story of Northern Soul, I don't know why people just make things up.

I actually thought the title was as much about the characters as the scene, and was therefore quite clever.

 

Yes, true,  Elaine has NEVER said its the definitive story of Northern Soul. Thats the work of critics, publicists and Chinese Whispers. Its definitely about the characters (Northern Souls) as well as the scene, as you can't have  a good film or play without them. Its also a socio-historic snapshot of a time I certainly remember, seen through the character eyes/perspectives.

[Hooker1951]

The Film was a damm good effort it did manage to catch the time1974 very well and you could relate too most of the characters a little bit of fiction which explained many facts.

                    kind Regards Mick L

[Guest gordon russell]

If you thought the drugs in the movie were a bit over the top, you needed to visit

Burnley from 74 to 77. It was unreal.

the people who thought it over the top were generally from the late 70's onwards.....l remember chatting with a well known fella on the scene  at TORQUAY in 74 who,d robbed 9 chemist shops in 2 or three days..........in fact his MINI was overflowing with goodies.....wey hey

[Guest gordon russell]

Luxury! we used to d-r-e-a-m of a paper round. We lived in a shoe box in't middle et road. 

nothing changes

[Guest gordon russell]

Well if their serious about "Wigan Casino" the movie they best get their skates on while some of the leading protagonists of the time are still alive and kicking, just think how much money in equity card fees they can save by getting them to play their own fathers!

Dave

me

[Guest Dave Turner]

More about the music? It's still about identifying oneself with a tribe for many, hence the retro clothing and obsession with oldies at events that draw that kind of people. If you read the comments of people like Shelley in the book, for the first five years of the scene, the music played second fiddle to getting smashed and being part of a cool, underground and often shady clique ("you didn't waltz around The Torch"). Put simply, no drugs, no scene...

 

Yup, of all of the Grantham guys who frequented Harborough, The Cats, Torch etc etc on a regular basis some were well into both the music and the pills. Can't think of one that would be "it's all about the music" but can think of a few who regularly went who couldn't name 10 Northern records

[Mal C]

did anybody notice that when the salvadors was discovered, it was a green original, but when the boys played it at the polish club, blue 2nd issue!!

It's a great film imo... The party scenes, and en route to Wigan i loved, dancing on the hard shoulder!! We've all done it...

Malcolm

[MrsWoodsrules]

Wigan Casino Annual "Spot The Clown Trousers" competition, no one won that year

Martin Randal, Barbara, Ozz, Sean, Baz, John.jpg

Crackin picture Pete, was gonna say deffo 80+ or even the last year, a pair of Lois jeans & a footie wedge on show.

[MrsWoodsrules]

Well I think the film was a good effort & not actually just all about Wigan, but more about the generic Northern scene that just includes Wigan because that was the epicentre & still is the spiritual epicentre, which is why there is so much interest from outside.

Love it or loathe it, it's Wigans legacy that generates so much interest from elsewhere.

Halcyon days for the scene, that were never to be repeated on such a grand scale, which is probably a good thing because the post Wigan fragmentation spawned some great venues & diversity all of its own & those probably kept the scene alive.

[Stevie T]

I enjoyed it , good fun , good music , brought back good memories ,  what's not to like ? not going to delve into its depths as a film, wrong or rights . As the films on this genre are less than a hand full ! I will take it . My family enjoyed it too , mainly laughing at me but don't they always .

[Guest Steve C]

I thought it tried and mainly succeeded in capturing the essence of NS. It caught the idea of a 'tribe' interested in being different. It caught the frustration of being young and of course, young in the North Of England just as the guts of our Industry were fading away. Remember the short working weeks of the early '70's with the oil fiasco and the Nat West Bank one step away from being bust. The terraced houses with grotty outside loos and the ice forming on the inside of the glass in winter? The lack of optimism. In a short timeframe you're obviously going to be limited in what you can include so I would applaud it got it more right than wrong. It might have overstressed certain things and understressed others in favour of making a 'story' ,but that's what entertainment does to make sure it can engage listeners.

Anyway, enough now. Just in case it escaped you, the demographics are working against anymore of this. As a generation the older amongst us are now already in the age bracket bulge where we are dying off and with us go the memories and interest in what happened back then. Not many in later generations are going to be interested that's for sure if only because they have a small metal gadget that appears permanently affixed to the end of their nose.

Edited January 23, 2019 by Steve C

[Veedub]

I took my car to the filming for 2 days, it was great fun. I went back the day after to the locations in Bury and the council were removing the graffitti , heres a couple of pics..