title: The Sentimental Bloke

abstract: The Sentimental Bloke is a 1918 Australian silent film based on the 1915 verse novel The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke by C. J. Dennis. Produced and directed by Raymond Longford, the film stars Arthur Tauchert, Gilbert Emery, and Lottie Lyell, who also co-wrote the film with Longford. A major critical and commercial success upon its release in Australia, the film was also popular in New Zealand and Great Britain, and is generally considered the greatest Australian silent film, and one of the best Australian movies of all time. The film inspired a sequel, Ginger Mick (1920), and a 1932 remake. In 2004, the National Film and Sound Archive released a fully restored version of The Sentimental Bloke, making it one of the few Australian silent films to survive intact.

text:
# The Sentimental Bloke

***The Sentimental Bloke*** is a 1918 Australian silent film based on the 1915 verse novel *The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke* by C. J. Dennis. Produced and directed by Raymond Longford, the film stars Arthur Tauchert, Gilbert Emery, and Lottie Lyell, who also co-wrote the film with Longford.

A major critical and commercial success upon its release in Australia, the film was also popular in New Zealand and Great Britain, and is generally considered the greatest Australian silent film, and one of the best Australian movies of all time. The film inspired a sequel, *Ginger Mick* (1920), and a 1932 remake. In 2004, the National Film and Sound Archive released a fully restored version of *The Sentimental Bloke*, making it one of the few Australian silent films to survive intact.

## Plot

Bill is a Woolloomooloo larrikin, who vows to abandon his life of gambling (playing Two-up) and drinking after a spell in gaol following a raid on a two up game. He falls in love with Doreen (Lyell), who works in a pickle factory, but faces competition from a more sophisticated rival, Stror 'at Coot.

Bill and Doreen argue, but are eventually reunited and get married. Bill gives up drinking and hanging out with his mate, Ginger Mick, and becomes a family man. He gets an offer from his uncle to manage an orchard in the country, and he and Doreen settle down there with their baby.

## Cast

* Arthur Tauchert as Bill, the Bloke
* Lottie Lyell as Doreen
* Gilbert Emery as Ginger Mick
* Stanley Robinson as the Bloke's friend
* Harry Young as the Stror 'at Coot
* Margaret Reid as Doreen's mother
* Charles Keegan as the parson
* William Coulter as Uncle Jim
* Helen Fergus as nurse
* C. J. Dennis as himself

## Development

C. J. Dennis' original book had been a best seller since its publication in 1915. It was read by executive J. D. Williams who gave Raymond Longford a copy and suggested it might make a good movie. Longford gave it to his partner Lottie Lyell and she was supportive.

Finance was provided by an Adelaide company, the Southern Cross Feature Film Company who had funded *The Woman Suffers*. C. J. Dennis was reluctant to give away the movie rights for fear it would affect book sales, however he eventually agreed after prolonged negotiations and a royalty payment of £1,000, half the film's budget. (Another account says Dennis' fee was £950.)

In March 1918 it was announced that Southern Cross had bought the rights and Longford would produce. In April Dennis arrived in Adelaide to give his thoughts on the script. He said Bloke had sold over 100,000 copies while its sequel *Ginger Mick* had sold more than 70,000 copies.

Dennis had tried to write the script himself but found it too difficult, so Lottie Lyell did it. The script relocated the story from Melbourne to Woolloomooloo in Sydney.

Arthur Tauchert had extensive experience working in suburban vaudeville but had only made two short movies prior to this.

## Production

The movie was shot in 1918 on location in Woolloomooloo, with the orchard scenes done at Hornsby Valley near Sydney, and interiors at open-air sets at Wonderland City, Bondi (which meant Longford could avoid paying excessive rental for using sets at the Rushcutters Bay Studio). Some shots of sunsets and sunrises for the inter titles were done in Adelaide.

Sydney authorities refused to allow police uniforms to be depicted, or for shooting to take place in the city's gaols. However Longford managed to persuade Commonwealth dockside officials to appear as policemen and let him use an old watch house in Woolloomooloo.

Dennis appeared as himself at the beginning and found the experience nerve-wracking.

## Reception

### Previews

The movie was first screened privately at Adelaide Wondergraph on 26 November 1918 in the presence of Dennis and the filmmakers.

The *Adelaide Register* called it a "triumph" adding "the acting was excellent throughout, and the orchestra provided a special musical synchronisation. Enthusiastic applause was forthcoming from the audience, at the conclusion of the picture".

The *Advertiser* said " The photography and general setting of the picture are admirable... it is deeply human and true to the nature of a big class of city dwellers in the crowded areas. When it goes abroad it will reveal to the world outside something of the originality and unconventionality of the Australian. The company should be heartily congratulated up this example of its effort."

On 3 December 1918 the film was shown privately in Melbourne at the Majestic Theatre. The *Argus* called it "an excellent adaptation of the book." *The Age* said " In the picture, as the book, the pure sentiment has a kind of divine alchemy, in which the slang has a quite natural place. "

*Weekly Times* said "Mr Dennis's work has been visualised with a masterly appraisement of tone values."

### Release

It took a while for the film to be released as Australasian Films refused to screen the movie in the Union Theatre chain. However it was seen by E. J. Carroll who decided to distribute it in Australia and overseas.

*The Sentimental Bloke* uses intertitles taken from the original poem written in Australian slang and was a hit when it opened in Melbourne Town Hall on 4 October 1919, breaking all existing box office records. It was also popular in Britain and New Zealand, but did not succeed in the U.S., where test audiences failed to understand the language. Despite being recut with Americanised intertitles, having some scenes cut out, and being renamed for the American market as *The Story of a Tough Guy*, it was withdrawn from distribution.

*Variety* called it "the best Australian made feature to date."

According to one account by 1922 the film had earned £33,000.

The initial success of *The Sentimental Bloke* prompted a sequel in 1920, *Ginger Mick*, and a remake in 1932 using the latest sound recording equipment from the United States. The sequel was a hit but the remake, although directed by the prolific actor and partner of Hoyts, F. W. Thring, did not fare as well as the original.

E. J. Carroll also sponsored a stage version of the book in 1922 produced by Bert Bailey and starring Walter Cornoch as the Bloke and Tal Ordell as Ginger Mick.

In 1931 Raymond Longford claimed that the film had been made for £900 and grossed £50,000 around the world.

## Rediscovery

A 1952 fire in a Melbourne film library destroyed all but two boxes of film archives. The boxes revealed a complete 35mm nitrate positive of *The Sentimental Bloke*, which the following year were sent to a Sydney laboratory for duplication on to new 16mm acetate stock. The original nitrate copies were believed to have been destroyed in the 1960s. The new print was screened at the 1955 Sydney Film Festival to great acclaim, although Longford was not invited, as the organisers did not realise he was still alive.

The film also screened at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival.

An original 35mm negative of the film was discovered in 1973 at the Film Archive at George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester, New York. The canisters had been mislabelled as *The Sentimental Blonde* but were discovered by luck. The film was the U.S. version which had some scenes deleted and included intertitles for the American audience. It was however, a better quality print than any of the Australian copies, and provided a base for a complete restoration.

The National Film and Sound Archive commenced on a full restoration project for the film in 2000 using the various pieces of archive material available. The project included colour tinting as close as possible to the original. This 'new' version premiered at the 2004 Sydney Film Festival and has played at the 2005 London Film Festival. It has since been released as a two DVD set which includes a booklet describing the film's history.

## InfoBox

| The Sentimental Bloke | |
| --- | --- |
| Arthur Tauchert, in *The Sentimental Bloke* | |
| Directed by | Raymond Longford |
| Written by | Lottie Lyell |
| Based on | *The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke* by C. J. Dennis |
| Produced by | Raymond Longford |
| Starring | Arthur Tauchert
Lottie Lyell
Gilbert Emery |
| Cinematography | Arthur Higgins |
| Production
company | Southern Cross Feature Film Company |
| Distributed by | E. J. Carroll |
| Release dates | * 26 November 1918 (1918-11-26) (Adelaide) * 4 November 1919 (1919-11-04) |
| Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Languages | Silent film
English intertitles |
| Budget | £2,000 |
| Box office | over £33,000 |


title: The Rivers Trust

abstract: The Rivers Trust (RT) is an environmental charity No. 1107144, and an umbrella organisation for 60 member trusts concerned with rivers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Trust's headquarters are in Callington, Cornwall. The Rivers Trust along with its members work to protect, promote and enhance freshwater ecosystems for both people and wildlife. The Rivers Trust was founded in 2001 as the Association of Rivers Trusts. Its founding associations were four River Trusts: the Eden Rivers Trust, Tweed Foundation, Westcountry Rivers Trust, and the Wye and Usk Foundation. The association was granted registered charity status in 2004. Its Scottish equivalent is the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS). Its Welsh equivalent is Afonydd Cymru: The Rivers Trust of Wales. (AC) The association changed its name in August 2011 to The Rivers Trust. The Rivers Trust are members of Blueprint for Water, Wildlife and Countryside Link and are administrators of the Catchment Based Approach.

text:
# The Rivers Trust

**The Rivers Trust** (**RT**) is an environmental charity No. 1107144, and an umbrella organisation for 60 member trusts concerned with rivers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Trust's headquarters are in Callington, Cornwall. The Rivers Trust along with its members work to protect, promote and enhance freshwater ecosystems for both people and wildlife.

The Rivers Trust was founded in 2001 as the **Association of Rivers Trusts**. Its founding associations were four River Trusts: the Eden Rivers Trust, Tweed Foundation, Westcountry Rivers Trust, and the Wye and Usk Foundation. The association was granted registered charity status in 2004. Its Scottish equivalent is the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS). Its Welsh equivalent is Afonydd Cymru: The Rivers Trust of Wales. (AC)

The association changed its name in August 2011 to **The Rivers Trust**.

The Rivers Trust are members of Blueprint for Water , Wildlife and Countryside Link  and are administrators of the Catchment Based Approach .

## Member organisations

* Action for the River Kennet
* Aire Rivers Trust
* Arun and Rother Rivers Trust
* Ballinderry Rivers Trust
* Blackwater Rivers Trust
* Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
* Calder Rivers Trust
* Cambridgeshire Rivers Trust
* Clwyd, Conwy and Gwynedd Rivers Trust
* Cotswold Rivers Trust
* Don Catchment Rivers Trust
* East Yorkshire Rivers Trust
* Eden Rivers Trust
* Erne Rivers Trust
* Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust
* Galloway Fisheries Trust
* Galway Waterways Foundation
* Inishowen Rivers Trust
* Lagan Rivers Trust
* Lincolnshire Rivers Trust
* Lune Rivers Trust
* Maigue Rivers Trust
* Main Rivers Trust
* Mersey Rivers Trust
* Moy Catchment River Association
* Norfolk Rivers Trust
* Northumberland Rivers Trust
* Nore Rivers Trust
* Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust
* Ribble Rivers Trust
* River Nene Regional Park CiC
* River Waveney Trust
* Severn Rivers Trust
* Six Mile Rivers Trust
* Slaney River Trust
* South Cumbria Rivers Trust
* South East Rivers Trust
* South East Wales Rivers Trust
* Strule Tributaries Rivers Trust
* Tees Rivers Trust
* Thames Rivers Trust
* Thames 21
* Trent Rivers Trust
* Tweed Forum Limited
* Tyne Rivers Trust
* Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust
* Wear Rivers Trust
* Welland Rivers Trust
* Welsh Dee Rivers Trust
* Wessex Chalk Stream and Rivers Trust
* West Cumbria Rivers Trust
* West Wales Rivers Trust
* Westcountry Rivers Trust
* Wye and Usk Foundation
* Wyre Rivers Trust
* Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust
* Yorkshire Esk Rivers Trust


title: The Rivers of Zadaa

abstract: The Rivers of Zadaa is the sixth novel in the Pendragon series by D. J. MacHale.

text:
# The Rivers of Zadaa

***The Rivers of Zadaa*** is the sixth novel in the Pendragon series by D. J. MacHale.

## Plot introduction

This story takes place mainly on a territory called Zadaa. There will be two main tribes here: The Rokador and the Batu. The Rokador live in tunnels and are fair-skinned, while the Batu are dark-skinned and live in a sunbathed city called Xhaxhu in the desert. For years, the Rokador have relied on the Batu to protect them from other savage tribes on Zadaa, and the Batu have relied on the Rokador to provide them with water. But the Rokador seem to be holding back the water, causing all the Batu to starve.

## Plot summary

As in the other Pendragon books, this book covers Bobby's adventures and those of Mark and Courtney, his friends on Second Earth. Bobby's adventures are chronicled as an epistolary novel and those of his friends in the third-person narrative.

### Zadaa

The story starts after Bobby Pendragon has spoken with Loor, who explains to him, the lead Traveler and main character, the situation on Zadaa, introduces Bobby to her sister and her acolyte Saangi and her friends, Bokka and Teek. Soon afterwards, Saint Dane, who is disguised as a Batu warrior, beats Bobby up with a wooden staff. Bobby is almost killed but is rescued by Pelle a Zinj, the kind prince, and recovers quickly in a Batu hospital. After Bobby has recovered, he decides to start training to be a warrior. Alder, the Traveler from Denduron, joins Loor and Saangi to help train him. For 3 weeks, Bobby works hard in a deserted training camp. Finally, at the end of the 3 weeks, they all celebrate his successful training but are interrupted by an attack by a group of Rokador, who shoots Bokka with several arrows and flees. As Bokka dies, he gives Bobby and Loor a map to the underground city Kidik, and tell them that Saint Dane is there.

Loor and Bobby decide to attend the Batu Festival of Azhra first, because Pelle a Zinj has invited them personally. At the festival, Pelle a Zinj is killed by a Rokador. After this, it rains, but still there is no ready supply water for the Batu. This convinces the Batu that the Rokador are indeed holding back the water and they start making preparations for war. Meanwhile, Bobby and Loor begin their journey to the city of Kidik. There, they find an underground ocean of fresh water. They take a boat across this, arriving on an island where Saint Dane finds them and puts them in a prison-like room. Bobby and Loor later escape and learn that after an epidemic virus had killed most of the Rokador, Saint Dane was able to convince the survivors to attack the Batu. The plan was to hold back the water, making the Batu starve; when the Batu attacked, the Rokador would flood the entire village, drowning all.

Saangi and Alder join Bobby and Loor. As the Rokador prepare to flood the underground, the protagonists foil their plans by flooding it prematurely, presumably to the ruin of both tribes. Rather than abandon one another, warriors of both tribes co-operate to escape the flood. The heroes escape from the floods by riding a "dygo", the machine that the Rokador use for making tunnels. All the water shoots out from the underground and creates a river which flows by the city of Xhaxhu, providing water for both people.

Bobby then returns to Loor's house, where he attempts to share a kiss with her. She refuses him, arguing that to become lovebirds would distract them from their purpose of preventing the destruction of Halla. Bobby accepts this without complaint.

Bobby goes back to the flume to try to return to Second Earth (Earth in modern-times), whereupon Saint Dane comes out of the flume in a fury and kills Loor with a sword. He then tries to kill Bobby, but Bobby uses his training to disarm him. Bobby then raises the same sword that killed Loor as Saint Dane jumped on top of him, impaling him in a way that should have killed him. However, Saint Dane disappears and reappears at the entrance to the flume, proving the suggestion given in earlier books that he cannot be killed. Saint Dane then travels to a territory called Quillan.

Bobby goes back to Loor. His own desire that she lives rather than dies appears to resurrect or revive her, in that her wound closes of its own accord while she resumes full faculty, memory, and mobility. Moments later, Bobby gets a message from Quillan from people named Veego and LaBerge; to investigate this, he embarks for Quillan. The final journal ends with him writing his record in what is revealed to be the residence of those who sent him the message.

### Second Earth

The story begins when Mark and Courtney have realized that they have accidentally destroyed the flume to Eelong trying to help Bobby. Courtney therefore becomes severely depressed and stops coming to school.

Eventually she decides to go to summer school for six weeks in order to recover, so that Mark is left to read Bobby's journals alone. Throughout the summer, Mark collects Bobby's journals and reads them, and begins to have conversations with Andy Mitchell, the former school bully. Mark soon realizes that Mitchell is an adept in mathematics and became a bully for having been a misfit. Gradually Mark and Mitchell become friends.

At her summer school, Courtney meets a boy named Whitney Wilcox, whom she befriends and of whom she begins to entertain romantic thoughts. Before long, he invites her out for pizza. *En route*, she is struck down by a black car which seems to have been following her. From the car emerges Whitney, who is here revealed to be Saint Dane. Looking upon Courtney, he remarks cryptically "I give, and I take away" and departs in the form of a raven. As Courtney loses consciousness as a result of her injuries, she sends a cellphone message to Mark, who upon inferring that she is in danger convinces Andy Mitchell to drive him to Courtney's summer school. There they find Courtney, badly injured and unconscious. They call the local ambulance and hurry Courtney to the hospital. Courtney slowly begins to recover. In the last scene of the book, Courtney's heart rate suddenly begins to slow, whereupon Andy Mitchell, unseen, brings it to normal by a means, implied, to be the same kind of "thing" used by Bobby to revive Loor. This suggests that Andy Mitchell is another alter-ego assumed by Saint Dane.

## Characters

* **Bobby Pendragon**: A teenage boy who used to live a normal life until his uncle took him through time and space to a "territory" called Denduron, where he stopped an evil man named Saint Dane from causing chaos and destruction. Since then, he has been to many other worlds, battling Saint Dane. In this book, he goes to Zadaa.
* **Saint Dane**: An evil human-like "demon" who wants to send Halla (everything/everybody that ever existed and everything/everybody that will ever exist) into chaos, then he will rebuild it in his image. He is able to change shape, making his discovery difficult.
* **Loor**: The Traveler from Zadaa, Bobby's friend. Loor is a Batu warrior, living according to a strict discipline. Bobby has admitted to desiring her love, and she has admitted to reciprocating his feelings. Bobby has also admitted that Loor was hot after seeing her in Zadaa festival clothing. They have agreed to set their love aside to fulfill their mission.
* **Saangi**: Loor's acolyte; also her sister. Not related by blood. She took her job very seriously.
* **Pelle a Zinj**: A Batu prince from Zadaa who is very kind but who is assassinated by a Rokador during an important Batu ceremony. Pelle wanted peace between the Rokador and the Batu tribes. He is killed by a Rokador that Saint Dane probably sent.
* **Bokka**: A Rokador, who has known Loor since she was born and is one of her closest friends. He is described as handsome. Had it not been for Loor's being a Traveler, she and Bokka would have most likely ended up together. He is killed by Rokador assassins with a shot of an arrow straight through the chest.
* **Teek**: Bokka's best friend, also a Rokador.
* **Alder**: The Traveler from Denduron. Alder comes to Zadaa to help Bobby train to be a warrior.
* **Mark Dimond**: Bobby's best friend from Second Earth and also one of Bobby's acolytes.
* **Courtney Chetwynde**: Bobby's girlfriend from Second Earth and also one of Bobby's acolytes.

## Reception

Torin Kelley, writing for *Children's Book and Media Review*, called the book "an excellent read", noting that "the journal style writing really draws you in", and "McHale keeps you captivated with new and difficult challenges". Discussing the novel's overarching messaging, Kelley highlighted the book showcases "the importance of moving on and learning from mistakes and not backing down from a challenge".

It was also reviewed by Walter Minkel in *School Library Journal*, Arlene Garcia in *Voice of Youth Advocates*, and James Blasingame in the *Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy*.

## InfoBox

The Rivers of Zadaa
| First edition cover | |
| --- | --- |
| Author | D. J. MacHale |
| Cover artist | Victor Lee |
| Language | English |
| Series | Pendragon |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date | June 28, 2005 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 405 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 1-4169-0710-6 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 57393076 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M177535 Ri 2005 |
| Preceded by | *Black Water* |
| Followed by | *The Quillan Games* |


title: Dorothy Kotz

abstract: Dorothy Christine Kotz is a former Australian politician who was the sitting Liberal Party member for the electoral district of Newland of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1989 until her retirement in 2006.

text:
# Dorothy Kotz

**Dorothy Christine Kotz** (born 3 January 1944) is a former Australian politician who was the sitting Liberal Party member for the electoral district of Newland of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1989 until her retirement in 2006.

## Career

Kotz held many portfolios during her political career, including Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Youth Affairs, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Environment and Heritage, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Minister for Administrative and Information Services, and has also been a Member of the Executive Council.

In 1993, Kotz expressed interest in presenting a private members bill intended to reinstate capital punishment. Capital punishment had been abolished in South Australia in 1976.

In 1999, acting as Environment Minister, Kotz authorised orchard and vineyard owners to shoot common native bird species, including rainbow lorikeets, musk lorikeets and Adelaide rosellas. She was also responsible for the management of water inflows into the Coorong, and the maintenance of the mouth of the Murray River.

The 2006 election saw her personal vote evaporate, and with the statewide Labor Party (ALP) swing, saw her successor Liberal Party candidate Mark Osterstock suffer a swing of 12.5 per cent, giving the seat to the ALP on a margin of 6.8 per cent.


title: Douglas Wright (physiologist)

abstract: Sir Roy Douglas Wright was an Australian physiologist and eminent academic administrator.

text:
# Douglas Wright (physiologist)

**Sir Roy Douglas Wright** AK (7 August 1907  28 February 1990) was an Australian physiologist and eminent academic administrator.

## Biography

He was born in Central Castra, Tasmania. He became Professor of Physiology at the University of Melbourne from 1939 to 1971 and was later Chancellor of the university from 1980 to 1989. He advised the leaders of the optometry profession who were responsible for setting up the Victorian College of Optometry in 1939 and 1940 and helped plan the first four-year optometry course. He was involved again when the optometry course was transferred to the university.

Wright married Julia Violet Bell, a nurse, on 24 September 1932 at Camperdown, Victoria; they subsequently divorced. On 22 July 1964 he married Meriel Antoinette Winchester Wilmot, his secretary since 1941, in the registry office, Kensington, England.

The young Wright of the 1930s sported circular glasses frames, while an older, more refined Wright turned his attention to a more edgy rectangular frame style by the early 1980s.

He was a colourful supporter of causes, as his biography *Pansy Wright — A biography of Roy Douglas Wright* by Peter McPhee (1999) attests. He challenged students, colleagues and institutions, asserting at one time: "Whatever you do, whether you do it well or do it badly, do it brilliantly. Avoid mediocrity on all accounts".

In the Australia Day Honours of 1983, he was made a Knight of the Order of Australia (AK).

He was the brother of Sir Reg Wright, a long-serving Liberal Senator from Tasmania, who was also knighted, and who died only ten days later, on 10 March 1990. His eldest brother, John Forsyth Wright was a Member of the House of Assembly in the Parliament of Tasmania.

* Peter McPhee, *Pansy Wright: a biography of Roy Douglas Wright*, 1999.


title: Douglas Wright (cricketer, born 1894)

abstract: Douglas Alexander Wright was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer. The son of Edward Fortescue Wright, he was born in March 1894 at Georgetown in British Guiana. He was educated in England at Christ's Hospital. Wright served in the First World War, being commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders as a second lieutenant in October 1914. He was made a temporary lieutenant in December 1916, before later being made an acting captain in June 1918, a rank he was again granted in December 1918, following the conclusion of the war. He later left the British Army and became a tea estate manager in British Ceylon, managing the estate at Wanarajah from 1927 to 1930. While in Ceylon he played first-class cricket, making his debut for the Europeans cricket team against a touring Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) side in January 1927 at Colombo. He followed this up with a further first-class appearance against the MCC in February for the Up-Country XI at Darrawella. Wright spent time in England in 1928, where he was selected to play for the MCC against Ireland at Dublin. He scored 82 runs in the MCC's first innings, the second highest score of the innings behind Denis Hill-Wood's 85. Returning to Ceylon, he made a further two first-class appearances. The first came for Dr J Rockwood's Ceylon XI against Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagram's XI at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, with the second coming for All-Ceylon against Sir Julien Cahn's XI. A wicket-keeper, Wright scored 149 runs in five first-class matches, at an average of 29.80. Benhind the stumps he took 7 catches and made 5 stumpings. Wright died in England at Marylebone in October 1953. His brother, Oswin, and half–brother, Arthur, both played first-class cricket.

text:
# Douglas Wright (cricketer, born 1894)

**Douglas Alexander Wright** (15 March 1894 — 1 October 1953) was an English first-class cricketer and British Army officer.

The son of Edward Fortescue Wright, he was born in March 1894 at Georgetown in British Guiana. He was educated in England at Christ's Hospital. Wright served in the First World War, being commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders as a second lieutenant in October 1914. He was made a temporary lieutenant in December 1916, before later being made an acting captain in June 1918, a rank he was again granted in December 1918, following the conclusion of the war. He later left the British Army and became a tea estate manager in British Ceylon, managing the estate at Wanarajah from 1927 to 1930.

While in Ceylon he played first-class cricket, making his debut for the Europeans cricket team against a touring Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) side in January 1927 at Colombo. He followed this up with a further first-class appearance against the MCC in February for the Up-Country XI at Darrawella. Wright spent time in England in 1928, where he was selected to play for the MCC against Ireland at Dublin. He scored 82 runs in the MCC's first innings, the second highest score of the innings behind Denis Hill-Wood's 85. Returning to Ceylon, he made a further two first-class appearances. The first came for Dr J Rockwood's Ceylon XI against Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagram's XI at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, with the second coming for All-Ceylon against Sir Julien Cahn's XI. A wicket-keeper, Wright scored 149 runs in five first-class matches, at an average of 29.80. Benhind the stumps he took 7 catches and made 5 stumpings. Wright died in England at Marylebone in October 1953. His brother, Oswin, and half–brother, Arthur, both played first-class cricket.

## InfoBox

Douglas Wright
| Personal information | |
| --- | --- |
| Full name | Douglas Alexander Wright |
| Born | 15 March 1894
Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana |
| Died | 1 October 1953(1953-10-01) (aged 59)
Marylebone, London, England |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Role | Wicket-keeper |
| Relations | Edward Fortescue Wright (father)
Oswin Wright (brother)
Arthur Wright (half–brother) |
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1928 | Marylebone Cricket Club |
|  | |
| Career statistics | |
| Competition First-class  Matches 5  Runs scored 149  Batting average 29.80  100s/50s –/1  Top score 82  Catches/stumpings 7/5 | |
|  | |
| Source: Cricinfo, 31 August 2021 | |


title: Douzhangzhuang

abstract: Douzhangzhuang Town is a town situated at the west side of Wuqing District, Tianjin, China. It shares border with Dongmaquan and Sicundian Towns in its north, Dongpuwa and Huangzhuang Subdistricts in its east, Chenzui and Huanghuadian Towns in its south, and Luofa Town in its west. In 2010, the town had 23,421 residents within its boundaries. During the Ming Dynasty, the area was settled by a family with the surname Zhang, who specialized in the production of beans and vegetables. The settlement took the name Doujiaozhangzhuang, which was later simplified to Douzhangzhuang.

text:
# Douzhangzhuang

**Douzhangzhuang** **Town** (simplified Chinese: 豆张庄镇; traditional Chinese: 豆張莊鎮; pinyin: *Dòuzhāngzhuāng Zhèn*) is a town situated at the west side of Wuqing District, Tianjin, China. It shares border with Dongmaquan and Sicundian Towns in its north, Dongpuwa and Huangzhuang Subdistricts in its east, Chenzui and Huanghuadian Towns in its south, and Luofa Town in its west. In 2010, the town had 23,421 residents within its boundaries.

During the Ming Dynasty, the area was settled by a family with the surname Zhang, who specialized in the production of beans and vegetables. The settlement took the name Doujiaozhangzhuang (Chinese: 豆角张庄; lit. 'Bean Pod Zhang's Villa'), which was later simplified to Douzhangzhuang.

## Geography

Douzhangzhuang Town is situated along the Beijing–Shanghai Railway, at an altitude of 8 meters above the sea level.

## History

Timetable of Douzhangzhuang Town
| Year | Status | Belong to |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1961 - 1968 | Douzhangzhuang People's Commune | Wuqing County, Hebei |
| 1968 - 1973 | Siyisi People's Commune | |
| 1973 - 1982 | | Wuqing County, Tianjin |
| 1982 - 1983 | | Douzhangzhuang People's Commune |
| 1983 - 2000 | | Douzhangzhuang Township |
| 2000 - 2013 | | Wuqing District, Tianjin |
| 2013–present | | Douzhangzhuang Town |

## Administrative divisions

As of 2022, Douzhangzhuang Town consisted of 19 subdivisions, including the following 1 residential community and 18 villages:

### Residential community

* Xiangshuli (香墅里)

### Villages

* Douzhangzhuang (豆张庄)
* Dongxinzhuang (东辛庄)
* Xixinzhuang (西辛庄)
* Gaochang (高场)
* Gongjiazhuang (龚家庄)
* Beichang (北场)
* Xiliuhang (西柳行)
* Xinanhang (西南行)
* Xizhou (西洲)
* Cizhou (茨洲)
* Laijiazhuang (来家庄)
* Juanzi (眷兹)
* Nanshuangmiao (南双庙)
* Zhongshuangmiao (中双庙)
* Beishuangmiao (北双庙)
* Zhouliying (周立营)
* Qingtuo (青坨)
* Shuanghe (双河)

## InfoBox

| Douzhangzhuang Town 豆张庄镇 | |
| --- | --- |
| Town | |
| Douzhangzhuang Railway Station within the town | |
| Douzhangzhuang TownDouzhangzhuang Town | |
| Coordinates: 39°23′55″N 116°56′30″E / 39.39861°N 116.94167°E / 39.39861; 116.94167 | |
| Country | China |
| Municipality | Tianjin |
| District | Wuqing |
| Village-level Divisions | 1 community
18 villages |
| Area | |
| Total | 69.79 km2 (26.95 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 8 m (26 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| Total | 23,421 |
| Density | 340/km2 (870/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (CST) |
| Postal code | 301707 |
| Area code | 022 |


title: Doug Reid

abstract: Douglas Charles Thomas Reid was a Canadian professional football player who played for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions. He played college football at the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. He died in 2007.

text:
# Doug Reid

**Douglas Charles Thomas Reid** (September 3, 1924 – March 17, 2007) was a Canadian professional football player who played for the Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions. He played college football at the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. He died in 2007.

## InfoBox

Doug Reid
| No. 89 | |
| --- | --- |
| Born: | (1924-09-03)September 3, 1924
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Died: | March 17, 2007(2007-03-17) (aged 82)
British Columbia, Canada |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | HB, FB |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| University | UBC |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 19501951 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 19541955 | BC Lions |
|  | |


title: The Serpent Warriors

abstract: The Serpent Warriors is a 1987 American-Hong Kong crime-horror film directed by John Howard and Niels Rasmussen starring Clint Walker, Eartha Kitt, Christopher Mitchum, Anne Lockhart, Kathleen Lu, Yuen Kao, and Anita Merritt.

text:
# The Serpent Warriors

***The Serpent Warriors*** (also known as **The Golden Viper**) is a 1987 American-Hong Kong crime-horror film directed by John Howard and Niels Rasmussen starring Clint Walker, Eartha Kitt, Christopher Mitchum, Anne Lockhart, Kathleen Lu, Yuen Kao, and Anita Merritt.

## Plot

A zoologist is called to a construction site that has snakes that was once was the ancient site of a snake-worshiping cult.

## Cast

## Production

### Filming locations

*The Serpent Warriors* was filmed in Nevada and Taiwan.

## Reception

### Critical response

Paul Freitag-Fey of the *Daily Grindhouse* wrote in his review: "In other words, *Serpent Warriors* is exactly the mess of a movie that you’d expect from a film created by three different sources each with their own plot and characters." He could not figure out how Eartha Kitt was cast in the film as "it’s a bit puzzling that her film career was so… varied."

### Citations

### Sources

## InfoBox

| The Serpent Warriors | |
| --- | --- |
| Directed by |  |
| Written by | Martin Wise |
| Produced by |  |
| Starring |  |
| Cinematography | Greg von Berblinger |
| Edited by |  |
| Music by |  |
| Production<br>company | Eastern Media Group |
| Distributed by |  |
| Release date | * March 1987 (1987-03) |
| Running time | 89 min |
| Countries |  |
| Language | English |


title: Doug Gabriel

abstract: Douglas Gabriel is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football at UCF. Gabriel was also a member of the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Florida Tuskers, California Redwoods, Sacramento Mountain Lions and Orlando Predators.

text:
# Doug Gabriel

**Douglas Gabriel** (born August 27, 1980) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played college football at UCF.

Gabriel was also a member of the New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Florida Tuskers, California Redwoods, Sacramento Mountain Lions and Orlando Predators.

## Early life

Gabriel attended Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida and was a letterman in football. As a senior, he won All-Conference and All-State honors as a wide receiver.

## College career

Gabriel finalized his storied high school career but was academically unable to enroll at Miami (Fla.) or Oregon State or any large school where he was recruited. He enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) in Perkinston, MS where he had a breakout 2000 fall season and made passing grades in the classroom, refocusing on playing at a larger university. Gabriel signed with and attended the University of Central Florida and was a two-year letterman in football. He finished his stellar college football career with 97 receptions for 1,869 yards and 20 touchdowns and added 795 yards on 37 kickoff returns (21.5 avg.). His 1,869 receiving yards rank ninth on the school's career-record list while his 20 receiving touchdowns rank fifth.

## Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m) | 213 lb
(97 kg) | 32+12 in
(0.83 m) | 9+78 in
(0.25 m) | 4.54 s | 1.62 s | 2.70 s | 4.16 s | 7.05 s | 35+12 in
(0.90 m) | 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m) |
| All values from NFL Combine. | | | | | | | | | | | | |

### Oakland Raiders (first stint)

Gabriel was selected by the Raiders in the fifth-round (167th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft.

### New England Patriots

On September 2, 2006, Gabriel was traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth round pick in the 2007 NFL draft. In 2006, Gabriel appeared in 12 games (five starts) for the Patriots and caught 25 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns. He was waived by the team on December 12, 2006.

### Oakland Raiders (second stint)

A day after being released by the Patriots, Gabriel re-signed with the Raiders on December 13, 2006. Gabriel appeared in three games for the team that season, catching five passes for 84 yards. On August 27, 2007, the Raiders released him.

### Cincinnati Bengals

After spending the 2007 season out of football, Gabriel signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on April 8, 2008. He was released by the team on May 29, 2008.

### Florida Tuskers

Gabriel was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL) on August 25, 2009. He was released by the Tuskers prior to the team's first game.

### California Redwoods

Gabriel then signed on with another UFL team, the California Redwoods, on October 12, 2009. He played in five games, starting one, for the Redwoods in 2009.

### Sacramento Mountain Lions

Gabriel signed with the Sacramento Mountain Lions for the 2010 UFL season but did not play in any games for the team.

### Orlando Predators

Gabriel was assigned to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League on January 18, 2011. He caught 12 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in 2011. He was placed on injured reserve on June 2, 2011.

## Post-playing career

Gabriel became offensive coordinator at East River High School (Fla.) HS in 2013, then became head football coach in September 2014 on an interim basis after the previous head coach resigned under pressure. In August 2015, Gabriel denied a rumor that he was leaving East River to take an internship with the Oakland Raiders.

## InfoBox

Doug Gabriel
| Gabriel with the Oakland Raiders | |
| --- | --- |
| No. 85, 80, 10 | |
| Position: | Wide receiver |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1980-08-27) August 27, 1980
Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Florida) |
| College: | UCF |
| NFL draft: | 2003 / round: 5 / pick: 167 |
| Career history | |
|  | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
|  | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Second-team All-MAC (2002) | |
|  | |
| Career NFL statistics | |
| Receptions: 101  Receiving yards: 1,550  Receiving touchdowns: 8 | |
| Career Arena statistics | |
| Receptions: 12  Receiving yards: 104  Receiving touchdowns: 2 | |
|  | |
| Player stats at **PFR** · **ArenaFan.com** | |
|  | |


title: The Road to Damascus (film)

abstract: The Road to Damascus is a 1952 French historical drama film directed by Max Glass and starring Michel Simon, Antoine Balpêtré and Jean-Marc Tennberg. It was shot at the Joinville Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Guy de Gastyne.

text:
# The Road to Damascus (film)

***The Road to Damascus*** (French: ***Le chemin de Damas***) is a 1952 French historical drama film directed by Max Glass and starring Michel Simon, Antoine Balpêtré and Jean-Marc Tennberg. It was shot at the Joinville Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Guy de Gastyne.

## Cast

## Bibliography

* Hayward, Susan. *French Costume Drama of the 1950s: Fashioning Politics in Film*. Intellect Books, 2010.
* Magerstädt, Sylvie. *Philosophy, Myth and Epic Cinema: Beyond Mere Illusions*. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

## InfoBox

| The Road to Damascus | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Directed by | Max Glass |
| Written by | Max Glass |
| Produced by | Max Glass
Fernand Rivers |
| Starring | Michel Simon
Antoine Balpêtré
Jean-Marc Tennberg |
| Cinematography | Eugen Schüfftan |
| Edited by | André Gaudier |
| Music by | Marius Constant |
| Production
companies | Max Glass Film
Les Films Fernand Rivers |
| Distributed by | Les Films Fernand Rivers |
| Release date | * 5 December 1952 (1952-12-05) |
| Running time | 108 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |


title: The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

abstract: The Re-Creation of Brian Kent is a 1925 American drama film directed by Sam Wood and written by Mary Alice Scully and Arthur F. Statter. It is based on the 1919 novel The Re-Creation of Brian Kent by Harold Bell Wright. The film stars Kenneth Harlan, Helene Chadwick, Mary Carr, ZaSu Pitts, Rosemary Theby, T. Roy Barnes, Ralph Lewis, and Russell Simpson. The film was released on February 15, 1925, by Principal Distributing.

text:
# The Re-Creation of Brian Kent

***The Re-Creation of Brian Kent*** is a 1925 American drama film directed by Sam Wood and written by Mary Alice Scully and Arthur F. Statter. It is based on the 1919 novel *The Re-Creation of Brian Kent* by Harold Bell Wright. The film stars Kenneth Harlan, Helene Chadwick, Mary Carr, ZaSu Pitts, Rosemary Theby, T. Roy Barnes, Ralph Lewis, and Russell Simpson. The film was released on February 15, 1925, by Principal Distributing.

## Plot

To satisfy all the wishes of a demanding wife, Brian Kent steals a large sum from the bank where he works. Overwhelmed with remorse, the man then attempts suicide on a boat that is adrift in a tumultuous river. The small boat, however, ends up entangled in the branches of the willows along the shore and Brian meets Judy, a girl who lives nearby and who introduces him to her aunt Sue. The latter, a kind teacher, has a positive influence on Brian who, trying to leave the past behind, becomes another man and even begins to write a book. But when he falls in love with Betty Jo, he arouses jealousy in Judy, who tells her father about her less than exemplary past. The man informs the bank of Brian's whereabouts, but Aunt Sue manages to persuade the bank president - an old student of his - not to pursue him. His wife, who came to find him, drowns in the river and Brian is now free to start a happy life with Betty Jo.

## Cast

## Preservation

The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.

## InfoBox

| The Re-Creation of Brian Kent | |
| --- | --- |
| Advertisement | |
| Directed by | Sam Wood |
| Screenplay by | Mary Alice Scully
Arthur F. Statter |
| Based on | *The Re-Creation of Brian Kent*
by Harold Bell Wright |
| Produced by | Sol Lesser |
| Starring | Kenneth Harlan
Helene Chadwick
Mary Carr
ZaSu Pitts
Rosemary Theby
T. Roy Barnes
Ralph Lewis
Russell Simpson |
| Cinematography | Glen MacWilliams |
| Production
company | Sol Lesser Productions |
| Distributed by | Principal Distributing |
| Release date | * February 15, 1925 (1925-02-15) |
| Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |


title: The Re-Education of Molly Singer

abstract: The Re-Education of Molly Singer is a 2023 American comedy film written by Todd M. Friedman and Kevin Haskin, directed by Andy Palmer and starring Britt Robertson.

text:
# The Re-Education of Molly Singer

***The Re-Education of Molly Singer*** is a 2023 American comedy film written by Todd M. Friedman and Kevin Haskin, directed by Andy Palmer and starring Britt Robertson.

## Plot

Molly Singer is a party girl lawyer who loves to have fun with her gay best friend Paulie who is a rich trust fund Asian that works as a lunch lady due to never finishing college and unlocking his trust fund. Elliot, the shy MMA-loving son of the CEO of Molly's firm, is going to college. On his first day, Elliot accidentally injures the star player of the university, which leads to everyone hating him. The exact same day, Molly is late to a very important hearing because she is hungover and costs the firm money. Elliot's mother decides to offer Molly a chance to get her job back if she goes back to college and helps her son Elliot. Molly helps Elliot hook up with his dream girl and get acclimated in university.

## Cast

## Release

The film was released in theaters and on VOD on September 29, 2023.

## Reception

The film has a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 16 reviews. Bobby LePire of *Film Threat* rated the film an 8 out of 10. Kate Erbland of IndieWire graded the film a C−.

## InfoBox

| The Re-Education of Molly Singer | |
| --- | --- |
| Directed by | Andy Palmer |
| Written by | Todd M. Friedman
Kevin Haskin |
| Produced by | Warner Davis
Todd M. Friedman |
| Starring |  |
| Cinematography | Filip Vandewal |
| Edited by | Tim Rush |
| Music by |  |
| Production
companies | Warner Davis Company
Hemlock Circle Productions |
| Distributed by | Lionsgate |
| Release date | * September 29, 2023 (2023-09-29) |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |


title: Dowty Group

abstract: Dowty Group was a leading British manufacturer of aircraft equipment. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The firm ceased operating as an individual entity following its acquisition by TI Group in 1992. The company has its origins as the Aircraft Components Company in 1931 and the work of British inventor and businessman George Dowty. In 1934, Dowty achieved its breakthrough sale of its innovative undercarriage designs, being contracted by the Gloster Aircraft Company to provide oleo struts for the Gloster Gauntlet biplane. In 1935, as the business expanded to meet demand, Dowty founded a new manufacturing venture to produce his aviation products, which was named Dowty Aviation. It quickly secured numerous additional orders and manufacturing facilities to cope with the pressing demands of the Second World War, a significant majority of British aircraft production incorporating the firm's various products. By the end of the conflict, Dowty Aviation was a major British manufacturing interest, possessing many production plants at home and overseas in Canada and the United States. By the end of hostilities in 1945, Dowty had reportedly manufactured 87,786 landing gears and 984,388 hydraulic units. A major drive to apply its technology to other commercial ventures was taken in the post-war era. Throughout much of its existence, Dowty Group specialised in the manufacture of hydraulic and actuation systems, advanced propellers, turbine engine components and tubular systems; it was also a long-term owner of the Hamble aircraft structures business. The Dowty Group also diversified into various commercial and industrial sectors, venturing into telecommunications, software, and becoming a market leader in the manufacturing of mining equipment.

text:
# Dowty Group

**Dowty Group** was a leading British manufacturer of aircraft equipment. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The firm ceased operating as an individual entity following its acquisition by TI Group in 1992.

The company has its origins as the *Aircraft Components Company* in 1931 and the work of British inventor and businessman George Dowty. In 1934, Dowty achieved its breakthrough sale of its innovative undercarriage designs, being contracted by the Gloster Aircraft Company to provide oleo struts for the Gloster Gauntlet biplane. In 1935, as the business expanded to meet demand, Dowty founded a new manufacturing venture to produce his aviation products, which was named *Dowty Aviation*.

It quickly secured numerous additional orders and manufacturing facilities to cope with the pressing demands of the Second World War, a significant majority of British aircraft production incorporating the firm's various products. By the end of the conflict, Dowty Aviation was a major British manufacturing interest, possessing many production plants at home and overseas in Canada and the United States. By the end of hostilities in 1945, Dowty had reportedly manufactured 87,786 landing gears and 984,388 hydraulic units. A major drive to apply its technology to other commercial ventures was taken in the post-war era.

Throughout much of its existence, Dowty Group specialised in the manufacture of hydraulic and actuation systems, advanced propellers, turbine engine components and tubular systems; it was also a long-term owner of the *Hamble* aircraft structures business. The Dowty Group also diversified into various commercial and industrial sectors, venturing into telecommunications, software, and becoming a market leader in the manufacturing of mining equipment.

## History

### Origins

What would eventually become Dowty Group was founded as the *Aircraft Components Company* in 1931 by British inventor and businessman George Dowty, who was working as a draughtsman for the Gloster Aircraft Company at that time. Initially, this entity was only a shell company, having no staff, no capital and being operated out of a registered office in Lloyds Avenue, London. It quickly became insolvent after the company's first order, for aircraft shock absorber struts from the *Civilian Aircraft Co of Hull*, was not paid in time.

In June 1931, Dowty decided to resign from Gloster to form *Aircraft Components Ltd*, which was based in 10 Lansdown Terrace Lane in Cheltenham. In November 1931, the first two employees were recruited. The company's first success involved Dowty's newly-invented internally sprung wheel; the first order for six of these wheels was placed by the Japanese Kawasaki Company, manufacturing was performed at the company's Lansdown Terrace premises. In 1934, Dowty achieved a major sale after approached aviation engineer Henry Folland of Gloster to demonstrate his own design for oleo struts; these were promptly ordered for the Gloster Gauntlet aircraft. This initial and sizable production order was rapidly followed by a similar order for the Gloster Gladiator.

In 1935, Dowty founded a new business to manufacture this aircraft equipment under the name *Dowty Aviation*. That same year, the company leased a factory and bought new premises in Arle Court, Cheltenham. In 1936, Aviation became a public company, Dowty himself only held a small stake in its overall equity. Dowty Aviation would secure numerous additional orders; amongst other customers, it provided landing gear for Frank Whittle's ground-breaking Gloster E.1/44, a jet-propelled aeroplane that first flew on 15 May 1941.

### Second World War

Throughout the Second World War, Dowty Aviation's products were a key subsystem of nearly all British aircraft that were manufactured during the conflict. Its product range included hydraulic systems, undercarriage units, tail wheels, electrical instrumentation and warning devices. Specific aircraft incorporating Dowty products include the Hawker Hurricane, Bristol Beaufighter, Hawker Typhoon, Westland Whirlwind, Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax, Short Stirling, Short Sunderland, Blackburn Skua, Avro Anson, Miles Master, and the de Havilland Rapide. The first jet fighter to enter Allied service, the Gloster Meteor, also used Dowty Aviation technology.

By the end of the conflict, Dowty Aviation had clearly established itself as a major British manufacturing interest, particularly in relation to the expanded aviation industry. New production plants had been established not only throughout the British Isles, but also overseas in Canada and the United States as well. By the end of hostilities in 1945, Dowty had reportedly manufactured 87,786 landing gears and 984,388 hydraulic units.

### Post-war activities

Shortly after the Second World War, Dowty Aviation decided to apply its hydraulics technology to wider fields, venturing into motorcycle suspension forks, hydraulic pit props, industrial pumps, and hydraulic control systems. In 1945, *Dowty Seals* was founded; during 1950, another new entity, *Dowty Hydraulic Units*, was created, while *Dowty Fuel Systems* followed in 1953. Various businesses were also acquired by the growing company, including *New Mendip Engineering* in 1948 and *Coventry Precision* in 1951.

In 1954, George Dowty's contribution to the aviation industry was formally recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society, being awarded its gold medal for outstanding designs and development of aircraft equipment.

As the various Dowty-owned companies continued to grow in both size and number, it became apparent that a new business structure was needed to oversee and manage the other businesses. Accordingly, on 18 March 1954, *Dowty Group Limited* was incorporated, its headquarters being established at Arle Court, Cheltenham. By this point, the business' Canadian operation was reportedly generating roughly 50 per cent of its total turnover.

During 1960, Dowty Group acquired Rotol Airscrews, giving it a propeller manufacturing capability; this led to the creation of the *Dowty Rotol* division. In 1961, it acquired British aviation company Boulton Paul Aircraft, a former large scale manufacturer of aircraft, involved in the production of research aircraft as well as aviation subsystems such as powered control units, as well as other activities. For a time, this part the business was known as *Dowty Boulton Paul Ltd*.

In the 1960s, Dowty Group contributed to several major British aviation projects, including the development and provision of fuel control systems for the Harrier jump jet and of power controls for the Concorde supersonic airliner. Internationally, the company closely collaborated with the French Group Messier on aircraft landing gear and hydraulics over a long period of time.

In the late 1980s, Dowty Group decided to diversify into telecommunications and computer equipment, acquiring Datatel, a software business, in 1987, *Case Group plc*, a telecommunications company, in 1988 and *Dataco*, a provider of network services, in 1990.

## Acquisition, restructuring and absorption

During 1992, Dowty Group was acquired by TI Group, another large British specialist engineering company. Reportedly, Dowty had been regarded by TI's chairman, Sir Christopher Lewinton, as his number-one target and had made substantial preparations towards its acquisition, although the bid was not regarded as being a hostile one despite Dowty's board initially having spurned the proposition.

The company promptly underwent heavy restructuring. By August 1993, TI Group had made 1,500 of ex-Dowty workforce redundant since the acquisition, equivalent to 20 per cent of the workforce; this was reportedly a consequence of the unit's performance being below expectations. In 1993, TI Group decided to dispose of seven former Dowty Group companies engaged in the manufacture of electronic equipment; this was achieved in the form of a management buy-out, this deal resulted in the creation of Ultra Electronics.

In 1994, TI Group transferred the Dowty landing gear business into a joint venture that it formed with SNECMA, which became known as Messier-Dowty. According to Tony Edwards, the chief executive and chairman of the merged entity, while acknowledging there having been some difficulties due to a lack of preparation, he regarded it as being: "a successful example of European integration that works". During late 1998, Messier-Dowty became wholly owned by French business Safran.

## InfoBox

Dowty Group
|
|  |
| Company type | Public |
| Industry | Aircraft equipment |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Fate | Acquired |
| Successor | TI Group |
| Headquarters | Cheltenham, UK |
| Key people | Sir Robert Hunt (Chairman) |


title: The Sadist (book)

abstract: The Sadist is a book published by psychiatrist Karl Berg, following the confessions of Peter Kürten, a notorious German serial killer known as both The Vampire of Düsseldorf and the Düsseldorf Monster who committed a series of assaults and murders, primarily between 1929 and 1930. The book was originally written in German. The first English edition was issued in 1938, by Acorn Press. A second edition was published by William Heinemann Medical Books in 1945.

text:
# The Sadist (book)

***The Sadist*** (German: "Der Sadist") is a book published by psychiatrist Karl Berg, following the confessions of Peter Kürten, a notorious German serial killer known as both **The Vampire of Düsseldorf** and the **Düsseldorf Monster** who committed a series of assaults and murders, primarily between 1929 and 1930.

The book was originally written in German. The first English edition was issued in 1938, by Acorn Press. A second edition was published by William Heinemann Medical Books in 1945.


title: The Sadie Family

abstract: The Sadie Family is a South African producer of wine located in the Swartland region. Following the emergence of flagship wines Columella and Palladius, winemaker Eben Sadie has been described as an enfant terrible, South Africa's first certified celebrity winemaker, and by supporters as "one of the greatest and most original winemakers in the southern hemisphere". He has also branched out to other wine regions, such as in Spain.

text:
# The Sadie Family

**The Sadie Family** is a South African producer of wine located in the Swartland region. Following the emergence of flagship wines Columella and Palladius, winemaker Eben Sadie has been described as an **enfant terrible**, South Africa's first certified celebrity winemaker, and by supporters as "one of the greatest and most original winemakers in the southern hemisphere". He has also branched out to other wine regions, such as in Spain.

## History

Prior to his career as a winemaker, following a period as a surfer, Eben Sadie traveled and worked in several of the world's wine regions, including Germany, Austria, Italy, Oregon and Burgundy. Having returned to South Africa, Sadie found work under Charles Back at The Spice Route in 1998, eventually becoming the chief winemaker and a resource Back described as "national asset for the South African wine industry".

The solo venture The Sadie Family was founded in 1999. The initial vintage of Columella in 2000 began on an exceptionally small scale, with a production of 17 barrels, approximately 5000 bottles. The first two vintages were produced at Back's Spice Route facilities until Sadie established Sadie Family Wines with 9000 (US$1297), and 14 barrels. The company consists of three employees, in addition to Eben Sadie, his brother and sister. The initial vintage of the Palladius was in 2002 with a production of seven barrels, just under 2000 bottles.

The Sadie Family has enjoyed success beyond any other modern South African wine producer as Columella is the most highly rated South African wine, and the only to achieve a 95-point rating by US wine magazine *Wine Spectator*. In defense of Columella's high retail price per bottle, Sadie states the wine is unusually costly to make.

### Sequillo Cellars

Since 2003, the label Sequillo Cellars was started by Eben Sadie in partnership with Cornel Spies, to some degree considered The Sadie Family's more affordable second wines.

Eben Sadie stopped producing this wine in 2014. He is now focusing on The Sadie Family Wines exclusively.

### Terroir al Límit

Eben Sadie was also involved with Spanish wine producer Terroir Al Límit in the village of Torroja in Priorat, Catalonia. This was a joint collaboration with Dominik A. Huber and viticulturist Jaume Sabaté. The project was founded in 2004 and initially drew upon fruit from the vineyards of Dits del Terra owned by Sadie, Arbossar owned by Huber. Despite the Northern Hemisphere agricultural cycle allowing Sadie to work both vintages, he started taking a less prominent role starting in 2010.

Sadie ceased all involvement in the project by 2010 and now focuses solely on his wines in South Africa.

## Production

Sadie sources Syrah and Mourvèdre from various **terroirs** located in the Voor-Paardeberg ward of the inland Paarl district, in total 43 hectares (110 acres) covering 48 separate parcels. Biodynamically produced, the grape yield average is extremely low, 1.2 pounds per vine. Vineyard pests are controlled using a seaweed spray. After, grapes are hand-sorted, stored in open wooden vats, twice daily trampled for a month, and then moved by buckets to a traditional basket press. Instead of using pumps to move the wine into barrels, gravity is applied.

For the flagship wine Columella, there is a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre from eight different vineyard sites, and for Palladius there is blended Chenin blanc, Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Clairette and Chardonnay. There is also produced a bush-vine white varietal wine from Chenin blanc named Mrs Kirsten's Old Vines.

From Sequillo Cellars, there are produced the Sequillo Red and Sequillo White. The red consists of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache, and the white is composed from Chenin blanc, Grenache blanc, Viognier, and Roussanne.


title: The Sitter

abstract: The Sitter is a 2011 American black comedy film directed by David Gordon Green and written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. The film follows a slacker college student who, after being suspended, is forced by his mother to fill in for a babysitter that called in sick. During this time, he takes his charges along for his extensive criminal escapades. The film is a Michael De Luca Productions and 20th Century Fox joint venture, distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film was originally scheduled to be released in theaters on August 5, 2011, but was pushed back to December 9, 2011. It received generally negative reviews from critics and grossed $34 million against its $25 million budget.

text:
# The Sitter

***The Sitter*** is a 2011 American black comedy film directed by David Gordon Green and written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. The film follows a slacker college student (played by Jonah Hill) who, after being suspended, is forced by his mother to fill in for a babysitter that called in sick. During this time, he takes his charges along for his extensive criminal escapades.

The film is a Michael De Luca Productions and 20th Century Fox joint venture, distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film was originally scheduled to be released in theaters on August 5, 2011, but was pushed back to December 9, 2011. It received generally negative reviews from critics and grossed $34 million against its $25 million budget.

## Plot

Noah Griffith is an unemployed suspended college student who lives with his divorced mother in New Jersey. After Noah returns home from his sex buddy Marisa's house, his mother tells him that her plans to go to a party with her friends the Pedullas have been ruined because the Pedullas' babysitter canceled last minute. Noah takes over as babysitter to allow his mother to go out with her friends.

Noah arrives at the Pedullas' house and is introduced to the kids by their mother. The older son Slater has a severe anxiety disorder. Their daughter Blithe is obsessed with pop culture and loves to wear makeup. Their younger son Rodrigo is a pyromaniac adopted from El Salvador who likes to run away from home. As soon as their parents leave, the children start to act obnoxiously and Rodrigo smashes several vases.

Marisa calls Noah and asks him to bring cocaine to a party that she's at, saying that she'll repay him with sex afterwards. Noah immediately accepts, and he and the children leave to get the drugs from Marisa's friend. Noah meets Marisa's drug dealer Karl Fairhurst and his assistant Julio Murphy. After Karl gives the drugs to Noah, Rodrigo enters the building and claims that he has to go to the bathroom. When Noah and Rodrigo leave, Noah finds out that Rodrigo stole a baby dinosaur egg filled with cocaine from Karl's house. While attempting to get the egg back from Rodrigo, the egg smashes and pours cocaine all over Noah's face. Karl calls Noah about the stolen eggs and tells him that if he doesn't bring the egg back or the $10,000 he owes for the egg, he will kill him.

Not wanting to be a part of this, Slater asks Noah to take the three of them to the party where their parents are. When Noah sees his mother actually having a good time at the party he can't bring himself to interfere and decides to bring the kids with him. Slater then tells Noah that two twins are texting him asking him to attend a bat mitzvah for Wendy Sapperstein (a girl that goes to his school). He tells Noah that the bat mitzvah is being held at the Grand Prospect Hall. Noah then comes up with the idea that they can steal the money Wendy gets.

At the bat mitzvah, the twins take Slater to dance while Noah steals money. Noah manages to only steal $3,000 because he had to leave due to Rodrigo urinating on the floor. When they are leaving Slater finds his best friend Clayton in a lie and he tells Slater that he doesn't want to hang out with him anymore. They also find out that Tina, who went to high school with Noah, has stolen the car to get revenge on Noah who went to a party at her house, and threw up on her grandmother's ashes due to him being drunk. Noah gives the $3,000 to Karl and also brings $7,000 worth of checks. Karl refuses the checks and gives Noah one more chance at getting the $7,000. He tells Noah to meet him at the party Marisa is at with the money and if he doesn't, he will kill him.

Noah goes to his dad for help, but he refuses because he now hates Noah due to him dropping out of college and just being a loser in general. An angry Noah steals his father's car keys and drives to the jewelry store his dad owns. Noah steals enough jewelry to pay back Karl, but Rodrigo blows the store up after placing a cherry bomb in the bathroom. Rodrigo throws a temper tantrum and tosses Slater's fanny pack containing his medicine out the window. Noah stops the car so Slater can get the pills. Noah tells Slater that he's not going to find them, and it is then revealed that Slater is gay, and the pills were the only thing that kept him "normal." Noah makes Slater accept the fact that he's gay, and that there is nothing wrong with it.

The group sees their stolen minivan drive by and they track it down to a club where Noah confronts Tina about stealing the car. Tina finally lets go of her anger towards Noah by punching him in the face. Noah leaves and the group head out to get the money to Karl. On the way, Noah gets pulled over by the police, who steal the jewelry and the cocaine that Karl originally gave him. Karl's gang tracks Noah down and attempts to kill him and the kids, but Noah manages to get away. Noah engages in a car chase with Karl and Julio. Karl's car crashes when Rodrigo throws a cherry bomb in their van. Noah spins out and Karl holds him at gunpoint. Blithe calls Tina's gang and they beat Karl up so Noah and the kids can escape.

Noah drops Marisa off at her house and the two break up. Noah manages to get the kids home on time and they see that everything that went on that night is on the news. Their parents arrive home and they pay Noah for the night.

During the end credits, it is revealed that Noah got a new girlfriend, Slater grew up and got a job at the entertainment industry, Blithe gave up her pop culture obsession and started inventing perfumes as an adult, Rodrigo gave up being a pyromaniac, Karl was hospitalized after being beat up by Tina's gang, and Julio died due to burning to death.

## Cast

## Reception

### Box office

*The Sitter* grossed $30.4 million in the United States and Canada and $4.5 million in other territories for a total gross of $34.9 million, against a production budget of $25 million.

The film made $9.9 million in its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind *New Year's Eve* ($13 million).

### Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 21% based on 112 reviews, with an average rating of 4.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "With its recycled plot, misguided gags, and formula performance from Jonah Hill, *The Sitter* adds up to another disappointing entry from director David Gordon Green." On Metacritic the film has a score of 39 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale.

*Empire* magazine awarded it a score of two out of five stars, saying " It never really gels except for a few spots here and there." *The Guardian* awarded it one out of five stars, saying "Very light on gags, and then, with an awful inevitability, very heavy on the sentimental life-lessons getting learnt by Noah and his adorable young charges. Avoid." Roger Ebert awarded it one out of four stars, saying "I don't blame Green for working in the genre. But I blame him for making a bad movie that isn't funny." *The Hollywood Reporter* gave the film a more mixed review, saying "The fusion works far better than Green's sword-and-sandal-and-stoners dud *Your Highness*, but is unlikely to connect with audiences like his previous '80s riff *Pineapple Express*."

### Home media

*The Sitter* was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 20, 2012.

## InfoBox

| The Sitter | |
| --- | --- |
| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | David Gordon Green |
| Written by | * Brian Gatewood * Alessandro Tanaka |
| Produced by | Michael De Luca |
| Starring |  |
| Cinematography | Tim Orr |
| Edited by | Craig Alpert |
| Music by |  |
| Production<br>companies |  |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date | * December 9, 2011 (2011-12-09) |
| Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $34.9 million |


title: The Sitter (1977 film)

abstract: The Sitter is a 1977 American short horror-thriller film directed by Fred Walton on which his 1979 feature film When a Stranger Calls is based. It is a suspenseful retelling of the classic urban legend of "The babysitter and the man upstairs" about a babysitter who is menaced by mysterious and frightening phone calls which are finally revealed to be coming from inside the house.

text:
# The Sitter (1977 film)

***The Sitter*** is a 1977 American short horror-thriller film directed by Fred Walton on which his 1979 feature film *When a Stranger Calls* is based. It is a suspenseful retelling of the classic urban legend of "The babysitter and the man upstairs" about a babysitter who is menaced by mysterious and frightening phone calls which are finally revealed to be coming from inside the house.

## Plot

On the evening of March 21, 1972 in Santa Monica, California, a teenage girl named Jill Johnson is babysitting the children of Dr. Mandrakis at his house. The children have been put to bed upstairs and Jill is downstairs in the living room doing her homework. She receives a telephone call from a man who asks her if she has checked the children. Jill dismisses the call and goes back to her homework. The anonymous caller dials back several times. Eventually Jill calls the police, who inform her to keep the caller on the line long enough for them to trace the call. After the stranger calls again, the police return her call, advising Jill to leave immediately because the calls are coming from a phone inside the house. Jill runs to the door as a light comes on at the top of the staircase, and the stalker's shadow appears. The scene segues to a close-up of a detective who is investigating the matter. A policeman explains to the detective that Jill is unharmed, but the children were murdered by the killer several hours earlier.

## Cast

* Lucia Stralser as Jill Johnson
* Curt Sanders as The Killer
* Karen Kondan as Mrs. Mandrakis
* Bill Striglos as Dr. Mandrakis
* Ed Ruffalo as Sgt. Sacker
* Sally Taylor as Nancy
* Bob Sutton as Detective
* Charles Boswell as Policeman

## Production

In early 1977, Fred Walton and his old college friend Steve Feke were throwing around story ideas for a film and Feke told him the legendary tale of "The babysitter and the man upstairs" which Walton felt had potential for a film. The production of *The Sitter* was made on a low budget with both Feke and Walton working steadily for the financing, including their friends' contributing $1,000 here and there. The 22-minute film, shot on 35mm in three days in May 1977 on a budget of $12,000, closely prefigures the opening twenty minutes of *When a Stranger Calls*, now consistently regarded as one of the scariest openings in horror movie history.

## Release

Once post-production on *The Sitter* was completed, Walton and Feke realized that the market for short films wasn't nearly as good as they had both anticipated. Although major studios were not interested in the short film, they were able to land a one-week showing at a theatre for consideration at the 1977 Academy Awards to qualify a nomination for Best Live Action Short. *The Sitter* had a short theatrical run being screened before *Looking for Mr. Goodbar* at Mann's Village Theatre in Westwood, California. In spite of its good reception, the film did not get nominated for an Oscar.

Executive producers Barry Krost and Douglas Chapin had gone to the theatre to see *Looking for Mr. Goodbar*, and both were so impressed by *The Sitter* that they sold Mel Simon (a businessman and film producer) on the idea of expanding it into a feature-length film, which eventually became *When a Stranger Calls*.

### Home media

For a long time, the short was completely unavailable to the public, as it had remained in Walton's possession the whole time. It was only finally released to the public when it was included as a special feature on the UK Blu-ray release of *When a Stranger Calls* (1979), and in the Shout Factory Blu-ray release of *When a Stranger Calls Back* (1993).

## InfoBox

| The Sitter | |
| --- | --- |
| Directed by | Fred Walton |
| Written by | Fred Walton
Steve Feke |
| Produced by | Steve Feke |
| Starring | Lucia Stralser
Curt Sanders
Karen Kondan
Bill Striglos
Ed Ruffalo |
| Cinematography | Willy Kurant |
| Edited by | Sam Vitale |
| Music by | Jane McNealy |
| Production
company | Parnassus Productions |
| Release date | * 1977 (1977) |
| Running time | 21 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $12,000 |


title: The Sitcom Trials

abstract: The Sitcom Trials is a stage and TV show devised, produced, and presented by Kev F. Sutherland. Beginning in Bristol in 1999, it showcases new sitcoms and comedy items in a head-to-head format. The audience then vote for the one they like best and only see the ending of the winner.

text:
# The Sitcom Trials

***The Sitcom Trials*** is a stage and TV show devised, produced, and presented by Kev F. Sutherland. Beginning in Bristol in 1999, it showcases new sitcoms and comedy items in a head-to-head format. The audience then vote for the one they like best and only see the ending of the winner.

## History

*The Sitcom Trials* began life on stage in Bristol and London in 1999, its original venues being The Comedy Box in Bristol and the Comedy Pub (main venue 1999–2006) in London. Other London venues have included The Camden Head, Ophelia Dalston, the Leicester Square Theatre, the Canal Cafe Theatre, Finborough Theatre, Soho Theatre, Ealing Studios, The Green Room Club, and the Hen and Chickens Theatre.

*The Sitcom Trials* debuted at the Gilded Balloon venue at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2001, with a show starring Miranda Hart, returning in 2002 & 2004. The first TV series was a Carlton production for ITV/HTV, broadcast live from Bristol over eight weeks in 2003. The first Hollywood *Sitcom Trials* took place in 2005.

In 2008 the Sitcom Trials won the Fringe Report Award for Best Encourager of New Talent.

In 2013 and 2016 The Sitcom Trials returned to the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of the So You Think You're Funny competition. Heats took place in London, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh .

The stage show has been produced by Kev F Sutherland (99-present), Simon Wright & Declan Hill (07-09), James Parker (09-10), Vince Stadon (Bristol 2012–present) Lisa Parker, Michelle Ashton and Sean Mason (Manchester 09-present), Aaron Twitchen (Birmingham) and Colin McQuaid (Glasgow). The 2003 TV show was produced by Mark Ashton.

In 2010 Declan Hill and Simon Wright, who produced the Sitcom Trials in 2007 and 2009 launched a similar event called *The Sitcom Mission*.

At the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe The Sitcom Trials auctioned on eBay the chance to have your script in the show. This was won by Liam Mullone who starred in his own sitcom, along with Isy Suttie, Duncan Edwards, Ed Petrie and Andy Bone.

Performers who have appeared in *The Sitcom Trials* over the years include Miranda Hart, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch, Suki Webster, Tony Robinson (Baldrick), Wanda Opalinska, Gerard Foster, Charity Trimm, Dominic Frisby, Waen Shepherd, Laura Solon, James Holmes, Justin Lee Collins, Russell Howard, Mark Olver, Aaron Barschak, Emily Lloyd, Danny Robins, Dan Tetsell, The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Rosie Holt, Lucy Porter, Nick Ewans, Louisa Gummer, Anne-Marie Draycott, Dan March, Rich Johnston, Anna Bennetts, Simon Treves, Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon.

Having written and appeared with Kev F. Sutherland in the predecessor of the Trials, Situations Vacant in 1996 (clip can be found on YouTube), Inbetweeners writer Iain Morris went on to name one of the main characters in the series (Neil's dad) Kevin Sutherland.

## Miranda

Miranda Hart's eponymous sitcom, now on BBC 2, first appeared as part of The Sitcom Trials at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2001. It featured Miranda, working in a joke shop that sells penis pasta, with a diminutive blonde sidekick, originally played by Charity Trimm, and the love interest in the café, played then by Gerard Foster. The camp character played in 01 by Dan Clegg went on to be played in the TV series by James Holmes who, coincidentally, was the star of the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe Sitcom Trials.

## Competition seasons

The Sitcom Trials has run a number of competition seasons, with heats and a grand final, in 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2016. 2013 and 2016's's seasons were part of the So You Think You're Funny competition, with heats in London, Manchester, Bristol (13), Cardiff (16), Birmingham (16) and Glasgow (16) and a grand final at the Edinburgh Fringe. 2013's final was won by Rosie Holt's sitcom Never Better, and 2016's final by Like-A-Looks by Kate Bowes-Renna and Vanessa-Faye Stanley.

The winner of the 2009 10th Anniversary Season was End To End by Steve McNeil & Sam Pamphilon. Spring 2009's winner was Riga To Rotherham by Dean Hardman. Autumn 07's winner was New Zealand team sitcom Sweet As.

Judges at the 2009 10th Anniversary Sitcom Trials in London included David Quantick, Iain Morris, Bill Dare, Katie Tyrell, David Schneider, Laura Lawson, Ashley Blaker, Daniel Maier, Nev Fountain, Carrie Quinlan, Michelle Farr, Marc Blake and Tom Price..

Reviews for the show have ranged from the Leicester Mercury's "We were screaming with laughter... move over Friends", through the London Evening Standard's "We're not watching stand-up, we're watching comedy history", to Chortle's "The Sitcom Trials are performing a vital service". There was also *Metro*'s notorious review of the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe show: "I would happily have voted to have my own eyes gouged out with hot spoons rather than endure another moment."

## Episode guide TV series 1

* **Episode 1 – "Policevets in Casualty vs Do You Think They'll Cotton On?"**

Police comedy by Stephen Dinsdale, vs Brian Meenagh's behind the scenes TV producers. All episodes hosted by Kev F Sutherland. * **Episode 2 – "Go Wild in the Country vs The Client"**

Divorcee returns to school reunion, by Jane Simon, vs office romance & ructions by Harris, Blakewill & Wainwright * **Episode 3 – "Cardinal Sin vs Nemesis"**

Two historical costume comedies by Andrew Barclay and Sam Elsden * **Episode 4 – "Improv Special"**

The Comedy Store Players Neil Mullarkey, Suki Webster, Niall Ashdown & Richard Vranch present two contrasting sitcoms from audience suggestions. * **Episode 5 – "What An Anchor vs A Producers Tale"**

Behind the scenes with an anchorman, by Adrian Peck & John Kelly, and a dysfunctional producer, by Roland Moore * **Episode 6 – "Jimmy James vs on the Job"**

A solo writer-performed sitcom with multiple characters by James Holmes, vs HTV's Television Workshop's group creation * **Episode 7 – "Perfect 10 vs Football R For Revenge"**

Political shenanigans at No 10 by Rich Johnston, vs terror on the terrace by Matt Bowdler & Ben Manning * **Episode 8 – "The public vs the public"**

Two scripts selected from entries sent in by the viewers, head to head

## The Sitcom Mission

Declan Hill and Simon Wright, who produced the Sitcom Trials in 2007 and 2009 launched a similar event called *The Sitcom Mission*, the first Grand Final of which was in the New Diorama Theatre on Monday 31 May 2010. In Feb 2011 Hat Trick Productions announced their support of the 2011 Sitcom Mission season

## InfoBox

| *The Sitcom Trials* | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Created by | Kev F Sutherland |
| Presented by | Kev F Sutherland |
| Starring | Wanda Opalinska, Dan March, Victoria Jeffrey, Louisa Gummer, Gerard Foster, Simon Wright, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch, James Holmes + |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Production locations | HTV Studios, Bath Road, Bristol |
| Running time | 24–25 mins |
| Production company | Carlton Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV / HTV West |
| Release | 13 February (2003-02-13) <br>11 April 2003 (2003-04-11) |


title: Doug Kidd

abstract: Sir Douglas Lorimer Kidd is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1978 to 2002, representing the National Party. He served for three years as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

text:
# Doug Kidd

**Sir Douglas Lorimer Kidd** KNZM (born 12 September 1941) is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1978 to 2002, representing the National Party. He served for three years as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

## Early life

Kidd was born in Levin. From 1960 to 1964, he served in the New Zealand Army Territorial Force as a bombardier gunlayer. He later obtained a LLB from Victoria University of Wellington, and worked as a lawyer. He also had business interests in aquaculture, forestry, and wine making.

## Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 19781981 | 39th | Marlborough | |  | National |
| 19811984 | 40th | Marlborough | |  | National |
| 19841987 | 41st | Marlborough | |  | National |
| 19871990 | 42nd | Marlborough | |  | National |
| 19901993 | 43rd | Marlborough | |  | National |
| 19931996 | 44th | Marlborough | |  | National |
| 19961999 | 45th | Kaikoura | 14 |  | National |
| 19992002 | 46th | List | 17 |  | National |

Kidd was first elected to Parliament in the 1978 election, becoming MP for Marlborough. In the government of Jim Bolger, Kidd held a number of minor ministerial portfolios, including Fisheries, Energy and Labour. He held his Marlborough electorate until the 1996 election, when the electorate was abolished and most of its area incorporated into the new and larger Kaikoura electorate. Kidd came first in Kaikoura in 1996. In the following election he sought election as a list MP only. He was succeeded in Kaikoura by Lynda Scott and retired from Parliament at the 2002 election.

### Status of the Unborn Child Bill

In 1983 Kidd's anti-abortion Status of the Unborn Child Bill (a private members bill) was drawn from the lot. The bill was prompted by Wall v Livingston \[1982\], which clarified that embryos and foetuses had no legal status in New Zealand and that third parties could not appeal to the courts on their behalf. The bill was supported by groups such as Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child (now Voice for Life and Right to Life New Zealand) but defeated by pro-choice groups led by Marilyn Waring.

### Speaker of the House

After the 1996 election, Kidd was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives; Derek Quigley also contested the position. He replaced Peter Tapsell, a Labour Party MP who had held the speakership because National, which had won the election by a single seat, did not want to lose a vote by appointing a Speaker from its own ranks. Kidd lost the speakership when the National Party lost the 1999 election, being replaced by Jonathan Hunt of the Labour Party. After serving a term in Opposition, he chose to retire from politics at the 2002 election.

## After Parliament

In the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kidd was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1996 and 1999, and he accepted redesignation as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in August 2009 following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand government.

Kidd was appointed to the Waitangi Tribunal in 2004.

## InfoBox

| The HonourableSir Douglas KiddKNZM | |
| --- | --- |
| Kidd in 2014 | |
|  | |
| 25th Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| **In office**
12 December 1996  20 December 1999 | |
| Prime Minister | Jim Bolger
Jenny Shipley
Helen Clark |
| Preceded by | Peter Tapsell |
| Succeeded by | Jonathan Hunt |
| Constituency | Kaikoura |
|  | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1941-09-12) 12 September 1941
Levin, New Zealand |
| Political party | National |
|  | |


title: Doug Kellermeyer

abstract: Douglas Arthur Kellermeyer is a former American football tackle who played three games for the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1987. He played college football at BYU.

text:
# Doug Kellermeyer

**Douglas Arthur Kellermeyer** (born June 1, 1961) is a former American football tackle who played three games for the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1987. He played college football at BYU.

## InfoBox

Doug Kellermeyer
| No. 60, 62 | |
| --- | --- |
| Position: | Offensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1961-06-01) June 1, 1961<br>Bucyrus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Coronado |
| College: | BYU |
| Undrafted: | 1984 |
| Career history | |
|  | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
|  | |
| Career NFL statistics | |
| Games played: 3 | |
|  | |
| Player stats at **PFR** | |
|  | |


title: Draculoides brooksi

abstract: Draculoides brooksi is a species of schizomid arachnid in the Hubbardiidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2001 by Australian arachnologist Mark Harvey. The specific epithet brooksi honours Darren Brooks for his skills in collecting schizomids and other cave creatures.

text:
# Draculoides brooksi

***Draculoides brooksi*** is a species of schizomid arachnid (commonly known as a short-tailed whip-scorpion) in the Hubbardiidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2001 by Australian arachnologist Mark Harvey. The specific epithet *brooksi* honours Darren Brooks for his skills in collecting schizomids and other cave creatures.

## Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in North West Western Australia. The type locality is Ampolex 'A' borehole on the north-eastern part of the Cape Range Peninsula.

## Behaviour

The arachnids are cave-dwelling, terrestrial predators.

## InfoBox

| *Draculoides brooksi* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Schizomida |
| Family: | Hubbardiidae |
| Genus: | *Draculoides* |
| Species: | ***D. brooksi*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Draculoides brooksi***<br>Harvey, 2001 | |
|


title: Draculoides carmillae

abstract: Draculoides carmillae is a species of schizomid arachnids in the Hubbardiidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2020 by Australian arachnologists Kym Abrams and Mark Harvey.

text:
# Draculoides carmillae

***Draculoides carmillae*** is a species of schizomid arachnids (commonly known as sprickets or short-tailed whip-scorpions) in the Hubbardiidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2020 by Australian arachnologists Kym Abrams and Mark Harvey.

## Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the arid Pilbara region of North West Western Australia. The type locality is Middle Robe Valley, about 25 km east-south-east of the iron-ore mining town of Pannawonica and some 1,400 km north of Perth.

## InfoBox

| *Draculoides carmillae* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Schizomida |
| Family: | Hubbardiidae |
| Genus: | *Draculoides* |
| Species: | ***D. carmillae*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Draculoides carmillae***<br>Abrams & Harvey, 2020 | |
|


title: The Squeeze (1987 film)

abstract: The Squeeze is a 1987 American action comedy film directed by Roger Young and starring Michael Keaton and Rae Dawn Chong. The film was plagued by production problems, including going over budget.

text:
# The Squeeze (1987 film)

***The Squeeze*** is a 1987 American action comedy film directed by Roger Young and starring Michael Keaton and Rae Dawn Chong. The film was plagued by production problems, including going over budget.

## Plot

After retrieving a mysterious parcel for his ex-wife, eccentric down-on-his-luck artist Harry Berg (Michael Keaton) enlists the help of private eye Rachel Dobs (Rae Dawn Chong) when he suddenly becomes embroiled with thugs and a murder investigation. The combination of Harry's many comic eccentricities and Rachel's straight-and-narrow, naive personality ends up working in their favor to help solve the crime.

## Cast

## Release

Originally produced as *Skip Tracer*, this film changed its title to *Squeeze Play* before settling for *The Squeeze*. The working title refers to someone who tracks down delinquent bill payers. When released in theaters, *The Squeeze* made only $2.2 million at the U.S. box office. It is most notable for an accident that took place during filming, in which a stunt man was killed driving a car into the Hudson River.

An updated version of the film was briefly released on Netflix, and Comcast had an HD version On Demand in 2008. After being long out-of-print on home media for years, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released *The Squeeze* on Blu-ray on March 26, 2019.

## Reception

Despite billing itself as a "comedy-thriller on a lucky streak", the film failed to score with most critics. Film historian Leonard Maltin called it "Dreadful...almost completely devoid of laughs *or* suspense."

On an episode of the movie review show *At the Movies*, critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert panned the film, but humorously had a difficult time discerning the plot.

## InfoBox

| The Squeeze | |
| --- | --- |
| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Roger Young |
| Written by | Daniel Taplitz |
| Produced by | Rupert Hitzig
Michael Tannen |
| Starring |  |
| Cinematography | Arthur Albert |
| Edited by | Harry Keramidas |
| Music by | Miles Goodman |
| Production
companies | Tri-Star Pictures
ML Delphi Premier Productions
Tannen-Hitzig Productions |
| Distributed by | Tri-Star Pictures |
| Release date | * July 10, 1987 (1987-07-10) |
| Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $22 million |
| Box office | $2,228,951 |