Wednesday 12 March 2014

Assorted St. Trinian's Staff 02

Following on from my last post where I introduced the first of the staff members of St. Trinian's Girls School here are another four staff members - the school secretary and three teachers, although one of them is not what she appears to be. Curious? Then read on.
 First up is Beverly Whittaker, the school secretary, a ditzy blonde, played by Jodie Whittaker in St. Trinian's and St. Trinian's 2. Beverly is not the sharpest tool in the box. She spends most of her time listening to pop music on her iPod. She seems to have a large stash of dodgy drugs - uppers and downers, or red pills and blue pills, which she'll happily dole out to anyone she thinks deserves one, like for example, Stephen Fry in St. Trinian's. Beverly is a 28mm scale civilian figure from Turnkey Miniatures, where she is known as Teen Girl on Cell Phone (price $1.89). If you were wondering what she's holding in her left hand it is of course, a cell phone.
Next in line is Miss Dickinson, the English teacher as played by Lena Headey. It is Miss Dickinson who persuades the school to enter the TV quiz show School Challenge competition, thus gaining them entry to the National Gallery, providing they reach the final which, of course, they do. She is yet another woman talking on her mobile phone. She carries her briefcase in her other hand. This figure came from Black Cat Bases civilian and townsfolk range and is Female Civilian (price £2.00). I added Milliput to her hair to make it longer.
The third figure in line is not a real teacher but is actually an undercover police woman on assignment to gather evidence of wrongdoing at St. Trinian's. She is, of course, WPC Ruby Gates, as played by Joyce Grenfell to great effect in the first three St. Trinian's films. This is a more up to date version of Ruby and is my vision of her as a 21st century character as opposed to a 1950's woman. Perhaps this is the original Ruby's grand-daughter. This figure is another Turnkey Miniatures civilian and is their Business Woman on Cell Phone (price $1.89). I liked the figure but I had no idea what to do with her until I remembered a comment by Clint, who said I must include a figure of WPC Ruby Gates in my collection. Okay, so she doesn't look too much like Joyce Grenfell (see photo below) but instead she is a re-imagining of a popular old school character. Once again, the figure is posed talking on her mobile phone. She also carries a small handbag. My thanks go to Clint for his most excellent suggestion. Do you have any ideas for which subject Ruby should teach? I'm thinking computer studies.
Finally, we come to the sultry Miss Maupassant, the foreign languages teacher as played by Caterina Murino in St. Trinian's. Finding a suitable figure for her proved surprisingly easy. I remembered that Black Cat Bases made a figure of Miss Scarlet (price £3.00), one of the suspects from the popular board-game Cluedo, or if you live in America, Clue. She was just perfect. The figure comes with a choice of six right hands, all holding one of the six weapons featured in the board-game - dagger, iron pipe, revolver, rope, spanner and torch. I decided a dagger would best suit her and so she hides it behind her back. In her other hand she holds a cigarette in a cigarette holder, which just adds to her elegant poise.
I leave with photos of the four characters as they appeared on screen. There is more to come for this project, but not for a while yet. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten the St. Trinian's scenario I promised you all. It will appear soon.
Beverly Whittaker, the school secretary and archetypal blonde airhead. "Would you like an upper or a downer, love?" She speaks with a broad Yorkshire accent.
Miss Dickinson the English teacher arrives at St. Trinian's on her first day, full of enthusiasm and bright ideas. She's in for a rude awakening once she steps inside!
WPC Ruby Gates, or Gatesy as she is often referred to, in civilian clothing. A rare early photo of her in colour. I do have a suitable figure of her in her police uniform but you'll see her in a future post. (Sorry, Clint, you're just going to have to wait a bit longer.)
Miss Maupassant the sexy foreign languages teacher teaching French to her attentive class. If my French teacher looked like her I'm sure I'd have taken more attention in class. Yes, I flunked my French "O" level.

23 comments:

  1. I was not considered good enough to take a French O level, or even a CSE! Boo hoo it's such a hard life. Thank you for doing Ruby Gates. I will happily wait for the uniformed version. I think she might teach business studies as opposed to IT. Just my thoughts.
    A very characterful selection very well done. Nice one mate.

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    1. Thanks, Clint. I knew you'd approve of my inclusion of Gatesy. Business Studies is a good idea. It's not a subject I had considered.
      I wouldn't worry too much about not knowing French. All the French people I know speak perfectly good English.

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    2. Trust me I am not worried about not knowing French, I would be more interested in learning Spanish however.

      Other subjects you could consider.... Citizenship, Food Technology, Textiles, History, geography, Latin, Ancient studies, Media studies, well pretty much anything you want really. IT works well though, maybe stick with that.....unless you want a really nerdy teacher type though.All the best mate.

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    3. I have just acquired a Russian girlfriend and so I'd like to learn how to speak Russian. If it's not too personal is there any reason why you want to speak Spanish?

      I do like your list of school subjects. Many of these were not available when I was a lad (that's many, many years ago). I am so out of touch with modern day schooling!

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    4. I did use to live with a Spanish Girl but the real reason is that Spanish is a widespread language in the world. Unlike French which only a handful of countries speak. Spanish is much more versatile. As one of the "Romance" Languages speaking Spanish gives you a great start in Italian and Portugese as well as a lot of French. I can't give you any help about speaking Russian at all!

      Food Tech and Textiles where Home Economics in our day. Citizenship was called Sociology but Media studies is a new one....

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    5. Good answer, Clint. As for Russian, I have learnt that "Ya tebya liubliu" means "I love you." I reckon that'll stand me in good stead with my new girlfriend.

      And yet more good ideas for lessons for Gatesy. You don't happen to work in a school, do you?

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    6. I have watched the great escape as well! Hee hee.

      I started a PGCE about 5 years ago and then my mother became so Ill I now look after her. PGCE is a route into becoming a teacher. Had to drop out though. Still family come first.

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    7. I totally agree with your comment about family coming first. When my dad lost his leg I had to leave my job as a graphic designer to look after him full time. You're a good man, Clint.

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  2. All great additions to swell the St. T's ranks.

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    1. Many thanks, Joe. The ranks are certainly growing now.

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  3. Some nice stereotypes there :-) .

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    1. Thanks, Hugh. You may like to know that I have placed an order for the Gripping Beast School Master set you highlighted last time. I've also sent away for a few more of their civilian figures. I'm indebted to you for pointing them out to me.

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  4. We like them, we especially like Miss Maupassant!!!

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    1. Ha, ha, I'm not surprised you fancy Miss Maupassant, Fran. I'll put you at the head of the queue of her admirers, okay?

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  5. Awesome Bryan a great selection of figures from various sources make the cast that little bit more complete. Any plans for coaches?

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    1. Thanks, Simon. It's funny you should ask about a coach. I was just discussing this with Mathyoo not so long ago and I fancy converting one of my WWG card coaches into a St. Trinian's coach. It's on my "to do" list.

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  6. Oh, more great miniatures. Hunting for the correct miniatures is certainly a part of the fun at project like that, right?

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    1. You're absolutely right, Mathyoo. Hunting for that elusive figure can be a lot of fun if you find what you're after. It's all part of our wonderful hobby.

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  7. Fine selection of staff there Bryan. Love the french teacher. Keep up the good work fella.

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  8. I love the fact you've really gone to town on this project Bryan. Kudos sir!

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    1. Thanks, Adam. There's even more to come, so keep watching.

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