17 replies to this topic

[Tim Murray]

It seems that filming will soon commence on a TV documentary about the activities of the Doghouse Owners’ Club in the 1960s and ‘70s. However, the only info I can find about it online is a series of ads from a casting company - they’re looking for suitable people to play the roles of Loti Irwin, Bette and Graham Hill, Shirley and Peter Procter, Sally Stokes, Jim Clark, Eba Grant etc etc. Here’s the ad for Loti’s lookalike:

https://www.talentta...audition/20495/

Filming is scheduled to start in early September. Does anyone know any more about it?

[LOTI]

Yes. First of all its a film not a TV documentary!

It is the story of a collection of women from all walks of life and from all over the world who's paths cross simply because their husbands drive racing cars. They formed a club for mutual support and, because of the times they lived in, the support of families of dead or injured drivers. The benevolent fund was in constant need of income. Jumble sales and garden fetes simply didn't keep up and so the fund raising had to grow, finishing up with sell-out charity balls in Park Lane. Sell-out because the women did their own cabaret which was silly, naughty, fun......

 Its not what you see, its what you think you see.

My lookalike has to be ridiculously glamorous, tall, thin, tiny waist, long legs.....may as well go down in history as what I wasn't!

Loti

Edited by LOTI, 02 July 2020 - 13:25.

[Michael Ferner]

Must feel strange to see yourself being casted!

[Allan Lupton]

Must feel strange to see yourself being casted!

Even worse when you hear what the scriptwriter wrote for "you" to say. . .

[D-Type]

Loti,

You may be able to make a few pennies as a consultant.  Assuming they don't mind the facts getting in the way of the story.

 

Talking of facts, wasn't it Graham, rather than Bette, Hill who was the stripper?

[LOTI]

Facts? what facts..... history is made by the people who write the books, or in this case, make the film!

Graham's drag act was at the BRDC [I believe] not the Doghouse, Stirling borrowed a blonde wig..... not sure what that was for. Steve Ouveroff won the beauty contest in the 2nd Doghouse Pantomime in a very fetching blue satin dress, Cliff Davis and Les Leston were ugly sisters in the the First Doghouse Pantomime...... so there was quite a lot of drag around but not so much stripping. [none of the above in the film].

Loti

[ensign14]

Whom are they casting as Mr Nye...in lockdown I could do the beard, although not the accent...

[ErinKondratieff]

They asked Howden about mom's participation and apparently it's only going up to 1977? I have photos from one of the 1979 rehearsals... Good times!

Edited by ErinKondratieff, 05 July 2020 - 21:37.

[LOTI]

Hi Erin,

Yes, Judy was a huge asset to the cabaret, not only multi-talented being able to sing and dance but also with a  wicked sense of humour!

She was also a brilliant people person and made even the most leaden-footed, tone-deaf feel as an essential part of the team.

Take care.

Loti

[Gregor Marshall]

Hi Loti, I hope that you're well.

I have a very large box of all of my late Mum's Doghouse bits, from the early days, her tenure as Chairman and up until she passed away - you probably have a lot of it anyway. The things she has kept that could be relevant for this great documentary are:-

 

• Colour photos from the 1970s 
• A copy of the programme of the 23rd November 1965 ball
• An original programme of 28th November 1967 ball
• Invites and seating list to the 1973 ball
• Invites and seating list of the 1977 ball
• Seating list to the 1979 ball
• The script and programme for the first amazing Doghouse Pantomime
• Words to the Babies & Flower Power song sang in 1965 and 1967

If you need any of this, then please feel free to contact me. 

[LOTI]

Hi Gregor, 

I will pass on your message to the film people, I don't know what else they are looking for.

If you are looking for a home for all of Carol's Doghouse stuff I would suggest you contact the club archivist, i think they have been looking to get a collection together.

Contacts and stuff via the web site..... I am not a member so don't know.

Take care.

Loti

[Gregor Marshall]

Hi Loti
Great, thank you and feel free to pass on my email - gregor at gregormarshall dot co dot uk
I did contact the Doghouse page on Facebook a year or two ago but did not get a positive response to taking.
The website, is that the http://www.wmrac.com/ one?  I always thought the WMRAC and The Doghouse were two seperate organisations, the WMRAC being more for the lady racing drivers and The Doghouse for the wives/girlfriends/partners of motor racing people - I take it they have now merged then, but if not a memeber you might not know.
Nice chatting, glad to hear that you're well.
Gregor

[LOTI]

I think you are getting the Doghouse, Womens Motor Racing Associates Club mixed up with the BWRDC. The British Womens Racing Drivers Club.

Emma Watt is the new chairman.

Loti

Edited by LOTI, 25 August 2020 - 09:34.

[Gregor Marshall]

Hi Loti
Thanks for that, funnily enough the Womens Motor Racing Associates Club has 'Known as the Doghouse Owners' Club' as it's strapline on their website and uses the Doghouse and Kennel logo everywhere, whereas the The British Womens Racing Drivers Club https://www.bwrdc.co.uk/ has no mention of The Doghouse at all and no logo. I'd say a little confusing if you didn't know any better and I didn't ;) 
Emma Watt has now sent me a friend request on Facebook and Leonora Cope (nee Hill) has also contacted me.
Cheers.
Gregor

[jonpollak]

This is a riveting thread.
Keep it going. !!!!
Jp

[aportinga]

What platform will this be broadcasted on?

[Gregor Marshall]

I have now had an email conversation with Emma Watt, who is WMRAC Chairman and it is them that ar elinked to The Doghouse - got there!!
Hopefully the film will do a great job of betraying the times and I;m sure if Loti is involved it will be great.

[LOTI]

Gregor is being polite! I would just like to add that I am a lowly consultant and the film is not my idea.