Discussion

Pops Pickwick writes
I was most interested to read about someone who I think I may be related to. People have commented that I bear something of a resemblance to that Kirwan fellow on your site. I have been told I have the makings of a great thespian in me, not unlike the chap himself. I am currently appearing in a new production of Noah's Ark (at the end of the pier. Children and animals welcome. If wet under the pier). I do have a hump inherited from my dear mother with the initials E.G.O.R. carved into the wooden base. Would Flim Flam be interested in this artefact?

We have trawled through the personnel records and found a couple of employees named Pickwick. Both of these left under dubious circumstances. Firstly Trevellian Pickwick who was the resident barber and animal trainer, secondly his daughter Polly Pickwick who worked in the laundry.

In 1947 during the production of The Singing Squadron Leader (a.k.a. It's Just a Battle To-mmy) tempers frayed. Everyone was under pressure to return the studio to it's pre-war production quota. There is a note in the record that Polly Pickwick was dismissed one day after returning laundry to PDA Kirwan. She had over starched his underpants which he claimed caused his love scene with rising starlet Yvette Yerpett to have no chemistry - he had a somewhat pained expression on his face.

Three months later Trevellian Pickwick also had a run in with PDA Kirwan. It was said that Kirwan did not like visiting the barber / animal trainer (who due to financial constraints had to run all his concerns under one roof. Carla Blair said that it was because Kirwan had awoken one day in the barber's chair to find one of the trained chimps cutting his hair and a horse licking his shoes clean, whilst Pickwick was outside smoking). One day shouts were heard from the barn. Kirwan emerged with a bloody nose and a dancing parrot on his back. Pickwick was dismissed within the hour.

A.C.Ritic asks
Could you please confirm that Whiskerino productions are looking for new backers to re-establish their rightful place in the British Film industry. Also are there likely to be any Grand reunions of cast members? If so could you please publish the dates and venues.

The intellectual property and name Whiskerino Productions is currently owned by the Pecia hair dye company. In 1960 head of the company L.O. Pecia brokered a deal which saved the studios. After four years of solid flops (Hired Spirits aside) the company closed the studios.

In the studio papers it seems there is a clause that states that if the studio is not producing films on a regular basis it reverts back to the original owners. We have spoken to the Oglastone estate (the original backers) and they would be interested in restarting the studios. Unfortunately it would involve a lengthy legal process in order to reclaim the name and start the studios again.

As to grand reunions, not very many of the original cast and crew are alive. Carla Blair is a complete recluse, Anthony Trenchwood has retired and PDA Kirwan went missing five years ago whilst on a cycle tour of the Isle of Wight.

If there still are any members of the original team out there and they wish to take part in a reunion then they would be welcome to come to the annual Whiskerino convention (held in August).

If you wish to respond to issues raised on this page please feel free to contact us.
See also FAQ page.

	In response to emailed questions and items posted in our guestbook, we have created a place to discuss Whiskerino issues and events.


	Pops Pickwick writes I was most interested to read about someone who I think I may be related to. People have commented that I bear something of a resemblance to that Kirwan fellow on your site. I have been told I have the makings of a great thespian in me, not unlike the chap himself. I am currently appearing in a new production of Noah's Ark (at the end of the pier. Children and animals welcome. If wet under the pier). I do have a hump inherited from my dear mother with the initials E.G.O.R. carved into the wooden base. Would Flim Flam be interested in this artefact? We have trawled through the personnel records and found a couple of employees named Pickwick. Both of these left under dubious circumstances. Firstly Trevellian Pickwick who was the resident barber and animal trainer, secondly his daughter Polly Pickwick who worked in the laundry. In 1947 during the production of The Singing Squadron Leader (a.k.a. It's Just a Battle To-mmy) tempers frayed. Everyone was under pressure to return the studio to it's pre-war production quota. There is a note in the record that Polly Pickwick was dismissed one day after returning laundry to PDA Kirwan. She had over starched his underpants which he claimed caused his love scene with rising starlet Yvette Yerpett to have no chemistry - he had a somewhat pained expression on his face. Three months later Trevellian Pickwick also had a run in with PDA Kirwan. It was said that Kirwan did not like visiting the barber / animal trainer (who due to financial constraints had to run all his concerns under one roof. Carla Blair said that it was because Kirwan had awoken one day in the barber's chair to find one of the trained chimps cutting his hair and a horse licking his shoes clean, whilst Pickwick was outside smoking). One day shouts were heard from the barn. Kirwan emerged with a bloody nose and a dancing parrot on his back. Pickwick was dismissed within the hour. A.C.Ritic asks Could you please confirm that Whiskerino productions are looking for new backers to re-establish their rightful place in the British Film industry. Also are there likely to be any Grand reunions of cast members? If so could you please publish the dates and venues. The intellectual property and name Whiskerino Productions is currently owned by the Pecia hair dye company. In 1960 head of the company L.O. Pecia brokered a deal which saved the studios. After four years of solid flops (Hired Spirits aside) the company closed the studios. In the studio papers it seems there is a clause that states that if the studio is not producing films on a regular basis it reverts back to the original owners. We have spoken to the Oglastone estate (the original backers) and they would be interested in restarting the studios. Unfortunately it would involve a lengthy legal process in order to reclaim the name and start the studios again. As to grand reunions, not very many of the original cast and crew are alive. Carla Blair is a complete recluse, Anthony Trenchwood has retired and PDA Kirwan went missing five years ago whilst on a cycle tour of the Isle of Wight. If there still are any members of the original team out there and they wish to take part in a reunion then they would be welcome to come to the annual Whiskerino convention (held in August). If you wish to respond to issues raised on this page please feel free to contact us. See also FAQ page.