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A whiskerino is a beard growing contest. The participants, largely men, prepare weeks before by not shaving. The beards were judged on length and style. Historically the contests were more popular in the 19th century, but they do still take place today. If you wish you can even sign up to enter a contest now - see the links page.
The sad answer is that you can't. Some prints of Whiskerino films do still exist in private collections. Anthony Trenchwood is believed to have a number of copies, but much of the work has been lost forever. It is entirely possible that prints exist outside the UK in private hands, but as yet there are no other confirmed copies. The last time a Whiskerino film had a public showing was in the late 1970s when a copy of Beards-a-blazing was shown at a collectors fair. Despite a positive response, organisers were unable to raise sufficient funds to secure wider screenings. The information and media you see on these pages is made possible thanks to rigorous research, and access to the Trenchwood image archives and by kind permission of the Oglastone estate.
There are. Well there is one, the Whiskerino Vault. At present it is not open, but it is a source for all the Whiskerino media available to the public. You will not find Whiskerino Productions listed in many other places. The records for the studio were mostly lost when the studio shut down in 1964. Many were destroyed in a fire in 1961, and the studio has been generally shunned by the film industry since the 1953 satire Not Here You Don't.
Good question. Over the years I have been able to cobble together the history of the studios from the documents that have come into my possession. About a year ago a friend who knew I am a collector gave me a manuscript taken from a house clearance. I was amazed to find out that it was a draft of PDA Kirwan's unpublished memoirs. I have no way of knowing if this was the final version or an early working, but there are several pencil notes down the sides, presumably in Kirwan's own hand. I have no reason to believe the work is not genuine. I looked into the history of the house, but it seems that it was owned by the Harding family; with whom I can find no link to Whiskerino Productions. I have generously been granted access to the memorabilia which Anthony Trenchwood has collected. I was able to obtain a copy of a few of the films and take some scans. This was on the condition that I returned the prints. I DO NOT HAVE ANY COPIES OF WHISKERINO FILMS please do not contact me asking for a copy. From time to time items also appear at auction. I recently acquired (amongst a box of old sandbags and dried flowers) the personnel records for the studio covering the years 1946 - 1964. Its amazing what turns up if you know where to look.
No not everyone, but due to budget constraints a large number of actors doubled up parts. Carla Blair holds the record having played three roles in The Contagious Death. The reason the studio was largely able to get away with this practice was due in part to the excellent acting talent employed, but also due to its tireless make up team. For over twenty years this department was headed by "Putty-nosed" Pete Featherstone. Working with meagre materials the team was able to create some truly memorable make up effects. (You will be able to read more when the crew pages go online later this year.)
Flim Flam is the purveyor of all items Whiskerino. All items are sold at cost. You can visit his trading post and view some of his wears, or email him for a full catalogue. This is the only place you can get your hands on some official Whiskerino items. If you have seen Whiskerino merchandise or artefacts offered on other sites it is unlikely to be genuine. Please contact us with full details and we will be glad to offer our expertise to authenticate any items you may have.
Well you could if you wanted, but there isn't one to our knowledge. If enough visitors want one then the butler Dunnit might look into starting one up. Contact Dunnit with your comments.
If you know someone who worked at the studio in their youth then please contact us immediately. We would be very happy to correspond with them (through you if desired) to learn more about the studio. If you have any Whiskerino items that you would wish to sell then please go to Flim Flam's Trading Post. Similarly visit Flim Flam for authentication of any items.
We certainly hope so, but it seems doubtful. See the discussion page for a more detailed answer. If you wish to express your opinion on the re-opening of the studio then please contact us and we will pass your comments on.
We certainly hope so, but it seems doubtful. See the discussion page for a more detailed answer. If you wish to express your opinion on the re-opening of the studio then please contact us and we will pass your comments on.
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