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Saturday, August 27, 2005

Betsie's Pantheon of Greatness

The first of an occasional series

Myrna Loy


Nick n Nora

One half of the best screen couple ever - with William Powell in the Thin Man series of films (hell, Nick and Nora almost make marriage look appealing), Miss Loy was one of the top box office draws of the 1930s, co-starring with all the top male stars (Gable, Tracy, Grant etc), and showing her skills both in drama and as a fine comedienne. She also featured in the rarely-bettered cast of one of my favourite comedies, Libelled Lady.
Her autobiography revealed her to be a charming, caring, self-effacing lady, who deserves a higher profile than she currently enjoys amongst film fans. Owner of the most requested nose in plastic surgeries in the USA in the 1940s, fact fans.

Sergei Baltacha


Sergei

Ukrainian footballer of the 1980s, Soviet international player, Olympic medallist, and, most importantly, St Johnstone player in the early 90s. A real class act on the field, an intelligent reader of the game and defensively strong. Quite possibly the best player ever to pull on a shirt for Saints. He seems to have a thing for saints, having done the UK footballing rounds of them (that Paisley mob of the Mirren variety, and Southampton for a while too I believe), as well as, on his arrival for Ipswich, being the first USSR type in the British game.
A thoroughly decent chap from a very sports-oriented family, his son having reached the giddy heights of playing for Scotland U21s in football, and his daughter, Elena, now being the number one British ladies tennis player.

David Quantick


Quantick

British music journalist, with the NME when it was supposedly good (i.e a long long time ago...), and, latterly, assorted monthly magazines of the grown-up, every issue with a hagiography of some rock dinosaur or other, variety. Also does a fine line in comedy (with musical emphasis, natch), with much radio and occasional TV work. Responsible for the top hit comedy show "Lloyd Cole Knew My Father". Often spotted in the professional company of Andrew Collins and Stuart "Macaroni" Maconie.
A Quantick byline or credit is a guarantee of wit, and ensures much guffawing on my part, and for that I salute him.

Jimmy Webb


Webb

Wichita Lineman. Galveston. By The Time I Get To Phoenix. Macarthur Park. The case rests. Genius.

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