When walking past Liberty, the rather splendid London store, last week, I noticed they had embraced the ukulele in one of their shop display windows. They don’t sell ukuleles, but still, they see fit to have one in their shop window. I think more shops should have elaborate window displays especially when they involve ukuleles.
photograph © www.ukuleleporn.com
Found this clip of Peter Sellers, on the British talk show, Parkinson, floating around on YouTube. It’s pretty cool. Sellers is well known for playing Inspector Clouseau, in the Pink Panther films. As funny as the Pink Panther films are, I think the films Dr. Strangelove, and Being There, are better films. Being There, for example, puts Robin Williams to shame in the comedian turned serious actor role. Dr. Strangelove is just a masterpiece on many levels, but Sellers is particularly brilliant in his multiple roles.
On top of his numerous talents, he was also friends with and a big fan of the brilliant sixties writer, Terry Southern who worked on Dr. Strangelove, but with who he also did some other films. Hung around with the Beatles and also, bizarrely, knew the British Royal Family. Also, more importantly, like any dedicated ukulele player he was also a fan of George Formby. On a side note, I managed to pick up a copy of George Formby’s biography, which I shall post about when I’ve read it. But for now, marvel in Peter Sellers playing George’s, when I’m cleaning windows.
What kind of ukulele case you have says a lot about your personality just like that what brand of alcopop, beer, cola, you drink defines you as a human being. Drink Stella Artois? You’re a sophisticated person who likes French films and Tenesse Williams. Use Brute (a British aftershave)? You are a real man.
So what does your ukulele case say about you?
This is the Bear Grylls/Steve Irwin/Andy Mcnabb case of the ukulele world. Strong, durable and functional. It’s the kind of thing I would expect to buy in B&Q with a power tool and a few bricks so I could put up the eighth wonder of the world in my back garden.
Taking it’s name from Marilyn Monroe’s character in the film, Some Like it Hot, this case is feminine chic. Pretty and made by a French girl in East London. This is the opposite end of the Gator.
I’ve writttn about this bag before but I think it can be summarised to three main points.
1. It looks a bit useless for carrying a ukulele in.
2. It’s by Marc Jacobs and looks awesome.
3. It’s got a pen holder on the inside.
The dandys case of choice. It’s vintage, but new, so not really vintage, but in the style of vintage. I expect every flaneur to be swanning round their city, pipe in hand, three piece suite with a tweed ukulele case by their side. Also, a healthy dose of opium would be in ones pipe, obviously.
A ukulele condom without the protective qualities of a condom but with, perhaps more importantly, the school boy humour.
Here’s a ukulele based on the character Jack Skellington, from the Tim Burton film, A Nightmare Before Christmas. The coffin case is a lovely touch. Some very talented person made it and posted it on flickr.
Photograph: Nealy-J, Flickr
