Superheroes. We’ve all seen the pictures. Muscly guys with overdeveloped torsos. Bright coloured body hugging lycra. Saving the world from baddies. Marvelous! You’ve got to love them.
Today, being fashion Friday, I want to talk about my favourite superhero; the ubiquitous Mr Ben. All round good guy, snazzy dresser and hero of my childhood, way back in the 1970’s.
First, I should tell you a little about myself. I am the youngest of four; a happy accident as my mother used to say…The other three are 12, 15 and 16 years older than me.
So I grew up in a house of busy parents and angsty teenagers. Good job we had telly. I watched a lot of it. In fact I spent some of my happiest hours in front of it.
It was there that I encountered MR BEN.
So, who was this Mr Ben?
Let’s just say he was a man who liked to dress up. Most of the time he was pretty understated, repressed even; a black suit, bowler hat sort of guy- then he discovered FANCY DRESS and met the fabulous fez wearing shopkeeper.
And MAGIC happened. Literally. Any time Mr Ben went into the changing room, he exited through a magic door which led him into a costume appropriate world. IMAGINE THAT!
When he put on a pirate costume he automatically entered a world of pirates and so on and so forth for thirteen episodes.
And what did he do on arriving in the costume appropriate world?
Well, funnily enough there was always a problem which needed sorting out and Mr Ben proved himself pivotal in finding solutions.
The moral element was nice. We all knew where we stood. Mr Ben liked to dress up- and when he did, he would help someone with a pressing moral dilemna. Not in a wham, bam… boom manner, but in a gentle, good sense must prevail sort of way.
So that was Mr Ben. Do- gooder extraordinaire with a penchant for fancy dress. Perfect superhero for fashion friday. Check him out. The artwork alone merits a visit.
Many adults feel that telly is bad for kids.
I don’t know. It’s probably OK in moderation- as part of a balanced, healthy diet- like the occasional bar of chocolate. That’s me, as a parent speaking.
However, for the child that I was back in the 1970’s, telly was unquestionably brilliant.
I’ve meandered through subsequent decades with one abiding dream.
I want to write books for children. This has been fueled, in large part, by what I watched on telly as a small girl.
Who knows whether the stuff I write will ever make it into the commercial domain. It doesn’t really matter. I do know that the desire to write is a good thing. It’s a creative thing. It’s the sort of thing that I would like my kids to do.
So thanks Mr Ben for beckoning me through the magic door into the fabulous land of pen and paper. Thanks David Mc Kee- who invented Mr Ben. And thanks to the BBC who broadcast Mr Ben- See you all next week!
Loved Mr Ben! Thank you for reminding me of how awesome he was. My childhood is richer for having watched him right the world in a gentle unassuming manner. Yes, our Superhero. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great to find other Mr Ben fans!- he was such a gentleman
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I loved Mr Ben. I still think about that show regularly. There was just something so creative and exciting about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! I think it was definitely one of the best of a very good bunch.
LikeLike
How wonderful. Go follow that dream and write that book. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Miriam- I am working on it!
LikeLike
I’ve never heard of Mr. Ben, but I’m charmed by him already. I like how you’re able to connect your dream directly to your past. That, to me, seems like a surefire way to make your dream happen because you know why you want to do it. Looking forward to reading your book soon. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Ally
LikeLike
Aww Mr Ben 🙂 Those were the days. 🙂 You write so beautifully, lovely post as always. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much Lynne. That is so kind. Hope you have a great weekend too!
LikeLike
Mr Ben sounds fabulous – so much better than a lot on screens in front of kids now.
Good stories and solid characters translate across time. Go ahead and write with that pattern. It’s what all the children’s writing conferences say publishers want in a children’s book.
(and I was the youngest of my generation and grew up araound a bunch of ancient relatives.cousins and a much much older brother. Certainly gives you a different look at things than those who were around those all close in age)
Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for the lovely encouraging comment. Sounds like we had some similarities in our upbringing. I do agree that it gives you a different perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve written an action-adventure trilogy for teenagers and adults, three novels telling three phases of an ongoing story, totaling about 300,000 words(!) I have not yet submitted it to agents or publishers, but I am researching them. I’m also (slowly!) writing a fourth novel. I look forward to reading whatever you write, Marie, and wish you the best of luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is fantastic John. What a lot of work. I would love to read your work. I know the boys would too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marie. I will send it to you as doc files by email, and print out a hard copy to post or maybe send with Monica next month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much John. I look forward to reading your work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, that sounds charming! I’m not familiar, but it looks cute. You should totally write children’s stories 🙂 Good ones! I believe in you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. That is so lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never heard of Mr Ben, but I can see where some of your fashion interest developed 🙂
Like you, I had a love affair with the TV growing up and enjoyed watching shows with my sons as they were growing up. I think WHAT we watch matters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment Joanne. I agree. Good telly is a joy! Wish I got to watch a little more of it these days. I rarely stay awake more than 15 minutes once I hit the sofa!
LikeLike
I loved TV as a child. Now, I haven’t watched it for over a year. Except cartoons when the grandbaby comes over!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you end up getting too busy to spend a lot of time watching telly. I find that I am more like to check my blog reader these days for inspiration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Television time back then was regimented and quite sensible programs so it was not only informative but educated and moulded a child’s mind with so many imaginative cartoons. Now, it’s a disaster with all sorts of unsavoury programs running on TV.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Jacqueline. We do have to be careful what we expose our kids to, these days.
LikeLike
I think all children would love a book built around your magic gypsy caravan out there in the field. What a great setting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Clare- what a good idea. I sometimes have felt that our glamping site might make a good subject for a sit com- but never considered a children’s story. Really appreciate that. Food for thought!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Marie, I would love to see your imagination take off with the idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sitcom? We saw ‘Fawlty Towers’ in a new light when we bought a hotel. Life imitated art!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can only imagine the sort of logistical nightmares that ensue from that! It really is the stuff of comedy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful Chez Shea! I love the good sense and gentleness of Mr. Ben. I love even more what you shared about your vision for writing children books. So many blessings for this and for you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for you lovely comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person