An in depth study of Pam and Barbara (Secret 7)

[pete9012S]

Today we're looking at Pam & Barb's input in the third adventure, Well Done Secret Seven.
By now The Seven are really motoring and getting the hang of this adventure lark.

But enough of that you cry, what about Pam & Barb's input!



The all important front cover comparison.
1951 George Brook alongside the 'modern' ahem, 1968 Derek Lucas

For really modern cover lovers we have these:



Not my thing, but hey, live and let live eh!

Pam gets 39 mentions in this book and Barbara gets 13 which is nice.

How do these two contribute to this book?

Well, right away it is Pam that states:

" We're all melting," said Pam. " I think this is a silly place to have our weekly meetings when
it's so hot. Why can't we have them out in the woods somewhere, in the shade of a tree?"

Prompting The Seven to leave the shed and search out a new meeting venue.

Although Barb only gets 13 mentions, she contributes in a valuable way:

" Well, I could bring an old waterproof sheet—a rubber one—to cover up any of our things
when we leave," said Barbara. " Then they would be quite all right."
" Good idea," said Peter, scribbling fast in his note-book. " Any more ideas ? "

And Barbara again. How did I ever miss this cross pollination statement by our Barb!

" Well, this was a jolly good one anyhow," said Colin, slithering down much too fast. " Golly
—now I've torn my shorts."
" I should think so—going down the tree as if it was a slippery-slip I " said Barbara.

Can any experts nail the reference!!

illustrator comparison:


Old fogey 1951


Modern Pretender 1968

[pete9012S]

In 1979 An Annual came out.
Here are a few pics to salivate over:


A bloke in authority visits the shed..


Groovy frontispiece..


What a great world the Seven live in..


The all important intro!



George's brain kicks into gear..


They find a good tree..



Deep into the adventure..

[Anita Bensoussane]

I've always liked the slippery-slip reference. Barbara can't be too bad if she's a Faraway Tree fan!

Today we're looking at Pam & Barb's input in the third adventure, Well Done Secret Seven.
The all important front cover comparison.
1951 George Brook alongside the 'modern' ahem, 1968 Derek Lucas

For really modern cover lovers we have...

Thanks for highlighting various images, Pete. The George Brook dustwrapper design for Well Done Secret Seven is exquisite. It's one of my favourite Secret Seven wrappers.

The Derek Lucas cover is fine - and the cover of the 1979 annual is lovely. However, the two later book covers are shocking, especially the fuzzy nighttime scene where the children look like the offspring of Postman Pat!

[Bertie]

It's been very interesting to see all the different covers of the SS books.

Growing up, my mum (for herself, then my older brothers, and then me) had all the series in paperback - the Knight book with Derek Lucas illustrations and cover.

But none of us really read them that much as we much preferred the likes of FF, FFO, Barney R's, Adventure series... I've added them a bit more often into the rotation as I've got older, but I've never really caught up with the different covers and illustrators as I have with the other series over the years. I must go into the Cave of Books and do that as I've enjoyed looking at them all (apart from the awful 21st century ones - I remember seeing that hideous 2006 one with the stick bodies and bulbous heads in a book shop at one point and thinking how awful it was!)

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

(apart from the awful 21st century ones - I remember seeing that hideous 2006 one with the stick bodies and bulbous heads in a book shop at one point and thinking how awful it was!)

I remember once pleading with a customer who wanted a Secret Seven book but couldn't cope with the artwork "please don't judge the book by the cover"

[GloomyGraham]

I never knew there was another Secret Seven book. Interesting. I have never read it.

Almost another two books since 'At Seaside Cottage' introduces us to Janet, Peter and Scamper (though none of the other SS members).

[pete9012S]

Can you believe we're up to Pam & Barb's 4th adventure already. What busy lives they lead!


For the wrinklies - 1952 front cover.



Derek Lucas 1968 & 1975 covers (surely you have missed something out in your 1975 cover Derek!)

Third is the 1976 photo Knight cover - one of the Seven is being threatened with... an apple???

There is no annual for this title, apologies in advance.

Pam gets 13 mentions in this book and Barbara gets 11 which is nice.

What's this story about you cry?
Here is a short overview:

4. Secret Seven on the Trail (1952)
A trick by Susie (❤❤❤ ) and her infuriating Famous Five group send George and Jack on a trek to Tigger's Barn. But when the boys end up at a rail yard on a dark, foggy November night, things really get dangerous!

https://www.enidblyton.net/secret-seven/

The dastardly Susie strikes a blow at the Secret Seven:

"We've named ourselves after the Famous Five in the 'Five' books! Much better idea than 'Secret Seven'."

Anyway, enough filler. What does Pam have to say in this book?

They need a new password:

" Let's have my dog's name, then—Rover," said Pam.

Did YOU know Pam had a dog called Rover? No, news to me too!

Pam AND Barbara are kind:

The rock-buns were passed round for the second time. Scamper eyed them longingly. He had
had his. Pam took pity on him and gave him half hers, and Barbara did the same.

What about Barbara? What does she say in this book?

" Do you mean to say—there actually is a man called Cheeky Charlie ? " asked Barbara, in
amazement. " Our password is only the name of a dog —just fancy there being a man called that, too!
My goodness!"
"Don't interrupt," said Peter. "Go on, both of you."

Go on Barb, give that pompous Peter a huge SLAP!!

Being honest, this is not Pam & Barb's brightest time in their fourth adventure.
Both of their minds seem to have turned to mush:

Each of them tried to think of some good idea. Barbara could think of nothing at all. Pam tried
asking her father about Dalling's or Hammond's. He didn't know either of them. Pam felt awkward
when he asked her why she wanted to know, and didn't go on with the subject.

Maybe it's a good job they get so few mentions in this book!


Barbara with her Secret Seven badge.


Susie with her Famous Five badge!

illustrator comparison - George Brook 1952 & Derek Lucas 1968:




Focus on:

The first edition spine. Isn't this guy drawn well!





Further reading:



I really fancied the sound of this guy. I have never heard of him before.
I managed to get the book:



It's a RED KNIGHT (gasp) so I hope it's not too scary!!

[Anita Bensoussane]

One book often leads to another and I'm glad Secret Seven on the Trail has pointed you in the direction of a new (or old!) author, Pete! I've never come across Bruce Carter. It's amazing how many children's authors of Enid Blyton's era have sunk without trace.

I love that guy on the spine of Secret Seven on the Trail (first edition)!

[Barnard]

Do we need so much information about the two non entities of the Secret Seven?

[Anita Bensoussane]

It's fun to take a slightly tongue-in-cheek look at them!

[Courtenay]

Do we need so much information about the two non entities of the Secret Seven?

To be fair, Colin and George reach about the same level of non-distinction, and the only thing that makes Jack interesting is that he's the brother of Susie. I think that's why I've never been able to take much interest in the Secret Seven... most of the main characters are just so, well, character-less.

[pete9012S]

One book often leads to another ..

Yes Anita.
It's great to find an author I had not previously heard of whose books are so overlooked that I can actually afford them.
I have been trying to purchase any of The Cherrys books by Will Scott of late , but they all seem to be extremely expensive these days.

[Moonraker]

Do we need so much information about the two non entities of the Secret Seven?

Au contraire. I think it is great to focus on characters that aren't in the forefront of every story. Let's face it, in a group of seven children (or adults, for that matter) there are bound to be a couple or so that stray in the background, somewhat. I look forward to more topics of this type - it makes a change from all the hero-worshipping of the lead characters. This has been an interesting topic, Pete, thanks for promoting/discussing the more minor regulars. I have always loved the Secret Seven, and as a 7-year-old, never considered that characters such as Pam, Barbara, Colin and George were 'characterless'. It certainly entertains me more than games such as 'change a letter'!

[John Pickup]

Do we need so much information about the two non entities of the Secret Seven?

If you don't like a thread, then don't bother with it.
Pete does a great job of keeping the books and characters in them at the forefront of our minds. It must sadden him to read comments like that.

[pete9012S]

Thanks guys.

Of course this topic won't appeal to everyone - I appreciate that.

I must say I always really enjoy Barnard's excellent 'pomes' -
especially the 'Ern Goon' ones, one of my favourite threads here.