John Betjeman interviewing Philip Larkin in a 1964 episode of Monitor, which was a flagship arts programme on British tv during the 1950s and 1960s. See: 'Larkin around' www.spiderbomb.com/blog/?p=2664
That was a treat. Larkin, so droll and unflashy, so introverted, so different from the extrovert celebrity poets we are used to now. Betjamin was a very sweet interviewer, friendly but knowledgeable and clearly liked Larkin's poetry. Favourite line was Larkin saying, 'Oh no, there goes another night.'
It's 5.53 am on Tuesday 9th August 2022 here in rural New South Wales: Philip Larkin's centenary comes hours before it arrives in the country of his birth. (It's 8.53pm Monday in Coventry.) Thank you for posting this collector's item and making it available to the world. I've been a member of the Philip Larkin Society for many years. Anything to commemorate and further the reputation of the best-loved post war poet in English letters is to be commended. Here's to [the] 'kind of welfare state sub-poetry' that, in the words of Dr Johnson, 'helps us enjoy life, or at least endure it'.
Born in '58, I seemed to spend most of my early youth watching this kind of thing - as well as kids' TV. I mostly hadn't a clue what was going on, but subliminally, it must have really affected me. I have been a Larkin fan for most of my adult life. I also find I now prefer programmes made in the 60's/70's. I can't adapt to modern broadcasting. I watch it, but it doesn't have much resonance for me.
Not for nothing did the Times name him - Larkin - as Britain's greatest post war writer. 'Here' and 'Church Going' are wonderfully evocative and demolish the idea that Larkin was simply dour, myopic, defeatist provincialism. Peace hath her victories - no less renowned than war.
So different (Betjeman the believer, Larkin the atheist), yet so similar. Larkin’s obituary for Betjeman was one of the most insightful pieces ever penned about him.
antisocialite Reprinted in this volume: www.amazon.co.uk/Lovely-Bits-Old-England-Telegraph/dp/1781313636/ref=pd_sbs_14_3/259-3266581-3783642?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1781313636&pd_rd_r=a2849b81-0eab-4bfe-9fc2-3d98f2ad81f5&pd_rd_w=pUMl2&pd_rd_wg=VPVqC&pf_rd_p=2b420a2f-6593-478e-8b5f-cb43865ff16f&pf_rd_r=1V70RBER0177TMDTQJ3C&psc=1&refRID=1V70RBER0177TMDTQJ3C
What on earth are you talking about…. Thatcher?? Larkin was a massive fan of Maggie - just like millions of us who grow tired of idiots trying to make the world believe she wasn’t voted in by a large majority twice… Would to God that there were her like around now to save Britain from dog turd leftist fools.
