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Topic: Re: Brief But Memorable - Alfred Marks

Message 1 / 2
Robert L. TorresOct 4, 2007
 

 
This is someone I definitely would love to talk about, and someone
who more than deserves to be considered in the 'Brief But Memorable'
category: Alfred Marks.

He was a very interesting individual who made a recurring presence on
Just a Minute during much of the mid to late 1970's, and even two
final appearances in the late 80's, plenty of appearances in fact
that it seemed like he should've been made a regular on the programme.

Alfred was a very welcome presence on the show, he knew how to play
the game competitively, as well as play for laughs. He was a perfect
fit for the series during what many fans could term the
show's 'Golden Age'.

When I first began the arduous task of collecting the many episodes
that comprise the series as a whole, I did come across only a few
episodes that featured Alfred Marks, and I was immediately enthralled
by this exceptionally talented individual with a deep, booming voice
that's just as distinctive as Clement's.

I agree with Dean's assessment of Alfred on the website, in that
practically every episode he appears in is incredibly funny.

Some of my favorite moments usually came when Alfred would interrupt
someone not to challenge but to say that such and such was 'standing
on his foot' or to tell them to 'keep it down, he keeps waking me
up', or things of that nature. it definitely injected the necessary
balance of lightheartedness to pop through the over serious tone the
show could take on at times.

Some of my favorite jokes that Alfred tended to use every now and
then on the show had to do with asking a man to give a pound for a
cup of coffee, with the guy replying, it's only a shilling, and
Alfred's reply being 'yes I know, but I like to tip big', and also
another having to do with asking someone else for some money for a
sandwich, the reply being, 'I don't know, let me see it'.

although it was nice that Alfred was brought back during the late
80's by the producer at the time, Ed Taylor, Alfred's humor didn't
seem quite as fresh for the 1980's as it did for the 1970's.

Now, I'm not certain as to what became of ol' Alfie, if he lives in
retirement or if he has passed away. But whatever the situation, for
the brief time he was on the show, he was contributed a great deal to
the overall entertainment value of the show, never taking himself or
the show seriously, and being damned funny as well as informative and
competitive.

Anyone else wish to share their thoughts?

 
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Topic: Re: Brief But Memorable - Alfred Marks

Message 2 / 2
Vicki WalkerOct 6, 2007
 

 
Alfred Marks died circa 1991, only a few years after his last JAM appearance.

My favorite bit of his was about the father and the son at the Egyptian exhibit, standing beside a sarcophagus with a date of death inscription -- let's say 352 BC -- and the father opining that it must have been the number of the car that hit him.

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