Classic Wodehouse Illustrations, Part 2: Bertie Changes His Mind
Okay, I'm back with the second installment of this series of vintage Jeeves and Bertie illustrations!
When I started doing this project, I was very curious about how the illustrators would handle "Bertie Changes His Mind," that little oddity where Jeeves is the narrator. Would Jeeves, being the roguish protagonist of the piece, look any different from his usual staid, valety self? In fact, he kind of does.
Let's see how Skidmore handles it:
Notice anything odd about the text? In the original magazine publication(s) of this story, Jeeves calls Bertie "the gov'nor" throughout the narration (but not while addressing him). That's definitely not in the version that was published in Carry On, Jeeves. I'm not sure quite how I feel about this. Also, look at him in his little driving cap!
Here's Mills's version:
I'm glad he decided to illustrate this rather adorable moment where the little girl kisses Jeeves. Bertie doesn't seem to know quite what to make of it, though. Also, again with the driving cap. Did we ever see Stephen Fry in anything other than a bowler?
Let's meet Miss Tomlinson:
Saaay, Miss Tomlinson is pretty foxy! But pretty much all of Skidmore's women are either beautiful or at least "handsome" -- even the dreaded Aunt Agatha is pretty glamorous, as you'll see in a future post. That's probably because Cosmopolitan was (and is) a magazine geared toward women. The pages were full of lush illustrations of gorgeous, fashionable ladies.
Mills shows a little more range in his depiction of characters -- we see all shapes, sizes, and levels of goofiness in his men and women alike. Here's the other Miss Tomlinson:
Check out Jeeves back there, in his vest and rolled-up shirt sleeves, wielding a wrench. If only he looked like Stephen Fry!
Bertie gives his disastrous speech:
Don't worry, alarmingly mustachioed Bertie! It will all be over soon! Let's see how things are going in the Mills version:
The kids seem enthralled, anyway.
Run away, Bertie, run awaaaay!
I still can't get used to the whole "guv'nor" thing.
Other entries:
"Comrade Bingo"
"Leave It to Jeeves"
Right Ho, Jeeves
"The Delayed Exit of Claude and Eustace"
"Aunt Agatha Takes the Count"
"Jeeves in the Springtime"
When I started doing this project, I was very curious about how the illustrators would handle "Bertie Changes His Mind," that little oddity where Jeeves is the narrator. Would Jeeves, being the roguish protagonist of the piece, look any different from his usual staid, valety self? In fact, he kind of does.
Let's see how Skidmore handles it:
Notice anything odd about the text? In the original magazine publication(s) of this story, Jeeves calls Bertie "the gov'nor" throughout the narration (but not while addressing him). That's definitely not in the version that was published in Carry On, Jeeves. I'm not sure quite how I feel about this. Also, look at him in his little driving cap!
Here's Mills's version:
I'm glad he decided to illustrate this rather adorable moment where the little girl kisses Jeeves. Bertie doesn't seem to know quite what to make of it, though. Also, again with the driving cap. Did we ever see Stephen Fry in anything other than a bowler?
Let's meet Miss Tomlinson:
Saaay, Miss Tomlinson is pretty foxy! But pretty much all of Skidmore's women are either beautiful or at least "handsome" -- even the dreaded Aunt Agatha is pretty glamorous, as you'll see in a future post. That's probably because Cosmopolitan was (and is) a magazine geared toward women. The pages were full of lush illustrations of gorgeous, fashionable ladies.
Mills shows a little more range in his depiction of characters -- we see all shapes, sizes, and levels of goofiness in his men and women alike. Here's the other Miss Tomlinson:
Check out Jeeves back there, in his vest and rolled-up shirt sleeves, wielding a wrench. If only he looked like Stephen Fry!
Bertie gives his disastrous speech:
Don't worry, alarmingly mustachioed Bertie! It will all be over soon! Let's see how things are going in the Mills version:
The kids seem enthralled, anyway.
Run away, Bertie, run awaaaay!
I still can't get used to the whole "guv'nor" thing.
Other entries:
"Comrade Bingo"
"Leave It to Jeeves"
Right Ho, Jeeves
"The Delayed Exit of Claude and Eustace"
"Aunt Agatha Takes the Count"
"Jeeves in the Springtime"