Clarice Cliff At The Movies

 As an avid fan of old films I was quite surprised to see a piece of Clarice Cliff in the film: "Witness In The Dark 1959".

TPTV Channel 82 show quite a few of Patricia Dainton's film and I have to admit I have become quite a fan of her film output.

Rhondanthe vase post war 1946/7? 12 inches high by 10 wide the largest piece in this pattern around on film. There is another film where barritz plates are on a welsh dresser, another British film from around 1956, I must look this up and do another blog.

Clarice Cliff

Lakeside plate By designer Chris Rogers 2007.

Below Rhondanthe plate By Clarice Cliff.

In the sitting room on a large sideboard a brief fleeting view of the rhodanthe vase. The film stars Patricia Dainton as a blind girl looking after an elderly lady, Madge Ryan killed for her precious brooch. A rather creepy sinister, performance from Nigel Green as the killer.

Conrad Philips as the detective complete the trio. Another Pat Dainton film is:" The House On Marsh Road" 1960 with Tony Wright a tense suspense film which can be found on the net you tube or Talking pictures Channel 81 on free view.

 Other films that have Clarice Cliff pottery in are Mr Phibes Rises Again 1972 with Vincent Price,

Two Ravel conical cups are seen, and a draw full of Crocus, ware in The Eye Of Needle 1981.

Above Right A poster of the Film  Witness In The Dark 1961.

RIP Patricia Dainton who passed away in 2024..

Chris Rogers writer 2021.

Bipolar, Grief and Lockdown 2020 (A cocktail of emotions)

 You can make a wonderful cocktail with various spirits and the glass is stylish too? I love a challenge but 2020 was a bit too much. My partner passed away on April 7th 2020.

we celebrated 25 years together, sadly the last two weeks we could not see each other because of the restrictions Covid-19 and his end of life home. Some friends suggested I write a short blog to maybe help and inform others?

Bipolar is a difficult illness at the best of times and my medications help, but not for grief you still cry and that has to be healthy, and quite normal, Feeling numb is quite the norm believe me. Anger is another emotion that comes with grief. You will never be slim on medication another sad fact! weight gain is part of the treatment with medications. so you can be slim and ill? or fat and happy? no contest I will take the weight gain anyday.

Sleeping tablets are a god send when you loose someone, because you need to rest your body, mind and spirit really you do.

12 months is the hardest part an anniversary of a passing causes great  turmoil to your very core, you think how can I go on? but you do, most people think of their loved one daily. My dad died in 1992 and my mom in 2001 not a day goes by when they are not in my thoughts,

The pandemic was a real devil too I have lost a few friends to Covid-19. I hope we can reset to what is important and what is not, I have read many books on mental health, and have learned a lot along the way, friends who had experienced mental health issues in lockdown sought my advice,

After 48 years of illness I learned one or two things along the way a bad day is just that tomorrow will and could be better?

Friends were  so kind they really are angels but you sort the genuine ones from the false ones. Cruise is another great organisation and so is Bipolar UK,

Counselling for grief is a must even if you cannot get it on the NHS, Go private costs around £40 per hourly sessions,  much as friends help, they have their own problems and they can help you in a small way,

Medication wise my meds were increased due to grief walking and talking helps but trapped in grief in a lockdown has been a tough one for everyone.

I hate Covid -19 as it stopped me seeing my loved one and that is something the mere name makes the fires of hell in me burn with rage..

Peace and happiness

Christopher Rogers, 2021.

Clarice Cliff And The Colour Room 2021.

 At Last a film by Sky Cinema about Clarice Cliff 1899-1972.  The locations include Stoke, The Black Country Museum, and Birmingham Town Hall.

It will be 50 years in 2021 since the iconic designer died at Chetwynd House aged 73. The house sold for £57,000 pounds later that year In 1972. The house is now occupied by Professor Flavia Swann and you can see Clarice Shorter etched into the glass. Clarice married Colley Shorter in 1940.

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Above Red Roofs on a Vase,circa 1932 above Clarice Cliff late 1940's A rare photograph.

Above Chris Rogers "Offenham" plate circa 1999. I paint and enjoy the past time and I will continue for as long as my eyes last.

I choose to write new blogs covering many subjects and to let those know I am back from the blue Lagoon! much more to come soon.

My passion started years ago selling Clarice Cliff Lotus jugs for a fiver in London in the 70's, I met The Bigarre Girls in 1999 and my cousin met Clarice twice in 1959 and 1961. 

Enjoy the film in September/October 2021 interesting viewing hope they don't make any mistakes as my beady eyes will be watching.  There is Nothing delusional about me! just a lot upstairs and a passion that I hope will burn bright for a few years yet!

Chris Rogers

 Designer and Historian 2021.