My First Favourite Belgian Boy

Long before I met Bob, even before I had marvelled at the little grey cells of Hercules Poirot, there was a cute Belgian boy with a blond quiff, called Tintin. Today I have discovered that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are releasing their ‘Tintin’ film at Christmas.

I have already announced that I am planning to go to the cinema!

The real name of the creator of this character [whose first appearance was in 1929] was Georges Remi. But  he reversed his initials GR to RG to get Hergé.

Tintin is frowned upon by many people nowadays, because of his Political Incorrectness. But he was a product of his age, and I think it is important to view the stories in that light. In his day, the Russians were regarded as the ‘baddies’

Hergé was a keen Boy Scout, and was eager to write adventure stories which boys would enjoy,in which right prevailed and evil was vanquished. That strikes me as a good starting point.

Tintin Trivia…

In Tibet, Tintin’s nickname is ‘Pure Heart’

The ‘twins’ are not identical- and they aren’t twins – their surnames are Thompson and Thomson! [or Dupont/Dupont if you are Belgian]

 

Here’s a trailer to whet your appetite

Captain Haddock beats Captain Birdseye anyday!

Here’s the whole Tintin family – how many do you recognise?