Tommy Cooper's Fez

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Thu, 05 Dec 2024
  • 176 reads
12 comments
 
I was researching
interesting facts
and came across
a piece about hats.
 
The most popular
of fancy headgear
is the baseball cap,
it would appear.
 
So why was a fez
that Tommy picked? 
It was the one that
from a waiter he nicked.
 
He was due to perform
for the British troops
who in a bar in Cairo
were waiting in groups.
 
Something was missing
as he soon discovered.
A chapeau was needed;
his head was uncovered.
 
He grabbed a red felt hat
from an Egyptian waiter.
I'm borrowing it, he said,
I'll return it to you, later.
 
The server was supposed
to have finished his shift,
so he felt obliged to leave
the fez to Tommy, as a gift.
 
 
 
© Luigi Pagano 2024
 
Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Historical Fiction
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by airyfairy on

Thank you, Luigi - that's really interesting! My Dad was a big Tommy Cooper fan. My Mum was not a fan of his Tommy Cooper impressions!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I too was a fan of Tommy Cooper whose famous phrase "Just like that" and his seemingly bumbling magic tricks attracted many imitators. I don't know if the story of how he acquired the fez is true but it makes sense. I am sure some of his hilarious sketches will be repeated on TV during Christmas.
Many thanks for reading and commenting, Jane.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Turlough on

When someone nearby is wearing  a fez (or a sombrero) you can only smile.

I didn't know that about Tommy in Cairo. Thanks for educating me Luigi. 

Turlough

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Very true, Terry. Any bizarre item of clothing is bound to make people laugh but that hat was the making of his image..

Best wishes, Luigi

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The most popular is the baseball cap, I can imagine. Second most? The most popular sport would be soccer, apart from fishing that is. As non-formal and not professional.

All the best Luigi, good to see your old style again! Tom

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Many thanks for your feedback, Tom.,

Best, Luigi

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

yes

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The most popular is the baseball cap, I can imagine. Second most? The most popular sport would be soccer, apart from fishing that is. As non-formal and not professional.

All the best Luigi, good to see your old style again! Tom

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I thought maybe a stetson - you know like a cowboy hat, or a sombrero - spanish. Maybe a beret? Army. Good question I dhink.More likely a beany kind of thing you know that kind you pull over your head when it's very cold. Must be?

Cheers Luigi, winter there keep your head warm! Tom

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Will do, thanks.

 

Submitted by Mark Say on

Tommy Cooper was a comic genius. Lots of his stuff on YouTube.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

He was indeed a master of comedy and also a skilled magician, Mark. Useful to know that I can find his stuff on YouTube, which I rarely watch. Thanks for letting me know.

Best, Luigi