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Films Novels

Other Appearances

Apart from the novels and films, Doctor Syn has made a number of other appearances:

Stage Play

The original novel was put on as a stage play at the Strand Theatre, London in 1923, with Russell Thorndike in the lead role. Interestingly, in her preface to Doctor Syn Sybil Thorndike writes:
Was Syn a play or novel first? - I forget...

Comic Books

The Gold Key "Scarecrow" Comic Books
I am grateful to John Bevilacqua and Robert Denial for the following information. The story from the Disney film was retold in a comic book published by Gold Key in 1964 entitled "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh". Two further comic books featuring the Scarecrow appeared the following year. The first book was reprinted in November 1979 as no.53 in the "Walt Disney Showcase" series, published by Western Publishing Company, Inc., North Road, Poughkeepsie, New York, 12602. The reprint also includes another story, "Tales of Texas John Slaughter".


The three Gold Key "Scarecrow" comic books
By permission of Carl Vaulx

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
I am grateful to Jonathan Barnett for the following information. Doctor Syn is mentioned briefly in no.2 of a limited series from America's Best Comics entitled "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O'Neil. In the story Captain Nemo, The Invisible Man, Allen Quartermain, Dr. Jekyll, and Mina (from Dracula) join forces against someone who may be Fu Man Chu. It is littered with references to other charcters of the time: Sherlock Holmes, Leatherstockings, H.G. Wells, Fanny Hill, Polyanna, and James Bond's grandfather (from the Ian Fleming world, not the cinema). Doctor Syn is seen in a photograph at the British HQ.

Dymchurch Day of Syn

First held in 1964, this has now become established as a regular event, taking place on August Bank Holiday (the last Monday in August) in alternate (even numbered) years. The next will be in 2002.

Click on arrow for photos of 2000 Day of Syn

Links

Jayl and the Nightriders arrive at Dymchurch Wall, 1998 Day of Syn
By permission of John Lowdell

Images

Dr Syn, alias The Scarecrow
Attributed to Mrs Dan Thorndike, Russell's daughter-in-law
By permission of Andy Sharp

Locomotive

One of the Canadian Pacific locomotives on the 15 inch gauge Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway is named after Doctor Syn. This locomotive is often present at Dymchurch station during the Day of Syn.

Links

The Nightrider
by Terry Anthony
By permission of John Lowdell

Music

Dr Syn: the opera
Around 1983 the English composer Adrian Cruft (1921-1987) wrote an opera in three acts for 12 soloists, chorus, piano and percussion. The libretto is by Johanna Platt. It is described as: "A tale of the Romney Marsh in the 1770s freely based on the story and characters created by Russell Thorndike"

Dr Syn: "the finest R&B band in East Anglia"
This band was formed in 1996 by Dave Basham to perform rock/blues material in the style of The Pirates and Dr Feelgood. Its name was partly inspired by the two earlier bands. After several personnel changes it still performs occasionally in its local area. The current line-up (pictured right) includes Trevor Lincoln (drums), Matt Turner-Hook (bass and vocals) and Dave Basham (guitar). In 1998 they released the CD "Contraband", which received several plays on BBC local radio and is available at £9 including p&p from Dave Basham, Scarecrow Records, PO Box 674, Mulbarton, Norwich, NR14 8UL.

Jimmie Bone
A vehicle for the progressive & versatile work of the English Singer/Songwriter & Producer William D.C. Lowdell? An exciting new guise for an underground band located somewhere in the South of England? The infamous and heroic Kentish highwayman featured in the best-selling Dr.Syn novels by Russell Thorndike? Brother and musical colleague of the singer / songwriter / performer Jayl? Jimmie Bone is all of these things & more.....

Jayl
A mysterious and enigmatic singer / songwriter / performer from the South of England, Jayl has for some years now been an underground cult legend. His debut CD, "The World and the Hooded Man" was released in 1997. A major inspiration was the work of the painter Terry Anthony.

The band "Dr Syn": Trevor Lincoln, Matt Turner-Hook and Dave Basham
By permission of Trevor Lincoln

Jimmie Bone
By permission of Bill Lowdell

Guestbook

Films Novels
Maintained by David Ovenden
E-mail: DavyO@tesco.net
Updated 15 May 2002


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