Fred Basset by Alex Graham for September 30, 2023

Well Fred, you may have spared the vicar…

In one single move from a chess star to a jester…

The vicar knew the importance of that move. Too bad Fred isn’t playing.

Fred’s comments on Mr Dear’s chess remind me of a strip where the Dears were discussing a painting they had seen in someone else’s home. They were very uncomplimentary about it. In the second panel, Fred thought, “Really! Some people!” In the third panel, he explained to us, “You may be interested to know that the painting they’re discussing is a first-rate reproduction of Sunflowers by Van Gogh!”

Last night, I saw Lionel Jeffries – who voiced Fred in the 1970s animated cartoon series – in a cameo role in 1958’s The Revenge of Frankenstein. Lionel Jeffries and Michael Ripper appeared as body snatchers who planned to dig up Baron Frankenstein’s body and sell it after the Baron had apparently been executed. Michael Ripper’s character dug up the grave single-handedly as Lionel’s character claimed to have a weak heart but also the knowledge of who to sell the body to. Ripper’s character then said that it wasn’t Frankenstein but the priest who had been executed. He ran away terrified but the one with the weak heart said that he could still sell the body and went to take it. Peter Cushing then walked towards him as the real Baron Frankenstein who was continuing his work. The remaining grave robber clutched at his chest and fell into the grave that his colleague had just opened.

Does anyone remember the Vicar’s dog, SATAN?

He seems to be overthinking it.

Everyone’s a critic! LOL!

It’s so cute that Fred is the best chess player.

An accidentally brilliant move … undone in a moment of madness.

Let Fred take over the loser’s game…

Fred you should not interfere