Williams’ comedy stint in Hilltown pub

IN 1980 the Scotscraig moved to Anchor Bay just a couple of miles from Mellieha in Malta after nearly 200 workers spent seven months to construct Sweethaven Village for the production of the live-action musical feature film Popeye.

Principal photography commenced in January 1980 and part of the film was made on the Scotscraig which was billed as the Popeye Barge.

After the production cost rose beyond

$20 million, Paramount ordered director John Altman to wrap filming and return to California with what he had.

The film set village was abandoned, so the locals of Mellieha reclaimed it as a Popeye theme park, and it remains there to this day.

But the vessel ingloriously sank in 1981 and was then given another starring role as an underwater wreck off the island’s coast and became a tourist attraction for scuba divers and marine film producers.

It is a haven for many species of fish such as conger, groupers, rays, and octopi.

Popeye star Williams knew all about Dundee after staying in the city several times in the early 1970s during appearances at the Edinburgh Festival before he was famous.

Williams was in digs in the Stannergate and became a well-known face at the Hungry Mary’s cafe where he was particularly fond of lorne sausage and tattie scones.

Local comedian Bobby Barty invited the young Williams to the Windmill Bar in the Hilltown where he was performing.

He impressed regulars at the pub with his impressions including his Scottish accent which he then used in the classic Mrs Doubtfire.

Dundee man Joe McKay later told how a chance encounter with the aspiring comedian showed his kind nature.

He said: “About 1971, I was regularly driving my lorry to Portobello Docks in Edinburgh.

“I gave a young man a lift from Perth Transport Cafe.

“It was Robin Williams.

“In return for the lift, Robin helped me unload two dozen cases of orange juice.”

Scotscraig’s sister ship the Abercraig was finally broken up in Malta in 1995.

Williams passed away in 2014.

The Scotscraig was launched in 1951. Right, Robin Williams as Popeye.