E.T. is glowing home...
Brother of ‘Dapper Don’ had been in ill health
setting moon yesterday morning. The February full moon, which gets its name because of the month’s typically heavy snow, is at its fullest today but will still look large and bright into next week.
MOBSTER Peter Gotti, the one-time Gambino crime boss and successor to notorious brother John ‘Dapper Don’ Gotti, has died in jail aged 81.
Gotti, who was sentenced to 25 years after being convicted of racketeering and other charges in 2003, died of natural causes at the Federal Medical Centre in Butner, North Carolina, US.
He spent more than 17 years behind bars and had recently been seeking an early release because of his poor health.
His attorney James Craven said even “Stevie Wonder could see” the former mob boss was not dangerous.
Writing in court papers in December 2019, he added: “We are truly afraid he is dying now, he feels he is.
“As his lawyer, I am afraid this will all become moot soon if nothing is done.”
Gotti, who was blind in one eye, had been suffering from thyroid problems, according to Lewis Kasman, a former confidant of Gotti’s brother John.
Kasman described Gotti as a “regular knock-around guy who didn’t let his title go to his head”. He added that his kindness meant he was not cut out to head the Gambino crime family.
“He was trying to do his brother’s bidding and had a tough task,” Kasman said. “A lot of the captains were very upset with him because he wasn’t a strong boss. The Lucchese family walked all over him.”
Gotti served as Gambinos boss from 1999 to 2002 after brother John was jailed for murder and racketeering.
John, known as the ‘Dapper Don’ because of his expensive suits and silvery swept-back hair, was serving a life term when he died of cancer aged 61 in 2002.
STOCK Fun started in the mysterious fancy dress shop
Mr Benn, one of the nation’s favourite animations, celebrates his 50th birthday this week. Despite the fact only 13 episodes of the TV cartoon were ever made, it aired almost continually for 30 years from 1971 – helping it become one of the UK’s best-loved shows.
Bowler-hatted Mr Benn was created by illustrator David McKee and despite the character’s ordinary appearance, he was a rather adventurous chap.
His favourite pastime was visiting his local fancy dress shop where a magical portal in the changing room would transport him to a different world.
From the shop, Mr Benn was able to travel through time and experience the world through the eyes of the person he was dressed as, whether it was a hunter, knight, gladiator or caveman.
The Fez-wearing owner of the shop was always seemingly one step ahead too, knowing just what attire Mr Benn would need for the land which lay ahead.
In the years since it was first released, the show – which was narrated by actor Ray Brooks – has become a cult hit for its style of animation.
The simple theme tune, featuring a clarinet and bassoon, is also instantly recognisable.
McKee, the show’s creator, lived in Putney, South West London, and was very much inspired by the area when creating Mr Benn.
The illustrator lived at 54 Festing Road but changed the name to Festive Road for his character because it sounded more appealing.
He also changed the house number to 52 for reasons unknown – and today, an inscribed paving stone marks the spot between the two houses in the real-life street.
McKee, now 86, says Mr Benn’s formal look – which consists of a black suit, shoes and bowler hat – was partly inspired by Laurel and
Hardy and Charlie Chaplin. The shopkeeper’s Fez was based on one owned by McKee and the shop itself was inspired by an antiques store he once visited in Devon. McKee had no experience in the world of television when he was asked to create the show.
He said: “It was much simpler back then, I was given a free hand by the BBC.
“Mr Benn endures, I think, because people like the idea of being able to escape to another life. At their heart, Mr Benn stories are just old-fashioned stories and the elements that make up the films – the voice, the music, the story – are all simple.
“A lot of adults have introduced Mr Benn to their children rather tentatively, as it doesn’t have the crash-bangs of modern animation, but have then been surprised to find children putting the DVD on themselves.” All 13 episodes of Mr Benn are being re-released on DVD to mark the 50th anniversary of the show, as well as the original books.
There are also said to be plans for either a Mr Benn film or opera, with Johnny Depp rumoured to be in talks about the lead role. McKee said: “I’m excited to see what people make of the new products.
“I hope a new generation children enjoy them.” of
WILD RIDE Show entertained generations
COSTUME DRAMA Some of his fancy dress outfits
RARE Only 13 episodes were made