Working in conjunction with the Dorset Film Institute, The Dorset Regional Film Archive and Threadbone Holdings, thrupiecemedia in association with Soddit Films have released a major documentary film which captures the essence of this the most quintessentially unlucky of Dorset comedians.
Lovingly restored by Matte Demon, the film highlights two significant episodes in the comedian's non-rise and fall: his first television appearance in 1952 (recorded in Dorset Regional Television Studios but not, in the event, broadcast) and his appearance in August 1959 at the Lyme Regis Empire.
Aficionados of great comedy as well as those interested in Sid Sodd's career will be intrigued to see hitherto un-broadcast materials for the first time. Film critic and TV Presenter Jonathan Ross-County says the finds are worth seeing: "It's good to know what all the lack of fuss was about. Anyone who believes that Sid's career was undervalued should see this. If anything he emerges with less credit than he had before which is a shame given that hardly anyone had even heard of him until he died".
Surviving great nephew Stu Pidde-Sodd disagrees. 'My great uncle never gave up. He was always trying. Even to his family. I remember my great aunt Sue saying "People have no idea how trying he is. He's very trying indeed... especially to live with. He's forever practicing his catchphrase and you do get tired of being told to Sodd Off all the time" .' "Now the general public can see for itself just how trying he was", Stu added.
Sidd Sodd died on Monday. His last reported words were "have the bin men been?" He was 90.
Archive footage of Dorset's unluckiest comedian Sid Sodd is made available for the first time thanks to unique collaboration between film historians, media experts and the Dorset Police.
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