Paul's Monte Carlo - or Bust!

Hi Woodsy,

Here is a book I found at a recent Lions Club book fair in Auckland, for just $1.00 NZ (44 New Pence in British money). The price sticker on the cover is for the London Bookshops, a chain which once operated in NZ, but which is now long gone.

This book is based on the film Monte Carlo or Bust (1969), also known as Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies. It was a sequel to Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965), but this time set in the 1920s, and with cars rather than aeroplanes.

I had thought this was the same movie as The Great Race (1965), but it seems that is not so. Although Tony Curtiss was the hero in both !

Monte Carlo - or Bust ! Those Daring Young Men in Their Jaunty Jalopies, by Jack Davies, Ken Annakin, Allen Andrews, & Ronald Searle, Dobson Books Ltd., 1969. A note on the rear flap of the dust jacket states that a similar volume is available for Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.

The film involves a race to Monte Carlo, including cars from many different nations. Much villainly ensues, as a fleet of vintage cars and their drivers battle it out.

British artist, and creator of the young 'ladies' of St. Trinian's School, Richard Searle provided the artwork for the film. A note on the copyright page states 'The drawings in the first part of the book are taken from the storyboard for the film titles, the drawings in the Rally Chronicle are from Ronald Searle's notebook of sketches made on location'.

A somewhat humorous history of early motoring is followed by the story of the film, from the point of view of each contestant. Throughout the book are black and white or colour illustrations by Ronald Searle.

The cast included a number of major film stars of the day, some of whom had been in Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines. Terry-Thomas plays the son of his original character, but he is still the villain.

Have you anything like this?

Paul Adams from New Zealand