Evelyn, my short term memory is getting shorter... Abject apologies to all who said significant things to ODB...or wrote them :-)

Arami, thanks, I enjoyed your report. Really, we can�t compete about who said the most significant thing to him!! It�s a subjective thing. Take me for instance, the moment he turned to us I suddenly lost my ability to say or think in English, and I�m very happy for the few quite insignificant words I managed to say and hear from him. On the other hand, it�s strange but I possibly did not really want to have too much personal contact with him. I don�t know if you guys understand a crazy thing like this but I believe I needed to keep a certain distance and would again if I had another chance to meet him.

(Elena), I possibly did not really want to have too much personal contact with him. I don�t know if you guys understand a crazy thing like this but I believe I needed to keep a certain distance and would again if I had another chance to meet him. Really? I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. :-D

I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. Moon, you crack me up! :-D And don't forget: watch him go shopping for antiques, listen to him practice his Italian, etc... etc...(I wonder how he fares in Italian pronunciation)

Gi, I like your "take" on Wessex. I've only seen SIL once (I look forward to studying the video) but I'm puzzled why so many people dislike Wessex so much...villainous, wicked, male chauvenist etc. I felt rather sorry for the impoverished Earl, and I've been interested to read CF's comments on him. He's correct in saying that Wessex's behaviour was quite normal for the period...marriages were business arrangements and breeding ability did matter...especially if there was a title to carry on! I thought Wessex as inept with women, stiff, and certainly lacked poetry!...but he wasn't a villain! I hope that now Harvey's got his Oscar, he'll do something with MLSF, so that we have a long overdue chance to see CF in a more sympathetic (but still flawed) role! :-)

(Winter), ...(I wonder how he fares in Italian pronunciation) So do I, and I hope I will find out one day. Bethan, I hope someone finally asks Harvey, now that he has his most wanted Oscar, if he plans to release some of his stash of films. Why didn't anyone ask him that at the Oscar's press conference? That would have been my first question.

Moon Dreams: How did you feel after finally meeting with him, and what do you feel now? I know how much you admire and ... him.;-) I still do, maybe even more so... I saw a smashing (that's great in Brit speak), modest, friendly guy, working really hard and diligently at keeping his fans happy. People approached him with respect and admiration, and he reciprocated very generously. Even though he was feeling unwell towards the end of the second week, he still came down to meet the fans. He could have left the theatre using the back emergency exit, but he never did. I was aware of his dual image: Colin the actor and Colin the ordinary guy. I was looking at his famously "neutral" features, thinking about his various screen roles, and I had to admit it again: he was a magician in more ways than one... Yes, I am still under the spell...

Gi, I liked your comments on SiL. Yes, Rupert Everett was not credited for his role. A bit odd to me that he was at the Oscars supporting the film. I saw him being interviewed the next day along with JD, GR and John Madden. I too found GP hard to believe as a boy. I don't think it was her acting - just very too feminine looking. Had to laugh at the idea that such a good boy's wig was available at that time and that she could pile that mass of hair underneath it. As for CF, his villain lacks evil. . . So, he is not a strong character, like the Queen, nor a caricatural one, like Henslowe. Hence no nomination. Precisely, but as Bethan points out, Wessex is behaving quite normally, not doing anything very reprehensible and CF sees the validity of that. I like that he's not an over-the-top villain. You're right, that kind of portrayal will rarely bring a nomination. He fights Shakespeare not only for his honour ("you covet my property") but also, I think, from jealousy. I like this. He's fighting for his honor, his livelihood, and his machismo. Practically Neanderthal. ;-) (Eileen) but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting.. I love that he always goes for the subtleties (excluding Tumbledown). (Elena) the moment he turned to us I suddenly lost my ability to say or think in English, and I�m very happy for the few quite insignificant words I managed to say and hear from him. I agree. I won't berate myself for the things I should have said but am glad for those who had more presence of mind. So glad it was such a group event. I hope next time the group is even larger.

Almost forgot, Moon... loved your question for Harvey. Too bad you weren't there. Now if we could only get people to answer our questions.

(Heide)Now if we could only get people to answer our questions. Yes! You still remember that list we sent Colin through his agent, don't you? (Eileen) but I think that if Colin made him more evil he would have been overacting.. (Heide)I love that he always goes for the subtleties. So do I, my dears, do do I...

(Heide), I like this. He's fighting for his honor, his livelihood, and his machismo. Practically Neanderthal. Never neanderthal! Noblesse oblige. With Wessex I felt the same way as I did when I saw Titanic. Why would Gwynnie prefer Shakespeare over Wessex? Why would kate prefer Leonardo over her fiance? There was something so much more substantial in them, more manly. (Gi), You still remember that list we sent Colin through his agent, don't you? He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews(who would have thought it!), we will have to wait and see what happens to his career now. ;-)

(Moon) Really? I would love to dance with him and to have a very long conversation with him and to watch him horseback ride and... etc, etc. :-D For some reason this brought to my mind's eye the picture of JE, clad in a pair of skin-hugging jodpurs, bouncing gently on a muscular steed. Her cheeks are flushed and her breath slightly short. Riding crop in hand, she gives a gentle thwack to Xanthus' rippling flanks. Flinching, .... SORRY. Off subject again. I am v. happy about SiL, I must say. I thought it was great, and I also thought GP was wonderful, especially as Romeo. The opening 20 mins. of SPR are astounding. After that, I thought, it grew increasingly ordinary. By contrast, SiL got better and better through the film. Sour grapes from other studios, and from Spielberg of all people, reduce them both in my estimation and provides a nice contrast with all the schmalzy, sickly, Uriah-Heepish backhanded self-congratulation at the Oscar ceremony. All this looks even more ridiculous when, moments later, someone can't accept being judged second best with a little more grace.

Now, Moon, I beg to disagree on several points: Why would Gwynnie prefer Shakespeare over Wessex? Why would kate prefer Leonardo over her fiance? There was something so much more substantial in them, more manly. Both Wessex and Kate's fiance were nasty characters, who considered their women as their property and could be abusive, were self important, and were cowardly when in difficult situations. He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews Oh, but we sent him a number of questions nobody else asked him, did we not? ;-) (ben)SORRY. Off subject again. LOL! You didn't stray very far...;-)

(Ben) someone can't accept being judged second best with a little more grace. Good article in NYTimes yesterday on "Morning After Complaints"..... Go to http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/032399oscar-commentary.html Why the 5,500 member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences split their vote between "Shakespeare in Love" and "Saving Private Ryan" was the source of discussion all over Hollywood. The Academy did split their votes as we surmised.

Just read the article from the New York Times, �Morning After Complaints�� What planet are these people from�SIL was a hard sell and Harvey was just doing his job. Which in my opinion, he surpassed greatly. Those idiots in Hollywood whine too damn much and need to get in the game. I wait with great anticipation at what Weinstein will do with MLSF. Colin is lucky to have this guy in his corner. Go Harvey� Go Harvey!

After HW's underselling (in our estimation) CF early on in SiL and removing his name from the webpage, are we to become a new version of the Harvey Girls?! Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment.

Marcia, you know I had forgotten how HW dissed Colin--and your'e right about the damage to creative thinking in movies--Had to vent because I couldn't understand why some of the Academy were now crying foul play just because someone sold a better product. Besides, I hated SPR. Wouldn't want to be a Harvey Girl though, would perfer to be Colin Girl. (Hmmm, Colin Girl sounds a bit funny almost like Call Girl).

Sorry that's "prefer."

(Gi), Both Wessex and Kate's fiance were nasty characters, who considered their women as their property and could be abusive, were self important, and were cowardly when in difficult situations. I did not find Wessex to be a nasty character or cowardly. Kate's fiance was a little more of a problem granted, but leaving him for Leonardo? He is probably all talked out now. He has given quite a few interviews Oh, but we sent him a number of questions nobody else asked him, did we not? I agree with you but actors take into consideration all the interviews they give at a given time. Plus, someone has to type the answers. It is likely that he will be giving more interviews for the release of MLSF too. Of course, the questions he will be asked will not be as satisfying to us as the ones we sent. :-) ( Marcia), Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment. I agree! Spielberg should be ashamed of himself. Why doesn't he start producing small independant films? Harvey has a nice list of low-budget films to be very proud of. Thanks Evelyn for the NYT's article.

Thanks for that article, Evelyn. How about that line (I'm paraphrasing) some studios are "making different kinds of movies [than Miramax], some are Oscar material and some aren't?" It's a business consumed with money for 99% of the time. Art seems to matter only around Oscar time for most studios and then they have a temper tantrum because they didn't win. And does art really matter to these studios? Probably not. An Oscar win = more box office, so it all comes back to $$$. One Dreamworks executive said that "Shakespeare" may have triumphed because the biggest bloc of academy voters are actors and the film is a tribute to acting and theater. On the other hand "Private Ryan" is the work of a virtuoso filmmaker, and as a result he was given the Oscar for best direction. There was the possibility, too, that the majority of academy voters simply preferred the comedy to the tragic war drama. (From the article) This is consistent with my opinion. As for Harvey, waddaya want? He's from Brooklyn!

(Marcia)Self-congratulatory Hollywood has done more damage to creative thinking in movies than almost any other source I can think of at the moment. Marcia, I just couldn�t agree more. The productions of Hollywood film industry seem to me like a load of completely estranged junk these days....and I also think that if SiL is the best picture of 1998 and GP is the best actress, something is badly wrong in the business altogether. Pretty, conventional superficiality. (Gi)Oh, but we sent him a number of questions Moon, was the Internet and Spring mentioned in the question list? In case he has received the list and seen those words, he could have reacted somehow in Donmar when he heard those words again....or did anybody of us mention them to him in fact?? ......but of course he couldn�t have remember it anyway. All in all, my guess is that he has not seen the list at all and it�s no use asking about it in ICM, it�s just a policy of theirs to tell you that he has received everything you�ve sent him.

I mean: couldn�t have remembered

Love it: here's the follow-up article to the one Evelyn posted http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/032599hollywood-miramax.html Enjoy!

Elena, his LA agent gave him the list first. Then, we sent via Fax to London a copy as well to be forwarded to him as a reminder. He does know of the questions and he does know that it is from cf.com. I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. Thanks Ben!

(Moon)He does know of the questions I see! In case that�s 100% certain, I�d be very curious to know what the problem is.....probably simply that he has forgotten all about it right away! I�d also like to know how much mail he gets actually, maybe too much to answer anything.....oh sh**, I MET him recently for god�s sake!! I could have ASKED him.

(Elena)I MET him recently for god�s sake!! I could have ASKED him. LOL! It is amazing how articulate we become after the fact. You might have asked him, but could you have?! ;) All of that Drool does get in the way when we are confronted with the most drool-worthy man in the known Universe!

Thanks Ben for alerting us to the NY Times article. Harvey must be gloating. (Moon)I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. I believe someone from the other group did mention cf.com and Gi , I think, mentioned it to Livia. But no one from Spring , to my knowledge. To tell you the truth, I went to enjoy the play, wallow in The Man Himself,and meet up with the Spring crowd. I did not want to ask him any questions, or explain the provenance of our group.Somehow, it just didn't seem prudent. The group picture was pure luck:-)

Has this got to be the most contentious and acrimonious Oscars in history? Evidently, Fernanda doesn't subscribe to the Judi Dench "I'm-just-thrilled-being-nominated" philosophy! Ran across this news blurb (and I loved Central Station): FERNANDA'S NO GRACIOUS LOSER Appearing to evince much of the cold cynicism that distinguished her character in Brazil's Central Station (1998), Fernanda Montenegro accused Motion Picture Academy voters of awarding the best actress Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow not for her performance but for her "thin, pure, virginal" appearance. Speaking on her return to Rio De Janeiro from Los Angeles, where she attended the awards ceremony as a rival nominee for best actress, Montenegro said, "They don't have much of this type of actress like Paltrow i American cinema. The Oscar for Paltrow is an investment." Montenegro had few complimentary words for Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful (1997) as well. "It didn't deserve to win," she said. "I thought it was just him that won, not the film itself."

(Moon Dreams) He does know of the questions and he does know that it is from cf.com. I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar... Excuse me: by whose authority are those questions "from cf.com"? Has this been cleared with the administration of the site?

Fernanda is lucky they let her in the door. I don't remember a Brazilian actress ever being nominated...since Carmen (Boom, chick-a-boom-chick)Miranda. Nothing beats Judi Dench's grace.I just wish she hadn't dissed GP early in the game...remember?"It would be nice if the leading lady would speak to other members of the cast every now and then".

Evelyn,, do we know for sure she really said it, or is it just the media again. I personally find it hard to believe Dame Judy Dench would be so petty, she is above all that. She is such a professional like our DB.

(Moon Dreams)I had hoped that someone might have mentioned cf.com to him at the Donmar, but I do not believe anyone did. I did, to Livia. (Evelyn)...Judi Dench's grace.I just wish she hadn't dissed GP early in the game... (AnnW)do we know for sure she really said it, Maybe she did, and maybe it was true. Just because she won an Oscar for SiL, and because she mentioned CF a couple of times, do we suddenly prefer to believe she has no faults? And maybe it was not said, or maybe it was not true, or maybe she was having problems in her personal life... Fernanda Montenegro: I saw an interview she gave after the nominations and before the awards. She said she was proud to have been nominated, and also surprised, because she is much older and not as good looking ad the other nominees, and Brazilian cinema is done with a lot less money than American cinema, which means the brazilians have two cameras for every four of the americans, the plans are fewer, the editing less brilliant, the films have less rythm, and the actors are not showcased as well. She said Hollywood looks after their own, and an old latino woman in a depressing movie all about poverty is surely not going to win. She was very articulate and intelligent in the way she put all this. She did not accuse Paltrow or Blanchett of being youg and pretty, she just said they were, and that they were good actresses as well. Of course if she had won, you would have had a graceful speech of acceptance.

(Evelyn)...since Carmen (Boom, chick-a-boom-chick)Miranda. Evelyn, you crack me up. I read Fernanda's comments in my local paper (it was probably in everyone's local paper). My first reaction was "crybaby" but hey--she's speaking her mind. It's almost refreshing. She knows she has nothing to lose. (Gi) and because she mentioned CF a couple of times, do we suddenly prefer to believe she has no faults? I think we have the life experience to know there's no such thing as a person without faults (even--gasp--ODB). If what Dame Judi was rumored to have said was true, so what? I still appreciate GP for mentioning Colin's name when NOBODY else was.

(Ann)Evelyn,, do we know for sure she really said it, or is it just the media again I only know what I read...'cause I wasn't there.I don't think they would make something like that up however, Imelda Stauton in an interview in The Daily Mail raved about GP.She said the girl was exhausted...had to go to NY to do TV promos and the premiere for "A Perfect Murder".Said GP was a real trooper. And she should know , she was Gwynnie's nurse!! ****** Fernanda's interviews: Sometimes these stars give different views on things once they get back to their own country.....and lose.

While we're still discussing the oscars... when Judi Dench made her comment about feeling like she deserved only a small part of her supporting oscar since she was only in the film for 8 minutes (or whatever), I couldn't help but wonder if she was really thinking: "Yeah, and when I deserved to win the bigger prize last year, they give it to some twerpy Yank sitcom star -- go figure!" The only part of the oscar thing that really had me on my feet was Norman Jewison's speech (accepting his Thalberg award) in which he exorted filmmakers to "focus on telling good stories" and "bigger budget doesn't mean better film." Amen, brother!!

(SusanMC)...when Judi Dench made her comment about feeling like she deserved only a small part of her supporting oscar... ...I swear I wondered which part she meant! ;-)

(Gi)..I swear I wondered which part she meant! ;-) I can't say I've paid Oscar's anatomy very close attention, but isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Great pecs he may have, but....

(Ben)isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Exactly! That's why I wondered...:-)

(Arami) Excuse me: by whose authority are those questions "from cf.com"? Has this been cleared with the administration of the site? Actually, the questions were not specified as coming from cf.com. But we did say that if he chose to answer we would post them at that site. I had asked either Nan or Renate (maybe both, don't remember) if we could post the answers at cf.com if he should answer. I would have asked Maria but she's hard to get hold of. However, if she should choose to question me, I'm easy to find.

Re Oscar's anatomy: apparently that part had been claimed years ago. Sort of gender neutral, is he not?!

the questions were not specified as coming from cf.com Thank you, Heide, for this assurance. I would have asked Maria but she's hard to get hold of. All the Three Deers are equally accessible to everyone via their email address.

I can't say I've paid Oscar's anatomy very close attention, but isn't he sadly lacking in vital areas? Great pecs he may have, but.... } He does have a very long sword, though. ;-)

(Ann)He does have a very long sword, though. ;-) Aha! Touche! ;-)

But surely, it's not the size of the weapon...

Yes. His weapon scrapes the floor which is mighty impressive, I admit, but also inconvenient, surely?

(Ben)... but also inconvenient, surely? For whom? :-D Sorry, sorry, sorry! I couldn't resist!

Does it mean that your floor needs scraping, Winter, dear? ;-) (Sorry - couldn't resist, either!!!)

Ouch.

Someone inquired as to the BAFTA Awards; Films only. TV in May. Sunday April 11th. For a short listof nominees go to: http://www.pa.press.net/news/backgrounder/bafta/main.html on the Press Association website pa.press.net Last year they posted the results as they were awarded...anybody in UK hear whether they'll do it again?

Spring Pledge Drive Terry will gratefully accept any small donation you can make to help keep the Spring out of the hole. No obligations, of course, but if you're able to help out, a check can be made out to The Spring and mailed to: The Spring Rt.2 Box 56r Cedar Creek, TX 78612 I will post this at the other topics, so bear with the repetitions.

Murph's charming story about Lord Wessex and Lady Viola in the New World has now grown to Four Parts. They can be found on her website: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/shakes.html

Ooooh, Evelyn, thank you for this. I had no idea anyone was tackling that yet.

Marcia)Re; Wessex and Viola in the New World:I had no idea anyone was tackling that yet. I only wish our gifted Fan Fic authors would get inspired to develop sequels for the rest of Colin's films.

From the UK Press Association Page: Oscar-winning star Gwyneth Paltrow and movie legend Liz Taylor are jetting in to Britain to join the celebrations at the British Academy Film Awards Paltrow took the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Shakespeare in Love and will be hoping to repeat the feat at Sunday's ceremony. The film has been short-listed for 16 awards - 15 Baftas and the Orange Audience Award. I hope she wins and thanks "Colin Firth". I think CF & Livia will attend. They went to every other SIL function.

and movie legend Liz Taylor are jetting in to Britain to join the celebrations at the British Academy Film Awards I thought she was ill. (Or was that her ex?)

(Or was that her ex?) Yeah, poor Larry fell off a balconey. He's lucky to be alive. (Evelyn) I hope she wins and thanks "Colin Firth". Ditto. I was disappointed she didn't at the Oscars. She must have gotten heat for not thanking JF at the SAGs, where her acceptance speech was spontaneous (thought she wouldn't win) and more like her GG speech. I also wonder if C&LF will attend. When are the BAFTAs? This month, right?

E Taylor is ALWAYS ILL! That woman has had more problems!

(Evelyn) Murph's charming story... can be found on her website: http://www.colinfirth.com/html/shakes.html Correction: with all respect to Murph, www.colinfirth.com is not her website. She is a guest co-laborator running a section called Murph's Corner - and long may she continue to do so! But she also has at least one other place on the web which is wholly hers - you can find all relevant links in Murph's Corner.

May I add my voice in urging everyone to visit this website. It is full of *everything* Shakespeare, SiL, and Firth in it, including a MIDI file of the music he sang - but, alas, not of his singing it =( I was delighted to find Shakespeare's Last Will and Testament in which he leaves my ancestor a ring of remembrance (it was a popular thing to do in those days.) Excellent layout and graphics, it is compleat and most wondrous.

Queen Eilzabeth must be a Colin Firth fan! She gave Edward a title in honor of the dear boy! Though, if I were Edward, I don't think I would like being named after the villainous Lord Wessex!

Ann, there are all sorts of baddies in almost every title she could have given him. On 72, we discussed it a bit - but should have been here! I did The Times and Laura did The Telegraph. The latter was better, but both were interesting. Ann!!! It's you! My absolutely favorite writer of all time. Your Tapestry is printed out and dog-eared from frequent reading. It was the first Fanfiction I ever read and it is still the best in my heart =)) Welcome!

OOK = Karen's was King's Tapestry which I loved for another reason. Ann, Heartfelt Delight...as I read unfinished JA you filled in the spaces where I needed them to be filled. Karen took it another step farther. For the longest time these two were the only ones I ever read. They still have pride of place in my manuscript file. Welcome!

Sorry, Marcia, but this is Ann (no initial or number Ann, who runs the DWG and Austen.com). While she didn't write Heartfelt Delight (that's Ann2 officially, from Sweden), this Ann has written a number of very lovely stories that I know you would love.

Oh yes, thank you, dear, for the kind words about my old story. ;-)

Oh my! My Stephanie erred?! She was the one who separated the Anns for me. Your old story is a toss-up with Ann2's HFD as my fav's I pulled them out and reread them last night as my disgusted DB went to sleep with his back to me. Thank you for your clarification. I felt most sorry about Ann2's departure from RoP and was delighted to see her new DWG and Austen.com all ready for my belated perusal. I hardly go to RoP anymore, unless it is to hunt through their archives for something. 14 hours on the Boards is just too much, and this was when I tried to write last night and got everything confused. I also tried to write Ann Haker a letter but it bounced back to me this morning.

I felt most sorry about Ann2's departure from RoP and was delighted to see her new DWG and Austen.com Uhm, Marcia, it looks as if you're still mixing them up. Ann Haker is the host of Austen.com, she posts as 'Ann'.

Ann Haker, host of DWG/Austen.com, no longer uses the U of Minn that's shown with her login. Try this: anneh@www.spring.net Ann2 hasn't left RoP; she still posts her Heartfelt Delight there. I believe Lizzie is getting closer to her wedding night. You're at the computer too long!! Get some sleep. ;-p

Thank you again. Am getting out of the Ann business and going to read some fan fiction. I really do appreciate your clarifications. I do not know how I managed to be so confused (need that sleep!)

Dear Drool Hosts.... When MLSF is released can we look forward to a MLSF Board? Hope so :-)

I don't see why not.

And why not here? SiL is moribund for the present.

I would think there's no reason to post anything here anymore. This topic has served us well but we've all seen Shakespeare in Love by now, haven't we? No reason why we can't discuss any other SIL topics on 118/119. If anyone is concerned about reading spoilers for My Life So Far on our regular topics, I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. I'll copy this onto 119.

I'll gladly make a new topic for the lucky few who will see it in a few weeks. So positive I can't stand it. ;-) Heide does topics. I don't do those or windows.

Well, clever distribution of labor is what a good partnership is all about :-)