(Renate)Why don't you start tomorrow?(Yes, you!) (Evelyn) You're joking...I'm thrilled every time I can log on Drool.!!! Not all of us are techies...but we admire you enormously. Well, *I* love to be admired ;-p. You don't need to be a techie, and it is not difficult - in fact, in a way it is ridiculously easy. Most of all you need patience and time because there's a lot of details you have to think about. But it's fun, and once you've started you can't stop anymore. That's why webpages grow like mushrooms.... :-)

Hey, did anyone notice we've more than 1000 posts on this topic again?

(Gi)Hey, did anyone notice we've more than 1000 posts on this topic again? Yes and we're just going to throw caution to the wind and keep going!! (Eileen) is there any interest in posting the remainder of the People article on this board? Wasn't it all posted? Thought so. FYI, thanks Renate for posting the info about the South Coast Repertory Company's book. It was prominently displayed at a theater bookstore in town. I asked if it were going to be printed alone, and no date was provided by the company holding the rights. However, the situation is entirely different in England. They said I should have no trouble buying the play in London (probably at the Samuel French bookshop).

Post script to Another Country. We don't subscribe to Film Four, but we do get a Cable magazine. I checked today's listing.....nice pic of RE and CF. Then I read "Another Country", starring Rupert Everett and Betsy Brantley!!! Who the **** is Brantley, if you'll pardon my French? :-)

It doesn't seem to matter what billing order he is, someone always ***** up and leaves him out. Pardon the expression again. BB rings a bell and I am sure she has been in ----- It's on the tip of my tongue, come on film buffs, help us out.

Was she the mother? Huge part! Sorry, am mistaken, huge hat.

No, she was not the mother. She played Julie Schofield. Who was she?

On SUNDAY (14.02.1999) CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin (germany) at 20.00 o clock !!!!! SIL will be shown there at the BERLINALE ! But I was told that there are no more tickets available for SIL :-( Maybe I will fly to Berlin and try to get some tickets for my sister and me (she has got the "plesure" to come with me to London, too ;-) ) Is somebody going to Berlin, too????

(Renate)Re: webpages...But it's fun, and once you've started you can't stop anymore... Hey, I'm not looking for any additional addictions.... Drool is enough...and JE webpage!! Whew! But thanks for the vote of confidence :-) ****** A little upbeat news....Bank contact says he'll have news for me on SLOW mid March!!Maybe sooner....anyway...imminent, sort of. Bethan was right....'99 is his year.Three films due out this year.... one play, one television....Moon, break out the bubbly. (JE has three films due out too....)Happy Days are here again.... *** Haven't seen AC in ages.Couldn't you strangle those people for ignoring him.

(Sabine)CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin Good girl Sabine....proud of you for bring us that news. I would think the German Firthettes would be out in force. Harvey has a way of marshalling his cast. GP is to be there too.

Karen, I don't think anybody picked up where I left off last week (don't have time to recheck the posts). If not, there's not much left and I can finish it on Wednesday. Counting down until the Oscar noms come out tomorrow a.m.!

(Evelyn), Moon, break out the bubbly. Always happy to oblige, "Happy Days are Here Again", one of my favorite songs! Maybe we can sushi too, loved the "British bog roll", LOL! I hope to have more information by friday too. And the Oscar goes to....

I should explain that I didn't intend to insult anyone, but I thought that some kind of a shock method might cause some quitters to stop and think. I still see the closure of some CF sites as a totally unnecessary overreaction. Sort of: give me my toys back, I don't want to play anymore... Doesn't make any sense, if you ask me.

She played Julie Schofield. Who was she? Dunno.The non-speaking Matron? It was a boys' school after all! (Sabine)CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin (Evelyn)Good girl Sabine....proud of you for bring us that news. I would think the German Firthettes would be out in force. Harvey has a way of marshalling his cast. GP is to be there too. You've got to hand it to Harvey...he's really brought CF out of seclusion. Maybe he says "Hey Colin, you know that June opening for "My Life So Far", we-e-ll, there could be a problem. Let's talk it over in Berlin!" Seriously you've got to admire the guy for his wholehearted aggressive marketing. The British Film "industry"" could learn a lot from him! A little upbeat news....Bank contact says he'll have news for me on SLOW mid March!!Maybe sooner....anyway...imminent, sort of. Bethan was right....'99 is his year.Three films due out this year.... one play, one television....Moon, break out the bubbly. (Evelyn) Great news Evelyn. Many thanks for pursuing this one. SLOW has always been the one I really want to see. Beautiful setting, and a Nigerian script which I think will be vibrant and fresh. I know I've mentioned this before but we spent a few years in Nigeria, and there are some excellent writers...and performers...out there. Yep, optimism pays off. 99 will be a very good year! And for JE, as well!

It doesn't seem to matter what billing order he is, someone always ***** up and leaves him out. I'm afraid we have to face the fact that there is a "Curse of Firth". (Sabine) On SUNDAY (14.02.1999) CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin (germany) at 20.00 o clock !!!!! Where did you get the information, Sabine, online, or which newspaper, which show? Do you know *for sure* he will attend? We decided to drop Berlin in favour of London, because we assumed that he will be busy in London rehearsing. But then, it's no big deal to just fly in for a night or two.

Here's the link to the SIL page at the Berlinale site. http://www.berlinale.de/deutsch/wettbewerb/

"Another Country", starring Rupert Everett and Betsy Brantley!!! Who the **** is Brantley, if you'll pardon my French? :-) Not the mother? There weren't any other women in this film, were there? Perhaps this is the "uncut" version - all those scenes of Tommy and his usherette have been restored. ;-) Sabine, Renate, Kirsten and whoever...keep us informed on Berlin. Valentine's Day - how apropos. I will keep my fingers crossed for Secret Laughter...but I don't know if I can take so much Colin in such a short time. SiL, 3DOR, FP, MLSF, etc. I wish we could dole his performances out bit by bit to help us get through the lean times.

Hate to keep harping on an unpleasant subject, but to quote CF, "...a lot of misery is caused by expectations." I suspect also that a lot of misery is caused by making unwarranted assumptions. The biggest one, it seems to me , is that everyone is assuming that the DB is fully aware of what is being done in his name and on his behalf on the Web. Granted, he's got to know it's there...people keep referring to it. I know I did when I sent him that card ( that he sent back the lovely note and photo for). He expressed his appreciation for the art that I'd done...but then I'd sent him a photo of it, so he knew what effort and thought went into it..it was right under his nose. Now, think about it. This is a guy who HASN'T OWNED A TV SET for the last eight years or so, for crying out loud! Can you honestly picture him hungrily surfing the Web at all hours of the night on his new state-of-the-art machine?? Except for the fans, reporters, interviewers and the like who assure him that he's on the net out there, I contend that he is totally unaware of the extent, the content, and THE INTENT of all those websites into which so much work has gone. I think the maintainers of those sites are assuming he DOES KNOW and is thumbing his nose at them and not being subsequently grateful. I contend this is because he DOESN'T KNOW MUCH, IF ANYTHING, ABOUT THEM. He loves to read, it's said. Ellen, send him a print-out of the current FAQ...put it under his nose. Then you'll KNOW that he knows what you're talking about. Jane, send him a copy of your index so he can see you are very selective about what you have been putting on line about him. DO NOT...REPEAT...DO NOT ASSUME HE KNOWS ABOUT ANY OF IT. And, finally, I think we all need to take inventory of our expectations...of him..of ourselves...of each other...and figure out what assumptions we've been making...possibly erroneous ones. Possibly some revision is in order.

Arami--I have made several reduced color photocopies of the People article. E-mail me a couple of those "non-computer friends" you were speaking of so they can at least get the small version.

Thank you KJArt...you've given us a lot to think about.

Haven't been able to log on. I have missed so much the last couple of days. I was sorry to read COlin's comments but, I can understand how he feels. I might not agree with it. He must know that lots of people admire his works. A famous person once said, "Trust the art and not the Artist."

Just to continue the catalogue of good news, I've just read that David Blair, who is directing "Dominic Quick" also directed "Taking over the Asylum" which I would rate as the best contemporary drama series I've ever seem on TV (also won BAFTA awards). It was set, unpromisingly, in a mental hospital, and showed how a group of patients helped themselves, and others, by setting up a radio station. It was warm. poignant, beautifully acted, and often very funny. And it made you realise that people with ment l illness can be better than so-called normal people. There seem to be some parallels with "Dominic Quick"...I wonder if the same writer is involved, as writers often reurn to familiar themes. All in all, I think this bodes very well for Dom Q, and for CF. There'a another example of David Blair's work on British TV tonight "Vicious Circle" although it sounds completely different, about the IRA, violent and harsh.

I recently wrote to BBC and asked who was co-starring with CF in DQ and when it would be aired. They just responded ..."to early to say at present". But it sounds as if DQ is gathering momentum. I posted Oscar Nominations news on 115.

Betsy Brantley played the reporter who interviewed RE at the beginning of the movie. She used to be on some TV show here in the States.

Should the Donmar put in extra phone lines? From Act 2 of 3DOR: Ned: Your clothes will have to dry. Lina: I can wearl them damp. Ned: All right. (He gets a knife, starts chopping begetables. With sudden gallantry) Won't you please say to dinner? Lina: Give me that knife. He yields it. She starts chopping what he was chopping. After a moment, she starts sniffing the air. Lina: I've always rather enjoyed the smell of drenched wool on a person. He whips off his sweater. Lights. Rain louder. Half-hour later. ******************** Interesting play and very wet!! ;-)

Oh Karen....you'll be ready for 3DOR play discussion when we return.... How about it ?

I was wondering if we should have a 3DOR spoiler page for those who want to dsicuss the play and not spoil it for those who are seeing it in the second week.

not spoil it for those who are seeing it in the second week. We could even wait till it closes on the 16th.

I won't do anymore. Just wanted to WHET your appetite!

No, no....I want to hear more....that's not a spoiler. On the contrary....it builds up expectations...I'm trying to get it from the library...but it's too new.

I don't think I will be able to wait past Sunday the 7th.

Well, you could give your report on this board.....and then we could discuss it Act by Act on #98. (Listen to me?....who the h--- do I think I am...? I'm a nobody...) We shall have to get K&H approval on this, of course. (Sorry hosts...do not mean to usurp your dominium....AAA)

(Renate) I'm afraid we have to face the fact that there is a "Curse of Firth". Yes, I know: I've been under it for the past three years... ;-p On SUNDAY (14.02.1999) CF will be at the BERLINALE In Berlin... Hey, the 3DOR rehearsals must be in full swing now: the cast has to learn their lines and cues to perfection; soon the director will have to start blocking it in earnest... Sundays may be the only free days... and Colin is going to give up one of his days off to go to Berlin... German fans, be proud and rejoice! He whips off his sweater. I can't wait!!!

You are an everybody, because I was thinking the same thing!!! Let's hear it for Evelyn, the lady with the good ideas who doesn't mind sharing them with the rest of us...some of us are less clever. Come down on 113 and you may say what you want. No one else is there =P

(KJart) Ellen, send him a print-out of the current FAQ...put it under his nose. Yes, that occurred to me too and I do hope that Ellen sent it to him.....what a farce if the poor bloke doesn�t have the slightest clue what the h*** is the Colin Firth FAQ!! He could be quite bewildered, and even hurt, because I feel that Ellen�s attitude is almost a bit hostile or something.....I�m sorry for that Ellen, it�s just how I instantly felt, that�s all. KJart, I�m touched by your consideration, and the idea that the DB could be that innocent. Of course it is difficult to believe that he�d say such a thing about the Internet if he really knew what he�s talking about. It�s just too difficult to believe that he wouldn�t know! Oh, I seem to be ranting about this endlessly, but it�s because somehow the whole mess fascinates me and amuses too.... I mean the bunch of us trying to figure out what he knows and thinks, and we shall never know it for sure. And I�m nuts enough to find even his obscurity and inconsistencies quite sexy.

Just a thought, but I wonder if CF has ever thought of directing. Might be sorta interesting for him. I'm still alive in case anyone wondered. Lots of news going on, you guys are so excited!

He whips off his sweater. Oh my beating heart!!!!! I wish I could be there. Ann .... Evelyn.... Gi...... I am so jealous. What I wouldn't give to be in your shoes. I am going to want a scene by scene account.

I am so insanely jealous of those of you who are going to see 3DOR! ...And this makes it worse: I've been planning a trip to England/Scotland sometime during 99 for the past couple of months. We (my friend, cousin & i) had been debating up until Dec when to go, either in Feb/Mar or in Oct. Finally we decided on Oct, cause we would have more vacation time from work by then, and we could stay longer. You should have heard my screams of anguish when i found out about 3DOR. I broke the news of our ill ti ing to my cousin (only 13 and a Major Darcy fan) on Sun. I thought she was going to cry. -So that's my sob story. (Meanwhile, i keep having these fanatsies that i implusivly run to the airport and fly to London for the weekend as soon as the play opens. And i have to tell you, now that i know he's going to be whipping his shirt off... well, lets just say i'm getting really good at rationalizing this fanatasy in my mind.) :) SBR

He will be whipping off his sweater...and some of you have seats in the first row, right? Do they have seatbelts? ;-) To those lucky attendees: in addition to deciding when/where to discuss the play on-line, please don't forget to divvy up the assignment of reporting every single detail to your unfortunate drool sisters (and brother)who can't go. We are living vicariously through all of you. S Robinson, if you live in the US take some comfort in the fact that you will be home for FP's opening in late March. Great news about SLOW, Evelyn! Thanks for taking the time to make inquiries. Finally, hurrah for SiL's 13 Oscar noms! More on that at 115!

There was an article about the play in Playbill. The link is below. Playbill 3DOR article

He's wet, he whips off his sweater,he's real, and he's about six feet away from you! This sounds like Fantasty Island! So, what happens NEXT, Karen? :-) This is not a serious question...I don't want to spoil the dramatic flow!

(Eileen)...Great news about SLOW, Evelyn. Don't break out the bubbly...we're not there yet!! (This film has had a checkered life.)

(Bethan) So, what happens NEXT, Karen? :-) This is not a serious question...I don't want to spoil the dramatic flow! Wouldn't you like to know! (but I'm sure you can guess) hee hee ;-) Of course, there is the possibility he doesn't play that character and is Theo in the second act. FYI, I got my copy of the play through my library's online periodical abstract database. Believe it or not, it was all there and I printed it out (23 single spaced and no formatting). It's not easy to read, as they smush it all together, without spaces. But it was readable and free!!

Thanks for the link to Playbill, Susanne! Oh, that article made me realize that it must be really be true, he really IS in that play! So he must really exist! And that I am going to see him in it. Can it be possible?! I see that he has been a kind of a fictional figure to me after all, maybe because he�s just too good to be true. I only wish that things won�t somehow dramatically change in my mind by seeing him in the flesh. Am I the only one who�s a little worried about this?? He could be so very different from what I�ve thought. After all, it�s often some sort of a surprise to see someone from movies/tv in real life, they�re just never quite the same (but much better sometimes, just in another way). I remember it so well how You reacted to meeting him, Dame Winter, I mean your feelings of shame about the Fan fic etc. I guess it was because something happened to your illusions! Oh no, I don�t want to be a wet blanket here, I know he�ll be wonderful. It�s just DIFFERENT to see someone act a few meters away and not on screen. It�s a much stronger experience.

If all of you going to 3DOR were not so nice, I would be consumed with jealousy of the most hateful sort. Love the comment on seat belts on the front row. If he is to remove any clothing, or (heaven forbid) get WET they'd need restraints!

He will be WET or at least damp...if he plays the Walker/Ned duo. Somehow I don't see him as Pip/Theo (the former being a supposedly shallow soap opera actor and the latter Ned's architect partner). Your newspapers are going to have a field day with this one. Mr. Darcy is wet again!!

Marcia, because all you ladies who can't join us are so nice too, we will do everything to make it feel like you were there. Just a seatbelt? I am in the front row and will probably need a straitjacket and ankle chains at the very least!!! Good luck in Berlin those of you going, Sabine, Renata. What an exciting day, we want full details.

We *must* have full reports and Pictures. Lots and Lots of Pictures. Photos, sketches. How about a pocket-sized voice-activated tape recorder to grab a few .wav files? Unobtrusive, but for the front few rows in such a tiny theatre, it should work. I have done it =) Then all we'd need is smell, and I don't suppose that is possible yet =\ Has anyone a large enough purse to put someone 5'6" inside? Anyway, I know the tiny part of your brain not overwhelmed with the CF experience will be thinking of u , and your reports back will make for memorable reading. Thanks!

I think that by the time all of us finish giving our reports, you are going to be saying....."enough, already". ***** pocket-sized voice-activated tape recorder..for front row.. I don't think that is legal.Anybody know? ****** I was looking at the People Mag pics and wonder... in the one where he is pouring expresso......is that a television set I see on the kitchen wall ..upper righthand corner??? Hmmmmmmm?? ***** Sabine, Renata, Kirsten..what a neat Valentine's Day you're going to have :-) we're with you in spirit. Me? I think I'll just look at a few choice episodes of P&P.

(Evelyn), that a television set I see on the kitchen wall ..upper righthand corner? No, it's an old radio. pocket-sized voice-activated tape recorder..for front row.. I don't think that is legal.Anybody know? That's how they used to make bootleg albums. I'm not sure if it's legal to tape the whole play, but a few voice samplers, might be perfectly acceptable, just bring a micro-cassette recorder and be discreet. Renate and Sabine, I'm also conting on you. Go to it!

And will cameras be allowed in the theatre? Oh the anguish!

If you want to keep your seat and not incur the wrath of the audience (it is hard to imagine members of the general public being there!!) then the Stage door would be the ideal snappy venue. We know that Ann takes a very mean shot, even with shaking hands! I don't think those of us there dare to return without the photographic evidence!!

Snippet from the Guardian.. "From the Diet Coke-break girls to the thirty-something (I wish!)fans of Mr Darcy, women - grown women - are deserting the real in favour of a fantasy landscape in which men measure up" ! Nice to know that three years on there's still an identifiable group of Darcy fans! The writer is sympathetic by the way, but says that women expect too much from their Mr Perfect! I see from the theatre ads in the paper that the current show at the Donmar finishes on Friday...it will be interesting to see if they start adverising 3DOR and CF. Incredibly, it opens in two weeks! I wonder what CF will wear? It's contemporary so he can wear his own clothes. My money's on baggy corduroy trousers and a sloppy jumper!

Can't recall where I got it from, but I have heard neither cameras nor recorder are permitted in the theatre, and that they even check the bags ..... any idea where to hide them? ;-P

We could always "dress" in the style of our DB! How many cameras can a Firthette conceal under a "Sloppy jumper"?

Evelyn), that a television set I see on the kitchen wall ..upper righthand corner? (Moon)No, it's an old radio. Really? are you pulling my leg? Can you change stations or volume with a remote? If not, you'd need a 6 foot ladder to reach those dials.... Look how high it is....up above the tiles and to the left of St Anthony!!

Anybody want a Chat, keep missing everyone by minutes.

Me...I've been there for half-hour... it's lonely in there all alone :-(

(Renate) I have heard neither cameras nor recorder are permitted in the theatre Do you you mean that particular theatre? Where did you get that from? Sounds very severe, never heard of a bag search in a theatre before! Actually, we should check this out, in fact I meant to do it today but forgot about it.

(Lizza)How many cameras can a Firthette conceal under a "Sloppy jumper"? But try explaining to the usher why your right breast is flashing! :-) Ladies, don't get carried away with enthusiasm. Much as we stay-at-homes want every detail, don't do anything illegal. We don't want anybody to end up in (as we say in Noo Yowk) da slammah! (Evelyn) Look how high it is....up above the tiles and to the left of St Anthony!! Isn't that Madonna? I mean the real Madonna! Seriously, I think that "no TV" quote is dated. Bet he has one now, although he might not use it alot. I also have a hunch he's not computer literate. I'm going to try to catch Ann at chat if anyone else is out there now.

Saw an ad in a magazine not too long ago for a really small camcorder. New ones will be digital. It was really tiny. Wonder who makes them, how much they cost and where can I get one.... Kidding!! (would be perfect though) Fastest way to lose your camera (and your seat as you are escorted out) is to take a picture during a performance. Don't know about afterward when they are taking their bows though. (I do have some experience in illegal picture-taking and have the pictures of the Xian stone soldiers as proof, but that was done without a flash.) ;-) Non-London goers, we will do our best to share every little tidbit. (Lizza) I am in the front row and will probably need a straitjacket and ankle chains at the very least!!! LOL!! Then perhaps you would like to switch seats to the fourth row? OK, OK, I can hear the NO all the way over here. Re: Saintly radios/TVs Since the Umbrian villa is as Moon suspect's belonging to Livia's parents, then they would likely be the TV watchers. Now all's well with the world again.

the left of St Anthony!! Isn't that Madonna? I mean the real Madonna! Yes...but she is below St. A. And that is definitely a television....a small screen one.

They probably have a TV, but I insist that tiny thing overhead is a radio. It's not that difficult to reach. Sempre la musica. Happy to see our 3DOR group so excited, I'm sure you'll be back with tales of glory. I've started the propaganda with my husband to go back to Umbria this summer (heehee), I have this need to go around the countryside looking for antiques.

Hey, I AM going to Umbria this summer. A place near Lucca. Where are the Firths?

At last. I've been trying to get in here for two nights but just kept getting Spring is not answering, try later. The Mining Co. Theater. has a small bit "Colin Firth returns to the west end," and a short pieece about the play on March 1. Are the lucky dogs who are going to fly over going to try to send a note back stage to let him know that you have flown over just to see him, or maybe let the box office know that you are there just for this purpose? Does anyone know how long Chatsky ran?

(Lucie).... going to try to send a note back stage to let him know that you have flown over just to see him, or maybe let the box office know that you are there just for this purpose? Are you kidding? He'd send the understudy out.

Hey, I AM going to Umbria this summer. A place near Lucca. Where are the Firths?

I still think it is a kitchen clock...silly me! Good idea about sending a note backstage. Would it not be wonderful to have a sold-out theatre with just Droolers in the audience?! BTW, I have not had trouble getting in to Spring, but from time to time I have trouble posting. The submission bar just sits there like it was not supposed to depress and send the post to you. So, I close all of the programs I am running, shut down the PC and restart it. That usually fixes it. (Only happens when I have bee on all day and it is on overload, even when I empty the caches. It is a puzzlement.)

Evelyn, you do not think he knows how respectable and proper we really are in person?! Heaven forbid he should remember my button snipping and contour checking should I be fortunate enough to meet him! Shhhhh....we shall not tell him we are from Drool. Tell him you are some erudite group with a large grant to bestow. He'll appear!

(Lucie) Send a note back stage to let him know Ann, what�s that CARD that you are planning to send to him before the play (I just snooped in the Chat) from his Internet fans or how was it. Anyway, I suspect that at least his management is aware of the fact that a certain group of fans is coming to the play on a well-known Saturday, it surely has been sold faster than any other evening and I�m also sure that if not Colin himself, then someone else is checking out these boards for him from time to time.

Just a good luck (or break a leg) card from all his adoring and considerate fans at spring.

I also have a hunch he's not computer literate. (Eileen) But I bet his friends and family are! I wonder when his parents retired...British universities were way ahead of the rest of the techno-challenged population in using the internet, particularly the Open University. And he's got an eight year old son...who probably knows a lot more about computers than his dad! Hey, I AM going to Umbria this summer. A place near Lucca. Where are the Firths? (Ben) Moon is our resident Italian expert, but Colin and Livia were married in Citta del Pieve, and the reception was at her parents' house, which I guess must have been within easy driving distance. So that puts them somewhere near Perugia. We visited Perugia and Gubbio several years ago...it's a beautiful region.

Ben, if your going to near Lucca, then you will be in Tuscany. I was in Cita delle Pieve last year, and as much as I liked the Citta, I was not impressed with the surrounding hillsides. I've seen much better. Since the Firths left the church in a horse drawn carriage, I assume the house must be a very easy distance from the church. In the interview he mentions a house overlooking vineyards, but around Citta delle Pieve they're really not found. Alas a mystery! As for Colin and computers, I can just see Will doing a search on his dad and being totally amazed, calling Meg over and just lurking around for hours. Surely, he would report back to dad. Of course, they might as well communicate via e-mail on a daily basis. My guess is that Colin has now become computer literate. Wasn't there a message left last April in FoF and everyone said it was CF? He might have been with Will in LA (heehee), it was during Easter week.

(Karen) Re: Saintly radios/TVs Since the Umbrian villa is as Moon suspect's belonging to Livia's parents, then they would likely be the TV watchers. Now all's well with the world again. Oh, yeah, I agree, that's her parents' place. Colin and Livia with saints on the wall? I don't know about that. (Moon)I've started the propaganda with my husband to go back to Umbria this summer (heehee), I have this need to go around the countryside looking for antiques. LOL! You sly thing, you. I know it's a while away, but do remember to let us know if you find anything (read anyone) interesting in your travels! (Bethan)I also have a hunch he's not computer literate. (Eileen) But I bet his friends and family are!...And he's got an eight year old son...who probably knows a lot more about computers than his dad! I almost added that same comment about his son to my first post. I wouldn't doubt that young Will can teach his dad a thing or two. My 8-going-on-9 year old nephew does all his homework on the computer, printing it out with fancy fonts, etc. and he's been doing it that way for a few years. I used to regularly hit all the FoF sites. Last summer, there was an entry in one of the guest books (either Meluchie's or Murph's) that read something like "it is nice to be appreciated" and everyone went nuts thinking it was Colin (of course, there was no name or e-mail address with it). ???? Who knows? Maybe it was? Maybe it was some smarta_s hoping to make us think it was? (Marcia)Tell him you are some erudite group with a large grant to bestow. He'll appear! Now there's an interesting idea!

(Moon)Wasn't there a message left last April in FoF and everyone said it was CF? He might have been with Will in LA (heehee), it was during Easter week. This is the one to which I refer in my post, which I was typing (many interruptions) while yours went up. Great minds think alike (and almost simultaneously!) Was it last April? Where does the time go?

People Article

Ooops, forgot to say. The post above is the text of the People article for those of you who haven't received your copy yet. Sorry no pics!

(Moon)Wasn't there a message left last April in FoF Yes, the words were exactly �it is nice to be appreciated�, I remember it like yesterday. Almost stopped my heart but then my sceptic side won over and I thought how easy it really would be to give all sorts of ideas to people in the net. Surprising actually that the guest book wasn�t filled with notes from �Colin� made by some jerks. And that�s why I still wonder about that message sometimes....it was the only one of that type!!!

I feel so frustrated for Colin and sorry for him, he is doing so much promotion for SIL, firstly he gets ignored by HW. at the Golden Globes and now having been to the Miramax SIL page which has been upgraded (the link is on Dolores page) I find that Colin has been omitted from the cast list, just JF,GP JD, GR & BA, it is too much, he was after all 4th billing and now nothing. I am definitely going off Miramax and SIL, it certainly doesn't seem worth all the hard work. Its as if he never starred in SIL and he certainly played his role equally if not better than BA, and he had much more to do all BA did was stand around. Sorry BA but I have got to take it out on someone. I am going to forget all about SIL and move on to MLSF, 3DOR & DQ. Sorry ladies but I feel better now that I have got that off my chest!

Must be a mistake, Ann, not deliberate. Although it seems to be a pretty persistent error. However I do think that JD's and GR's Oscar nominations have relegated him to the sidelines. Miramax used him initially in the promotion, but don't need him any more...or is that being too cynical?

How many times can it be a mistake, and even if he is relegated to the sidelines, his name still appears on the poster as does the other five, so I think it is a bit much when only he is omitted. Was going to see it for the 3rd time, but shall now wait for the video to come out and fast forward to all the CF bits. They still appear to be using him for the promotion of the film, NY, LA, London and now Berlin.

...Re: the guest book... the words were exactly �it is nice to be appreciated�, We trashed that one around last spring on this board for days on end....and reallydon't want to go there again....but interestingly those were almost the words he told Winter at the LA premiere when she told him she was representing the Internet fans....said "I really appreciate them". I know, Iknow, he's not the only one whoever uses that word....probably just a coincidence. **** We should take an ad in the TIMES to say : COLIN FIRTH is so in SIL!

here, here and damned good he was too, sorry about that but it is how I feel.

I've been wondering about the promotion of SIL. I can see that Harvey W. has stagemanaged it very cleverly. A staggered release in the US (more than recouping the production costs), then the 13 Oscar nominations just as it's going on international release. Very good timing. But has it helped CF? I always assumed that the release of MLSF was delayed so that SIL could raise Colin's profile in the US. But has this happened? And if not, wouldn't it have been better to have released MLSF in Europe and the US last summer (Irene Jacob is very popular in several European countries) So that, irrespective of the commercial success of the film (and I think that box office success is very difficult)at least people would have recognised that CF does take on leading roles. I'm not entirel clear about Harvey's motives...sometimes I believe the best of him , sometimes, well, not the best!

It has been suggested that we email the Miramaz webmaster and tell him of the omission....which was probably not intentional. MMX_Webmaster_M@Miramax.com ***************** .... MLSF was delayed so that SIL could raise Colin's profile in the US. But has this happened? Well, for starters , it got him a 3 page spread and a not bad pic in the contents page of PEOPLE....with nice quotes from Gwynnie in the mag and on several shows.I wouldn't think he'd be complaining. And, hey, there's a sudden resurgence in prominence.

Will anyone be at 3DOR close enough to the end of its run to stake a claim on the theater posters? That would be a very nice souvenir.

Ann: I agree with you. How many mistakes can be made. I am still mad at HW for omitting him at the Golden GLobes. I did write my opinion to him personally which I am sure is opened in the mail room but, alas, it did make me feel better.

Well, for starters , it got him a 3 page spread and a not bad pic in the contents page of PEOPLE....with nice quotes from Gwynnie in the mag Yep! Forgot about PEOPLE mag! And everyone has heard of SIL, so it's an excellent film to be associated with. Thinking positive again! And Harvey certainly can deliver the goods.

We trashed that one around last spring on this board for days on end....and really don't want to go there again That�s what�s wrong with us newbies, we keep wanting to wallow all over again in things that already have been discussed!!!....:-))

(Marcia) Will anyone be at 3DOR close enough to the end of its run to stake a claim on the theater posters? That would be a very nice souvenir. Indeed it would be! Marcia, what a great idea. We will be there on the last performance, and try to get the poster(s).

Ann, re: Colin omissions -- now that Oscar noms have been announced, they've started running new print ads for the leading films touting the nominations they've received. The one for SiL now includes, in addition to the picture they've been running all along of GP and JF, pictures of GR, JD... and BA. Now, GR and JD you can understand, being that they're nominees. I guess they threw in BA because it's an American audience and he's a past Oscar winner (albeit for writing). But I still wish they had include Colin -- he does have higher billing than BA, after all. I haven't yet seen SiL and I've been wondering: are GR and CF's parts about equal in prominence, or is GR's really that much more prominent as to merit the award noms he's received? Or is it just the cachet of being a past Oscar winner -- if he were a relative unknown, would Colin be receiving the best supporting noms instead?

Oldbies moaning selfishly about repetitions - shame on you. Newbies wanting to wallow in things that have already been discussed, please feel free to go ahead. This forum is open to all.

That�s what�s wrong with us newbies, we keep wanting to wallow all over again in things that already have been discussed!!!....:-)) Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a newbie. Please don't think that I am discouraging any discussion...I just want to comment that it can get controversial.But , "wallow all over it", if you want to:-) ****** Renate, Kirsten, Sabine..... We are eagerly awaiting your report on the Berlinale tomorrow. Will President Schroeder be there!!A big coup for Harvey...the US premiere only got the President's wife!!

Susan, in my opinion CF's character had more screen time than GR, but possibly GR was more showy. I thought Colin was excellent and definitely deserved as big a mention as BA, (I'm sorry I'm not really a fan of BA, can see what all the fuss is about), and his role was quite important to the storyline. Playing a baddie cannot be easy in a comedy and I thought he played it just right, as someone said he was stuffily amusing, made me smile, and of course that voice just towers above everyone, I know I am b ased but I definitely think he was as good as any of the supporting actors including GR & JD. Also although GP & JF were very good I was not that convinced by them, to my mind it was the screenplay and the wonderful ensemble of supporting actors that made this film great, right down to the very minor roles.

(Evelyn) Renate, Kirsten, Sabine..... We are eagerly awaiting your report on the Berlinale tomorrow. Will President Schroeder be there!!A big coup for Harvey...the US premiere only got the President's wife!! But what an exceptional woman. Kanzler Schr�der was there the opening night, I would be surprised if he also would be there tomorrow. The reports are rather thin so far, as usual. This year unfortunately it has to compete for tv time with the "Fasching" (= Carnival), "the" major event for many people, and it lasts until Tuesday. When there are reports from Berlin they tend to focus on Steven Spielberg who got an award for his work for and creation of the Shoah Foundation. The Berlinale snippets showed a lot of politicians and celebrities, but mostly of the local species. International guests were Ben Kingsley, Nick Nolte, Angela Molina (Jury President), Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep, can't recall any others right now. I promise to let you know if something happens that is only remotely related to SIL. If you don't hear anything it is because the tv does not report anything - or that I missed it.

Grrr! Forgot to close the tag. Sorry.

These Berlin sites have daily updated reports on the Berlinale: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlinale/ http://www.radioeins.de/berlinale/news/ http://www.berlinale.de/

Press conference for SIL according to the Berlinale site: http://www.berlinale.de/deutsch/news/ Sonntag, 14.2.1999 Sunday, 2/14/1999 14:15 Uhr WETTBEWERB/COMPETITION Shakespeare In Love John Madden (Regisseur/Director) Colin Firth (Darsteller/Director) Marc Norman (Produzent/Producer) David Parfitt (Produzent/Producer) Donna Gigliotti (Produzentin/Producer) And did you see it: Colin Firth is the only actor mentioned, but as director, too! Erm... did I miss something? 8-o They also offer the press conferences on Real Video.....

(Renate) We will be there on the last performance, and try to get the poster(s). Then start thinking about how to get them scanned and posted, will you? ;-)

(Renate) We will be there on the last performance, and try to get the poster(s). Then start thinking about how to get them scanned and posted... ;-)