Allison) That is partly because I am a cyber dunce (Karen)That *part* we can rectify. ;-D As one who took "one small step forward.." I can vouch for Karen and Marcia's expertise as cybermentors.

Recent graduates receiving high marks in their independent study projects were: Elena, KJ, Gi, and Evelyn. You all get A++++ (Did I leave anyone out?)

Did I mention that I saw MLSF again yesterday? ;-D Am always so afraid that it will leave town so I traipsed up to the burbs. Was quite an adventure yesterday, involving the motor club and a near-death experience.

How did you like it? I also loved it very much indeed. I recently found out thru another fan of CF that the actress who played the role of his mother is actually Jennifer Ehle's (Elizabeth Bennet) mother. CF was excellent in the film and I can also watch it over and over again. I'm so glad that you share the same interest. Anybody out there fans of Jennifer Ehle? Her film "Bedrooms & Hallways" just opened in my town (of course its limited opening). Anyone see the movie? Pray tell me if its worth watc ing. I think she's also a wonderful actress.

(Nancy) How did you like it? Oh I liked it pretty well! (I think this is my sixth viewing; have lost track!) ;-D Have you gone into topic 121. That's where we've been discussing the movie. Anybody out there fans of Jennifer Ehle? Funny that you should mention that...

(Karen)Was quite an adventure yesterday, involving the motor club and a near-death experience. Yikes!? Wha' happened? What a true Firthfan won't go through just to see one of his movies for the nth time...

(Karen)Recent graduates receiving high marks in their independent study projects... There are so many things that I could thank Mr. Firth for and one is to have learned a tiny bit of html!! Our dear boy possibly has no idea of the actual effects that he has on people�s lives, hobbies and connections (maybe better sometimes!). Let�s see where my firthoholism will eventually take me ;-D

(nky)Anybody out there fans of Jennifer Ehle? Her film "Bedrooms & Hallways" just opened in my town (of course its limited opening). Anyone see the movie? Pray tell me if its worth watching. NKY, Meet me at #72 for JE Info.

(KarenR)Recent graduates receiving high marks in their independent study projects were: Elena, KJ, Gi, and Evelyn. You all get A++++ Thank you, ma'am :-)

(Elena) there are so many things that I could thank Mr. Firth for and one is to have learned a tiny bit of html!! So true!! And to show you what another talented lady has learned to do, check out Kirsten's latest embellishment for our film discussion summaries up at firth.com. She has added gorgeous pictures of relevant scenes. Oh my, I'm going to have to print these babies out again! http://www.firth.com/filmdis/disindex.htm

I just dropped by there and it looks lovely. Great work! She hasn't put up the latest discussions yet, on Tumbledown, Femme Fatale and 3 Days of Rain - which I suppose must be edited first - by you, Karen?

Yes, those need to be edited. she covers her face in embarrassment

Kirsten did a masterful job....I didn't think we did all of those. I remember I didn't participate in TEP because no one liked RF and I did and was afraid you would all flame me.....:-(

(Evelyn) I remember I didn't participate in TEP because no one liked RF and I did and was afraid you would all flame me.....:-( I edited out all positive refs to RF. Only left in the comments that agreed with my view that he's a pencil-legged lizard-eyed actor that shouldn't be wearing shorts! ;-D

Too funny Mme la comtesse A..., I mean Karen! I admit I am quite taken with Geoffrey in TEP. :-) Thanks Kirsten for a fantastic job! clap, clap. School has been cancelled tomorrow because of Hurricane (Pink) Floyd. It is supposed to reach us on Wed., we will put up the shutters shortly. :-(

Off on a "Flashman" tangent again. "Flashman's Lady"...now this, I thought can't be "real" (although the account of the cricket matches is very accurate and the named cricketers all existed)...but the ghastly Queen Ranavalona?...no way!! So I looked her up, and guess what, there was a Queen Ranavolana in Madagascar who was known as the "female Caligula" because of her wanton acts of cruelty, and who hated all foreigners. There are even paintings of her ( a buxom wench) and her wooden palace. Truth is stra ger than fiction!

Don't you remember I posted a picture of Queen Ranavalona? quite ugly though you have to maintain perspective on the period. I've suspected that Fraser's detail is all fairly accurate historically. Who else would go to the trouble of citing obscure references that might bear witness to the validity of Flashy's accounting of an event? Have still not received my replacement copy of Flashman's Lady. Library said today it is intransit from the main one. I could walk there faster. About 10 pages were ripped out of a sequence in Madagascar. Bet it was a doozy!! Read TTOTS in the meantime. What was going on with those kiddies?! Were they Children of the Corn? Yikes. I'm going to have to reread it. Blinked and nearly missed the Master's scene. ;-D

About 10 pages were ripped out of a sequence in Madagascar. Bet it was a doozy!! Page 259 onwards? :-) Either an outraged reader practising some rudimentary censorship, or someone who wanted to make a closer study of Malagassy mating customs! I think that all of Fraser's work is more or less historically accurate, which makes it all the more graphic reading. I wonder which novels/or parts of novels they'll chose to translate to the screen. I don't think the budget will be large enough for too many panoramic fight/action scenes in exotic locations (more likely Europe). They used Spain and Turkey for the overseas shoots in "Sharpe" and "Hornblower" The four 100 minute movies which made up the Hornblower series had an overall budget of �15 millio (a lot of money for British TV, but not comparable to Hollywood) BTW I like the relationship between Harry and Elspeth..funny and very endearing!

Re: TEP discussion... (Karen)I edited out all positive refs to RF What positive refs?...in your dreams,pal :-) Not withstanding the above (ahem)...I know everyone joins me in thanking Karen for the editing job on the Discussion Segment of cf.com. Tedious work slogging away at all those postings on #98.And Kirsten , of course.Thank you both. ***** Bethan, I enjoy all the quips about Flashy ...adds to the anticipation:-) ***** Moon....do keep us informed...we're thinking of you.... ******

I just watched AMITC last night at the first time and I love it!!! I went to cf.com CF movie discussion and read through all about AMITC. I really enjoyed everyone's take on AMITC. It answered some of my questions as well. So glad to get some information about the scenes from the book which helped me to understand the characters further. Many thanks to you who worked (and still working) on those pages and beautiful pictures. I have to go back to watch the movie again (and will have my own copy soon). Of c urse I have to buy some ice cream on the way home, it heated me up in the different way from TA did :-).

(bethan) I wonder which novels/or parts of novels they'll chose to translate to the screen. I don't think the budget will be large enough for too many panoramic fight/action scenes in exotic locations (more likely Europe). They'll likely emphasize Flashy's part in the battles, since, IMO, the battles themselves are not really the focus of the books, thank heavens. (bethan) BTW I like the relationship between Harry and Elspeth..funny and very endearing! Me, too, especially in Flashman's Lady, one of my favourites in the series. I also find Flashy's occasional sentimentality (though he won't really admit to it) quite touching. As for his ladies, Elizabeth Bennet would have fit right in with the rest; Flashy prefers 'em feisty, too (though he'll take 'em anyway he can get 'em, apparently).

(Bethan) Page 259 onwards? :-) Could be ;-D or someone who wanted to make a closer study of Malagassy mating customs! Ooohhh, can't wait. Person also took Appendix C. If the book is that good, I'm going to have to add this one to my collection. Remember you were talking about the new editions that were published? We probably won't have those versions here as they are different publishing houses. Ack!! And I really wanted to see the one with his arms held akimbo. :-( Would be nice if there were a reprint with CF on the cover. :-) I don't think the budget will be large enough for too many panoramic fight/action scenes in exotic locations If the Isle of Man can double for the south of France, anything is possible. (Xian) So glad to get some information about the scenes from the book which helped me to understand the characters further. The book and screenplay were very useful to us too, especially because of the Yorkshire accent. Many of us couldn't understand one thing those Ellerbecks said! ;-D (Lynda) (though he'll take 'em anyway he can get 'em, apparently) Oh yes. He's not that picky.

(KarenR)Remember you were talking about the new editions that were published? Would be nice if there were a reprint with CF on the cover. :-) Hey, that's a great idea. Perhaps I'll wait for that instead of buying now.;-)

(Karen) Would be nice if there were a reprint with CF on the cover. (Gi) Perhaps I'll wait for that instead of buying now.;-) Maybe someone in the UK can call the publisher to find out if it is planned? Huh? Please? ;-D

Blackadder back to the future The boys are back in time: Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson Bumbling man-servant Baldrick has a cunning plan and builds a time-machine out of old cereal packets for the Blackadder millennium special, it has emerged. Visitors to London's Millennium Dome will be able to see Blackadder and Baldrick travelling through the ages in the new film, Blackadder Back and Forth. To be shown in the Skyscape events venue from 1 January, 2000, Rowan Atkinson stars as dapper Sir Edmund Blackadder. But it's his faithful sidekick Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson, who builds a home-made time-machine from Leonardo da Vinci's designs. But the controls of Baldrick's craft prove difficult to manage and the duo spin randomly through history, causing chaos. "Bringing Blackadder to the big screen has always been an ambition," said Atkinson. "I am delighted to be realising it to celebrate the arrival of the 21st century, but extremely worried at the prospect of travelling through time with Baldrick." Robinson added: "A lot of people say that they see Baldrick as an 'everyman' character and, if that's true, then I don't think it says much for a British character." The film has been co-written by comic Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, who scripted the biggest grossing British movies of all time, Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral. Curtis said: "It's all an irreverent trek through British history - a time travel adventure story consisting entirely of people who are either rude or stupid." Atkinson and Robinson starred in four series of the BBC comedy Blackadder and were last united in Blackadder Goes Forth, shown 10 years ago this month. The film, also featuring Kate Moss, Colin Firth, Rik Mayall, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, will be shown on TV on Sky in 2001. The BBC also plans to screen it at a later date. Tickets to the Dome go on sale on 22 September at a number of outlets including 25,000 National Lottery ticket sellers, or via the ticketline on 0870 606 2000 and the Dome website. Atkinson Kate Moss

I thought Kate Moss was only a model (a very famouse one, of course), can she really act? Surprise me!

...Colin was also in "Entertainment Tonight"'s birthday list on Friday -- a first for him. (Karen) Nope. He was mentioned the year before last. I was pretty surprised last year when he was not. Yikes, thanks for correcting me, Karen. I remember that CF wasn't mentioned last year so I assumed this year was his first go. I didn't think ETdropped you from the birthday list, once you were on it, unless you died or did something unseemly like become an ax murderer.

(Susan) I didn't think ET dropped you from the birthday list, once you were on it, unless you died or did something unseemly like become an ax murderer. Or worse yet, you didn't have a project out in a year (such was the case last year. There was ATA, then nothing). You know how H'wood works--here today, gone tomorrow; you're hot or...not. Besides the Ryan Phillippe birthday coincidence, here's another: everyone's fave stumble-bumble actor, Hugh Grant, celebrated his 39th birthday on Sept. 9th--he's one day older than ODB.

(Lynda) SB, let us know what you think of Flashy; which book have you started with? Started with book one, and i'm about halfway through it. I like it well enough (remembering of course i'm addicted to romance novels and rarely venture forth into anyother genre) but find the campaign in India to be a triffle boring. Fraser's writing is excellent and Flashman's character is so clearly depicted one feels compelled to read on with a bizzar kind of fascination. (Bethan) BTW I like the relationship between Harry and Elspeth..funny and very endearing! I'm looking forward to seeing this relationship develope -so far my greatest amusement has been the scene just after he seduced her, when he thinks what a beautiful, stupid idiot she is. When i read this i started laughing and thought -oh this is SO the girl he's going to be forced to marry! And sure enough it was. *hee hee* serves him right. :) btw- is Elspeth really as stupid as she seems to be or is it an act? and why on earth did Flashy leave her with his father? I'd say the odds of his seducing her are awfully good. Perhaps Flashman just didnt care.

Karen, I have seen nothing in the press here in the UK about DQ. Do your contacts have any idea when it is going to be shown? I have been scouring those articles in the press which discuss the autumn programmes for the BBC but no mention.

Re: DQ BBC Scotland usually said early next year, but maybe late this year. My guess is it is sticking true to what it said. When I started seeing the fall announcements way back when, I contacted the BBC, and the people there said BBC Scotland does its own thing. Unfortunately, the people at BBC Scotland are not the best to deal with. I will have to phone again, as they don't return emails.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I read today in HEAT Magazine (new TV listings magazine) that Kate Winslett is odds -on favourite to play BJ in BJD. I like KW but I cannot see her as BJ, so I hope it is not true. The article also mentioned that Nicholas Cage is to play Captain Corelli in Captain Corell's Mandolin. "KW as BJ NC as Capt. C. These two look set to star in BJD and CCM, as a spate of literary adaptions finalise their cast lists for the big screen." We already kn ew about N didn't we?

I suppose DQ could be served up as a Christmas treat, as this period is never included in the autumn schedules. Or they could decide to release it as a movie (not my preferred option!!) as has happened with several BBC Films. I actually think KW could be okay...she can look older than her years and she was quite zany in "Heavenly Creatures". I hope they really do "finalise their cast lists soon"! Colin must have finished RV. I'm hoping he'll continue his back-to-back schedule and squeeze in BJD. But they'll have to announce the casting in the next few days. I still don't see how anyone else can play Mr Darcy!

Hello, all. The prodigal returns, back after a Drool-free sabbatical. It's comforting to be treading these boards again. How the HELL have you lot managed to write five thousand messages since I've been away?

BEN BABY

(AnnW) We already knew about Nic didn't we? Yes, that deal's been done. Kate (though young) would be fine. She's getting major writeups about a new one called "Holy Smoke" (with Harvey Keitel...for those reading #39 ;-D). Getting Oscar buzz going... ****** Welcome back, Ben. How the HELL could you stay away from us as long as you did? ;-D 5,000 messages? Well, Colin's been a busy bee. So many parts, so many rumors to mong... Time flies when you're having fun.

Welcome Back. Ben! I can come back, too, now!

Where the hell have you been, Marcia? With Ben? I am throwing myself on the ground, kicking and screaming up a tantrum over Kate Winslett. I don't object to her specifically but rather that I can't take seriously a 20-something portraying the age-related angst of a 30-something. Are there no age appropriate actresses in Britain who can pull this off? SB, like you I've started with the first Flashy which I finished last night. Glad you girls warned me about his rather unsavory habit of taking what he wants when he wants it. Can't just say no to Flashy.

I was hiding out in mourning clothes awaiting his return. No, alas, I was not with Ben (whose virtues I have extolled before and I do not want to drive him away with acute embarrassment)...but he is the best-looking poster on Drool of whose picture I have seen. Is there one of MarkG the Cricketeer? I am all eagerness...*grin*

(I have been bashed about in the less friendly confines of wide open Spring, and it feels very good, civil and friendly here. I am happy to return.)

Marcia re cricketer, I was not sure who you meant Taylor or Waugh, welcome back though timely I guess.

I am sitting here listening to the rain as another feeder band from Floyd passes over. Where are you Moon? I am in Polk County, Florida. Welcome back Ben. I seem to have a problem reaching you on I M, Marcia, I guess my timing is off. Will we be seeing Flashman in the U.S. I see all these great projects by ODB but don't see much chance of seeing them. *&%^+*&

I was eating dinner in another room. I got back just in time to comment and you hung up. Try again if you get a chance. Not exactly sure where in Florida Moon is, but she is off line, too now. Be Safe!!!

Moon is in Dade Cty. (Heide) Are there no age appropriate actresses in Britain who can pull this off? Yes, of course, there are, but with box office pull...that's the sticking point. We should at least be glad she is not a stick. So do you have more of the Flashman books? You will like them (him) better as you go on. Bwwwaaaa!! I want to finish that one.

Lucie, come back...you just left your login and washed away? Blew away???

(Ann) Kate Winslett is odds -on favourite to play BJ in BJD. While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ. For one thing he is, what...15 years older, and MD and BJ are supposed to be more or less contemporaries (they were childhood playmates). Also I just feel that they would not present a very compatable couple. KW is too much of a latter day flower child whilst MD, particularly played by Colin, would probably be a typical (though sensitive, lovely etc) upper professional type. It just doesn't hang together as a pairing.

So, who would you suggest? (wish the IMDB could be sorted by gender, country and year of birth) Can't think of British actresses in their mid-30s. Where have they been hiding? Probably televsion.

Kate Winslett is odds -on favourite to play BJ in BJD Isn't she at least the third "odds-on favourite" in recent months? There was Cate Blanchett, Helena B-C (nononono) and now Kate. Round and round and round we go, where we'll stop, nobody knows. Welcome back, Ben. It was getting lonely being the only NYC area rep around here! (Marcia) I can come back, too, now! What, we're not good enough for ya? Sheesh! heeheehee ;-P (Heide) Glad you girls warned me about his rather unsavory habit of taking what he wants when he wants it. Can't just say no to Flashy. Flashy likes to think it's the old kolossal cucumber effect. (Marcia) Is there one of MarkG the Cricketeer (Anne) Marcia re cricketer, I was not sure who you meant Marcia was referring to MarkG who posts here. Re: Floyd Don't forget about Lidya; I think she lives in Fla. also. Hope everyone's OK. Also hope Floyd loses his punch before he takes out the eastern end of Long Island as forecast for Friday morning.

It was getting lonely being the only NYC area rep around here! Think a couple of our new posters are from NYC area: Jade (who posted on 121) and Nancy.

The more the merrier!

(Allison)While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ I can't either...but beats CB. She was awful with JN in AIH.Not so great with Joe F. in Elizabeth either.No chemistry there. ***** Is #80 still active BTW? Come back Laura!!

Thank you v. much for your welcomes. I am behind on many things, of course, but one of the more urgent is the acronym problem Again. And I quote: (Allison)While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ I can't either...but beats CB. She was awful with JN in AIH. Where the hell are we? Bletchley Park? My attempt: KW - Winslet BJ - Bridget Jones (I hope) CF - the Annointed One MD - Mark Darcy? BJ - ibid. [....four down, three to go...bead of sweat forms on temple...] CB - Cate Blanchett (thanks to reading ahead) JN - Jeremy Northam? (a demi-god to the Firthian Deity) AIH - um......"I'll have to hurry you Mr Broadbent..." Nope. I give up. Pretty good. But fell at the final hurdle. I must agree that it's boring ALWAYS to have the same names put forward for these projects. CB, KW and HB-C (I can do it too!) are all good actresses, but they're not the only ones. London is crawling with good actresses who would probably put more into the role. CB and KW are too young, anyway. And HB-C is too thin. Has ANY of them done comedy anyway? However, of the three, I think KW is probably the best bet. By the way, I gather you have a cricketing poster. We will remain silent on the English summer, when yet deeper depths were plumbed. Mediocrity? That's our dream, our glittering city on a hill-top...

Nearly a perfect score on your first exam. Has someone been tutoring you? But you did receive our newest Enigma machine, didn't you? If not, I'll rummage around in the stockrooms at Bletchley Park. ;-D AIH - um......"I'll have to hurry you Mr Broadbent..." Nope. I give up. "An Ideal Husband" - Miramax movie starring the creme de la creme of acting talent (*cough cough*), Rupert Everett, JN (valid), CB, Minnie Driver, and Julianne ("Boogie Nights") Moore. Recipient of way too much of Miramax's promotional dollars, which would have been better spent on another, far better film whose acronym is MLSF!!

Thank you v. much for your welcomes. I am behind on many things, of course, but one of the more urgent is the acronym problem Again. And I quote: (Allison)While I can imagine that KW could play BJ, I just cannot see CF as MD to her BJ I can't either...but beats CB. She was awful with JN in AIH. Where the hell are we? Bletchley Park? My attempt: KW - Winslet BJ - Bridget Jones (I hope) CF - the Annointed One MD - Mark Darcy? BJ - ibid. [....four down, three to go...bead of sweat forms on temple...] CB - Cate Blanchett (thanks to reading ahead) JN - Jeremy Northam? (a demi-god to the Firthian Deity) AIH - um......"I'll have to hurry you Mr Broadbent..." Nope. I give up. Pretty good. But fell at the final hurdle. I must agree that it's boring ALWAYS to have the same names put forward for these projects. CB, KW and HB-C (I can do it too!) are all good actresses, but they're not the only ones. London is crawling with good actresses who would probably put more into the role. CB and KW are too young, anyway. And HB-C is too thin. Has ANY of them done comedy anyway? However, of the three, I think KW is probably the best bet. By the way, I gather you have a cricketing poster. We will remain silent on the English summer, when yet deeper depths were plumbed. Mediocrity? That's our dream, our glittering city on a hill-top...

Welcome back, Ben! I felt tempted to save you from your misery and tell you what MLSF means... But I'll let you guess. I think you were the first to see it -or am I completely off-mark here? AnneH: congrats to Australia for heading the mission to East Timor. I hope your men can do something in there. I hope the Portuguese will go too, as many of the older officers know the ground. And I hope everything goes well for them all.

Hi, Gi! Yes. I did see MLSF, though it was called something else when I did. "Firth in a Skirt", I think. I wasnt' bowled over by it, I must confess. Has it come and gone? (BTW, why does a message repeat itself? I barely blinked and the whole thing leaped unbidden onto the screen.)

According to Arami, if you submit a message, then go offline and come back to the same place it re-submits itself (I hope I understood this :-o)

Hi, Gi! Yes. I did see MLSF, though it was called something else when I did. "Firth in a Skirt", I think. I wasnt' bowled over by it, I must confess. Has it come and gone? (BTW, why does a message repeat itself? I barely blinked and the whole thing leaped unbidden onto the screen.)

Hi everyone from NYC! I'm getting the hang of it, I think!

ok that was just a test, having problems sending my message. I think KW will be a good BJ but my #1 choice is still Jennifer Ehle as BJ and CF as MD. Wishful thinking but they make a cute couple and I do hope that CF takes the role. Just got my book "The Making of Pride & Prejudice" from the UK and CF looks sooooo wonderful in the book. Could look at him all day and dddrrrooolll.

Ben, in case you think you missed alot while you were gone, we were probably having the same discussion (who will play Bridget? Who? Who?) over at topic 80 when you left. And yes, MLSF came and went; it played for several weeks at the Angelika and a couple of other art-house theaters starting July 24 or thereabouts. We believe the version we saw was at least 30 min. shorter than the one you previewed (back when it was still called 'The Roaring Game'--or was it 'World of Moss'? Firth-in-a-Skirt? Hee h e). Check out the discussion at 121. Hi, Nancy *waving to you from across the Hudson*

Who wants to volunteer to become Dudette? ************* Dude keeps building a rep (September 12, 1999) BY ROGER EBERT TORONTO--The Dude is standing in the middle of the press office at the Toronto Film Festival. I have been out of my hotel room for four minutes and he has found me. "This one you gotta see," he tells me. He hands me two Xeroxed sheets stapled together. They advertise a movie, "Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish." With a certainty that borders on helpless acceptance, I know that although 317 movies are playing at the festival and I will not see at least 280 of them, I will be seeing "Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish." "What's it about?" I ask. "This is Kevin Jordan," the Dude says, indicating a tall, dark-haired, intense young man. "He directed it." I shake hands with Jordan. We are strangers and yet our fates are entwined. It's as if we are both passengers in the Dude's small aircraft. "Here," says the Dude, turning back the first of the two sheets, so that I can see he has reproduced a page from the festival catalog, describing the film. "This is so good, we had to pay Michelle Maheux $10 to write it." I know Michelle Maheux and know that although she has doubtless been offered inducements far in excess of $10 over the years, she has never compromised her ferocious vision as a Toronto Film Festival programmer. I know the Dude and know that his idealism is so profound that he probably thinks $10 is a plausible size for a bribe--even in Canadian dollars, which works out to about $6.80 American. The Dude's name is Jeff Dowd. He is tall and large and has a lot of unruly curly hair and a big mustache. If you saw the Coen Brothers movie "The Big Lebowski," Jeff Bridges was playing a character based on him, although the Dude is a great deal more abstentious than the Bridges character. If he were not, the movie would have been called "The Late Lebowski." The Coens and Dowd go back a long way, to 1984, when he was telling me, "You gotta see this one. It's called 'Blood Simple.' These are the Coen Broth rs." Dowd wears so many hats it is difficult to assign him a title. Today he is playing the role of Rep. Whether Distributor's Rep, Producer's Rep, Director's Rep or another species of Rep is impossible to say. He is Repping the film, that is for sure. "Marty Scorsese liked this so much he decided to present it," Dowd is saying. I peer at the top Xerox sheet again. Sure enough, it says "MARTIN SCORSESE" in big black letters, and beneath them, in a smaller typeface, "cordially invites you to the premiere screening." Did Scorsese produce the movie? No. Is he distributing it? No. Does he have a piece of it? No. Does he hope to work with Kevin Jordan in the future? No, Scorsese directs his own films. The long and the short of it is, Martin Scorsese cordially invited me to attend the premiere screening. Why does Scorsese extend this invitation? My instinct is that there is one degree of separation between Jordan, Scorsese and the Dude. But no, I would be wrong. Scorsese found Jordan on his own. "He saw one of my short films," Jordan tells me. "He took me out to lunch and started a Martin Scorsese scholarship that paid for my senior year at NYU. Then I was an assistant to him on `Kundun.' My family owns a lobster house in Brooklyn. He loves lobster. When I finished my film, I sent it to him, and he gave me some suggestions." How did you find "Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish"? I ask the Dude. "I didn't," he answers. "It found me. I've only been Repping this film for about 15 days." "I saw him on a panel at the L.A. Independent Filmmakers Festival," Jordan says. "He seemed like the coolest dude on the panel." The Dude beams. "We were planning on coming up here and just wild-posting the movie," Jordan says. That means sticking posters up all over town. "Jeff said he would help us. We haven't even signed a contract yet." People like the Dude are one of the ways good movies find audiences in a world where bad movies are promoted with $40 million advertising budgets. He doesn't have that kind of money, but he's good at getting out the word. He has Repped titles like "Black Stallion," "Chariots of Fire," "Hoosiers," "The Stunt Man" and, of course, "The Blair Witch Project." "How I got started," he says, "I was a political activist in the 1960s. Civil rights, Vietnam. I saw a movie named 'Hearts and Minds' about the war. I had a friend in Seattle named Randy Finley, who had a little 100-seat theater named the Movie House. We were both so moved by this film. He wanted to show it. But the studio gave it to the only hardtop of this drive-in company. "I asked Randy, 'Would you be willing to take out a little two-inch ad telling people to go see this movie in your competitor's theater?' He did. Then I got front-page play on the story." The Dude beams. "The movie wound up running 17 weeks and setting a house record!" But in your competitor's theater, I point out. He shrugs. "Just so people see them," he says. "I'd walk up and down the lines for hit movies, handing out brochures for what we were showing. The way I figure it is, who goes to movies? People who go to movies, that's who. They may or may not read Premiere magazine. They may or may not watch TV. But they go to movies. So if Warner Bros. spends $40 million to promote a movie and they're standing in line to see it, why not tell them about my movie?" The Dude tells me "Goat on Fire & Smiling Fish" would be playing next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I tell him I will be sure to see it. "A lot of the movies I Rep," he says, "they're not what they seem to be. You take 'The Black Stallion.' The studio said it would never appeal to children because the first 18 minutes were without dialogue. I hold a test screening. A little girl, 5 years old, is in front of me. She tells her mommy she has to pee. She gets up and stands on the aisle, still watching the screen, and she stands there for the next 10 minutes. Her knees are knocking together, she has to pee so bad, but she can't stop watching." The Dude beams. "The whole history of 'The Black Stallion' was changed, right then and there." *********** Where do we find this guy? Has he ever seen SLOW? ;-D

Welcome back Ben! I want to hear all about your Italian adventure.(We will have to compare notes) Did you see JE in TRT whilst in London? Ladies, we have been graced. Hurricane (Pink) Floyd decided to skip landfall in Southern Florida, we are having a beautiful sunny day today! I attribute it to the power of prayer, never underestimate it. :-) I prefer KW to HB-C as BJ anyday. But will Colin play MD? I am certain that after that Channel 4 CF Darcy comment, they have indeed offered him the role.

Karen, about Dude, I loved the Big Lobowski, I could not stop laughing throughout the movie, but I think I will stick to being a Firthette. ;-)

Continuing in Bletchley-speak....if KW is too young for BJ, then NC is way too old for CCM. I don't think casting directors worry too much about such minor details! :-) Anyway, I always saw Bridget as something of a flower child,...and given that the part has, I'm sure, to be played by a Bankable Name, I'd be quite happy with KW. Most of our 30 something actresses seem too sophisticated to wear bunny girl outfits and shin up fireman's poles...and they are all so-o-o thin! Lynda, the blurb about the planned "Flashman" series says that it will be "bursting with colour, action and romance"! Sounds promising. Welcome back Ben. Have you read any "Flashman" novels...we could do with a male perspective! I hope Hurricane Floyd peters out soon or heads off for unoccupied territories. Strong gusts of wind make me nervous...so I really do sympathise!

Loved Flashman, but it was YEARS ago. Didn't ever read Tom Brown either. Moon - Italy was fun. Whizzed down through France in a little red sports car, staying in Beaunes. Next night in Fiesole. Then three days in Rome with a friend. Then two weeks uninterrupted self-indulgence in Tuscan villa about 20 miles west of Siena. The place had a swimming pool and slept six (our number). As a measure of the Baccanalean spirit of the holiday, we got through a bottle and a half of wine a day, and a litre of olive oil during the fortnight - EACH. One afternoon, the day after the Palio, we managed to drag ourselves into Siena. There was also occasional reading (I read War and Peace for the first time - MIND-BLOWING!) and a bit of bridge. But our efforts were largely concentrated on swimming, eating and drinking, of which I did more than my share. No sightings of CF, then. But I did see the Castles again in London. I told them a wee bit about this site, and the Firthette phenomenon more generally. They had been vaguely aware of CF's growing "hunk" reputation after P&P, and much amused by it - apparently he is far to "blokish" and nice for them to take the idea seriously. They routinely take the p*** out of him about it, so they say. Didn't see JE in London (there too late, I think). However, a little bird told me that you lot were planning to go AGAIN to see the Firth in that play, and I will be there, in all likelihood, in January. So I hope I can come along. However, while he may be sufficiently flattered by the effort you lot have made (and for the second time...), I'm not sure I will identify MYSELF as part of the same brood. I'll just have to be some random English bloke you picked up at the theatre. Or in the pub.

Now I HAVE to get to London in January!

CF's growing "hunk" reputation after P&P [...] he is far to "blokish" and nice [...] to take the idea seriously. Hey, hey, hey - I'm here to talk about his outstanding acting skills and not "hunkiness" or something, all right? Perish the thought... I'm a serious woman and don't you forget it!

(Bethan) ...is way too old for CCM. That one stunned me for a moment and I had to send it on to Langley for decoding and they in turn sent it on to the NSA! ;-D

(Heide) Are there no age appropriate actresses in Britain who can pull this off? (Karen) Yes, of course, there are, but with box office pull...that's the sticking point. But does no one see the irony? How will KW pull off the scenes with Patchouli when she should more likely play Patchouli? "Flashman" novels...we could do with a male perspective! Don't forget Mark! Access Hollywood interview with Julie Andrews a bust. Mostly about her singing. Mention of the filming of Relative Values..."also starring Billy Baldwin and Jeanne Tripplehorn." No Colin.

damn, did it again.

Yaknow, when you telnet you can see all of the html programming...and I even get to reprise my own goofs. It is a humbling experience, but you can post stuff ever so many places in record time!

Thank you Heide for telling me about Access Hollywood. I'll pull the tape out of the VCR...who cares about Julie Andrews'singing anyway. **** Ben, we would love to have you along in January...you won't be the only male in the group. And rest assured we are a pretty elegant group...(you know...the Volvos and Labs crowd!) "Miss Manners" would approve of us:-).However, if you want to stand around "lurking" or hide in the Box Office, we promise we won't blow your cover.:-D

Who would they get to play Bridget's mother or Julio. I can see C.H. as Danial and Hugh Grant as Tom. I'm wondering who will play Perpetua, she sounds like someone who shouts most of the time, but I can't picture her age. I just can't see any of the actress named as Bridget. Colin is the only one I can see as MD though

Maybe K.b. as Daniel

I'm still alive;)

Maybe K.b. as Daniel

Perpetua-- I picture Kathy what's-her-face, from "Nil By Mouth." She played Magda on AbFab. The problem is, I tend to cast people who play somewhat the equivalent in other shows/films (like Kathy what's-it)-- not really fair for the actors or the audience, to be honest. Give 'em something they don't know... That's when we find the A-list actors... when they've stretched themselves creatively. For example, I was not impressed by Jack Nicholson in that movie he did not too long ago (the one with Helen Hunt). Jeez... my diet must be laced with MSG or something, my memory's going... Anyway, I aw JN playing JN, and I was bored out of my mind.

closing Jenn's tags. Throw out the MSG or buy that gingkoba stuff. ;-D (Ben) I'm not sure I will identify MYSELF as part of the same brood. Excellent idea! You might embarrass us if you decide to wear one of those clown outfits or something. ;-D You might be required, however, to hold a camera or two, so please practice a little. Go to the park and take some pictures. BTW, your university friend's movie is brilliant. Just got back from seeing it. Re: Access Hollywood Did you see Jeanne Tripplehorn and Billy Baldwin in that scene with Julie? If you blink, you miss it. But if you slo-mo, they are larger than life. JT has quite the "do" for the '50s (actually looks more '60s to me). I did want to throw a slipper at the screen at the end..."also starring JT and BB" Ack!!

BTW, is it Kathy Burke you're thinking about?

Yes, Kathy Burke's the one. Sorry about the tags...

Maybe we should go back to #80 for this... How about Antonio Banderas for Julio? Made to look a bit older, naturally, and hair brushed back. If you really want a latin guy, because I think otherwise if you dye Don Johnson's hair *he* would be perfect.

(Eileen) Re: Floyd Don't forget about Lidya; I think she lives in Fla. also Thank you Eileen. Floyd did not reach me here in Tallahassee...we've had beautiful weather, at least ten degrees cooler than we have normally. I hope everyone else who is in its path will be as fortunate.

Lidya, we have been lucky, haven't we? I'm happy you're safe too. :-) Ben, had I known you were there in July, I would have invited you to take tea chez moi on Lake Como. We had British friends who stayed with Sir Goldsmith in his tenuta outside Sienna and attended the Palio. They much preferred Lake Como to Siena (it�s heat and mosquitoes). I was in Sienna too, the Duomo is my favourite in all of Italy, but I always avoid the Palio, too crowded. Wine is lovely, and what about Vin Santo, I trust you were so fortunate as to indulge a little? Winter, where have you been? You missed our DB's birthday celebration!

Maybe we should go back to #80 for this Yeah, we'd better before the OT police come to take us all away. Yooo hooo, Lauraaaaaa! I'm surprised you're taking the bit about KW so calmly. Not too long ago you were emphatic that she was (how did you put it?) TOO YOUNG. See ya at 80! I'm afraid I'm to blame for the Access Hollywood 'bust'--had the tape going in the VCR, you see. If I hadn't, ODB would have been right there, sitting next to Julie or doing a little dance in the background ;-P BTW, wasn't that reporter the pits? Gives a whole new dimension to the term "suck up." Why do I watch those shows? Why? Why? (Bethan) I hope Hurricane Floyd peters out soon or heads off for unoccupied territories Generous Floyd's gracing us with his presence this afternoon. He's down to a measly category 1 hurricane, though--we (those of us slightly inland) expect an average of 6 inches of rain and winds around 60 mph. Can't wait to see footage of Mayor Rudy heading down the FDR Drive in a rowboat! Floyd's then expected to bestow more of his attributes on New England, so Susan and Laura are next.

Mon dieu! I've done it too! High winds must have swept away my closing tag...

(Eileen) Why do I watch those shows? Why? Why? Dont' we only watch these shows when there's a flicker of a possibility that ODB will be mentioned? hee hee Great to see that our Floridians have been spared from the fury of Floyd. :-D

Winter, where have you been? You missed our DB's birthday celebration! I know, sorry. I'll have to bring back Odds and Ends on my hotlist and do some catching-up. The summer is coming to an end, and oddly enough, I've found time to post back on the boards again (funny how I should return at exactly the time I should be spending less time online). Floyd's then expected to bestow more of his attributes on New England, so Susan and Laura are next. Crossing my fingers for all of you! But... by the time it reaches New England, wouldn't the intensity of the hurricane have lessened?

Welcome back, Ben! Perhaps when you're in London in January, in addition to seeing 3DOR with the Firthettes, you'll also be able to see JE in TRT. Isn't it supposed to be opening in the West End around that time, Evelyn? Hurricane Floyd is definitely making his unwelcome presence known in suburban Boston today. Rudy Guiliani may not be the only one commuting via rowboat this afternoon:-(

One big apology for not reading before I posted! Microsoft Word spell check corrected Siena with Sienna. Of course, It is Siena! I will email them at once and hope they correct their program.

Moon - we sunk quite a lot of Vin Santo, don't worry. At less than three quid a bottle they were giving it away. Karen - do you mean Mendes? The boy's made a film now? Blimey. Arami - I would never question your seriousness. I quite understand that The Firth would be equally appealing with a bag over his head, but isn't it possible to be serious AND to want to take the bag off? I think I'd find a bag on the sweet head of LDE (La deesse Ehle) limiting and I am, on occasion, serious. I should report that LDE has a rival in my fantastical world of unglamorous-nerd-meets-well-known-actress-and-they-get-on-like-house-on-fire: Julie Christie as Bathsheeba in the film of Far from the Madding Crowd. Good God! I will still be just as keento see LDE on stage, of course. Roll on January. Evelyn - I would never be embarrassed of you lot! I just think a male Firthette might freak The Firth out more than his female admirers. Ben By the way, all classes have been cancelled this afternoon because of the weather. Cheers, Floyd!

(Ben), we sunk quite a lot of Vin Santo, don't worry. At less than three quid a bottle they were giving it away. I'm afraid you'll have to go back and try the real Vin Santo at 20 quid for a half a bottle. Then you can say you drank Vin Santo. :-) Arami, really!

(Ben) do you mean Mendes? The boy's made a film now? ...and has he ever - American Beauty. Is officially Hollywood's newest wunderkind. And before anybody starts calling this a British film, it isn't and wasn't. Sorry. Julie Christie as Bathsheeba in the film of Far from the Madding Crowd. Like those costume dramas, do we? ;-D Slow news day... so what shall we talk about? *wheels spinning in head* *little mice getting whipped into a frenzy* Aha!! Wild and unsubstantiated guessing as to what Colin is currently doing? Too early to begin rehearsals for November's 3DOR...

WELCOME BACK , WINTER.... It's good to see you back on any board :-)

God! 20 quid? What was the muck I had then? Still, by that stage in the evening I was beyond tasting anything, so maybe it's a good thing no-one spent too much on the stuff.

Karen - I must go and see this film. Nothing SM does any more surprises me. He has been the official Wunderkind of London theatre for almost 10 years now. And he will be the next director of the National, for sure. He is v. v. smart and charming to boot. Bastard.

The Firth would be equally appealing with a bag over his head... If you think of screening all his charms, one bag wouldn't be enough! but isn't it possible to be serious AND to want to take the bag off? Shhhhh! I don't want to spook him: I'll just settle for a slit for his unbelievably eloquent eyes... I just think a male Firthette might freak The Firth out more than his female admirers. Not at all: he was happily signing autographs for some male admirers too (although some of them may have been professional autograph hunters). Plus some of us had our husbands in attendance.

(Arami), Plus some of us had our husbands in attendance. Did you really bring your DH along? Mine would never agree to it, plus I truly believe he would go as far as prohibiting me to go see the Firth in the flesh. I will certainly have to go see MLSF alone once it reaches my shores (which should not be long now). ;-)

....I just think a male Firthette might freak The Firth out more than his female admirers. You underestimate Mr. Firth...I can assure you he was most cordial to all in attendance on March the 6th, 1999.There were husbands,partners, boyfriends,and other assorted male companions....I hardly think Ben Broadbent would freak him out. :-)