Very good and perceptive review for TOTS in the Sunday Telegraph. The reviewer had read the original story (a "must", I think, if you are appreciate the dramatised version) and praised TOTS for playing it straight and preserving the ambiguities. He made the interesting point that Peter Quint looked like a ruined version of the Master, which gives an added twist to the sexual hysteria element (paying the wages of sin?) A few of mentions for David Puttnam in the press (he's on the Millenium Committee) and he's still talking about MLSF opening in the UK in May (which is reassuring...I don't want it to just fade away!) Also mentions for BJD and the movie which is "about to start shooting" (with whom, please?!!) Happy Y2K!

PS..I don't appear to have any problems with Spring.

Welcome back, Nan! LOL - trust you to greet this place with "Well - crap...!" I'm having no problems now - only a small hitch early in the year, but it's cleared up for me. Bethan - and all TOTSologists - I have noticed the male ghost's frightfully curly hair, but it was much too red for my taste. Also, the ghost of the previous governess seemed an older and sadder version of the young one. I thought that it would have been great for the visual effect to have Peter Quint played by the same actor as The Master! It would also have put a much clearer nterpretation on the young woman's nature of hallucinations... and perhaps clarity was not intended here. But I would still do it "my way" if I could!

Brag and crap - somewhere between those two is this telnetter who is happy for some conversation but is far from pleased with the stark realities of telnet and how few can actaully use it. Nan, join the grouch group, and I wanna know how these others are getting on...

I seem to have no problem getting on. What's going on?

Love the fireworks Evelyn. Thanks

Lucie, how did you post? If you saw the fireworks, you are webbing in. I am still stuck in the limbo of telnet...but it beats not being able to post at all!

What on Firth is telnet? (I'm a cyberdumbo, you see...)

You are far too young to remember this (;) but before windows we had to use Telnet to get online abd pine for our email. No mouse stuff, no graphics, no html. Just plain stuff. Which is the way I am doing it now. No clicking on things either. I have to order the program to rerespond by sending an r command or to go to Drool by j drool (join drool) etc. You will see errors because if I did not catch them before the cursor when to the next line, it was set in concrete. *sigh* Like reading by candle light. Terry actually prefers it this way because it is faster to read all new posts, but it is a pain to create long responses. That is the short answer... More?

I just clicked on my bookmark and it came right up

You are indeed fortunate. I cannot get into my hard drive space at Spring to add stuffby ftp or by webbing. I cannot get anywhere near Spring unless it is in DOS which is telnetting.

What on Firth is telnet? (I'm a cyberdumbo, you see...)

Oh, shhhhhhhhh... I keep forgetting this stupid, annoying quirk. Re telnet - enough, madam! DOS - eeek, I am too lazy to go back to groping around in the computer dark ages... As for my own age... thank you, madam, I rarely divulge... but I like your nice attempt to humour me. ;-)

Madame, when one is in a particular age group accompanied by some of the wittiest and sharpest minds known, One is allowed as much subterfuge as necessary. I think we are close, My Dear... Indeed, this is for the last resort for which I am using it now. At least I am able to communicate with you here...that makes the frustration worth while.

I see Karen is logged in via telnet. Waiting for her transmission....

Happy New Year to you too Nan. Hopefully Spring's problems will get resolved today when people get back to work.Obviously, new server doesn't have 24 hour tech support...shocking.

Since most of Drool is at the Emergency Board, would it be too much to ask you to post over there too...since there's no one over here...Bethan...I'll copy/past your comments on TTOTS...which I hope to see for myself soon. Can't wait. http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb49898

I'll work on getting this back going as normal today.

A good review for TTOTS in the Daily Telegraph's "Arts and Books" review of the week. The reviewer preferred it to the BBC's Big Gun "David Copperfield" which he descibes as "disappointingly shallow". "Copperfield himself was a bit of a nonentity and would certainly not hold his own in a wet T-shirt competition with Mr Darcy as played by Colin Firth. Shorn of Henry James' impenetrable prose style, TTOTS turned out to be an interesting story. A wealthy young master (Colin Firth again) hired a youthful governess to look after his late brother's children in the country. A spoonful at a time we were fed information which was cleverly inadequate for our exact understanding of why deceased former employeees kept appearing at the window with the supposed intention of stealing the children. The governess (Jodhi May) had only expression of blank bemusement and one would have liked to have seen more facial variety in the two hour adaptation of this otherwise terrifically gripping drama. You have to read the last paragraph of Henry James' novella several times to work out exactly what is happening but here it was miraculously clear. In protecting her young charge from an evil apparition, the good governess hugged the boy so tightly that she broke his neck, which was a supremely disturbing conclusion." I think that reviwers who are familiar with the book appreciate this version.....the other Daily Telegraph review... "playing it straight".. also praised the production. BTW please feel free to use any of these quotes on TTOTS. Julie Andrews, as you know, is now Dame Julie Andrews, after the New Years honours. There was a longish interview with Julie in one of our women's mags. Several mentions for RV ("starring CF and SF) to be released mid-May, and JA's first film in ten years. Looks as though MLSF and RV will come out in the same month in the UK. That's me done...my roving reporter stint. Haven't seen anything about "Blackadder" and Colin as Shakespeare, as yet. Hope Spring returns to normal soon..!!

Terry..Bethan....I transferred your messages to the Drool Emergency Board. Since NO ONE can read them here....because they can't get here.

Good idea, evelyn...I pasted 123 to Heide yesterday or was it before...it all seems like a blurr in telnet! ;)

I am SOMEONE and I can read all the messages here. :-)

Hello! Arami! I thought we had lost you, too. Alexander in Germany can no longer get in. I guess just those who walk on cyber-water get to see the pretties of Spring...*sigh*

Well, I've gotten this far, but it's much easier to lurk than to say anything (KJArt, via Marcia). I saw the transferring of some of the posts to the Emergency site and was most happy to see it, as I'm sure other Droolers are. I come on, experiment with something, usually screw it up, andsign off out of desperationIf I suddenly disappear, that explains it. I'm going to try copying soon.

Hi KJArt...(I am not talking to myself!!!) Copying is easy, but use your right mouse button to do it...from here to elsewherer, that is...

Hi gang! I just tried Terry's suggestion to use the ISP address? (the string of numbers) to enter and amazingly, it worked. I thought I would tempt fate and try and post, but of course now I can't think of anything interesting to say!

I'm back too, followed Kirsten's link (springfolk's emails), oh what a relief.Long may it last. Thanks Bethan for all your reports and welcome Noelle. Thanks for the fireworks Renate and talking of fireworks the Fireworks in London were magnificient, she says proudly. Happy New Year to all my Firth friends.

I got in!! Yippee!! I didn't need to use to numerical address. Happy 2000 everyone!!

Hallelujah!! Am in via the web and not that awful telnet. Thanks Bethan for the DT review of TTOTS. As far as I can tell, it wasn't online. *time for complaining* But why must there always be a reference to a wet-shirted Darcy!! I think it's definitely time for letters to the editor. If it doesn't stop, when Colin is in his 70s doing King Lear, they'll still be referring to his wet shirt. ;-)

Happy new year, everyone! Am back after an off-line break complicated by Spring's untimely crump. It's good to see it back to its usual state of operation. Have caught up on oodles of posts. Karen, ROTFLMAO about Richard and the Master. Welcome, Noelle! Welcome home, Lynda--glad to hear you met ODB, sorry about the nasty homecoming. I'm looking forward to reading about your 3DOR experience. Sorry I missed TTOTS chat--was on a ski slope (back when it was cold enough to ski). So his scene was trimmed to less than 4 minutes? Pooh! Thanks to all for their reports.

Ah! Happy to be here again! Thanks, Kirsten! Yes, wonderful New Year to everybody.

Yea! I got here too. Over at Drool In Exile, someone (Arami?) mentioned CF in L'uomo. I found that beautiful YOUNG picture: Murph Thanks, Bethan, for the review.

Thanks Murph...but he looks better in a black tee shirt. Karen...pl. put a head on that guy standing in the tomatoes...I'm tied of looking at only half of him. Good to have everybody here...it was godawful boring.

Happy New Year Everyone!! Glad to be back. Colin looks extremely boyish in the L'Uomo shot. Question? Was watching one of my Christmas presents (Apartment Zero) and noticed that Colin's voice seems more harsh then as compared to now. Almost like it is more throaty--burlish. What say anyone else?

Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for the welcome's, I know I'll feel right at home soon. Beautiful fireworks. I couldn't get on until today. OK, I'm going to try to italicize this like the rest of you do. I guess I won't know if it works until it's posted tho'. (Heide)Tell us what you like about Colin, favorite films, etc. We never get tired of hearing about it. Oh my God, what's not to like. His eyes, his voice...I first saw him in "Valmont", which I love, and of course, "P&P2". I actually haven't seen a whole lot of his movies (about half a dozen), but I'm working to remedy that situation.

(Noelle) Oh my God, what's not to like. A girl after my own heart :-). Welcome Noelle! Excellent job at italics, BTW.

I'm back again, too! Thanks for all the support in exile, and A HAPPY FIRTHFILLED YEAR to everyone!

Thank the gods and Terry for bringing Spring to normal... Welcome Noelle, do make yourself at home. Lynda, so sorry about the burglary, it must have been terrible, how brave of you to buy new presents and go on with your projects. Lucie, thanks for your concern and as you know through email, the storm didn't hit us too strongly. (And for the turn of the year we have been having great weather :-)) (Mari)Gi . . .are you trying to give me the Tilly Willies?;-) Please explain. (Cymbeline)Mme M is unrelievedly nasty and scheming for her vengeful ends; Valmont just thinks it's a lot of fun and doesn't realize what either of them is doing. I disagree. Mme de Merteuil is, I think, genuinely fond of cecile, and although obviously using her for her own purposes, she still tries to help her and give her the education she is capable of giving...She is also fond of Valmont, and it is his stupid behaviour when trying to collect his prize that makes her want to give him a lesson. Also, remember he tried to set Darceny on her first. (Karen)If it doesn't stop, when Colin is in his 70s doing King Lear, they'll still be referring to his wet shirt. ;-) LOL! But why not? He might wear a wet shirt as Lear too, and no one here would mind, I bet! HAPPY Y2K!

(Jana) Colin looks extremely boyish in the L'Uomo shot. He sure does. If Livia had shown that picture to her friends, they might have thought *she* was robbing the cradle. ;-) Here, couchie-coo Colin's voice seems more harsh then as compared to now. Almost like it is more throaty--burlish. Will definitely check that out and so timely!! We will be doing AZ next as a film discussion, but we really shouldn't start until after all our London hoopla subsides. Good thing you got the tape for Christmas, Jana. We'll be awaiting your comments. Noelle: Valmont is one of my favorites. How I wish it had preceded Dangerous Liaisons into the theaters. Speaking of theaters, found a NEW review of Fever Pitch in The Hollywood Reporter from 12/28/99. I wonder if it means that FP might be hitting the West Coast screens sometime in January. ;-) Time to bug (I mean, check with) Phaedra. Here's the review. It is pretty good: A Case of Soccer Fever Fanatic Firth caught between sports and love Although British made, this adaptation of Nick Hornby's acclaimed autobiographical novel is certain to strike a chord with any audience of sports-loving men and the women who put up with them. Although "Fever Pitch" doesn't work entirely in its cinematic translation into romantic comedy, its sharp perceptions into the eternal differences between the sexes and the highly appealing performances of its two leads should guarantee minor interest on the art house circuit. Colin Firth plays Paul, an English teacher and soccer coach at a British middle school. Paul is the kind of perpetually adolescent sports fanatic about whom women are constantly complaining, and he has no appeal whatsoever to Sarah (Ruth Gemmell), his ultra-serious and very attractive new colleague-at least at first. When the pair share a ride home on a stormy night and wind up having tea at her place, they fall immediately in love. Although Paul's interest in his favorite soccer team has waned of late because of their long losing streak, when they start to win again his obsession gets rekindled, much to Sarah's frustration. When she finds herself pregnant, the resulting tensions threaten to tear the couple apart. Although Hornby's adaptation of his novel is a decidedly low-key affair lacking big laughs or dramatic fireworks, it has enough small but pleasurable moments to make it worthwhile. It captures perfectly the heady sweep of emotions that can hold captive an entire city in the wake of a winning sports season, and the protagonists are highly engaging, complex personalities, well able to articulate their respective positions. Paul's obsession with the team, silly as it is made to look, ultimately acquires a ertain dignity, a sort of noble rebellion against the constraints of everyday experience. Director David Evans captures vividly the insular atmosphere of an English school, and the leads' performances are excellent. Firth is winning even when his character is at his most clueless, while the lovely Gemmell, faced with the difficult task of playing a character who often and loudly expresses her disapproval, is utterly charming. Stephen Rea, playing far against his usual type, delivers a hilarious cameo as an unctuous schoolmaster. -Frank Scheck

From Mari (who can't post): I thought you might want to see this article from Variety. Says Shekhar Kapur is doing a remake of the Four Feathers, to be distributed by Paramount and Miramax. "The plot centers on a British army officer who resigns his commission prior to going to battle in the Sudan. Accused by his comrades and fianc�e of cowardice, he attempts to redeem himself by rescuing them. Casting is expected to begin immediately, with insiders saying the lineup will be culled largely from British actors. Production is sched led to begin in Morocco by late spring." I know someone who needs a job after 1/22.;-) And NOT as one of the "comrades" either! ;-) ~~~~ Let's see: On one hand, coward. On the other, cuckold. Which is better? ;-)

(Heide) Could Ingrid pass for Julie Andrews? We can't be sure it's Londinium. ;-) I just don't see a nephew get into the tub with his aunt. I still hope it was an out-take from another film, f.e. P&P. ;-P Marcia, it is quite uncanny to hear Kjarts voice from your mouth ....... funny how used one gets to a medium (no pun intended). (Bethan) He made the interesting point that Peter Quint looked like a ruined version of the Master, What a pity, a missed opportunity for a double role for ODC (Our Dear Chameleon).

Thanks Karen...excellent review..mo'better that it got in UK when it premiered three years ago. When the pair share a ride home on a stormy night and wind up having tea at her place, they fall immediately in love But if I remember it was coffee..followed by "The Snog of the Year":-)

Right about the coffee. As I remember it, "they fall immediately in bed not love." ;-)

A very Happy New Year to one and all here on the threshold of a new millennium. Hello and welcome Noelle. Please don't worry about making mistakes. I'm a huge offender for typos, now that I can type almost as quickly as I can think, albeit badly. (Typing badly that is -- not thinking badly.) I'm lost without spell check, as I'm an indifferent proof reader. The point was posed as to did anyone really like "The Advocate". Yes! I adore this movie; Richard Courtois is my favorite Colin Firth role. The film is such a deliciously black comedy and tidy mystery, with well intergrated elements of melodrama. And amidst all this degradation, suspicion, and ignorance we have our stalwart hero, who is doing his utmost to get the pig off. Excuse me, that should be have the swine acquitted. Seriously, I do like this movie, but then I have a penchant for quirky thing . The wet shirt crops up yet again. It would be nice if reviewers and interviewers would give that topic a rest. CF is an accomplished actor with over 15 years of fine work. So it no doubt he will be in 70's playing Lear wearing a wet shirt (the storm scene) and someone will comment on Darcy. Although I think that when CF reaches that point he'll probably still look really good in a wet shirt. Enough... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, well, I made it. January 5th no less. Anne H

Thanks for the review of Fever Pitch. I have to laugh when he asks if he can smoke and she says, "No, but you can stay the night if you want. He gets the silliest look on his face and looks around the room before he puts his cigeretts in his pocked and walks over to kiss her. "She says not in here I can't afford it." LOL

Glad to be back. I didn't like that little vacation. My thanks to Terry for getting us back up. Just our bad luck it happened over the holidays. Special thanks to Marcia for keeping all parties informed, for posting here, there and everywhere, and for keeping a positive outlook. Things are looking up.

(lucie) "She says not in here I can't afford it." LOL Beg to differ: She says "Not on the carpet. I can't afford it." 8-) May I commend the Telegraph photos used on the top of the Timeline news section ... What I wouldn't give for a full-length full-sized copy of that top one!: http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/news.html Mmmmmmm -- Mmmmmmmm!

And a Heartfelt Message for Terry & Co.: I'm SO happy that Spring is back!

Yes, so am I...and I am happy to see you posting under your own name and using HTML...never thought I'd miss it so much!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To Cloin and to All at the Spring! A few days without Drool was a real torture. I lost my opportunity to make my New Year's wish/resolution for ODB :-( It is probably rusted now, but I think that I'll put it out anyways. 1. Plays the main role in a world winning (e.g. Oscar, etc.) film 2. Plays Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary 3. Puts great effort to promot his new films 4. Gets to know his internet fan site, perhaps has a regular schedule (say, once a month?) to pay a visit 5. To join his film discussion held on Spring by an occasion 6. Fires his current agent and hires Karen instead ;-/ 7. To have a Millennium baby ;-) 8. Buy Livia a Volvo ;-D

1. Plays the main role in a world winning (e.g. Oscar, etc.) film 2. Plays Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary 3. Puts great effort to promote his new films Y-e-esss to all these.....especially to number one! I don't know if I could stand another cameo. More screen time, please, so that he has the opportunity to deliver the goods. I'd love to see him getting the sort of screen time RF ALWAYS gets!! "Four Feathers" is one of my all-time favourite old movies! Would love to see CF in the Laurence Harvey role. And late spring would accommodate Mark Darcy and BJD. Although I'm still keen on Flashman (when television is good, it's very, very good (for example the just screened "Longitude"...marvellous). To be honest, I don't really care, so long as it's not another supporting role in a less than auspicious movie. And I would like to see him revert to a serious dramatic role. Good project, script and reputable director, pl-ee-ase!!! I have a feeling that he's been very anxious to get home to Livia...he's done an awful lot of London-based work recently. Hopefully, she'll go with him on location to Turkey or Tunisia or wherever!! :-) What happened to the re-make of "The Lion in Winter" directed by Pat O'Connor? Henry II married at the age of 19 and was in his early forties, and still actively fighting and campaigning at this period. Anthony Hopkins is way too old for the part! CF's cameo in TTOTS has grown on me...it always takes me time to adjust to a new look! Even the hair is okay...but his shoulders are still too broad for the frock-coat. We watched SIL on video over Christmas (another cameo ......grrrr!!).It's only the second time I'd seen it after a Big Screen viewing. Why was Wessex always described as a buffoon and coward? He had the foresight to invest in tobacco plantations in Virginia, and the guts to go out and put his investments to work. All aristocratic marriage were business contracts (even Viola accepted her fate) and everyone depended on royal patronage and fawned before the Queen. BTW it's difficult to recognise the rather grim-looking unsmiling Wessex and the Master as the same actor! I'm happy that Spring is up and running for everyone... many thanks to Terry & Co.

Oooops! I closed my italics, honest!

I will like to thank Terry & Co. for fixing our Spring fountain. Thanks also for the TOTS reviews, the Telegraph interview link, pictures and all extra tid-bits. I too loved the Advocate and one of these days, I will have to see the un-edited version. :-D Happy New Year!

(Moon)one of these days, I will have to see the un-edited version. Yes m�dear, you really have to. I first found it hard to believe that he was doing it himself (with Maria) and had to rewind a few times to make sure it wasn�t a stuntman. And I repeat my question, has the HOTPig/TA been discussed in Spring already and if it hasn�t, shouldn�t it? Most of us have seen it and we seem to disagree about its greatness (at least I do) which always makes a good conversation. (Xian)4. Gets to know his internet fan site, perhaps has a regular schedule (say, once a month?) to pay a visit He probably does already, very silently, but he�ll never tell us.

Thanks, Mari, for spotting that Four Feathers news and to Karen for posting in abstentia. Spring seems to be working fine since yesterday--hope everyone can get in today. Casting is expected to begin immediately, with insiders saying the lineup will be culled largely from British actors. Anyone care to speculate as to who will be selected? Let's see...using the usual H'wood formula: 1. Jude Law 2. Tom Cruise (with British accent) 3. Ben Affleck (with British accent) 4. Ewan McGregor 5. Ralph Fiennes 6. Anthony Hopkins 7. Hugh Grant 8. Mr. Bean :-P (I really do have my fingers crossed for ODB.) (Bethan) We watched SIL on video over Christmas (another cameo ......grrrr!!). Awww, c'mon, Bethan, Wessex wasn't a cameo. SiL had an ensemble cast. Bet all those Martin Clunes fans were wishing their man had more screen time too!

Bethan says: Four Feathers is one of my all-time favourite old movies! Would love to see CF in the Laurence Harvey role. And late spring would accommodate Mark Darcy and BJD... What role did Harvey play? When I think of Four Feathers, I think of the classic 1939 version with John Clements as the "coward," and Ralph Richardson as his friend who is saved in the desert by a "dumb Swengali native." Great film, and a great part for CF - either one, though I personally like the Richardson role. The Clements one is the starring part, and he would be in the whole movie if he played it. Thanks to Terry and the powers that be here. The 3Deer's Firth.com and my Shakespeare in Love pages are safely back too! Murph

(Elena) has the HOTPig/TA been discussed in Spring already Yes, it has, although it hasn't gone up on the archive page at firth.com yet. But that shouldn't prevent anyone from discussing it again in the interim. I'm sure there are lots of new angles...or positions...that haven't been addressed. Besides, Topic 98 isn't busy now. ;-) Bethan, you asked about Pat O'Connor and his remake of Lion in Winter. I've only seen his name mentioned very recently as directing "Sweet November": Lensing will begin Feb. 7, giving Reeves time to make that film before stepping into the Warner Bros./Bel Air remake of �Sweet November,� to be directed by Pat O�Connor (�Circle of Friends�). Reeves will be paid his usual salary to star in �November,� his first romance since �A Walk in the Clouds,� portraying a tycoon who falls in love with a dying woman who wants no part of a long commitment. (Eileen) Wessex wasn't a cameo. SiL had an ensemble cast. Yes, but Wessex was a "supporting role." All were not equal as in, say, Magnolia. SiL definitely had lead roles.

You may not want to read this but... Here's the scoop on Blackadder: Back and Forth: He's in it for about...oooh, 3 or 4 minutes, Blackadder bumps into him in the corridor as he finishes his audience with Elizabeth I.....and it's fairly funny, especially when Edmund...well, I won't spoil it for you!

(Karen) Yes, but Wessex was a "supporting role." All were not equal as in, say, Magnolia. SiL definitely had lead roles. Agreed. SiL had an ensemble supporting cast. I still maintain that Wessex was not a cameo role.

You may not want to read this but... Here's the scoop on Blackadder: Back and Forth: He's in it for about...oooh, 3 or 4 minutes, Blackadder bumps into him in the corridor as he finishes his audience with Elizabeth I.....and it's fairly funny, especially when Edmund...well, I won't spoil it for you! ~~~~~~ Next....MCI commercials??

(Karen), He's in it for about...oooh, 3 or 4 minutes, Blackadder bumps into him in the corridor as he finishes his audience with Elizabeth I.....and it's fairly funny, especially when Edmund...well, I won't spoil it for you! Karen, please, we want to be spoiled, we live to be spoiled. How on earth did you manage to see this already??? Talk about I want my CF fix and I want it now!

I don't know anymore. The "I won't spoil if for you" came from my *source* Eileen, I agree. Wessex is not a cameo. He is a supporting actor. In the animal kingdom, there are Leads, Supporting Roles, Cameos, Uncredited Roles, Bit Players, Extras (but they have a new name now) among other designators.

(Evelyn) Next....MCI commercials?? LOL!! Is there a competition for "most cameos by an actor under age 65"?

Here's the entire critique: I won't spoil it for you but I felt that there was nothing new about it....but I didn't mind that! Same ol gags, same ol characters, same ol laughs!! Its not the best episode you'll ever see but it is nice to see them up there on a VAST screen and in deafening stereo. Duration is just shy of an hour but it did fly by, Robin Hood is good, Queenie is great and Balders is fab (esp with the apron'!) I wasn't let down, and there's a lovely twist at the end...lovely, it is

(Evelyn) Next....MCI commercials?? Hee hee! As long as it's not 10-10- commercials... Looks as though we'll have to wait a few short weeks for the Blackadder scoop, Moon. Our London contingent will report thoroughly, I'm sure. And they'd better get a pic of those schoolboy specs, if possible! 8-D Watched Hostages on HBO Signature yesterday. First time I've seen the non-History channel version inclusive of scenes snipped out (presumably to make time for commercials), several of which featured ODB. We recently switched from cable to satellite--digital makes a world of difference. That face, that voice! I was almost stuck to the screen (for Hostages, no less. Even the grime and brown teeth didn't deter me)!

I am sooo glad that drool is up and running again. I almost had a stroke when I found it missing last week. Thanks to dear Heide, I felt a little better when I found Drool-in-exile. I hope every one had a happy holiday. You are a great bunch. By the way, the burglary in no way spoiled my London trip; nothing barring the illness or death of a loved one could have done that. Re: the Ingrid article. Assuming her comments are true, I too was puzzled (like someone else on drool) as to why the female actress got a body double and not DB, especially if stripping embarrassed him. After playing Wessex, who looked decidedly pudgy (although that Japanese photo showed that Colin was not), maybe Colin wanted to show the world that he still has what it takes.;-) Re: HOTP. I can see why they cut a couple of shots from the Maria scene (her putting her feet through the wall, i.e.) but why did they cut the entire scene by the stream? Not only was it was inoffensive, but it helped explain the following scene. Now to my meeting ODB. I missed my chance to talk to him the first time I saw 3DOR with my sister-in-law. We waited for him to come down, which he did, with two other men. No one else asked him for his autograph, so I didn�t, though I did manage to squeak out that I thought his performance was excellent and he smiled and said �Thank you very much.� All I could remember after was his wonderful left dimple and his running shoes (nobody wears them in London - I wore them once and never again, hated to seem p ovincial in such a sophisticated city). He and his companions headed for Neal Street and I didn�t even see them double back towards Seven Dials (I was too preoccuppied trying to figure out which direction to take to our hotel - London intersections are confusing enough in daylight, but impossible at night), but my sis did and wanted to chase him down for an autograph, which I talked her out of. Didn�t want her to give the poor guy a heart attack on the darkish street. When my husband and I went to see 3DOR, we waited for Colin to come down and in the meantime got DM�s and EMcG�s autographs (he seemed very nice, she was not particularly gracious). He never appeared and finally a staff member went upstairs and came down again to tell all of us lingering that Colin had already left. Must have gone immediately after the performance (or in light of the newspaper interview a week later, maybe he was waiting for the interviewer). I was a little disappointed that I would be going home without his autograph, but resigned myself to it. A couple of days later, my husband and I went to a matinee showing of SLOW and, unbeknownst to me, he wrangled a poster of the film from the manager, who kindly gave it to him in a cardboard tube. After the film, we had already planned to eat in Covent Garden before we went to see the comedy "Art". I suggested that we stop at the Donmar to pick up a poster, since we had the tube with us to put it in (I was going to buy one the following day at the matinee, but preferred not to get it squished). After buying the poster, we turned to leave when my husband went back to the box-office an asked if the cast had arrived, to which question he was told that everyone was there except Colin who would arrive anytime in the next half hour. Trying to be a thoughtful wife, I told my DH that we didn�t have to hang around, but he insisted we stay, bought a program for Colin to sign and we settled ourselves for a wait. I was against the wall facing the stairs and looking toward the front door and my DH was facing me when I heard him say almost immediately, "Hello, Colin, would you do me a favour..." I have to tell you my husband is quite the kidder, so I was about to say something joking to him in return, when I noticed he was looking past my sh ulder and I turned to look in the direction of his gaze. This very tall man wearing rather unattractive dark rimmed glasses was standing right next to me (I didn�t realise that I was standing beside the doorway to the shopping arcade which surrounds the theatre). So help me, I didn�t recognise DB and, thinking my husband had mistaken a stranger for Colin, started to give him an dirty look, when I realised the tall man was indeed Colin. For once, I was speechless, thank God, since I had been on the verge of making what would have been an embarrassing comment to my husband. My DH told Colin that we had come from Canada to see his play and that we liked it very much. Actually I think he said something else, but I wasn�t listening, being still too stunned to find DB a few inches away. Colin said (my quotes, needless to say are not accurate) "Oh, then you have seen it already?" We said yes and that we thought it, and he, was excellent. He asked us where we came from, we told him and my husband mentioned that he understood that Colin had lived in Canada for a while, to which he answered "Yes, I lived in Vancouver." I then told him that we had just come from seeing his movie and had liked very much and Colin said "Which one was that?" which rendered me mentarily speechless as I searched my memory quickly, not knowing that any other film of his was playing in London at the time. I guess DB didn�t take my words literally; maybe he was hoping for some kind wo ds about MLSF, which I realised afterwards I had not mentioned, unfortunately. (You gals remember to tell him how much we all enjoyed that film.) I replied "The Secret Laughter of Women and we found it very entertaining," and so help me, instead of him saying,"Thank you, I�m glad you liked it," as would have most actors, he said, "Oh, is that still playing somewhere?" I really, really wanted to give him a hug and tell him the film was not bad at all and that he was terrific in it. Instead, I said that it was at Leicester Square and repeated that we all enjoyed it a lot. He was signing my program in the meantime, with his coffee and Danish tucked under his left arm, said something (I can�t remember what)about 3DOR. I said that I was bringing our son to the matinee the next day, he thanked us,we thanked him,he told us that he hoped we would enjoy it, we said we would and off he went to speak to another woman who was waiting in the lobby. I continued watching him discreetly from the shopping arcade until he disappeared up the stairs. The most thrilling thing about it all was that every time I got up enough nerve to actually look at him, he gave me a great big toothy grin, crinkly eyes and all. He seemed very natural and nice; even my husband was impressed with how unpretentious and friendly he appeared. The worst of it was that all I wanted to do was drink him in, but because he was so close to me, I just couldn�t be that rude. My sister-in-law was disappointed that I hadn�t asked him any questions and my son couldn�t believe I didn�t shake his hand but, barring an intimate relationship, I was quite content with his lovely smiles. He has beautiful teeth, among his other attributes. I forgot to look for his pierced ears, though. Colin was wearing a long black coat, (like Walker�s, but I am sure he wouldn�t be wearing his costume), dark pants and running shoes, again. (He doesn�t seem to be vain about his appearance in the least). My main impressions of Colin�s looks were that he is tall and big (have to agree with P&P�s costume designer that he does indeed have a very strong quality, especially considering how lean he is), has the most wonderful smile (so transforming) and looked very handsome in a professorial way with his glasses on. Why he wears them at all is a mystery - he wasn�t wearing them when we saw him after the play. If he uses the underground to get to the theatre, maybe they are for concealment (it worked on me). My sister-in-law and my son were both disappointed that they missed seeing him up close and personal. Colin didn�t make me feel special, as he is nice to all of his fans, just reinforced my opinion that he is a decent person, quite special in his way and worthy of our support. My husband was quite impressed with him and was sorry that he couldn�t get a ticket to see 3DOR again.(That, after saying to me before he saw the play, �You are not going to make me see THAT play more than once, are you?�) I will post my thoughts on 3DOR and SLOW on the spoilers topic later.

What a thrill to finally find Spring back up in my corner of the world:-) Thanks to everyone who helped make it so. I'm reading the posts at work, hoping no one will look over my shoulder at the Ingrid article and think I'm on a porn site. Don't understand why they wouldn't let ODB wear a bathing suit in the hot tub, or at least one of those flesh-colored modesty garments. Sheesh, at least in FF they let him wear his blue undies;-) And not to quibble, but Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian band. Ten days and counting till Spring returns to the Donmar...:-)

Lynda, glad I made it back to Spring just in time for your report! What a wonderful experience for you:-) Your DH sounds like a prince. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Linda....what a coup to find him in the lobby. Aren't the posters great? You've got a prince of a husband BTW.

Lynda, you're husband is amazing. Mine would never had done it. There is just a handful of us here that have not met him yet, who would have thought it! Was he wearing those horrible robotic looking sneakers? Does anyone have the un-edited The Advocate to lend?

Wow, Lynda! What a great Donmar experience. Thanks for sharing it in detail. You comported yourself very well, not to mention your DH. *clap clap* He does sport a nice smile these days. And you raise a good point about those glasses. (Susan) Don't understand why they wouldn't let ODB wear a bathing suit in the hot tub Yeah, I don't get that either (unless there was a shot of him exiting said tub). Guess we'll have to wait and see. After HOTP and P, I wouldn't expect him to exhibit the degree of embarassment Ingrid described. Maybe she's omitting the part where she jumped him (just a thought).

Thanks Lynda for your report and thanks to your hubby for being such a sport. Again Colin has shown us that he is a really nice umpretentious,talented, gorgeous man. (sigh) Did you not drown in those lovely eyes when he smiled at you Lynda?

(Nileee) After HOTP and P, I wouldn't expect him to exhibit the degree of embarassment Ingrid described. Perhaps it's an increased modesty that comes with maturity. I know that's happened to me through the years although come to think of it, even though CF and I are about the same age, his bod seems to have held up a heck of a lot better than mine ;-). Lynda, thanks for the great report. I could almost imagine being there and your DH deserves a prize for patience.

(Naja) Perhaps it's an increased modesty that comes with maturity Perhaps. I still think Ingrid's leaving something out (in a manner of speaking). Feeling v. stubborn today. AAA.

(Lynda)but he insisted we stay, bought a program for Colin to sign and we settled ourselves for a wait. Oh! Your husband is INCREDIBLE! Like Moon�s, my dear hubby would have never done that, in fact he�s not even coming to London with me because he can�t stand my admiration for Colin and wants to keep as far from him as possible. Thanks very much for your report Lynda, and what great luck you had managing to meet him like that. Good for you. I just hope Colin won�t go through the back door again in the 15th!

I have to join in the chorus of admiration for Lynda's DH! And thanks very much Lynda for bringing us up to date with your adventures...well worth waiting for! I don't know why CF is so down on SLOW...I liked it! It won't win any awards, but CF and Nia Long are charming, the French backdrop is beautiful, and it made me feel better on a cold, wintry day! Perhaps, as a man without vanity, he doesn't appreciate just how handsome he is in this...and it's not a cameo! I kept on expecting him to disappear, but, no, there he was again, and again, and again...! Look forward to the video! BTW, I agree, before it's pistols at dawn, that Wessex is a supporting role, not a cameo. I guess I'm not even satisfied by supporting roles! The 3-4 minutes in Blackadder sounds okay, though, as it's essentially a trip thru' time, and presumably a series of cameos. I understood that the Blackadder film was only 30 minutes long, but as it cost �3.4 million, maybe it is longer. BTW, I think it will be difficult for the movie to live up to expectations...and I sometimes think that "Blackadder" wasn't quite s funny as people remember it to be. It was voted, in one poll, as the programme of the millennium. (Susan) Don't understand why they wouldn't let ODB wear a bathing suit in the hot tub I'm sure they would. But perhaps, given the media fascination with his tight breeches (and a certain part of his anatomy) and the fact that film crews in the UK can tease without mercy, I should think that even an appearance in a bathing suit (and a wet bathing suit!) might provoke some lively (and appreciative) comments! And if he's basically a shy man, he would find this embarrassing!

Wonderful account, Lynda. Well worth the wait. "Oh, is that still playing somewhere?" *coughing and wheezing here* What date did you see SLOW? A little birdie told us Colin and family attended the 6:30 showing on Sunday, November 28th. Same theater as you. (Lynda) why the female actress got a body double and not DB Probably as simple as she asked for one and he doesn't mind doing it. I'm betting it's Mariel Hemingway. I don't think she takes it off anymore. There were no nude scenes in The Sex Monster. Colin probably only got embarrassed when the crew started in on him.

Loved hearing about your experience, Lynda. I love the idea of him in glasses though agree it sounds like they may be used for camouflage. What a coup to get a photo of these specs, ladies! Too bad on the Blackadder cameo. But still, it's only costing you five pounds per minute of Colin - come to think of it, quite a bargain. ;-) I'm inclined to believe Ingrid may be enhancing the truth here. Hot tub? Yeah. Naked? why bother unless he was pulling a Sharon Stone and shedding clothes for the "integrity" of the film. Time may tell though I'm not counting on it. Love the story anyway.

Wondeful report LYnda, what an exceptional husband you have. I agree with Bethane, why was Wessex considered so bad. He was only following the customs of the time. Shakespeare was the one who had a wife and kids in Stratford on Avon and was playing around with another man's betrothed.

Hurray - I'm back on line. I now have 119 messages to catch up on. Will talk to you later. Cathey

(Bethan)I don't know why CF is so down on SLOW...I liked it! It won't win any awards, but CF and Nia Long are charming, the French backdrop is beautiful, Sadly, it lacks a story.And if you would have heard the writer/producer you could see Colin's point. Speaking of which....the bank and I are still in communication....I haven't given up. I have a gut feeling that someone owns the domestic rights to this film. Got a tip that it was Trimark. I called today and sure enough they said they considered it six months ago, but passed on it.Have a few more leads. I don't think it will ever be a theatrical release (hey, if it didn't make it in UK, it doesn't have a chance here), but I hope it gets a straight to video release.

Couple of more reviews of TTOTS: The Scotsman (1/2/00) [I]t was the unexpected Boxing Day treat, The Turn of the Screw (ITV), a mesmerising two-hour adaptation of Henry James' ghost story, which matched opulence and clarity to generate a genuine frisson of terror without resorting to the usual Hollywood-style bucketloads of SFX. [...] But then The Turn of the Screw proved similarly adroit at sucking the viewer into its grip. Adapted by Nick Dear and directed by Ben Bolt, this story of the artless young governess (Jodhi May) being employed by a gentleman (Colin Firth) to look after his two children, Miles and Flora, reeked with unspoken terror and brooding menace from the outset and built up towards a climax which was shatteringly portrayed. Until now, previous variants on this creepy Jamesian tale--as in The Innocents, which Channel 4 screened, presumably by chance, only a few hours later--have revolved around one central question: is the governess mad or deranged? But here, the impressive May, hiking up the paranoia and apprehension without resorting to hammy over-indulgence, left us in absolutely no doubt about her fears for her charges as spectral presences loomed ever nastier in the woodshed. From The Observer (02-Jan-2000) UNEARTHLY POWERS: A SPOOKY HENRY JAMES For Pride and Prejudice fans who didn't know the story, I suspect that seeing Colin Firth smouldering Firthishly at the beginning of Boxing Day's The Turn of the Screw constituted an almighty tease because, of course, he was never seen again. Fortunately, this was a very superior, spooky adaptation of the Henry James chiller with Jodhi May, as the governess, admirably handling her character's leisurely, sun-dappled spiral into haunted paranoia without ever resorting to melodrama, so we didn't miss Firth t o much. Nick Dear's screenplay hinted, modishly, at some messily repressed and righteously God-fearing Victorian sexuality, while the children playing the governess's two charges, Miles and Flora, were not half as revolting as they might have been, given that they were in almost every scene and may (or may not) have been demonically inclined. The least enviable part, however, went to Pam Ferris as the housekeeper, Miss Grose primarily a reactive, unflashy role, forced to feed off lines delivered by May and the ch ldren. Earlier in the day, I had caught Ferris going gloriously, malevolently OTT in Danny De Vito's dark, delicious film of Roald Dahl's Matilda. More Ferris in the twenty-first century, please. Watching The Turn of the Screw made me realise how refreshing it is to go cold turkey with old-fashioned spine-tingling terror on Boxing Day. Not only aren't there enough 'Oooh! Beeee-hind You! Aaargh, No, Don't You Go Down That Corridor in The Dark!' ghost stories on TV any more, but there can never be enough antidotes to the kind of smug Yuletide cosiness which involves Charlotte Church telling viewers, with all the irony that only a 13-year-old is incapable of mustering, to go and buy her CD before sin ing 'Let your dreams be wings and fly as far as a star' on Des O'Connor (oh, I will, Charlotte I will). Interesting, though, that the commercials punctuating The Turn of the Screw were so feminine (Fiat Punto, shampoo, lime leather horrorshow sofas from DFS ). Are ghost stories and Dickensian adaptations (and, come to that, Colin Firth) really only aimed at gurly-wurlies? ******** hee hee

so we didn't miss Firth to much. With his sense of humour, he must of loved that. Are ghost stories and Dickensian adaptations (and, come to that, Colin Firth) really only aimed at gurly-wurlies? And hated this. Hey, the song is a classic. ;-D I'm just mad about Colin, Colin's mad about me... They call me gurly-wurley...

(Bethan) BTW, I agree, before it's pistols at dawn, that Wessex is a supporting role, not a cameo. Pistols at dawn? Oh, my. As the great Emily Litella said, "violins? There's too many violins...today." Although mention the words 'voting booth' and I'll be happy to pull out my pistol. :-P I understood that the Blackadder film was only 30 minutes long, but as it cost �3.4 million, maybe it is longer. Correct my often unreliable memory--isn't this film in IMAX or giant screen format? Those are very expensive to make and aren't usually very long.

on a VAST screen and in deafening stereo. Duration is just shy of an hour See above message 1467. See you at the clearing in the forest at dawn. Don't be late and don't get too drunk the night before. Otherwise, it's a discussion of SiL's you know what! ;-)

Otherwise, it's a discussion of SiL's you know what! ;-) OK, OK...uncle! Uncle! Also don't relish going to the bar to pick out my seconds. I see that our favorite tomato stepper has his upper body back. What a scowl on that handsome face! (Nice hair, though).

Am getting my red robes out. That torture is better than the comfy chair. ;-)

Colin Firth smouldering Firthishly Hey, this guy read our Firth terms we did a year ago!! Thanks Karen for these reviews and for putting a head on the tomato-guy. ~~~~ (Eileen).. What a scowl on that handsome face! Not a scowl. At end of the film Nimi comes down the stairs with Rev. Folla and sees Matthew...and he says:.."Field is a name too", as he looks up at her. (This is Matthew's idea of a proposal...what can I say?)

Evelyn) This is Matthew's idea of a proposal...what can I say? Isn't he already married?

(Evelyn) This is Matthew's idea of a proposal...what can I say? (Karen)Isn't he already married? Yup.But when he decides to go to rescue Sammy ..and go to Nimi,Jenny (wife) says:"But I need you.." His response is:"Rise above it".As he turns and leaves the room arms flailing. ~~~~~~ What can I say? I swear that's the script.

Great to be with you all again. Belated Y2K greetings to all the feisty firthettes. Couldn't register as just plain Liza J, had to get in on this instead.(Naff) Have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on all your posts. Lynda, what a magnificent tale you told, and full marks to your ODB too.

;-)) Oh, how times change. I was excluded from Spring all the time, now I'm back and the others can't get in anymore.... feels like being caught in a revolving door. �%-]

Lizza, loved the Janeway. My local Blockbuster confirmed the MLSF will be there to rent on Jan. 25th.

Aha, can get back in. Goody! *coughing and wheezing here* What date did you see SLOW? A little birdie told us Colin and family attended the 6:30 showing on Sunday, November 28th. Same theater as you.. (Karen) Karen, you never cease to amaze me...first your exclusive scoops, and now little birdies judiciously positioned. "Family" as in "mum and dad"? I wonder, as they lived in Nigeria, if they would find the Nigerian bits (costumes, culture, expressions etc) interesting. I know I did, but I guess I'm in a minority of one in this! :-) I know I'm way, way behind on this, but I'm still catching up on SIL and the video, and although I'm horribly prejudiced, and although Wessex can look mightily unpleasant, I actually thought that at the end, when he's slightly ruffled and not wearing a silly hat, he and Viola looked much more suited to each other as a couple than Viola and Will (calf love). And at one point he does almost crack a joke (not my day for riding etc). I missed all this on the Big Screen! Also, after close scrutiny, his cameo i TOTS now gets my unreserved thumbs up... especially the closing shot!

! (Bethan), TOTS now gets my unreserved thumbs up... especially the closing shot! Wait till you see his closing shot in MLSF, Bethan. Neither Fiennes Brothers can really make us believe that they make a better pair with ODBs leading ladies. It is incredible that the producers and director would think so. :-D

Ah, but aren't women silly sometimes? Lynda, I was delighted by your report, and I agree YDH is a wonderful man!

Bethan, I completely agree about that closing shot. Won't comment on how many times I have seen it! In fact right now think I'll-----------