(Mari)Arami, I like your idea of a "moaning board"--especially given all this delicious info on sprouting pecs!:-) (Gi)Especially since everybody's grown so serious about ODB :-( Where's good-natured Drool gone to? No more drowning in chocolate-brown puddles - no, it is all career strategies nowadays! IMO, the man ought to consult a feng-shui specialist and correct something missing in the Career, Fame and Prosperity areas of his home(s) :-) **Heehee** As Richard Finch would exclaim: "Brilliant! Absolutely F*****g Brilliant!! (to your left breast!) ;-D (Arami)Mari, I think I like your idea of moaning... ;-) Yeh, especially since there's more than one kind of moaning .... ;-)

From the Sun comment quoted recently. Cheap newsprint. Bad scan. Nice pic. Seems familiar - have we seen it before?

(Gi) Where's good-natured Drool gone to? No more drowning in chocolate-brown puddles - no, it is all career strategies nowadays! At least we're heading in the right direction...from debates on the state of his career to debates on the state of his body. ;-) Didn't mean to start a pecs controversy, btw. Just having fun as usual.

**Eureka** Why don't you start a Colin- Body- Board...then everybody will be happ-happy.:-D Just having fun as usual;-)

His body is a tool of his trade and talking about it should be done here, on this board!

(Heide) Didn't mean to start a pecs controversy, btw. Just having fun as usual. Oh my, now here's a topic I can dive into ;-). Pecs, pecs, pecs.... happy thought indeed. Actually I've always thought ODB had a nicely defined chest in its natural state (i.e. without pumpitude), but I have always longed for just a bit more definition and size in the upper arms. Dare I hope that Mr. Chin will engineer some biceps for Mark Darcy? Not that we'll be able to see them under that black robe, mind you ;-). There - how's that for drooling?

Jana, forget not the towel-clad oration ;-) KJ, pl. explain the left breast thing :-)

I don't think MD disrobes...:-( I quite like those skinny arms....shows a pleasing lack of vanity! I suspect that the trainer may be part of getting into character...playing a rich, successful lawyer in a Hollywood movie, well, almost Hollywood. And he gets the girl from that well-established romantic lead, HG! Glad that the Times critic rated RV as number 1. There was a little snippet in a magazine that someone was reading at work (Prima? Best?) Article on trendy florist shops in London. There's apparently one in Islington whose customers include "Colin Firth, buying flowers for his wife". Nice man! (Doesn't really need a trainer!)

(Gi) KJ, pl. explain the left breast thing :-) Bridget noticed that Richard rarely addressed her to her face but rather spoke to her breasts. When he finally praised her as a f******g genius, I think she said something like "I always wanted to be a genius, but thought it would never happen to me ... or my left breast..." 8-D

Heard from a reliable JE UK male fan on the Ehle List.... "Incidentally, for all you Firth fans, he is busy recording a TV drama to be broadcast next year on BBC in which he play a rather "foppish" character by all accounts. " Didn't give his source...and not knowing what"foppish "is,can't tell if it's Milo or Donovan....But it does sound like a BBC drama is imminent.Happy Days! After all...winter isn't too far off:-))

I quite like those skinny arms....shows a pleasing lack of vanity! Yes, yes! Leave him be. I wouldn't have any objection whatsoever to being wrapped in those skinny arms. (as it happens, I have another, somewhat similar, but not quite the same pair at my disposal...;-)) and not knowing what"foppish "is Sort of dandyish; affectedly elegant or fashionable. Or - a bit of a prat... ;-)

Here's a gloomy pose from the Jongleurs photocall.And no, he's not wearing an earring.

Hello,after lurking for many months I have finally plucked up courage to join in.Its great to be amongst fellow Firth admirers! There are a few pictures of the RV premiere in this weeks Now mag including one of our slimline Colin and Livia. I hope this works as I am using my sons Dreamcast!

Hi Judith or is it Judy, welcome to our merry band, I shall go out immediately and but a copy of Now mag, thanks for the tip.

Welcome Judy! I hope that now you've joined in, you'll stay with us! Thanks for the "Now" news. "Incidentally, for all you Firth fans, he is busy recording a TV drama to be broadcast next year on BBC in which he play a rather "foppish" character by all accounts. " Ah, thanks Evelyn! Definitely sounds like "Armadillo". Milo is good looking, dresses well, is concerned about his appearance, keeps his flat tidy (does his own hoovering!), doesn't drink much...all of which could be construed as "foppish" (as opposed to laddish!) I'm very keen on "Armadillo"....first class TV work does make an impact, and I don't think it closes avenues in film work..it is possible to move between the two. Will be driving within 30 miles of Snowshill today!

Judy, welcome to Firthdom I hope you'll enjoy your stay! Thanks for the 'Now' tip ....off to newsagents now!

Judy! Glad you came out of lurkdom and jumped in. Thanks for the news about the magazine. Have you gone to see RV? I was thinking if all you ladies who have seen it want to discuss it, our "current Firth spoiler" topic http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/126/new might be nice to start something up at. (Bethan) all of which could be construed as "foppish" (as opposed to laddish!) Hmmm, foppish automatically brings to mind The Scarlet Pimpernell, but if you're contrasting it like that to "laddish," yes, then maybe it does refer to Milo's fastidiousness. Otherwise, I was going to say Evelyn's source probably mistook this Firth for baby bro Firth who was going to reprise his role as a fairy. ;-D

Hello Judy. Please happily drool away.

Looks like MLSF is playing in Dublin. Not a good review by Michael Dwyer in the Irish Times: The feature film career of Hugh Hudson, the director of the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire, has been in decline ever since he made the folly that was Revolution. That downward spiral continues with the plodding and anodyne My Life So Far, which is so belatedly arrived that Hudson's subsequent movie, I Dreamed of Africa, has already opened in the US. My Life So Far is drawn from the memoirs of the distinguished British television executive, Sir Denis Forman, and deals with his boyhood experiences on the family's Scottish Highlands estate in the 1920s. The pivotal character if the freckled-faced Fraser Pettigrew (Robert Norman), a precocious 10-year-old and one of six children in the family of an impetuous inventor, Edward (Colin Firth) and his patient wife, Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). The estate is owned by her widowed mother (Rosemary Harris). Malcolm McDowell plays the boy's millionaire uncle who has designs on the estate, with Irene Jacob as his young French fiancee who becomes the object of Edward's unwelcome attention. Meanwhile, young Fraser conducts his own sexual education, poring over his late grandfather's secret library of mild erotica. Despite having assembled a more than capable cast - although Firth seems distinctly ill-at-ease - director Hudson never allows them to develop beyond the level of stock characters, and he surrounds them with an array of folksy Scottish working-class stereotypes. This flaccid film is further undermined by a surfeit of voiceover and a twee mood of forced jollity and phoney nostalgia.

Oh, all right, then. :-)

She gets prettier every year, and he looks younger ..... Thanks Arami.

Classy looking couple...very elegant. Thanks! Love the photo of Firth disheveled a bit earlier also. Ah, those curls. Glad to see you here, Judy. Now that you made it, I hope you keep coming back. It's quite habit forming but as a long time lurker, you already know that. ;-)

Thanks to all for the warm welcome,its great to be here at last. I'm definitely a Judy,Judith reminds me too much of irate school teachers.I hope to be around for a long time as I can't see my already long term firth fixationabating At the risk of being thrown out before I've even got started I have to confess to not having seen RV yet I know I'm letting the side down but I will try and seeiit as soon as I can.

sorry,my first mistake,of no doubt many.That should read fixation abating.

Welcome Judy! What a nice way to de-lurk, with a piece of news as a present for all of us :-) KJ, thanks :-)

Hello, Judy! Coming clean, eh? Finally coming out of hiding? Well, dive right in and Welcome!

I would like to add my welcome too, Judy.

Thanks, Judy, for dropping the hint about Now. My hubby has graciously got it for me so I could show it to the rest of the Firth-thirsty world (try saying that with your teeth out!). ;-)

Am now coming down from having seen Relative Values today.. I enjoyed it but why shouldn't I, OBD graces the screen? That obvious bias aside, it was amusing, though whether I'd have bothered tracking it down had CF not been in it is questionable.. no it's not - I know I wouldn't have! Trying to get to see it was the first hurdle. Boyed by the fact that it was showing all over the place last week I looked at the listings yesterday expecting to see a huge choice of venue but I was wrong, oh so sadly mistaken. In the whole of Kent it is showing at 3 cinemas. Two of which are miles away and and one had it showing only at 1pm on weekdays (???) so I opted for the nearest which had it on for a limited period i.e. yesterday and today at midday! So I found myself in a small auditorium totally on my own, feeling extremely sorry not only for myself but for ODB too. Oh that it should come to this! Eventually the door opened and others came in but I think I take the prize for being in the smallest audience at a public showing i.e. FIVE......unless, that is you know different. ODB was fab, that goes without saying, I read somewhere (I don't think it was on these hallowed boards) that he looked uncomfortable, I can't say I agree with that. But, it was ST who stole the show of course - I loved her performance at the dinner table, SF was under-used I thought, JA was just JA, excellent as usual and WB was just plain awful, possesses a face I could cheerfully slap and acted as wooden as an extremely wooden thing! I don't think RV deserves all of the bad reviews it has received. Its horses for courses at the end of the day, the audience I was in obviously appreciated the writing of Noel Coward - a few of us, myself and the two women behind me, were obviously there for Colin..as every look, every "hmmm", knowing "ahh" and witty reposte was greeted by giggles. Who can forget "I've heard the fleet's in...I'd hate to disappoint!" To sum the experience up, not huge belly laughs but a damn good giggle.

Tracy :(I take the prize for being in the smallest audience at a public showing i.e. FIVE......unless, that is you know different.) Tracy, I know the feeling. There were 8 of us for Fever Pitch in the audience and not many more for My Life so Far. Oh, how I would love to see a Colin starring role movie in a full house!

(Vera) Oh, how I would love to see a Colin starring role movie in a full house! It's my dream too.Some day, Vera...some day. I haven't given up. First time, in Dallas, cinema was half full...about 100.!I saw MLSF the second time with a friend, and we were the only ones.I clearly love the film...but I felt sad.

Hello everyone! I saw Shakespeare in Love with a full house and folks waiting in line outside! Feel better now?

Well can top that English Patient with just five. I was amazed. Having one all the awards.

(Tracy) WB was just plain awful, possesses a face I could cheerfully slap a damn good giggle Hee hee

(Vera) Oh, how I would love to see a Colin starring role movie in a full house! (Fran) I saw Shakespeare in Love with a full house and folks waiting in line outside! Feel better now? Unfortunately, SiL isn't a "Colin starring movie." We're going to have to wait until he steals the thunder from Hughie in Bridget. *fingers crossed*

Here's Total Film's 2 star review of RV: The Earl of Marshwood (Atterton) is returning to his family stately home with a new fiancee. Arrangements, however, are plunged into confusion with the discovery that the loyal maid of his mother (Andrews) is the sister of the prospective bride... Based on Noel Coward's highly successful play, this adaptation struggles to conceal its theatrical origins. As a comedy of manners, Relative Values provides a smattering of laughs, with the wittiest of Coward's lines going to Stephen Fry's suave butler. Unfortunately, the direction of Eric Styles (Dreaming Of Joseph Lees) is prosaic and the performances variable in quality. A more adventurous approach to the source material would surely have paid greater dividends. Tom Dawson

Coming out of lurkdom to ask: wasn't RV initially meant for the TV screens?

Welcome, Silvie - and welcome to all newbies and lurkers alike. Unfortunately, the direction of Eric Styles (Dreaming Of Joseph Lees) is prosaic Pedestrian is the better description. He was lucky that the actors were at least experieced and some very gifted.

Hoping to see RV this coming weekend but after reading about the lack of audience I think I am being over optimistic in expecting it to be still showing.I'm not having much luck with his most recent films-SLOW was only shown for a week in my area and I couldn't get to see it and MLSF was a no show!

The RV situation isn't too dire. While it had a net loss of 18 screens over last week, it is opening up in new venues. I've put up a new listing here of where RV is currently playing: http://www.spring.net/karenr/cinemas630.txt Haven't seen this past weekend's box office figures yets, but it wouldn't have bettered its ranking with the loss of screens. A film needs to be on at least 150 screens in order to make the top 10.

Welcome Silvie. Nice to see you come out from Lurkdom; although that's where I spend most of my time too ;-) I don't know a lot about the origins of RV, but I have always thought it was for the screen. Maybe TV would have been a better option ???

Thanks for posting the RV venues, Karen. I thought it had disappeared, but it seems to be a North/South divide. And what about Wales? :-) When I saw RV there actually was a good turnout, at least three quarters full, although it was a small theatre. But what I noticed was that all the crowds milling round the multiplex (except the RV crowd!) seemed to be teenagers, or certainly no more than student age. Ditto, local Blockbusters. They'll all be swarming to see Mission Impossible 2 and Tom Cruise this week. However BJD will pull them in (but only, I'm beginning to realise, because it's from the makers of the "hugely successful NH and 4 Weddings and a Funeral" (forget the book!)

Hello and welcome Silvie.

New publicity pic taken at the RV premiere:

Thanks karen, its a wonderful way to start the day- with a new picture.

That's really nice, thanks Karen.

I really like it when he dresses well :-) Thanks Karen.

Incidentally, for all you Firth fans, he is busy recording a TV drama to be broadcast next year on BBC in which he play a rather "foppish" character by all accounts. " Meant to add, re. Evelyn's insider information....I'm sure this must be true. If the BBC are shooting "Armadillo", which needs quite a lot of London location work, the summer months are crucial, especially for early morning shoots. Perhaps that's why he needs a trainer...to keep him fit for an arduous filming schedule! And I should imagine that MD and Lorimer are two characters who could look alike...no beards/long hair necessary, so he could even film in tandem. BTW, I searched on Sue Birtwhistle and found a quote from her that I hadn't seen before. She said that she asked CF to do P&P but "he said he wasn't interested because it was girlie stuff". (This was when he hadn't read the script (or novel)!) He was sent the script anyway, read and liked it, but still, as we know, said "no" because he didn't think he was right for the part, until SB finally persuaded him. All thanks to SB for being so tenacious!!! :-)

For those who don't go to BJD board, here's Colin on the set of BJD in London:

He's obviously morphing into Tony Blair mode.

( Renate ) He's obviously morphing into Tony Blair mode. ROTFLMAO! He looks gorgeous... IMHO...

More pix of ODB, this time in tonights ES magazine in the Party section. It's a variation on one we've seen before from the RV premiere. There's also a little bit beside the photo: " An Apology ES would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to all Colin Firth fans for printing this picture of him with his stunning wife Livia. We accept that it is insensitive and likely to cause untold heartache. Letters of protest to the usual address." Apology accepted, just!

Argghh! Trying again

Thanks, Tracy. We'd gladly accept the apology if they'd promise to spell her f***ing name right! Aargh!

LOL--My thoughts exactly, Eileen! Thanks for the latest pics to Tracy, Arami, Ann, & Karen!

Quite the jokesters, aren't they, at the ES? Yes, we can't abide to see pics of his beautiful wife. What a bunch of jealous jerks! (probably think we sit at home in Regency dress with industrial-strength Wonder bras waiting for Mr. Darcy to ring the bell.) Thanks for posting the pics, Tracy. Tried lightening up the Empire pic but I'm pretty pathetic at this stuff. Am sure Murph can do better.

From Anne R: This seems to be the latest word on Armadillo, from the Friday, June 23 edition of Broadcast magazine. No mention of Colin yet: Birtwhistle to bring Boyd novel to BBC. The BBC is developing a two-part adaption of William Boyd's Armadillo, to be produced by veteran drama executive Sue Birtwhistle, writes Tabitha Cole. The BBC is understood to have banded together with drama heads from US network A&E to co-fund the development of a screenplay penned by Boyd himself. Birtwhistle, the producer behind the BBC's award winning Pride and Prejudice and Wives and Daughters, is believed to have played a central role in negotiating the deal. It is not known whether the TV version of Armadillo, which is still in the early stages of development, is being lined up for BBC 1 or 2. Boyd, an acclaimed British author and critic has written extensively for the screen since the mid-1980s. He made his directorial debut last year, with a film of his book The Trench. Karen: I'm afraid even my trusty Photoshop can't do much with THAT picture! Just for fun, and a bunch of "one degree of Colin" people, Southeby's and Amazon is holding an on-line auction of the puppets from The Spitting Image TV show. They are a riot. Sthephen Fry is there, and Joanne Lumley and Elvis, and Olivier and a funny Oliver Reed, and a host of others. Beyond my means, of course. Spitting Image Puppets

According to that font of all knowledge ...my mum, CF and JE were on the national news at lunchtime yesterday..anybody catch it? It appears that there have been studies done by boffins in the States about what it is that attracts people to certain faces and they used CF and JE as examples! Any old excuse to get His face on the box has my vote ..even if they Do have to rake up all the P&P stuff -AGAIN! Re Empire pic, the original in the mag is very distorted and dark - and doesn't look very professionally done. (Eileen) We'd gladly accept the apology if they'd promise to spell her f***ing name right! LOL! Exactly how many different permutations are the going to try before they hit the right one. (Karen) probably think we sit at home in Regency dress with industrial-strength Wonder bras *sheepishly removing Empire-line frock now* ;-D

Tracy your mum wasn't wrong.BBC News 24 showed a clip from P&P to illustrate a report on love and romance being controlled by the head and not the heart after all [according to some medical report about the brain] The clip was of Darcy and Elizabeth at Longbourn after his return to Netherfield.The report went on to say that D & E epitomise romance for most people. It's great that P&P sticks in peoples minds after this length of time.

(Tracy) *sheepishly removing Empire-line frock now* ;-D Ha!! So is basis for this comment. Hmmm, thought only valid jealousy point was fact that she is wearing horizontally striped dress and does not look like 3-ton pickup truck. ;-)

It is not known whether the TV version of Armadillo, which is still in the early stages of development, is being lined up for BBC 1 or 2. Oh well, bang goes my theory that they're shooting now...although sometimes projects move on surprisingly quickly...and this is in most respects "old" news. The BBC is developing a two-part adaption Now that is new news! I was hoping that it wouldn't just be the equivalent of a BBC film (90 minutes or so) but thought that it didn't perhaps lend itself to a six-parter series like P&P. Two parts is normally about 3 1/2 hours ( "Madame Bovary" type adaptation). And you'll see it in the States! Thanks for the pic (dark & light version!) Tracy and Karen! Thought MD was wearing a towel in the fight scene! Must be a different version! According to that font of all knowledge ...my mum, CF and JE were on the national news at lunchtime yesterday..anybody catch it? It appears that there have been studies done by boffins in the States about what it is that attracts people to certain faces and they used CF and JE as examples! Don't know if it was the same item, but Darcy and Lizzie were on BBC news 24 in the evening...as examples of falling overwhelmingly in love, and the way the brain reacts to love.

Murph, thanks for passing on news re: Armadillo. Ask AnneR if alright (don't have her new email address) or send it to me. The BBC is developing a two-part adaption (bethan) Now that is new news! The confirmation, that is. Had to be. Most effective format for thriller types. Must build some suspense. And you'll see it in the States! Hoorah!!!

Great news about Armadillo but are the BBC to be trusted after their handling of DQ? Any news of a release date for Londinium? Any news of video release for SLOW? RV no longer showing in my area-another one bites the dust!

YEAH!!!!! Use it, Karen, it is from a non Firth friend. ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Leighton, president of Starz Encore Entertainment, today announced STARZ! Pictures' latest lineup of original movies through the end of 2000. The slate includes such unique films as a legendary Academy Award(TM) winning actress' feature directorial debut, an epic fact-based drama about saving Kenya's lions and an English comedy of manners adapted from Noel Coward's 1951 play. "STARZ! Pictures has once again assembled an impressive group of star-packed and unique original movies," said Leighton. "This diverse and powerful lineup demonstrates our strategy to complement our first-run Hollywood films with a selection of superb original movies. This collection of films is just a sample of the top-notch material and stellar talent that STARZ! Pictures will deliver in the future." October: STARZ! Pictures presents the never-before-seen comedy "Relative Values," starring Academy Award(R) winning actress Julie Andrews ("Mary Poppins"). Co-produced with Overseas Filmgroup, "Relative Values" is based on the 1951 Noel Coward play. The film, directed by Eric Styles ("Dreaming of Joseph Lees"), is a comedy about class versus classlessness. Set in the 1950's, "Relative Values" is the tale of Hollywood star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn -- "Basic Instinct") who becomes engaged to snobby aristocrat Nigel, the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton - "Man In The Iron Mask") while aboard a yacht in France. The couple's wedding plans upset Nigel's mum, Felicity, the Countess of Marshwood (Andrews) and Don Lucas (William Baldwin -- "Virus"), a dashing but high strung screen idol, who happens to be Miranda's former lover. When Moxie (Sophie Thompson -- "Emma"), Felicity's longtime maid announces that Miranda is her despised sister who left England for Hollywood 20 years ago, Felicity, with the help of her nephew (Colin Firth -Shakespeare in Love") and her butler (Stephen Fry -- "A Civil Action"), sets about an ingenious image change for Moxie -- just in time for Miranda and Nigel's arrival in London. This year marks the 100th anniversary of playwright, screenwriter, novelist, director, producer, actor and composer Sir Noel Coward's birth. On the stage at the age of 12, Coward went on to become one of the most creative and controversial figures in British theatre.

Murph it's great that RV is going to be shown in the US.I've not got over my disappointment at having missed RV,I was hoping to go tonight but it has already been pulled in my local area, maybe I should fly over in October[in my dreams] Spotted a small clip in Heat mag,although not directly CF related I thought it was interesting in view of CF agent bashing I've read on older posts. 'whats's up with talent agency ICM?Recent months have seen Catherine Zeta Jones,Eddie Murphy,Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe quit the agency.Now Dustin Hoffman and hot young thing Leelee Sobieski have followed them.'

Judy, I don't know if this helps but RV is still playing in London, according to the Times Metro section, as Odeons Kensington, Swiss Cottage, & West End and the ABC Hampstead.

(Judy) Any news of video release for SLOW? The video has been available for rental since March 6. The price hasn't come down yet to purchase however. Here's a listing of all the cinemas where RV is playing this week. As I feared it lost huge numbers, probably because of MI:2 coming in and taking over all the screens. However, don't despair. It seems to be moving around to new towns, as well as staying in London. http://www.spring.net/karenr/cinemas707.txt Thanks for the direct-to-cable news on RV, Murph. Will book time over at sister, who has every channel under the sun. ;-)

Ann & Karen thanks for the info regarding RV,however its still not showing in my area. I'm waiting to buy SLOW as I don't use a video rental shop- I'd rather buy.

(Karen) Hmmm, thought only valid jealousy point was fact that she is wearing horizontally striped dress and does not look like 3-ton pickup truck. ;-) Actually, she looks like my Aunt Martha. Well, she looks like my aunt did when Aunt Martha was about thirty. Tracy, 'fess up. I know you are the real Bridget Jones. You have a closetful of empire style dresses. I do have a question for you Tracy. What is a boffin? Is anything like a nerd, twit, or dork?

Great News Today:Thanks everybody. Three Cheers for Starz Cable. No commercials either:-)) Happy, Happy that A&E getting involved in "Armadillo"...(unfortunately commercials:-( ODB is moving out:-))

What is a boffin? Does it not mean scientist or technical expert, as stated in the dictionary? (Evelyn) Happy that A&E getting involved in "Armadillo"... (unfortunately commercials:-( A&E sells videos too and knows better than most that will sell even better if Colin features prominently on cover (unlike stupid marketing folk at PBS who put Peter Quint on US video cover of TTOTS) ;-)

A boffin. Its a World War 2 term for sometimes daffy scientists who thought up all sorts of schemes to defeat the Germans. One was a wheel with fireworks attached to each spoke which extended just behond the rim. If you have ever seen in in Dads' Army you will know what I mean. The inventor of the Dam Buster Bomb was called a boffin. My friend worked with them and has some hilarious tales to tell of nutty inventions.

Thank you Anne and Karen.

Didn't want to make a big deal, as you can't really do anything with the info yet, but Londinium will be screened at Toronto. Don't have a date. Won't be available until late August. Have put up all there is at The Bucket site. http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/london.html

Hello ladies! Writing from London, will be catching RV, RF as Richard II and VR in The Tempest. Keeping quite busy and at least it is not raining today. Cheers!

Thank you for thinking of us Moon. We await your reports. Miss ya' :-((

Tee hee! I'm afraid I subscribed to STARZ! today. Having RV in the future put me over the edge.

(Judith) BBC News 24 showed a clip from P&P to illustrate a report on love and romance being controlled by the head and not the heart after all LMAO! This is news? Agree with Tracy, any excuse to have ODB's pic on the telly will do. The BBC is understood to have banded together with drama heads from US network A&E Better and better. This has CF written all over it. Bethan, why don't you try ringing his agent? We haven't heard 'Armadillo? What is Armadillo?' in awhile. October: STARZ! Pictures presents the never-before-seen comedy "Relative Values," Oh, woe is me, I no longer get Starz :..( *major pity party ensues* Karen, will need to tap your distribution enterprise once again. (Karen) Londinium will be screened at Toronto. Glad to read this is still the plan.

(Karen) Londinium will be screened at Toronto. This is great news indeed. Toronto IFF isn't Cannes, but it is the major market for films in North America.It's not a competition like Cannes, but is covered by all the major industry newspapers who review the films. Thanks Karen. Londinium and BJD.....Things are looking up:-)) *singing 'Happy Days are Here Again'*

Cheryl -Tracy, 'fess up. ...... boffins Ok, Ok ..I confess, I am the REAL Bridget Jones. 34 ish, single, professional from the Home Counties - trouble is I've let myself go a bit of late (all that Milk Tray I s'pose) and need to lose many, many pounds! Y'know it's getting hard to squeeze myself into those frocks so have sent them off to Wellington in manner of trendy philanthropist. Hakuna Matata! My grateful thanks to those who stepped into the breach on the boffin question, especially Ann whose daffy scientist was exactly what I had in mind.

Tracy (all that Milk Tray I s'pose) HEY! Don't you bring Milk Tray into this! ;-D THanks for the info, Karen. At the moment, I'm close enough to Toronto that a trip up there in early August would've been ideal. But, if it's late August, then I guess I'm out of luck, eh? Have just come back from Mall of America in Minneapolis. All I can say is, "I made it out of there barely alive!" Hope your trip is going better, Moon.

Help, LMAO can you explain to a new recruit,please. Eileen,Tracy,any excuse to have ODB's pic on the tellywill do .I know another way - show DQ! karen Londinium will be screened in Toronto Phew-relief-I was beginning to think it had been forgotton.

Thanks for keeping us in touch with all the news, Karen! I noticed that, according to IMDB, the cimematography for "Londinium" was done by the same person who did "Mrs Dalloway"...which I thought was very classy. The look of a movie *does* matter...and they had great weather for the shoot (we actually had a summer last year!)and chose some excellent locations. See, I'm an optimist. (It has to be better than some of the crass Brit movies currently being successful. And, I am reliably informed, Jack Dee is very much an "in" comedian with the 16-19 year olds who flock to the movies in the UK) Judy...if you're interested in buying SLOW, check for availability with mailorder VideoPlus Direct (01733 232800). I was told that they would be getting it, but no date yet. And I should think that MLSF will be out on rental in a couple of months. I'm really pleased to hear that CF is going to be available in the North America again...September "Londinium", October RV (and you can videotape it!) and February BJD...not bad! I also think that if "Armadillo" is a 2 parter (and I would guess for BBC2), and if they start shooting soon, there's no reason to delay showing it. "Madam Bovary" was shown within a few months of completion (and shown first in the US). I'm just hoping that this spate of incredible delays on CF projects (2 to 3 years for nearly everything!) is over!!

The Toronto Film Festival runs from September 7-16 http://www.bell.ca/filmfest/2000/index.asp The official list of films shown will come out only August 22, but passes and coupons go on sale in July. Tickets for single films go on sale only September 6th.

I have a new pic on my RV page from a Julie A fan - the one who sent me stuff from the Isle of Man. Her friend took it, and they were disappointed not to catch his face, but I like the feel of the picture - all anticipation. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/values/values.html

If you are thinking of coming to Toronto for the Film Festival here is some information from the Festival website: Special rates on Air Canada Air Canada, the official airline of the Toronto International Film Festival, offers special rates to the Festival from Air Canada gates in North America and around the world (some conditions apply). Call your travel agent or Air Canada at 1-800-361-7585 or (514) 393-9494. Please ask that the Festival Event Number CV500910 be entered in the Tour Code box of your ticket regardless of the fare urchased. Hotel reservations Special hotel rates are available through the Festival's Guest Relations Office. If you require information or reservations, please call Festival Guest Relations at (416) 934-3210 or fax us at (416) 966-1329, and ask for PYO Hotel rates. Due to the volume of inquiries please allow at least two weeks to process your requests. All hotel requests are subject to availability.

Re: Londinium I'm getting some confusing and conflicting information now. I wonder if they "can't" confirm the information because the TIFF hasn't (a) made all its decisions and (b) released its final list of films. Oh well, if it turns out to be true, then you read it here first. If not, then, go rent The Best of Binder at Blockbuster. ;-)

I do like the pic, Murph, you're right about the atmosphere :-) I suppose that's the same Audi that drove ODB to location the first evening of MarkG's investigation?

Nope. In fact, the Audi at the BJD shoot (silver) was later (perhaps) found to be RZ's car, as it always seems to be driven by the ex-bouncer who appears to be RZ's regular personal driver.

Oh well... Hope he doesn't drive a Fiat Uno...;-)

Bethan,thanks for the phone number unfortunately they had never heard of it and didn't have it listed even under rental videos,although she had heard of CFand did have a few titles under his name. I think I had better renew my membership with Blockbusters. Murph, I liked the photo-he looks good from any angle!

Oh, sorry for that..... perhaps it depends on who you speak to. The salesperson I spoke to said that they'd had a lot of enquiries for SLOW and it would be available at some date, but they didn't know when. I think SLOW can be bought from blackstar videos , but it's priced at �60 plus! Best wait (or rent from Blockbusters!)

http://www.blackstar.co.uk Search under Secret Laughter of Women It's �66.99! But will come down eventually to normal price range.

Sorry, this is in dribs and drabs...but I never realised how informative a site blackstar is. Gives cinema listings as well. RV is still showing on about 20 screens, and, surprisingly, MLSF is still showing in Stirling (a very nice (large) arts cinema...we went there one holiday) and Dublin.

Bethan, thanks for the extra info on SLOW.The girl I spoke to did sound pretty useless!

Judy, Ann..........Re SLOW, Blackstar have it for �66-99, bensonsworld.co.uk for �59.35 (WOW what a saving!!). Bensons say "If you can't wait, we can often source ex-rental, or rental copies that have never been used, at a much more reasonable price (usually around �30). Please contact us with your specific requirements I don't know how reputable they are having never used them (I got their name from my ISPs shopping page - they were given three stars by Lineone - likewise Blackstar). NOT that I've been shopping around at all :-P