I get to christen this one. Arami asked if any of us would really ask Paul to spend the night after knowing him such a short time. My answer is heck no, I'm much too timid which could be one of the reasons why I don't have a pair of Arsenal boxers in my bed. Agree with Gi, it's fun to be daring sometimes or better yet, unpredictable. Fun to watch the shot of Paul digesting Sarah's offer. Shoot, now you're getting me onto that shoulder grind again. What's a girl to do?

Generally what the girls (women) here do is drool...or slobber, depending on how much you're into it on any particular day. I'm going to change my bib now.

Karen, your BJD pages are damned sexy. Tripod? Hmmmm. Arami, I am the soul of discretion, as evidenced by all my reserved messages. Infact I would have answered your impertinent question with regard to one's temporary-habitation practices and policies, and, well, the little difficulty regarding stay-overs --- if you follow my discreet euphemisms --- but that would be forward and rather bold , so I shall refrain. My alter-ego who is now typing this wants EVERYONE to know that Sadie's answer to Arami's Paul-question totally depends on the day: i.e. the level of wild reckless fantasies of freedom (early mid-life crisis moments) and the astonishing reality of the steady hormonal climb to 35. Oh ya, and that morality thing, which assumes all parties involved are unattached eleswhere. Damn, but there it is.... But not Paul; he's not my type. Hey Heide, grind away. There. Discreet.

Hey, a review of Relative Values in The Hollywood Reporter from July 12. No mention of Colin. I suppose since he's relatively unknown here, playing "against type" is not considered newsworthy. Similarly, no mention of Sophie Thompson. Relative Values By Mark Adams LONDON -- Despite old-fashioned charm and a batch of fine central performances, this adaptation of Noel Coward's 1950s play doesn't quite hit the mark. It is, of course, intriguing to see Julie Andrews back on the big screen, but there is little to indicate she will make a major impact at the boxoffice. The film opened in the United Kingdom to a lukewarm critical response, and it seems destined for a quick exit from the West End. "Relative Values" will probably live a stronger life on video and television. The project marks the sophomore film for director Eric Styles, whose debut effort, "Dreaming of Joseph Lees," was well-received. His first film was shot on the Isle of Man -- a small island in the Irish Sea between the United Kingdom and Ireland that offers attractive tax breaks -- and here he returns to an impressive 11th century mansion on the island to help re-create postwar Britain. The story is a series of comic complications set against the backdrop of a country addressing the contradictions of class values in the social turmoil after World War II. The story starts in the South of France in 1954, where Nigel, the Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton), is busy romancing beautiful Hollywood star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn), unaware that the announcement of their betrothal causes concern to his mother, Felicity, the Countess of Marshwood (Julie Andrews), and Don Lucas (William Baldwin), a Hollywood star and Miranda's former lover. Back at the family's stately British home, it is revealed that Felicity's maid Moxie (Sophie Thompson) is actually the long-lost sister of Miranda, who left the family 20 years earlier to seek fame in Tinseltown. The family -- with the aid of butler Crestwell (the excellent Stephen Fry) -- sets about concocting a story whereby they can change Moxie's image. But Moxie is distraught when her sister fails to recognize her, and tells terrible lies about her childhood. Throw into the pot the arrival of a drunken Don Lucas, which allows the film to resolve the various relationships and leave poor old Nigel to wonder what on earth he is going to do. How could he possibly marry his mother's maid's sister? As chaos ensues, the postwar class system is revealed. Julie Andrews is impressive as the upper-class mother trying to prevent her rather dim son from making a marital mistake. But there is a lingering feeling that she has so much more to offer if only the right movie role would come along. Tripplehorn and Baldwin are in good form as the awful movie stars, while best of all is Fry as the urbane butler (elegantly reprising the Jeeves character he played on British television). There is much to enjoy in "Relative Values" -- we are talking about a film based on a play by the wonderful Noel Coward, after all -- but there is just not enough quality in all departments to give the film the gloss it properly deserves.

(Sadie)Tripod?Hmmmm.Hands of my tripod,I need it to practise my moves on. (Cheryl)I'm going to change my bib now.Can I borrow one?All this grinding is getting to me. BTW Sadie whats wrong with Paul?

Thanks for the enhanced BJD photo, Karen. Looks as though there's quite a fight going on there! Who wins? CF isn't in a promsing position! I wonder if they'll publish the screenplay before the movie comes out. I remember the "Notting Hill" screenplay (glossy paperback, lots of photos) was in bookshops in the UK two or three weeks before the movie opened. The screenplay for 4 Weddings was also published, so I'm sure it will be three in a row. I found a snippet on "Maid of Buttermere", searching on Google.com. From Newsweek International May 8 2000, Culture Section, article on Post-Franco Reality "The director Carlos Saura whose "Tango" was nominated for an Academy Award, begins work this year on "The Maid of Buttermere" in Britain." First time I've seen a mention of "this year". It will have to be soon, if they want to make the most of the beautiful Lakeland scenery. For anyone who's interested, apparently the video of MLSF isn't listed for release this year...expect beginning of next year earliest.

(Bethan) I remember the "Notting Hill" screenplay (glossy paperback, lots of photos) Funny you mention this, as Ev and I were talking about this a couple of nights ago. The NH screenplay was fantastic, loads of pics and in color with the glossy paper, whereas those cheapskates at Miramax put out a pathetic screenplay for the Oscar-winning best picture of the year. I do hope the Universal/Working Title people are in charge on this one.

I know I've got it fixed in my mind that he's going to do Maid Of Buttermere & Armadillo(the power of positive thinking and all that)but when can we expect confirmation(or disappointment)and hasn't he yet to fit in his usual sojourn to Italy?

(bethan) For anyone who's interested, apparently the video of MLSF isn't listed for release this year...expect beginning of next year earliest. I believe they just released one of the earlier versions onto video? They enjoy making us wait and suffer! (Judy) BTW Sadie whats wrong with Paul? He's a sports-nut, he need's a haircut, and he's not Mr. Darcy. (Well he is, but he's not.)

(Sadie)He's a sports-nut,he needs a haircut.. he sounds fine to me I've made no secret of my interest in sports! and those curls(on his head)were just made for holding onto...

From yesterday's BB Column in The Daily Mail:_ "Secret of Slaying 'em. Mike Binder has a philosophy about budget's for funny movies. "Money kills comedy", he insists as we chat on the set of his latest film, The search For John Gissing, a comedy with a budget a fraction of the �50million spent on some of the turkeys he's referring to. "All the great comedy films have been made fast, cheap and furiopus. Any time Steve Martin and Eddie murphy or whoever team up in some 80million dollar comedy they're always bad". He cites the likes of Animal House, FWand AF, The Full Monty and Something About Mary as small budget films that succeeded because someone had a vision. Binder himself made Blank Man a few years ago for tons of money - and it flopped. Now he and his brother Jack have formed Sunlight Productions and are working on the second of five planned Britsh-American comedy fusion movies. The Search for John Gissing stars Alan Richman, Janeane Garofalo, Allan Cordumer, Juliet Stevenson and newcomer Sonya Walger and Binder himself as an American executive who is transfered with his wife (Garofalo) to Lodndon. Things go wrong the minute they get off the plane. Later in the year audiences should be able to see what Binder means when his film LONDINIUM in which he stars with Marie Hemingway, COLIN FIFRTH and Jack Dee, comes out. It's comedy fusion in the form of a beautiful love letter to London." (MY CAPS)

sorry about the typo's, its too early.

(Sadie) He's a sports-nut, he need's a haircut, and he's not Mr. Darcy. (Well he is, but he's not.) He does however look v sexy in his Arsenal shirt and leather jacket (even if his hair does appear to change colour, length and curliness with alarming regularity)- is v. confusing. On that confused note, must apologise for huge gaff for my last 129 post "knickerless-kilt" reference (drool-invoking though it was), which is of course LB not MD. Have clearly been reading far too much CF related literature and it is all merging together, either that or my brain cannot cope with this unexpected heatwave we're experiencing.

Tracy not to worry about huge gaff,once you mentioned knickerless kilt I was was too far gone to notice any mistake and I know what you mean about everything merging together.We don't need a heatwave its hot enough on drool as it is. Ann I'm glad to hear Londinium being talked about at last and that its due for release later this year.I've not checked out its website for a while so I'll do thatnow. Just how low was its budget?don't want it looking cheap & nasty.

Thanks, Ann, for the news. Am sitting here laughing at the more obvious omission of MB's previous low budget film, which can be seen on video if you feel like throwing money down the drain.

Mike Binder has a philosophy about budget's for funny movies. "Money kills comedy", he insists ...Later in the year audiences should be able to see what Binder means Considering the eagerness of Brit critics to disparage most any recent movie, I'm sure they will gleefully attempt to prove Mike wrong. Good find, Ann, and exciting to think Londinium will see the light of day soon. Now girls, you're getting me started on Paul again. That man-child, totally inappropriate husband material, obsessed, self-absorbed, with only fleeting glimpses of maturity. But I can't help loving 'dat man. He's just the cutest character our DB's played. Joe Prince comes close but Neil Truelove doesn't count 'cause he's too young. Think noting each of our favorite characters would make for fascinating analysis of our own.

I love him as Paul too,I loved it when he hugged her when viewing the house-that should have been me.

(Heide) ...Neil Truelove doesn't count 'cause he's too young. But that makes him perfect, in a way. He really isn't too set in his bad habits, so you could raise him from a callow youth, as it were. Still, my favorite of his charaters is Richard Courtois. He's well educated and has a social consience; besides you never know when you'll have need of a lawyer.

I loved that "hug" as well Judy, one of my favourite FP scenes.

Hi to all at 134: Thanks for the picture, Karen. Finally can see what those two or three or whatever are up to. I only hope he can fight better as Mark Darcy than he runs as Stephen W!!! KJ has shared some Colin art work with the world (or at least the Firth part of it). I have a new one today, very lovely. http://www.geocities.com/firthfan/art/artwork.html

Congrats KJ...you really caught Mr. Darcy's smolders.My fave. Thanks Murph.

Oh wow KJ your C art work is fantastic.I love your 'Brooding Darcy'it's so life-like but that 'Overlit Darcy' is really something,it really captures him. I don't think its possible to have a fave as Colin manages to look diferent in everything he does and your art work captures that.I look forward to seeing more of your work! Thanks Murph for showing them.

Talking about Londonium reminds me, I have a (v. small) Mike Binder connection. Does that mean it's a COLIN connection Mike's father is a contractor/developer and built my mother's condo. Very nice man, who was happy to know that I knew that he was the "middle brother" in "Coupe de Ville" (the one who was carsick). Long story about how I knew that. Oh, and my boss' (at the time) house was used in the movie. Reaching, but worth a chuckle.

Meredith, is your mother in need of a new condo? Wouldn't hurt to make that "connection" again, even if it's just to find out about the Toronto Film Festival. ;-) KJ does fabulous work. Can you imagine having nothing but framed originals hanging on your walls? KJ, I see commissions here.;-) (Cheryl) Richard Courtois. He's well educated and has a social consience; besides you never know when you'll have need of a lawyer. True, a lawyer is a very handy thing to have in the family. Does he fall under your definition of "cute" though? As you say, Richard is smart, dependable and intrepid - a "go-to" guy. Definitely good husband material. ;-) Cute to me is kind of boyish, not too convincing or powerful. As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed even with the rubber hair.

(Murph) I only hope he can fight better as Mark Darcy than he runs as Stephen W!!! Didn't want to spoil the movie, but in the next frame, Mark grabs hold of the Dirty Daniel's incoming knee, jerks it up and Daniel goes flying in air, only to land in huge puddle on street. ;-) KJ: Great that you now have a larger audience for your works. I too have liked overlit Darcy. Are you considering doing renditions from each of his films? (Heide) Richard is smart, dependable and intrepid - a "go-to" guy. Let us not forget "chivalrous," one of his most appealing qualities IMO (and he snorts cutely in the courthouse). ;-)

KJ: Your works are fantastic. Esp Overlit Darcy. More, more! (Heide) As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed Agree especially in one of the last scenes with Samira..he looks at her with those beautiful brown eyes as she says goodbye, and is so sad that you just want to hug him 'til the hurt goes away. I would have to put RC in HotP as one of my absolute faves. OK now here's something that nobody will be interested in (with apologies to BBCs Desert Island Discs) - if you were stranded on a deserted island with a VCR and your choice of five tapes and a book ( you can have P&P as a freebie) what would you choose?

ooh play time.If P&P is a freebie as both book & tape (gives you time to re-read it again eh Tracy)then my choices would be Lord of the Rings for book Tapes:- 1 Fever Pitch 2 Femme Fatale 3 Hour Of Pig 4 Valmont 5 Another Country 5

Durr! I didn't give mine did I? OK taking P&P as read (or not in my case) Tapes would be (and I didn't specify that they HAD to be CF BTW): 1 Hour of the Pig 2 Fever Pitch 3 Valmont 4 A Month in the Country 5(Sorry leaping out of CF drool mode for a millisecond) Eddie Izzard - Definite Article ..for the ROOTLMAO (Rolling out of tree etc.) factor. Book - 1001 things to do with coconuts or if that's not available Homer's The Odyssey (it's a good long read and if I get desperate I can use it as a very hard pillow):-D

(Tracy)leaping out of CF drool-you're living dangerously tonight.Please don't confess to fancying Eddie Izzard that I could not forgive.

Yup, I'm living on the edge tonight! on EI - I just love his humour - I prefer men who don't wear skirts (kilts excepting)!

Tracy have you not realised that 'kilt' is my trigger word *swoon*drool*pass out* Picking myself up off the floor my hubby's just mentioned that TEP is on Filmfour and wants to know why CF isn't in the credits I've told him its the 'invisible Colin Firth Syndrome'

Sorry Judy I was forgetting your fondness for Caledonian attire (or what lies beneath), I'll leave you to TEP, I'm signing off for tonight and will get down to some serious P&P reading . Glass of wine? - check Comfy pillows? - check SORTED!! Night!

Goodnight Tracy its been fun enjoy the book & wine etc.

Like your question, Tracy. Have you come across this on old drool, Judy? Can't remember. Anyway, my choices are the same as yours, Tracy, but my fifth one has me undecided. I might actually take Donovan Quick with me though it might leave me feeling rather sad. Not a good thing on a deserted isle. Book would be "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole. Hilarious.

Hmmm, have to give your question some thought, Tracy. vids and a book. Oh! the pain of it. In the meantime, have another *Mystery* photograph. Am thinking it might have been at the MLSF premiere as someone mentioned Livia's hair was short there. Colin certainly has adopted the Regis look! ;-) http://www.spring.net/karenr/mdbro/photo2.html

Thanks Karen. Looks like a cinema/theatre lobby alright. Short hair/long hair.... Like I said before...Livia gets more beautiful every year. Such an adoring look...Lucky guy...

Scores of ladies will disagree with me, but I'm a bit unsure about his habit of invariably grabbing every woman by the neck when posing for a photo... ;-) This is perhaps something he considers a friendly-chummy gesture, but it really looks more like a blatant display of primeval male possessiveness... Mind you, with a male like that by your side, any possessiveness can easily be forgiven... ;-)

I didn't mind...one bit (as she flips through her lobby photos smiling like a fool...) ;-)

Hmmmmmmm which movies to take 1 Valmont 2 My Life So Far 3 Fever Pitch I love the scene where he sets the napkin on fire and says "Its a onetime thing. 4 TEP 5 Shakespeare In Love Book I Heard The Owl Call My Name

If I look at the curls on his forehead I would say the pic was taken between MLSF and some time before SLOW (when the curls were longer). Movies on the island: 1. Fever Pitch 2. Master of the Moor 3. A Month in the Country 4. Shakespeare in Love 5. The Fabulous Baker Boys Book: "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About HTML/Photoshop/Netscape/Win98/Linux But Never Had Time Enough To Find Out Because You Have To Obsess About Colin Firth". Oh, and perhaps a book on English grammar, yes? ;-)

My CF Movies on the Island: 1.Shakespeare in Love - for the rhythm 2.The English Patient - for the pain 3.Valmont - for the glamour 4.Wings of Fame - for the atmosphere 5.Hostages - for showing there are worse situations than being stranded on a deserted island But there's a number I ain't seen, remember? And the book - Lawrence Durrell's Alexandrian Quartet. It's sitting on my night table right now waiting for me to finish the one I'm reading at present (Umberto Eco's The Island of the Day Before)

(Heide)Have you come across this on old drool?can't say I have but it's early days yet,there's so much stuff. (Arami)Mind you,with a male like that by your side,any possessiveness can easily be forgiven-what is it about this man that makes us regress to the little woman?If he put his arm round me like that it would be yes Colin,no Colin,anything you want Colin! (Gi)But there's a number I ain't seen, remember? Join the club.

(Murph) I only hope he can fight better as Mark Darcy than he runs as Stephen W!!! (Karen) Didn't want to spoil the movie, but in the next frame, Mark grabs hold of the Dirty Daniel's incoming knee, jerks it up and Daniel goes flying in air, only to land in huge puddle on street. ;-) They're not fighting at all, actually. They're playing Twister. Colin's going for 'left foot yellow'. (Heide) As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed even with the rubber hair. LOL! He's even cute with the upside down measuring cup he wears on his head. OK, here's my 5 (great question, Tracy): 1. Fever Pitch--for Paul, same reasons as Heide (and that's my favorite scene too, Lucie) 2. Valmont--he's never done anything like it since 3. MLSF--I love his Edward. Spot on. 4. HotPig--just to hear that rooster crow ;-P 5. SiL--for his singing (heehee) Book? Who needs a book? ;-P Here's a list of the videos I'd feed to the sharks: 1. Camille 2. Nostromo 3. SLOW I think you're right about the pic being from the MLSF premiere, Karen. Don't think OFP (our fashion plate) would have adopted the monochromatic look before this year, Renate.

about the pic being from the MLSF premiere The best way to tell is to find another pic from the same occasion and see if Livia's outfit is matching. Re: Movies on the island: Hm.... all of the above mentioned I must possess and to all this I must yet add something more substantial, for the purpose of the improvement of my mind by extensive watching... Or rather wanton entertainment, I should say. Playmaker, perhaps? ;-)

(Heide) Does he fall under your definition of "cute" though? As you say, Richard is smart, dependable and intrepid - a "go-to" guy. Definitely good husband material. ;-) Cute to me is kind of boyish, not too convincing or powerful. As far as looks, Richard is very cute indeed even with the rubber hair. (Karen) Let us not forget "chivalrous," one of his most appealing qualities IMO (and he snorts cutely in the courthouse). ;-) (Tracy) Agree especially in one of the last scenes with Samira..he looks at her with those beautiful brown eyes as she says goodbye, and is so sad that you just want to hug him 'til the hurt goes away. I would have to put RC in HotP as one of my absolute faves. I did forget to mention chivalrous, and that is quality Richard Courtois most decidedly has. As for being cute in a rather boyish way. He does have that, most apparently with women. Richard is slightly overwhelmed by them. He certainly likes them, but he has a charming akwardness when he interacts with them. He is also very cute when he awakens in the carriage after his dream, insisting that he doesn't dream, he was perhaps snoring. He also has a boyish idealism, coupled with a more mature integrity and moral courage. In some ways he's like a very precocious and clever little boy, he has the very straight assertiveness of an intelligent and outspoken child. Richard, however, has to have the quality of being very convincing. He is, afterall, an attorney. Heide, funny you should mention the "rubber wig". It begs comparison to the "Lee press-on sideburns". Has anyone ever noted bad hairpieces/extensions that CF as worn in his career? Just wondering.

KJ, your work is lovely. Oh my, I believe it is obvious to my hormones once again who my fave Firth character is. Smolder, smolder. Thanks Murph. Well, o.k. you guys, Paul is cute. But if CF hadn't played him, he wouldn't be my type! Richard has definite appeal, Valmont is naughty and dangerous (but dead by the end, which is more tricky to fantasize about than a simple imaginary man) Oh, sorry, you were asking about which 5 films. (DOES ANYBODY UNDERSTAND WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE HEADING FOR 35 (turned 30 this year!!) AND ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES HORMONALLY!!!!)

O.k. so I've got P&P the novel, and P&P2 the movie; 1. Valmont 2. A Month in the Country 3. Hour of the Pig/The Advocate 4. Bridget Jones Diary (Cause I ain't goin' anywhere until I've seen it! And I'm sure it will be good, so I'll want the video.) 5. Either Jules and Jim, or Shoot the Piano Player by Truffault, or The Glen Miller Story, with Jimmy Stewart. Other reading: Either the War Poets, or T.S.Eliot's Collected Works, or Martin Buber's I and Thou . Something rich enough that I would't mind reading it over and over and over again.

I meant "wouldn't". Speaking of drooling, I have a question involving a certain someone. Did anyone ever see the Tara Fitzgerald version of Frenchman's Creek --- I believe it aired on TV last year. Take a look at one of the men in the pub scene. Later, he bows with a flourish in front of her carriage. Who is the actor playing this role? He reminds me of CF. Could it be a cameo?

Hello ladies! Writing from Bellagio on Lake Como. It has been quite a trek to get here, Karen(if you know what I mean). ;-) Having a maaarvelous time as Vanessa Redgrave would say. Speaking of movies, Playmaker was on TV in Italian, of course, what a double torture. Arami might be the only one to appreciate it. :-) I am rushing as usual and have no time to check my mail. Arrivederci!

Great to hear from you Moon... (Moon), Playmaker was on TV in Italian, of course, what a double torture. Of all the good films they coulda' picked of his. ODB hates it. How mortifying. The channel musta' gotten it as a freebie.

MOON!!!! Great to hear from you! The Bellagio must be wonderful this time of year... run into any celebrities so far? ;-) Playmaker... in Italy? I suppose it's possible. (I saw Apartment Zero in Borneo)

Playmaker was on TV in Italian... Arami might be the only one to appreciate it. :-) Impossibile, cara, non parlo l'italiano. :-) But I'm sure that a number of other people around here do take, erm, a secret pleasure from Playmaker... or at least from, erm, certain select parts... erm, I mean, scenes... ;-)

(Arami) But I'm sure that a number of other people around here do take, erm, a secret pleasure from Playmaker... Not me (my pleasure in PM is not a secret;-) Mari Running with scissors . . .

(Mari) Not me (my pleasure in PM is not a secret;-) Nor is mine. ;-) Signed, President of the Ross Talbert Fan Club and Pearl Twirler Society

Ladies, thanks for all your Desert Sialnd replies, it seems we are pretty much of one mind - though I'm surprise (;-o) that Playmaker didn't feature more for it's ...er...'artistic' qualities! (Karen)I didn't mind...one bit (as she flips through her lobby photos smiling like a fool...) ;-) Ah *sigh* ditto... but I thought that 'neck touch' was just reserved for ME, *tut* seems as if every Tom, Dick or Livia is in on the act now!;-))

Please accept apologies for typos , it's been a very long day!

Sorry this is late. 1. Another Country 2. Donovan Quick 3. Fever Pitch 4. MLSF 5. SLOW And after much deliberation, I've decided to take The Making of P&P2 as my book. Just in case the VCR packs it in, then I will still be able to look at ODB. Renate "The Fabulous Baker Boys" I remember the first time I rented this movie. It was on overnight release and I watched it five times, I then borrowed it the following weekend and watched it about another three. I now have my own "illegal" copy and do not need to be so obsessive. Jeff Bridges is definitely on my list of "Other Favourite Actors". Sorry for the off topic. Cathey

(Arami) But I'm sure that a number of other people around here do take, erm, a secret pleasure from Playmaker. Obviously not me either.....though we did have a good time discussing it... ~~~~~~ Been thinking about my list: 1. Nostromo- Because I would have a long time to sort out the characters and the plot(?). 2. Lost Empires- See above 3. The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd- cause I'd have a long time to decipher the accent. 4. Donovan Quick -See above 5. Tumbledown- cause it's the best thing he's ever done. IMO. ~~~~~~~~~ And I won't tell you what I'd feed the sharks cause you'd lynch me;-) Book: agree with Cathey Making of P&P.

Oh, yes, Tumbledown - goes without saying. (Tracy)but I thought that 'neck touch' was just reserved for ME, *tut* seems as if every Tom, Dick or Livia is in on the act now!;-)) I don't think I know any Tom in Colin's life but I believe we have come to tolerate Livia. As for "the neck touch" being applied to "Dick" in what allegedly constitutes "the act"... all that may require a further serious investigation...

Sorry I've been away from the boards for so long. really appreciate the appreciation. I would LIKE to do one or more for each role except 1) Sorry, he still intimidates me. Getting a likeness is a very iffy thing. and 2) Lately other activities have left me with enough time or energy to do it. ( ... Now if I were being PAID this enormous sum of $$$$ for it, surprising how quickly I could drop everything else and dedicate my soul to the project ;-D) 1. A Month in the country 2. Fever Pitch 3. HotPig 4. Valmont 5. Shakespeare in Love. Book: "Watership Down".

(Cathey)And after much deliberation, I've decided to take The Making of P&P2 as my book. Just in case the VCR packs it in, then I will still be able to look at ODB. Smart thinking Cathey! A picture is worth a lot of poetry. So, for my #4, I'm torn between Tumbledown (for the acting) and Playmaker (for obvious reasons). Cannot decide! (Arami)I don't think I know any Tom in Colin's life but I believe we have come to tolerate Livia. As for "the neck touch" being applied to "Dick" in what allegedly constitutes "the act"... all that may require a further serious investigation... *sudden snort* LOL! I do believe some film footage would assist any assessment process!

August 12th will be the two year anniversary of colinfirth.com and August 16th will be the 2nd year anniversary of firth.com, if anyone's looking for an excuse for a party/celebration.

(TracyT, Arami and SadieR) neck touch All this talk of neck touches has got me all in a quiver. What's with these British hunks and the hands on the neck? No more turtle necks for me. It's nothing but open collars and scoop necks. Must cut the hair too. So, is that what I've been doing wrong all these years? Covering my neck? Now if anyone finds a pic of Jeremy Northam with his hand on a neck too, I may just faint and never recover. Suffering from neck envy...

Oh Donna, photo is soooo touching. Am considering moving to England. My hair already exposes my nape! Do you think that if I showed up and said "Go to it man" to the first good-looking Brit, that he would instinctively understand?

Karen, you are so funny and quick with the pics! What a lovely shot.

Thanks, I did want the one where they first [ahem] tryst [ahem] and he goes straight for the neck, but can't find that one... Was planning on posting my Desert Island vids/book list, which included this image: but thought Judy might go over the edge... ;-) However, I have selected Finnegans Wake as the book I'd take for reasons both Donna and Evelyn would appreciate. ;-)

These look suspiciously like shorts I've seen before!

...and the skinny legs! ;-)

'Neck touch' now I know why I've just had my hair cut short for the very first time it must have been a premonition.I can just feel those lovely hands,those lovely long fingers stroking, caressing oops sorry thats not my neck. Sadie if you do come to England please be careful youmight scare the natives if they're anything like me- shy & prudish *shriek*I'm going out tomorrow to buy you a scarf as a welcoming gift it will also double as a method of strangulation if you get near my Colin Karen over the edge & down their front-what a handful!When he hitched those shorts up my heart sank I wanted to know whether he had another set ofdimples.

Scare you Judy? But I'm so tame and proper next to you! And on that note, may I suggest The Hour of the Pig again, if you want to settle the dimple question.

You may suggest THOTP anytime but whenever I watchthat scene I always try and look between his legs instead so miss the dimples.

As regards taking Playmaker along to the island: heck, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Signed, Vice President in charge of Nessie-Hunting and Rock Climbing ;-D ;-D ;-D

(Judy) if they're anything like me- shy & prudish Shy and prudish? Must add these to my list of words with different meanings on your side of the Atlantic. ;-) (Eileen) Vice President in charge of Nessie-Hunting and Rock Climbing How close are you to getting the Nessie-Sighting badge of honor? (so we can show you the secret handshake) hee hee

(Karen) How close are you to getting the Nessie-Sighting badge of honor? I'd be a heckuva lot closer if Playmaker was released on DVD (hee hee--I should live so long). Then again, it was shown on Italian TV...ya never know... There's this annoying broad in the shots who keeps getting in the way. Hmmm, perhaps more research is in order. Off to count glass blocks!

Sadie -Do you think that if I showed up and said "Go to it man" to the first good-looking Brit, that he would instinctively understand? Sad to disappoint, and this is a sweeping generalisation from my limited experience, but they're more likely to take it as an invitation to scarper 'down the pub' or put their feet up in front of the 'footie' ;-( -may I suggest The Hour of the Pig again, if you want to settle the dimple question. *sigh* Eileen - Off to count glass blocks! Hmmm, is there any danger of your copy being worn out after all this activity??

Sheesh, been away for 2 days and when I come back all this talk about necks and nessies, fan clubs and godknowswhatelse. I don't know when the last time was I laughed so hard reading this topic. Thanks, girls. By the way, Relative Values is being shown on British Air flights to the US right now. Hope they didn't cut out "the fleet's in town" line. ;-)

(Heide)By the way, Relative Values is being shown on British Air flights to the US right now. Hope they didn't cut out "the fleet's in town" line. ;-) ... While I'm still checking the theatre listings for Lisbon every week...

(Tracy)they're more likely to take it as an invitation to scarper 'down the pub' or put their feet up in front of the 'footie' LOL! Ya gotta tell me what this means so I can decide if I think it will be enjoyable or not! I can decode "scarper 'down the pub'". Unless you really mean go to the pub? in which case, I see your point. But, "put their feet up in front of the 'footie'", even being the gutterlist I am, I'm blank on this one. (Eileen) Vice President in charge of Nessie-Hunting and Rock Climbing...Off to count glass blocks! (Karen) How close are you to getting the Nessie-Sighting badge of honor? (so we can show you the secret handshake) Oh my, I understood that! I must say, I am deeply shocked. What has come over you ladies? How can you be so crude, rude, and downright cheeky? OO There I was, reading a virginal fan-fic at that other site and then one little virtual surf and I'm in the land of Nessie Hunters. Are they short or long-haired creatures? (Nessies, not Hunters!) 'Cause I might have sighted one and just not known it. -D

This item of news has already been spotted, so apologies if I'm poaching. But there was a mention in one of the papers today of a new book by Nick Hornby, to be published by Penguin in November..."Speaking with the angels". If you check this out at http://www.amazon.co.uk you'll see that NH is the editor of ten short stories. Click to get a bigger picture of the book cover, and you'll see that Colin Firth is listed as one of the writers (along with NH, HF, Robert Harris, Rodddy Doyle, Patrick Marber, Irwin Welch etc). There's also to be an audio tape. My guess from the title is that this may be to raise money for reasearch into autism (NH's son is autistic).

No apologies necessary. Here's a link to find the audio tape. It's not yet released (NOVEMBER), but Colin's name does appears on the cover. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0141802529/qid=964686938/sr=1-2/026-9990856-0740457

More info, here's the link to the book. The book and audio cassette are scheduled to be released in November. It is not clear who the reader will be on the audio cassette. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140296786/qid=964700698/sr=1-1/026-9990856-0740457

Oweee!!! This ought to be interesting - a short story by Colin and by HF as well. Wouldn't it be fabulous if each of the authors read their own work? Better yet, if Colin were the reader for the whole tape. Then, I do so love picture books! ;-) Thanks, Bethan and Donna, for the news.

Oh now thats something different & something to look forward to.I can't wait to see his style.Although I do seem to be wishing my life away waiting for these things.More great sleuthing from the drool girls well done!

Well, well, writing, a new frontier for ODB. I must say this will be released on a mighty fine day in November and would make a fine birthday present for a loyal Firthfan *ahem* ;-D Here's hoping he's the reader on the audiotape. Goody, something else to look forward to this year. Thanks, Bethan and Donna, for the news. Ditto!

(EileenG)Well, well, writing, a new frontier for ODB. I'm going to have to read this one!Who knows what great things shall ensue?:-) Bethan and Donna, well done! :-)

Thanks for the thanks. Meluchie had gotten an inquiry from someone, which set the sleuthing minds to work. :-)

(Sadie) -LOL! Ya gotta tell me what this means so I can decide if I think it will be enjoyable or not! Unfortunately probably NOT. Sorry for launching into lad-speak, that's what comes of hailing from a family with 3 brothers and working in a male-dominated office: 'scarper' - (OED, (sl) go, make off.) Disappear into the night.... in the general direction of the local hostelry. 'put his feet up' i.e. Collapse into the nearest armchair with can of lager in hand, feet ususally placed (on that well known footstool - )your newly polished coffee table ... 'in front of the footie' - glued to TV tuned in to football match (e.g.'Arsenal' vs 'Liverpool' with 'Peter Shilton and Gary Lineker....now he's famous for being good isn't he?')unable to move to answer phone/door in case he misses a goal being scored! Bitter me? Nah! Now I'm not exactly sure what you had in mind (perhaps it was the 'footie' that sent your imagination racing) but I bet it was a deal more enjoyable than that ;-)

(Tracy)now he's famous for being good isn't he? v.v. clever:-) maybe I should say Tracy... now she's famous for being good isn't she? :-) While I'm here & its quiet I want to tell you about a couple of things I want to do to CF (apart from the obvious Sadie) 1 stroke his eyebrows 2 lick his dimples- I'm not fussy which pair

I guess most of the participants of this discussion here will concur as to stroking and licking, but the respective receiving parts might vary somewhat.

Thanks, Bethan and Donna, for the writing news. Very exciting to me. We know he has written - I think he was doing a play a few years ago, but this may be his first published effort. Karen, your picture above is supposed to be of what? On my computer it is just a tan box that says, "please don't link to images on my website. Thanks, Dolores" Hmmmmmm. Murph

ODB has published a short story?? How wonderful! Hmmm..... maybe I can convince him to collaborate with me on one.... ;-) *sigh* i'm having chills just thinking about him making a recording of Darcy fanfic (Judy) I want to tell you about a couple of things I want to do to CF (apart from the obvious Sadie) 1 stroke his eyebrows 2 lick his dimples- I'm not fussy which pair LOL! sounds like fun! can I go second? ;-) (and i really wanna play with that curl on his forhead, too...)

See what I mean?

Just the sight of the mole on his neck gives me the shivers, imagine if I could kiss it (sigh).

(Eileen) Well, well, writing, a new frontier for ODB. Jasper Rees: "I first met Colin Firth 10 or 11 years ago when he wrote a piece for a magazine about filming A Month in the Country. The article was as detailed and sensitive as his performance, but in his eagerness he had written way too much and volunteered to come into the office to help cut it back." (From the Sunday Independent Jan 19 1997, A Man of Many Parts) There's a challenge for the Drool researchers; Find That Article! :-)

Interesting tidbit..."Speaking with the Angel" is also the title of a CD by Mary Black. Apparently, that song was "written by Ron Sexsmith for his infant son. Part plea, part prayer, part admonition, the song depicts the innocence of a baby, one yet to be molded by the good and bad of the outside world. Black sings: "...He don't know how to lie Or undermine you He don't know how to steal How to deal or deceive So leave him alone, set him free Cause he's speaking with the angel That only he can see... He in the name of love He in the blood of the lamb He that never lays blame He don't even know his name Leave him alone, let him be Cause he's speaking with angel Speaking with the angel The very one that spoke to you and me Oh, do you remember?" From another reviewer: Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith wrote the title track, Speaking With The Angel, dealing with the special wisdom of the young who is "speaking with the angel that only he can see." I'd say your assessment if right on, Bethan. Click here if you want to hear a bit of the song: http://www.websterrecords.com/albums_mary/sounds/curb77958_9.ram

Full lyrics: Speaking with the Angel He don't know how to lie Or undermine you He don't know how to steal How to deal or deceive So leave him alone, set him free Cause he's speaking with the angel That only he can see You say he's so helpless Well what about you You don't pull the strings You don't know anything Just leave him alone, let him be Cause he's speaking with the angel That only he can see Would you teach him about heaven Would you show him how to love the earth Would you poison him with prejudice From the moment of his birth He in the name of love He in the blood of the lamb He that never lays blame He don't even know his name Just leave him alone, let him be Cause he's speaking with the angel Speaking with the angel The very one that spoke to you and me Oh do you remember? �Ron Sexsmith, Published by MCA Music Limited. No copyright infringment is intended.

LOL Tracy! Thanks for explaining the lingo. So basically, it's safe to assume that Daniel Cleaver really is as typical a boyfriend-type on that side of the Atlantic, as here. CF a published writer? How exciting! Thanks Bethan and Donna. And actually, Murph, I didn't know that he'd ever written anything before. Can't wait to read these short stories. (Esbee) *sigh* i'm having chills just thinking about him making a recording of Darcy fanfic Happy thoughts indeed! (KJArt)There's a challenge for the Drool researchers; Find That Article! O.k., so roughly 1987. What are the possible magazines to check (if one were so inclined?) Lovely lyrics, thank you Karen.

It's worthwhile checking out at amazon.co.uk some of the other authors listed. Zadie Smith and John O'Farrell got rave reviews/awards for their first novels. Smith's multiculural novel is being filmed for the BBC. O'Farrell has a political activist background (grew up in Maidenhead, NH's home town). Melissa Basnks should be well known in the US ("Girls guide to hunting and fishing") Plus the big names - HF, NH, Robert Harris ("Enigma", NH's brother-in-law), Patrick Marber, and the Irvine Welch ("Trainspotting") ....a very impressive collection!