(Annette) If you liked AMITC and you haven't read the book yet, you really should do so. It is v.v.g. I agree! Very good book. Was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Also enjoyed "Lost Empires" if you like reading the books that the films are based on....written in the first person, I could almost hear ODB as I read it. There is also a companion book that is very interesting called "When the World Was Young".

I did read lost empires and enjoyed it. Got it at a booksale at the local library. I haven't been able to track down "When the World Was Young". I usually try through the library first, not to spend good money on not so good material. There allways seem to be something ODB-relatet stuff, you would like to buy:-)

It has lots of pictures. Need I say more? ;-)

(Karen)It has lots of pictures. Need I say more? ;-) Lost Empires or When the World Was Young? Thanks, Annette and Tress for the book info.

Well Linda, I have Lost Empires. Only a picture on the cover and a small one on the back (I think). So it must be When the World Was Young.

Yes, it's a coffee table book, full of pics - from the movie and more. You can see them on the Roles Project page: http://colinfirthrolespage.tripod.com/lostempires.html At the time the page was constructed, the new video/DVD hadn't been released, so there were only snappies done from second-generation copies (optimistically) and scans from the book. You'll find more here: http://www.grin.net/~meluchie/lost_empires01.html

Thank you, Karen for the links. Off to spend money again :-)

Okay, finally the counting has finished. My mind seems to have been otherwise aggreably engaged the last days;-) Favourite quotes, according to the 13 firthettes, who bothered/wantet to wote: No 1: BJD I forgot to kiss you goodbye, do you mind? No 2: SLOW Say my name! No 3: BJD What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I like you, very much, just as you are! FP I have to vary the answers! P&P On foot? No 6: BJD grunt in the doorway FP Eighteen years, eighteen f***ing years! P&P In vain, I have struggled, P&P On foot No 10: BJD So it would seem! FP I'd pay extra! P&P I am not afraid of you! P&P I shall conquer this, I shall! I hope you have enjoyed this little distractment from real life. Perhaps it could inspire some discussions of his older movies (I know, that right now it is hard enough just to keep up with the postings on current news - so perhaps later?).

I'd better confess, that I found the first errors (with double r!) The On foot listet as no 6 should have been WOT! Other than that, the double posting in the summary also caused, that I didn't count one of its votes. So, here we go again with the correct list: No 1: BJD I forgot to kiss you goodbye, do you mind? No 2: SLOW Say my name! No 3: BJD What I'm trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I like you, very much, just as you are! FP I have to vary the answers! P&P On foot? P&P Wot! No 7: BJD grunt in the doorway FP Eighteen years, eighteen f***ing years! P&P In vain, I have struggled, No 10: BJD So it would seem! FP I'd pay extra! P&P I am not afraid of you! P&P I shall conquer this, I shall! Sorry to have to doublepost. I'm not sure anybody would have noticed (except perhaps the great lover of WOT (Dorine);-)

Okay, two reasons to go to this website: Colin is once again up against HG for the monthly vote. Who would want to see CF get beaten? Reason no 2: Ronan Keating is also listet. I don't mean for you to vote for him, but some asked who he were when he was mentioned to be on the soundtrack for Hope Springs. http://www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostattractiveman/month/ once again I've prooved my own shallowness;-)

Thank you, Annette, for having the votes counted. I missed the vote, but anyway, many of the lines are also my favourite. I've just made my vote in hellomagazine.com. I can see that the number of votes for CF is rising. You ladies are acting fast! ;-)

I�ve also done my duty and voted. Thank you Annette. bye Petra

OMG! They won't let me vote twice (and he is doubly good-looking...something is terribly wrong their system! ;-D ). Thanks Annette! And thanks for the quote list! I was just watching P&P again (after quite a break from it...shockiing!). Only got to the Netherfeld ball before the DH claimed the telly from me (so only got to 'On foot?' on the list of quotes). You should hear the hubby do his Darcy impersonation....it's quite good!

Tress, I think you can vote again tomorrow. Their site would probably be overwelmed if they let us vote more than once a day ;-)!

(AdaVW)Tress, I think you can vote again tomorrow. Their site would probably be overwelmed if they let us vote more than once a day ;-)! I have to whisper, in case any Hello-controllers are lurking. It is quite easy to vote several times a day. Just try after signing out or restart the computer. I works for me (or so I think, I would off course never try to "fumble" in any way with any poles ;-)) So Ada, you are also from the very good year of 1964. Congratulations on tomorrow, in case I can't get online to greet you proberly.

(Annette)I have to whisper, in case any Hello-controllers are lurking. It is quite easy to vote several times a day... Annette!? Sweet, gentle, innocent Annette? Our Annette, our own personal gardener and floral welcoming committee? Ballot-box stuffing for ODB? I'm stunned! Shocked! Grieved! ROFL -- I'm also kidding and off to give it a try! (insert *really* big winkie!)

(BarbS) Ballot-box stuffing for ODB? I'm off to 'stuff' at work! Different address! Can make co-workers vote as well.... (Annette) I have to whisper, in case any Hello-controllers are lurking. It is quite easy to vote several times a day... Shhhhh......LOL.....I'm sure the folks at Hello think their poll is completely legitimate! We must only talk about this here!! In whispers....but I will make sure ODB gets 'his share' of the vote!! ;-D

Hello! is right up-to-date, too - that's a HS premiere pic. Somebody mentioned P&P. I watched just a snippet of it the other night. I was amazed that I was sitting there thinking how, on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). It seemed like sacrilege, but there it is.

(Rika) I was amazed that I was sitting there thinking how, on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). But....ahh...but...but....it's Fitz! It's...those pants! and....and.....! Okay, but I will say, I do think ODB is getting better and better looking. I love the new Hunk Daddy/Stubble Boy thing he has going right now! My tummy hasn't felt normal in days (it's all flip-floppy!).

Bite your tongue, girl;-) FD: "The Divine One".

Not to be wishy washy or anything, FD was one fine specimen (the boots Louisa! the boots! No wait! The thighs! The thighs! oh... nevermind...) but I'm thinkin' if he'd looked at Lizzy with one of HD's looks at Libby, the woman would have self-combusted. I'm rather bothered right this second by mentally combining the two. Is Sue Birtwistle listening and is there something new she could have him do?

(Rika) I was amazed that I was sitting there thinking how, on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). I can't do it, I can't! I refuse to choose between them...Hmmm, the chicken exit led me to this... All of these incredible men are contained within and brought to life by ODB, so I can spend my time more agreeably engaged lusti/I mean loving ODB instead of feeling Catholically guilty, as though I snubbed a lover from the past...

I have just done my duty and voted for ODB and even bookmarked the site so I'll remember to go back and vote again. (Tress) I do think ODB is getting better and better looking I couldn't agree more with you on this.

Twenty-nine websites , with world -wide fans from Russia to China for HD? I-don't-think-so. To be fair part of the mystique is that FD is one of the great lit roles of all time. Now and Forever. From #175 (sorry I'm away from my pc and don't know the # for O&E) (Moon) James Bond must be dark haired and he must do a british accent. Not RF, please! Clive Owen is not handsome enough. Jeremy Northam would be great. Glad to see Tom Cruise is not included. JN is my vote. Glad to see Russell Crowe & the other CF aren't included.

(Evelyn) To be fair part of the mystique is that FD is one of the great lit roles of all time. Now and Forever. Ahhh, you'd be taking the high road. In the hormonally super-charged atmosphere around here of late, I forgot ODB had scored a shut-out on any future FD wannabes with his definitive Darcy. With the complete picture in mind, I yield the point (in the absence of being able to yield anything more fun...)

(Evelyn) Glad to see Russell Crowe & the other CF aren't included I wouldn't be surprised if the other CF is considered, though, as hot a commodity as he is right now :((((((( The only thing that works against him is his age. JN's my choice, too, but our CF would do nicely :) Oh, my: FD vs. HD. Don't make me choose (whine, whine, whine). Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly "ass-numbingly boring") (Barb S) I'm rather bothered right this second by mentally combining the two I've been a mess all morning 'cause I've been combining Stubble Boy with FD & then HD, LOL! Brain...shutting down....too much...stimulation....

Thank you Annette for compiling that list for us. Maybe next week when the stubble has worn off, I'll put up a survey of something I've been thinking of lately (moonstar)LOL! Brain...shutting down....too much...stimulation.... ...and the stimulation has been positively stimulating. My brain shut down hours ago. I'm operating on whatever brain cells caffine can produce.

(Moonstar)Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly "ass-numbingly boring") LOL!! Or perhaps telling Aunt Catherine he does'nt give a flying fart in space what she thinks?

(Moonstar)Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly "ass-numbingly boring") I agree. FD with HD's sense of humor. Nothing better. LOL. Thank you Annette for compiling the quotes. Good job. Glad to see all of mine are on there. Thanks again.

(moonstar/MeredithA) LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly "ass-numbingly boring" (Maria) LOL!! Or perhaps telling Aunt Catherine he does'nt give a flying fart in space what she thinks? Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course), dancing in front of a mirror....and Miss Bingley walks in! I have no idea where that just came from! ;-)

FD with HD's sense of humor Ah, but FD was besotted with Lizzie. Never gave up hope.*sigh* He wouldn't have waited 17 (f******!)years ;-) Sorry, that second proposal always leaves me weak-kneed. Sometimes after viewing one of his crappy films,(won't mention names!) I have to put on Episode 6 just to diffuse it.

(Tress) Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course) *THUD*....make it barefoot FD with HD's sense of humor (Evelyn) Ah, but FD was besotted with Lizzie. Never gave up hope.*sigh* He wouldn't have waited 17 (f******!)years ;-) LOL!!

(Evelyn) Sorry, that second proposal always leaves me weak-kneed. Definately! and that look he gives her right at the end, just before they cut away and show them walking from behind.... *sigh* Sometimes after viewing one of his crappy films,(won't mention names!) I have to put on Episode 6 just to diffuse it. LOL true, true ....Thank God for P&P!! :-) (Moonstar)Can I have FD with HD's sense of humor? (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly "ass-numbingly boring") this has 'tongue in cheek' fan fic written all over it!!! ;-D LOL!! too funny Moonstar

(Tress) Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course), dancing in front of a mirror....and Miss Bingley walks in! I have no idea where that just came from! ;-) (Dorine) *THUD*....make it barefoot I'll take either boots or barefoot, but how about adding a wet shirt? ;-) I love ODB in all his incarnations (some more than others), but FD will always hold a special place in my heart. As amazingly beautiful as CF is now, and he just keeps getting better and better, IMO it's impossible to beat the combination of FD and P&P. I can't count the number of times I've started playing it just to check something and ended up watching a couple of hours... or all six.

(Evelyn) Sorry, that second proposal always leaves me weak-kneed. (S B Robinson) Definately! and that look he gives her right at the end, just before they cut away and show them walking from behind.... That's the look that did me in for good! After watching that scene, I've never been the same again.

(KathyF) I'll take either boots or barefoot, but how about adding a wet shirt? ;-) Gah! of course......and pinkie ring! OMG! .....and....maybe the riding whip! ;-D

Ooh, I like this idea of combining pieces of various characters together. Mmmmmm.

(S B Robinson) Definately! and that look he gives her right at the end, just before they cut away and show them walking from behind.... (Josie)That's the look that did me in for good! After watching that scene, I've never been the same again. How true. The ties that binds us together . What an indelible mark he has made in our lives.

Several have asked about having a in-depth (?) discussion of the "Lisa" tape. Joyce has sent me her transcription (big thank you) and I will put it up sometime over the weekend. (weather permitting) We will have the discussion on Topic 158, which is normally used only for film discussions, but it is relatively safe from being interrupted by other matters or discussions. Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like.

So the transcript will be posted at 158? (Rika), on the attractiveness scale, Fitzwilliam couldn't hold a candle to Henry Dashwood (or Stubble Boy, for that matter). It seemed like sacrilege, but there it is. (Evelyn), Bite your tongue, girl;-) FD: "The Divine One". I'd say cut the tongue! FD is the one and only, the keeper of the flame, the Obi-One... Although, I have a feeling I will very taken with Vermeer too. ;-)

(Tress) Okay....have been thinking about this...just has to come out...Fitzwilliam, with those sideburns AND stubble...in regency leather...(boots included of course), dancing in front of a mirror....and Miss Bingley walks in! I have no idea where that just came from! ;-) ...and lets not forget FD in HD's robe and pj's eating cocoa pops---with stubble of course. Tress, with the images you just brough to my mind, I'll have another sleepless night.

(Linda) ...and lets not forget FD in HD's robe and pj's eating cocoa pops---with stubble of course. LOL...I kinda like FD's robe. He was nekk'y and wet under there...HD with stubble...in FD's robe eating Coco Pops! ;-)

(Tress)HD with stubble...in FD's robe eating Coco Pops! ;-). Pefect! I forgot about the wet and nekk'y part.

Ooh, a wet, nekked HD under the robe. Yeah, baby! (Sorry - I taught a class session yesterday on the marketing campaign for the Austin Powers movies, and have Power-isms on the brain at the moment.) Incidentally, I didn't intend to impugn dear FD's honor. I wasn't referring to the overall package - character, etc. - since in that respect he IS da man. But on a pure "visual eye candy" scale.... I dunno.

(Karen) Several have asked about having a in-depth (?) discussion of the "Lisa" tape. Joyce has sent me her transcription (big thank you) and I will put it up sometime over the weekend. (weather permitting) We will have the discussion on Topic 158, which is normally used only for film discussions, but it is relatively safe from being interrupted by other matters or discussions. Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like. Thanks Karen, I just have a minute. I think that posting on 158 is an ideal situation all around. I think I could be ready by Monday because I've memorized the whole tape. ; )I've heard from several people who wanted to participate in an in-depth discussion and would like to know when they think they might be ready to get going. I know several people got theirs a week or so later than me and it is an 1 1/2 long. Would like to know what they want to do too.

Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like. I guess I will check in sporadically. :-( Will be practically living/working at the Tribeca FF til next Sunday. Lizzie McGuire screening with red carpet treatment tonight. She's kinda tiny. Will continue on O&E with other Tribeca stuff if needed.

Hen (Lisa, aka Ron or Bob) will be there on Monday. Thanks for typing up that very lengthy transcript, Joyce. And to Karen (who never sleeps), thanks for everything you do to make this such a delightful place.

Thanks Joyce for typing up the transcript. Looking forward to discussing this.

I still have not received my tape yet. Poor me, this is the first time that the post office may have lost a parcel for me. Why? Why? I have been looking forward to this tape so much! Anyway, hopefully I can get another copy next week, and shall join in the discussion once ready (I hope not for long.) :-P

Thank you Joyce! I know this took a long time....but now you are the resident expert on 'all quirky habits in regard to ODB'! (Hen) And to Karen (who never sleeps).... ...or gardens! ;-D Thanks boss!

Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things)

Thanks Joyce for typing up the transcript. Thank you for sharing and Karen for neverending boundless energy to make this site the top of the A-list. Should be a great discussion. Looking forward to it.

(Karen) Shall we put this off a little bit longer? I watched mine last night to refresh my memory, so I'm good to go, but if others haven't had time yet...

(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) Just a bit. I could do with another viewing and this weekend is v.hectic. But I could be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll defer to the majority, and stay up long into the night if need be...hearing him say Lisa and knowing he meant Linda:-)

(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) I received my copy last weekend, but with all the excitement over at 175, I've only watched it once! But I'm happy for it to go ahead on this week sometime, if everyone else is. Thanks to Joyce for typing up the transcript.

(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) I do not have the tape yet, but I mean to participate as much as possible by having read the transcript (Thank you Joyce!). That is as much as "other things" doesn't interrupt my plans too much. It seems to be the season for putting off things. So - no need to delay anything on my account :-)

(Karen)Shall we put this off a little bit longer? (just like I've had to do with *other* things) Certainly whatever the majority wants is fine. I'll hardly be home, so I can catch up the week after. Or I'll post a couple of comments ahead of time on Sunday, if I can, of anything that really struck me and will read the rest the following week. If that's OK? Is there any kind of format or topic structure I need to follow?

Lucky are the ladies that can view the tape at leisure! I was only able to sneak one viewing. My DH would object and my sons would think I'm nuts. I have learned to make the very best of one viewing. ;-) A big thank you to Joyce for the transcript.

-catching up on old posts- (rika) Ooh, I like this idea of combining pieces of various characters together. Mmmmmm. *brainwave-brainwave* yeaaaaah, un cadavre exquis, cf-oriented ! what a great idea for my new multimedia project, thanx... tress, love your turnip-fight anime... hey joyce : about this (now famous) transcript, will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on on 158 ? but the big question is : will it be a serious game or a tongue-in-cheek one ???

(Sophie) will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on on 158 ? I think Mari had a few good ones ...

(Sophie) will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on ....a tongue-in-cheek one ??? Gosh, I hope so! ;-) Thanks Joyce for the transcript! I know it must have felt like it took you a year and a half to do it. I look forward to reading the discussion when I can.

(sophie)hey joyce : about this (now famous) transcript, will there be a huge game of jeopardy going on on 158 ? but the big question is : will it be a serious game or a tongue-in-cheek one ??? A little of both I think but I am partial to free for alls. ; ) (Dorine) Thanks Joyce for the transcript! I know it must have felt like it took you a year and a half to do it. It was a tough assignment to look at the tape OVER and OVER and OVER but someone had to do it. ; )

(Me) (LOL at the thought of Darcy calling the Meryton Assembly "ass-numbingly boring") Yikes! I must have been really excited at the prospect of a combination FD & HD 'cause I misquoted; it's supposed to be "ass-numbingly dull". DUH! (Evelyn) Ah, but FD was besotted with Lizzie. Never gave up hope.*sigh* He wouldn't have waited 17 (f******!)years ;-) LOL! I never made the PA connection! Just gimme the sense of humor & maybe some stubble and I'd be set up forever ;) (SB) this has 'tongue in cheek' fan fic written all over it!!! LOL! Writers, are you paying attention? :) (Karen) Shall we say the discussion begins on Monday? Enough lead time? If not, jump in whenever you'd like. Hopefully, I'll be able to jump in eventually; waiting for my tape...

Seems like I got the possibility to buy "The Turn Of The Screw" . What do you think about it ? Would it be a good investion ? What is the movie about ? Thanks for your advices and opinons.

A just read on a german web page about the movie and it says that Colin appears only four minutes in the movie. Is that true ?

Yes, that's true, although I've never timed his brief appearance at the beginning, never to be seen again. Check firth.com's page for Turn of the Screw and you can read what it is about.

A just read on a german web page about the movie and it says that Colin appears only four minutes in the movie. Is that true ?

On Drool, you shouldn't hit the "Reload" or "Refresh" buttons on your browser. It will repost your last message. In order to see if there is anything new posted, use the location bar or url.

A just read on a german web page about the movie and it says that Colin appears only four minutes in the movie. Is that true ?

Skip it. He looks like an idiot.

(Evelyn)Skip it. He looks like an idiot. Now that's what I call not mincing your words. LOL.

Speaking of naked body doubles, here's an oldie but goodie: http://www.britishnews.co.uk/lifeandlovearchive/baredouble.htm It's from 1999 and we've never been able to figure out which movie she's referring to, only HOTPig comes to mind...

And the scene must have been cut, but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed.

LOL...hot tub? And if the article is from 1999 (and it says she has been doing this for three years...so 1996-1999....HOTP was 1993 wasn't it?) Did they cut some great bit from P&P?? And what would he be doing hitting on the body double at this time? Wasn't either Jennifer or Livia around? Hmmmmm.....most curious. Maybe it was the other CF! ;-D Thanks Karen!

Thank you for the article, Karen. You sure know how to get our fantasies going. Have to rethink every possible movie, in the timeframe listet by Tress. I think, I'll have to spend my night wondering/dreaming about this one :-)

Thanks for the link to the article, Karen. Re timescale: Ken Branagh's Frankenstein was released in 1994, so maybe it was HOTP, after all. Nothing else comes to mind, except maybe Playmaker?

I couldn't remember when Frankenstein was released (and was lazy and didn't look)...so maybe HOTP...I don't think Playmaker would have used her as the body double as I think that was filmed in LA. Whatever it was, I'm very disappointed that I haven't seen it!

(Tress)Whatever it was, I'm very disappointed that I haven't seen it! Me, too. Even though HOTP seems to be the likely choice, would you consider the bath scene as a hot tub? (Evelyn)but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed I thought women were in the bath scene. At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest?

(Evelyn)but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed (Lindak)I thought women were in the bath scene. At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest? Co-ed, co-ed...definitely co-ed..definitely

(Linda) At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest? There were a couple (at least) women in that scene (remember they both watch them get out of the water and Richard asks the priest if "it ever goes away"...referring to how a man sees women (sorry if this is vague...it has been a while since I have seen it)). Could this be the 'hot tub' she is talking about? Is she one of those women? The way it was worded, I assumed it was just the two of them. Then there is that dream sequence Richard has....in the bath with all the nekk'y people...but I cannot rememember if he is nekk'y or not.

(Lindak)I thought women were in the bath scene. At least I thought there were during the scene when he enters with the priest? (Tress) There were a couple (at least) women in that scene Yes, there were women in the scene, but I think I can safely say they were not using body doubles! And if they were...well, let's just say I think any of us could have a career in body doubling if that's the standard you have to meet! (Tress)Then there is that dream sequence Richard has....in the bath with all the nekk'y people...but I cannot rememember if he is nekk'y or not. Nope, no nekk'y Richard (not that I recall, at least)

(Evelyn)but I don't remember that bath scene being co-ed (Tress)There were a couple (at least) women in that scene (remember they both watch them get out of the water and Richard asks the priest if "it ever goes away"...referring to how a man sees women (sorry if this is vague...it has been a while since I have seen it)). Then Richard says "I think of them all the time....." Oooh yes, nekk'y women and a slender butt only nekk'y Richard! Hotpig was one of the two (w/AZ) that I had for a while after P&P. I watched it often. Loved the bath scene. Dry and witty dialog and a fairly hairless chest. No mascara.

Oooh yes, nekk'y women and a slender butt only nekk'y Richard! Those were the good old days. When he could have fun. ;-) Hell, even Hugh Jackman as Wolverine gets a full frontal shot in the current X-men movie! And he says, he thought it would be fun to do it!

Just goes to show how impressed I was with the nekk'y gals;-( Now the cockcrowing scene....

Am reading this old book "Fever Pitch The Screenplay". There is an introduction written by Nick Hornby with a few mentions about CF. In case some of you haven't read this book before, here's for you: Listen, it wasn't my idea, OK? I didn't insist on having Mr Darcy play 'me'; Liora Reich, the casting director, suggested it - although I immediately saw that she was right... I felt I had heard and made every joke it is possible to make on this subject within about ten minutes of Colin Firth's name first being mentioned; suffice to say that, yes, I am bald and he is not, he is tall and I am not, my ears and stomach protrude more than his ears and stomach, he looks good on TV in a wet white shirt and...well, nobody has ever given me a chance, actually, so I'm not conceding that one. At Christmas 1995, when we were casting, Pride and Prejudice was being watched by thirteen million people and it was hard (for us, anyway) to see Colin swapping the Austen breeches for the Arsenal boxer shorts. But he was sent a script anyway, and it is to his great credit that he bothered to read it; once he had expressed an interest, that was it as far as we were concerned. Colin and I went to Highbury to see Arsenal against Leeds at Easter, 1996. He had been to a couple of games before - he was brought up in Winchester, and had been to the Dell to see Southampton - and he knew a reasonable amount about football: when he told me that on reading the book he was reminded of a lot of names he'd forgotten, I was fearing those names might be George Bates and Pele, but they were more along the lines of Bob McNab and Jimmy Husband, which is understandable and forgivable - possible even sensible. Colin read a history of Arsenal, he watched videos and, for reasons best known to himself, he memorized the names of the 1971 and 1989 squads.(In one of the classroom scenes you can see the fruits of this useless labour - he wrote down the names on the blackboard before they shot the scene.) 'I can tell you everything you need to know in five minutes,' Paul Ashworth tells Robert's mum in the parents' evening scene; one extra overheard Colin Firth giving Annette Ekblom, the actress playing opposite him, a potted history of the club in between takes. Stuff like this was pretty much all I had to show for my four decades on the planet; it was a bit depressing to see someone master it in a couple of weeks. On Highbury Hill a small crowd of Darcy admirers gathered to catch a glimpse of Colin Firth; their patience was rewarded when he opened a top-floor window and yelled out, 'WILL YOU PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, JUST FUCKING FUCK OFF', just as the script told him to do. ('Half of my mail comes from old ladies congratulating me on doing nice parts, not modern sweary parts,' Colin said later, rather mournfully.) Hornby also wrote that in the scene when Paul and Sarah kiss for the first time, the business with the coffee cups, the awkwardness and the silences are not in the script; they are all come from the director and the actors. There are a number of B&W photos in the book, some of them that I've never seen before. But the quality is not very good.

There are a number of B&W photos in the book, some of them that I've never seen before. But the quality is not very good. Thanks, Josie. I got my copy of the FP screenplay on e-bay last spring. I really enjoyed reading the directors notes and the into by NH. It helps that Paul Ashworth is one of my personal favorites:-) But it didn't help to clear up the Miss Hughes/Miss you? line. However the DVD subtitles, I think, says Miss Hughes. Looks like I need another viewing.

" Colin Firth giving Annette Ekblom, the actress playing opposite him..." Hmmmm. Wonder who she was. The film would have been better if Hornby had just stuck with the book and not the screenplay. Just MHO, however.

Thank you, Josie! Great inside information, and as I've never seen the screenplay this was all news to me. Colin read a history of Arsenal, he watched videos and, for reasons best known to himself, he memorized the names of the 1971 and 1989 squads.(In one of the classroom scenes you can see the fruits of this useless labour - he wrote down the names on the blackboard before they shot the scene.) An excuse to watch the movie again some time soon!!!

IMDb:Annette Eckblom is Robert's mother

I borrowed the book from the library. Would love to have one copy for myself too. I like the photo with Paul sleeping on the bench very much. Don't you agree? It should be Miss Hughes, I suppose - even Nick Hornby said so in his intro.

(Evelyn) The film would have been better if Hornby had just stuck with the book and not the screenplay. That's why NH also said '...any writer who thinks he or she is the one who has done all the hard work is kidding themselves.' (although IMO, he's just 'trying' to be modest. :-P) (Rika) An excuse to watch the movie again some time soon!!! Me too! Have to see his handwriting! And to hear him saying 'please, please, please...' :)

Sorry to double-post, but I've just found one more thing about CF mentioned in the book: Colin Firth, who has a thorough and occasionally eccentric knowledge of popular music - he knows the name of Uriah Heep's guitarist, for example - contributed to a lot of these discussions. [Note: about the music used in the film] He was keen to get John Martyn and Gram Parsons into the film, and who can blame him? Seems that our search of CF's favourite music is going to start again...

(Josie)"Fever Pitch The Screenplay" Thanks Josie! Great stuff. Can't get too much Paul A. myself! Love the image of Darcy fans hanging out and getting the please, please, please scene!

Does anyone know if there is there any truth in the story published that RE and CF still don't get on? I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet.

(Josie) It should be Miss Hughes, I suppose - even Nick Hornby said so in his intro. I'm pretty sure Paul says "Miss Hughes" as he passes her (I could be wrong). But I found this very funny. At the beginning of the film, she makes such a big deal with her class "It's Ms., not Missus, not Miss. Say it with me..." I find it amusing that Paul would not have picked up on her preference after having had a relationship with her (but typical, because he is so wrapped up in football). Thanks Josie for typing all that up! But you left out the naughty bit in the hallway! I about fell over when I read what that girl said and thought maybe her mum had coached her. ;-)

Oh, Tress...that one...nice guess! :-D As I found the 'please, please, please' scene so hilarious that I completely ignored this one. hmmm, then let me also type it up here, but I think I need to turn down my volume, as I'm a bit shy, ya know :) At Fortismere School in Muswell Hill, a young (female) extra was asked to improvise a cheeky line that might elicit a bonk on the head with a rolled-up newspaper from Paul/Colin: she came up with 'Nice cock, sir'. (And the scriptwriter wondered whether the dialogue he had written for near-contemporary teenagers was quite...funky enough.) And finally (I hope!), I should have been more careful in not dividing the info into so many posts. I will do better next time. :-P

she came up with Clever girl:-) Thanks, Tress I almost forgot about that, as well. I know I can count on you to remember that cheeky stuff:-)

(Linda) Thanks, Tress I almost forgot about that, as well. I know I can count on you to remember that cheeky stuff:-) LOL...unfortunately I majored in cheek...it's all I know. It is the serious, important stuff that escapes me on a daily basis. Thanks again Josie...that bit just cracks me up! My mum would have had my mouth washed out it I said that to an adult. But it is ODB and we all know that all his bits are 'nice'! ;-)

(Janet) Does anyone know if there is there any truth in the story published that RE and CF still don't get on? I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet. I wondered that too, especially since there appeared to be tremendous evidence to the contrary during the TIOBE publicity - that their failure to get along was a thing of the past. If I recall, the interview that had those quotes was mostly using old material. So I suspected it was either taken out of context or just plain inaccurate.

(Janet) Does anyone know if there is there any truth in the story published that RE and CF still don't get on? (Rika)I am surprised that CF would go on record as saying this - he always seems so discreet. I took his comments as being tongue in his lovely *cheeky* cheeks and also the fault of the once again stupid reporting/editing. That recent Guardian piece also seemed to be by a very self-involved *Guy*. Much ado about him and very little about ODB!