OMG! Didn't realize I had the last post in 175. All kinds of excting things we leave behind. (me) V. v. excited to hear it's a go! Well a go on his part anyway.

I wanted to be first.;-) (Karen)Am picturing two male leads of equal importance. There are two male leads, but neither one is Colin. Casting is under way for the co-lead roles of a young recruit and a black character Still, could be a very good, juicy role. And this director, Jens Meurer, produced Russian Ark, which got some great reviews here.

Scheduled to start production early next year on location in South Africa YESSSSSSS! He's comming to South Africa! I knew all those candles would eventually pay off for something. Now to find out where it will be shooting. I will be there (wots 50 miles of good road anyway?)

That picture of Colin in #175 looking down and signing an autograph reminded me of these, taken by Anne R at the NYC premiere of SIL: Good news about the new project!

(Karen), Will have to pull out my "Rumor/No Go" file. But this is definitely one to root for! Serious work. Even if co-starring. How about Jude Law for the young officer? ;-D I can't believe they are looking for backing on this with only Colin attached to the project. I fear Tumbledown producers only-UK again. :-( But keeping fingers crossed. BTW2, which Tube line goes to S. Africa and/or Angola-like terrain? ;-) He may want a vacation from two tots at home. ;-) Thanks, Barb! BTW, I am creeped out by the ants too.

..to solve Colin Firth's problem of ants in his pants. I couldt think of more pleasent �objects� to get into his pants ;-P (Tress)Subtext (according to my pervy mind)...We get skin! Chest! Legs!!! Once again: Kindred spirits;-) Thank you BarbS and Ada for articles and news. Sounds very promising! (Dorine)More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( Can�t get any worse than Valmont/AMITC! (LeahP)Now to find out where it will be shooting. I will be there (wots 50 miles of good road anyway?) Go girl! We will be longing to hear every detail, you can dig up;-) Nice pictures, Murph!

(Mari) Definitely a supporting role, but at least it's drama He does better in films with a supporting role.Mostly better roles. (Karen)Dropped from 7th to 9th place, taking in $375,046 from 287 screens (lost some). Cume to date is $1,312,374. Have to go take a stomach pill. Hope producers have learned their lesson. If the So African film premieres in UK, it's dead meat. Especially for Evelyn, Kangaroo Jack which opened this weekend pulled in $1.2 mill. Why am I not surprised? Disgusting. (Karen) Got an itchy ordering finger... Can't jinx this. Don't buy it, Evelyn. Don't let it join the nightstand cemetary ROTF. "Too late". Only kidding, don't want it to join Maid of Buttermere & Flashman)

There are two male leads, but neither one is Colin. That explains the distance, very easy, short time shoot for him. Leah, you're on the scene. Thanks for the very up close and personal, Murph!

From one of the book websites: Reviews TDW Synopsis: "I've been running. All this time. But not from him. I've been running. Now I stop." Based on a true story The Dead Wait is an explosive journey through war, death and redemption told by three people caught in the insanity of conflict and haunted by its horrors. Rich in language and visceral in impact, the play follows the journey of Josh Gilmore, a young athlete turned soldier from darkness to light, from the Angolan War of 1980 to the present day and the creation of a new South Africa. Production at the Manchester Royal Exchange opens in October 2002. Contains strong language and scenes of violence." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sounds fantastic. He really must be fed up with rom-coms to go on location in SA.

Hey, Paul Herzberg is not a bad looker either:-)))

(Mari) And this director, Jens Meurer, produced Russian Ark, which got some great reviews here. Producing Russian Ark and directing it are two different things. Russian Ark was a technical masterpiece, the credit lies with the cinematographer, director and actors, IMO, in that order. Co-leads with Colin. ;-) (I refuse to believe it's small and a supporting role, I rufuse...) This is a film that will hit for Toronto's buyers, though it seems more suited to Sundance to me.

"I've been running. All this time. But not from him. I think we know who "him" has to be and the lead actor's closure/resolution with "him" would seem to be the gripping story. My ordering finger is getting itchy too because I'm with Karen on the co-leads thing or, such a minimal difference on supporting vs. lead that it does not matter. I'm thinking Duvall in Apocalypse Now or Jack N in A Few Good Men. (Smells like napalm in the morning to me, and if that's not the truth, I don't think I can handle it.)

(Karen) Co-leads with Colin. ;-) Bet they're trying for an American actor as the lead. I can see Nic Cage.

(Barb) I'm thinking Duvall in Apocalypse Now or Jack N in A Few Good Men. Excellent comparisons. The other character (the black freedom fighter Josh carries) will have a pivotal role, but not at a level (or impact) with Colin and whoever plays Josh. My concern is this emphasis on age. Casting for Josh is described as a "young recruit." However, the story takes place in two time periods: during the war and 20 yrs ago. A young recruit could be in his late teens, making his present day in his late 30s, which would only put Colin a few years older, contemporaries, as would be normal. The aging thing...or should I say the youthification process. ;-) Colin in cammies.

(Mari) Definitely a supporting role, but at least it's drama (Evelyn) He does better in films with a supporting role.Mostly better roles. I agree, this could be a good role. It also sounds like a film he'd work hard to promote. (hint, hint, Colin!) (Dorine)More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( You're probably right, but let's hope not. When his hair is longer the stylist has more to work with. A short cut could be too "revealing."

Thanks Mary for the pictures. I already saw them some time ago on your homepage. The first is one of my favourites. Noticed his tongue on the first picture ? :o) Soo cute (although no stubbles :o) )

Thank you, Ada for the wonderful news on TDW. (Karen)It is the *big* film market. This film is being pushed at the market. They're trying to get investors and/or distributors and it's being done on Colin's name...he has to take risks like this Yes, yes, yes! V.positive news, and travel to S.Africa, as well! My, my--dare we be so bold to claim that our birthday theme produced "vibrations"?:-) (Tress)...We get skin! Chest! Legs I'm so glad you thought of that angle! I'll never complain about ants in the pants again. Makes one look at those pesty little critters in a whole new light:-) (Dorine)Don't care how much skin would be showing and where, if they were spiders, I wouldn't be looking at the screen. Maybe not on the first viewing...you know, the throwaway:-)

Ada, thanks for the scoop that TDW is a go. Whoo-hoo, another drama! Okay, fess up, Linda and Mari, what kind of spell did you ladies concoct this time? ;-) Keep 'em coming, as it worked. Leah, how great for you that TDW is to be filmed on location in SA. Hell will freeze over first before he films in my neck of the woods. ;-( (Dorine) More than likely with ugly military hair cut. :-( But he looked okay in TEP with shorter hair. I'm not that worried, unless they buzz it. (Karen) Got an itchy ordering finger... Can't jinx this. Don't buy it, Evelyn. Don't let it join the nightstand cemetary A lot of us have bits of the cemetery....*looking at Armadillo on my bookshelf* And as for the ants in Trauma crawling over his flesh, would MUCH prefer to see lots of Aunts crawling all over his flesh! Oh my! ;-D

(LisaJH) would MUCH prefer to see lots of Aunts crawling all over his flesh! LOL Have this picture now...Aunt Catherine deBourg, Aunt Augusta, Aunt Phillips, did I miss anyone?

(Evelyn) Bet they're trying for an American actor as the lead. I can see Nic Cage. Nic's days of being able to do a "When Peggy Sue Got Married" type age are long, long past. I think he "left it in Las Vegas." ;-) Sheesh! He has less hair than Colin. ;-) (Lisa) would MUCH prefer to see lots of Aunts crawling all over his flesh! LOL! I qualify.

Ooops, sorry, Tress, meant to only delete to OT one. *standing in corner* :-(

(Karen)He has less hair than Colin. ;-) 1-800-WAGW hairdresser;-D

(Barb) Aunt Catherine deBourg, Aunt Augusta, Aunt Phillips, did I miss anyone? Well, I was thinking more along the lines of non-incestuous aunties: you, me, all the other Drooleurs....;-) (Evelyn) 1-800-WAGW hairdresser;-D LOL! I love your toll-free directory, Evelyn. It's grown to be quite a resource, no? ;-)

(Karen) Ooops, sorry, Tress, meant to only delete to OT one. *standing in corner* :-( OMG! All that hard work putting those thoughts together! LOL...it was just random silliness anyway. Am just very excited by the Dead Wait news. Please don't stand in the corner! ;-) (Barb) Aunt Catherine deBourg, Aunt Augusta, Aunt Phillips, did I miss anyone? (LisaJH) Well, I was thinking more along the lines of non-incestuous aunties: you, me, all the other Drooleurs....;-) And, I imagine, we wouldn't be as difficult to 'wrangle' as the other ants...we would all stay on ODB. Though there might be an issue getting us off of him!

Thanks for all the news everyone, the good and the bad. It's been confirmed then that we won't get HS here. Bad day in bedrock. Knew it wouldn't be Oscar caliber but definitely worth viewing. Very disappointed. Thank you Annette for link and Trauma poster. It's a good one. Great news about TDW. I guess "starring" doesn't mean lead anymore. Get's confusing, but will be happy to see him in anything. Should be a good one, and definitely lighting candles and mixing brew so we get this one. Everything is crossed ;-).

(Linda), My, my--dare we be so bold to claim that our birthday theme produced "vibrations"?:-) You know we always try to help. We are such a mercenary group. ;-) I would like the part of the young officer to go to Jude Law. :-) That would get a US distribution. Thanks, Ada for the news.

Thanks everyone for the ants news and the funniest comments too;-)) You ladies crack me up! (Karen) Nightstand cemetary ROTFLOL! The things we do for OBD, maked ants crawling over your skin seem perfunctory. Great news about DW. The "sequel" to Tumbledown we've been waiting for ;-)) Go Colin, You can certainly smell that fairtrade coffee (at last) Thanks everyone

And Moon so sayeth to the Drooleurs (and studios/director/casting agents).... I would like the part of the young officer to go to Jude Law. To which they replied...."Moon's will be done." ;-D

(leahp) He's comming to South Africa! I knew all those candles would eventually pay off for something. Now to find out where it will be shooting. I will be there (wots 50 miles of good road anyway?) my guess would be cape town : the city has been developing into a saf version of l.a. recently. started with european car commercials (scenery, beaches, weather, not to mention tax breaks available), the place is turning into a major shooting area. if i can remember well, they were starting the filming of some movie with juliette binoche and morgan freeman this april.

I don't think we ever saw the Variety review of HS. By DEREK ELLEY Variety Colin Firth plays a Brit artist surprised when his fiancee, Minnie Driver, comes back in 'Hope Springs.' A wannabe romantic comedy that's rather slim on both real romance and real comedy, "Hope Springs" is an innocuous time-passer which sees its name cast generating little on-screen chemistry. Based on a recent novel by "The Graduate" scribe Charles Webb, the slight story of an English artist who washes up in a small Vermont town to get over being ditched by the love of his life plays surprisingly flatly. Shot through with obvious ironies about Brit-Yank behavioral differences, but never really developing into the movie it would like to be, pic will need heavy marketing and canny placement to make much impact, though Colin Firth's brand of British sexiness should prove a hook for female auds. Preemed at the Bradford fest, northern England, in mid-March, Buena Vista goes out in the U.K. May 9, with a Stateside date still to be set. The 2001 novel by American-born, British-based Webb was the reclusive writer's first major work in a quarter-century. Almost entirely composed of dialogue, with only minimal other detail and no descriptions of the characters themselves, the script-like book would theoretically seem the ideal work to transpose to the screen. However, what plays well on paper as a series of verbal exchanges doesn't necessarily translate to the same effect on the more concrete bigscreen. Helmer-writer Mark Herman has had some success in the past with character-based, British regional comedy ("Brassed Off," "Little Voice," "Purely Belter") but here seems unable to make his cross-Atlantic cast mesh in any sparky way. It's notable that the most successful scenes are between Firth and fellow-Brit Minnie Driver, where the two seem more at ease with each other's performing rhythms. Firth plays Colin Ware, who stops off in the small town of Hope (pop. 18,459) and goes straight to the local art-materials store to purchase pencils and sketch pads. Colin's backstory is filled in through blatantly expository dialogue with both the store's leery owners (Ken Kramer, Mary Black) and then with the gum-chewing Joanie Fisher (Mary Steenburgen), who runs the Battlefield Inn, a hostelry decorated with Revolutionary War paraphernalia. Suffering from both jet lag and being dumped by his "half-Welsh, half-monster" fiancee, Vera, Colin passes out in his room and wakes to find himself in the tender hands of Mandy (Heather Graham), a flake who works as a "caregiver" at the local old people's home, Shining Shores. After another bout of expository dialogue, pic finally looks like it's getting into gear as the bored Mandy sets out to seduce the screwed-up Brit. With a strong assist from a blaring pop-rock soundtrack and a sequence in which Colin careens through town in the drunken Mandy's auto, the film initially aims for a kind of wacky humor that simply seems forced. Pic idles along as another of the burg's outsized characters -- the ambitious local mayor, played at full tilt by Oliver Platt -- is intro'ed, and finally starts to find its feet (and a semblance of a plot) at the 35-minute mark as--who else?--Vera (Driver) turns up in town, determined to get Colin back. Driver's assured, cigarette-puffing Vera, forever making jokes about Americans' demonization of smoking and subtly undercutting (in the nicest way) his growing relationship with the more naive Mandy, is the kind of class act that the picture really needs. There's an immediate chemistry between her and Firth, with each responding to the other's delivery, that's notably absent from Firth's interaction with the Yank cast, especially Graham and Steenburgen. When Driver is off-screen, pic's gears slip back into neutral. Finale set during the town's annual Cannonball Festival springs no surprises and is strikingly light on emotional clout. Film's very tight running time of 90 minutes (including credits) raises suspicions that some drastic editing has taken place, especially in the last act, which scampers through a subplot of Vera being crowned queen of the festival as her ancestors may have been responsible for founding Hope in the first place. (The Welsh angle made more sense in the original novel, entitled "New Cardiff," after the town's name.) After a shaky start with the physical shtick, Firth settles into the character of Colin with the kind of wry disdain he's best at, and his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level. Graham is largely bright and open-eyed, and has trouble making much of a character out of Mandy; Steenburgen simply goes for broke as the trashy Joanie but, like Graham, seems to be in a different movie from Firth and Driver. Though the whole picture was shot in B.C., Ashley Rowe's widescreen lensing, suffused with russets, purples and ochres, conjures up a convincingly autumnal New England. Other tech credits are thoroughly pro, though the soundtrack's habit of slipping into deafening songs is both unsuitable to the low-key comedy and smacks of some desperation in putting some heft into the movie.

Firth sets forth on 'Dead Wait' 'Public Enemy' helmer Meurer to direct pic By DON GROVES Variety Colin Firth is set to star in "The Dead Wait," a South Africa-set saga that spans the 20 years since the bloody Angolan war of 1983. Scripted by Paul Herzberg and helmed by Jens Meurer ("Public Enemy"), pic is due to roll in early 2004, with Sheryl Crown as producer. Project was unveiled here by Beyond Films' head of sales and acquisitions Hilary Davis, who is fielding world rights. It's a co-prod between Crown's U.K.-based Rubicon Pictures, David Wicht of Film Afrika and Meurer's Egoli Tossell Films of Germany. Firth will play a tough commanding officer in the South African army. Crown says casting is under way for the co-lead roles of a young recruit and a black character. London-based Mansfield Associates is exec producing.

Looks like a "go" for TDW. Thanks Mari. I'd like Adrian Lester for they young black. " ..the script-like book would theoretically seem the ideal work to transpose to the screen. However, what plays well on paper as a series of verbal exchanges doesn't necessarily translate to the same effect on the more concrete bigscreen. Can be done....Sharon Maguire did it with a book in diary form. "..should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level." Eye- candy. Sounds like he sleep - walked through this one.

pic will need heavy marketing and canny placement Well, that's two strikes. Canny placement? What about ANY placement:-( raises suspicions that some drastic editing has taken place, especially in the last act, Too bad, that whole Queen Vera stuff in the book was one of the funniest parts. Why do they do that??? Sounds like they succeeded in making the ending v. disjointed. and his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time ...acres of screen-time. This is killing me. Thanks, Mari for both Variety articles.

http://mweb.co.za/litnet/teater/mandela.asp An interview with the director of Dead Wait as it was performed in Manchester. Spoilers Description of Colin's part: "In a nutshell, the play deals with the journey of its main character, Josh Gilmore, who brings the play into being by telling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about his experiences in Angola, 20 years after leaving South Africa after a sort of nervous breakdown during an athletics tournament. The 40-year-old Josh tells us of how, while in the SADF Special Forces, his unit captured a high-ranking ANC officer George Josana during a raid. Forced by his Commanding Officer (CO) to carry the wounded man on his back across 60 km of Angolan bush to friendly lines, he undergoes all the horrors of battle. Then, just as the end is in sight, the squad is almost surrounded and the CO orders him to execute his prisoner whom, by this time, he has come to love as a fellow-human being. The first half ends with this terrible execution. The second half returns to the present and deals with Josh�s attempts to find some kind of justice through George�s daughter, and by trying to track down his CO, who by now is a ruined version of his former self. The play ends with an extraordinary scene at the spot where George was shot. I will say no more. You will have to read the play. Or better still, see it! I should also point out that the story of the journey across a battlefield with the wounded ANC man on the soldier�s back is all based on fact. It all actually happened � down to the summary execution." Sounds like a plum part for CF. It's time he did a bad guy.

Yes, I have the first part now. As the second part will probably focus on the CO and the recruit, I trust the extraordinary scene will continue spoiler-free.

(sophie) my guess would be Cape Town This was my first reaction too, when I saw *South Africa*. So wot is 1500 km's of good road?? My only hope is that there is no place in Cape Town to film an Angolan type bush scene (unless they use a studio). When I read that he would play a CO, I immediately thought of Conspiracy - but where that was all theory(you didn't actually see the results of their planning in the film), this would be *hands on*, doing the dirty work.

Thanks Mari for the Variety article and review. We had another review from Variety right after Bradford, by Mark Adams, which was about the same in its assessment. his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level. He must have been monitoring quiz results. ;-) But it's sad that critics are even noticing that Colin is phoning this in. :-( Thanks Murph for the additional info on TDW. As I suspected the black officer's role would be pivotal but brief, especially if he dies in the first or second act. Will read the rest of the interview later...

The Times reported the news of DW today, so it must be true ;-) There's an immediate chemistry between her and Firth, with each responding to the other's delivery, that's notably absent from Firth's interaction with the Yank cast, I think the Variety review makes some good points. I did not understand those reviewers who were so critical of MD. I thought she brought some much needed ooomph to the proceedings. Though not good for Colin's future in Hollywood if he is perceived as lacking the necessary chemistry with "Yanks"! Perhaps he had better try south of the Mason-Dixon :-(

his legions of distaff fans should be well satisfied with his acres of screen-time, even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level. (Karen), He must have been monitoring quiz results. ;-) But it's sad that critics are even noticing that Colin is phoning this in. :-( I refuse to believe that he would "act" in WAGW and walk through HS. He was not talked into doing HS, this was his project. Let's just be truthful and say he blew it bigtime. :-(

(Moon)I refuse to believe that he would "act" in WAGW and walk through HS. He was not talked into doing HS, this was his project. Let's just be truthful and say he blew it bigtime. :-( He wouldn't be the first actor who got involved with a project that looked good in theory but didn't turn out well (come to think of it, it isn't the first time he's been on a project that didn't turn out well). Must be hard to fight the temptation to sleepwalk when you know it's all going sour. Maybe his acting was better on WAGW because he was having a better time? Speaking of WAGW, the "orginal" (Reluctant Debutante) is on TCM today (6PM eastern)

FYI, Colin's character in TDW is Franz 'Papa' Louw. Must be a carryover from his Hunk Daddy days. ;-)

If you're going to order the play from the UK, here's a link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1840023422/thespring-21

Thanks for the info Mari and Murph. Sounds like TDW is going to be good. Not good that he gives the impression of non-acting in HS but agree with Kate that he could have seen it was not what he had "Hoped" for. Just wish we could see it for ourselves and determine our own opinions.

(Moon) I refuse to believe that he would "act" in WAGW and walk through HS. He was not talked into doing HS, this was his project. Let's just be truthful and say he blew it bigtime. :-( (Kate) He wouldn't be the first actor who got involved with a project that looked good in theory but didn't turn out well (come to think of it, it isn't the first time he's been on a project that didn't turn out well). Must be hard to fight the temptation to sleepwalk when you know it's all going sour. This appears to have been a timely question then... What happens when you sign on for a film, get halfway through it, and realize it�s a dog? I�m very used to making the wrong call on things. I guess my instincts aren�t that good on that. You can cut eight different movies from what you shoot, and often your vision of a project is not in line with the director�s. I think the reverse is also true; I have seen beauty come from what I thought was rubbish. (Clay Weiner-Gotham Mag)

bugger! bugger!

Ok, good it worked. Negates the point of using the bold now. :-(

(Pam) that he could have seen it was not what he had "Hoped" for. Too bad.You soldier on... There is such a thing as loyalty to your producers who paid you v. well , to say nothing of loyalty to the rest of the cast and crew. There is never an excuse for petulance, IMO

Not good that he gives the impression of non-acting in HS Sorry I don't think this is right. He gave of his best IMHO but the material was poor. He chose badly but he did not sleepwalk. I do not think any other reviewer has accused him of that.

(Variety review) even though he's hardly pushed at an acting level (Allison) he did not sleepwalk Maybe the reviewer agrees with us and thinks ODB deserves/is capable of handling better material? Thanks for pulling up that quote, Dorine. I sort of had that in mind, but didn't remember where it came from. It must be bad enough to get negative reviews when you think the film you did is OK--you can always tell yourself the reviewer missed the point. But if you think the film turned out badly, it must be hard to promote. Still, promotion IS part of the business, whether you love the film or not.

(Allison)...but the material was poor. Reminds me of what Rosemary Harris said when she was accepting an award for a role in a play by Edward Albee(!). "Words is all actors have, without words we cannot do anything".

"Words is all actors have, without words we cannot do anything". Thanks for that Evelyn. Perhaps you should send it to ODB ;-)

Correction:Sorry... I am sure she said "Words are.."

(Allison)I do not think any other reviewer has accused him of that., Other than Variety, I don't remember that particular criticisim of him in HS either. I read them all even though I went through several bottles of antacid:-) ...As Karen said, he acted his socks off in WAGW...it will be interesting to see the critics take on that part of it, anyway.

A site with some setting-images from GWAPE among others. The links work somewhat strange at times. No pictures of actors, only exterior suggestions. http://www.delux.lu/epostproduction.html

(Kate) But if you think the film turned out badly, it must be hard to promote. Still, promotion IS part of the business, whether you love the film or not. And they are *actors*. Can't always leave the project at the door when shooting stops. "Words is all actors have, without words we cannot do anything V. v. important yes, but we know what Colin can do without words, too. With only facial expressions.

(Annette) A site with some setting-images from GWAPE among others. Thanks Annette! Very interesting 'virtual tour'. Cannot wait to see this on film.... (Dorine) V. v. important yes, but we know what Colin can do without words, too. With only facial expressions. Some of his best work (IMO) is done only with a look...

(Evelyn) I am sure she said "Words are.." Yes, somehow I couldn't imagine the other version coming out of her mouth! (Linda) Other than Variety, I don't remember that particular criticisim of him in HS either. I didn't take the Variety remark to mean that he was sleepwalking. By "he's hardly pushed at an acting level," I assumed they meant that the role wasn't particularly challenging.

"As Griet becomes part of her master's work, their growing intimacy spreads disruption and jealousy within the ordered household and even - as the scandal seeps out - ripples in the world beyond Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book.

(Dorine) V. v. important yes, but we know what Colin can do without words, too. With only facial expressions. You are so right! (we all remember his own words, when referring to Paul Scofield) Another "confirmation" about The Dead Wait (and nice pic from HS-premiere) http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/news_story.jsp?storyId=505

(Annette) While COLIN FIRTH has opted against reprising his role in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY - he's signed up to take on a much tougher challenge as a commanding officer in the South African army. I thought TEOR was Oct - Dec, and TDW will be in the new year. Will just have to wait and see.

(Rika & others) By "he's hardly pushed at an acting level," I assumed they meant that the role wasn't particularly challenging. True, but taken to its logical conclusion, he could phone it in. If you're not challenged, it can show. Evelyn) Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book. Yeah, the fact that VanR wanted her painted was a scandal and that V was going to do it caused scandal. They all talked about it everywhere, including the market. She was ashamed and apprehensive. (Channel 4) While COLIN FIRTH has opted against reprising his role in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Don't worry about it. There'd be less unemployment if most of the newspapers, internet news sites, etc., hired fact checkers. Okay, Olivia?? ;-)

(Channel 4) While COLIN FIRTH has opted against reprising his role in BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY Don't worry about it. There'd be less unemployment if most of the newspapers, internet news sites, etc., hired fact checkers. Okay, Olivia?? ;-) LOL, Karen!

Evelyn) Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book. (Karen), Yeah, the fact that VanR wanted her painted was a scandal and that V was going to do it caused scandal. They all talked about it everywhere, including the market. She was ashamed and apprehensive. Also, his giving the earrings for her to wear for a painting when everyone knew they belonged to his wife would also causae a scandal. I don't think there will be anything juicy in GWAPE. He's doing horror with ants, a mean soldier, but nothing juicy. The closest we will get it HS, if we ever get it. :-( Re: TEOR didn't Renee say it would be for the fall? All we need is for Bridget to end up with Daniel because MD was nowhere to be found. Gone to LA never to return. :-(

( Moon) Re: TEOR didn't Renee say it would be for the fall? All we need is for Bridget to end up with Daniel because MD was nowhere to be found. Gone to LA never to return. :-( Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh:( Am I in a parallell universe?

(Moon) All we need is for Bridget to end up with Daniel because MD was nowhere to be found. Gone to LA never to return. :-( Oh no, and the towel and kitchen scenes go to HG. Oh Gawd. Where are my antacids? Now that would be the twilight zone. ...but the boss said not to worry, and I'm not, *chewing tums, lighting candles, casting the evil eye on those internet sites who don't have fact checkers*

Getting back to TDW, I like the fact that Paul Herzberg played Colin's role on stage. Actor/writers usually write themselves good parts and not "supporting" roles (e.g., Woody Allen, Mel Brooks...)

Evelyn) Wow....scandal? Looks like the film will be juicer than the book. (Karen)Yeah, the fact that VanR wanted her painted was a scandal and that V was going to do it caused scandal. They all talked about it everywhere, including the market. *Yawn*. That's not what I call a "scandal". A teaser;-((

(Evelyn) *Yawn*. That's not what I call a "scandal". A teaser;-(( LOL...Well, when you put it like that, it sounds about as exciting as five girls trying to find rich husbands...or a bunch of angry men sitting around a table talking. *insert winkie with tongue firmly planted in cheek here*

A very nice lurker e-mailed me a link to some additional photos of the PEN event on an Italian Firth fan site. If you click on the photos, you get close-ups - some of them close enough to see individual whiskers and eyelashes. There are also some shots that appear to be from the reading itself. Here's the link: http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/pen.htm

Great link!! Some of the best pics of ODB I've seen in a long, long time. Can't quite decide which is my favourite, but I think the second from last wins by a whisker!

Looks like the stubble started from then. Very short, but it was much more noticiable just days later at the premiere. For the eyelash aficianados...check out 4&5 in the top row. Thanks, Rika.

seems you�re right linda with your stubble assumption. Very good pics, thank you rika. Favourite one definitely second one last row.

Thank you, Rika, for the wonderful Sunday morning surprise. I think that second to last picture ranks right up there in my top five all-time favorites. And the first one on the top row is not bad either. We were just discussing ODB's great natural smile on the Spoilers topic, and how we don't see it often enough. The eyelash shots are great, too.

Thanks so much, Rika and lurker. I agree the second one on bottom is a really great one for the smile. The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. On the top row, the second and last ones are the money shots for the hair for me. I just want to play with the hair on the side by his ears and on the nape of his neck, then run my hands through. Pleasant thought for the start of the day. :-)

Thanks for the great pics Rika and Lurker. Great closeups.

I want to add my thanks for the great pics Rika and Lurker. I always love those "looking down" shots and #5 where he's looking down and smiling is especially lovely. Lashes and stubble, ummm.

Thanks Rika (and whoever) for posting the link. Love the pics of him at the podium, doing his reading. Almost like being there. *almost* All the others remind me of Donmar lobby shots, so is a little like deja vu.

Thanks, Rika, lovely! And grazie to the lurker.

(Rika)....some of them close enough to see individual whiskers and eyelashes. Augggghhhh! My computer won't load the pics (will try to remain calm and check back later)!!! I saw the stubble/eyelash comment and nearly fell off my chair before clicking on the link...and then....nada, nichts.....;-( But thank you Rika and Lurker!! I shall conquer this! I shall!

Rika and lurker: Thank you so much! I can't decide on one particular favourite - in one it is his eyes, another his lips, his hair .............. Tress, I do hope, you will be able to see the pictures. Have faith!

(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. LOL.Ole Eagle-Eye! Too much "caffee";-) Jaw-dropping pics. Thanks.

(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. Sorry to disagree but it is quite natural, that the "corner" teeth are a bit more "yellow" than the ones in front. It is supposedly because the cornerteeth are thicker than the others. (Mine look the same and I guarantee you; no caps at all or coffee for that matter ;-)) Off to drool over pictures again :-)

Thanks for the lovely images Rika and lurker! (Karen) Deja vu I know it! Thank god he doesn't change, apart of course from improving with age. (Am saying nothing about hair partings this time ;-) )

According to this, Colin has left Isle of Man: http://www.manxradio.com/scripts/public-archivesearch/archiveview.pl?id=6011

We would all agree with Marc Evans! *Lighting more candles* Thanks Annette.

Thank you once again Annette, our honored Google Queen!

OK, y'all need to go back up to that link to the PEN pics and press the link at the bottom of the page -- Torna all'album Don't have to have much Italian to know there's more...and such a bunch of more there is...I've only begun to look, but I post the link below as living proof it only almost put me into cardiac arrest. (Hope the link works, if not, I'll tell you where to dig for the buried treasure.) Thanks to Rika and lurker! http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img/BJD13.jpg

Oh my! The fan site has a range of photos from Playmaker. There's a great shot of the "other dimples"!!!

Thu 22nd May 2003: Its the last day of shooting for the film "Trauma" on the Island which means heart-throb Colin Firth will be packing his bags and leaving. That was short! According to the initial press release, filming began the week of 28 April and was to last 8 weeks there. They must have really scheduled his work perfectly to get out of town in 4 weeks! But there still could be work for him on location in London. Thanks Annette!

(Dorine) The difference in his tooth color is a bit more evident in that one...caps on the front I presume. Think it's been mentioned or alluded to before. I think he has had caps and bonding....can't be sure (should ask my dentist friend who can spot it at 50 paces). His teeth are very different in older films than they are now...they seem to change gradually...so think it is a 'work in process'. (Evelyn) LOL.Ole Eagle-Eye! Too much "caffee";-) LOL....and too many smokes! Still have not seen the pics....but will be patient....I assume the site is getting lots of hits right now....

Rika and lurking Firthette, thanks ever so much for the pics. They are amazing. (Tress) Still have not seen the pics....but will be patient....I assume the site is getting lots of hits right now.... I couldn't view the pics in Netscape (my browser of preference) for some reason, but when I switched to Explorer, I was able to view them.

Barb, thank you for the "translation" - perhaps the siteowner is some distant cousine to Rika ;-) I'm not good at explaining which number in which row is my favourite, so I just linked a few http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img2/Tiobe34.jpg http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img/mlsf32.jpg http://digilander.libero.it/firthissimo/img/tep5.jpg I had to bookmark the page - Too much viewing would require someone to come along and still my beating heart :-) (Karen)But there still could be work for him on location in London. That was my thoughts too. Didn't they say they had to shoot both places? Makes sence to finish one location first. Last remark on the teethbusiness: I'm no expert on the subject, just wantet to say that the coulordifference alone isn't evidence of caps. But - even so I really don't care. I like his smile - just as it is :-)

Annete, Barb and Rika - Thanks for the links to the pics. Could someone please post links to the eyelash and stubble ones from the reading? I can get to the ones that are directly linked, but get an error message each time I try to get to the index page. Thanks bunches of Colin smiles!

(Annette) I'm no expert on the subject, just wantet to say that the coulor difference alone isn't evidence of caps. But - even so I really don't care. I like his smile - just as it is :-) Oh...don't get me wrong! I love his smile as well (and think ODB's dimples improve with age)! But I do think he has had some work done and actually it wasn't the color of the teeth that clued me in, there seemed to be a slight space in between two of his front front teeth in his earlier films. IMO, he even sounds a bit different in his older films (could be maturity, could have been the role he was playing or could be some dental work he has had done). And thanks for the links Annette and Barb. I am able to see those! (not working for me in Exploder or Netscape!! But thanks for the suggestion LisaJH...It may have something to do with the fact that I exist in 'Mac'land).

(MaryH) Could someone please post links to the eyelash and stubble ones from the reading? By your command...follow me to Firthology at 166, me thinks this begins to border on indepth study of drool rather than news (even if old news...)

Of course, he's had dental work since his early films. Valmont (pre) and later...

Barb, thank you for spotting the rest of those photos on the PEN page. Love the picure and smile from last summer's Cartier Polo event. We've seen some of these before, but the smile is really great in this one.