Since everyone said Topic 59 was taking too long to load, I've frozen that topic and we will continue the conversation here. I'm posting the juicy Valmont conversation below (don't wanna skip a beat, ya know ;-p)... ****************** Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 920 of 935: Cheryl Eliot (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:29) * 12 lines Hello to all! I�m glad (in a way) to see it really was Spring acting up and not me. I am new to this sort of board XX so please forgive and correct any lapses of netiquette. Also, I lost one post already, lengthy, so I will proceed with caution (so much writing lost!! Arrrrgh!) All this is my opinion, of course, but it IS based on knowledge of the primary parties, not gossip. *****In 1988, ..."It felt a bit like walking into a room and telling a joke which everyone had just stopped laughing at," remembers Firth. "Whether you tell it better or not, it's not going to work."* **** "Because my Valmont was not making boo-hiss faces, a lot of people didn't seem to think he was even a bad bloke," he continues. "But Forman didn't want any hint of malevolence. It was a nightmare: 15 tales because he still thought that I was saying the line as if I had some evil plan..."* Well, he�s just told you everything you need to know about the Big Bust. But since I�m talking to the Converted, who might not know how much a director can have to do with a movie or a performance, I�ll expand a little. But not now. I'm having trouble posting, so I'll do it in bits and see if that helps. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 921 of 935: Cheryl Eliot (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:31) * 7 lines It�s a tremendous thing to be cast in a Forman film, since he�s very much an actor�s director, having wanted to be an actor himself as teen. But he couldn�t get into the Prague acting/theater school. He did get into the film school by lying. It was such a stupendous lie, tricking his way into the interview committee room, that the head of the Prague school just had to have him. (This guy is also in the States and was one of my teachers and drinks quite a bit, which is where I heard the story.) Althou h there are things about Milos that I do not like (and I did in fact behave more obnoxiously on the set than I wish I had, which didn�t help much), on balance I admire his work more than anybody else�s, and it�s just for this thing Colin is talking about. Milos is beyond first grade in acting. Lesson 1: don�t do the obvious. If you had to have a guideline, the best one in directing is to have your actor play the opposite of what's written, what you'd expect. Deliver a threat in a whisper. Be deadly erious as you do something stupendously ridiculous. Keep your sex appeal under wraps (well, so Milos hasn't mastered that one.) The director has to know this, because if only the actor knows it, most directors will bludgeon them into going for a cartoonish effect , since directors are dolts. Unless you're Gene Hackman or something, you will never win that battle with a director, not matter how young or stupid the director is. I�ve never liked Malkovich, so I was prejudiced from the start, and I think he�s hideous looking on top of being a terrible actor. (No, Cheryl, tell us what you really think!) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 922 of 935: Cheryl E (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:35) * 10 lines The Frears film was just thrown together, partly to beat Milos out of the starting gate for various reasons (not relevant here). Since Frears had so much experience in television (British), he was accustomed to doing several setups a day and moving the pace right along. Movies work more slowly, especially for someone at Milos' level. _Quickly_ was the only way it made sense to do the Frears film, either financially or creatively. Malkovich and Close cleared their schedules (I also dislike Close, BTW). There had been publicity a film based on _Dangerous Liaisons_ the book, so when the Frears film rolled into preproduction people got the two glommed together in their heads. Of course industry people knew the difference, but it became like a tandem bicycle�you never notice who�s in the second seat. So the entertainment press covered it that way. Not a line about one without discussing the other. Bad, bad thing. Bad for the film, bad especially for Colin. Colin had signed up for a film with a double Oscar-winning director whose actors generally also got Oscars. Of course, some of them never did as well again, because he casts so well and works with them so well (Tom Hulce, and what�s that guy who played Salieri? I can�t believe I forgot it; I once wrote his phone number in ink on my palm since there wasn't any paper.) And they get noticed (_One Flew Over the Cuckoo�s Nest_ was to me the best performance Nicholson has turned in, maybe tied with _The Shi ing_, and Brad Dourif who played the mama�s boy who killed himself was one of many supporting actors who got nominations when working with Milos. So Colin was going to be showcased. But from out of nowhere came this other production, and he began getting compared to Malkovich, which he was in no shape to do. He didn�t have the US presence or body of work to even begin to make such a comparison, but of course the press has to keep itself in a job. So as a person and as an actor he�s taking hits WHILE HE�S PREPARING HIS ROLE. I can�t imagine anything worse. Feature films are like little start-up companies, little families that get born and are s eaty, bloody, and intense (if they work) for a few months. To be pulled out of that hothouse environment as you�re creating and developing your role and your relationships by reporters and industry people taking aim at your backside, well, few things could be so unnerving to a sensitive person. I�ve directed some people who have had leads in features, who dropped back down to do my shorts, and it takes a few features and a thick shell of cronies to protect yourself from the BB guns as well as the Ouzis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 923 of 935: Cheryl E (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:46) * 11 lines "15 takes" to get any malevolence out of the performance, yeah, that sounds about right. This addresses some of your questions about collaboration. Milos is extraordinarily collaborative, and he has created a crew around him that creates a shell and gives him more elbow-room to work with his actors than anyone else I ever heard or (any big commercial director). I shouldn't say I of all people know what Milos will or won't do. Plus in the heat of the moment, with so many films, he's quite capable of ha ing done anything, but in general he picks people in the first place who he's sympatico with, who approach texts in much the same way he does, etc. He had/has trouble with stars, which is one reason he doesn't work with them very often, since they think they know everything (and he thinks he knows everything). Case in point--Nicholson in Cuckoo's Nest. But that's another story. What this means to me, what Colin�s said and what I definitely saw and felt, was that his core was eroding from the very beginning (forgive me Colin if you read this�who cares about a silly strangers� opinion anyway). Before he even set foot on set, as it were. And the production was difficult (all of them are, but one of my friends who was a PA and translator for this one had a nervous breakdown halfway through). And the Frears film was being edited while the Forman film is still working and its' clou hung over the land. For example, I sat down in a bistro near the set in Bordeaux and managed to order dinner without getting snail brains or some other horrible linguistic mistake. There was a guy at a table near me listening, and he asked if I was American (as he was), and it turned out he had been a location scout on the Frears film and was now scouting locations for a commercial. We talked about how the two films were progressing. The only thing the Frears people were wondering was how Milos had e ded his film, how he "did" it. I didn�t say much, because I didn�t think much of how it was written, I didn�t think it would get deep enough. But we have our loyalties. Back to what Colin�s said. Have you ever been in the middle of a project that cannot stop and you are running it or responsible for it or must perform in it, and you would give anything in the world to make it go away? Friends tell me labor is like that. For me it�s mostly been directing�some mornings I�m the first one up and on the set and I offer God anything, anything, to send a nuclear bomb so I don�t have to direct that day. Martial arts competitions. I hate performing, I�m much better behind the scenes, but I forced myself to compete in aikido and jujitsu tournaments, and to act, because I think it's important. I was in agony before and during�you�d think I was in psychic surgery for all those weeks, without anesthesia. It�s the worst thing in the world, performing if you don't like it. And a film isn�t like the theater�over in two hours, another try tomorrow. It drags on and on and on and on and on and... and then there are post production duties and promotion duties...If you�re not in the m od for that sort of thing, you�d rather be dead. I, for one, take to my sofa and decline to speak or move. Others, I suppose, head for the hills. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 924 of 935: Cheryl E (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (04:50) * 9 lines *****When filming on Valmont was over, Firth disappeared with his co-star Meg Tilly...."I just thought, I'll see what happens when the film comes out," he explains. "And, of course, f*ck all happened. In Hollywood you don't wait to see if it's a flop. I dunno whether I was afraid of the place or was too pompous to go and grovel to them. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I think I was probably a bit self-protective, a bit frightened of the magnitude of the whole thing." * ******The refusal to work the system left Firth back where he'd begun, turning in letter-perfect performances in small British movies..... * Again, plain as day. I would do the same thing. I DO do the same thing, in my own circumstances. Hasn't served me or my career well, but we are who we are. I'm changing a little, but we aren't discussing me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 925 of 935: Cheryl Eliot (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (05:34) * 18 lines Moon Beams: **I would like to know if Colin had any input on how he should play Valmont or did Milos have such set ideas that there was no room for input? As I said above, I wasn't holding a candle, but Milos is phenomenally collaborative. However, I do know he took this character quite personally, so I imagine that got mixed up in it. Meaning, IMHO, I don't think his vision was quite as clear with Colin's performances as it usually is, because he was matching Colin's look and sound to feelings Milos was less fami iar with than most. **How did CF handle criticism on the set? It was very tough. Professional and warm, of course, but it was a bitch of a time. Really he only got _direction_, and that was from Milos, because usually Milos doesn't let other people talk to the actors very much. Anything could have happened, but that what I saw. **Was he always very prepared and on time? As far as I know. I never heard anything to the contrary, and would be very surprised if he fell short. **Was he very close to Meg from the start or did they fall in love during the filming? No clue. Meg had been cast in Amadeus and had broken her ankle just before shooting began, so the second-runner-up got the part. So Milos trotted her out (I guess he is/was enchanted). I wasn't interested in her, and I felt so much for Colin I stayed the hell away. **Was CF friendly with the crew or did he keep to himself? My guess would be both, since he can be very warm. But he had the job of Atlas, so from what I saw he would have been mostly focused. The time I saw was not carefree. I'm telling you, gals, carrying a movie is an unbelieveable job. Nan: **Obviously, we are most interested in hearing about your impressions of Colin. For how much of the filming were you present? Many of my impressions are above, but I take this as a general guideline and just blab whatever comes into my head. I was in Bordeaux for 10 days, and in Paris for 3. I actually have access to a scanner at work, so when I can I'll fish out some photos and see what might be of interest. Mostly I'm afraid they'll be of extras and sets and Milos and cute French guys. Bethan **I thought ...re-viewing...swept aside by the critics.---Well, I can't think of any parallel situation in the entire universe. There's just no way to duplicate the impact of the first film on the sensibilities of people, and then to have to "speak" into that(tainted)sensibility. It's sort of an overstatement, but it's like the impression your father has on you coloring your impression of another man (if you only knew two men in your whole life). **To the best...although hopefully both have recovered! Milos got stung lately, but Colin could always dominate. The question is, does he want to. And I doubt he answer is yes, but ya'll know more than me on that topic. **Why did your "heart truly bleed for him"? Were the working conditions, atmosphere so difficult? I'd be interested to hear your general impressions of CF and the way he works. ...in Valmont? A lot of these are touched upon above, but when I find out if I've made sense and what you'd like to hear more about I can go further. I just didn't want to run on TOOOOOO much. How Colin works I can't say because I don't know him, and you have to know somebody or have worked with them really to know how they work I know what it looks like, and I can guesses. He was SO capable, SO captivating, SO enigmatic, SO memorable--as much as Milos' other leads have been in their roles (Nicholson in Cuckoo's Nest, Hulce as Mozart). But he really had the shit kicked out of him by the sitation. I don't know that he got the chance to make the role his own (well, that's a stupid thing to say. That's ALL I've said, in different ways. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 926 of 935: Cheryl E (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (06:01) * 29 lines Renate: **How was your first day on the set? Quite exciting. One of the high points of my little life. See, I had seen _Amadeus_ when it opened in France on my honeymoon, in Bordeaux, as it happened. So here I am, years later, having actually studied with Milos and being a certified visitor on his next movie, which happens to be not only in France but these scenes were in Bordeaux. If you put it in a book... **Did the "keep out of way" policy exclude any kind of personal contact to the actors, or did you have the opportunity to speak to some, in particular to you know whom? I talked to everyone, and I was considered a very privileged person, since it was known that I was a studen of Milos and Milos' teacher, AND nobody was allowed on the set. Jefferey Jones (the King in _Amadeus_), other character actors Milos uses in every film, etc. But the big question--no. I stayed out of his way, even more than Annette Bening's. His was the burden, and Oh I felt his pain. **How did you meet him first? The producer, whom I knew and OKed my presence, introduced us briefly. **Have you been officially introduced, or was it more informally? Above. To him I'm sure I was just some girl, although it was unusual to have a visitor on the set, especially one connected to Milos and the producer, etc. It just wasn't done. **Did you shake hands? Yes. **What did he say? Good afternoon (or something to that effect) **What was your communication with the actors in general, and with CF in particular? Above. How long have you been there on the set? Above. Have you known CF's films before that? No. Been a fan of him before Valmont? No. Poor ....Spanish Inquisition look pale. There is NOTHING that is *not* interesting for us. Hope your memory is good enough! I'm taking you at your word, and since it was such a big experience for me I'm thrilled to talk to someone(s) who actually CARE, even at this late date. Karen: *...if Colin is shown in the "American Masters" program on Milos Forman? Yes, most definitely, since it was more or less about Valmont. There's also tons of tape, since it was originally a much longer piece. (Had Valmont been a hit, a longer documentary would have been in order.)(There would have been the demand.) Heide: **...no question is too trivial for our inquiring minds.--Thank you for indulging me! **My heart truly bled for him--my strong point is working with actors. I was there for a couple of weeks, in Paris and in Bordeaux. The scene that in my opinion was the most difficult was when he was in this terrrrribly realistic tavern, drunk, getting ready for his duel. This paragraph intrigues me. Tell us why this and other scenes were so difficult. Considering that Colin could still be considered a novice in feature film making, how did he take direction from Forman? Was he the diligent student? Did he contribute? A lot of this is discussed above. Most of Milos' actors are new to film (I can elaborate or enumerate if you wish), so he really knows how to work with them and make them feel comfortable, and like they are contributing. I don't know how much he picked up. I mean of course he learned tons, we all learn tons from things, but there was so much going on I expect it was hard to do anything ut just keep moving, and as we know it was painful to reflect. Perhaps I'm projecting here, but I expect a lot of the experience "unpacked" itself in his future projects, and made itself useful, assimilatable (I love to make up words.) Now for the sentence that will get me cyberstoned: I have yet to see P&P2. (I'm bruised already, pelted from every side!!! Enough!!! Let the defense speak!) I'm only recently an Austen fan and sort of scholar, which led to the Austen list, which led to RoP, which led ere. And to tell you the truth I didn't know such things existed. Women who perceive men as sexual objects??? Men I know (sort of)??? I haven't been this gleeful since David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman (now I've dated myself). And I have you all to thank. **I hope you will indulge us.... But I'm salivating here.---Anything I can do, really. I'm just sorry I wasn't clairvoyant enough to know that years later I'd wish I'd used the long lens on Colin. I would never have thunk. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 927 of 935: Cheryl E (CherylQE) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (06:16) * 14 lines Megan: ... a scene in Valmont too. Maybe Cheryl can help solve that dispute (I don't remember what it was exactly but...)---Something about knees? I felt/though Bening was too distant, too plastic to pay much attention, which is what I think Milos' point was. Was it the scene where she tells Valmont he can collect his bet? That's a knee scene, the only one I remember off the top of my head. But I haven't seen it in years. Now I have to buy it. Renate: I don't even have ...wet shirt that covers/uncovers her left/right knees from shot to shot. Bad continuity. Irritated me a lot. Cheryl, any comment? Is it the collection scene? In closing, I would like to say that I thank you all very much for inviting me to your party. See, these are things I am passionate about--film, etc.--and I never really thought about Colin outside of that context. And I had an very bad time soon after (sort of similar, being set up for failure by circumstances beyond control) and it's taken me a long time to get over it. Now I'm moving one, and this board and your questions remind me of what I've been really, well, passionate about. (In addition to se .) (Can we say that word here?) Anyway, enough heaviness. Bless you Nan for your invite, and for your funny picture above, and to all of you for your pictures and your joie d' vivre. I'll go about my day with a spring in my step and also happy I finally got to send a first tiday wave of answers back to my new sorority sister:-) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 928 of 935: Renate (Renata) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (12:26) * 9 lines Cheryl, I'm speechless. Well, almost. That was sooooo wonderful, such a heap of juicy information! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will give you some hours to rest (what a lot of work that must have been to type!!!), and then we can go on to the next set of questions :-)). BTW, as to your text getting lost, I suggest to write long texts in an other program, f.e. the editor, where you can save it, and then copy and paste it into Spring. It's much safer and less frustrating. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 929 of 935: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (13:52) * 6 lines After reading Cheryl on Valmont, I don't know whether to cry or scream in anger and frustration that it is not on tv this week despite what the paper said. They will apparently give CoF on the 21st, but that one I've already seen. Oh well, I guess I'll tape it anyway, any Colin movie is welcome. (cheryl)what�s that guy who played Salieri? I can�t believe I forgot it; I once wrote his phone number in ink on my palm since there wasn't any paper. Salieri, Ghandi and the nazi in that other fim with Sigourney Weaver... Ben Kingston, or something similar :-)isn't it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 930 of 935: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (14:00) * 3 lines Actually, no: Ben Kinsley didn't play Salieri, it was Murray Abraham. And the Sigourney film was "Death and the Maiden". My chips are all mixed up, is it Summer, Alzheimer's or the Ghost? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 931 of 935: bethan (lizbeth54) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (14:06) * 15 lines Wow! Terrific stuff, Cheryl! Many thanks for putting in so much time and effort. There's so much I'd like to comment on that I don't know where to start. I'll just pick out three of your comments that interested me....(there are many more than three, I hasten to add!). Was CF friendly with the crew or did he keep to himself? My guess would be both, since he can be very warm. But he had the job of Atlas, so from what I saw he would have been mostly focused. The time I saw was not carefree. I'm telling you, gals,carrying a movie is an unbelieveable job. Perhaps the failure of Valmont explains his reluctance to take on the leading role of Darcy. He talked about being afraid of "letting everyone down" if he accepted Darcy, as he didn't think he was capable of it. He also commented that he was ready to run if P&P was a flop. I think the experience of Valmont must have marked him. He was SO capable, SO captivating, SO enigmatic, SO memorable--as much as Milos' other leads have been in their roles (Nicholson in Cuckoo's Nest, Hulce as Mozart). But he really had the shit kicked out of him by the sitation. It's significant that Milos' other films all did so well in the Oscars...Best film/director/actor for One Flew over the cuckoo's nest, Best film/actor Amadeus, and nominations for best film/actor for The People v. Larry Flynt. Makes you wonder about CF's career path if Valmont hadn't been scuppered by DL. Hopefully both have recovered! Milos got stung lately, but Colin could always dominate. The question is, does he want to. And I doubt he answer is yes, but ya'll know more than me on that topic. Good point! I think we'd all like to see him dominate a little more! He's certainly very capable. But whether he actually wants to, who knows? :-) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 932 of 935: Helena (lena) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (15:21) * 3 lines Oh, dear. I am speechless. Thanks a lot for sharing that experience with us Cheryl. I was reading it so eagerly that I'm afraid I just ignored everyone else in here. My boyfriend claims he's been calling me from the kitchen for about twenty minutes :-)) (Gi): After reading Cheryl on Valmont, I don't know whether to cry or scream in anger and frustration that it is not on tv this week despite what the paper said. I know what you mean. I was sooo disappointed. Well eventually tv will show it, I'm sure. Either that or I'll find a way to get it, even if it means getting back to crawling and begging at the videostore until they are so angry at me that they'll just kick me out of the place. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 933 of 935: Evelyn (lafn) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (15:54) * 10 lines carrying a movie is an unbelieveable job. Perhaps the failure of Valmont explains his reluctance to take on the leading role of Darcy. Or any leading role in a production for that matter. Do you know of Milos Forman blames CF for the failure of Valmont? Probably, he seems like a v. vain and arrogant man. Thanks Cheryl, you have given us a lot to think about . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 934 of 935: Heide (heide) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (16:52) * 20 lines (Cheryl) He didn't have the US presence or body of work to even begin to make such a comparison (to Malkovich)... So as a person and as an actor he's taking hits WHILE HE'S PREPARING HIS ROLE. But he had the job of Atlas, so from what I saw he would have been mostly focused. The time I saw was not carefree. He was SO capable, SO captivating, SO engimatic, SO memorable--as much as Milos' other leads have been in their roles. But he really had the shit kicked out of him by the situation. We all have our opinions on this board about CF's career. Some differ greatly with others but you've given us some insight here so we can at least guess the reasons why he's made his choices since Valmont. I tend to feel somewhat frustrated but recognize he's capable and he knows what he wants to do for reasons I can't presume to know. But you've provided a little window here for us to see how those cogs and wheels might be turning in his brain. (Cheryl) I wasn't interested in her (Meg), and I felt so much for Colin I stayed the hell away. What did you feel for our boy? Were you sorry for him, pitied him or was it that pure, unadulterated lust? As for viewing men as sexual objects... isn't this fun? You're not the only one who hasn't been like this since they were teens. And as for dating yourself, those teenage objects of affection you mention place you right smack in the middle of us, I believe, age-wise. But nobody has to know that. ;-) Have fun here. Learn about us and drop us a few tidbits about yourself so we can learn about you, if you like. I always love to read posts from people who like to talk. Bethan, go to it, girl. You're a woman of action. Even if the movie is coming out later, at least there's some activity. I hang onto every morsel you feed us. So glad we're back. It's good to see the names of a bunch of people who haven't posted recently. I love this action on the board. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topic 59 of 96 [drool]: Colin Firth Response 935 of 935: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, Jul 2, 1998 (17:27) * 7 lines (Cheryl) I haven't been this gleeful since David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman (now I've dated myself). Not to worry!! I preferred Peter Tork and Christopher Jones myself (the latter being pretty obscure but on TV about the same time). Some of us here are your contemporaries, and some (who shall remain nameless) have admitted to liking David Cassidy's younger brother!! Imagine that. ;-) Loved your writeup on Valmont. Your views were from a perspective we don't usually see and press's involvement while the two films were being made was fascinating. Had no idea that was going on as well and how that could affect Colin and his performance. I'm pretty sure that everyone here agrees with you that Colin's performance was by far the better of the two. Give me subtle over boo hiss malevolence anyday.

Thanks Cheryl, it was great. ;-)

Would someone in UK please check "Women's Realm", a UK publication. I understand there is an interview with CF in it. That's all I know. Honestly.. I'm not holding back.

OOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!

Coincidently, I saw "Womens Realm" with COLIN FIRTH on the cover when I was waiting in the queue at Tesco's, and popped a copy in my trolley! If I'd looked at it first I don't think I would have parted with 60p! It's NOT an interview, just old quotes cobbled together. Nothing new. The photo is the one taken when he was filming P&P, in that round necked black knitted-type sweater (just like the one he wears in Playmaker....in fact, it probably is the same sweater!)He's wearing "colour co-ordinated", gray jeans, plain gray socks and back shoes! He obviously does not shop til he drops....more like a five minute annual visit to Marks and Spencers! :-)

Oooh Renate...it's the jellyfish!! ;-D

I beg to disagree :-p. I believe he left the jellyfish in the pond (or handed it over to his manservant) and emerged wet but undistorted (expr?). (Bethan) The photo is the one taken when he was filming P&P, in that round necked black knitted-type sweater (just like the one he wears in Playmaker....in fact, it probably is the same sweater!)He's wearing "colour co-ordinated", Bethan, have you seen this pic somewhere on the web, can you point it out? Otherwise, I hope you know what you have to do with it .... I will reimburse the 60p to you, and the postage fee, too. :-))

Lovely lips!! :-)~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Just in case The Spring goes down again,........ Nan had the foresight to set up" Drool in Exile" a few months ago: http://www.ntr.net/~nan/drool.html Bookmark it. She communicates with us from there. (Just thought I'd mention this since we have several new" droolers".)

Cheryl, dear...that was a wonderful report. Don't go away...there will surely be many more questions to come. I'm very glad you came over (I was afraid we scared you away with our enthusiasm) :-)

(Evelyn) Drool in Exile" a few months ago...(Just thought I'd mention this since we have several new" droolers".) You are an excellent creature! Always thinking ahead :-)

In case anyone is wondering what I am doing here: I just practice posting pics :-), a training I badly need. These are all, by the way, from Sharon's Snappy page, who is the most generous person in Firthland.....

Didn't I tell you I need more practice....

Please ask anything!! It's fun to remember and to think about these things. And ya'll give me a whole new perspective on things. Perhaps someone can tell me how to quote in italics? (I can install computer networks but I can't get italics, and I can never get HELP to work.) ****Perhaps the failure of Valmont explains his reluctance to take on the leading role of Darcy....must have marked him. ****How could it not? One of the most spectacularly horrible PUBLIC things that could happen to a fabulous actor. It marked ME, for heaven�s sake! ****play Salieri, it was Murray Abraham. *****Yes, F. Murray Abraham. Of course. And it�s Ben Kingsley if anyone cares. ****Or any leading role in a production for that matter. Do you know of Milos Forman blames CF for the failure of Valmont? Probably, he seems like a v. vain and arrogant man. ****No, I don�t think so. Vain and arrogant he is, but the failure lies with circumstance and with him. Maybe the problem was with the producers (half French, half American). Since we started talking about all this, I�ve been wondering why they didn�t halt the production before shooting began. I�m sure tons of money had already been committed, and they didn�t want it to be a total loss, figuring overseas rights, cable rights, etc. would at least help them recoup their money. But it seems an impossible situation. I�m sure everyone thought Milos� film would be head and shoulders abover Frears�, but it would have to have been sent by God to make the entire world forget any movie, good or bad, which had recently come out based on the same material. Especially a middlebrow film. I think everyone�s just embarrassed by it, which ma e me think about the question somebody asked me about Meg. I was thinking that when I�ve been overwhelmingly defeated in my life, I often retreat into a relationship. You feel bad, you want to feel good, right? And also when I�ve been through a big or especially a traumatic experience _with_ people, I feel close to them (the combat troop syndrome). People I would barely keep as acquaintances in the "real world", outside the bubble of our shared experience, I bond with.

Cheryl, Many thanks again for your contribution.....you've given us a very perceptive account which makes absolutely fascinating reading. I found an interesting review of Valmont, from the time it was shown at the London Film Festival in November 1991. As far as I know it didn't get a theatrical release in the UK, nor was it released on video. (I may be wrong about this). Fortunately the BBC showed it for the first time last Christmas...six years late! From the review... "The film looks stunningly beautiful throughout and the performances are excellent. The cast is all very young and the 15 year old virgin who is being married really does come across as a sweet innocent...... Colin Firth and Annette Benning's performances are excellent. Colin Firth who was at the screening said how interesting it was to play, as Milos Forman insisted that the character be naturalistic and not give any impression of his nature through his behaviour or speech". Valmont did get some partial recognition in the UK. In the 1991/2 London Film Critics Awards, Annette Benning got the Best Actress Award. (Gerard Depardieu got Best Actor, Juliet Stevenson got Best British Actress, Alan Rickman got Best British Actor.) CF, predictably, was overlooked (again!) Cheryl, for italics open with and close with

Italics....second attempt! Open with brackets with an i enclosed, close with brackets with /i enclosed

For italics and other techniques used to alter text appearance, take a quick look through: Lots of people around here have used it to learn how to do HTML. And they claim it's easy to use.

Thank you Cheryl...for answering my Question on taking the blame for V. failure.It reputedly cost $34M. ten years ago...Would that be $68M in '98 $$? I read somplace that Milos' in his bio said Colin was the best actor he could get for the part for the money....do you know if that is true? If it's any comfort....Valmont is shown a lot more on cable than Dangerous Liaision! .I was particularly interested in your comment : Re: (the combat troop syndrome) Opens up a Great Big Vista on his personal life .

Ann, thanks for the HTML tutorial and tip. Bethan, V is on video. Did you mean on video abroad? Many thanks to all of you for your photos and reviews and interviews.

Cheryl, the easiest reply first: to italicize you have to put the text in pointy brackets, just as follows: (i)text text text(/i) if you want to print fat/bold use a "b" in the place of the "i": (b) ............. (/b) I have to use round brackets now, because those pointy brackets would not show up here, but would italicize resp. print bold. You have to replace the round brackets by the pointy brackets on the lower left corner of your keyboard. And don't forget to use the "/" in the closing tag. Ann, I cannot find the link for your excellent "Tag Tutorial", can you please post it? (Or am I wrong as to the identity of the Ann posting here?)

Well, this must be the Valmont feeling .... a message, however useful, is not going to be of any use because it was told before ... just :-)) Cheryl, which scenes did you witness? Indoor? Outdoor?

I got a major jolt from him when I first saw him... When you feel _that_ smack up against a powerful psyche in a state, it�s...memorable. Cheryl, you poor thing... Are you saying you fell hopelessly under his spell all those years ago - years before most of us here? If so, you are the living proof that it's impossible to know him - or about him - and not to admire him. And that the affliction is long lasting. Dear girl, I'm so relieved to hear your confession. It makes my own confinement in the little padded cell of my soul a little more bearable... :)

Renate: I'd have to see the movie again to tell you exactly, which now of course I will have to buy pronto. As you may know, these things are are shot in, well, shots, not scenes. A shot is a little tiny piece, like a jigsaw puzzle piece, which you hope fits together with the others months later when you're editing. And you hope you have enough and the right shots. There were night shots, of the carriage in which Annette Benning is delivering the young innocent to her "room of love"---or was it a serva t hurrying Cecile into her house when the mother decides to come home from the opera early? Yes, I'm afraid I really have to see the film again. As an aside, we also shot an interview with the co-screenwriter, who lives in Proust's Parisian house. Totally great. But I promise to get back to you with specific things I personally have witnessed.

(Renate) Ann, I cannot find the link for your excellent "Tag Tutorial", can you please post it? (Or am I wrong as to the identity of the Ann posting here?) I posted it along with the image above. Just click on the Tutorial Graphic. Or: http://www.spring.net/~anneh/toota.html Cheryl, you seem to be talking of Valmont as a failure. I think it was only so in the marketing and profit sense. I really like the film, and I think it is much better than DL. (Malkovich was awful!)

Thank you, Ann, for the link. Can recommend the instructions to everyone, and in particular every newbie, they are easy to follow. (Cheryl) ....... on balance I admire his (Milos Formans) work more than anybody else�s, and it�s just for this thing Colin is talking about. Milos is beyond first grade in acting. Lesson 1: don�t do the obvious. If you had to have a guideline, the best one in directing is to have your actor play the opposite of what's written, what you'd expect. Deliver a threat in a whisper. Be deadly serious as you do something stupendously ridiculous. ....such as proposing to Lizzy in this fashion... Very interesting, Cheryl. I remember CF mentioning something to that effect, in context with theater work. "You can't enter the stage and act your socks off..." or something. Does anyone remember the full quote, or where it was? My brain hurts... :-) Keep your sex appeal under wraps (well, so Milos hasn't mastered that one.) But CF did put this rule to best use as Darcy .... well, it was this effect that brought us here, I guess. The director has to know this, because if only the actor knows it, most directors will bludgeon them into going for a cartoonish effect , since directors are dolts. Unless you're Gene Hackman or something, you will never win that battle with a director, not matter how young or stupid the director is. I did not realise that the director has soooo much power, or the actor so few - somehow I have the romantic idea of director and actors working together in equal shares, to get the best of results. But I know that's naive.... it hardly ever happens anywhere where money is involved. I read somewhere (on Spring?) that the actor has no control whatsoever over the final product when working on film, as opposed to the theater, where he has the absolute control over it. Why do not all actors line up in front of the theatre casting bureaus? Ok, I know the answer :-$.

Ok, so much for pictures.... grrrr.

As you may know, these things are are shot in, well, shots, not scenes. A shot is a little tiny piece, like a jigsaw puzzle piece, which you hope fits together with the others months later when you're editing. And you hope you have enough and the right shots. Are you from the filmmaking background, did you say? Correct me if I'm wrong - but methinks shots are stills. And movies are not shot in shots, but takes... You know: Scene 1, Take 1... Scene 1 Take 2... Scene 1 Take 109... :-)

I don't mind how it is called, scenes, shots, takes, or grapefruits, as long as CF is in it... :-))

I don't mind how it is called, scenes, shots, takes, or grapefruits, as long as CF is in it... :-)) Ditto. And a Big Thanks again to Cheryl for sharing her V. experiences.

Arami: methinks shots are stills. And movies are not shot in shots, but takes... You know: Scene 1, Take 1... It could, depending on who's talking. To still photographers (who are on a feature set), they are taking still photographs. Movies work like this. The scenes are numbered by the production manager, who runs all the logistics of the set for the length of the production. They are not numbered according to what we think of as scenes (dramatic scenes), but are determined by technical considerati ns. For example, if a character goes from inside of the house to the outside, that's a new scene, because the camera has to move outside to begin to capture the new action outside. If characters are outside and get into a car, inside the car is a new scene. Within scenes there are shots, which are each time the camera is moved (also called a setup). So within a scene there could be many shots, and for each shot there could be many takes. A take is each time you do the same thing again. So when Coli says in the above interview that Milos had him do 15 takes to get rid of any hint of ill will, he�s saying the camera sat in the same place, people and furniture and props were probably pretty much the same (although they could change�often they do. The important thing is that the camera didn�t move.) So the take is one version of a shot, and a shot of the smallest building block of a scene, and scenes build dramatic scenes, and dramatic scenes build acts and movies. And to Renate, thanks for the stunning shots (since we are referring to still photos!). I have been telling my friends about you all, and to my surprise some of my straight male friends agreed that Colin was quite something in PP2 and V. They are in show business, so it's a professional assessment rather than what the average male might think, but I was surprised that they remembered him and the performances! And I haven't even seen PP2 yet. Maybe if I work a little overtime...

Now I get all italics. I guess I didn't double check that they were turned off.

(renate)I read somewhere (on Spring?) that the actor has no control whatsoever over the final product when working on film, as opposed to the theater, where he has the absolute control over it. I can't believe that that's the absolute truth. It must depend on who the actor is, and who the director, and who the producer. We hear a lot about directors not being quite happy with the end results, anything from having to fit their 4 hour story into the standard 2, to just leaving out a few seconds here and a couple of minutes there. On the other hand, an actor like, say, Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson carry weight enough that they must have a say in the matter - although you can probably argue, then why do these actors feel they have to move to the director's chair? Anyway, on stage they aren't on their own either, and they have a director to contend with as well.

I have been telling my friends about you all, and to my surprise some of my straight male friends agreed that Colin was quite something in PP2 and V. They are in show business, so it's a professional assessment rather than what the average male might think, but I was surprised that they remembered him and the performances! And I haven't even seen PP2 yet. Maybe if I work a little overtime... Cheryl, you must see P&P2! I am sure that we all quite envy you for being in a position to see it for the first time. Is everyone else getting italics all the time, or is it just me? Marked Man I've just seen Ellen's latest FAQ, and must say that I am v.v. pleased to see the proposed cast list for Marked Man......CF in the lead, with Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, Elizabeth Shue and Marisa Tomei. This is the sort of league I've wanted to see him in!!!! No more supporting roles! I'm looking forward to SIL but my initial reaction was of severe disappointment that he would again only be fourth (at least) in the billing, whilst all the attention focused on GP and the rather insipid J.Fiennes. I feel ore positive about SIL now as hopefully the Earl of Wessex is a strong role. But "Marked Man" looks very promising. What do you think? On SIL again. Ellen's FAQ says that Rupert Everett is in SIL. I wonder if he'll play the Earl of Southampton, the gay friend of (W)essex. it would be interesting to see CF and RE together again in the same movie, so many years on from AC!

In my euphoria of seeing Spring back up and then Cheryl's account of V., I forgot to report that I called Handmade Films last week. SLOW: So far, no distributor for US or UK. But they do have one for Israel and Scandanavia (Bethan says..."shows they have good taste") . They plan to premiere SLOW this summer at Venice Film Festival (which I see is on Sept. 3) or at the Toronto Film Festival. Juliette said it would be released in 1999. Asked me to call back mid-August.

Just closing that pesky italics tag. ;-)

Cheryl, don't take me too seriously. I'm a known troublemaker here... ;-) BTW, what do you call a take in which the camera HAS to move (e.g.on a dolly, track or crane)?

(Bethan) I've just seen Ellen's latest FAQ, and must say that I am v.v. pleased to see the proposed cast list for Marked Man......CF in the lead, with Gabriel Byrne, Jeremy Irons, Elizabeth Shue and Marisa Tomei. This is the sort of league I've wanted to see him in!!!! I second that. The plot synopsis sounds intriguing too. Colin in a suspense thriller, hopefully an intelligent one. Are we being too optimistic? Nothing's been finalized and even if it pans out I'd be surprised to see Marked Man before 2000. But at least to know there are plans to use him well...

Hi gang, I've missed you! Cheryl, welcome and thanks for all the great information and insights about Valmont. And I second Bethan, you must see P&P2! It is delightful, and CF's acting is superb. While we're on the subject of P&P2 (and since no one's been posting at 68 lately), did anyone catch Joanna David (Mrs. Gardiner) on the A&E mystery movies yesterday? It was also fun to see Lucy Briers (Mary) in an old PD James series on Mystery last week. She looked quite pretty and not at all Mary-ish. Keeping my fingers crossed about Marked Man. It sounds like a great project for the DB. And what's the deal with the italics? Even the instructions on the screen are in italics now.... Nan, help?

OK, now I'm embarrassed. After I submitted my post all the stuff that was showing up as italics converted to the correct type. Oh no... could it have been operator error??

Thanks for posting the information about SLOW, Evelyn. I actually take this as quite positive news! :-) An incredible 70% of British independently made films NEVER get shown anywhere. The only way most can get picked up for distribution is to be shown at one of the Film Markets where someone like Miramax or Fox Searchlight may show interest. Otherwise they may just get a very limited theatre release in the UK. Or nothing. (At least, if worst comes to worst, we can see SLOW on video with Swedish or Yiddish subtitles! ) Is SLOW actually being shown as a Festival entry or weren't Handmade specific about this? And I was wondering where the info about BVI (on Ellen's FAQ) came from? There was someting in one of the papers about the global movie industry now being totally driven by blockbuster movies or "celebrity" star movies...ie the latest Tom Cruise/Harrison Ford/John Travoltla/Bruce Willis etc. Smaller independent movies are being swept aside ( apart from in Sweden or Israel :-)).

(Bethan) Is SLOW actually being shown as a Festival entry or weren't Handmade specific about this? And I was wondering where the info about BVI (on Ellen's FAQ) came from? SLOW has not been accepted yet as an official entry in any festival. Although I assume it has been submitted. I did not ask abut BVI or about having been taken over by Rubicon. I shall do that in August. Pl add any other questions that I shoud ask. Also TV ALERT for US: HOSTAGES will be shown on the History Channel on Thursday from 10AM to 12 noon ET. Just in time as I have been reading "Some Other Rainbow" by John McCarthy and Jill Morrell. Thanks to everyone who recommended that book. Really, a fastastic read. .

(renate)I read somewhere (on Spring?) that the actor has no control whatsoever over the final product when working on film, as opposed to the theater, where he has the absolute control over it. (Gi)I can't believe that that's the absolute truth. It must depend on who the actor is, and who the director, and who the producer. ........... Anyway, on stage they aren't on their own either, and they have a director to contend with as well. I agree that a lot depends on the personalities of the director and actors. But my above statement goes more for the "technical" side of filmmaking, and how the film is put together in the editing room. Whatever an actor thought he was doing in front of the camera can get a different meaning when put into another context. Same may happen to the director, though, and his product is not at all what he/she intended when edited by somebody else. Opposed to that on the theater the course of scenes totally depe ds on the actors while performing.

Renate, seen in that perspective, I agree with you.

Hm.

Sorry. Grrrhm. �bung macht den Meister.

That, I'm afraid, is my least favourite of His photographs. But I know that to many of you this is not so :-)

Interesting, Gi. Which one is your favourite? If you don't know the location, can you describe it? I think it's funny how MANY Colins there are - perhaps as many as fans? Hey, everyone: what are your 3 favourite CF pics? It may turn out that we like completely different Colins. :-)).

It may turn out that we like completely different Colins. :-)). New Woman magazine Pic Beer bottle pic (even with that sweater!) Opening shot in MOTM (sexy geography teacher look!) Recommended reading..I've just read a novel called Rogues and Players, by Pauline Bentley, published by Knight Press (ISBN 1 86019 611 X) It's set in Elizabethan England and is a romantic drama about a playwright/actor and his daughter Gabriellen who acts with the band of players. It's set against the background of the court of Elizabeth I and characters include the dashing Earl of Essex and a very romantic curly headed hero called Mark! Well written, well researched, with a very good sense of period, and (be warned!) something of a bodice ripper! I'm afraid it may well be out of print, but it's worth trying to get hold of.

3 favorite CF pics? the other one of Darcy with that smirk on his face (his hair's too pouffy inthe one above-though he's very cute) the big grin Fever Pitch one whichever picture is the latest

3 favorite CF pics? the other one of Darcy with that smirk on his face (his hair's too pouffy inthe one above-though he's very cute) the big grin Fever Pitch one (grey t-shirt and leather jacket) whichever picture is the latest

Thanks Cheryl for all the info! Great to have you here. I have another question... (fellow droolers please do not despise me for asking this question) Is Colin a little clumsy? Some shots in Valmont gave me the impression that he might be.. For example... when he's diving off the boat, and climbing the stairs...etc..

YES! I've also noticed that. He seems to be slipping, stumbling, bumping his head etc all the time. Sweet, really - so natural.

This is my favorite pic:

There is a cute new website where you can send Jane Austen postcards. Great selection of Darcy photos. http://home.earthlink.net/~kruse8/card.htm My favorite CF photos: 1. "The Look" directed at Lizzie at Pemberley 2.In the Wedding Carriage: Big Toothy smile. Precious little hand on gorgeous thigh. 3. At the postcard website. What Haley calls: "IBM Darcy" (Ideal Breeding Material)

Sorry if the next message(s) takes some time to load ...

Here are (some of) my favourite pics: Bethan, the ugly sweater pic is my favourite, too. And perhaps when he sits in the pub with the reporter, against the light, but can't find it right now. But this comes next.... And this one, from Empire (?)

This is not so bad either. Are these the right ones? Sorry, my lunch break is over, will try to find the other ones later...

Well I've never done this before but I think I'll give it a try anyway.

Yeah! It worked! I cannot believe it! As you may guess this is one of my favourite pictures. Since I'm on my lunch break I don't have much time to look for other of my favourite Colin pictures. But I look forward to see which ones you'll pull out of your sleeve, Renate. By the way, I finally got to see Fever Pitch. Yes, yes, yes! I could see some of my male friends' behaviour in Paul, that's for sure. Gotta run, because I'm alredy late. Lena

I LOVE THE BACKGROUND! WET! WET! WET!!!! :-.) I don't think I can limit myself to three, but if I really force myself to choose I'd pick the New Woman magazine Pic (I'm not sure if this is the one... but we're talking cover of a magazine in the 80's, a younger Colin staring right at you... Is this the one?) The red sweater picture Ann put up All the Darcy pictures :-) Bethan : Opening shot in MOTM (sexy geography teacher look!) GASP! I've never seen this one. Where shall I go look for it?

Sexy geography teacher look! Actually, I think this is a contradiction in terms (by me) as I've never met a sexy geography teacher! It's the anorak and the windswept walking over the moors look! Clever Renate has almost caught it......see the snappy just above Darcy and Fever Pitch. I say "almost" because I think the expression that captivates me is perhaps just fractionally before this. But I'm NOT complaining! My New Woman magazine pic is different...I'll see if I can find the URL somewhere. YES! I've also noticed that. He seems to be slipping, stumbling, bumping his head etc all the time. Sweet, really - so natural.(Arami) I've always wondered how he managed to bump and damage his nose against a girder when swimming in the tank (ie Pemberley pool!)!! He often seems to stumble (although in Valmont wasn't he supposed to be slightly drunk?). Perhaps it's that long loping stride of his, he may trip over his own feet. On the other hand he seems very athletic...riding, fencing etc! Take your pick.:-)

SLOW They plan to premiere SLOW this summer at Venice Film Festival (which I see is on Sept. 3) or at the Toronto Film Festival. Juliette said it would be released in 1999. Asked me to call back mid-August. Surfing in my lunch break, I found two sites, one for the Toronto 1998 Film Festival (Sep 10-17) and one for Venice 1998 (Sep 3-13). Over 300 films will be shown at Toronto (it's more of a film market) while at Venice there are several categories for festival entries. Both sites look good and the official film screening schedules will go online late August, early Sept, plus details, news and reviews of films. Something to keep our eye on! Sites are: Toronto http://www.bell.ca/toronto/filmfest/98/xplore/xplore.htm Venice http://www.mclink.it/cinema.venezia/ Hope I've got them right!

SUCCESS!!! YE-E-SS!! The Toronto URL takes you straight into the film database (not up and running yet) but if you click on Home you get back to the main info and home page.

. Perhaps it's that long loping stride of his, he may trip over his own feet. He does have v. big feet. Remember that pic from Movieline mag...with the crewneck sweater and wide smile.? Thanks for the Darcy 'look" pic.

Hey - who's pulled the plug from the bottom of the sea? ;-) (Bethan)He often seems to stumble (although in Valmont wasn't he supposed to be slightly drunk?). Surely not in the scene where he's talking to Mme T. standing in the boat? At the end he jumps in the lake (of course) and you can just see how his foot catches the side of the boat. The rest of the scene is edited out, but he must have really crashed into that water! He can also be seen bumping his head in Lost Empires, slipping twice in Master of the Moor and once in Fever Pitch (and he fell off a horse whilst filming Nostromo)... I don't think he is especially clumsy - even the most graceful people do stumble sometimes - but what really happens is that, while most actors in that situation would probably insist on re-takes, he probably doesn't mind being seen behaving naturally. It adds an endearing kind of authenticity to his film portrayals.

LOL - the water is back again. There's something funny going on - does anyone else have that kind of ebb-tide experience?

LOL - the water is back again. Splish! Splash! It's soooo refreshing! :-.D

Thank you, Nan, for not putting in a pond background.... :-)) (PS: the more I look at the more I like the new clear and pure background)

Made it a little lighter for you last night...is the type any more legible?

Ah! Lovely, Renate... But with all this water around, why is he still dry? ;-)

Made it a little lighter for you last night...is the type any more legible? Ah, that's why..... Mille Grazie, ragazza! Ah! Lovely, Renate... But with all this water around, why is he still dry? ;-) If you can't answer this question, Your Wetness, nobody else can. (-???)

I like most the natural looks, such as Master of the Moor, or Fever Pitch:

Here's my first attempt at putting in a picture: My favorite: Hope this works!

Ok, let's try it again!

Ok, now I'm on a role, but I can't do more than one at a time, so here's #2!

And finally, #3--I love his hair in this one! The End!

I'm SO impressed! Photo no 2 BTW is similar to the one used in the recent Woman's Realm article , except it's a full length version. Jeans and big feet. I should have added the SLOW pic with Nia Long to my list. Just one unrelated question. I've just read Lost Empires for the first time, but have never seen the mini-series. Does anyone know if the series is true to the novel. Richard appears to have a fondness for women (and vice versa!). I counted five, at least. (Lost Empires is out of print but there are lots of second hand copies available from www.bibliofind.com )

Trina: Love all your pics esp Darcy. "What's there not to like". No. 3 shirt looks like the same as p. 95 in Making of P&P .At the picnic with JE and Crispin Bonham-Carter. The guy is obviously not a clothes horse. Or that was before Livia. In recent pics he looks v. continental .

Here is the Women's Realm pic - on the left as it was printed, and on the right mirrored. What do you say, which one is correct? Left or Right?

Pretty pictures! Excellent choices, Trina. I don't even mind the sideburns on photo #2 ;-) Just so you know, before posting any Colin photos you might want to ask permission of the person who "owns" them (though no one really "owns" photos on the net, I suppose). What I mean is the person who created the page from where you got the photo. Most will probably say it's okay, but I know that there are some who prefer that you ask permission first. Better to be safe than sorry...but I do love that BIG D rcy :-)~~~ (Bethan) Jeans and big feet. Ooooh, big feet! You know what that means!!!! Big shoes!! ;-p)

BIG... D....D....D.... deal...

hmmmm

Just so you know, before posting any Colin photos you might want to ask permission of the person who "owns" them } Then there is the fact that scanned photos belong to the original publishers, and are in themselves a violation of the 'owner's' rights. ;-)

Oh, poooooh! Those people should be grateful for any extra free publicity at all. The net is a grey area, but as long as the images in question are not used for direct monetary gain, then no one should object.

(Ann) Then there is the fact that scanned photos belong to the original publishers, and are in themselves a violation of the 'owner's' rights. ;-) (Arami) Oh, poooooh! Those people should be grateful for any extra free publicity at all. The net is a grey area, but as long as the images in question are not used for direct monetary gain, then no one should object. I absolutely agree with you both, but you know how proprietary some people are about the photos they've scanned. New people post those photos in complete innocence, just wanting to share a good thing, then caca hits fan. I agree, it's ridiculous and not in keeping with the spirit of shared information, but it does happen. Just trying to help the new people avoid the buckets we stepped in all those months ago ;-)

"...It's my scanner and I'll scan what I want to...!" ;-)

"...It's my scanner and I'll scan what I want to...!" ;-) Oh my! It's Leslie Gore! ;-p

The guy is obviously not a clothes horse. Or that was before Livia. There was a discussion in one of the papers about unfashionable items of clothing,which included a reference to "corduroy trousers as always worn by Colin Firth before he got married". Definitely a "before and after"! Didn't Nick Hornby say that most of the clothes CF wore in FP were his own?

most of the clothes CF wore in FP were his own I still can't believe they told him to bring his wardrobe to the shoot and that was it. Costumes for a film are subject to careful planning and care - it is not a matter of haphazard choice (unless your name is Gloria Swanson, perhaps). On the other hand, actors are often offered the costumes they wore in a film. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding of sorts. I.e. if Colin accepted some of the clothes he wore in FP (e.g. a leather jacket - not too bad), it could mean they were to his own personal taste.

P.S. Apologies to any Gloria Swanson fans out there :-)

"corduroy trousers as always worn by Colin Firth before he got married". I liked that casual British ..".Hampshire-man"..look. His clothes now look definitely more structured ......"outfits" from Via Veneta?

Huh! I thought I'd spotted an ideal role for CF! Headline in paper...."Hollywood remake of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady". I've always fancied the idea of CF as the very English Professor Higgins. But, alas, alack, 'tis not to be. The Hollywood version, set in London, is a 90's role reversal interpretation with (you've guessed it) Gwyneth Paltrow in the Prof role and Winona Ryder as Colonel Pickering. "Eliza Doolittle" is a nerdish 30-something (male) trainspotter who lives with his mum. Hollywood have paid nea ly $2 million dollars for this bright idea! What next, GP and Winona as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson? Or how about CF, Ralph Fiennes & D Day Lewis in a remake of Little Women? :-)

( Bethan) What next, GP and Winona as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson? Or how about CF, Ralph Fiennes & D Day Lewis in a remake of Little Women? :-) LOL! I am particularly intrigued by your Little Women cast...... While playfully considering other classics for role reversal a terrible thought struck my mind: P&P has not yet been remade for the screen in the really big fashion .....! Eeeeeek! I am terrified at the mere thought what they can do to it (again!), wheras role reversal may be the best we can hope for ..... shudder!

Sorry, an administrative matter that I wanted to post where all would see it ;-) Just a reminder that if you want to "keep" your name in Pemberley, you need to toddle on over to the Newbies page, click on "List of names already in use", and if you can find your name in black, click the button next to it, scroll down the page and tell us you're still here. If your name ISN'T on the list, and you do post there, you might want to post on the newbie board to let us know... but be patient, it's all manual, so adding new names takes a little while. I noticed that several drool regulars had not confirmed their names, so I wanted to let you know about this in case it had escaped your notice.

I pulled these off of the AP Wire. They are the relative sales position for BJD: WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST SELLING BOOKS FICTION 4. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST SELLING BOOKS HARDCOVER FICTION 3. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) USA TODAY BEST SELLING BOOKS 20. ``Bridget Jones's Diary'' by Helen Fielding (Viking) (F-H) Key: F-Fiction; NF-Nonfiction; H-Hardcover; P-Paperback USA Today's list is based on a computer analysis of retail book sales nationwide last week. Included are more than 1 million volumes from approximately 3,000 large-inventory, diverse-content bookstores.

Whoops, I meant to post that at the other topic.