“The Definitive Pinter”
By Raymond Benson
Cinema Retro has featured articles and reviews of several titles in the “American Film Theatre” series.
To recap: Back in 1973, producer Ely Landau and his wife Edie launched a daring and unprecedented cinema series that played in the U.S. for two “seasons,” with a total of fourteen titles (but only thirteen were shown), all renowned works—classic and modern—originally produced on the stage. It was called the American Film Theatre. (A review of a DVD box set of the entire series appeared on Cinema Retro. Click here to read.)
The concept tried something different. The directive was to take a great stage play, not change a word, and in most cases, use the actual play script as the screenplay. The next step was to hire an accomplished film director to interpret the text for the film medium but stay faithful to the play.
By Raymond Benson
Cinema Retro has featured articles and reviews of several titles in the “American Film Theatre” series.
To recap: Back in 1973, producer Ely Landau and his wife Edie launched a daring and unprecedented cinema series that played in the U.S. for two “seasons,” with a total of fourteen titles (but only thirteen were shown), all renowned works—classic and modern—originally produced on the stage. It was called the American Film Theatre. (A review of a DVD box set of the entire series appeared on Cinema Retro. Click here to read.)
The concept tried something different. The directive was to take a great stage play, not change a word, and in most cases, use the actual play script as the screenplay. The next step was to hire an accomplished film director to interpret the text for the film medium but stay faithful to the play.
- 9/12/2019
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
By Tim Greaves
Numerous actors have occupied the role of Sherlock Holmes over the decades, some more suited to the shoes of author Arthur Conan Doyle's famous consulting detective than others. One of the finest portrayals is that by Ian Richardson. Yet, sadly, his is also one that is often overlooked, not leastways because he played the character just twice (in a pair of 1983 films made for television), but also because his light was to be quickly eclipsed a year later by the arrival on TV screens of Jeremy Brett, whose interpretation of Holmes is considered by many to be the definitive one.
Sy Weintraub – who produced several Tarzan movies throughout the 60s and was executive producer on the popular long-running Ron Ely TV series –teamed up with Otto Plaschkes (whose producer credits include Georgie Girl and The Holcroft Covenant) with the intention of making several Holmes adventures headlining Richardson.
Numerous actors have occupied the role of Sherlock Holmes over the decades, some more suited to the shoes of author Arthur Conan Doyle's famous consulting detective than others. One of the finest portrayals is that by Ian Richardson. Yet, sadly, his is also one that is often overlooked, not leastways because he played the character just twice (in a pair of 1983 films made for television), but also because his light was to be quickly eclipsed a year later by the arrival on TV screens of Jeremy Brett, whose interpretation of Holmes is considered by many to be the definitive one.
Sy Weintraub – who produced several Tarzan movies throughout the 60s and was executive producer on the popular long-running Ron Ely TV series –teamed up with Otto Plaschkes (whose producer credits include Georgie Girl and The Holcroft Covenant) with the intention of making several Holmes adventures headlining Richardson.
- 5/10/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
We met with Colin Firth, the Tailor in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, to talk about his role in the film, 70s confectionery, and his recent Oscar win...
On the eve of release for Tomas Alfredson’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, we caught up with Colin Firth, at a round table interview, to talk Curly Wurlys, Gary Oldman, being part of an extraordinary ensemble, winning an Oscar and why he’d be a rubbish spy in real life…
We’ve just been talking about Wimpy, reminiscing and reliving that scene in the film.
Don’t let me stop you! [laughs] The Wimpy, yes, well actually we were just talking about Sherbet Fountains, and the surprising things that don’t ever change. You don’t need to be nostalgic about a sherbet fountain because it’s exactly as it was. There are still Curly Wurlys aren’t there? Or are they gone? [Colin Firth is assured by all present that Curly Wurlys are still extant]
Can...
On the eve of release for Tomas Alfredson’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, we caught up with Colin Firth, at a round table interview, to talk Curly Wurlys, Gary Oldman, being part of an extraordinary ensemble, winning an Oscar and why he’d be a rubbish spy in real life…
We’ve just been talking about Wimpy, reminiscing and reliving that scene in the film.
Don’t let me stop you! [laughs] The Wimpy, yes, well actually we were just talking about Sherbet Fountains, and the surprising things that don’t ever change. You don’t need to be nostalgic about a sherbet fountain because it’s exactly as it was. There are still Curly Wurlys aren’t there? Or are they gone? [Colin Firth is assured by all present that Curly Wurlys are still extant]
Can...
- 9/19/2011
- Den of Geek
Current reigning Oscar champion Colin Firth walked into a suite at the Soho Hotel yesterday to find a bunch of journalists chatting about Wimpy. There’s a shot of the maligned British burger joint in Firth’s latest movie – ensemble spy thriller Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, directed by feted Swede Tomas “Let the Right One In” Alfredson - and the mere mention of it was enough to set us all off on a nostalgia trip, to which the actor duly contributed.
“I was just talking about Sherbet Fountains and the surprising things that don’t change. You don’t need to be nostalgic about Sherbet Fountain because it’s exactly as it was.” But after these comforting words of reassurance, a sudden sense of loss grips the actor: “There are still Curly Wurlys aren’t there… or have they gone?” he asks. We assure him that they are still very much around,...
“I was just talking about Sherbet Fountains and the surprising things that don’t change. You don’t need to be nostalgic about Sherbet Fountain because it’s exactly as it was.” But after these comforting words of reassurance, a sudden sense of loss grips the actor: “There are still Curly Wurlys aren’t there… or have they gone?” he asks. We assure him that they are still very much around,...
- 9/13/2011
- by Robert Beames
- Obsessed with Film
Peter Hall, 1973, 12, Fremantle
A combination of the original 1965 RSC casts at the Aldwych and on Broadway (Paul Rogers, Ian Holm, Cyril Cusack, Vivien Merchant, Michael Jayston, Terence Rigby), of what many regard as Harold Pinter's finest play, are reunited with Peter Hall under the auspices of the American Film Theatre. This is the definitive record of Pinter's tragicomedy of territorial imperatives. The dark family secrets of a menacing, all-male, north London household are revealed when the academic white sheep of a working-class, crime-related family brings his seductive wife from the States to meet his misogynistic father, uncle and brothers. John Bury's stage sets are beautifully lit by ace cinematographer David Watkin and it's Hall's finest work for the cinema. Also in the double-disc set is an informative, unpretentious documentary assembled by Philip Saville, in which a variety of friends and fellow actors, including Steven Berkoff, Henry Goodman, Sheila Hancock and Michael Caine,...
A combination of the original 1965 RSC casts at the Aldwych and on Broadway (Paul Rogers, Ian Holm, Cyril Cusack, Vivien Merchant, Michael Jayston, Terence Rigby), of what many regard as Harold Pinter's finest play, are reunited with Peter Hall under the auspices of the American Film Theatre. This is the definitive record of Pinter's tragicomedy of territorial imperatives. The dark family secrets of a menacing, all-male, north London household are revealed when the academic white sheep of a working-class, crime-related family brings his seductive wife from the States to meet his misogynistic father, uncle and brothers. John Bury's stage sets are beautifully lit by ace cinematographer David Watkin and it's Hall's finest work for the cinema. Also in the double-disc set is an informative, unpretentious documentary assembled by Philip Saville, in which a variety of friends and fellow actors, including Steven Berkoff, Henry Goodman, Sheila Hancock and Michael Caine,...
- 1/9/2011
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
British actor Terence Rigby has died. He was 71.
The star, who is most famous for his roles in Get Carter and Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, lost his battle with lung cancer at his London home last week (Beg4Aug08).
Rigby became well known in his native England following his starring roles in popular TV series Softly, Softly: Task Force and the BBC's 1980s adaptation of Sherlock Holmes tale, The Hound of the Baskervilles.
His other film roles included Elizabeth and as the voice of Silver in beloved animated children's tale Watership Down.
Rigby began his career in the theatre, attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts alongside legendary British TV actor John Thaw.
The actor went on to direct a string of shows in London's West End, most recently Waiting for Godot in 2005.
A spokesman for Rigby says, "He will be sorely missed. There are not so many like him any more. He was a very powerful character actor, able to play villains and nice roles with ease."
Rigby had no immediate survivors.
The star, who is most famous for his roles in Get Carter and Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies, lost his battle with lung cancer at his London home last week (Beg4Aug08).
Rigby became well known in his native England following his starring roles in popular TV series Softly, Softly: Task Force and the BBC's 1980s adaptation of Sherlock Holmes tale, The Hound of the Baskervilles.
His other film roles included Elizabeth and as the voice of Silver in beloved animated children's tale Watership Down.
Rigby began his career in the theatre, attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts alongside legendary British TV actor John Thaw.
The actor went on to direct a string of shows in London's West End, most recently Waiting for Godot in 2005.
A spokesman for Rigby says, "He will be sorely missed. There are not so many like him any more. He was a very powerful character actor, able to play villains and nice roles with ease."
Rigby had no immediate survivors.
- 8/12/2008
- WENN
Actor Terence Rigby has died, aged 71. The thespian, who performed on the big screen, TV and stage, passed away at his London home. Rigby's TV roles included Softly, Softly: Task Force, Midsomer Murders, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Crossroads and Holby City. 2003's Mona Lisa Smile, Michael Caine's Get Carter and Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies were among his movie credits. He also appeared in a version (more)...
- 8/11/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.