Alan Rickman Guestbook

(August 2002)

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To whoever got his phone number, I hope you're in high school, because otherwise, I can't think of a flattering explanation for your action. If you respect Alan as a person, why would you be so invasive as to call Rima's last place of employment or to get AR's phone number? How do you think he would feel about that? He doesn't know you, and fans can be crazy and homicidal. Don't give him or Rima the creeps, and think about your self-respect.
Stacie
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 20:56:57 (PDT)

My top three Rickmania movies for optimum enjoyment: SENSE & SENSIBILITY, TRULY MADLY DEEPLY, and an odd little movie called CLOSET LAND..the whole movie is just AR and Madelaine Stowe.
Suzy
Los Angeles, - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 17:48:50 (PDT)

Fausta, the list of symptoms for the various Rickman-related maladies didn't mention checking hopefully the day before the first day of the month for a new Rickmanasta Review. ;-)

Alas, I can't arch my eyebrow but most of the other symptoms seemed to be spot on. I just love that photo with that noble nose up in the air. *sigh* Looking forward to reports of the last performance tomorrow. Sort of.

Can't we keep him a little longer?

Cindie
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 16:48:01 (PDT)

Thanks, Suzanne, you're the best!
Tami
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 16:23:14 (PDT)

THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL SITE FOR ALAN RICKMAN!! I LOOOOOOOOVE HIM VERY MUCH AND WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP THIS PAGE, YOU NAME IT, YOU GOT IT !!!!!!
valesca acciolli <v_lobato@hotmail.comfoo>
rio de janeiro, rj brazil - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 15:25:44 (PDT)

I attended a show of "Private Lives" on Broadway last night with my boyfriend, and was practically fainting the entire time. There was Alan Rickman, not twenty feet from me! He was....incredible....the show was very very very good, and he got to flounce around and hog the stage brilliantly the entire time, I highly reccomend it if you are a huge Alan Rickman fan like I am and can make it to NYC this weekend (it closes tomorrow). After the show, of course, I hung around outside the barricades for him to show up, and I had a really good spot, so when he came out, not only did I shake his hand, but as he was turning to go, my boyfriend said, "excuse me, Mr. Rickman, my girlfriend is a huge fan of yours, would you give her a hug?" AND...HE...DID..... man, he is fabulous. Anyway, I hope some of you were entertained by that. I know I was. Lucy
lucy <safetymeasures17@msn.comfoo>
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 14:52:13 (PDT)

Italics fixed.

Claire
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 14:18:04 (PDT)

I am a HUGE Alan Rickman fan. Have been for awhile, but have not signed any guest book until now. Went to see Private Lives in NYC, while up there for Tap Festival. Got to see and have pic taken with AR. He was sweet. He signed my playbill & Severus Snapes photo I had. My favorite AR Movies are the ones he played romantic leads in. "Sense & Sensibility" & "Truly, Madly, Deeply". Would like to hear from other fans.
Tippy Thornton <tappingfool@aol.comfoo>
NC USA - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 14:15:09 (PDT)

Verena: yes to "telephone book" and "Kenneth Branagh" and "Helena Bonham Carter".

Would someone like to explain "troll" in German and why it's not good to feed them?

Magda
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 12:32:53 (PDT)

PS: Wer Rechtsschreibfehler findet, darf sie behalten :)
verena
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 12:00:10 (PDT)

*HIS* Telephone number?????????Where the hell did you get the number? ... I mean,I know you won´t give it out,but where could anybody get his number? Is he mentioned in a telephone book? (Do you call it *Telephone book* ?)

Am I right? Or didn´t I understand what I think I did?

HP 2: Kenneth Branagh (?) is Emma Thompson´s ex-husband? Is it right that he betrayed her with Helena Boham Carter ???? (Does that name exists?) I heard it and thought : What an abc-hole! But it was only once I heard it,so I can´t say it´s true. Can anybody help me?

My sister and my brother-in-law came back from their honeymoons in California (they were in Las Vegas and Los Angeles!!!) and I asked my sister if she could PLEASE go with me to London and she said :" Hehehe, I know why you want to go , but I´m not sure if I could go,because of the money,you know.We shall see,ok?" So it´s not clear but I´ll try!!!
verena (there´s a butterfly in my stomach)
Bremen , - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 11:57:43 (PDT)

Im gonna try and watch it then aswell. dont no if ill get a seat though
drkstrike
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 11:28:39 (PDT)

Who all is going to see the Harry Potter movie on the FIRST day it shows?? I am . I can't wait for November 15th!
Juliana
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 11:01:05 (PDT)

Hi all! Terrible sorry about the last time I was here I had a bit of a......lets say troll attack aswell. But listen up I have amazing news,info and questions on Alan. Well you know that we are to respect his privercy (have I spelt that right?) well anyway I found out his phone number. I havn't rang the number and I don't think I ever will, and I won't give it out. But my mate tried the number and it worked. a women answered the phone, it was kinda high ish and quite in volume. She answered the phone with "Uh hello?". Well wot does rime sound like when talking? You should know. My mate and I also e-mailed the place where Rima worked before she retired and we talked to this kind lad called Danny. Any way we talked about coures and a bit bout Rima.....by a bit I mean 30 seconds......and aparently he thought ( I say thought because he knows nothing of Alan Rickman) that she went to live with this guy she was engagde to ( is that how you spell it?) is it true? you may not think i'm tellin the truth about all of it.....but I am!
drkstrike <drkstrike@hotmail.comfoo>
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 10:54:05 (PDT)

Alan Rickman opens his own mail (given the probable volume, no small feat), looks at his gifts and messages from fans, remembers and appreciates them. Banish cynicism! What a sweetheart.
Lily
Chicago, IL - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 10:10:49 (PDT)

Okay, back to remedial HTML training for me. The italics were supposed to begin and END with the word "is".
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 09:44:45 (PDT)

Stacie, one of my co-workers has the exact opposite view of Harry's home life as depicted in the film. She is, in fact, very upset with the way his aunt, uncle, and cousin bully him, starve him, and make him live in a cramped closet. "That's child abuse, pure and simple," she maintains. For a long while, her comments made me feel guilty about finding this depiction amusing--I mean it is a gross exaggeration, after all and not meant to reflect reality. Still, she has a point. By way of apolgy, my rejoinder to her was, "But didn't you ever read Dickens?"
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 09:42:32 (PDT)

I'm sorry to hear that Rickman is under-used. Sob! When will they learn? I was disappointed by the scene in Harry Potter that first shows him at home with his relatives. It was too bright and cheerful. Harry was making pancakes for the family. Oh, the abuse of it all. You didn't get a sense, as you did in the book, of the misery of his life. In the book, because his homelife is depressingly abusive, it's uplifting and emotionally rewarding when the magic gets him to Hogwarts. In the movie going to Hogwarts just seems like a fun, amazing adventure. They weren't careful with the emotional tone of the movie, their efforts were in being technically and factually correct. I hope this next movie is better. By the way, Alan Rickman came through with flying colors, Snape was the best thing in the movie. Somehow I feel you'll all agree!
Stacie
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 09:18:53 (PDT)

i would just like to comment on how nice this GB is and i love reading the posts from PL....However there are only a few performances left so...we must say goodbye to AR but bid hima speedy return:)
nelly
- Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 08:36:48 (PDT)

Hi... just read that in the Times (for what it's worth) and found the online version:

August 31, 2002

Secrets of the latest Potter film are revealed in web review By Jack Malvern, Arts Reporter

HARRY POTTER’S forthcoming appearance at the cinema is shrouded in as much mystery as the Chamber of Secrets itself, but a review of the film has already appeared on a respected website. Ain’t It Cool, a website which has become part of the Hollywood establishment, claims to have seen a version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets that is almost the final cut.

The reviewer, who writes under the pseudonym of Walkabouter, describes the film as “superior to its predecessor”. He admits that people will be cynical about the review’s authenticity, but the website describes Walkabouter as one of its most reliable spies. Warner Brothers, which has the rights for all of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, has declined to comment.

Harry Knowles, who founded Ain’t It Cool in 1996, is highly respected in the film industry, and was named by Premiere magazine in its list of the 100 Most Powerful People in Hollywood. He has caused controversy by revealing that test audiences hated big-budget films such as Batman and Robin and Speed 2: Cruise Control.

He says: “Walkabouter has been with me for years. He’s as solid a spy as we get. He scares everyone at Warner Brothers. He was dead right about the first Harry Potter and dead on about Scooby Doo.”

The film is described as faster and funnier than the original Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but it “seems to have taken three steps forward but one step back”. The review criticises the film for being rough around the edges, especially in the final act. “They’ve also tried to condense everything, making it move faster and faster, while skipping over some nice details,” the reviewer says.

“In the first film, Harry was an outsider, a symbol of wide-eyed innocence coupled with soulful restraint. Here, Daniel Radcliffe is much more . . . playful. There’s a devilish twinkle in his eyes that wasn’t there before. He’s a little on edge and a lot more mischievous.

“Chamber of Secrets is turning out to be a really good flick. It’s funnier, spookier and a little more complicated, but as there’s so much crammed into one film, one can’t help but think that it’s both too much and not enough. It’s not that there’s anything missing — all the ingredients are there. But perhaps there’s some flavor (sic) lost when you don’t let the food simmer enough.” Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, is singled out for scene-stealing in his “comic relief” role. Alan Rickman is “under-used” but praised for his camp portrayal of the baddie.

The reviewer saves his highest praise for Kenneth Branagh, who he says might get an Oscar-nomination for his portrayal of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Harry’s new teacher of the dark arts. “He’s smug, vain, pompous and charming. He’s foolish and clever, witty and bumbling. This is not just Branagh doing Lockhart. It’s Branagh spoofing Branagh.” Robbie Coltrane’s return to his role as Hagrid is “lovable”.

A high point is the depiction of the game of Quidditch, faster and more thrilling than in the first film. The animated spiders, snakes and “whomping” tree are also praised .

The reviewer concedes that he was unable to enjoy the full impact of the film because he could not listen to the score, written by John Williams.

But [me talking now] the one I am really looking forward to is HP 3... I'm sure Cuaron will do something with it that will smack less of Hollywood and recapture a bit more of the book's magic. And hopefully he'll have the sense to make more use of Mr Rickman.

GML
UK - Saturday, August 31, 2002 at 04:35:50 (PDT)

Thanks, Chris, for posting that for us. Great to see you here again, BTW!

However, since Linda has expressed her wish not to have her son's photo posted on the Internet and she is not home at the moment, I have deleted the link. I have also e-mailed her to let her know about it. If, when she returns home, she decides it's okay, I will put the link back or re-post it.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 21:51:18 (PDT)

If I were Alan, I would want that picture entitled Sony Awards on Claire's picture page deleted. In fact, I feel I can speak for Mr. Rickman, who always wishes to appear at his best, when I say strike that picture from the records! Pretend you never saw it!
Vera
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 20:50:01 (PDT)

"I dedicate the all of this for all of you That always working with love That always feeling something with heart" Pls visit me at : www.poem.surawung.com i need you all to make everything better and friendly .... see you R A K A
raka <rakayana@surawung.comfoo>
us - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 19:37:11 (PDT)

Whose webpage is that with the newspaper clipping of the boy with Alan? I don't want to offend anybody, but I don't think it's a good idea to post it without his mother's permission. I would ask that you please remove it and, Suzanne, can you also remove the link from the guestbook? Linda is on holiday until next week with her family and can't answer for herself. But I know it is her wish that Brian's photo not be published anywhere on the internet. I have the original photo because we're friends and I was there when it was taken, but have not published it on my website according to her wishes. I hope nobody is offended, but I don't want her to be upset when she returns. Last weekend, she told Alan about the article and he said she should send it to him in London when it's published. I hope you all understand. -Tami
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 19:14:00 (PDT)

The boy's mom is Linda from NJ who posts here on occasion.
Mindy
CT USA - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 18:23:15 (PDT)

Chris (NJ) --what a nice article! Do we know this boy's mom, perhaps?
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 18:17:43 (PDT)

Random fact: John Malkovich (who played Valmont in the movie "Dangerous Liasons") turned down the role of good ol' George, Sheriff of Nottingham...we all know who took the part instead...
"Lurker #435"
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 18:16:46 (PDT)

As for your jersey number-8, that was Troy Aikman's (football)number!!! I am sure you will find 8 as lucky as troy found it!
Kathy
Lewiston, Me - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 18:04:04 (PDT)

Steph, the number 7 is usually considered a perfect number. Divisible only by 1 and itself. Usually called primes I believe.
Harlii
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 17:58:17 (PDT)

Opened my local weekly (ok so I live in the boonies) today and found that the kid's page had an article on Alan! I've posted it here

----------

Copy and paste folks 'cause I'm too tired after putting up 275 bales of hay to do any more html.
Chris <ckwible@att.netfoo>
NJ - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 17:34:17 (PDT)

9. No reason.
Cynthia
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 17:00:12 (PDT)

6.
Vera
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 16:58:28 (PDT)

Steph - Thank you for posting that tip about how to add umlauts to my messages. I've always been envious of my European friends having international keyboards,but now I can umlaut with the best of them! ;-)

As far as jersey numbers ... I'm partial to "8" myself. (But then again, that might have something to do with the fact that I first saw PL on August 8th - eighth month/eighth day - and a very special day that was!) Good luck with your softball season!

Laura <trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 16:55:58 (PDT)

I have to pick a number for my softball jersey, I get to pick any number, within reason. Like between 1 - 25. I need some help!!! I'm thinking 21. Any suggestions?
Steph
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 14:55:44 (PDT)

For those who don't have umlauts on their keyboards you can make them by holding down the ALT button and pressing numbers on the keypad. Here are the little "codes":

ALT + 132 = ä

ALT + 148 = ö

ALT + 129 = ü

ALT + 225 = ß

ALT + 142 = Ä

ALT + 153 = Ö

ALT + 154 = Ü

"Geben Sie mir ein Fenster und, das ich aus ihm starren wurde." ~ Alan
Steph
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 14:13:08 (PDT)

I have never called anyone a "kraut" and neither do my circle of friends-anyone that says names like that is an idiot and should be considered so. I find it incredibly sad that people look to celebrities for guidance and meaning in their lives. Fortunately Alan Rickman is a decent person and our kids could do worse than want to be like him.
a concerned citizen
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 14:12:33 (PDT)

i think alan is great talent.HE make film look so great and i wish that i could see him in the states but no.
greta
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 12:52:47 (PDT)

AR keeps EVERYTHING fans send him!

He must have a great deal more storage space than I have in my apartment!
PM
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 12:01:57 (PDT)

Stacie--I really did enjoy reading your post and I think you are right. To Kathie Lee et al.--AABA -- POSSIBLE AABA SPOILERS: -- I thought maybe "thickers" was something George used in mixing up the paint/varnish/whatever he used in painting scenery, maybe like stiffening in fabric (re the scene where Stella is brushing some solution on the backdrop?). Since he made the tea in his workroom with all his work supplies. The line reminded me of when I used to have tea with a scientist who kept his milk in the same fridge where he stored his plant specimens. I used to wonder if I was only imagining that the milk sometimes tasted funny! Maybe someone could ask AR outside the stage door and tell the rest of us.
Lee
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 11:30:25 (PDT)

In the U.S, and I think in most of Europe, we do put actors and actresses on a pedestal. I can think of so many reasons why we do...one is that they are fictional characters 'come to life'. Rhett Butler in the novel Gone With the Wind is an attractive, sexy character. They made a movie, and you see him embodied in Clark Gable. A gorgeous man who acted the part perfectly. Let's say, you met Clark Gable,(back in the day). I think it would be hard to not have the lines of reality blurred a little. Clark Gable could be a schmuck, but you've got the book and movie in your mind. You're going to project those images onto him to a degree. At the very least you're going to be impressed with him for the 'magic trick' of creating the character on the screen. Creates a little awe, I think, of the man. The Greek Gods, who had wealth and power like today's celebrities, embodied the vices and virtues of human beings. People listened to those stories to learn about human psychology, cultural values, what virtues to emulate and the consequences of human vices. All embodied in these larger than life characters. Someone once wrote that celebrities serve the same purpose. We look to them to see how to live, to learn what's important in our culture, to fantasize about their wealth and power. I think people are at a loss. When we lived in smaller, closer knit societies everything was well-defined. Now we move often, neighbors don't talk, many towns don't even have a 'town', just a sprawl of chain stores...we don't live near extended families. We pick up a magazine and we see pictures of very healthy, rich, young (or surgically enhanced to look young), people in a warm, sunny place with palm trees, looking like they're enjoying life. And someone is taking pictures of them doing it, and printing them in magazines. They're getting attention, which most of us are not. They have national attention to every detail of their lives, money, looks, health, etc., we think they have the secret to happiness. We try to emulate them. We try to be thin, good-looking, get plastic surgery, go to Starbucks. It used to be the stars were always carrying bottles of Evian, now they always have a Starbucks cup in hand. I seriously wonder if they make deals with these companies. Anyway, people look up to them and learn from them ,(not that this is necessarily wise), like they did the Greek Gods. We are just tiny little specks of life in this great big universe and it's scary. We look for role models, sad but true, celebrities are today's role models. All celebrities are on a pedestal, not just Alan Rickman.
Stacie
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 09:52:41 (PDT)

Terri, you are welcome! ;-))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 08:41:25 (PDT)

Liebe Lisa,

Vielen Dank!!

Deine Terri
Terri
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 07:54:26 (PDT)

Harlii, you absolutely made my morning! :-D That's taking all the energy that comes with fandom and turning into something really positive - not just for Alan and fans, but the world at large. Wow. What a *great* idea! I'll ponder if there's a specific way I can help, and if anything occurs to you, email me. I keep thinking there might be a way fans could help promote the "When Love Speaks" project, since Alan obviously endorsed that and it has a system in place???

Vera, re: shoved down his throat. Yes, a bit strong. Sorry. I guess if I was standing there and someone handed me a present I didn't ask for or feel I particularly deserved, I'd take it out of courtesy but I wouldn't be happy. I'd know others could use it more and that's just who I'd give it to. Gwenn's thoughtful account of her experiences and reactions resonated with me.

Why teachers? Because I think of all the jobs in our society, teacher is one of the least appreciated and most underpaid considering the effect they have on our culture. But it was mainly an example. *Everyone* makes contributions and it gets to me when Alan is lauded to the heavens for doing things that any normal person does in the course of his or her career. I read it as the rosy glow of infatuation putting him on a pedestal.

As for those celebs who can't even take half an hour to sign backstage autographs for the fans who so politely wait? Raspberries to them!!! To be fair, some are so popular they are taking a physical risk to wade into a crowd of heated fans, so I can appreciate at some level, an actor has no choice but go to work and otherwise, hide. That would be our fault. Society in general, I mean, for becoming hysterical about people we've seen in our living rooms on the Magic Box of the Gods. Remember, fan stands for fanatic. I was just watching a special on the Romans last night, and it freshly reminded me that people have always acted like this about some group in their society. Maybe I should be glad that for us, it is actors and not trained killers like the gladiators. It could be worse! (Oh, hell. I just remembered World Federated Wrestling. ...Nevermind.)
Cyndi <cyndik@eosdev.comfoo>
USA - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 07:46:46 (PDT)

Since we're talking about gift giving-I thought it would be nice to give Mr. Rickman something at the stage door. After all the times his talent has brought me enjoyment and inspiration, I figured why not give something back? I worked on a pencil drawing over a period of a few weeks. It was something of a collage: a group of characters he has portrayed, standing around a movie theater with Snape at the ticket window. (BTW if anyone would like to see it, please email me at alan.peterman@es en ee tee dot net and I will send it to you). When I thought it was good enough that a man with an artist's eye wouldn't think it was too bad, I had it framed. But after I did I thought it might be too cumbersome to bring into the theater with me. I didn't want to leave it at the coat check. What to do? I decided to take a picture of it and put it in a card with a little note. This is what I gave him on August 18th.

I did end up going again on the 25th to join some friends at the Door. This time I did bring the framed drawing and gave it to him. When he saw it, he drew a small rectangle across the glass with his forefinger and said he'd seen a smaller sketch of this...somewhere. I explained about the card. He then smiled and thanked me.

It was a nice experience and also shows he does pay attention to those letters and cards he gets. :)
Mindy
CT USA - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 07:11:45 (PDT)

Maxine - There's something called SNAPPY, which you can buy at stores that sell computer, ummm, things. It takes screen grabs (shots), and they come out really good.
Andrea I. Carkhuff <skydy99@att.netfoo>
new york, NY United States - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 07:00:05 (PDT)

Verena, I described it, it was when the first terrorist was found death in the elevator. Gruber always said: Ich habe dir gesagt, dass das niemand sehen soll. Ich sage dir das zum letzten Mal..." Nice accent, but sounds german and the meaning isn´t important... ;-))) Did you see Blow Dry in english? What a weird dialect!!! If you answer your english teacher in that dialect, he starts to cry! ;-)))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:39:00 (PDT)

aahh,stop! It´s me again (I should use another name ;))

To Alan´s wonderful accent: Do you remember? The scene in front of the ... lift? Bruce Willis on the ...*lift-roof* (he writes the names on his hand,I guess) - Hans and XY are talking to each other ...Alan says something in german and it was really good! Correct and with a good accent,I think.

"Schieß dem Fenster" could have mean *Schieß AUF DAS Fenster*, but the translation ....(*Shoot the glass* ... but... glass is Glas,and Fenster is window,so it makes no sense... OH,I don´t know)

Ah,and in one scene,someone said *Leck mich* what means *Suck my abc* ...

So,that´s it for the next two days ;) (GIGGLE ;) ) BYE
verena, 3 Mal ist Bremer Recht ;)
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:35:57 (PDT)

@Stezi: I read, that Alan Rickman does a new movie with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Private Lifes is over, now. I think he´s fed up by playing Private Lifes for this long time! - I don´t call British people "Tommies", but americans call us "Krauts", it´s as upsetting as Austrians call some german tourists "Piefke".
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:29:54 (PDT)

Verena: It was so funny watching "Die Hard" in english. Die Synchronstimme ist ja auch wirklich grauslig! But the synchronvoice in "Robin Hood" spoils the whole film, but the Sheriff is so sexy in his black clothes. ;-))))))))))) Woher bist du denn, Verena? Ich glaub, jeder hat jetzt mitbekommen, dass ich aus München bin... *lol* I hope, I can watch the January Man, because on that day I return from Italy. Sag mal, wie machst du eigentlich die Absätze in deine Einträge? Bei mir schoppt sich immer alles zusammen.
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:25:43 (PDT)

What a Salad !!!!! Hope you forgive me ;)
verena
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:18:53 (PDT)

*hihihi* - Lisa,musstest du auch so lachen wie ich,als ich DIE:HARD im Originalen sah? Dieser Akzent! (..*Schieß dem Fenster* war die Krönung! :D )

Germany = Bavaria = Polka etc .... That´s the image of our country. But on the other hand, the german folk thinks that all people in GB are Englishmen ... Brits call us *Krauts* , don´t they? We call them *Tommies* ... names with a negative sense ....

07.09.2002 - RHPoT on SAT.1 (? I´m not sure), 14.09.2002 - The January Man on RTL 2 and 16.09.2002 - S&S on SAT.1

So,that´s it .Write your messages while I am doing my homework f(x)= m x + b :D (smiling the whole day)
verena ....what a wonderful world!
falling in, love :D - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:16:08 (PDT)

Anne: What a horrible song ;-)) You must be drunk to sing that ;-))) On the Oktoberfest in Munich we sing: "Ich bin so schoen, ich bin so toll, ich bin der Anton aus Tirol!" And Tirol is a part of Austria *ggggggggggg* If you want to make the Umlaut: ä, ö, ü you must write ae, oe, ue. We have these letters on our keyboards. Oh, and: Some germans, who live in the middle or north germany can´t hear the difference between bavarian and austrian dialect. They thought in Vienna, I would sound like an austrian and a friend of Austria was thought to be Bavarian. OH MY GOD! *lol*
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 05:15:20 (PDT)

So, Alan is returning to London. What are his plans for the future. Is Private Lives coming back to London? I hope someone knows!
Stezi <stezi@wxs.nlfoo>
The Netherlands - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 04:00:58 (PDT)

Lisa - In my German class in college we sang this song: "Bier aus Bavaria ist gut fur malaria." I don't know if it was a real German song or something an American teacher made up. I do know it needs an umlaut or two.

I'm wondering how to put accent marks in the GB when my American keyboard doesn't have them? In Word I can use Insert/Symbol for u/umlaut or e/acute but how to do it here?

I forgot to thank all the kind souls who explained about the DoC. Thank you.
Anne/Manhattan
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 03:35:34 (PDT)

Terri: Hans Gruber doesn´t speak any dialect. He speaks the "writing german". That´s how the people in the radio and tv speak, when they read the news or when journalists speak. I can´t explain better, but perhaps you know what I try to say?
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 02:41:44 (PDT)

Hi Terri, of course I can help you: Well, the one should have said: "Er ist im 33. Stock", and I don´t know what a "Heizeraum" is. Correct is: "Er ist im Heizungsraum". The one who died first, went in the cellar and says "left, right, left" He is German so he told everything right, when Hans Gruber told his name, there were such a strange accent by "Gruber" that I started giggleing. And when Gruber goes mad about the first death terrorist in the elevator - wow, what a accent ;-))) But: "Schiess dem Fenster" was the best of all! *lol* This glass wasn´t a "Fenster", because "Fenster" = window!!! This was a big office with glasses to seperate the employees (right spelling? I think not...) from each other to guarantee (?) that they don´t disturb themselve. So, he could have said: "Zerschiesse die Scheiben" or "Schiess auf die Scheiben" or "Schiess in die Scheiben". Did I already tell you, that one of the blond, longhaired terrorist was Bavarian? When I disovered this (terrorist watch the lonely policeman entering the building), I started to giggle - it´s really funny. But: I´m always upset if foreigners always think of Germany in that manner: men wear leather trousers and woman these folklore-dresses and everybody dances to Polkamusic. That drives me mad and I really feel ashamed. Terri, du musst nicht "Sie" zu mir sagen, du darfst mich ruhig duzen. Und wenn du nächstes mal "Die Hard" anschaust, lach genauso darüber, die Leute haben sich echt Mühe gegeben! ;-))))))))))))))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 02:37:43 (PDT)

Although the technology exists, the public cannot get a good picture of a scene from movies/films, due to copywrites. It doesn't hurt to try. Can anyone provide information on how to get a high quality picture of A.R. in the movie "Mesmer"? I am tired of taking pictures with a camera (it doesn't matter what quality it is ie 35 mm, digital, format) from T.V. (with VHS or DVD) because the result is a poor quality photograph. Culprit: those damn electrons from the screen! See the most beautiful face in the world - Alan Rickman up close in "Mesmer" - in the beginning and the end of that movie, where the "Royal Society of Medicine Brd" criticizes the birth of hypnotism (animal magnetism) and its founder -F.A. Mesmer played by A.R. In reality, A.R. certainly has animal magnestism - look how we are all drawn to him... Maxine Share
Maxine Share <maxineshare46@hotmailfoo>
Toronto, Canada - Friday, August 30, 2002 at 01:44:00 (PDT)

If you all can stand one more on the subject of gifts - this has nothing to do with AR but is incredibly cool nonetheless. A friend of mine wrote to an actor a few years back, he replied, and they struck up a friendship (strictly Platonic - he's married). She sent him a tie for either Christmas or his birthday and when Googling his recent tour found pictures of him wearing her gift, which he'd chosen - from all the millions of nice ties he must own - to wear in the show. Not quite the ultimate fan fantasy, but pretty good!

Julia - Good post.

Fast Film - I never replied to your "megaspoiler" of a week or two ago because I still haven't gotten around to watching Dark Harbor, but got a big kick out of it. You want to know another terrible thing I do? I get about three chapters into a murder mystery and then read the last few pages. I know, I'm going straight to Hell.

Suzanne - Did you get something from me a couple of days ago? The email police at my firm sometimes zap outgoing attachments without notifying the sender that the mail didn't go through, and you mentioned computer problems. It wasn't anything important - just chat and a couple of photos.
Anne/Manhattan
- Friday, August 30, 2002 at 00:08:02 (PDT)

Lisa aus Bavaria, koennen Sie mir bitte helfen?

You wrote you giggle whe you see the terrorists of DIE HARD try to sound german. I am not a native speaker of English or German, but I always thought something is wrong with the German Alan spoke. For example.... the scene where Hans talks to his fellow terrorists behind McClane that McClane is on the 33rd floor, he says something like (I think I hear him say) "Dreiunddreissigster Stock ist er." But if I am right, he should have said something like "Im dreiunddreissigsten Stock ist er."

Another scene where Hans told Karl to shoot the glas.... I hear Alan say "Schiess den Fenster!" But I think he should have said, "Schiess die Fenster!"

One more question.... which German dialect do you think Alan tried to speak? I have always wondered which part of Germany Herr Gruber is from.

Lisa and other German ladies, your comments would be hightly appreciated.
Terri
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 22:43:45 (PDT)

it?
Stacie
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 22:24:23 (PDT)

'Until we meet again, Katherine Hawkins.' Cool sign-off. Just saw that in someone's post from a while ago. I'm going to have to try something like that. Anyway, Marialis, you said that a person would need a bit of a masochistic side to be attracted to all of Alan's characters. I think that's true. When people say they are infatuated with Snape, that's a sort of masochistic fantasy isn't?
Stacie
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 22:23:38 (PDT)

You can't hear 'tone of voice' in a posting, so Cyndi I want you to know I didn't intend my last post to sound in any way nasty. I mean in all sincerety I don't understand your point of view. I'm not being sarcastic or insulting. It may sound that way, so I wanted to clear that up. (Did I spell 'sincerety' right? Any teachers out there? Or dictionaries handy?)
Vera
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 21:54:09 (PDT)

Marialis you're right. The Conan O'Brian show, like many other U.S. celebrity talk shows,are prepared in advance, and the point is to be ready with humorous anecdotes. Alan was well prepared and his 'performance' went very smoothly. He knew exactly what was expected of him and came through. Some celebrities are noticeably awkward and insecure on talk shows, but Alan was a pro on Conan.
Cynthia
CA USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 21:46:07 (PDT)

Cyndi,... 'for what fans force down his throat'? An adult woman handing an admired adult man a stuffed animal as a gift is not forcing anything down his throat. I know you didn't mean that literally, but I don't see it figuratively either. That's a very unusual take on the situation. Sometimes I don't agree, but I understand where the person is coming from. Your point of view I don't even understand.
Vera
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 21:34:40 (PDT)

Rent for "the projects" is not government paid here, just assisted, so that's not quite an accurate comparison for council flats. U.S.A. is far less socialistic, for better or worse.
FastFilm
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 21:18:39 (PDT)

Gwenn, thanks for your perspective. I think the gift giving thing really comes down to the fact that humans are social animals, and gift giving serves a lot of purposes. Sometimes we give gifts to stand out (we Rickmaniacs might hope Alan will remember us), or to say thank you, or to elicit a positive response (which, for a person so involved in his work as AR is, is certainly useful) or just because we have been thinking about this person and we care enough to give them a token of that (we hope AR might like this or that). I'm sure AR is both touiched and slightly embarassed by the attention. I've certainly seen those reactions from him. But I hope that he has enough respect for us as people, and not just as fans to give our gifts a chance (read the books, listen to the music, etc). If nothing else, I would be curious about some of the gifts people gave me, if I were Alan. I'd probably try to give it some time. I might even use it as an unwinding thing after a performance... like, "Let's see, what's this CD? or this scrapbook? or this novel?" I'm sure even big ethical issues like world poverty and environmentalism could be worked into the gift-giving thing; you could raise AR's awareness about issues dear to your heart.

Harli, (hope I spelled that right) It sounds like an incredible idea. I'm willing to back it. Just let me know what I can do. I used to do alot of charity/volunteer work but since I've moved off to college, I haven't been able to do much. Last thing I did was help cycle for the Cancer Society on the Natchez Trace Parkway, but that itself was a few months ago. I love doing my best for others and am willing to help.
JC
AL - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 20:00:00 (PDT)

I have an idea. In the interest of trying to find a happy medium here with some of the recent viewpoints expressed about gift giving and the like, I'd like for us to do something. This is super off the top of my head because what I had written here was yet another caustic comment to Cyndi. Well, ya can't say I'm not honest. Anyway, here's my idea.

Would any of you be interested in working with me to find a charity somewhere like a battered women's shelter or some place similar (maybe one in the states and one overseas) to donate some of our stuff to? When I say stuff, I mean perhaps one Alan item, video, book, play or movie scripts, etc. and one er, regular item, perhaps another general video or book or personal product like shampoo, soap, combs, brushes, etc. Like I said, this is just an off the top of my head idea. I don't know what the rest of you do philanthropically (is that a word?) and it's none of my business, but instead of having such heated discussions about who's worthy to receive gift A or B, I'd like to do something constructive and show my willingness to unload/donate/share some of my Alan grip and other stuff. If you're interested in working with me on the specifics of how we can do this, please e-mail me at (in code here, too much spam) l m h p r 0 0 at knology dot net (that's two zeros). I'm serious. If no one wants to do it, I'll do it myself with whoever else wants to do it. Thanks. And sorry for upsetting anyone today with the ongoing saga of gifts and Harliisms.
Harlii
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 19:50:17 (PDT)

I agree that it would be rude for Alan not to accept gifts given tastefully. What he does with them after that is up to him. Also, we spoke with Jimmy at the stage door last weekend and he told us that in the 24 years he has worked at the theatre no other actor has faithfully signed after every performance, except maybe Matthew Broderick and John Stamos. For this alone, Alan is commendable and I don't expect him to do it as merely "part of his job." He is head and shoulders above his peers in this regard. In addition, Jimmy also told us that Alan reads and answers (I believe this mainly applies to photo requests) all his mail and keeps EVERYTHING fans send him. He has already packed up most of the gifts and shipped them off to London, including the wine goblets we gave him last month. I do agree, however, that the most appropriate and maybe the most appreciated gifts are cards, letters, and scrapbooks. Jimmy told us that he is very generous to the crew and shares all his food items with them. We had the idea last month that instead of always asking for his photo and autograph, we would give him ours. So the fans from my website, along with Carrie's site (ARASK) sent photos of themselves with personal messages which we compiled in a rather plain brown scrapbook which we presented to Alan in July. Last weekend, when I was in NY again, I asked Alan about the scrapbook and he remembered and described it. He then proceeded to thank me, and tell me that he likes it very much and keeps it in his dressing room followed by the most radiant smile. I'm not sure what this adds to the discussion here, but I hope it helps shed some light on Alan's attitude towards gifts.
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 19:48:02 (PDT)

TAMI! Oh my goodness! That was you I saw Saturday night! I was there too!!! I just realized it after reading one of your past posts. I can't believe it! I remember seeing you!

Ok, now I'm being pathetic. My eyes are tearing up. This is so neat, I remember seeing you! I think I'm standing directly behind you in your pictures. If you'd like, e-mail me, I'd love to talk about last Saturday night.

Question for you. I recognized Bernadette Peters, BUT, who was the man that went in? He came out BARELY before Alan came out. He's incredibally familiar, but I can't bring out a name.

FYI: My e-mail address is either gillejc@auburn.edu or if that doesn't work, Alvin415@aol.com.
Jayne Claire
AL sorry for posting back to back - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 19:37:14 (PDT)

Becky, just wanted to say I send my Mississippi homeland greetings to you! HOWDY! Just noticed you were from MS. LoL Me too! Heading home tomorrow too, H'burg.

As for the ongoing discussion, NOTICE I said discussion rather than argument, cause that's mainly as I see it. I think I'm a bit too shy to give my two cents (as if I, a college freshman could afford two cents right now) as I see it, but Cyndi, I noticed you mentioned "teachers" in one of your latest post. Call me blank, where'd that part come from? Comparrison? It sounds like you and I both give a great deal of respect to teachers so I just thought I'd ask.

Maybe after that I can give my two cents. I know what I want to say, just not quite HOW to say it.
Jayne Claire
AL - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 19:18:29 (PDT)

i love this website. i havent been able to see what been goin on for a few days but i know that im bound to find sumthin delicious on this page!
ariel
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 16:58:50 (PDT)

Deborah, You're right, it makes no sense that I should feel angry at him for what fans force down his throat. I guess I feel someone should stop it, and he could if he politely refused. But then there would be hurt feelings - I suppose it's kinder of him to just drop them off at the local hospital or whatever. Actually, at this particular moment, I find I am mad at us. Society in general, I mean. I've never done much for teachers myself, but I have cooed about Alan. To be honest, teachers have gifted me with more of value. Sorry about being so adamant. I usually just grit my teeth each time it comes up, so of course, when I do say something about it, it's lots. I'm done now though, thanks for listening. :-)
Cyndi
USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 16:38:44 (PDT)

Steph, you're absolutely right. But argument? Seems more like a discussion to me (a useless one no doubt) but come to my house when the in-laws are here, to witness an argument! *lol* I know I probably shouldn't respond to Cyndi's post, but I feel I must say my 2 cents in this discussion, so here goes: Cyndi, I wish you wouldn't like him less for accepting gifts (WHY I even care if you do or not I can't figure out!). Because you're right, he didn't ask for them. But what do you think is appropriate? That he SHOULDN'T accept them? Refusing gifts is considered very, very rude adn hurtful to the giver. So does that mean you would like him more if he were rude and hurtful to people? I respect your opinion, and you are entitled to it, but it just doesn't make any sense to ME. Thank you for letting me express MY opinion.
Deborah
Tucson, AZ USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 16:13:27 (PDT)

To Kat H from Ohio, Council estates are the UK equivalent, I think, of "the projects", as far as I understand what THEY are!! LOL. Anyway, they are houses owned and provided by the government, for which rent is paid.
Helen
Cheshire, Uk - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 16:05:38 (PDT)

GML: Hate to get back to the original discussion, since this gift-giving theme has taken on a mind of its own , but I wonder WHY you feel you are "less generous to our hero when it comes to his 'left-wing' professed views".

The reason I'm curious is because one of the things I admire about Alan is his political views and I'm curious why being an actor and living that lifestyle automatically makes ones political views suspect. Has he specifically done something that causes you (and others) to think that way?

Thanks for any insight you (or anyone) can provide. Just being curious.
Rhea
AZ USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:40:22 (PDT)

Rickman has earned his success and status in the entertainment industry by being hard working, pleasant{at least to the working stiffs, if not the authority figures} and learning, practicing and developing his craft. Falling off buildings, climbing on roofs, giving political speeches to five thousand people in a country where people can be violent to those with opposing viewpoints, endless hours learning to ride horses, fight with swords, dive into frigid water, kiss unattractive young men when he prefers attractive females{no woman that has ever met him can believe he's gay unless they are} He has paid his dues. Do I feel that he is more deserving than a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, teacher, plumber, politician. No, and I don't think he does either. I have felt for a while that he is ambivalent about accepting gifts, except for scrapbooks, cards etc. Doesn't want to encourage fantasies of a relationship, probably.
a concerned citizen
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:39:16 (PDT)

I really do not want to be a part of this discussion, rather arguement, about giving gifts and what not, but I am just wondering why you guys are arguing?

It is just someone else's opinion, why should you let it get to you? You do not have to believe what other people say or even listen to them, even though some comments will be eating away at you to send a nasty response back.

Whether it is right or not to give someone a gift does not really matter. It is a personal decision if you want to give them something for their efforts or not. Some people just say "Thank you" in different ways.

This is just my opinion and I know everyone will probablly just disregard it but I was just curious why all this arguing?
Steph
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:38:21 (PDT)

Could someone explain to this silly old American the meaning of "council estate"? I see that term often and would like to understand the nuances of it. Thanks.
Kat H
Kent, OH USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:30:32 (PDT)

Here are my two cents, from a different perspective. I used to be a professional dancer, and for 3 years I appeared in the Nutcracker in New York City. Obviously, this does not make me anywhere near as famous as Mr. Rickman, so please don't anybody tease me about it. My point is that people (usually young girls) would wait outside the stage door and ask for autographs and photos. It was a lot of fun, cause it was only temporary celebrity--not long enough for it to get weary. Plus, the girls were so funny and genuine--it was a hoot and a delight to answer their questions, and to get to be somebody's hero for 5 minutes.

Anyway, on any given night, you'd get some gifts. Sometimes it was a picture somebody drew, or a little statue of a ballerina, etc. It was very sweet that some young girl took the time to draw me a picture, or spent some of her allowance money--hard-earned, I'm sure--on a gift for me. But it really gave me conflicting feelings. I felt totally unworthy of it--all I did was my job, which I loved and already felt priveleged to be able to do. I really wished these girls had saved their money on something other than a present for me. The cards were better--they didn't cost anything--and they hung in the dressing room for the duration of the run, but at the end I had to throw them out since there was absolutely NO room in my tiny NYC apt. to be a pack rat. It always made me feel bad to throw them out.

Obviously, there are many differences between my situation and Mr. Rickman's, but I do wonder if he ever feels the same quandary that I felt--can't keep it, but hate to throw it out or give it away, knowing how much it meant to somebody for me to have it. This is perhaps exacerbated by the fact that he is staying in a hotel while here, and would have to ship all this stuff home eventually!

I sincerely hope I didn't offend anyone who has given him a gift, or plans to in the next 3 days. I feel absolutely certain that all but the MOST jaded performer is always touched when somebody thinks enough of their work to express it with a gift.
Gwenn <moregato@hotmail.comfoo>
NYC, US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:22:11 (PDT)

Well, I did start out addressing you and continued by noting common fan actions, and I'm sorry if that confused but Harlii, I think you understand my basic point. On a person-to-person basis, everyone here is as important to the world as Mr. Rickman, and perhaps more so, depending on the person. He makes ten times what a school teacher makes and you can't tell me he works harder for the money. I don't see us lining up in the schoolyard, asking for their autograph and bringing fruit baskets because we so appreciate all they do. Why? Fame=honor? Or is it just a lot easier to give gifts to the object of a crush? I have met a few celebrities in business situations. They eat, they breath, they make gaffes, they play with the pens in long meetings, they are...people. Just like you and me.

I swear to God, at this point, if I ever do go to see the play, and I ever do stand at the stage door, he is going to be darned surprised when I give him my autographed picture, instead of asking for his. I work hard and sometimes overtime. I'm nice to people who praise and adore me. He should want my signature, since I'm so fine and admirable. Lucky him. And if I see someone giving him a Rolex for the privilege of standing in his presence...well, let's hope I don't. There could be A Scene, as the paramedics have to revive me. I'm really starting to dislike him for this, and he never asked for the gifts.
Cyndi
USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:14:40 (PDT)

Cynthia, you said it perfectly!!! That is exactly why *I* gave him a gift.
Cyndi, where I was brought up, *everyone* is entitled to respect (unless they actually did something to make themselves unworthy of it). That's what my mamma taught me (sometimes I think what's wrong with this world is nobody teaches their children manners anymore).
Becky
MS USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 15:06:25 (PDT)

Cindy:

I've made you feel defensive. No, you haven't. I just expressing an alternate viewpoint that perhaps others share.

Harlii, you have a website for him. Correction, I have a message board where people who met here FIRST post. It's not an Alan Rickman message board, per se.

You dedicate big hours of your life to promoting him. Sorry, wrong again. I spend big hours of my life getting to know the women at my board and at other boards totally unrelated to Alan Rickman.

You go to his plays and films, ensuring he is employable. You wait for him at the backstage door, so you can shake his hand and tell him personally you think he's marvelous. I've been to one play. I've been to Harry Potter 4 times because I like Harry Potter first and foremost and Alan second, but MOST of my money spent Alan-ward has been spent on eBay for photographs because I think he's hot and I just want to look at him. I waited at the stage door on one evening for about half an hour and managed to squeak out, "Could you sign this please?"

Exactly how much more appreciated does a person need to feel? I don't know. Whose call is that to make? Who's to say he DOES feel appreciated? Is it your place to instruct others how to express their admiration for anyone?

I don't know why I bother responding to you at all...We've been down this road before. You regularly take issue with anyone who expresses their admiration for Alan in a way that clashes with your personal beliefs and then express yourself in such a way that it appears you think less of them for THEIR beliefs. If the *YOU* comments in the message weren't meant for me, Harlii/Lori, I apologize for selecting so many quotes as if they were directed to me specifically, as opposed to anyone else. But that's what it looked like.
Harlii
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 14:49:53 (PDT)

Giving gifts

Well, I understand both points of view. Yes, certainly, AR has loads more purchasing power than I do at this time in my life and he doesn't need any little gifties I'm able to bring.

But I confess I gave AR and LD gifts. As "thank yous," yes, and as a sense of connection, true -- but also for my own selfish reasons.

I listen to filk music. It's a genre (thankfully) far below the radar of the mainline music industry. But there are some fine musicians in it (Tom Smith, Julia Ecklar, Heather Alexander, Zander Nyrond, Kathy Mar, Echo's Children...). So I burned a CD of songs I either A) thought AR would enjoy or B) reminded me of him in some way.

In addition, I gave him a book by my favorite author Lois McMaster Bujold, because I think she has some great things to say about people. (And, if AR decides he likes it enough to make a film, hey -- I'm all right with that, too.)

So, there are a number of reasons for gift-giving. These are mine....

PS: Respect. I think that all people are deserving of a certain level of respect, until they prove unworthy of it. As for me -- I call it "courtesy." Above and beyond "courtesy," is what I think Cyndi(?) is thinking of when she says "respect" -- that deep admiration for honorable behaviour.

With that in mind, I respect Alan Rickman. (You wouldn't know it, from the songs!) I respect that he left a successful business to follow his gut, in a field where monetary success is uncertain. I respect that he tried to live "inside the box" before he dismissed it and followed his muse. I respect his public behaviour as a considerate, polite and helpful human being. I respect that he uses his noteriety to assist others (Amnesty, Big Night Out, etc). I respect that he is fierce in maintaining a division between his public and private lives.

Wow.... look at this soapbox! Where on earth did that come from?!?! *whew!*

Clambering off the soapbox on top of the high horse, I remain,
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 14:45:25 (PDT)

I think one, and I mean one, I'm sure there are others, of the reasons people give gifts to Alan is to make a connection with him. He may be eating my chocolates, he may be listening to my CD, he has my gift bag in his hand...that's pretty exciting I'm sure. Also, people feel personally touched by his performance, and in love with him to a degree, and they are total strangers. That's frustrating. The gift is a bridge. It wouldn't occur to me to be bothered by gift-giving to Alan. The fans know he doesn't need the material gift, it's a symbol. It means Alan you've made a difference in my life, you've given to me, please take this from me as a symbol of my gratitude, affection and love. It gives me pleasure to see you get something from me now, to reciprocate. That's what I imagine it means to some fans. I've never met him or sent a gift to him. Almost all gift giving could be suspect if you think the way some do. I just went to a party, the hostess is wealthy. I brought a hostess gift. She didn't need it, but I was saying thank you for your efforts in party-making. Alan put on a show, the fans are bringing a 'host'gift. It's interesting to hear these other points of view, though, because as I said, I wouldn't have imagined any reason to object. Our differences makes things interesting, how boring if we always agreed.
Cynthia
CA USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 14:27:40 (PDT)

Certainly he is entitled to the respect and status and generally does not try to lord it over others. How is he "entitled" to respect? Where I come from, people have to earn it. Unfortunately, having a nice voice and being in a movie is too often all it takes. (Please don't tell me he is worthy of respect because he gives out autographs and doesn't trample the people waiting to praise him after work. I think that's nice but it's what I would expect of anyone. Yes, I know there are celebrities who don't even go that far. Very rude of them, IMHO.)
Cyndi
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 14:17:09 (PDT)

I believe that hotel rooms, etc are a part of the negotiations for a movie/play/promotion. The quality of the room is an indication of status and respect in the industry. I think that AR tries to strike a balance between ostentation and utilitarianism. Certainly he is entitled to the respect and status and generally does not try to lord it over others. Sometimes it seems like he goes overboard the other way, but that is a rather endearing fault, isn't it. There is a certain working class resentment about those who "live above their station", as there is still a small bit of stigma left about being "council estate". I think it must have been difficult to meld his childhood, youth, early adulthood and his monetary success as an older adult. Does one ever rise above their origins? How much wealth and comfort should a labor supporter enjoy? Is it wrong to enjoy the fruits of one's labors? Is a "no view" hotel room in a posh hotel better than a motel six? Should he give all his money away and live in a cardboard box under a bridge? It seems to me that he wears prada to industry functions and regular guy clothes the rest of the time. Seems like a nice compromise to me, and I suspect that we are not aware of all the people he has supported and helped, to say nothing of the charities that he contributes to. Trump Towers is ostentation. {with all that money, why cant "The Donald" find a decent barber who will stop him from that denial of baldness know as a "combover". Isn't it nice that Rickman has hair?
a concerned citizen
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 14:03:48 (PDT)

I have some, rather a lot, or pictures from PL (May 4th and August 25th). If anyone was there either of those days or you just want to see them e-mail me @ SLK6891@aol.com.
Eaten Ship ... or Steph
CT - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 14:02:19 (PDT)

I've made you feel defensive. I'm sorry. I haven't changed my mind, though. Harlii, you have a web site for him. You dedicate big hours of your life to promoting him. You go to his plays and films, ensuring he is employable. You wait for him at the backstage door, so you can shake his hand and tell him personally you think he's marvelous. Exactly how much more appreciated does a person need to feel? Your donations to charity are none of my business? No, of course not. But I'm sure that your generosity extends to people who would truly benefit from material sharing, as well as rich movie stars who don't need it and didn't ask for it.
Cyndi
USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 13:44:11 (PDT)

Hi, just a few comments in passing, alas no time and no inclination to catch up with the last few days. As regards the more recent 'Jose' story, though, I thought it would only be fair to Mr Rickman to explain to non-Europeans that Europe is made of a lot of countries which all have their own language and that funny accents, misunderstandings etc are commonplace and in fact jokes about them is a great help in diffusing frustrating situations and bridging over the obvious differences between people, as a few girls here have already explained. (Ach!;)) - it certainly wasn't a racist comment on his part - indeed, it is a tribute to the rather pure nature of the guy that it didn't even *occur* to him that it might be interpreted as one! I suppose he was guilty of being a little oblivious of the social issues of the country he was addressing, but no more. Hope this is useful in explaining what may have caused genuine worry to a few...

I must say I'm less generous to our hero when it comes to his 'left-wing' professed views though, I certainly no longer consider him a left-wing person, but to be fair, it must be difficult to keep it up when all your friends and acquaintances are desperate to splash their cash. It would take uncommon will. I know the feeling: I always end up spending more than I wish to when I visit friends in America, simply because they are richer than I am and I do not wish to spoil *their* fun by imposing a 'poorer' holiday on them. Let's put it that way: he hopefully draws the line at doing a Paltrow. (I read in a broadsheet today that she has just spent £15,000 on a new mobile (cell) phone. That would be about $22,000. Now regardless of what she may give to charitable causes, that isn't distasteful, that is plain indecent.)

Uh, I'm sure I logged in to say something else that all this... can't remember now. Ah, so I'll tell you about the 'Queens in Theatre' exhibition in Bristol. I was there for my work a few days ago, so I didn't miss the chance to go visit it (somebody here posted a link showing a photograph of Mr Rickman in drag as Ma Ubu in a Bristol production). Well, I saw the *whole* photograph there, not just the painted face and wig... hey, nice boobs, Alan! :)) It was a small but very interesting exhibition on the whole, with lots of photos from very old productions including many young fresh faces who have become household names today (Judi Dench as a teenage Juliet, wow!).

Dammit, I still can't remember what I logged on to say... *scratches head*

GML
UK - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 13:35:19 (PDT)

Very interesting points. I think we've discussed it before here. Hmm. I don't have a problem with giving gifts to anyone, no matter what their status or income. That's just me and I am a generous person, though I don't have much myself...I just like to buy and give gifts.

I know that many people have commented that stars, such as Alan Rickman, can't possibly keep all the things they're given, why waste money, etc.? I don't consider it a waste of money. Gifts are usually an outward expression of one's feelings/appreciation for another person, so whether he keeps them or not isn't the issue to me. The issue, in my opinion, is that he sees the item, recognizes the heartfelt appreciation that accompanies the item and realizes that he's not playing to people who don't care. And if after he opens items given to him, he donates them to a charity or shares them with family and friends, then bully for him.

Our group sent him a gift basket to thank him for his efforts as an actor and for *bringing us together*...sounds sappy perhaps, but we meant it. We didn't spend a fortune on the items, just the shipping. Oy! Anyway, I don't care what he did with most of the stuff, I just hope he kept my Alabama banjo on his knee!!

And if anyone wants to speak to me offline concerning whether or not I matched my Alan gifts with comparable charitable donations, e-mail me at lori@itsnoneofyourbusiness.com
Harlii
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 13:00:11 (PDT)

Cyndi (and Claudia), Couldn't agree with you more! (Why would I buy a gift for Alan - he could afford more than I ever could!)

I guess the point I was trying to make is that I don't think one can assume he exhibits "ostentatious displays of wealth and status" because he travels and stays at nice hotels. Many times these travels are paid for by the studios and sometimes they're even part of his job.

I also don't think that (from what I've heard) his lifestyle in any way contradicts what political beliefs he espouses. If anything, sharing the gifts that he receives with others (as it has been noted he does) reaffirms them.

Maybe I'm missing something here . . .
Rhea
AZ USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 12:55:43 (PDT)

Constance, about Ang Lee comment on Charlie Rose: We all have our different interpretations of Alan's comment. I just wanted to share mine : ) Charlie Rose transcript excerpt from Tami's site: ALAN RICKMAN: And then there was an inspired choice of director, which was Ang Lee. CHARLIE ROSE: Yeah. ALAN RICKMAN: To come and-- you know, this Hong-Kong-born director to come and-- or was he Taiwan? Anyway, to-- CHARLIE ROSE: Yeah, Asian. ALAN RICKMAN: Well, I don't wish to insult him, but anyway he's a brilliant director, but to have him come and direct this kind of quintessentially English comedy of manners. But it was a brilliant choice because, of course, heunderstands all of that from his own culture. So, on those levels it was an extraordinary experience, and the film was peopled by a lot of actors who knew each other from the theater so there was a sense of process. Ang had lots of rehearsals. We had to write essays about our characters, write letter about our characters, have movement classes, all of that -- all of which helped enormously. I think that when Alan said "Well, I don't wish to insult him..." he meant that he didn't want to insult Ang Lee by calling him the wrong nationality (Hong-Kong-born as opposed to Taiwan-born). I think Charlie Rose said "Asian" to get the point across that Lee is Asian, so Alan could get to his main point, the concept of an Asian director joining with a British cast, which made the experience and the film new and different, in a positive way.
Amy L.
NY USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 12:54:29 (PDT)

Cyndi....girl I think you can read my mind! Your thoughts on the AR gift giving is right up my alley. I find it difficult to read about all the gifts that have been given to him as well. My goodness...and someone even wrote about giving him a gift for Ms Horton. Now how spooky is that????
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 12:26:33 (PDT)

But I do find ostentatious displays of wealth and status distasteful; and I think I have a right to that opinion. Me, too. This world is in a peck of trouble. It's true, in times of great financial hardship, the masses have often looked to celebrities to live the life of luxury they cannot. I don't think these times are those, since many of our crises relate to using up the whole world's resources, without thought or let. More like the years right before Marie said "Let them eat cake" and found it was the Wrong Attitude.

Personally, I buy from manufacturers and stores that sell and do business with earth responsibility in mind, I vote for politician who think green, and I'm a ton more likely to admire a celebrity who echoes those sentiments. Can't help it.

Since I've hauled my little soapbox out, I'd like to again mention that I think it's really sweet when people make gifts for Alan to deliver at the stage door, like the photos and things. But I'm always really disturbed when people talk about *buying* gifts for him. I have to believe he doesn't need them and it makes me a little defensive on the part of the gift givers. They're people as worthy as Alan. Why doesn't he bring out little gifts to give the fans? I suspect everyone here has had hardships in her life, works hard at her craft, and often goes the extra mile to be nice to her co-workers and friends, even when she's tired at the end of a long day. I'm glad Alan does, too, but I have to say if those are the criteria for worship, six out of ten people I know deserve it. :-) Meet him? Exciting, I would think. Shake his hand and get an autograph. A thrill, I'd love to do that. Enjoy his plays and films? Oh, yeah. Worship him? No, I still draw the line at that. He seems very human to me. Just famous.
Cyndi
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 12:17:12 (PDT)

Oooh, Thanks Suzanne. I'd never seen that article. I love his phrase . . . "It's fun being naughty!" (Conjures up all kinds of images! *g*

I find it a strange reference . . . "Upstairs, in the British actor's $550-a-night, no-view suite .. ". (Wonder how much the suite with-a-view costs??) I suppose the journalist is pointing out how "far up in the world" he'd come, but you can be sure that if this was a press junket for the movie (as is referenced) it was paid for by the movie studio. Knowing what's been written about Alan and press junkets - he'd probably rather not be there at all.
Rhea
AZ USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 12:11:02 (PDT)

The Carlyle is mentioned in the Free Spirit article.

Thanks a bunch Tami, I really appreciate that! And I wish we could have met in NY also. Sure I remember Linda and Melissa. Wonderful ladies! I will never forget what a fun time we had. And what an amazing photo, Melissa, that Joanne just posted! I am sad to think that PL will be over in a few days, but I hope everyone going to the last performances have a fantastic time and will tell us all about it!

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 11:41:59 (PDT)

Julia: Fair enough. I guess I just thought your descriptive word - "disgusting" was a little extreme. But, as you say - we all have our own opinions. I'm not sure I know of too many celebrities that don't live an "ostentatious lifestyle". Seems to come with the territory.

I know that Alan loves to travel, he has mentioned that in several interviews. Guess I wouldn't turn down the chance to stay in nice places if I could either. I don't think it reflects on my political beliefs, however.

(And BTW - wasn't suggesting you were doing anything illegal! Would be interested in know which articles you were referencing, though.)
Rhea
AZ USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 11:01:16 (PDT)

Rhea: I'm sure Alan is very sincere in his left-wing beliefs. I know he contributes and gives back to the community. I feel he deserves to lead a good life especially since he's so talented and had a difficult early life. I do not demand anything of Alan, especially not to prove himself to me. But I do find ostentatious displays of wealth and status distasteful; and I think I have a right to that opinion.

Hi everyone. Usually I just enjoy reading the posts--particularly those from the stage doors. But I feel I have to jump into the fray here for a moment.

It is not an insult to say that someone is gay. If it's true, then fine, and if it's not true, then it's a mistake, but not an insult. To see it as an insult is, um...problematic.

Besides, I think that we all know that it doesn't make one smidge of difference in any of our lives whether he's gay or straight. The straight women and gay men who frequent this and other boards can still have their fantasies--regardless of what goes on in Mr. Rickman's private life. So knock your socks off, and stop worrying about whether he likes "oysters or snails", to quote another fine English actor. :-)
Gwenn <moregato@hotmail.comfoo>
NYC US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:40:20 (PDT)

To Julia:

Well . . . I don't think it's "disguisting" to believe in left-wing ideals and live a good life style. First of all, do you know how much he might contribute to charities out of his own pocket?? Do you know all the causes to which he's lent his name (and, therefore, helped the cause)? Do you know if these fancy places he stays in are paid for by the studios/backers? Are you saying he should deny any comfortable living to believe in the left-wing ideology? I'm just wondering to what extent he'd need to go to make you feel he's sincere.

Could you also tell me how you get the information you do about where he's stayed?

Rhea
AZ USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:20:48 (PDT)

Hi Tami! I read your PL-report and it was such a nice idea to give Mr. Rickman that nice picture "Tamara meets Mr. Rickman", when I saw it on your page a few weeks ago, I thought, he would love it. ;-)))))))))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:15:56 (PDT)

If I could decide between a walk through New York or a ride in a Limo through New York: I would choose the walk! Perhaps with Mr. Rickman besides me? ;-)) So, I walk through Munich and send you good vibrations... :-)))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:13:21 (PDT)

Suzanne, thank you for your polite mail. I didn't have time on June 15 to meet you and the others, but my friends Linda and Melissa did. Do you remember them? About the videograms... I did not take these from you intentionally, and therefore, I am not ashamed. At least one of these (the TMD duet, I believe) I got from my Yahoo group files and the others were sent to me by fans. No offense was intended and I have given you full credit on my page now. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, and I regret that we couldn't meet in June. Perhaps in the future? -Tami
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:11:21 (PDT)

Re: superiority. Yes, Alan does have his superior moments. It's particularly disgusting to think that he professes to be all Left-wing, but his own lifestyle is so very different. Have any of you ever looked up places he's been, like the Carlyle hotel in NYC, or even the island of Anguilla? At least he walks home now, as opposed to taking that limo.
Julia
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:07:54 (PDT)

Hey! Who ate my post!???????? LOL

As I was saying.......AR and Charlie were talking about Ang Lee and AR could not remember if AL was from Hong Kong or Taiwan , then CR said in a flippant way...."Oriental".... and AR responded "Well, I don't want to insult him..."LOL Jeez! We do go too far to cover our tracks! Just my 2 cents worth...still worship the ground he walks on.....however.....
Constance
USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:04:42 (PDT)

Kinda OT-- I went to see Bob Dylan last night; It's funny that I paid less to see him than I did to see PL. The highlight of the evening was when he sang Tangled Up In Blue, in nearly the same way Alan imitates him in TMD. It made me happy, what can I say?
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:04:22 (PDT)

Mortianna: Ich wuensche dir einen guten Flug und viel Spass in New York. Ich beneide dich, aber ich fahr am Wochenende nach Italien (da soll es regnen *kreisch*) und begnuege mich mit meinem Hoerbuch... gesprochen von einer wundervollen Stimme... *schmacht* Dass du nicht sagen willst, woher du bist, versteh ich... es trieben sich wirklich seltsame Gestalten hier rum...
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 10:03:38 (PDT)

Stacie: I am from Lima and I was not offended at all my his attitude during the Conan interview. It was just a bit of fun....We are all SO sensitive nowadays... did you see the banter between AR and Charlie Rose about Ang Lee being
Constance
USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:58:17 (PDT)

Oh Stacie, no! I think, it was just because, he used the Yellow Pages to find a teacher and picked up Josè from Lima in California. If he picked up Lisa from Bavaria (Why didn´t you, Mr. Rickman????), he would have difficulties to understand my bavarian-english-slang either and the audience had their laugh, too. It wasn´t a bad meaning in it. And MARIALIS, you ARE right. The only reason to come to Conan O´Brian is to make the audience laugh. We have for that a Harald Schmidt Show and Harald Schmidt got a Grimme-Price for his show!!! http://www.sat1.de/haraldschmidt/
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:56:54 (PDT)

Hi Ladies, Attached is a photo of AR and Melissa taken at stage door of "PL" a few days ago. Enjoy :-)! AR & Melissa PL
Joanne
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:39:06 (PDT)

Anne from Manhattan, that was really helpful, and that sounds right. I think his point was the humorous problems with the accent, and it just seemed like he was putting Jose down with the way he started off. Okay ladies, retreat! Actually, there was no attack. It makes it easier to listen to another point of view when it's not contained in an attacking tone, so thanks everybody! Give my regards to Broadway,Anne, say hello to Herald Square...
Stacie
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:21:57 (PDT)

Sorry... I wouldn't "be" very surprised...
Marialis
Frrance - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:20:28 (PDT)

It seems to me that this show was very prepared by advance... I mean... it' isn't very informative... I wouldn't very surprised to learn that O'Brien and him have met before and decided what Alan would tell... It seems to my foreign eyes that this show just exists to make people laugh. They're looking obviously for funny anecdotes... Am I wrong ?
Marialis
France - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:18:44 (PDT)

Lisa, if you read my post again you'll see I didn't mention the part where Alan described how Jose's accent caused him difficulty. I didn't mention it because there is nothing wrong with that. Alan just had problems steering quickly enough due to Jose's accent. That was funny and not insulting. What bothered me was that he mentioned the teacher's name and country of origin in an arched tone, to the degree that he got snickers from the audience, (free chocolate!) Without that tone, the audience wouldn't have laughed. Read it again, that's what I said. Marialis, maybe he just thought it was funny in the way that you said. A foreign man teaching an Englishman to drive in the U.S. Alan doesn't seem like someone who would put someone down because of his nationality, but he does seem in general to have a bit of a superior attitude.
Stacie
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:04:49 (PDT)

note to self: must refrain from defending AR from unsoliticed troll attacks on this GB. Obviously some people are far too sensative.
BridgJns
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 08:55:29 (PDT)

Hey Suzanne! I just know when you get that pic page back up...it is going to be chock full of new AR goodies isn't it??? (giggle)
Claudia (who's only teasing)
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 08:55:11 (PDT)

*sigh* Thanks, Sara and Claudia.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 08:15:03 (PDT)

Sara, UK. Yes, the Conan interview AND The View are Suzanne's great creations. And I agree with you on giving credit where credit is due.
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 08:07:22 (PDT)

Isn't that Conan O'Brien interview another one of Suzanne's videograms on Tami's site? With absolutely no credit! Shameful... Great pics, Stezi!
Sara
Kent, UK - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 08:02:03 (PDT)

M.S Rickman: I am glad you like the site. Don't be alarmed, there are many virusses on the net and somehow they also get to me. I hope to hear from you when you're back in "town"!
Stezi <stezi@wxs.nlfoo>
The Netherlands - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 06:35:33 (PDT)

Stacie, just a reaction because I said here not a long time ago that the driving licence anecdote made me laugh… I’m certainly the last one here capable to defend him on this point, because I’m not fluent in English… But I swear I’m not racist and I’ve got lot of respect for all the people, whatever their social state is… Don’t you think he just told that story because it’s not used for an English person to learn driving in USA with a Peruvian teacher ? And because he didn’t understand Jose because of his accent ? Anyway I confess you made me doubt. But you know even if you’re right, it doesn’t mean that he is racist or disdainful for immigrant (it would be the last straw for a man with his political background !) … Who has never been weak enough to make people around laughing with an “easy joke” : I don’t know if you have this expression in English. I think it’s not nasty. (My French friends always easily laugh at me and at my four tries before I got my Driving License ! But I don’t understand why ! It’s not funny !;o))

BtW – Wonderful poem. But I think I’ve already heard or read something like that. I can’t remember what exactly or when, but it reminds me something. Is it possible ? Have you been inspired by an author ?

Maxine – I noticed him 10 years ago but I fell in love with him few years later, I think it was in 1996 when I saw TMD for the second time. But well… don’t believe my last posts… There is a big part of joke in them. I love writing here because we’re allowed to be foolish and even childish. In fact I’m more like Cynthia : I wonder by now if the thing I prefer in Alan Rickman isn’t his GB ! ;-))

And … Sue, it wouldn’t be the same without you ! I’m really sad and I hope you will come back soon.
Marialis
France - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 06:25:11 (PDT)

Anne in Manhattan, I believe that D.O.C. stands for Department of Corrections, handily shortens to DoC!

Have just been watching the Conan O'Brien interview through Tami's site (that's TWO plugs for you today, Tami!), and it is even funnier to watch than to read. The transcript is beautifully done, but to watch it AR is hilarious in it! He looks particularly lovely, with great hair, lots of smiles (swoon!), and the anecdotes get me every time; I can almost recite the whole thing now!! (Almost - another few viewings should do it!!)
Catherine - again
Reading, England - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 06:02:29 (PDT)

Thank's Magda!
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 06:00:21 (PDT)

Anne/Manhatten...making me think I might not be old enough to remember something has given me such a thrill...especially the day after my b'day! Thank you! And the thill only got better once I realized I didn't know what show you were talking about...but alas...I do remember some early 60's TV LOL

D.o.C....if you hadn't asked me, I could have told ya! Its on the tip of my brain at the moment..is someone's else's brain awake yet?
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:59:25 (PDT)

DoC = Department of Corrections
Magda
Canada - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:53:58 (PDT)

What is a D.o.C., anyway?
Anne/Manhattan
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:32:54 (PDT)

Claudia - Maybe you're not old enough to remember Bill Dana's comedy routines and early-60s sitcom and his famous line, "My name ... Jose Jimenez." (Jose is also seen briefly in The Right Stuff - Alan Shepard liked to imitate him.) That was the first thing I thought of when I heard "His name was ... Jose."
Anne/Manhattan
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:30:31 (PDT)

Hey Catherine! I am thrilled to read a more positive statement on The January Man. Considering the problems in the film industry at that time, I think think it was good. I am with you on not enough of Ed. LOL But I think that about anything that doesn't have The Man in it 100% of the time!

The film opens up with a beautiful scene of WTC and sadly, it was cut from the Region 1 DVD...but my London mate assures me that it is in tact on the Region 2...so I will be soon ready of give up my Region 1!

Sue-UK....please come back. The D.o.C.'s are back.
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:20:30 (PDT)

catherine - thought the same thing, and stezi has some wonderful pics of ed on her page (on one he looks really like hans gruber, with hair dishevelled and clothes good old hans wouldnt wear for his own funeral, though:-). thanks stezi (though i still can't load the dark harbor ones). pity!

lisa - will ich hier nicht unbedingt sagen, mail mir, wenn du willst, bin aber huet den letzten tag da, weil ich dann nach new york fliege*ächzkeuchstöhnröchel*
mortianna
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:20:09 (PDT)

Sue--please come back! The coast appears to be clear now.

Vera--oh my GOD! What a dangerous post to read first thing in the morning with a mouthful of coffee!

One of top ten most memorable/amusing moments in BC--when Slope learns of his new post, screwing up his face and spitting out, "PUDDINGDALE!?!".
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:15:03 (PDT)

Er..."the AR"?!?!?
Well, he IS god-like, but perhaps I'm taking it a bit far! Feel free to ignore the "the"!
*disappears for more grammar lessons!*
Catherine - oops!!
Reading, England - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:07:10 (PDT)

Hi again!
So many posts, so little time!!
Still really enjoying reading all about the PL shows and stage door experiences. Particularly liked Tami's from a few days ago - she's got some great pictures on her site with him.

Seems to me during my dedicated reading of this GB that only intentionally inflammatory posts get deleted by our lovely D.O.C.tors - on whatever subject.
Troll warnings - sooooo funny! (insert one of Lori's speciality LOL graphics here!)

I think it's safe to say that attraction brings us all flocking here, attraction to the AR or his acting, and probably a chemistry combo of the two!! I know it is for me! His voice is what completely snared me, but he would not have come to my attention were he not such a good actor. And as for his oh-so-lovely smile...it really can improve a girl's day, dontcha know!

Did we all (UK based) enjoy The January Man the other evening? Taped it, and Ed is lovely, but sadly underused! The plot of the film was a good premise, but the makers unfortunately managed to muck it up, and it ended up being unintentionally laughable! Ed's hair is very cute, though, and I liked his use of the kitten!!

Anyway, I kow I have a tendency to ramble, so I shall try and curb myself...just remains for me to say that Sue, I shall miss your contributions to the GB. See y'll soon!
Catherine - we really shouldn't keep talking about admiring AR like it's a bad thing!! ;-)
Reading, England - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 05:02:44 (PDT)

@Mortianna: Nein, der tiefe See ist nix für den guten Edi *ggg*, welche Vorstellung *kicher*. Ich glaube nicht, dass die Mehrheit der Deutschen mit einem Bayern 4 Jahre zurecht kommen. Mir sind halt doch anders... Und? Woher bist jetzt genau?
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 04:57:11 (PDT)

I miss Sue from UK, she left because of the trolls. Well, I just wanted to say: Mr. Rickman is inaccessable and so it wouldn´t matter if he is this or that. But what he is: friendly and patient to his fans, he goes around after an exhausting evening of a theatreplay and signs all the stuff and poses for photos. He is a great actor and I´m sick of all the upsetting troll-stuff. And that "José from Lima"-stuff: My cousin is english like I´m german and she always laughs of my german accent which I think, it isn´t strong. If Josè has this accent, it just sounds funny to Mr. Rickman, like his german words in "Die Hard 1" sound funny to me. I love the english version, because I giggle when these terrorists "try" to sound german. There´s nothing wrong with and Mr. Rickman or I mean it in a rassist way.We don´t. Perhaps anybody meets me at any stage door - feel free to smile of my german/bavarian way of speaking english. ;-) I hope, I could make clear what I want to say... ;-)
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 04:51:24 (PDT)

There is a difference between giving one's own opinion (though speculating on his personal life is not encouraged on this GB) and being rude and hurtful to others. The latter is the reason your previous post was deleted, Sue. None of the D.o.C.s are homophobic.
Suz (D.o.C.)

To: Lisa (Bavaria) From: Sue Smith Which Sue do you want to hear from? If it's me, I've been deleted from this site, because I was honest. Only positive information about Alan Rickman can exist on this fan site. Speculation that A.R. is gay (what I think) is deemed negative (troll) stuff and is deleted from this site. Thus, this site is prejudice towards gays and narow minded in the material they select to keep. What's wrong with thinking that A.R. is gay? It's harmless and only an OPINION. Watch this message disappear at the end of this month.
Sue Smith
N.Y., U.S.A. - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 03:51:59 (PDT)

Ahhhh-smells nice in here! Thanks D.o.C. New Zealand branch (Claudia) for your house cleaning! Bummer on the puter crash, Suzanne, that can always be VERY nerve wracking and a frustrating thing to have to deal with.

Conan interview--it's so amazing at the different takes we come up with on things such as the Conan interview. I completely missed the possible ethnic humor with the driving instructor. My immediate vision when The Man said "Jose from Lima" was of two heavy accented (didn't really matter what kind of accent) people trying to communicate....which for me is a funny thing to watch....and at times funny to experience.

Regionfree/Mulitregional DVD players. I have had two experiences (out right buying a player and upgrading a cheaper player) and can offer a third option as well. Since this could easily become a long winded post--If anyone is interested--please email me privately and I will be glad to share my information and possibly assist.

VCDs--IMHO, when purchased can be a huge waste of money. I'd rather have a VHS copy of something over a purchased VCD
Claudia <Flipper828@aol.comfoo>
GA US - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 02:34:36 (PDT)

barchester

i didn't exactly like slope but found him irresistible. the scenes with the bishop's wife were hilarious and I found at the time highly erotical."your behaviour with women is ..." the way they were dancing around each other under the eyes opf that idiotic bishop...
but that was of course at the height of my besottedness, which i have left behind long ago *coughcough*, now that i even find myself thinking at reading some posts, "well, get it over with". but then again: i might be lying to myself:-)
plus, he is SLIMY but in a very erm becoming way. I won't go into details here. but i have been infatuated by the slimy git Snape, so perhaps i have just a peculiar liking not for chinamen or old boots but for slime? i read hp part 4 in german now, and understood it at last:-), and fell in love all over again with snape and waiting for part 5.

completely on-topic: SUE i'm gonna miss you!

lisa nein nicht köln, ich wollte nur sagen, dass ich verrückt bin, und herrn dr. edi könnt ihr da gerne behalten, meinetwegen innem tiefen see, aber ich hab nix gesagt;-)
mortianna <mortianna@gmx.netfoo>
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 01:13:56 (PDT)

Wondering if "thickers" is cockney rhyming slang-ie-butcher's hook=look, or "Ill take a butcher around"-how about it, anyone conversant?
a concerned citizen
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 01:03:16 (PDT)

I saw Barchester a couple of years ago in a bad bootleg copy which included a few minutes of blank tape towards the end. My favorite Slope moment was when Mrs. Proudie, angry about something he'd said or done, called him a "guttersnipe." I'd rented the thing knowing the character wasn't exactly a good guy but expecting to like him anyway (think Hans or the Sheriff). And I couldn't - Slope was definitely "slimy" if not necessarily "buglike" - until that moment, which summed up his life for me and made him almost sympathetic. A smart, ambitious young man to whom many of society's doors were closed because of his origins, dependent on superiors who cared nothing for him, looked down on him, and would drop him or turn on him the minute he ceased to be useful to them or stepped out of line. Not easy being Slope!

Stacie - I had the same initial reaction to "Jose from Lima" in the O'Brien interview. If memory serves, there was a slight pause after "Jose" and the audience laughed at the name. I thought, "Whoa, Alan!" It quickly became clear that the humor was in the fact of the driving instructor's accent and not his ethnicity - the story would have been just as funny if the man had had any other strong accent and I think would have gotten the same laugh in the same place if AR had said his name was Giuseppe or Wong or any other foreign name. An unfortunate opening, all the same.
Anne/Manhattan
- Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 00:38:29 (PDT)

Barbara t W. That was brilliant!
Inger
Gothenburg, Sweden - Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 00:12:15 (PDT)

Imagine this: you're an actress, starring in a hit Broadway play, and throngs of admiring gay women want your autograph after every performance. You, the actress, are heterosexual. It would be a bit wiggy to deal with all these women who are physically attracted to you and just the thought of a liason with one of them makes you woozy. My point: if Alan is gay,(with all these Rima sightings I don't think he is), then he deserves even more credit for his loyalty to all his female fans at the stage door. He's there because he cares for and respects his fans. Even if he is a bit clinical about it sometimes. Someone posted that he was almost clinically professional in the way he signed autographs, and that phrase made the thought of Alan as a gynecologist pop into my head, would you please scoot down? Is that far enough, Dr. Rickman? That's fine, what brings you in today? I was hoping you'd issue an invitation to... a pic...nic...after the Pap Smear and all. Vera, if I issued invitations to every big-bodied, plump-nosed woman who asked for one I wouldn't have time for my work! Or my private life! Now go buy some Monistat and get out of here! (Tosses underwear at my fleeing butt).
Vera
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 22:48:59 (PDT)

In the Conan O'Brian interview, Alan tells the name of his driving teacher and his country of origin in a disparaging way. Later he corrects the insult, saying he was a wonderful teacher. I appreciated that. The teacher's name was Jose I think, from Peru. Alan gives this information in a tone that causes the audience to snicker. It's as if he's putting the man down, like he's some ignorant immigrant, and let's laugh at the thought of this guy teaching Alan how to drive. I'm sorry ladies! I love Alan, and I've been trying to ignore this, but there it is. I leave it out there and await your pleasingly plump, big-nosed bodies astride your gleaming white horses, gallantly riding over to slay me!
Stacie
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 22:10:39 (PDT)

Goliath, that doesn't answer the question at all. We don't know if that quote is accurate, we don't know if Lindsay's husband, if he did say that, is right. Accept the fact that we all accept not knowing. We will never know.
Stacie
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 21:59:24 (PDT)

Too, two, 2, too much.
Lily
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 18:42:04 (PDT)

Somewhat off-topic, Emma Fielding has a good supporting role in the "Investigator Lynley" series which began here on PBS with 2 episodes on Monday evening. She's very pretty and seductive, qualities which had to be toned way down in PL.

Also, "Object of Beauty" with John Malkovich, Andie MacDowell and Georgina Cates has been a regular cable offering of late. "Object.." was done in 1991 which, if memory serves me right, is 4 years before AABA. Cates looks incredibly different and is most likely in her early 30s in the 1991 film, so no need to be too concerned about her youthful innocence in the AABA role.

Too bad Rickman's interview was edited the way it was on Charlie Rose; yet, I'm happy they ran it again. (Really silly comment on my part: AR might be the first CR guest to appear with his shirt buttoned wrong! I don't think it was his tie which was askew! He had an extra bit of shirt and buttonhole up on one side of his neck and still managed to look terrific. Obviously, I've never been able to de-mystify this guy Rickman!)

I'll probably regret bring up the topic but here I go. I saw Michael Musto's comments in "The Voice" much earlier this summer, and kept them to myself. It's a rehash, or something, if the same remarks are appearing in an 8/26/02 column. I've also seen a few internet remarks about AR that go like this: "Oh, you mean I've been infatuated for so long with someone who is straight" after so many recent Rima sightings in NY. Moral of the story being, absolutely no one knows a thing about him in this regard. For what it's worth, IMHO, Rickman/Horton have been political people who've lived lives with left politics (here I go again) in the driver's seat. They've been unconventional and bohemian which confuses the living daylights out of anyone who pigeonholes them. And, I don't know a thing about them either! (Actually, I do know a thing or too about Bohemians and old lefties.)

I'm looking forward to all the stage door and PL play commentaries for these final days, except for the fact that they mean the end of the run. Please keep all of us who can't attend in mind. And, thanks for doing so. I second the request for questions about a possible Edward Albee role for AR. Wasn't Irene Worth another favorite actress of Albee's? "Little Alice," right? And, didn't we read this Spring that AR spoke at Irene Worth's funeral? None of this amounts to a connection, but does show I'm hoping Alan Rickman will make it back to the stage soon.
Lily
Chicago, IL - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 18:33:27 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, those "no region DVD's" from Hong Kong--at least the one I bought--was pretty poor quality. It was clearly a homemade disc made off the video. If you already have the video, it will be a step down.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 18:13:29 (PDT)

Kathy, you did not imagine it. The Barchester Chronicles did indeed air on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre about 20 years ago. I bought my treasured edition on VHS about five years ago, but I'm not sure it's still available except in the PAL format.

And thanks, Claudia, for taking care of "the situation!" I had a computer meltdown yesterday afternoon after installing a new program and just got it back from being repaired this evening, so thanks again!.

To everyone else: There's really no need to defend yourselves (or AR, for that matter) against those with adverse opinions and trolls. And responding only fuels the fire. Just ignore them.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 17:56:53 (PDT)

. . . However, Amazon UK says "out of print, limited availability". I must say, I do like the Euro cover pic better than the U.S. one.
Suze
NY - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 17:09:27 (PDT)

According to the The Internet Movie Database, Rasputin is available on dvd in Great Britain (Amazon UK) and Germany (Amazon DE). Nothing, alas, for us poor Yanks. *sniffle*
Suze
NY - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 17:05:41 (PDT)

Lovely sonnets, ladies.

Cindie
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:54:15 (PDT)

Suze, the Rasputin DVD did indeed exist - I own a copy which I bought in London's Tower records last year. However, in the last couple of months, it seemed to disappear out of the British DVD online stores - so its a pretty recent disappearance! Its also true that a chinese Video-CD keeps cropping up on the Auction sites, and I have only seen one VCD, but they are pretty terrible... Disappointing - I can't believe how many DVDs are being pulled from the market when its such a fledgling industry! We have had several major titles pulled in the last 3 months in Australia - which is very vexing! I should really pop off and buy SS before it disappears off the Australian shelves - lately, I can't even find Priscilla Queen of the Desert anymore - and born and bred Australian film! The movie companies really give the market no chance to find the movies at their own pace -its like we have to be psychic that we will need to buy all AR DVDs within 3 years of release - no rational given to the fact you may not stumble across AR until 5 or 10 years later. I am sure this applies to many actors/directors/actresses etc...
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:48:22 (PDT)

Am I imagining this or did the Barchester Chronicles air at one time on PBS in America? Perhaps Masterpiece Theater, or maybe I remember it because our local PBS affliate often airs old Brit mysteries and comedies. I would love to see a "young' Rickman playing a cleric. Today I worked all afternoon putting my New York pictures into my "memories scrapbook".Now instead of just sitting in a drawer my Alan pics have their very own Theme pages. Plus, it makes them easier to show to everyone who happens to drop by! Kathy
Kathy <KBIlier@AOl.comfoo>
Lewiston, Me - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:41:04 (PDT)

There was a Rasputin DVD from England, but as far as I know, it's out of print. I saw it at Borders/Amazon.
Catherine
Chicago, - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:29:22 (PDT)

Regarding Rasputin on dvd - I wonder if it isn't actually a vcd (video compact disc). I have AABA on vcd - it's on 2 discs instead of 1 and lacks the "scene/chapter selection" feature of a dvd, but it plays in my dvd player.
I bought it after I had bought AABA on vhs - when the tape arrived, it was unwatchable - terrible video and audio quality. I suspect it was exposed to a magnetic field during shipping.
The vcd came in a cd jewel box inside a bizarre-looking slipcase. I didn't think it was the right movie, until I noticed a tiny little pic of Stella in one corner. The print on the slipcase is Japanese/Chinese (?? who knows). I got this vcd from an Amazon.com auction.
But anyway, I think if there were such a thing as a Rasputin dvd, Amazon or Deep Discount DVD or somebody would have it, and I haven't seen it.
Suze
NY - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:23:05 (PDT)

Well done, BtW! An excellent homage.
Suze
NY - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:06:58 (PDT)

Ali-Pat: I'm with ya! I'd LOVE to get a "all-region" DVD player to be able to see some of those Reg. 2 DVDs. I'd love to hear some suggestions from folks about a low-cost way of getting one.

Regarding a "Rasputin" DVD - that smells like a crock to me! I'm sure there is no such thing - he probably copied off of a VHS copy!
Rhea
AZ USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 16:06:12 (PDT)

KatH--BC on DVD? News 2 me! My copy is VHS. Dang, there is another DVD I have to buy and tuck away until I figure out how to play it. I am told you can "flash" your DVD player so that it will be transformed into an "all region" or "no region" player, but that voids the warranty and I am resisting the temptation. The other answer is to purchase an all region DVD player, usually from some website (stores in my town don't carry them, anyway). However, they are pretty darned $$$$$$$$$.

Anybody got another plan? My HIAF DVD awaits...

Also--what's with this guy from Hong Kong on EBay who is offering multiple copies of a "no-region" version of Rasputin on DVD? Is there really such a thing?
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 15:45:45 (PDT)

Rhea--yes, and yes. They DID cut out some of the Alan interview, and I too wish Charlie had asked Alan some of the questions he asked Jeff Bridges. I think Charlie must have been having a bad night on June (9?) because he really was not together for the interview. It was shortly after the interview that he was admitted to the hospital for heart problems, so maybe that is the explanation. In any case, for those of you who saw the interview for the first time last night, you missed that charming "gremlin on my shoulder" part, the part where Charlie sweeps his interview questions off the table, and the part where Charlie asks Alan to critique his performance in S&S. This last is the most endearing thing I have seen Alan do in an interview--shaking his head and saying softly, "wrong, wrong..."
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 15:38:22 (PDT)

I've done a bit of housekeeping. I appologise if anyone's post got deleted - but wouldn't have made sense without the troll posts it was referring to.

Play nice!
DOC - New Zealand Branch <claudia@paradise.net.nzfoo>
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 15:35:17 (PDT)

slightly OT: Claudia and Ali-Pat (and anyone else with the knowledge): I understand that Barchester Chronicles is only available in dvd format region 2. Do you have region 2 dvd players? If so, how do you find them? I have inquired at local stores, only to be met with blank stares from the 15 year old male employees who know nothing about other formats, or the world. Or do depend on the kindness of those overseas to make copies? Thanks.
Kat H <still old, fat and ugly with bad teethfoo>
Kent, OH USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 15:33:58 (PDT)

Thank you Barbara the W and Inger in Gothenburg for making me laugh at the same joke in two entirely different ways today.
FastFilm
Los Angeles, - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 14:26:22 (PDT)

OK, did anyone see the rerun of the CR interview that also saw it when it was originally aired? I was surprised/disappointed that they cut out some of it. They totally took out the portion when AR talks about his stage fright (which was one of my favorite parts) and a couple of other moments, too.

While watching CR interview Jeff Bridges (the first part of the hour) I kept saying to myself, "Why didn't he ask Alan that??" Questions like . . . which of his movies did he like making the best?, which is his favorite?, what inspires him to take a role? etc.
Rhea
AZ USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 14:25:35 (PDT)

"Alan Rickman's eyes are nothing like the sun,
Bronze is far more bright than his hair is
If grace is flight, why then, his wings are done
If hairs be wires, lead wires grow on his head
I have seen marble walls of white,
That straighter stand than his toothy smile
And there are performers more polite
Than Alan Rickman -- when mirabile.
I love to hear him speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound
I grant I never saw a godling go
Alan Rickman, when he walks, treads on the ground

And yet, by heaven, I think Alan Rickman as rare
As any he belied by false compare.

Barbara the Wallpaperer <And that's how I feel about it!foo>
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 14:06:25 (PDT)

Link: Daily Telegiraffe's RADA news page.
Renie
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 13:13:45 (PDT)

Sad news, that, about Hugh Cruttwell, who was a wonderful RADA force. I've posted the article at the Daily Telegiraffe's RADA news page.
Renie
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 13:13:13 (PDT)

If Mr. Rickman is in a relationship with a woman or a man - fact is: We are all married or in a relationship with a beloved person.He is inaccessible for all of us. I miss respect for the cause of this guestbook here. And I´m sad that Sue left. Bye Sue, I hope I´ll read from you again.
Lisa
Bavaria, - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 13:10:13 (PDT)

Suzanne: The same warning to you. I won't be around for some time.(Please read my message to Stezi) *****
M.S. Rickman
London, England - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 12:53:01 (PDT)

Ahahahahahahah! As if we'd lend credence to a paper that has columns called "Dirty Porno", "Savage Love" and "Sex in the First Person". Too funny!
Harlii
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 12:50:47 (PDT)

Stezi: Thank you for your reply. I thought you'd written to New York. Also, I must warn you, considering the recent "troll attack": I won't be 'in town' for some time so if you receive email/s, they are from someone suffering from 'Polyjuice addiction' and definitely NOT me. I hope you read this message. Just a word of caution :-) *** P.S.: I've seen your page. Very Nice! ***
M. S. Rickman
London, England - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 12:27:54 (PDT)

To Kathie Lee et al.--AABA -- POSSIBLE AABA SPOILERS: -- I thought maybe "thickers" was something George used in mixing up the paint/varnish/whatever he used in painting scenery, maybe like stiffening in fabric (re the scene where Stella is brushing some solution on the backdrop?). Since he made the tea in his workroom with all his work supplies. The line reminded me of when I used to have tea with a scientist who kept his milk in the same fridge where he stored his plant specimens. I used to wonder if I was only imagining that the milk sometimes tasted funny! Maybe someone could ask AR outside the stage door and tell the rest of us.
Lee
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 12:19:42 (PDT)

I just saw an article that reminded me of "The View" the day AR, ET, PL, et al. were on it. I can't do links, but the article is at www.msnbc.com/news/799211.asp?pne=msn&cp1=1#BODY Might make for an interesting GB discussion.
Lee
US - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:54:33 (PDT)

Michael Musto's column in the Village Voice Aug 26, 2002 should answer the question once and for all, eh?

'The new Private Lives is a wonderfully melancholy yet acidly funny take, from Alan Rickman's almost-fourth-wall-breaking entrance to the biting and choking finale. At the opening-night party, Lindsay Duncan's husband remarked to a Times reporter that he's not worried about wifey being with Rickman all the time because "he's gay"—a crack that got the whole room buzzing. Scores of cognoscenti lined up to tell me, "No, he's straight, married, and devoted"—and Larry King wasn't one of them.'
Goliath
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:44:14 (PDT)

I'm sick to death of trolls, rude replies to trolls and rude comments about rude replies etc etc ad infinitum.
I have been visiting these pages for almost 2 years and come here for news and info. about a much-loved actor and to have a bit of fun, but I think shall say ta-ta for now. I'll drop by in a couple of months and see how it's going. Bye.
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:42:04 (PDT)

Just wanted to let everybody know that the Charlie Rose interview was indeed a repeat.
Sabine
GA USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:35:04 (PDT)

To the men who posted about Alan being gay...we know he's had a long-term relationship with a woman. Any other interests he may have we will never know and we don't care. Why would that stop us from admiring him? I'm sure you admire some heterosexual males. One can always dream, and isn't that a hallmark of the guestbookers? We are dreamers. To the person who posted about being in love with ten-years-ago-Alan. I think he was, like most people, better looking when he was younger. I think he was more than better looking, I think he was heartbreakingly beautiful. Now I find him handsome, and still extremely charismatic. His full smile is still a thrilling experience. In Dogma, he doesn't look so good. They must have wanted him to look that way, lighted him unflatteringly, didn't make him up to minimize undereye bags, etc. Alan was brave to allow that. They say he's very appearance conscious, but art must be more important to him.
Stacie
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:28:31 (PDT)

My mistress' waist's
less hornet than a bumblebee.
I think a Barbienose
just wouldn't fit her face.
Her charming smile
makes toothpaste adverticers flee
and yet on her
my whole devotion lays.

Well, the original is much better... My english isn't good enough especially compared with Shakespeare (but that would be a false compare.;))
Inger
Gothenburg, Sweden - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:27:39 (PDT)

Slightly OT, but not by miles - Hugh Cruttwell, AR's principal at RADA, has died; was also Geraldine McEwan's husband (of BC, RHPOT fame)A quote from AR in today's Telegraph reads : "He had an enormous presence, and he was utterly passionate about his job and about the students. He was completely unsentimental, and absolutely truthful. Even when he was telling you how terrible you were, he would be encouraging. His students became his friends in later life."
Quite an influence on AR I would have imagined.

Also pleased to hear that others on here laugh out loud at BC with Slope - he is SO good at that! The library copy I keep borrowing must be fairly worn out by now!
Sue
Lincoln, UK - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:20:30 (PDT)

Maxine was close enough. It was just one year...my goodess! I'm sure The Man appreciates an age error in his favor just as much as anyone else! I for one REALLY appreciates it! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 11:18:54 (PDT)

Of course, I don't mean "live" television, but broadcast television--in contrast to my VCR and DVD!
R
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:57:07 (PDT)

Wonderful to see him on live television, and I hope the CRose repeat will spur attendance for the last shows of Private Lives. It's good to keep him in the minds of people who cast upcoming projects, besides giving us a treat.

For those of you who make theatre plans ahead of time, Michael Grandage (who directed the awesome Branagh in Richard III this past year) has taken over the Donmar and offers this:

5th December 2002 - 15th February 2003
The Vortex
by Noel Coward
Directed by Michael Grandage
Booking opens Monday 23th September 2002
Press Night Tuesday 10th December 2002

besides some Sondheim (Pacific Overtures) Albert Camus' Caligula (never knew about that one!) and one other production which escapes me . . . (check the link).

To those of you attending the last PL performances--we wish we were there!

Renie
Maybe someone would aks him abut the Virginia Woolf project? , - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:54:59 (PDT)

Three cheers for Jizel !!! "People without interesting noses lack character." -Quote I love you point. I'll probably hang it above my mirror. :^)
Smurf-mom
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:54:53 (PDT)

Well, I was looking for info to answer Julia's question and found this article which some of you may have already read, but it's new to me. A TSFJG Review The article states that Angela is Donald's daughter.
Harlii <Glad to be of *some* use after all!foo>
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:54:44 (PDT)

Question: Are Donald Pleasance and Angela Pleasance (both in BC) related/married?
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:40:33 (PDT)

I hope you people are correct in your assumption that Alan Rickman writes back: I've written to A.R. 2 months ago, to all 3 agents of his - each complimentary letter accompanied by my artwork. I adore him since I first saw him for the first time in the Harry Potter movie, where he looks 45 yrs. old due to makeup and a black wig. I saw the rest of his movies and "Mesmer" remains my favourite because of A.R.'s younger looks and acts of passion. That's the problem: I'm lost in the past - I am in love with his younger looks (10 years ago). In this world of 6 billion people, can there be a look a like of A.R. as he looked 10 years ago? Keep on dreaming... I wish I heard of him then. How odd that the H.P. movie hooked me to A.R., when in reality he looks and is older, at 56 years of age. Check him out in "Blow Dry" and "Dark Harbor" - the actual A.R. (no makeup or wig) - still a handsome man, great actor with the most sensual lips and voice. To: Marialis (France) - how long have you been obsessed with A.R., if you don't mind me asking. Me? A mere 10 months... My e-mail: maxineshare46@hotmail -Maxine Share
Maxine Share <maxineshare46@hotmailfoo>
Toronto, Canada - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:39:02 (PDT)

Thanks Ali-Pat and Harlii! I just love being able to share thoughts in a civil manner!

I had to laugh at the fact that Harlii wanted to slap the Bishop. I have watched Clive Swift in a little Britcom called "Keeping Up Appearances" for a long time now and the show is sooo funny. So when I saw him as the Bishop, all I could see was the hilarity in his Bishop performance.
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:37:08 (PDT)

Marialis, you are really cute! ;-))) I loughed, reading your try to save others from this addiction. But there are many peoples (most of them curious women), who want to see, what is so dangerous, than they think, they could stop whenever they want... but it´s to late, they are addicted and there will be no help... *gggggggggggggggg*
Lisa
Bavaria, - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:31:54 (PDT)

Well, I agree with both of you. LOL I agree with you Claudia in that I didn't find Obadiah Slope slimy or anything, just aggressive, an over-achiever, brown-noser, a bootlicker if you will. But I understand Ali-Pat's point as well. Many times we do refer to people like Slope as slimy, sneaky, back-stabbing, etc. The term I like to use is "crabs in a barrel". Ahahahah! The people I wanted to slap were the Bishop and his wife...I can see a cleric like Slope being ingratiating for whatever his reasons, but the backbone-less Bishop and his overbearing, bossy ass wife were just too much to swallow. How my hand ached to slap her face.

One interesting thing about Barchester Chronicles is that my mother, who is usually my partner in crime, so to speak, when it comes to British films, refused to watch it! She called it dumb! She turned her back on the TV and played Solitaire, while my father, whom I've mentioned here before regarding his absolute disdain for Alan's very existence, watched both tapes and LOVED it! We both felt that we recognized the different characters in certain church members we know.

I am going to try and get some copies made (NTSC) to share and will let everyone know when they're done and how many I have...it's really an excellent film...one of the best BBC productions I've seen in a while...
Harlii
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 09:02:08 (PDT)

Claudia, RE the Slope character. He strikes me as slimy (oooo, bad mental image there) in that his personality is so slippery, so oily ("oleaginous" the word one reviewer used). And his body movements are very insect-like. Just watch him cross the courtyard and skitter into the bushes to hide. He resembles nothing so much as a giant cockroach! But I think the Archdeacon has the best description of him--The Bestial Slope. Ha! Ha-Ha!

But he is Alan, and deep down under his buggy Slope skin I do find him adorable.

Glad to find so many fans of this series--it is well worth the $$$ and effort to find.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 08:49:39 (PDT)

Yes Mortianna and Lisa : I know, it’s too late for me too. So I have made a video to alert the youngest and I will send it to different French channels… This is what I say in it : “Hello I’m Marialis and I’m Rickman addicted. I begun just to do like others…. To make the experience. Everybody was saying that he was a wonderful actor… so I wanted to make up my mind… If I have imagined once that 10 years later I would be stooped so low… Gosh… So listen to me… I have a message for the youngest… and for their parents… a political and extraterrestrial conspiracy give a big power to that man… Now that he plays Snape in Harry Potter’s movies…. ALL a generation of innocent children is in danger. Be careful… Please listen to me… For me it’s to late…not for you.” It’s tough isn’t it…?
Marialis <just saw a man with a cigarette foo>
France - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 07:51:29 (PDT)

RE: Barchester Chronicles. I absolutely adore this series and am ever thankful to my London mate for persuading me to purchase it oh so long ago. Such a fantastic cast and story.

But I am puzzled by a comment that Ali-Pat made and it is something I have read numerous times as the subject of AR’s Slope is mentioned. I don’t understand the character of Slope be considered “slimy” and “bug-like”. I think of Slope as just an overly ambitious character. He knew what he wanted and he was stopping at nothing to get it. That kind of stuff goes on all the time—in fact I know a few like that but that flaw doesn’t make them slimy and lowdown.

(tee hee) Maybe its Rickman’s gorgeous looks that soften my take on Slope. I admit it—I turn to mush when The Man is anywhere near! How else can I explain my wanting Marion to choose George—Nina to kill herself to be with Jamie—Stella to say “Yes…its you I love, PL…not Potter”—Marianne to say “Willoughby who?”—Sadie Hawkins to lay some of her tough love on David right there in the parking lot of that apartment building—and the list goes on and on!
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 07:48:16 (PDT)

I think some respond to the trolls for the same reason that others respond to the people responding, to tell them not to because they wouldn't. People give their opinion. That's the nature of conversation. :-)

Now I've been here long enough to see a pattern emerge. The usual visitors are articulate, intelligent and good-humored, which is why I drop by to see what's up. But without fail, the trolls can't spell, can't form a sentence, and their notes have all the intellectual challenge of chewing gum. It's cracks me up, it's so predictable.
Cyndi
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 07:16:51 (PDT)

To M.S. Rickman in London: I wrote Alan's agent a couple of times in London and Alan signed all my pictures. The last time I saw Alan was in January in London. Maybe you've read this. You could e-mail me privately, if you like!
Stezi <stezi@wxs.nlfoo>
The Netherlands - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 05:47:53 (PDT)

Why does anyone bother responding to malicious posts? It only serves to prolong "discussions" that shouldn't have been started. Though I liked the animated middle-finger graphic.

The "Who's Going" list is pretty incomplete for The Last Matinee - I'm not on it, for one thing, and at least one other person that I know will be there. If you're going on September 1 and would like to get together with other GBers, email me with your seat location and meeting preferences (brunch? drinks/dinner? I assume we'll all be at the stage door) and I'll assemble a list and email everyone Friday evening. Sorry not to provide an email link but I'm still being spammed. agilhuly "at" gibsondunn "dotcom"
Anne/Manhattan
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 05:41:05 (PDT)

Laura, the copy of the RHPOT screenplay I saw said "Cecil", but the name very well could have been "Cedric" somewhere along the way given the fluid nature of film making. Azeem's name went back and forth within the same script and it took me a while to catch on to the fact that "Aslan" was not a separate character but an earlier name. But there remains that delightfully hilarious concoction, "de la Treacle". Imagine the proud bearers of that fine Norman surname!

(Cheeses, I hope there really is no such name! To anyone whose surname is De la Treacle, please forgive me if I have insulted your heritage! I promise to share with you my own ridiculous surname so you can make fun of it in turn.)
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 05:18:51 (PDT)

What a poor mind must those people have to come and upset others? They seem to have a boring live to entertain themselves in this way. They seem to have no manners at all - and no heart! I think, their parents forgot to educate them well! :-(((( I hope, they will be deleted untill I return from Italy. For the rest of you others (=lovely and nice people), I´ll think of you while I have my capuccino and send you good vibrations.
Lisa
Bavaria, - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 05:00:40 (PDT)

@Jody: Well, one addiction is necessary ;-)) I don´t drink alcohol, I don´t smoke or take any drugs... so I can keep my obsession for Alan Rickman, which is better than be obsessed in chocolate *lol* And my husband and my kids watch his films, too. My daughter loves Galaxy Quest and hates me for watching in english, because she can´t understand it. ;-))))))))))) @Mortianna: Where´s Crazytown in Germany? Koeln? It´s the craziest town if I believe Stefan Raab *gggg* I´m from Munich... und ich waere dafuer, den Herrn Stoiber da auch zu behalten... mein ja nur... ;-))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 02:47:56 (PDT)

Anybody have a can of troll repellent? We seem to have an infestation.
Suze
NY - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 02:19:42 (PDT)

harlii what a wonderful return:-)

i read some really nice answers here, marialis, your cure may work but not for me unfortunately. I'll be on the last show, thanks to the ex-colleague and may be on sat evening. so if you want to take a look at the really crazy people on this planet, with no life whatsoever, contact me:-)would love to meet everyone of this wonderful group who happens to be around at the weeekend.
mortianna <mortianna@gmx.netfoo>
crazytown, germany - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 01:32:42 (PDT)

JC---CR show shows on PBS-affiliate (that's Claudia's wording BTW, not mine!), which varies from region to region. I don't know about anyone else, but where I live, the cable sys is so screwed (and I do mean that literally), the channels change every few months. I kid you not. Check tvguide.com; it's region-specific bec' they ask for your zip code. BTW, loved your accounting of your quick visit out to NYC. Now, aren't you glad you went? Wasn't that 400 bucks well-spent? Sure cost less than an alcohol-addiction or a trip to see a shrink. LOL.
jody
CA USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 01:25:08 (PDT)

This may be because i'm younger than most rickmaniacs, but i'm finding all this talk about Alan Rickman's bad points really upsetting. And i can't see what all these non-rickmaniacs don't like about him anyway. This should go back to being a forum for the fans.
Jizel <insanerickmaniac@aol.comfoo>
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 01:20:14 (PDT)

re: Charlie Rose show w/ AR and Jeff Bridges...is it too much to hope for an another interview so shortly after the last one? As someone already mentioned, it might be a repeat, but it's paired diff than last, so check and make sure. Besides, a 2nd (or 3rd, 4th, 5th,...) viewing of the interview is going to do no harm. LOL. BTW, check out the official site at charlierose.com. It lists AR and JB as Tues showing, though my TVguide says Wed. And Wed's (acc. to website) showing is Judi Dench *and* Maggie Smith. Catch the show if you can!

BTW, Lisa, aren't withdrawl symptoms just AWFUL??? LOL But y'know, I don't have any overt addiction-no alcohol, smoking, overeating, sex, gambling, what-have you--so I think I'm entitled to my *slight* overindulgence in anything AR-related. It's much, much healthier, cheaper, w/ very little negative side effects, which brings about immense enjoyment in return, which in turn aids in keeping myself sane.

One more thing, (I promise): in consideration of the fact that the guy's 56 (is my calculation correct?), I don't think he's old nor does he *look* old. It threw me off-kilter when I first realized exactly how old he was. So, so sorry if I offend anyone, but it's been my *own* observation that whites (yes I know, that's a damn big generalization on my part, and yes I do live in CA, one of the greatest melting pots one could find around, and being a member of a minority meself, is very much careful in my wordings when it comes to race/ethnicity/ nat'l origin/etc.) generally show age rather clearly, some showing more age in appearance than in reality. For AR to *claim* to be 56 and look like that should be a *sin*! LOL.

Nor does he look in anyway pudgy. Now, I've never seen him in person (I'm still stuck on that height issue, *grin*), so my observation is only accurate to the point of the photos and last movie of his I've seen (HP). But even if he's old, fat, and bald w/ rotten teeth, I'd still adore him as an actor. Did I mention I find old and bald sexy?
jody
CA USA - Wednesday, August 28, 2002 at 01:14:17 (PDT)

Sorry to disturb the trolls, but I have a burning AR question..... I just happened to be checking the IMDB site and I noticed that AR is listed as the Executive Producer for a film entitled "Willows." The film was directed by Andreas Wisniewski in 2001. (Wisniewski played the terrorist "Tony" in "Die Hard.") The production company is listed as "Hyperhoons Limited." Has anyone heard of this film? Was it ever released? I've never seen it mentioned under any other AR credits. Any info anyone has would be appreciated! :)
Kimberly
MI - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 23:57:41 (PDT)

"What a wonderful world"

Hi Verena,
you are not high-spirited, are you? Ooooooooh, how I envy you.
Good luck!
Waiting for your reports.
lelefua
stgt, - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 23:44:49 (PDT)

LOL, Barbara-T-W!

Give me a beautiful voice, and I'll give you a *thud*.. .

Give me a beautiful British voice, and I'll give you the moon and the stars along with it . . .

Keep those PL reports coming in, it won't be long now until they are GB "archives" . . . *sigh*
It's ok, I always end up on the floor!
Renie , - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 22:55:21 (PDT)

Concerned Citizen

Having met and seen a lot of the GBers, I have to agree with your analysis. This lot is far from the fat, ugly self-inflicted definition. On the other hand, I *know* that I've only grown into my nose within the past decade, so....

But I grew up watching British men, so those "adow-able wittle nosies" that the Americans have explain the flat, dull tones their voices have, too....

Jeremy Brett *swoon*
Patrick Stewart *swoon*
Derek Jacobi *swoon*
Kenneth Branagh *watches Renie swoon*
Alan Rickman *thud!*

Mary Anne! Stop hogging the fainting couch! :)
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 22:21:26 (PDT)

Ali-Pat: My favorite Barchester Chronicles scenes were also those that featured Slope (AR) and Mrs. Proudie (Geraldine McEwan) together! The expressions of loathing on their faces whenever they were in each other's presence were so hilarious! BC will always be one of my favorite of AR's roles! Great to hear that there are other fans who have taken the time to discover this gem! (That includes you, Harlii!)

And I'd always understood that the Sheriff's real name was supposed to be "Cedric" not "Cecil" ... but I very well could be mistaken. (It certainly wouldn't be the first nor last time that has happened). Does anyone else have any facts that could convince me one way or the other?
Laura <trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 21:46:36 (PDT)

How anyone can look at the picture on the main page and see fat, old, big nosed,gray crooked teeth is beyond me. I have seen quite a few pictures of guestbookers, and have not seen any gray teethed, fat old ugly big nosed people, so you lot, stop lying-you know you are gorgeous. Actually, I think Im the only old and fat one, but I am still kind of cute, despite that-I have finally grown into my nose.
a concerned citizen
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 21:46:32 (PDT)

~~~~~blush~~~~~but with coffee stained tan teeth!
FastFilm
CA USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 21:30:51 (PDT)

Harlii--I was also enthralled with BC when I finally was able to watch it! I liked it so much I think I watched it three times in a row, which is a major committment for a six-hour production. How does Rickman manage to appear slimy and bug-like all that the same time? Eeeeewwww. Still, he had me falling off the couch laughing more than once. Often, in fact. And loudly. I think that was the month the neighbors started looking at me funny...

And I agree the entire cast is superb. I became an instant fan of Donald Pleasance and Nigel Hawthorne (whom, oddly enough, I had never seen before) because of this series, which in turn introduced me to many fine films.

However, the images which stand out in my mind from BC are all those exchanges between AR and Geraldine McEwen. I snort with laughter every time I think of those two together! And a foreshadowing of things to come, eh? (RHPOT)

Soooo, glad you had the chance to see it, Harlii!

And speaking of RHPOT, here is a little bit of trivia I learned today. According to the screenplay, the original name of the Sheriff was not George, but (wait for it) CECIL. Cecil de la Treacle, to be exact. (explosion of giggles).
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 21:29:24 (PDT)

I think it is so nice that all you girls are talking about how great alan rickman is, i mean i am shocked because he is gay and all! Right? I think he seems gay to me and i'm usually right on about this. my boyfriend tells me that i am too in tune with homosexual vibes even for a fag!!!!!
Sam
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 21:29:18 (PDT)

I'm just fat...or rather, pleasingly plump...

On a side note, I've just watched Barchester Chronicles this past week...it's simply fabu. I really enjoyed it. It wasn't so much because of Alan's role (which was perfect, as usual), but because the rest of the cast were so good. Donald Pleaseance was marvelous as the Warden...you've gotta get your hands on it folks if you haven't already seen it...I wish I could make copies for you all, but you'd be waiting a long time...
Harlii
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 20:39:15 (PDT)

Yep.
Suze
NY - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 20:21:25 (PDT)

Okay, out with it. Are all you ladies fat and big-nosed? With crooked grey teeth to boot?
Stacie
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 20:12:18 (PDT)

are**
Bev
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 19:50:02 (PDT)

ClaudiaL: I saw it last time. There is 2 pbs style stations where i live and one of them had it. Mabe it is because I live so close to Atlanta
Bev
GA usa - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 19:49:24 (PDT)

Re S&S DVD

Oh, of course, I don't have the S&S DVD but now I have seen it and now recall that the R1 version does have some (very brief!) deleted scenes. I was thinking this might be a "new Special Edition" version with more than what was on the first. (Oh well, I can wish, can't I?

Thanks Claudia, Helen and Martissima.
Rhea
AZ USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 18:56:42 (PDT)

What channel does Charlie Rose come on?
JC
AL - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 18:19:41 (PDT)

Bev--sorry but GPTV (Georgia's PBS affiliate) doesn't air Charlie Rose. Some north Georgia people pick the show up on another PBS affiliate....how about it Sabine??? Was it a re-run? (tee hee) My money is on a re-run!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 18:18:53 (PDT)

Is the CR thing new or not.....i got home late and i think i might have missed it. Could any one in GA tell me what time it comes ,or came on
bev
ga usa - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 16:58:14 (PDT)

I could be wrong, Rhea but I think the Collector's Edition of S&S is coming out in R2 only. The original R2 edition didn't have any extras on it. So what those money hungry studios are doing is releasing a new edition with all the extras that the R1 one has had since its origin. This region difference thing REALLY gets under my skin. Its the same with the R2 edition of TMD. R2 viewers didn't have one single extra on their DVD and the R1 is packed with commentaries and extras. And what makes the TMD one even worse is that it was a British film from start to finish.
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 16:27:41 (PDT)

Sue, the S&S special edition DVD has been available for ages, I've had mine for at least 6 months. It's well worth it, the Emma Thompson/ Lindsey Doran commentary is hilarious, and she has nice things to say in it about Alan too (EG. he'd be sexy playing the milkman). Sadly, neither of the extra scenes feature Alan, but hey, you can't have everything!;-)
Helen
Cheshire, UK - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 16:24:14 (PDT)

hey i just want to comment on how awesome this site is and how great alan is.
sarah
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 15:41:07 (PDT)

That S&S DVD widescreen with deleted scenes is available now at Amazon.com.
martissima
chicago, IL - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 15:28:20 (PDT)

Sue: Do you know if the S&S DVD is just coming out in R2 or R1 also?? And . . . if you don't mind my asking, how did you hear this? I'm trying to find a site somewhere that will tell me what DVDs are to be released soon. THANK YOU!
Rhea
AZ USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 14:30:48 (PDT)

Hey Sandy L.! Come join my board please. I'd just LOVE to have you as a member. http://pub48.ezboard.com/butopia77240 Come on and hash it out there...not scared are you?
Harlii
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 14:29:11 (PDT)

Stezi: If you are reading this, your name sounds familiar. Did you send Alan a card or small gift to New York?
M. S. Rickman
London, England - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 14:19:28 (PDT)

Oh Marialis, I tried the week 1 - 3 procedure, but I had to break it up after the 2nd hour of doing it. I sweat, my body shivered, my eyes rolled in its holes... and I had to discover: I´m addicted to Alan Rickman. Sorry, it´s not a chronical disease, it´s an addiction... Marialis, I must keep all the AR-stuff for myself, I´m really sorry ;-)))))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 13:20:59 (PDT)

Let's cut the c*** and get down to business. Just seen that a Sense and Sensibility Collectors Edition dvd is being released on 9.9.02 £10.49 from dvdpopcorn.co.uk. List extras as commentaries from Ang Lee, Emma Thompson and producers. Plus two deleted scenes! (Hopefully the Colonels trip to London!)
Sue
England - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 13:19:06 (PDT)

A small reminder for Sandy L. -

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Now, please don't tell me again that AR is not handsome; in my eyes he is, and always will be.
Suze
NY - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 12:25:50 (PDT)

Sorry... someone sent me this soapbox in the mail... and you see, I just have to try it...

To Sandy L: Like everyone said, you have your own opinion.

And I add to say: WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR OPINION?

In other words, don't waste your breath. I'm sure you have much better things to be doing with your time. And if you are so *brilliant* then you would be smart enough not to even bother COMING here. As for your false description of Alan- BUG OFF. Have you even heard of something called *manners?* Appartantly not, as you have called the lot of us names and insults which are far from true. Well, Mr. Rickman indeed has charms and manners, he is a true gentleman, and a bit too polite for your likings, I see. As for his looks... *snort*. Looks are not everything. To me, they are nothing. Why do I like him then? Well, 1, he IS good-looking, to me, at least. 2, his voice is better than ice cream on a hot summer's day. 3, MANNERS. 4, just something that makes you smile when you see him. Now, I may sound *childish* saying this, but so be it. But its even more childish to go and call someone names like *fat, old, ugly, crooked teeth, big nose.* Well, EXCUSE ME. I, for one, am fat and have a big nose. But you know what? People see me for who I am, and those who can't are only rude and arrogant people like yourself. You have a large fence in your mind, and you are just too scared to jump over it, so you can only see so little. Unless you expand your horizons, you will be the one not going anywhere in life.

Ok, sorry Suzanne for bringing up the past, but I just read everything today...

Diane <imaalanrickmanfan@harrypotternetwork.zzn.comfoo>
UT USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 11:15:13 (PDT)

Sandy you have the right to have your own opinion but this is yours only. I think that you don't look through him. If you really look at him you would see how beautiful he is because of his generosity, of his charm and natural. you would see the beauty of his heart, the deep expression he's able to give to one another. That is Beauty.
Nathalie
Paris, - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 10:19:58 (PDT)

Hi Marialis and everyone, I'm still around. I had two ball and chains, one around each ankle this summer, and the most I could do was hobble to the computer with my homemade chai tea latte with tons of foam and caramel sauce on top and tune in to the guestbook to save my sanity. Eventually I dragged them on a plane and went on 'vacation'. Today they started school, and I, no longer in shackles 24 hours a day, will need this guestbook less. Thank you everyone, for being there. You brought me to New York City, which I left 10 years ago and will always love. You made me think, and laugh, and were a fun audience. The stage door accounts are so great to read because you can feel the frantically beating heart of the writer. You can sense Alan, so tired, so eager to get home, but so aware of what he means to people and giving of himself just a little more. I started out obsessed with Alan, like all my obsessions they come and go. I am now an appreciative fan, but I no longer need to see pictures of him everyday, or rent only his movies. I am not obsessed. It just left me, which is good. He still inspires me because his standards are so high, and he is so gifted and intelligent. From reading this guestbook, I can understand why he appreciates his fans; you are all well-above average in intelligence, have great senses of humor, are intellectually curious, respectful, caring...I will continue to check in, but it's as much for Alan as for the kind of people he attracts to this GB. It's always interesting to check in here. Talk to you again soon!
Cynthia
CA USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 09:46:08 (PDT)

HI again. Just wondering. When is the site's Photo Gallery thing going to be fixed?
Jemini <Jemini_2545@yahoo.comfoo>
New York, Ny USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 09:45:05 (PDT)

I'm not sure, because I've never answered the ads, but I thnk if a person suddenly finds herself with vast wealth and bigger breasts, the new life comes about automatically? ;-)
Cyndi
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 09:07:06 (PDT)

OMG, Cyndi you are always a hoot!

I prefer just the bigger breasts and get rich package....is there a discount for leaving off the new life option? ROTFLMAO!!!!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 08:04:07 (PDT)

I am always curious about this life I'm told to get. Right now, I drop by and chat with friends of mutual interest. Apparantly, the opposing viewpoint is that I should find something I don't like, then drop by a site that pertains to that subject and complain that everyone doesn't look at the world the way I do. That's living???

I'll bet this other life is for sale. It's like SPAM, isn't it? Get bigger breasts, get rich quick, get another life...for only $99.95!!!
Cyndi
CA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 07:58:54 (PDT)

Hi All. Check out Charlie Rose for Tuesday night (tonight!) Looks like a repeat of AR's June interview. As usual, Pittsburgh PBS has another pledge month (We have them every 3 months!!!) and it looks like it will be prempted again in this area. Could anyone tape it for me? I went through this in June when I announced it in Guestbook. I know it's on, but cannot watch. $#^@*!!!
vicki
Pittsburgh, Pa - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 07:30:39 (PDT)

Hi, Just wanted to say what a great place ! I've been a Alan Rickman fan since RHPOT. Due to illness I've been unable to see Private Lives but have enjoyed about reading everyone else's visits.
Anne <moonsail2000@yahoo.comfoo>
Baltimore, MD USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 07:29:44 (PDT)

Fellow Rickmaniacs....if we just ignore Sandy L (and other trolls)....she/he will go away eventually. Suzanne or one of her loyal D.o.C.'s will delete the offending posts as soon as they can.

Suzanne, Claudia, New Zealand, and one other D.o.C. whose name escapes me right now....help please!!!!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 06:57:50 (PDT)

You’re welcome Sandy L. but the words of the cure are yours. Be friends ? why not ? As long as you don’t try to convert me… you see : I’m afraid I’m incurable though I agree with you : I don’t really find him handsome. I have already said that here but in a less aggressive manner than yours. Outside beauty is nothing. In my “real life”, as for my taste for actors, I am more sensitive to the aura of a person, what he radiates (is that the good term ? I just found it in the dictionary but I’m not sure…) than to his physical beauty. So, maybe, if you could accept that, we could be friends… But you know, I’ve got difficulties to bear aggressive persons for a long time. I’m sure you would find me extremely boring : insulting and hurting people don’t amuse me at all. I’m very peaceful and I don’t think I am the kind of friends you are looking for. Try another place, I’m sure you will find (have you tried RAMBO site ?)

Sue… I have stooped so low… Now I’m able of anything !

And thank you Claudia.
Marialis
France - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 06:55:27 (PDT)

Sandy L: You are a strange woman. You visit someone's fansite for whatever reason. But why? Why put your valuable time in checking this "stupid" Alan Rickman Guestbook! Why bother signing this Guestbook at all if you're not sharing our opions of Alan. Please, stay away and go bother others. You are not welcome here! Maybe some other actor is interested in your "warm" words!
Stezi <stezi@wxs.nlfoo>
The Netherlands - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 06:38:35 (PDT)

To: Marialis (France) From: Sandy L. You are a brilliant writer and very wise. Nobody could explain it better. I confess, why do I bother with this not so good looking actor? Thanks again for defending me, you could be my friend any time...
Sandy L.
Kent., U.S.A. - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:37:22 (PDT)

.... "... WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD..." ....
verena
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:35:47 (PDT)

Ali-Pat--As sick as he has been, I hope The Woman is giving The Man some loving TLC! Goodness knows, they probably knew New York inside and out long before Private Lives.
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:30:56 (PDT)

BTW, if tonight's Charlie Rose is a new appearance, I certainly hope Rima or somebody makes sure Alan's tie is straight before he goes before the camera. Bless him, sometimes he really needs a minder...
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:18:40 (PDT)

..."you could just send them to me".......Oh nice try, Marialis, nice try!!!!LOL
Sue
- Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:16:04 (PDT)

Today begins the final week of PL performances in New York. I wonder if Alan and Rima, like Sinclair and Natalie, are having a great time being lazy, saying goodbye to New York, going to shows, and to tourist attractions they'd never seen?

Alas, after this week, I will no longer be sharing a time zone with AR and the rest of the cast, an idea which pleased me. (Okay, my pleasure threshold is a little low.

I wish the cast and all who attend the play in this final week good weather, wonderful memories, and a minimum of travel hassles.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:15:21 (PDT)

Hi Marialis--GA is the abbreviation for the state of Georgia.
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 05:07:16 (PDT)

Sabine and Claudia could you tell me what means "GA". Where are you from ? Just curious..? I don't always understand those things. It seems to me taht CA is for California and TX for Texas... NC for North Carolina ? Thank you by advance... In a certain way this GB makes me travelling all around the world !
Marialis
France - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 04:56:47 (PDT)

Hello everyone !

I find you all so nasty with this poor Sandy L. ! She just tried to help us to cure of rickmanitis ! Thank you Sandy ! So kind of you !
So with the help of Sandy, this is my prescription :

- Week 1 : Record the following text : “AR is old and fat and has a grey crooked bottom teeth witch he has never bother to fix ; in addition he has a big nose. Where is the attraction : nowhere ! So why am I crazy about him ?”
And listen to it every hour (don’t forget the alarm clock for the night !)

- Week 2 : Record the following text and listen to it every hour : “Loving AR is ridiculous. His site is ridiculous indeed. I have no life being on AR. If I don’t stop it, it would mean that I need to see a psychiatrist. And I don’t want to see a psychiatrist.”

- Week 3 : Record the following text and listen to it every hour : “How have I been fool enough to be charmed by this poor guy Alan Rickman, so old and so ugly ? Everybody says that Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt are so sexy… I am a normal person. I’m a fan of Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt.”

I suppose that I don’t need to add that in that period of cure you’ll have to abstain absolutely of any contact with AR : burn his photos and everything you’ve got from him or about him. And no GB of course ! Suzanne, I suggest you to create a Brad Pitt Site because you’ll be out of work next month !

So everything has been said now… Good luck to everyone. I am sure some day you will thank Sandy L. and me ! Uh… BTW, instead of burning everything… you could just send them to me… Well if you don’t mind …

OT : Cynthia where are you ? You haven’t posted here for a so long time ? Are you already cured ?
Marialis
France - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 04:50:45 (PDT)

People, let's move on, please!
Sabine
GA USA - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 04:26:28 (PDT)

Hmmmm, I seem to remember a "I hate this GB" post a couple months ago. Was that my imagination??????
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 04:15:38 (PDT)

My favorite AR film was 'Blow Dry' - I love the thought of Phil cutting my hair, running his fingers through it - do you suppose he'd do a scalp massage? *shiver* And that foot tattoo is just plain sexy!

"Just because something's fixed, doesn't mean you can't break it"

Suze
NY - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 03:35:09 (PDT)

I hate to bring up the past and annoy everyone, but with reference to Sandy L's message about him being 'old, fat, ugly and with crooked teeth that he's never bothered to get sorted out'. Point one; 'old' Compared to who? Who cares how old he is? We certainly don't, and if Sandy L has a problem with it, she shouln't be here. Point two; He is not fat and i resent people who say he is. He maybe has a little normal middle-aged spread, but who doesn't? In RH;POT he looked a lot thinner than Kevin Costner, and Alan was older than him. If she were his age, like with no vices (such as smoking, drinking, over-eating) and she looked as good as he does then i'd like to know why. Point three; Uglyness, or about his nose. What is the thing with his nose? He has a beautiful, charactaristic nose. So does the french actor Gerard Depardieu. So does Sarah Michelle Gellar. So does Mick Jagger and Freddie Mercury. And do you know why these people have been successful? Because they have beautiful noses. People without interesting noses lack character. Why does she think he's ugly? She's probably no oil-painting herself. As far as i'm concerned, Alan's eyes are mesmerising, his lips are gorgeous and he's to die for. Point four; His teeth are perfectly normal. Why should he get them sorted out? They don't get in the way of his life, do they? He's not suicidal or paranoid about them, is he? No. He's not as vain as Sandy L thinks he is , and we love him the way he is. I just needed to get that off my chest, thank you all for listening.
Jizel <insanerickmaniac@aol.comfoo>
Salisbury, - - England - Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 01:47:18 (PDT)

Hi Tami,
thank you very much for sharing your wonderful Saturday with us, so far away. It's a great great pleasure reading your reports and seeing the wonderful pics. He's got a new haircut and color and new watch, all red, quite elegant, wow.
Hope he'll feel better soon and will get rid of that damned cold and cough.
Thanks a lot
lelefua
stuttgart, germany - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 23:56:58 (PDT)

AMEN HARLI!! I love your response to Sandy L.!!

Ok, if you don't like Alan, why would you come to his fan site? A lot of people do not even know who he is, so Sandy L. obviously knows who he is and has seen his movies! Well, Sandy L., if you choose to be rude and cut down our Alan, please stay away. You sound very superficial, go to the Tom Cruise guest book!! We appreciate a good looking, intelligent,funny,classy,talented,respectful man. It is too bad there are rude people out there........

Thanks for letting me put my 2 cents in!!
Leanne
WI USA - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 19:18:22 (PDT)

Sorry, one last post for the day, then I'm off, I promise.

Is the September 1st show sold out already? I wouldn't be supprised if it is, but I want to go again so badly and might even try telling my mother that she deserves a weekend in New York with me. Worth a shot, right?

Does anyone know where to get a copy of the Privet Lives script? Or the one from Winter Guest?

Can yall believe it, I didn't get to tell Alan what I thought of The Winter Guest when I was there this weekend. There were so many people plus I was too incredibally nervous. I was shaking the whole time.

Thanks yall! Have a great one!
Jayne Claire
AL - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 19:02:15 (PDT)

Would like to know if someone could put up the "Galaxy Quest" 'Mockumentary'...I've been looking for for a while and can't seem to find it (obviously...LOL)...all I know is that it's available on the Region 2 DVD, I think...any help would be appreciated...thanks!
"Lurker #425"
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 18:45:48 (PDT)

Beauty is in the eye of the holder and Alan is a beautiful creature to me. And I'm not just speaking about his looks either... Age is relative and since I'm almost 42 myself, I don't consider Alan at all "old". But he has lots of admirers much younger than me that feel the same. I just can't figure out why someone would bother to come here at all if they aren't a fan. Sandy, your rude comments will not change the minds of the faithful on these pages, so stop wasting your time. It sounds like you're more the superficial type, so go haunt the Brad Pitt guestbook and leave us more discerning types in peace. If anyone wants to read my stage report from last Saturday, Aug. 24, complete with photos just click on my name.
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 18:06:30 (PDT)

Wow!!!With all these trips to New York to see Private Lives, you would think that the NY tourism board would send Alan a thank you note for almost single handidly saving the tourist season! I know that for a quick three day trip I spent about 700.00. But you know, it was the best 700 bucks I ever spent!!I have memories that are priceless. I hope Alan and the rest of the PL cast know how much their talent and their kindness meant to all the fans. And a big thank you to all the GBers whose wonderful stories from London and early New York inspired me to go!
Kathy
Lewiston, Me - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 17:11:23 (PDT)

Linda,

Thanks for the e-mail. I had a reply written out but suddenly, my computer has turned on me and won't let me access any of my e-mail addresses. Can you forward the last e-mail you wrote to me to my Auburn address listed next to my name? It's sure to be the first one that's working. LoL
JC <Gillejc@auburn.edufoo>
AL - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 16:46:20 (PDT)

You can get one at any book store. I got mine at B&N
bev
Ga usa - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 16:04:26 (PDT)

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the Private Lives script? Thanks.
Steph
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 15:36:41 (PDT)

A follow up on Melissa's post about the little girl from Sunday.

A little girl, maybe around 6, had some questions for Alan about his role in Harry Potter. The only question I heard was if his robe actually caught on fire. He was very polite and answered her. Her brother was there with her but didn’t say much. He was also about the same age. They asked him to sign a picture of him as Snape and he asked their names to write. The girls’ brother points at the picture and said “That’s a good picture”. Alan finished signing his name and said “It’s your now” and handed it to him. It was so cute.
Eaten Ship
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 15:21:26 (PDT)

Barbara the Wallpaper- I am glad the comment brought you peals of laughter. It was most appropriate response I could muster that was "clean" language- ha ha .
Juliana
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 14:30:19 (PDT)

Sandy L. Please take note: There are 24 different time zones in our world because there are 24 hours in a day, at least on my planet. What that means is just because it is 4:30 a.m. for you, it is not necessarily the same for everyone else. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I think Alan Rickman is gorgeous and wonderful. If I were a man, I would have plastic surgery to look just like him. Since this site is so awful, please accept my invitation NOT to return. Also, my name is Juliana, not Julie!!
Juliana
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 14:09:42 (PDT)

Actually, my interest in Alan Rickman is simple..I am old, fat, have crooked bottom teeth, a big nose, and I think he's gorgeous. Funnily enough, I cant figure out why-must be he reminds me of someone.....If I do get a life, I want an independently wealthy one.
a concerned citizen
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 13:55:43 (PDT)

i love alan. he is the greatest actor i have ever seen and i love all of his tapes.
lilly
missoula, mt - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 13:13:20 (PDT)

I just checked the Charlie Rose website; it looks like tomorrow show might be new since the scheduled guests are Alan Rickman and Jeff Bridges. (Unless the Charlie Rose show is taking segments from different shows for repeats). Anyway, even if it's a repeat I'll watch it. Thanks for letting us know.
Ellen
New York, NY - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 13:11:33 (PDT)

AH! Saturday! Not Sunday, sorry, SATURDAY. Ok, got that one out. Wheew, jet lag...I'm telling you. One time zone to the one next door.
JC again
AL - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 12:27:22 (PDT)

Hi Stephanie(Eaten ship), I was there yesterday, which side were you on? I was on the right, the first side he started. I havent got my pictures developed yet, and since I dont have a scanner, I am going to get them on a cd, so I can email them to you. I dont think that I took that many yesterday, but I did go to the stage door on Saturday, and took a lot then. So if they come out, I will be glad to share. If you would like to email me, that would be great. :o)
Linda <brimatand@yahoo.comfoo>
NJ USA - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 12:26:49 (PDT)

Melissa,

Sounds like a great experience! I wish I could have been there at the Sunday show with all of you but I had to leave at about 8am to catch my flight in Baltimore. I sure would have loved to see the two little children. Sounds adorable!

Glad you had great seats and enjoyed it!

Was anyone else there Sunday? Who was the man who went in the stage door? I know Bernadette Peters went in, but another man went in. I know he's familiar and it's going to plague me until I figure out who it was!!! Just curious...
Jayne Claire
Al - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 12:26:35 (PDT)

I went to PL for the second time yesterday afternoon. Had great seats in the second row orchestra, right in front of Alan's balcony in Act I. I sat with Linda and her mother, and with Anne/Manhattan and her friend further down the row. Once again, the cast was in great form and Alan was even better this time than at the first performance I saw in June. His timing, vocal inflections and facial expressions were all brilliant. After the show, Linda and I made our way to the stage door where we met Mindy with her beautiful collage portraits of Alan's various roles. We also met Brenda, Siobhan, Amanda and Darlene from thealanrickmanexperience (If I left anyone out, please forgive me.) There was a big crowd waiting at the door. After about 45 minutes, actor Ian Holm emerged and signed several autographs. Shortly thereafter Alan and Lindsay appeared. At one point Alan reached a woman with a little boy and little girl -- aged about 5 or 6 -- and they asked him questions about Prof. Snape. I was barely within earshot of the conversation, but I think Alan divulged a secret or two about Snape's wizardry. Alan also crouched down to hear something the boy wanted to whisper into his ear -- it was a very cute moment. Alan spent alot of time with those kids and it was charming to see how comfortable he was with them. Towards the end of the signing/picture posing, virtually all of the Rickmaniacs descended on Alan (nicely and respectfully, of course) He posed for a picture with me and I shook his hand (a strong handshake and such warm, soft skin!) Alan started coughing a bit and I wished I had a Ricola for him, poor guy. As things wound down, Alan said aloud in a slightly pleading tone, 'Please, let me go home!' My heart went out to him. He's so patient and gracious with us all, but I got the feeling he just wanted to crash somewhere. It was a wonderful day and I was so glad to meet my fellow Rickmaniacs. I'll post my photo shortly.
Melissa
NJ, USA - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 12:20:11 (PDT)

The Sunday I meant was August 25.
Eaten Ship
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 12:03:48 (PDT)

I was just wondering if anyone went to the 3 p.m. Private Lives on Sunday. If you did, I was also there and I took pictures at the stage door. If you were there and took pictures, would it be possible for you to e-mail me a copy? I will, of course, e-mail mine to you if you'd like to see them.

I was just wondering, thanks.
Eaten Ship (Stephanie) <SLK6891@aol.comfoo>
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 12:03:12 (PDT)

OFT: Screenwriters

"The aim of the Foundation, whose patron is the Oscar-winning screen-writer Emma Thompson, is to foster new European screen-writing talent by awarding an annual prize of £10,000 to the best first draft screenplay in a genre which changes each year."

Screenplay must be original first draft screenplay with no input by a professional third party. Screenplay must be contemporary and European. Screenwriter must be a European national. Screenplay must be for a feature length film. Screenplay must be no more than 120pp in length and written in English.

Other requirements can be found on site and/or on the application form.

The genre for 2002 is comedy.
Snail mail submission ONLY.
Scripts must be received by 02-Sep-2002.
Sorry for the late notice…hope someone here has one ready!

Renie <reniept@hotmail.com foo>
CA, - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 11:58:51 (PDT)

ATTN: AR is on Charlie Rose Tue. Aug, 27th...I do not know if it's a repeat, but I know I will be watching..... To the TROLL in the dungeon...as AR said in RHPOT:"cancel Christmas!!" Take a hike and go to another board! Harlii, like your post! hee hee....
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 11:41:34 (PDT)

I LOVE YOUR MOVIE IS SO BRILLIANT,YOU KNOW TO TELLYOU THE TRUTH YOURE MY STRAW-BERRY FILLED CUPCAKE THAT IS IN THE TABLE READY FOR DESSERT ,I WISH I COULD PRENTEND THAT YOU ARE MY BOY FRIEND OR SOMETHING,WELL GOTTA GO IS TIME TO SEE MY AUNT SHES KIND ALONE. LOVE YOU, BARBARA CLEMENTE P.S:IF YOURE RECIVING THIS LETTER WOULD YOU COULD WRITE FOR ME PLEASE ,I MEAN IF YOU GOT TIME.I BEEN DREAMING WITH YOU ABOUT A YEAR SINCE THE HARRY POTTER MOVIE.BYE.
BARBARA CLEMENTE <PEDROH@AOL.COMfoo>
NEW YORK, NY - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 11:19:44 (PDT)

If anyone wants copies any photos I will have them by then end of the week..my email is Haremchik@aol.com I am getting them processed hopefully today!! GOd i cant wait!!!
renee <haremchik@aol.comfoo>
pittsburgh, pa - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 11:16:50 (PDT)

Deep sigh!!! Well I was honored enought to see Alan in Private Lives just this last Tuesday evening in New York. And all I can say is WOWIE WOW WOW!!! I have been a fan since the late 80's as my first movie I fell in love with him in was Truly Madly Deeply...I have to say he has aged very well and he looks much better in person (inches away) than on the tele!!! I waited after the show patiently for an autograph and my damn pen wouldn't start to work!!! He smiled and tried a few times as he was signing, and PRESTO it began to work and I got the autograph and smile that I have always dreamed of!!!...He was very quiet though maybe due to the projection of his character on the stage..His voice wrapped around me like a warm velvet blanket!!!! Oh I wanted so badly to stalk him and find out where he was going after the show, as he just casually walked away from the theater..no limo nothing...I watched him turn the corner and he was gone...It was really hard not walking after him...But I respect his privacy.... I am a much happier woman!!!!
Renee <haremchik@aol.comfoo>
pittsburgh, pa - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 11:10:45 (PDT)

Actually, I meant his nose is "aquiline".
Suze
NY - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 11:07:27 (PDT)

Hey Sandy L.!! Here's to you!

Our admiration for Alan Rickman is obviously above your realm of thought, so don't try to figure it out or your head might explode. I think I speak for all of us when I say you can kiss our collective heinies.
Harlii
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 09:57:44 (PDT)

Sandy L. - Alan Rickman is a mature, sexy man with a voice that can melt butter (or me). His crooked lower teeth are cute, his nose is bold, aqualine, and just plain *sexy*. And if you don't share our obsession, why bother posting? What harm are we doing you that you should be so offended by our comments?

Suze
sorry, but I'm allergic to trolls, NY - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 08:25:29 (PDT)

Please delete us soon....Suzanne! LOL I just couldn't resist because its last post was hilarious!

ATTN: Trolls, repeat after me......Time Zones.
Claudia
GA US - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 07:58:52 (PDT)

Linda, glad you all had a terrific time. I love the "I want to go home," part. I got a similarly smerky comment when I asked for a picture. "Just tell me where the camera is." So I pointed to my friend behind me, "Oh, nice camera." hehehe I gotta nice camera TOO?! Oh wow...

Anyway...I hate that we couldn't find eachother Saturday. I was walking towards my hotel to check in just as the play was letting out. How'd you not see me?! I had on a pair of Auburn shorts and an Auburn patch on my back pack! LoL No prob though, maybe, no, DEFINATELY next time.

LADYJANE! I know you didn't! I know you didn't "Roll Tide" to an Auburn Freshman! Especially this one! And THEN you ask me to e-mail you? SURE! Coming right up! Future reference, I'll see you in T-Town!

WAR EAGLE! hehehe
Jayne Claire
AL - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 07:35:56 (PDT)

To: Julie & Barbara: Minutes after my message was posted at 4:30 a.m., you both launch ones with Troll daft ie in it with conjunction to myself, Sandy L. You both make NO SENSE - SPEAK ENGLISH; furthermore you both indeed have no life being on A.R. site as early as 4:30 am (can't sleep because thinking of A.R.? Go see a psychiatrist, but do not take Prozac.) As for me, I was just browsing the sites before my shift starts at 05:00 a.m. and the A.R. site is the weirdest, almost comical.
Sandy L.
Kent., U.S.A. - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 07:34:31 (PDT)

Barbra, don't get yourself to excited about a Stuart Rickman being in "The Forsythe Saga". The truth is there is no Stuart Rickman in it, but a Stuart Richman. He plays the priest and if my memory serves me correctly is only there for a short while.

GML, what is this about AR and "Who's Afraid of Vigrinia Woolf?"???????
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 06:02:50 (PDT)

Julie

Troll in the dungeon........thought you'd want to know.

*peals of laughter*

I shall never be able to hear that line in Harry Potter without thinking of daft marders like Sandy L.

Thanks!
Barbara the Wallpaperer <I appreciate the definition of "mard"... I've a new word to use now!foo>
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 05:34:57 (PDT)

Troll in the dungeon........thought you'd want to know.
Juliana
- Monday, August 26, 2002 at 04:26:39 (PDT)

This site is ridiculous. Why are all of you crazy about Alan Rickman? He is old and fat, and has grey crooked bottom teeth which he has never bothered to fix; in addition, he has a big nose. Where is the attraction? To all you gals out there: get a life!
Sandy L.
Kent., U.S.A. - Monday, August 26, 2002 at 04:04:25 (PDT)

It must be so wonderful to meet him in person. I do hope he can come here "Down Under" some time! To see him on the stage- I can dream of this I suppose! It is so wonderful to be on the stage as I was. A truly "freeing experience"! Can anyone in UK help me re this "Stuart Rickman" in the new Forsyte Saga(BBC)? I would really appreciate any help.
Barbara the Australian <hermione underscore3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Qld Australia - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 23:25:40 (PDT)

Lisa (Bavaria): Alan is not the only artist in the family. There are not many actors though. :-)
M. S. Rickman
London, England - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 23:18:58 (PDT)

Hi all, (JC I am sorry that I missed you too! So glad that you had a great time.)

I made it to the stage door after the matinee on Sat. I had a wonderful time, although the rain was a little discouraging. I was able to see Alan and he signed a few things for me. (Yes, he did sign the photo of him and my son. My son was thrilled) I gave Alan my gift, and he seemed to like it. Sunday went back in for the matinee and to try again at the stage door. It was crowded, but did enjoy seeing the cast and they all signed my PL script that lovely Elizabeth sent to me. (THANKS ELIZABETH!)

The play was the best I had seen, Alan was amazing. He was so animated and funny. He had told us the day before that he had a bad cold, so he didnt SING much of the song at the piano. A funny thing happened in Act 3, the curtains in back of the apartment went up before "Louise" had a grip on the cord. Wonderful performances. The crowd was very lively, and heard a few gasps during the kiss in Act 1.

The stage door was crowded and waited a good hour for him and Lindsay to come out. I did hear Alan say, "Thank you all for waiting", as he got to the barricade. Alan was a bit rushed. I had moved to the other side of the barricade and when it was my turn for a picture, he said "come on, come on, I want to go home" in a cute way.

I met some wonderful people this weekend, Cheryl, Amanda, Anne, Siobhan, Brenda, Darlene, Carrie, and got to see Tami, Mindy and Melissa again. (Thanks you guys, you made it really special). I had so much fun. Thanks for reading.
Linda
NJ USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 22:56:25 (PDT)

JC...you mean there is yet 'another' Rickmanfan in Bama? email me gurlfriend...we'll bond. You're stage door story was wonderful. I too just spent about $400 for a weekend trip to NY on 10 August to see the Man for the second time. btw...roll tide. Just kidding... email me! anglophile63@att.net
ladyjane
B'ham, AL - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 20:05:48 (PDT)

GML, ATLANTA?! Wow! that's about an hour and a half from me! When're you flying in? And by the way, thank you for the lovely comments! You're a doll!

Ok, now yall can pinch me. I don't want to be back here!
JC
Back in Alabama - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 19:05:10 (PDT)

Hi Beth! Another Georgia girl on the GB! Yay! *waves to Beth from North GA*
Sabine
GA USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 18:58:56 (PDT)

i am a big fan of Alan. so far i have seen 4 of his movies. GHETTO GIRLZ RULE! RAPPERS ARE COOL!!
kristen aka Krissy <swetladie2@earthlink.netfoo>
killeen, tx USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 18:03:55 (PDT)

I don't read this guest book for about a week (real life needed me) and I come back to about hmmmm....a million post! I scanned over them briefly (no patience whatsoever). Well, I am back. Now that summer is over, I am going to be here less often :-(. I will still try to read as often as I can.
Jasmine <MadamJas57@aol.comfoo>
- Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 17:38:54 (PDT)

Toby! Toby! Toby! Are you living inside my mind, recording every thought? Or are these our all too common (now) symptoms of this very rare malady! Is there a Doctor in the house? Georgiana! Help!

I remember that even when the play was in London, I would be sitting at the carpool line, waiting to pick up my daughter and it being 3 pm NC time, it would be 8 pm, London time and I would close my eyes and think of the curtain going up at The Albury. I felt so close. Then, in our country at last.... I too felt a thrill at the thought that I, knew where he was and what he was doing from 8pm to 11:30 pm , tuesday thru friday as well as the weekend schedule and always feeling so sad for him on killer saturdays..........And the despaire that will come when he dissapears from our radar screen and we will no longer be able to feel that connection! Yes! that is the worst part of this sickness! Sometimes, I think I am the worst of internet stalkers, knowing what he wore on friday...was it the yellow shirt or the blue? the bowling shoes or something else? Did he get in "Fred" and drive off or did he walk briskly away to some undisclosed localtion?Only on the internet can one coddle an obsession so brilliantly. If I was a broken-hearted nineteenth century maiden; I would have been shipped off by an elderly well to do relative to France, to forget and to move on.....Out of sight, out of mind? But No. Here, we feed and shelter our mania until some days I wonder....., will we all not just be consumed in our own blaze, too hot to survive?
Constance(still waiting for the antedote)
Cary, NC USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 17:25:40 (PDT)

In the Lancashire accent, To be 'mard' means to be a bit soft. Can be both fond and cruel in it's application ie "Eee! mard her a bit, she's fallen and hurt herself" or "Him!! He's a right mard arse!" Soft, whingeing or self pitying.
Lancashire Lass
- Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 17:22:42 (PDT)

Hey Beth and welcome to our little AR world! Please don't get your hopes up on The Man paying our wonderful little Springer Opera House a visit. Although it is our oldest theatre in the state and is very beautiful, its no West End or Broadway. And hey...I wish you all the best at my old alma mater.
Claudia
GA US - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 17:13:46 (PDT)

Tiffany--have I got a deal for you! Both times I went to NYC I stayed at the Comfort Inn Midtown at 129 W. 46th St. It is only 1/2 block from Times Square, and only a block away from the Richard Rodgers (on the same street, actually). It is an older hotel, but has just been renovated and the staff are very accomodating. Rates are $134.10 per night, plus tax, and that includes a free breakfast with some of the best NY bagels I have ever eaten. Call them at (212) 221-2600 or find them on the web by searching on ChoiceHotels.com.

Hope that link worked--it's my first attempt.

Good luck!!!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 16:29:02 (PDT)

Thank you Lisa @ Bavaria! I did hear his niece was an actor, but don't know how common this name is in London, U.K. Here on the Gold Coast, Australia, there is only one!This is an interesting one, but will look out for this Stuart Rickman next Sunday.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Qld Australia - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 16:14:03 (PDT)

Hey guys, I've been visiting this site now for quite a while, and enjoy reading the various comments, but have never posted myself due to shyness. But I do need help, and quickly. I've finally racked up enough Canadian cash to finance my journey to see Private Lives. But seeing as how I am not very informed about New York, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for hotels that are within range (walking would be wonderful) of the Richard Roger's theatre. As well, if it was at all possible, I know there were posts before about how to locate the stage door, but they were awhile ago, and i have no memory of the instructions. Could someone email me the how to's, or direct me to the post that had these instructions. I plan to make it to New York this Wednesday night, and leave for Saturday afternoon (within this time frame i will try and view Private Lives twice). Any help would be most welcome, and if anyone else is planning to see the show, email me. I think it would be great fun to go with others than by myself. Thanks a lot, sorry about the length of this post, your friendly canuck Tiffany thach8@yahoo.com
Tiffany <thach8@yahoo.comfoo>
Canada - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 15:40:08 (PDT)

I just saw Alan Rickman for the first time in Harry Potter a few weeks ago. I was flabbergasted. He had the unusual, but striking look about him. He did look familiar, and I couldn't think for the life of me what I had seen him in before. So, I asked some Harry Potter friends of mine who he was. They didn't know his name, but they did know he was in Dogma. Well, I rented Dogma, which I loved (and, yes, I am Catholic) and found out his name. I've been doing research on him ever since. When I saw him in Dogma, I remembered what I had seen him in before... Robin Hood; Prince of Theives. He was the Sherrif. Oh, man! Isn't he absolutely incredible?? He has such diverse rolls, and he's handsome, and sexy, and everything inbetween. What I would give to meet him in person. I go to school in Columbus GA, at the Schwob School of Music, and I live next door to the Springer Opera House,(the states theatre) Anyway, I keep hoping that even though it's such a small theater that he will put on a performance there. Well, wish me luck fellow Alan Rickman lovers. Feel free to write to my e-mail address, and we'll talk about our sexy dream!!! :) Beth
Beth <Beth_music83@hotmail.comfoo>
Columbus, GA USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 15:34:50 (PDT)

Why does alan rickman have that irresisteble thing about him...i mean, i saw him on Harry POtter and the Scorceror's Stone, and I went, "who's that? The guy that plays Snape?" my friend told me. and since then i have been obsessed. ::sigh:: I sent him a letter, but i know he wont be in london until the second of september. hope ICM is nice enough to hold my letter for him until he gets back. I wanna see Blow Dry...but i dont have a DVD player, and everywhere i look, all they have are DVD's of Blow Dry and Mesmer. So, I havent seen those two. Did you see Dogma, anyone? I liked it ALOT! but note the baggy eyes, is he suppossed to look like that...i mean, he didnt look like what he usually looks like in his other films. Neways, gtg, Die HArd ROX! ~jemini
Jemini <Jemini_2545@yahoo.comfoo>
New York, NY USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 14:35:09 (PDT)

Ali-Pat: I'm so glad I'm not the only one who liked the music in Blow Dry! :-)
Sabine
GA USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 14:16:57 (PDT)

i think alan is adorable and he gives chills just watchin him. He is so amazing. Wish he could come to MExico.:)
amarillase
Mexico - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 14:01:34 (PDT)

Stezi--yummy Ed photos. Thanks!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 13:37:58 (PDT)

Melissa (Michigan) thanks for the info about the Mesmer soundtrack. I will add that to my discouragingly lengthy list of N/A items. However, I have good news for anybody who (like me) is so obsessed that they are collecting even the soundtracks to AR films. While in New York, I visted a fabulous shop called Footlight Store, which stocks an amazing array of film and television soundtracks. I was even able to find a soundtrack to Judas Kiss there. If you are interested, visit their website at www.footlight.com and check out their inventory.

Now, will someone please explain to me why there is no soundtrack available for Blow Dry? I just can't get enough of that cheesy dance music!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 13:36:33 (PDT)

I have heard rumors about a "Mesmer" documentary (the making of the film) and I was wondering if there was a US copy available somewhere. Someone has it at the Alan Rickman forum site, but only in PAL format. So, sorry for the caps, but.....WHERE IS THE MESMER MAKING OF THE FILM DOCUMENTARY!!!!!?????? Sorry, I need to be heard. :)
Catherine
Chicago, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 13:32:40 (PDT)

Thanks Melissa from Michigan and Georgiana. I never knew what that instrument was in "Mesmer" until I read these posts!!!! The links were very insightful on where I can find similar music of this kind. Thanks a bunch. Check out that Members Inc. Wallpapers site members.lycos.co.suk/amyrow/index.html, then click on the Alan Rickman Forum site. Some people posted some Mesmer pictures and Rasputin pics that are to die for! (look under "films").
Catherine
Chicago, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 13:21:01 (PDT)

@Magda, Aberdeen: Well, it seems that I didn´t find the best translation site in the web, because it didn´t found your synonyms either. But I think, I understand now, what it is. Thank you. @Barbara: I don´t think, that Stuart Rickman is from the same familiy like Alan Rickman. Look in your phonebook, there will be a lot of people with this surname. I read somewhere, that he is the only artist in his whole family...
Lisa
Bavaria, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 12:31:05 (PDT)

As I have previously posted, there is a Seattle artist well known for his performances on the glass armonica (the instrument featured in "Mesmer") named William Zeitler. He has a number of CDs available.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 11:34:26 (PDT)

Hey folks...a few semi-OT posts, regarding music.

A while back, someone asked about the existence of a soundtrack for "Mesmer." Since I work in the music business I took it as a personal challenge to find it, and yep--you're right--it doesn't exist. Darn. However, for those of you who liked the general aura of the "Mesmer" music, there is a CD out that I just happened to stumble across called "Cristal: Glass Music Through the Ages." It's actually very similar in feel (at least I thought so), although there is some stuff that does not include the glass harmonica.

The artist is Dennis James, and the label is Sony. Also, Linda Ronstadt is on it, interestingly.

And getting back to Billy Bragg--I had the honor of interviewing him once. Helluva nice guy, 100 percent ego-free (is that possible?) and someone that I keep thinking AR *must* know, since politically they have a great deal in common. And personally, for that matter--Bragg also lost his father at a young age. His song, "Tank Park Salute" is one of the lovliest and saddest songs I've ever heard about losing a relative. If you like Elvis Costello, you'll like Billy Bragg.

Okay, back to work. Have a collective nice day.
Melissa from Michigan <melissa@wkar.orgfoo>
Lansing, MI USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 10:55:13 (PDT)

Hi guys! I've updated my Alan Rickman Page with DVD pics of January Man! Enjoy them!
Stezi <stezi@wxs.nlfoo>
The Netherlands - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 08:03:39 (PDT)

thanks ali-pat and ann for answering.

after a long sleepless night, having alternatingly Frank Sinatra on my mind (I bit off more than I could chew), and the picture of Ron in the second trailer (Could we panic now?) I mailed an ex-colleague in nyc if he could go and buy some tickets for me. if he doesn't, i'll try your number, ann, thanks. would sure like to meet you - this still is like a dream. mail me if you like to meet up.

constance?!?!

wonderful story of going to nyc instead of georgia. like all those crazy girls, makes me feel at home:-) ma is quite right, as always:-)

thanks for letting me ramble if that's a word...
mortianna <mortianna02@gmx.netfoo>
germany, at the moment, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 06:29:19 (PDT)

I have just finished reading Michael Frayn's Benefactors and I have only one comment--Frayn is a COMIC GENIUS! I can richly imagine AR in the part of Colin. And imagine is all I can do at this point, as I understand the program is not available commercially on tape. However, if you are looking for something fun to read and have an active inner eye, I place this comedy high on the Rickmaniac scale.

By the way, take a look at the Georgiana's lovely review on the Rickmanista site for further inducement/endorsement.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 06:19:35 (PDT)

Suzanne, sorry about my responce before, won't do that again.. I would just like to ask this community a question- Tonight I was watching the second installment of the new "Forsyte Saga" on the ABC here, and I saw in the closing credits, the name Stuart Rickman! A relative maybe? Does anyone know who this is? I only managed to see it for a couple of seconds, but next week, will watch for it, and see which character he plays. Can anyone help me with this one? Thanks!
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Australia - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 05:20:12 (PDT)

Toby--the reason "Beckett on Film" came up in your search on AR's name is because The Man, Juliet Stevenson, and Kristin Scott Thomas performed Beckett's "Play". Most of Beckett's work is extreme (for lack of a better word) and "Play" is no exception. Play is only 20 minutes long but I think showcases some of the versatility of AR and company with their rapid fire dialog.

Since the length of the piece is so short, I would not recommend the 150 bucks it is selling for but all is not lost ladies (and gents if there are any here). PBS is planning on airing "Beckett on Film" on Septemeber 15, 2002 and January 1, 2003. Never fear GPTV (Georgia's affiliate) viewers, I have already contacted GPTV and they plan to air it on Septmeber 22--I suppose better late than never as was with Charlie Rose!
Claudia
GA US - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 04:34:38 (PDT)

Lisa - Bavaria The translation for that wonderful Lancashire expression *mardy* would be *childishly sulky* if I remember it right. As for aloofness, being standoffish and proud (in the best sense!!). Hope its of some help )))
Magda
Aberdeen, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 04:03:57 (PDT)

Please, could you give me synonyms for "being mardy" and "aloofness" - I don´t know, how to translate this and my translation-programm doesn´t know either. ;-) Thank you!
Lisa
Bavaria, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 03:07:35 (PDT)

Oh, I seeeee... "Rickman's in". Now why did I read "Rickman's is in"?

zzzzzzzzzzz

GML (off to make appointment to correct congenital squint)
UK - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 02:41:34 (PDT)

Remember last time when the Daliy Mail had a scurrilous bit of 'gossip'about AR being mardy at the stage door?
Well, in yesterday's paper there was an article entitled, 'And Now, The 100 WORST Britons'. It was based on the poll that's just come out about who are the top 100 Britons, only this time Daily Mail writers pick out their 10 worst (although it came across as the people they either hate personally or are jealous of...). Included in the list were people such as Richard III and killers Fred West and Ian Brady. Then a certain John McEntee (diarist) picks....Alan Rickman. His reason? 'For his sneering aloofness'.
Sounds like someone's got him confused with Hans Gruber, surely....

Oh, and a reminder for UK fans - not only is January Man on tonight, but THAT episode of King Of The Hill is repeated at 12pm on Sky One (sorry for the late notice!)
Becky <astrokini@supanet.comfoo>
Manchester, UK - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 02:31:25 (PDT)

Hi people,

JC, if all the southern ladies are like you, I should enjoy my time in Tennessee (I have saved up my pennies for ages to go visit a friend there, I'll be landing in Atlanta soon)(it's much cheaper than landing in Nashville for some reason). If you looked as enthusiastic at the RR's stage door as you sound in your account, I'm sure AR and LD found you very refreshing and you must have brightened their autograph session, glad you enjoyed it so much yourself. (I'm such a boring person, I am flying to the US to see a real friend rather than to New York to see the play!)(Uh, OK, I saw it once or twice in London ;)

Anne, thanks for the Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf link - but but but... we want him back in the UK! You've had him long enough, 'twas only a fixed-term loan you know! ;) Just joking, any rumour of Mr R appearing on stage again is very welcome -wherever- but it was difficult to make much sense of that article, why can't the news websites employ people with a little knowledge of grammar? "Rickman's in on this one, too" ... Rickman's what exactly? Any bit in particular? ;) Anyway, it sounds worth keeping an eye on, thanks! (Being of an optimistic nature, I'm hoping that the man will suffer from stage withdrawal symptoms when he comes back and signs up for another production soon, after the rest home stay :)

GML (off to spend the whole bank-holiday weekend writing that d*amn paper that was due last week. 'Twas too sunny)
UK - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 02:30:01 (PDT)

JC, this was a wonderful story. I envy you so much! I would love to come over to New York, too, but it´s impossible. Perhaps sometimes in London?
Lisa
Bavaria, - Sunday, August 25, 2002 at 02:10:53 (PDT)

I've been waiting for this for so long. And here it is, my stage door account from tonight, Saturday August 24th. Sorry it's a bit long! Ok, I'm going to cry when I do this, I've already cried twice in fact, but here goes...

Well, after so much trials and tribulations, I made it to New York City, first time in my life. My parents didn't know I was here, actually they think I'm in Atlanta for the weekend with a few older and more responsible friends. My friend had reserved the tickets and when I found out we were sitting on Row N seats 101 and 102, I was exstatic! GREAT SEATS! When we entered the theater I was overwhelmed!!! The theater is beautiful and QUITE different from what I'm used to working in which is the Sanger (spelling?) Theater in Hattisburg, MS. Theater has a way of making an impact on me and almost bringing me to tears when I enter, but this time, I had a smile on my face that no one could erase.

S o the play progress. I must admit that from the beginning, I was entranced. The very first scene, the hotel rooms, it was SO beautiful! And my fascination with tuxedos was blow away by Alan in scene one. Incredible! As was the rest of the play. The audience was great! They clapped on cue, laughed when urged to laugh, applauded tremendiously!!!

Ok, when the play was over, I was almost cast into tears because my one and a life time chance was over! Well, not quite...My friend and I walked out to the stage door, I wanted to be one of the first in line! RIGHT THERE! IN FRONT! So, I was. While I was waiting, I met two hillarious women standing next to me from Nashville, TN. They helped me so much. We began talking after the noticed that, I too am from the South. (They're UT fans, I'm an Auburn Student, if anyone in the US knows about SEC rivalry). We talked quite a bit and they really eased my nerves, although no matter what they said, I was still shivering at the thought of seeing Alan Rickman, AGAIN. A few people were let into the stage door. I thought I'd have a heart attack every time the door swung open. Bernadette Peters entered and so did some FAMILIAR looking man, I can't think of his name, but he looked alot like Baz Lurman to me. Could be? Could NOT be? Anyway...so after a few minutes, Lindsay came out. Oh man! She was incredible! She was kind enough to sign my Playbill and those of others. It was incredible! She asked me if she could use MY pen for those folks who didn't have one! I wanted to break down right there!!! I said "Yes mam, of course." being the Southern young lady I am. She and the Tennessee women laughed and she said "Thank you so much, you're wonderful." OH WOW! ME? WONDERF...naw! YES! Ok, and on...so she said since I let her use my pen (which I will keep with me FOREVER and EVER now! 24/7, even on my wedding day!, etc!) that she'd sign my Private Lives poster and two other playbills for some friends of mine who could never make it to NYC if they tried. A few signatures later she went to her car and was gone. OH WOW! ME? Wonderful? Sorry, off track, again, anyway...

So after Bernadette Peters and that guy who looked alot like Baz Lurman walked out of the door, it swung open one more time. THE MAN himself. My life was complete! I'd seen him in person! So he signed a few other playbills before he came around to the Tennessee gals and me and signed my three playbills and my poster. My Tennessee friends with the big mouths blurted out "Mr. Rickman, this young lady came all the way from Auburn, AL just to see this play. Her parents think she's with some friends in Georgia, but she was SO determined." He laughed a bit as I turned a Gawd awful (Awfully funny as a matter of fact) shade of red (Yes! I am VERY shy) and said "Well I'm glad you made it, did you enjoy it?" I replied "Oh yes sir! It was SO incredible! Thank you!" He said this while signing my other two playbills and asked who they were for. I told him one was for an old teacher of mine who was a bit of an admirer and the other for a friend who couldn't make it. He smiled. I will never forget that. He seemed quite a bit tired but who could blame him? After a preformance like that, OH MAN! So he handed me back my playbills and signed my poster and said "You're welcome" then went on signing other autographs. I backed away so the rest of the folks could get in to get his signature and I really don't remember much that happened after that! I still can't remember my name!

Well, this is where I end the "grestest day of my life". I did it! I beat the odds, made it to NYC, and saw Alan Rickman in person! Got a picture with him too! I'll post that as soon as I can get the pictures developed, if I can afford them after this!

The End
JC <Alvin415@aol.comfoo>
AL - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 22:02:49 (PDT)

Toby, thank you. My symptoms are identical. You got it right. :^)
Lyn
USA - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 20:50:33 (PDT)

MA from Alabama - regarding your comment about Alan attracting a lovely class of admirers ... I've always felt the same way, but I couldn't have said it better myself!

Toby from Connecticut - thank you very much for your summary of the highlights from the Die Hard 5-star special edition DVD. It sounds a lot better than the short bit of added material that I have on my special edition VHS copy. I'll have to check this out for myself sometime. Thanks again, and have a great time at the final PL performance. We'll all be with you in spirit!
Laura <trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 19:11:42 (PDT)

MA from Alabama - regarding your comment about Alan attracting a lovely class of admirers ... I've always felt the same way, but I couldn't have said it better myself! Toby from Connecticut - thank you very much for your summary of the highlights from the Die Hard 5-star special edition DVD. It sounds a lot better than the short bit of added material that I have on my special edition VHS copy. I'll have to check this out for myself sometime. Thanks again, and have a great time at the final PL performance. We'll all be with you in spirit!
Laura <trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 19:10:53 (PDT)

I think I have both diseases. OK, let’s see if I’ve got this straight. Rickmania has me on pins and needles, spending much too much time thinking about how to make the last stage door experience a really good one, about how I’m going to get a bottle of champagne to the stage door while it’s still cold, what to give him as a going away gift that will inspire him to do a new stage role soon. Rickmanitis is the sense of despair that he will be getting on a plane and going far away probably on 2Sep. Rickmania is the thought that passes at least once some time just about every night except Monday that at, for example, 8:10 pm he is kissing Emma Fielding, at 8:45 he is seducing Lindsay Duncan to Paris, at 9:05 pm he is sashaying over to the gramophone, at 10:00 he is batting down lettuce, at 10:45 he is offering his hand to Lindsay and sneaking off stage, or at 11:30 he is signing playbills. Rickmanitis is the thought, “Ohmygawd, I won’t know where he is after 2Sep. I’ll be lost!” Rickmania is buying the 2-disc DVD of “Die Hard”, watching both in their entirety, and drafting a post about the AR tidbits that could risk a copyright infringement. Rickmanitis is glaring at your SO when he complains that you are fastforwarding through the Bruce Willis fight scenes. Rickmania is buying every DVD or VCR available with AR in it. Rickmanitis is the despair that PL and LLD tapes will never be available. Did I get it right?

Re the “Die Hard” DVD, if there is ANYONE who has not seen it yet, SPOILERS FOLLOW.

The insert for the 5Star Collection edition has the following pertinent paragraph, “The film’s final major effect – Hans Gruber’s 30-story swan dive – was performed by Alan Rickman in a scene reminiscent of the finale of Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur (1942). Rickman actually fell about 20 feet into a huge blue backing (air pillow) on a stage at Fox. At the beginning of the shot, he was very close to the camera lens, then he let go and fell to the air pillow below. Rickman did the stunt five times in spite of back trouble – perhaps this contributed to the genuine look of terror on Hans’s face as he falls. Rickman’s image was later isolated and matted onto a live-action plate taken from the 30th floor of the Fox Plaza.”

The second disc has outtakes –a few with AR - but none where he breaks character as a good professional actor should. It also has interviews in a “featurette”, including one too short interview with AR, in which he says that he didn’t intend to play Hans as a villain, just as a guy who has known all his life what he wants and goes after it. This reminded me very much of his allusion to this role during the Charlie Rose interview where he said something about working on knowing what Hans had for breakfast. It also has an interactive scene cutting/splicing section which takes 3 scenes and lets you choose among 3 to 5 takes for up to 8 different segments per scene. Two of the scenes have AR in them – the boardroom scenes. If you choose the right takes, you can have AR on camera for the whole scene. [I don’t think the SO figured out what criteria I was using for choosing takes…..all he knew was that I had control of the remote and wasn’t about to let go of it.]

The director’s commentary on Hans’ final scene provided some more enlightenment on AR’s character. Apparently, they could not get a stunt man to fall backward into a 20-foot fall. The stunt men insisted on seeing where they were going to land. After much discussion, AR stepped up to the plate and said he would do it, but only once. He did and everyone was so awestruck with the possibilities that they asked him to do it again. I guess he did it 5 times. On the last time, he hit some boxes on or near the pillow. I assume he was OK but I’d bet this smacked some common sense back into the directors and they stopped. Add this to jumping naked into freezing water and speaking before untrained uncoached mobs, clearly AR is one very game actor.

Lastly, the New York Times had an article today by Peter M Nichols on plays being made available on DVD. I quote, “It's a fine year for theater on DVD. In January Kultur began issuing the first of some 140 works from the Broadway Theater Archive by the likes of Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill. Now from Ambrose Video, a New York distributor, come sets of Shakespeare and Beckett.” Yes, it’s a DVD set of “Beckett on Film”. The article discusses details of the Beckett plays. Although the article came up on a search of the NYTimes for Alan Rickman, his name doesn’t appear in the article. "’Beckett on Film’ fits all 19 Beckett plays onto four discs. The Shakespeare and Beckett sets are $149.99 each. Information: (800) 345-2690.“

Good night, all. I gotta get this Rickmania under control.
Toby
Newtown, CT US - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 18:52:43 (PDT)

this is the first time ive seen dark harbor b/c im new to the rickman world.:)..but im sort of confused about the plot line ...couldnt his wife figure out that he had intent to kill her?
stella
- Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 17:25:12 (PDT)

I would just like to firstly congratulate on making this wonderful page of this amazing man! This must be the most insiteful page i've ever come across! Oh well, well done! I'm only 14, i love this guy he's way older than me, but i think Alan Rickman is a fantastic!!! Not many ppl agree with me, but i have my own mind i wish to speak. He used to and i think still does live in Hammesmith, london witch is just down the road from me! Ok g2g, well done!
Mina Faith O'Maley <terra_ryzing69@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
london, eng England - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 16:36:52 (PDT)

Dear JC from Alabama--here's another Alabama gal to tell you that yes, this is real! And you don't want anyone to pinch you, trust me, because if this is a dream you do NOT want to wake up! 8-D

Have lots of fun, because I certainly did back in June when I went. And I think you'll find one of the great pleasures of the trip is meeting other fans and some of the denizens of this Guestbook. Occasional trolls and kooks notwithstanding, the man attracts a lovely class of admirers in general.
MA
Don't use up all of NY, dear!, USA - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 16:06:50 (PDT)

http://www.mooby.com/pics/index1nf.html Funny pictures and stories from the director of DOGMA... enjoy it ;-)) JC: Yes, you lucky one, IT IS REALLY REAL! Have a great time and write a backstage report please! My Rickmanitis got chronic, there´s no doctor or medicine who/which would heal me...
Lisa
Bavaria, - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 15:09:04 (PDT)

Ok, I did it, I'm here. I'm in New York City. Just think, about a hop-skip-or a jump away (take your pick) from the front door of my hotel, Alan Rickman is standing out there right now singing autographs. I'm in a land I could have never dreamed of.

What's the diagnosis for almost bursting into tears when I realize where I am? I'm so nervous right now I'm honestly shaking. So, would this be the "glass half full"? Whatever it is, I've got millions (yes millions) of butterflies in my stomach right now and I bet all million of them are laughing at me. tehehe

Linda, sorry I didn't get much of a chance to e-mail you back before I came here. I would so have loved to have the chance to meet you. Sorry I missed that opportunity.

Well, I'm off. It's about 5:30 and at the rate I'm going, it's going to take me the whole time to get ready for the 8:00 show. Am I really doing this? SOMEONE! QUICK! PINCH ME! Please.
JC
AL - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 14:35:16 (PDT)

Hi everybody!

I'm away from the keyboard for less than a week, and I come back to find dozens of posts about all sorts of things! It's taken me over an hour to get caught up on everything, but it's been worth it!

And, as such, I have something to add to the Rickmanitis DSM-IV discussion. I am a sufferer of the "glass-is-half-full" variety; my S.O. is aware and has even encouraged it insofar as getting me DVD's and letting me spend Computer Time on this site. Therefore, I am well supported in my affliction. My comment is about the difficulty of withdrawing from the condition; I was away from PC, DVD, and VHS for a few days, and it is difficult to cope. As you can see, I have returned to the GB with almost precipitate haste and have been keen to catch up on all things AR-related! My condition is no problem for me to manage in everyday life, so my advice to other Rickmanitis sufferers is to either:
a) Don't even consider taking action to withdraw from the condition or
b) If you feel that it is becoming too much and must withdraw, to take it slowly, in tiny stages, or, particularly
c) Involve yourself further in all things Rickman-related, and really enjoy all the good things and products and opportunities to meet'n'greet with fellow "sufferers" that this affliction affords! ;-))))

P.S. - Finished watching Close My Eyes, will post full set of comments regarding it in the not-too-distant future, but, in accordance with point "c" above, feel I need to watch it another couple of times first! :-)
Catherine - the Reading Festival is VERY loud!
Reading, England - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 13:08:43 (PDT)

Sue and Ann, thanks for your input on the "Shaz" question! Very interesting, these naming conventions (shades of Sinclair).

Mortianna, I also found the Tickemaster toll free line difficult to navigate, but if you just hang on long enough, eventually you get to speak to a human. Sometimes they have trouble finding the venue (Richard Rodgers Theatre) and you have to spell it for them (not being facetious--this happened to me twice!), but they do find it at last. Also, you can order tickets on their website (www.ticketmaster.com). I found it easiest to search by the venue again, but it also works if you search by the name of show.

Good luck!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 12:22:44 (PDT)

Mortianna, try https://www.broadway.com/live_ticketsNEW/ticketing1new.cfm?eventid=NYPRIVAT

I walked it through until the part where I had to actually finalize it. You can get them, but you have to either pick them up at the box office when you get here or have them sent to someone in the states. They don't ship outside. But they will have them waiting for you at the box office. Good luck! Are you going on the 1st? I expect to be there.
Ann
NJ USA - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 11:10:33 (PDT)

I want to express my thanks to everyone for the wonderfully funny posts. I sense "the moment" has passed so I won't continue with the theme now but I'm certain there will be opportunities in the future to return to our psychiatric/psychoanalytic take on the affliction.

[Oh, okay; just for a little while. Yesterday I lurched into the storeroom on numerous occasions, locked the door behind me and sat on a little cardboard box laughing myself silly at: Rickmanitis Gallae/Rickmanitis Vulgar with visions of Marialis stuffing printed sheets of the GB under her shirt to read in the room of her choice; the German version of the disorder which is delusional in its description of August as a suitable month to visit NYC; as well as confessions that the illness for others got so bad that, well, it couldn't be hidden from the s.o.; plus a stunning description of the archaic male-patterned behavior of watching bombshells. Finally, I woke up before dawn to the thought of you-know-who "cattin around" California's Central Valley.]

I sense a glass is half-full outlook in myself today after reading the "NY Post" article that there is is a possibility of AR in an Edw. Albee play. I'm sure Christine Lahti, Mercedes Ruehl, Judith Ivey are quite as human as we are; each of them would, no doubt, be thrilled at the prospect of appearing opposite Mr. Rickman. Judith Ivey, in particular, strikes me as nobody's fool!

I've had no time to visit any yahoos in groups but it looks like a couple of them were here. Only 2 more workdays until Monday, another workday.

Lily
Lily <Lily Chicagofoo>
- Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 11:00:42 (PDT)

Mortianna, may I suggest you call the RR theatre and ask what other places you can get tickets? Most times they have tickets reseved for the shows. ait is usually first come first serve. But it is worth a shot. There is always the stagedoor experiance though!! Good Luck....
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 10:32:02 (PDT)

Ali-Pat - In the last twenty years or so it has become a trend to shorten already short names. Dereks become Del, Terry-Tel. Gary becomes Gazza, and I think some Daves Daz or Dazza. God knows why! I think it started more on the football(soccer) field but is pretty widespread now. My best friend at school was a Sharon but in those days the the most she became was Shar. I think you have to have an 'r' to get the 'za' treatment!!
Sue
England - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 09:44:06 (PDT)

help needed!

speaking of diseases, i now ordered plane tickets and booked a hotel and all that and was confident to get tickets for the play, but alas, ticketmaster does accept international orders only up to 10 days in advance. I called the box office and a voice i could barely understand, told me they didn't accept orders via phone, I should call ticketmaster. I tried the number she gave me, but that didn't work either. the ticketmaster number on the site has an automaton telling me things i don't understand either.

anyone with a splendid idea to tidy up this mess is really very welcome. thanks.
mortianna <mortianna02@yahoo.defoo>
- Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 09:19:26 (PDT)

OT Hi! I haven't posted here in a while. I just got my computer back a few days ago after it completely and totally crashed. We have backup on our network, but I foolishly never backed up my stuff on my own hard drive. Our computer genius worked long and diligently to retrieve almost everything. He got back all my emails, which I thought I had lost forever, but he has not been able so far to get me my bookmarks, all three jillion of them. He's still working on it, in between all the other things he has to do.

Ali-Pat, My sister's name is Sharon, and I always call her "Shaz" and "Shazzie". It's funny, I never realized other people call the Sharons in their lives by those nicknames, too. I have no idea where that "z" comes from!
Ann
NJ USA - Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 08:58:20 (PDT)

Rickmania. My darling knows. He is very patient and understanding. Luckily for me, even he thinks AR is a very good actor (not wonderful, lovely, adorable of course, but still, he has been slightly supportive). He let me buy Potterstickers even though we have no children! It feels rather similar to the french and german affliction in that Sweden has not discovered AR's greatness. S & S was the only AR-work I found at my local library, but it is very good and I really adore AR's Col. Brandon. He is so sweet! I haven't even missed any kissing at the wedding because he looks so happy that my heart just flies! I hope AR himself has a very happy and satisfying life.
Inger
- Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 00:37:48 (PDT)

O/T - Georgiana, it is always good to see your entries. You seem to know so much about the Theatre, in the U.S.A.. Keep writing here!
Barbara the Australian
Australia - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 23:26:00 (PDT)

oops, Cathy, sorry
a concerned citizen
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 22:43:21 (PDT)

Best wishes on your son's surgery, Kathy. I am sure that you have selected a fine surgeon and hope the outcome will be positive. Mr. Rickman seems so fond of children so I bet he will sign the photo and send it back straight away. Cheers....If I have to share a life, just make sure it's a comfortable one-I want to be able to afford to see Rickman on stage!!!!!!
a concerned citizen
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 22:39:58 (PDT)

Trolls and responses (sorry, but responses had to go, too) deleted.
Suz (D.o.C.)

i love alan and i think hes the greatest
traci
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 19:37:01 (PDT)

This may sound very bizarre so I'll apologize in advance, but I was just thinking the other day that I could see AR in a revival of Virginia Woolf (preferably on Broadway, but I'd share him with a London production too). The last version I saw of Virginia Woolf on Broadway was about 25 years ago with Colleen Dewhurst and Ben Gazzara (they were sensational). I could also see Lindsay Duncan in the role of Martha. Wouldn't that be a nice reunion. I never read the New York Post, so thank you for the post and renewing my hope that we might see AR again on stage soon. (I was getting so depressed that he might not return to New York again for another 15 years--way too long!)
Ellen
New York, NY, - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 19:12:59 (PDT)

Double deleted.
Suz (D.o.C.)

Thinking so hard I am seeing double, apparently.
Ali-Pat
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 18:20:08 (PDT)

Okay, so I tracked down and read the screenplay to Close My Eyes partly so I could see what exactly the Italian maid is rambling on about to Natalie. The screenplay just says the maid speaks to her in an unidentifiable language. Huh--sounds like Italian to me! In any case, I am none the wiser about the conversation, although I enjoyed the screenplay a lot. So now I am making yet another appeal. Can anybody give me more or less a transcript of what the maid is saying to Nats? (Learned that nickname from the screenplay--had no clue. Thought AR was just hanging on to that "t" with a vengeance.)

And while we are on the subject of nicknames, remember the hapless ersatz model in Blow Dry who accidentally gets her hair tinted green? Her name is Sharon, but at one point Shelly begins to call her "Shazzie" or simply "Shaz". Is this a diminutive or nickname for Sharon, maybe one that is more common in the UK than in the US?

Just me, thinking too much again...
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 18:17:41 (PDT)

Thanks, Anne. Also mentioned for Martha is Jessica Lange, who I quite enjoyed (from the 8th row, wasn't it, Gail?) last year in "Long Day's Journey into Night" with Charles Dance (liked him less, alas) in London last year.

I quite like Christine Lahti, but would note she is just about as tall as Rickman (as is Sigourney Weaver).

But I thoroughly adore Judith Ivey! One of my fondest memories is seeing her and Jason Robards Jr. in "Park Your Car in the Harvard Yard" on Broadway several years ago. I just loved it--an essentially two person play. She manages often (like someone else we can all think of) to rise above the material: "The Long Hot Summer" (with Don Johnson); "Hello Again" (ditto for Gabriel Byrne in that one) with Shelly Long and--one of my favorite comedies--"Compromising Positions"--all come to mind.

I'd sure love to wangle an invitation to her living room!

Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 18:17:26 (PDT)

Thanks for the post Anne...I do hope he gets the part, I will definately be there!!! Maybe we all can get together.
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 17:09:34 (PDT)

I take it no one else spotted this in the Friday theater column in the New York Post:

"A gaggle of Broadway leading ladies is chasing after Edward Albee this summer, hoping to win the master's approval to play Martha in a revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? [Among them are:]

"Christine Lahti: This television and movie star has long wanted to tackle [this play]. She'll get a chance this fall when she appears in a staged reading of the play at the Bank Street acting school HB Studios. Alan Rickman will probably play George. HB is producing the reading in the hope that a commercial producer might pick it up. The studio has a leg up on other would-be Virginia Woolf producers: It was founded by Uta Hagen, who played Martha in the original 1962 production. Albee is very loyal to Hagen, who suffered a stroke last year, and has given his blessing to the reading.

"Judith Ivey: Not a star but a damn good actress, Ivey is going to hold a reading of Virginia Woolf in her apartment next month. Rickman's in on this one, too. No word yet if Albee will attend."

Read all about it at Virginia Woolf. Unless I screw up the link!
Anne/Manhattan
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 16:54:50 (PDT)

To Concerned Citizen,Thanks for the suggestion about NYC hospitals. I wish it was that simple to work my sons surgery around NYC. He has a cleft lip and cleft palate. He is going to have a complex procedure and I do not want just anyone to do this work.(no offense to any Doctors) This Doctor has been with us for the last 10 years of my sons life. Hopefully Alan gets the letter I sent to him about my son. He is a Snape fan and desperatley wants a signed pic of Snape. I have to say my son has good taste in his choice of actors!!! Maybe next time AR is in NY we will see him.
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 15:52:56 (PDT)

My spelling needs some work, I meant to say "I'd like to say...."
LInda who needs a lesson in grammar
NJ USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 13:55:02 (PDT)

Hi all, I liked to say that I love reading all of your posts.

Going to the stage door tomorrow, and seeing the play on Sunday and hoping to ask Mr. Rickman if he will sign a picture of him and my son that was taken in June. I am going to give it to my son as a surprise, so wish me luck. :o)
Linda
NJ USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 13:52:40 (PDT)

I really enjoy watching anything with Alan in it. My favorite is "Sense and Sensibility". I also look forward to seeing him in the next "Harry Potter" Movie. I think he is a truly amazing and sexy actor. Melisa D. Stover
Melisa Davis Stover <melisa_stover@hotmail.comfoo>
Clanton, AL 35046 - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 13:38:02 (PDT)

Hey all, I think you are a great bunch of gals, I like reading your posts, they are so funny! Just so you know, on http://karenamber.tripod.com/sexyseverussnapessite/id10.html there are pictures of our dear Snape from the second movie. I'm counting the days until it comes out so we can see AR!!
Jen <blueyed_angel_@hotmail.comfoo>
Boise, ID USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 12:29:21 (PDT)

Back from summer holidays, and finally got a chance to read that Ain't It Cool Review link. (Thanks.) The review is not from Harry Knowles but from one of his key "spies" and this is the only bit about AR:

"Alan Rickman, sadly underused in the first movie, isn't really given much more here, but he has seething sinister snares down to an artform, and for that we should be grateful. Rickman seems to enjoy being bad, but with a campiness that makes him rather charming."

The reviewer talks about Branagh at length (yippee!) and praises his performance as Lockhart. I really can't wait to see that duel scene between Branagh and Rickman. (Though it won't be real drama, will it? *sigh*)

Not that we can trust reviewers; Harry himself said that Dogma was the "greatest film that has ever been made". Now there's a good one! *laughter* Even AR had to laugh at that...(he mentions it to Conan O'Brien in the television interview).

Renie
CA, - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 11:51:47 (PDT)

Even surgery can be worked around-NYC has hospitals, you know-good thing too, for all of those who stand in the boiling sun waiting at the Richard Rogers stage door. I wonder why some enterprising New Yorker hasn't started selling bottled water and ice cream outside the theatres in August? Take lots of water with you and use your sunblock....
a concerned citizen
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 11:40:59 (PDT)

I feel blessed, my S.O. is the one who found this website for me. He knows I have "Rickmanitis" and he searched for and found links of AR. He does tease me every now and then about watching The Man on DVD. But he knows he is my true love. No jealousy here. Like someone said earlier at least it is not a nieghbour. If my son wasn't having surgery next month he would send me back to NY to see PL before AR leaves for England. sigh...oohh well back to the boards...
Cathy <snapefan2foo>
FL, US - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 11:14:59 (PDT)

After much thought I have decided to return! Not 2 dis mr.rickman but 2 honour him. As you no my name I use to use was mercury but now im bk and kind, using drkstrike as my name. So how has PL been. Also I found out that my best mates mum fancies AR! my mate didn't like it, but its o.k 2 do that........isn't it?
Drkstrike aka Mercury <drkstrike@hotmail.comfoo>
England - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 11:08:44 (PDT)

Ok... I'm not sure if this has been discussed yet, but PL is NOT going to LA after all- out of the three plays to go, Mornings At Seven was the chosen one. I'm really disappointed, for I was going to go if it went but... oh well. To those of you who went, I envy you. To those of you who have not seen it like me, then I grieve with you and be happy for those who had their chance.
Diane <imaalanrickmanfan@harrypotternetwork.zzn.comfoo>
Utah USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 09:49:06 (PDT)

Haven't tried... sorry.
Marialis
France - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 09:36:39 (PDT)

Thank you Madga for the explanation.

Cyndi, my husband wouldn’t be jealous. He’s just very down-to-earth and don’t understand at all my dreaming side. And really I don’t care. My life isn’t a drama ! I’m the first one to laugh at me when I take my papers (under my shirt, not to be seen !) to read them quietly. Quietly not only because of him… but because I’ve got two marvellous little monsters. And do you know what it is ? “Mummy, she takes this, Mummy he says that…” But well, I’m not so ill… I wouldn’t change them for a travel to New York !

Mortianna, I haven’t try the health explanation… Maybe it could work ! I’ll try it this evening !
Marialis
France - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 09:33:42 (PDT)

marialisgerman affliction is very much like french, especially with the sad fridays and the tv-papers. but alas, no hiding in dismal places for me, my s.o. does know (well, illenss got that bad, couldn't be hidden).

this specimen, the undersigned, is so deeply into the affliction to earnestly consider flying over to the source of the illness and to add insult to injury, take said angelic s.o. with her, since there are no children to sacrifice on the altar. the illness goes with a certain recklessness, that says "F** the bank account, i live only once, and better that than loose it to the bankers in an earnest attempt at financial security", and a tendency in the victim to lie to themselves and others like: "it is a well-known fact that august is the perfect month to go to nyc and i need going there for my health. what do you mean, wait for october? see this spoon?"
there you go!

mortianna
home to another dismal and alas rickmanfree newespaper, - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 07:59:40 (PDT)

Well, since there is kind of a Dogma thread going here, this might be a good time to bring to your attention a book that is due out in October:

A View Askew: The Films of Kevin Smith by John Kenneth Muir, published by Applause, list price $18.95 (pbk).

This information comes from Amazon. Might be good for some interseting commentary and perhaps an anecdote or two?

Respectfully,

Ali-Pat

Librarian to the Stars

Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 07:38:02 (PDT)

Oh no...I can not whatsoever imagine why someone would want to watch Dogma just to swoon over Affleck. I would venture to say that swooning over Affleck when he is in the presence of The Man is a sign of total blindness! Now, Affleck in an ARless project....swooning totally possible…LOL

Thanks Cyndi for your advice but alas, I can not tell my Sweetie of my affliction. Although I am sure that he indulges in the archaic behavior of watching bombshells (whether they be blonde, brunette, or redhead), he bends over backwards to hide it from me.

On the other hand, I do have some close associates at work that do know of my illness. For work is the only place I can indulge in AR goodies like wallpapers and calendars. I suppose I am a lucky one since the individuals at work that know of my obsession have their own peculiarities and we have sort of formed a support group.
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 06:44:00 (PDT)

Marialis: Sue was answering your question in the first line of your post. "Looks like you are" the only one losing your dignity. With several smiles, so you can tell she's not serious.
Magda
Canada - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 06:39:42 (PDT)

The first step to recovery is acceptance. Tell your significant others of your illness. My hubby wasn't stunned at all, though perhaps he doesn't realize the full extent of my affliction. (Maybe he does. He has seen me stop movies and track back to the beginning of good Alan scenes and he sure as heck has seen Alan as my wallpaper.) I think he would have been concerned if he found I was interested in our neighbor but he wasn't worried that I was actually going to run away with Alan, and so, was amused. I have caught him viewing "Baywatch" with enthusiasm, so what could he say? I'll bet your honey is much the same.

I don't know about mentioning it to co-workers though. I've found that other people then confess *their* illnesses and sometimes it's better to remain ignorant. Did you know there are some who rent Dogma so they can swoon over Ben Affleck? I try to imagine it but can't.
Cyndi
CA USA - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 06:16:18 (PDT)

Oh sorry Sue "Looks like you are" might be an english expression and I don't understand it... Can you help me please ? 8O)
Marialis
France - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 06:04:29 (PDT)

Looks like you are, Marialis ;))))
Sue
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 05:53:28 (PDT)

Sue, do you mean that I’m the only one to have lost all dignity ? God ! I thought everybody here would understand me… were just like me ! But well… only one week of treatment for Rickman addiction won’t be enough, I’m sure ! Maybe I’ve reached the late state of the disease ! Maybe the last thing I could do to claim it to the world would be to wear a bomb belt and to crash at the stage door (before September !)… So don’t worry I’m not rich enough to go to New York ! Nor even to go to London when he will come back !
Marialis
France - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 05:43:47 (PDT)

Using one’s child to satisfy Rickmanitis/Rickmania goes far beyond the purchase of HP sticker books and multiple HP viewings. Said behavior has been recognized at the stage door of the Richard Rodgers as well.

Maggie—even though your “other” beloved didn’t appear in WKWYL, the show really is worth the time and money. My first couple of viewings of the DVD was for those precious scenes of The Man. But when I finally took the time to view the whole show, I was kicking myself for not giving it a chance before! Unfortunately (or fortunately—depends on which way you look at it), FFing through an AR video is yet another sign of acute Rickmanitis/Rickmanania.

Marialis—I can identify with you on being so secretive with your affliction—I too keep mine from my SoulMate.
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 05:28:09 (PDT)

There's a lot of it about, isn't there?!

Marialis - "Using her own children to satisfy her Passion"!!-that is terrible, buying a sticker book so you could get Snape!!!*gasp* (Speaks the woman who took her son to a HP preview locally, then as a *special treat* took him to The Odeon Leicester Square to see it on the HUGE screen!!!)

Printing out the GB!! and reading it in the err umm *smallest room* Now EVEN I haven't stooped that low !!LOL But then my husband is quite aware of my affliction!! Perhaps we should all sigh a pledge not to post anything for a week then we would all lose interest.
Sue
- Friday, August 23, 2002 at 04:55:07 (PDT)

im gona keep this simple, who ever loves alan rickman email me and come to my 3 alan rickman sites... if u wish to come to my site you will have to email me.. sowie bout dat.. but anyone is welcome to email me.... every1 will get a reply bak.. P.S I LOVE ALAN RICKMAN love alwayz christine sequera RICKMAN..LOL
christine <christine_sequera@msn.comfoo>
melbourne, vic australia - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 04:04:46 (PDT)

Dear Lily,

Yes, I have the rickmanitis disease, more precisely the “rickmanitis gallae” witch is the French variation of the disease.

My disease presents the same symptoms than the “Rickmanitis Vulgar” : paranoid behaviour, regression to an early adolescent state witch enable the patient to accept the consequences of her illness. The patient could even use her own children to satisfy her passion : for example, she could buy a sticker album of Harry Potter for her daughter just to have a reason to get the Snape stick ! She is absolutly aware of this very childish behaviour and that's mainly why she can't confess it to her husband who always expect an adult attitude from the woman he lives with.

In an advanced state of Rickmanitis, the patient could suffer of dual personality. For example, this model employee, serious and conscientious , couldn’t prevent herself to go and read the GB of Alan Rickman every hours of the day. And to take an hour or two to write in it ! And if she hasn’t got a computer at home, she could even print the GB of the day to re-read it quietly in the most private place of her house (ahem… let you wish where it could be…). The importance of the GB is closely linked to two things : intense sensation of loneliness and acute paranoia.

These two symptoms are the famous extents of the Rickmanitis Vulgar to become the Rickmanitis Gallae. Because Alan Rickman is quite unknown in France, the feeling of loneliness is very strong. Patients dream of a better world where they could see a new film of their God quite every day . I’ve said “God” because, this feeling very painful leads them to a sort of mystic behaviour. They are convinced to have been touched by the grace when they first noticed their favourite actor. In a certain manner, because they’re very few, they think they are the Chosen. And the GB is for them a sort of Mass.

During their crisis of mysticism, they could try to convert some people around them. Knowing that their illness could be detected by “persons who couldn’t understand”, they choose people who possibly could join them in their disease : sensitive female, intelligent, romantic and interested in deep characters have their preferences. Sense of humour and a little masochistic side is required, to be sure that the subject would be attracted by all the characters played by Rickman.

Note that their paranoia lead them frequently to prostration. Each Friday, when they read the TV magazine of the week to come, a very deep feeling of injustice demoralize them : “again a week without the slightest film of Rickman” ! They could be aggressive too when someone pretends preferring Brad Pitt or Michael Douglas ! They’re so closed on their own obsession that it seems ridiculous to them “What ? Pitt more handsome than Rickman ? Are you kidding ?”. Here is what I have observed on the Rickmanitis Gallae. But maybe there is a german variation of the disease ? It would be interesting to read about it, wouldn't it ?
Marialis
France - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 03:29:24 (PDT)

He probably kept them on because he was pissed off that someone would be rude enough to insist he removed them.
Jules
UK - Friday, August 23, 2002 at 02:58:52 (PDT)

Claudia: Oh, poo! But, I'll probably look into buying it anyways! ;-) Thanks for the info!

Does ANYONE have any info on why Alan was wearing sunglasses a few nights ago at the stage door and refused to take them offfor photographs? Inquiring minds (well, mine) want to know!
Maggie
NJ - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 21:53:42 (PDT)

Well, this is it. This time tomorrow...I'll still be on a plane...BUT...on my way to see Private Lives. I can't believe it. I'm actually going. Spending about $400, just to go see Private Lives ONCE and come back to homework and life. Is it "normal" to be as nervous as I am? I mean, I just can't get the thought of seeing THE MAN on stage, in person. I'm almost scared though. I've never been to NYC. What're stage door experiences like? Will I get an autograph? So many questions are rumbling through my mind like the thunderstorms that always miss us by five miles.

I haven't been to a play like this since I was about eight, ten years ago. What do I wear? How do I act? Do many people pass out at the stage door?

Sorry, just had to share my moment of "Questions I ask myself..." Wish me LUCK! (I need it!)
JC
Anxious in Alabama - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 20:40:18 (PDT)

Thank you, Georgiana! I had a feeling you would know.

Katherine (Bella Vista)--he IS a god. Has he not, at various times, walked on water, foretold the future, given sight to the blind, and cured the incurable?

And as we all know, he even dances divinely.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 20:03:29 (PDT)

Ah martissima - thanks for the Ain't it cool link. COuld have done without the Book 5 spoilers - warning one of film spoilers is one thing, but an unpublished book? Thats sacred ground. Nice comment about AR (still being underutilised apparently - WB loss!)
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 19:29:30 (PDT)

Dear Constance & Dr. Julia:

Am attempting to determine if the following trait is simply idiosyncratic or part of the general contours of the disease Rickmanitis: A furtive reading of and posting to the AR guestbook. The activity manifests itself in borderline paranoid behavior. In my self-analysis I have noted an overwhelming sensation of being observed, in particular by various 20-somethings who report to me in the workplace and who might jump to conclusions, thus leading to a severe loss of self-esteem if the aforementioned Guestbook activity is discovered. Hence, this patient is, in her current work environment, incapable of a timely response to questions and continues to present with various hidden behaviors.

The same fearfulness is manifested in the home environment. This patient is overcome by paranoia when a family member calls out, "What are you doing in there?" The patient regresses to an early adolescent state and is only capable of muted affect in her response of, "Oh, nothing!" On occasion the patient is able to refine the response somewhat and add a qualifier such as, "Just surfing the web." The use of regression enables this patient to avoid confronting and taking full responsibility for the extent of her Rickmanitis, while simultaneously maintaining and aggravating the affliction with obsessive activities such as movie viewing, reviewing of Rickman pictures and old Rickman interviews. The retention of the disorder seems to be endowed with a good deal of emotion, which renders it quite resistent to remediation.

I look forward to Dr. Julia's entries in order to tease out the differences in our analysis and, hence, possible differences in methods of cure. A fuller analysis of the recently discovered disease Rickmanitis and its better understood companion disorder, Rickmania, might benefit from a consult with a certain Rickmanitis/Rickmania sufferer, a Marialis in France, who has recently revealed that her disease is also not known to her spouse. This characteristic, a trait which is particular to certain patients, is of great interest and worthy of further research. For the sake of scientific inquiry, perhaps this Marialis would consider making a contribution to the literature and would share her analytical notes with us. Of course, all her proprietary interests will be respected.

(Best get out of the GB now or I will be "Busted"!
Lily <LilyChicago@hotmailfoo>
- Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 18:33:11 (PDT)

I believe it was The Killer Inside Me, Ali-Pat.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 18:25:32 (PDT)

Alan Rickman is a god. Not only of acting either. As a young proformer i basically worship him. Not only is he a great actor , but the most handsome man on earth. His best role * from my veiw* has been that of Severus Snape, Postions Master of Hogwarts. He protrays this character perfectly. With an air of mystery, pain, and lonelyness, that the character has. Alan Rickman is the only one capable of pouring so emotion into his acting that you not only fall in love with the actor but the character. I also enjoyed his work as THe Metatron in Dogma. No one will ever be as good, or better an actor than Alan Rickman. Until we speak again, Katherine Hawkins
Katherine Hawkins <jibjab13@hotmail.comfoo>
Bella Vista , AR United States of America - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 18:04:47 (PDT)

...still working on my AR Fan's Lifetime Reading Plan here and I need some help. Does anybody know which Jim Thompson novel Sadie Hawkins (still can't believe they named her that) is reading in JK?
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 17:05:34 (PDT)

Prof Snape is the coolest teacher in Hogwarts.You are the best Potions teacher in the world.I would love to be in Slythern if i was in the movie cause Slythern Rocks you do to well gata run see ya! Alan Rickman Rocks!
Krista Kahley <jthibsr@yahoo.comfoo>
Seymour, TN Blount - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 14:05:59 (PDT)

You are the coolest teacher in Hogwarts.You are the best Potions teacher in the world.I would love to be in Slythern if i was in the movie cause Slythern Rocks you do to well gata run see ya!
Krista Kahley <jthibsr@yahoo.comfoo>
Seymour, TN Blount - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 14:01:17 (PDT)

i thik alan rickman is the greatest and i just wanted to say that u suzanne have an awesome site!:)
rayella
- Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 12:13:17 (PDT)

Constance, The DSM is the Bible for psychiatrists: it's a diagnostic reference guide. The current issue is DSM-IV, but there's a fifth one forthcoming.

Many thanks to DD for the news about January Man!
Jane
UK - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 10:55:55 (PDT)

Review of Chamber of Secrets (the movie) on Ain't It Cool- Mentions AR =

Ain't It Cool
martissima
chicago, IL - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 09:55:43 (PDT)

Lily; forgive my ignorance but what is "DSM"? And yes... I knew you meant antidote lol ;~)
Constance
NC USA - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 09:17:23 (PDT)

"Antidote" not "anecdote".
Lily
- Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 07:50:11 (PDT)

Lily Of Chicago!!!

Wonderful funny post; diagnosis of a Rickmaniac! Did you make that up yourself? You have described me to a T..... I am the half empty type, yes. But you are faring better than I for I am still at 24/7 and it has been almost 20 months now! And all you wrote about your husband.... ditto here too! I don't understand why this has happened, I used to be the most faithul and loyal wife! And my husband is so lovely and smart and kind.... Why does AR drive me to such madness? Sometimes, I think he is indeed some kind of Spell Caster, for I am undoubtedly under some very powerful spell!It is good to see that I am not alone in my madness but yes.... like you, I long for the grey and dull and passionless color of Normal! at least it might yield some sleep at night! LOL :~)
Constance <madaboutron4@yahoo.comfoo>
Cary, NC USA - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 06:03:25 (PDT)

RE: VWood: The only spoof I had problems understanding at first was "Brassed Off". But after happing up on the movie while channel surfing one day, I was able to appreciate it much more.

In the extra on VWood's DVD has a split second of The Man cracking up. Priceless!
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 05:08:59 (PDT)

Terri - Don't worry we British don't know what's going on either!! Basically Victoria Wood is our top comedienne. The whole dvd was her Christmas TV Special in 2000. The whole show is a comical take on a television company (probably the BBC) and the sort of programmes they are trying to make to get viewers. Hence the W.I.(Womens Institute) spoof of ER (tea trolley and all)and the "chatty" singer was a spoof on an appalling docu-soap about a cruise singer that the BBC did a few years ago. The Plots and Proposals is a joke drama serial (like Pride and Prejudice). She is a very funny talented lady and held in great regard here, hence all the great actors who appear with her. But very British so may not be understood everwhere.
Sue
England - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 04:56:57 (PDT)

Hello! I am new here but have been a big Rickman fan for years. Today I am writing for the first time..... to ask for help. I have managed to get "Victoria Wood DVD" to see Mr. Rickman in "Plots and Proposals." How funny Mr. Rickman looks!! The other performers are all very good and funny, too, and make me laugh very much. BUT, unfortunately, I don't seem to understand fully what is really going on, because I am not a native speaker of English. Now, would anyone out there please briefly explain the story?
Terri
- Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 04:41:33 (PDT)

Maggie--I'm sorry but Terry Jones isn't in WKWYL.
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 04:40:08 (PDT)

Thank you Cyndi for understanding. I agree with you, she's got a lot of nerve starting a rumor like that. People like her can ruin future stage door moments for the rest of us. I hope her "tongue in cheek" backfires on her. Would serve her right. tee hee!!!
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 23:03:30 (PDT)

I've been lurking about for a couple of days now. I used to post here and on FOF but that was what seems like a life time ago. Maybe about seven years? Could that be possible? I used to go by the moniker "Skippy" and I did a little running about with "Raz". God, it's so amazing that you guys are still here!
Aphie <BonzaiAphrodite@aol.comfoo>
Modesto, Ca - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 22:43:09 (PDT)

Naw, don't worry, Cathy. I knew you knew I was kidding. I find the unlikely butt-grabbing incident funny, actually. (Not the story, but the idea that someone would tell such a tall tale, with the accompanying embellishments.) I wish I was in the group where the furor arose. I sense many opportunities for satire. ;-)
Cyndi
CA USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 22:03:34 (PDT)

Hey Magda in Aberdeen, did you get the email and pic I sent you a few days ago? Haven't heard back from you, so I'm not sure it went through. Let me know, I've missed chatting with you! Hi to everyone else and sorry about the personal message, but my yahoo email has been rotten lately. It's been ages since I've had time to post, but at least I have time to read again. Thanks everyone, for this community!
Laura <ljyolo@yahoo.comfoo>
Yakima, WA USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 22:01:26 (PDT)

Jacqueline - Solomon Isaacs as a kind of generic name makes sense. We couldn't figure out how the guy in the portrait, who predated PL by roughly a century, could have anything to do with the play, but all of the other Solomons we found were either fictional or not exactly prominent citizens. Thanks again.
Anne/Manhattan
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 21:31:19 (PDT)

Cyndi, ROTFLMAO til I cried!!! In case your wondering about the "hussie" post, I was comenting about the girl who claims Alan grabbed her butt.When after I sent the message you had your post before mine went thru.. It looked like I was comenting on your "encounter" (which by the way is very amusing!)I did not want you to be offended in any way. Hope that clears any confusion.
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 21:18:02 (PDT)

you are the best!!!!!!i am so siqued!i saw the harry potter movie and you were the best snape ever!!!!you were my farvourite character!!!and i cant wait to see the next harry potter movie it comes to theatres my birthday!!!nov.15!!!your biggest fan!!!
Lauren Smith <sweet_scorpio24@hotmail.comfoo>
coquitlam, b.c. canada - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 20:43:26 (PDT)

Still giggling at the new DSM listing, "Rickmania and Rickmanitis: A Differential Diagnosis" along with its companion, a heavily researched article titled "Rickmanitis: The Darker Side of Rickmania." There's a boringly familiar little diagnostic test which reveals all. Fill a glass part of the way with water; the Rickmaniac sees the glass as half full, and says (with conviction) things like, "I (a North American) will get to see him again someday on the stage in London. Surely I'll be able to attend his next performance." And, "I can watch AABA, or whatever, numerous times and feel just peachy at the end of it and, in fact, ready for viewing yet another AR film, followed by yet another." Or (this one really gets me), "Please, I don't want to get over Rickmania; indeed, I'm determined to find an anecdote to the resumption of 'normal'!"

Whereas, the Rickmanitis sufferer sees the glass as half empty, maybe worse--the glass is nearly empty!! (Read that as a scream.) And thinks/says things like, "That's that, as of September 2, there's every chance in the world that I'm never seeing Alan Rickman in person again!" And thinks thoughts like, "I can hear how AR in HP has affected so many, best stay away from it until I'm much, much better. If I'm serious about recovery, I can't rent/buy/see another thing he's in (for awhile, at least)! Wonder if he has any idea how he affects us?" Or, "I'm in love with my husband who's really handsome (to say nothing of being a good friend and committed to this life venture with me--poor man), what in the world is wrong with me? Can't possibly tell him about this! Ugh, that corks it, I'm going nuts. That's it, I'm stark raving mad. (Good thing they don't prescribe electro-shock therapy or lobotomies as easily as they once did! No kidding.) And worse yet, it doesn't make a hill of beans difference if I'm beautiful, pretty astonishing, whatever, and can 'stop a room' because I'm never, I mean never-ever going to be in a room that AR is in order to stop him in his tracks so what-IS-the-point of investing all this emotional energy in him?!! Yipes, why is he so "cathected" for me? Remembering 'normal' with great fondness. Never comfortable with the fan thing.

To be honest, I never thought about AR 24/7, but possibly did reach 18/7 (for an extended period of time). Incredible! Incredibly embarassing is what it is. Am now hovering at 8/7, on bad days at 10/7, and absolutely giddy about groping my way toward normal. I remember normal! (Can't get any privacy to think a thought, be alone at the computer, or post this thing.)

Cyndi's posts are a stitch! I tried to get into the yahoo-group but have been rejected! Will try again tomorrow. Marmalade, groceries? Bet it will all be revealed if I'm accepted tomorrow.
Lily <LilyChicago@hotmailfoo>
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 20:19:57 (PDT)

Well, Sally, you know how it is, your local grocery doesn't have the right brand of marmalade, you have to go someplace else. Even if it is a bit out of the way.
Suze
NY - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 19:01:43 (PDT)

Well, we always have a geographical problem with the 'hussy' - only about 3000 miles seperate her from grocery store in California and the one where AR may or may not shop in New York...
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 16:33:58 (PDT)

Just so no one gets the wrong impression, my comment on the "hussie" is not Cyndi!!

That's right! :-) Had I been a chippie, I might have let him wrestle me down but since I'm not a floozy, I told him to get right back to Rima, and don't let me catch him tom cattin' around the California Central Valley again! Then I tucked my T-shirt back into my overalls and got out of there. (We have much to attract movie stars here, so it's a common problem. The sugar beet farming, the garlic harvests, the artichoke festivals - it draws them like debutantes to a diamond. You can hardly go out the door around here without tripping over one decadent celebrity or another.)
Cyndi
CA USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 16:19:41 (PDT)

Just wanted to say "Thank You" to all the wonderful reviews/stage door comments!! To Toby and Ali-Pat, you made my day!O/T I have to say I really feel for all those people over in Europe at the moment with all that flooding..... We have a drought here and need rain so BADLY at the moment. Seems the weather has gone nuts. To AR and LD - I hope they have a really great last week in the USA! Keep the stories coming!
Barbara the Aussie <hermione(underscore )3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Qld Australia - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 16:02:59 (PDT)

Fast Film !! I hope you dont mean a bus conductress:)) Because thats was an old nick name for one years ago LOL.
Magda
Aberdeen, - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 15:38:20 (PDT)

I just wanted to say that i rented Robin Hood Prince of Theives the other night because I think that Alan Rickman is a fairly good actor ever since Harry Potter and Dogma I wanted to learn more about him? I'm planning on becoming an actress myself. I've done some theatre and think I'm ready for something a little bigger, but i still love the theatre!! ;o) Anyhoo, I hope that he gets more credit for his work, because you don't hear to much about him like say Britney Spears and thats just plain wrong because his work is just worth so much more.
Jennifer Victoria Grove <jennagrove@yahoo.comfoo>
Port Colborne, ON Canada - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 15:10:48 (PDT)

FastFilm,

I have definately heard of Billy Braggs! I have the CD "Billy Brags and Wilco-Mermaid Avenue". It's a great CD and he is awesome!!!
JC <Alvin415@aol.comfoo>
AL - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 15:09:11 (PDT)

link
sorry, hope it works now, the pic is on that page, if you scroll down.
lelefua
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:57:44 (PDT)

Or to have heard of Billy Bragg, for that matter.
FastFilm
Not looking for a new, folksongwriter - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:56:16 (PDT)

photo with Kevin Smith I looked for that photo, because Ali-Pat mentioned him, and I didn't know him yet. Now I know he's the director of Dogma. Might be someone else didn't know, too.
Mortianna thank you very much, need a bit time to answer, bed already called.
We've spend the evening in cinema and saw "Les Liaison dangereux". The whole film long I tried to figure out, how it would have been with AR and LD, it's a pity it isn't.
lelefua
stgt, - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:49:33 (PDT)

Sue chez England, a "chippie" across the pond is something we probably wouldn't be discussing on this family-oriented site, as its meaning remains a tad different. I try to phrase my own posts here entertainingly but not too provincially. Fr'instance, I wouldn't expect most of my fellow Americans to really know who the late Kirsty MacColl was, King or no King.
FastFilm
They don't know about us, They've never heard of love - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:45:56 (PDT)

The eye is the place, where soul and body mix up.
Ch.F.Hebbel
Surely a very bad translation, but that was, what came to my mind, when I read the sunglass story.
lelefua
stgt, - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:17:11 (PDT)

i love alan rickman!!
stephanie
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:04:25 (PDT)

The only Marxism I know about is the great Groucho, whose death (and 25th anniversary of said demise) coincided with and was overshadowed by Mr.Presleys. To quote the man: "I wouldn't want to belong to any club who had me as a member!"
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 13:39:56 (PDT)

Sue, I thought the point of colonials was that they were the silliy people who were suckered into being sent off to uncivilised shores to have the great mother country take away all the fruits of their labour! Or am i just being Marxist again?
Julia
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 13:22:48 (PDT)

(giggle) Nope....us over here across the great big ole pond don't know nuttin Honey. Yep, you must splain thangs when ya use them thar foreign words

Thanks, Sue. I will be sure to visit an authentic chippy when I get over there for a visit
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 13:17:57 (PDT)

*sigh* Do you colonials know nothing!!!;)LOL A chippy is the chip shop ie Fish and Chip shop (goin' down the chippy for fourpennorth of chips!!). There is a popsong about Elvis working down the chip shop but the name of the group eludes me at present!! (useless fact no.972)
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 13:04:18 (PDT)

Just so no one gets the wrong impression, my comment on the "hussie" is not Cyndi!! Love that story..LOL..
Cathy <Snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 12:27:18 (PDT)

Anne/Manhattan - from the few articles I read concerning the original Private Lives, it seems Solomon Issacs; the English and New York entrepreneur had made quite a name for himself in society circles of the time. In the genealogy of the family, many people claim to have been related to Solomon Issacs (yes, the guy in the famous painting) and therefore it was common to use his name with familiarity. For Coward, it was said that he used it as a pointed joke. Everything and everyone is derived from Solomon Issacs. New York and London. A very common term of Coward's day. Does this make any sense? I'm a bit rusty with my literary explanations.
Jacqueline
Chicago, IL USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 12:23:44 (PDT)

Hey Sue, what's a chippy?
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 11:53:41 (PDT)

Sorry Cyndi!! That is complete and utter rubbish!-;)EVERYONE knows that Elvis works at the local chippy!
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 11:11:18 (PDT)

Cyndi, LOL, ROTFLMAO!!!!!!
Cathy <Snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 10:46:56 (PDT)

I have to say I that the "hussie" is full of rubbish about our AR!! After 30+ years with Rima I do not think he would do something like that..just my 2cents. I would never encourage someone like that, I really like this GB and will remain faithful to this fansite as long as it is running..
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL, US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 10:44:44 (PDT)

I don't know if this has been posted before. Just scroll down and click on the thumbnail for the four Yorkshiremen.
Julia
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 10:29:35 (PDT)

I met Alan at the grocery store last night. It turned out he spends all his spare time hitting on strangers in highly public places. He tried to wrestle me to the ground in the frozen foods section, but I fended him off. He was almost worse than Elvis. I keep bumping into him at the video store and he's so *rude*.
Cyndi
CA USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 10:05:11 (PDT)

For those of you who just can't get enough of reading AR's reviews, the kind folks at The Onion website provide more than enough for you to look at. The archived reviews include Blow Dry, Dark Harbour, Dogma, Galaxy Quest, Harry Potter, Judas Kiss, Lumiere and Co, Michael Collins, and The Winter Guest. Although their adjectives are limited, the reviews are generally positive. No "giant stuffed rabbit"s here.

I'm sorry Maggie, I'm not sure but I'll check it out tonight and let you know tomorrow.
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 07:34:07 (PDT)

Oooooo, Claudia! Is Terry Jones in this comedy show also?
Maggie
NJ USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 07:30:09 (PDT)

Oops! One more thing I wanted to add about "We Know Where You Live". The whole show is chock full of talent. The comedians were hilarious. I found Eddie Izzard to be a hoot! And for those "die hard" Tom Jones lovers out there.....he is a guest as well.
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 07:15:07 (PDT)

"We Know Where You Live" is available on Region 2 DVD at Amazon UK too. So if you have a multi-regional DVD player, that will work too.

I love my copy. POSSIBLE SPOILERS The extra on the Four Yorkshiremen is really wonderful. I think it shows a tad of the real Rickman personality.

One touching scene for me is in the end of the benefit, all the guests come out on stage and in the background there is some rolling text quoting victims and families of victims. All the guests are socializing and carrying on. Everyone but The Man. He is standing there solemnly reading the rolling text. That scene REALLY made me proud of my Rickmanitis!
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 06:52:03 (PDT)

Toby, "We Know Where You Live" was a benefit concert for Amnesty International, held in Wembley Stadium (wasn't it?), hosted by Eddie Izzard, in which Mr. Rickman appeared in a skit based on the Python "Four Yorkshiremen." Videos of the event are commercially available in the UK (amazon.co.uk, for example), if you have a VCR which will play PAL tapes.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 06:27:21 (PDT)

Please ladies (and gents) lets don't give these "huge" story tellers the very thing they want....ATTENTION!
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 05:20:34 (PDT)

Tami: I am with you! I think it is awful that these hussies are spreading such a sordid tale about AR all over the Net! I cannot believe it what they claime happened and it does really bother me that they would be so brazen! Even if Alan "suffered the fools", that butt groping incident just doesn't add up to the Rickman we all love and respect here!(I really need one of Harlii's MAD emoticons now...).

The sunglasses incident does puzzle me.........perhaps he had just put in some drops and was all red-eyed? Maybe he wears contacts during the play and his eyes hurt? Black eye? Funny Harlii! Someone below asked about who has been afflicted with Rickmanitis the longest? Well, I know the our Host, the lovely Suzanne has been suffering (wink) for 11 years and I know that others even longer! Myself? Two years in February. It was Sense and Sensibility that did me in, that and discovering the Rickamn parallel universe we all so happily reside in! :~D
Constance <madaboutron4@yahoo.comfoo>
Cary, NC USA - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 05:16:12 (PDT)

Guut´tach die Damen,

from the Nitpick or whatever site:

After the troll in the bathroom has fallen onto the floor,McGonnagal,Quirrel and snape run in. If you look carefully at Snape,he runs too far in and has to backstep till he´s in the right place.

There are many errors in the movie. There is also TWG,RHPOT,S&S and all the other movies with him. Go,read and enjoy! :D
verena
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 05:04:35 (PDT)

aye!
mortianna, grinning
sorry magda, stole your comment - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 04:28:18 (PDT)

Thank you, Sue. I was thinking the same thing. We are perfectly capable of making our own problems!

There are several questionable AR meeting stories in those groups. If you want to read some REAL fanfic.....join the groups and feast.
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 04:02:40 (PDT)

I'd have thought we have enough discussions/arguments/debates/spats etc of our own here, without getting involved with what someone has or has not said on another board!
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 02:59:35 (PDT)

Jacqueline - Thanks. Looks like there were a lot of Solomon Isaacs around, fictional and otherwise - the guy in the play (about whom the synopsis unfortunately says nothing), an American manufacturer whose portrait was painted around 1815, a character in a posthumously published Mark Twain story ... and Jewish genealogy (damn, I wish we could spell-check our posts!) sites turned up a few. I still don't know why Elyot used his name! Something to ask AR next time I see him?
Anne/Manhattan
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 23:34:06 (PDT)

If this person is really saying such things, then she should be sued for every dime she has, and then locked up for good measure. I am sure that a person such as you have described would not only be tremendously unattractive sexually, but would be alarming to any man with taste-Rickman is not a fool, and neither is Ms Horton, and this person sounds worrysome, and will probably ruin it for the rest of us that want to respectfully meet the man....he will not put up with that kind of garbage for very long, I think, and then none of us will get to see him at the stage door-don't encourage her, for goodness sakes.........
a very concerned citizen
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 22:31:17 (PDT)

Nothing will make me believe Alan felt that girl's butt on purpose, and then smiled at her when he caught her staring at his privates. She's been bragging about it for a week and even started her own Yahoo group called "wemetalanrickmangroup" with a pic of her and Alan. He doesn't look exactly overjoyed in the photo either. She claims that she always gets what she wants and she is determined to sleep with Alan, even if it means bribing him with gifts for Rima. Oh, and she's married too - says she cares more about Alan than her husband. Poor girl needs some serious therapy!
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 21:42:17 (PDT)

Rhea, I'm definetly in as long as I don't have any huge commitments standing in the way. Teehee, if you'll have me!
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Misery - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 21:16:35 (PDT)

Stezi, your site is wonderful. You have the most complete collection of Les Liaisons Dangereuses pictures I've seen. Thank you very much. I wish the tape of that play was available!!!

At the stage door for PL last Saturday, I had a conversation with very nice person who actually saw LLD. She said that the hot scenes were between AR and LD. The love/hate relationship between Valmont and Merteuil dominated the play. She said that Tourvel was a mere plaything for Vermont. My interpretation from the LLD book is that Vermont actually began to feel honorable respectful love for Tourvel and when he wrote this obliquely to Merteuil, Merteuil was driven to distraction. When she declared war, he already was back-peddling his rejection of Tourvel. This is in stage directions of the LLD script but not in the spoken words. Was any of this apparent in the acting?

Going back to Stezi's site, what was the "We know where you live" show all about? It looks interesting.
Toby
Newtown, CT US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 20:53:19 (PDT)

Harlii--welcome back! I have missed your cartoons all summer.

Michaele (did I spell it right that time?), I don't know if he bowls, but he is probably the kind of guy who would give it a go anyway. At least once.

We saw Rima on both Friday and Saturday night. My guess on why Alan was so tired Sunday is that Kevin Smith kept him up all night laughing and partying the night before.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 19:59:44 (PDT)

Tidbit from Sept issue of Premiere mag on "HP & Chamber of Secrets":

Branagh provides comic relief as egocentric Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Gilderoy Lockhart. Hugh Grant was originally considered for the role, but it was decided that even with his hair dyed blonde, his A-list persona would be too distracting. Working with extravagant sets and special effects was a new experience for Branagh, but nothing compared to acting with teenagers. "The kids completely suspend disbelief" he says. "When Alan Rickman and I are dueling with wands, that's exactly what we're doing. They get rather surprised when someone says 'Cut'"
Angelina
US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 19:08:42 (PDT)

Thank you Harlii I will check it out..
Cathy
FL, US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 18:51:52 (PDT)

I'm sorry (no I'm not. Heh). It truly was the very first thing that came to mind when I read Michaele's post. Very bad taste, but that's me. I'm not quite sure what the exact name is, but it's an Alan Rickman forum at Yahoo and I saw what had been written. My post is very tongue in cheek as I don't buy the story. I shall continue crawling off into the sunset toward my cold, gray stone...
Harlii
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 18:48:17 (PDT)

Harlii, Alan copping a few fans? When did this happen? What Yahoo Site?...I gotta see this!!
Cathy <Snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 18:43:24 (PDT)

Maybe Alan kept the sunglasses on because he had a black eye. Rima may have socked him after she read the Yahoo boards and saw that he apparently copped a feel on two fans...You know, the two hussies who stalked him for a week.

Hi everyone...hope you're all well...I'll crawl back to my rock now.
Harlii
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 18:24:12 (PDT)

Ali-Pat: About the bowling alley thing, did the lady tell you that he bowled also? I think that is really funny as my husband and I have just recently taken up bowling(we even have the bowling shoes). I don't remember if you said you saw Rima, but she was there Sunday. For the record, she is attractive and very petite. The most interesting thing that happened at the stage door Sunday was that Alan refused to take his sunglasses off saying he was tired. A lady asked him to take them off for a photo(actually she sort of begged) and he absolutely refused to take them off! I was the last one to say anything to him before he got in his car. I felt a bit like a pest and when he looked at me I very nearly turned around and walked off but I got up courage and told him that I thought he was really great to come out every night to sign autographs. Of course, I'm sure that went in one ear and out the other as he looked like he was really ready to be going. Oh well.
Michaele <mmh1324@comcast.netfoo>
Chattanooga, TN - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 18:15:41 (PDT)

RE: Faults in "Robin Hood - Prince of Boring?" Oh yeah. I could have shot Costner for doing that to what should be an impossible-to-ruin legend, and that's nothing to how people who are real Robin Hood enthusiasts felt. I even hold a little resentment that Alan Rickman made me laugh during an attempted rape scene. That incident aside, the only reason to see the thing is for Alan's outrageous, over-the-top performance. (Though there were other good performances from supporting actors.) I read gossip that Kevin personally spent time in the editing room after filming was done, chopping out Mr. Rickman's appearances so that in the end, Alan merely stole the show. Otherwise, they would have had to retitle it "The Naughty Sheriff of Nottingham."
Cyndi
CA USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 17:20:37 (PDT)

Just wondering--how does one make screen caps or "capture" DVD stills onto your computer. I would like to create a web page in the future with my Mesmer DVD and use pics from them but I don't know how to do it. Thanks.
Catherine
Chicago, - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 17:00:10 (PDT)

Bev, according to Nitpickers.com, there are at least 73 errors have been detected by eagle-eyed fans watching RHPOT.
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 16:25:54 (PDT)

I am just wondering if any one else noticed at the 1st of Robin Hood they come out of a metal man hole onto the street that is cover with hay. Did they have man hole covers in the day in which this story is set??I think not...and is it just me or is Robin Hood's voice 110% American…Maybe it is just me. I am that kind of person that looks for bloopers in movies. Did any one else notice faults in this movie?
Bev
GA USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 15:35:53 (PDT)

Anne/Manhattan - in response to your Coward inquiry on Monday... you can find a synopsis of the play here at http://home.t-online.de/home/daveh/london/london_s.htm (sorry, I'm not up to the link) BTW Solomon Issacs was a well known real life "character" in London and New York not just a character in a play.
Jacqueline
Chicago, IL - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 15:01:14 (PDT)

I first took notice of Alan while watching Robin Hood about 11 years ago (but I was much older than 7!) I loved his profile so much and he seemed so diabolical and interesting. Kevin Costner was pale and bland in comparison. I hardly noticed he was in the film. They should rename it, "The Sheriff of Nottingham" because that's all anybody notices anyway. So I looked at the credit and saw his name, "Hmmm, Alan Rickman, never heard of him!" So I forgot and didn't even recognize him when I watched Galaxy Quest... imagine that! Not until Harry Potter did I see the light and now I'll be smitten till the end of my days. -Tami
Tami
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 14:28:28 (PDT)

I have been a fan since Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Please don't throw any rotten fruit at me but I was a huge Costner fan at the time (Gawd...did I ever get set straight...LOL). Anyway, my mother told me who The Man was. I had never seen Die Hard so I still didn't know who he was....but I was bitten. And then there was Truly Madly Deeply. I was forever smitten at that point!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 12:57:00 (PDT)

i am a newly found rickman fan and i must say this dude rocks my world.LOL!!! Anyway, I love all of his movies!! DArk HArbor was one that really threw me off tho..I had to watch a couple of times over. But hey its Alan....WHy not??? BTW LoVE this site ::kickin:)::
sara
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 12:47:27 (PDT)

I was looking at X Spice girls post and got to wondering something. Who has been an Alan Rickman fan the longest? Just wanting to know. My story is this. I have only been an extreme fan sense HP. I saw this film and was blown away by the dark mysterious professor in the black robe. I could not figure out his name till I went to the hp web site (I missed it on the closing credits). Once I had a name there was no stopping me. When I saw the list of films he was in I was like "I have seen that....that was him? Wow!" After watching most of his movie I have to say that I am crazy for AR. My favorite film of his is S&S. I only wish I could have seen him in PL. I tried for 2 weeks last month to win a radio contest to go to NYC, but it never came though oh well maybe next time. :*(
Bev
ga us - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 12:40:51 (PDT)

Count me in, Rhea!
Sabine
GA USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 12:31:04 (PDT)

MOVIE ALERT for all UK'ers,, The January Man is going to be shown on Channel 5 on Saturday 24th, from 9pm!! TUNE IN!
DD <EvigiloTuiAnimus@hotmail.comfoo>
UK` - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 12:14:08 (PDT)

For those of you that don't know,there is an audio book out called "THe Return of The Native" written by Thomas Hardy and read by Alan Rickman. I saw it at walmart.com. So I'm going to my local store to see if they have it. They better! If not maybe I'll try the library! Happy listening!
nanc
ks us - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 11:59:38 (PDT)

I'm there, Rhea!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 11:35:34 (PDT)

Long time no post! Life intervened, adding a job onto my three kids. It's not like I wasn't thinking about y'all--or the delectable Mr. Rickman, whom I will see onstage this Sunday!!!! ---->A brief comment on strawberries and cream....that's not what you want. Trust me. You want this: strawberries, champagne, and powdered sugar....take a strawberry, dip it into the champagne, then into the sugar, then feed it to your partner. Have them do the same. There's the slightest remnant of the bubbly taste of the champagne, and the sugar cuts any tart of the strawberry, and it's wonderful. Best experienced, I must say, while sitting in a hot tub with your beloved. I discovered this wonderful combination on my honeymoon, when the hotel gave us a courtesy fruit basket and champagne. So stop with the strawberries-and-cream, it doesn't do him justice.
The long-lost Amanda <editor@texas.netfoo>
San Antonio, - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 11:10:26 (PDT)

Sounds like a winner to me, Rhea!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 11:04:43 (PDT)

OK, friends. Since I'm still not over my experience of meeting "The Man" . .. and since I'm being incredibly greedy and wish I could see him one more time before PL ends . . . and since I vow that I WILL see him when he performs on stage again . . . . I'm planting this idea here and now. If Alan's next stage appearance is in London, we all look into a charter plane/private plane/group discount (whatever!) so we can go!! Any takers?? (I need to hope that this will happen someday! :-)
Rhea
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 10:33:42 (PDT)

I suspect Amanda's original red suit was difficult to see against the red background of the Paris apartment. I would hate to miss that hilarious hands-up gesture she makes while looking at Sibyl crying on the couch.
Penny S.
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 10:27:35 (PDT)

...rickman and spacey? mmmboy am i hungry! let's make a sandwich!!!
Aphie <BonzaiAphrodite@aol.comfoo>
Modesto, Ca - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 09:48:09 (PDT)

So many people to respond to! Thanks for your kind comments, everyone.

First off, the most important thing--SHOES. I had that same thought about the bowling shoes, Georgiana! On Thursday night, however, he was wearing some sort of modified fisherman's sandals, which I found quite fetching.

Claudia--no, I did not buy a car. I bought a computer instead. The Gateway folks were ever so willing to extend a great deal of credit. What I gained from the whole experience (in addition to a wonderful new hobby) is an acquaintence with the term "negative equity". Let this be a lesson to anyone who contemplates buying a car at the end of their lease agreement--don't become a victim of predatory lending practices! And as for the still mysterious Thompson, no, I don't think it was Sophie either. I'm thinking she was a cousin or other relative.

Toby--I wish I would have known you were there, too! I scoured the list of attendees in advance and saw no one for August 15-17. Guess I should have signed myself up. Anyway, email me and perhaps we can figure out if we indeed saw each other.

Julia--no, no photos of Rima. I respect her wish to remain anonymous. And there was no autograph envy this time, even though I got an extra little flourish on mine (nyah-nyah). And yes, the best bits are still stored away in my memory, here (spoken with a hard "h" and a rolled "r" while pointing to forehead).

Jane (UK)--another The Man Who Would be King fan! I am passionatly fond of that film and think of it a lot in light of what is currently going on in that part of the world. Please tell me which scene you were speaking of--does it take place in the marketplace before they embark for Kafiristan?

And finally, Mortianna--I believe I am the person who pointed out that the greasy young man was probably going to kill David eventually. And I still worry about David's chances for survival. And yes, you do need to watch DkH at least twice to fully appreciate it. The second time you watch, you will notice all kinds of clues!

(Sorry for all the OT stuff--I'll do better next time).
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 09:47:31 (PDT)

Bowling shoes?
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Misery - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 09:17:02 (PDT)

has anyone been able to reach stezi's page properly?

mortianna
- Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 08:30:49 (PDT)

Georgiana, now come on, who doesn't have a pair of bowling alley shoes? LoL I love the pics of AR's that I've seen! LoL A little more stylish than mine, but I'm sure he can pay more than forty bucks for some. LoL I used to bowl so often, school bowling club and all, I went through two pairs. Wonder how many pairs he went through after renting the alley for a week! LoL
JC
AL - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 07:57:43 (PDT)

A bowling alley? Now I understand those shoes... (grin) Thanks, Ali-Pat.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 06:57:04 (PDT)

WOO HOO! Whose Da Man???? Whose ya Daddy????

Thanks Sue for the grrrreat news!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 06:44:16 (PDT)

The final results of The Whatsonstage Poll are up on line. AR won with 20% followed by Kevin Spacey with 17%.
Sue
England - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 06:13:37 (PDT)

DARK HARBOR SPOILERS AHEAD:

Well, I finally watched Dark Harbor. Got it yesterday evening (thanks again, you-know-who:-) and watched it straight away.

Well, with all the mouth-watering reviews and pictures:-), I was really getting anxious and actual watching could have been bound for disaster. It wasn't.

I liked it. I have to watch it again and again, if only under the pretense that I didn't get everything. That supposed to be English, they talk? Then my poor little school English is not up to it, I'm afraid. Especially wotshisname mumbles in a way that is nearly incomprehensible to me poor non-native speaker of the Shakespearean language. Not that I was really interested in what he was about to say. I was thoroughly prejudiced against him beforehand.
I was thrilled to listen to Jamie at his most infuriating, and see David Friedman angered, and someone completely different at the same time (was that an accent, btw?).
I think they are all very good in this movie, and I mean all:-) I kept thinking "that poor wife", and I hated David, more than I hated the boy even. I very much liked to re-watch all the pictures from Stezi's page (oh look, now he's wearing these pants:-) not to mention, but of course I will, oh now he's wearing this white shirt, and a thorough reader in all things Rickman knows what happens then.
I think they did a very good job at portraying a marriage at its end, it was painful to watch the wife trying and loosing and all that. I could see the men exchanging glances, and this coffee scene (I thought: ha, I read about that:-) and it was very obvious and on the other hand - not. Because David or AR is doing a very good job at being ironic and bad and hurt and all that at the same time. I'd like to see the movie again (wot?) with someone who hasn't the faintest clue as to the plot and see what they think, if it's obvious like plain daylight or a little more - secluded.
I enjoyed it nonetheless and it took the whole movie to see the whole pattern (this writing business, f.ex.). It left me with the feeling I had to rewind it and watch again and come out of the experience with a different opinion. At the moment I tend to agree with I forgot who it was, sorry, who thought the boy is going to kill David, too, after he has done everything for him. Very emotional, this last scene, everything there only in the face of AR.

And as I was quite straight forward as to tonsils and all that, I thought the scene in the mushrooms or whatever, in fact both between the wife and the boy the most, er, erotic, even knowing that this was not - it. This famous last scene was not so much erotic as sad for me, thinking disaster would strike soon for David after his glimpse of freedom and all he sacrificed for it (him? I really don't know, yet). Then again, being free and all that, perhaps death has lost its sting for him, too? Oh, the possibilities, the infinite possibilities.
The effect of the first scene between David and wife was a little spoilt through his fondling this remote and his bored and arrogant looks at her trying to seduce him, and his escape to the phone. I couldn't see much passion in the kiss in between, really. Sad, at least knowing what will happen. Well, yes, I should have behaved and not read any spoilers:-) But I tend to think that even if I had not, I would have had a clue by this telephone call that his heart, not to mention other bodily parts, was not into it. Er, well.
As for the last scene: I was not shocked - I mean how could I, after all I said before -, but I was not shocked in the context of the movie. It all made more sense, perfect sense, and it was very sad, to me, at least. And yet it was kind of - well, a moment to sit up straight on the sofa. Might be that was because the boy looked really really ugly in that scene. And this for David with all his wonderful face contortions - but I digress.
I have to admit though, that I didn't find wotshisname so revolting as most of you seemed to do. Actually, that was exactly the kind of guy I would fall for when young and dumb (even dumber, that is:-), all this dark and dangerous brooding and hurt puppy aura. Thanks god I'm older and wiser now and fall for men with a much more mature and less hurtful outlook on life:-) Yes. Severus Snape, f. ex.

Nearly all said, but: I am intrigued by this movie, as I was by AABA, which for some time I watched over and over again. I didn't like David, wouldn't want to be married to him LIKE THAT for my life, thought the wife the most sympathetic character (plus, she had this island and I quite loved that) and yet ...
I really watched in awe what AR was doing and just couldn't comprehend it. Its the contradictions that make these characters so extremely fascinating.
Much as I love his dark characters (for which I fell, actually), meaning Snape, the Sheriff and Rasputin, I am completely fascinated with something I dare consider scientific or artistic interest, in contrast to the simple grinning like an idiot and drooling all over, er, enjoyment of HP, R, and RHPoT, in the in-betweens, like PL O'Hara and David. [I assure you, this sentence has a beginning and an end]. Just have to watch that movie again. Soon.

Want to thank Sue for linking to this wonderful wallpapers site, again. I have it bookmarked, but forgotten about it. It's an inspiration! (off into the dungeon to cool her keyboard)
mortianna, she of the long posts
still hot, germany - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 05:50:28 (PDT)

Just a quick message to say that you are my favourite actor I love you loads hurry up and do some more films!!!
zoe goad <zoe.goad@ntlworld.comfoo>
manchester, england - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 05:34:47 (PDT)

Oh..one more thing, Ali-Pat. Your description of the Thompson woman could have very well been Sophie Thompson...Emma's sister. Is that possible?
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 04:48:11 (PDT)

But Ali-Pat...did you ever get a car????
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 04:44:50 (PDT)

Sabine--I think "creppy" is a typo as there were a couple in the original post.

Although the thought of strawberries and cream with The Man triggers wonderful fantasies....that post left me wondering.
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 04:01:19 (PDT)

"Actually" of course !
Marialis
France - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 03:23:13 (PDT)

Oh sorry, not Sally... Barbara... hem... well, As we say in France, I begin to lose my Latin ! Sorry... Actally sorry !
Marialis
France - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 01:51:46 (PDT)

Sorry Jasmine, I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought you were german, I don’t know why… There are so many people here, and from so many countries…

Thank you Sally for the link on James Stewart Site... even if it's OT. I love him too. And The Philadelphia Story they told about on the first page is actually one of my favourite movies.
Marialis
France - Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 01:49:04 (PDT)

Oh, yeah -- I forgot about the lettuce. Re the Saturday 17Aug performance of Private Lives, after the fight, at the close of the 2nd act, even after the curtain came down, we could smell the pungent fresh lettuce that had been splattered all over the set. The props folks must have a really good green grocer.

It's so frustrating to find out after the fact that delightful interesting Guestbook Contributers were at the same show and stage door experience and I didn't meet them! Again! I must be socially impaired!

Ali-Pat, I wish my friend and I had met you. Perhaps we'll meet when he does his next stage role -- in London. Y'know, if one sets aside $200/month for a year, one might have just enough for a discount air fair (cattle car coach, a cheap hotel, and a ticket to see an AR play in London.....
Toby
Newtown, CT US - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 22:31:46 (PDT)

Question for a Noel Coward scholar: I just acquired a program for an early-1970s revival of a play called London Assurance, written in 1841 by Dion Boucicault, an Irishman. One of the characters is named "Solomon Isaacs." Two of the others are named "Sir Harcourt Courtly" and "Lady Gay Spanker" so I have to assume we're talking very broad comedy here. Unfortunately the program doesn't include a synopsis. I'd always assumed that Solomon was some well-known somebody that Noel Coward's original audience would have recognized but maybe he's the character in this play. Anybody?
Anne/Manhattan
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 22:00:13 (PDT)

Rhea - About Lindsay's lovely red suit: Someone posted a LONG time ago that it didn't prove very durable and that's why they switched. I think they should have tried again - color's great on her.
Anne/Manhattan
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 21:45:12 (PDT)

Okay, totally Off-Topic.

But I was sent this link

http://www.online-shrine.com/stewart/

(or click on my name for the URL) for the Jimmy Stewart fansite.

It's the OnLine Shrine.

The OnLine Shrine.

Why didn't we think of that?

Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 21:20:59 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, what a gorgeous story! I particularly enjoyed this account of a PL night. I think it's very thougtful of AR to have reserved the bowling alley for everyone. Of course now that i think about it he couldn't have very well bowled while a bunch of people were in there and he would have been awfully lonely bowling by himself. I wonder if Kevin Smith and his wife went along. They only live in New Jersey, I think. Lovely, though. Really, just lovely.
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Misery - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 20:54:18 (PDT)

Oh my dear, dear friends...

My name is Jayne Claire (aka JC), and I , I admit it , I am an Alan Rickman fan, severely diagnosed with Rickmantis.

Oh well do I remember that bleak December...wait, wrong one.

Ah yes! I was young, can't really remember the age now, but after a long day, I remember sitting in the corner of my room with a video I had swiped from my brother's collection. "Kevin Cosner” What else could an adolescent little girl ask for? "Robin Hood" Oh yes...

Anyway...

I believe it was the voice that caught my exhausted attention. I was drifting away on my bed to the sound of a velvet voice, a blanket from my cold (Mississippi) surroundings. I was set at ease, in anger with my family, and the same though droned through my mind with a single line from THE VOICE, oh do I remember that line...

"And call of Christmas!" I found the name, "Alan Rickman". Oh what a name! A rose itself couldn't find that beauty! It wasn't until the information age caught up to me, a teen in the 90s (yes, the internet) that my knowledge of him grew, greatly. I was able to see other movies, "Sense and Sensibility" which caught my emotions and sent them stirring like a smoothie in a blender! The beginning!

Oh yes, the beginning...

Ok! So, um, how was that? I could have dished out a little more "sap" (as I like to call it) on that plate, but I've got an 8am class in the morning.

By the way, maybe yall will find this as amusing as I did...I have a teacher (I'm a freshman in college by the way) with the first initials "PL". Erie!
Jayne Claire
AL - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 20:43:45 (PDT)

Hello, my name is Brit. And I am a Rickmaniatic. (sigh) I believe I first noticed Mr. Rickman in RHPOT in 1992 after having rented it and watched it late one dark, stormy (as most nights in St. Joseph, MO are)night at one of my mother's friend's houses. (They were in the other room playing cards.) However, being that I was only seven years old I don't I had quite the... perceptions that I do now. I later enjoyed him (quite unknowingly, actually) in 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Michael Collins' as well as 'Galaxy Quest'. Dolt that I am, and incredible actor that he is, I watched all of these and adored him completely, without ever realizing I was watching the same man! I had never gotten his name off the credits, either for some reason that I couldn't help or because it had slipped my mind (God only knows how!). It was 'Dogma' that finally did it for me. I, being a great Kevin Smith fan (the man has an extremely original perception as far as film goes, especially American film), rented Dogma one oh so lonesome night when I felt a good comedy might hit the spot. I popped the film in the VCR sat back, crossed my ankles, and nearly choked to death on a Ju Ju Bean. For lo and behold, what was the beautiful creature that so graciously blessed my eyes upon stepping out of a pillar of fire, armed with nothing more than a pair of (100lb.) breathtaking wings and the sexiest "fish" I've ever heard in my entire life. I immediately took him for the 'real deal' (angel-wise, of course), for what earthly being could ever sooo ensare my senses, prudent that they were? By this time I had acquired this muggle god they call internet. So, of course I immediately logged on to the trusty PC and found, much to my chagrin, that the men I had adored was actually the man I revered! I was quickly diagnosed and have since basked in... er, suffered, suffered my affliction ardently, er that is zealously, uh juicily*

Ooohh, Darn it! I Admit It!

I've embraced the illness!!

P.S. Also of note, I was both an AR fan and a Snape fan before I knew they were hooking up to do a Chris Columbis film. Maybe we all have the same tastes.

* If you haven't seen 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' then please don't yell at me!

~Brit
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Misery 'cause I'm not in NYC - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 20:11:12 (PDT)

RE unidentified Thompson. Nooo, I'm pretty sure I would be able to identify Emma Thompson if I saw her. This woman was in her early-mid twenties.

And I apologize for my poor attempt at a parody of a twelve-step meeting. I was trying to respond in a humorous way to the post by x-spice girl.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 20:02:55 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, Thanks again for sharing your wonderful adventure with us, Could that "Thompson" woman be Emma Thompson from Sense and Sensibility?
Linda
NJ USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 19:54:28 (PDT)

Oh dear! "My name is Ali-Pat, and I am a Rickmaniatic". That sounds a lot like a 12-step program. Is this "Rickmaniacs Anonymous"? Did I misplace the GB?
Suze
NY - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 19:50:10 (PDT)

(Now back to our regularly scheduled program) LONG POST!!

Private Lives, Richard Rodgers Theater, Saturday, August 17

The theater is beginning to feel like a second home, I have been in it so often now. Waiting in the lobby, I overhear a woman with a rich, British-accented voice asking for tickets being held under the name Thompson. Of course, this gets my attention, but I do not recognize the woman at the ticket window. I also meet someone in line who has several items in her hands that are autograph-bound. She says she is here alone and this is her first time in New York City. What courage AR inspires in us!

The play ticks along tonight, consistent with last night's performance. Which means it is brilliant. Tonight our seats are on the Lindsay side, a place we have not sat before. The advantage of this is that you can see Amanda standing inside the doorway listening to Elyot and Sybil arguing before she comes out and demands a cigarette. Had not seen that before and I am glad I got to see Amanda's face as she eavesdrops. The singing is even better tonight than last night. How I wish for a sound clip of that! Elyot's coat ends up on the floor tonight instead of the sofa and I spend too much time worrying that someone will step on it. It is such a lovely coat, in spite of how much it makes him perspire.

The stage door is a mob scene tonight, and it gets even worse when Les Mis, playing in the theater down the block, lets out for the night. I swear we always pick up a dozen extra at the stage door when this happens. Many people are admitted backstage, which did not happen on Thursday or Friday. Kevin Smith and his wife are here. Also, the woman who may or may not be a Thompson is admitted. (She is short and small-featured with reddish hair in a pixie cut--anybody have a clue?) There is also a tall young man with high cheekbones and blondish hair who is admitted. I think for a minute he might be Ronan Vibert, but the nose is all wrong--not long and straight but short and turned up. He bears a close resemblance to Alan in the eyes, however (again--anybody got a clue?).

I discover to my delight that Michele from Chattanooga is here! She and her husband were here the last time I was in town--what a cool coincidence! She appologizes at once for accidentally assuming my name on the Guestbook, for which I forgive her again. The woman I met before the play (sorry I don't remember your name, brave one!) tells us that she learned from one of the stage hands that Alan has rented a bowling alley for the cast and crew for the week so they can relax and have a good time between shows.

The cast comes out one by one, but they seem to be hanging around. Some of the backstage visitors are hanging around, too. Maybe they are all going down to the bowling alley together. Alan goes to work signing and posing for photos in the boiling mass of fans that is waiting for him. I suddenly feel sorry for him and wish I could convince everybody to let him go play with his friends. I'm sure all these nice people would see reason and agree with me, right? My reverie is disturbed by a woman who pokes me in the arm and says, "Who is that?" Thinking she means Alex Belcourt, who is still mingling with the fans, I say, "Which--her?" "No," the woman says pointing to Alan, "Him." When I tell her, the name fails to make an impression and she just looks at me blankly, shaking her head. I pat her on the shoulder and say, "That's all right, honey."

After what seems like an eternity, the signing is over and the Fred car is dismissed. I can't believe it, but Alan's gonna walk down the street again like he ain't nobody special. But he must get that Colonel-Brandon-at-the- wedding feeling of suspicion (you know, wondering what we lot are up to behind him), because he suddenly breaks into a run before he rounds the corner and disappears.

And so my second PL adventure ends.

You know, I think I should get my passport renewed this week...

Thank you all for your kind indulgence in letting me share my experiences.

Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 19:48:29 (PDT)

Ali-Pat-- "...that velvet voice brushing against my ear." Well said!

If they ever discover a cure for Rickmanitis I *don't* want to know about it.
Cindie
Thinking of Tech Sargeant Chen with the GROUP HUG.
Cleveland, OH - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 19:09:55 (PDT)

My name is Ali-Pat, and I am a Rickmaniatic.

I think it started for me on the day I was turned down for a car loan. I was so angry, so frustrated, that I did what any mature adult woman would do--I went to the movies. I specifically felt a need to see Harry Potter again because I knew it would provide two hours of fun and mindless escape. And besides, that Rickman guy was in it.

Well, the movie did the trick. For a while, anyway. But the memory of that Rickman guy kept nagging at me and I kept feeling that velvet voice brushing against my ear...

Suddenly, I had to see MORE. I went to the library and looked over the video selection. And there I saw them--all the films I had seen and enjoyed in the past in which he had a part--TMD, RHPOT, AABA, Rasputin, S&S. How could I not have seen then how great he was! I had been a recreational AR fan in the past, watching a film, noticing that Rickman guy, and enjoying his performance. All perfectly harmless. But all that social Rickman use must have had a cumulative effect on my nervous system, lying in wait to blossom into full-blown RICKMANOSIS!!!

So now, a mere eight months later, I stand (well, I'm sitting, actually) before you, my friends, my sisters, my fellow patients, and tell my sad tale.

...What am I saying--it's a GREAT tale! I've been having a blast with this thing and I can't tell you how jazzed I am to find so many others to whom I can talk about all those movies I have tracked down and relished to erasure. GROUP HUG!!!!

Um, does that answer the questions about how long and which movie?
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 18:51:28 (PDT)

Is there anyone out there that could by any possible chance make a copy of "Close My Eyes" and/or "Closet Land" VHS format? This would be a huge help, instead of looking all over the internet for it.

Please contact me off GB if you can!

Thank you so much.
Eaten Ship *This time Stephanie* <SLK6891@aol.comfoo>
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 18:46:57 (PDT)

Well, according to Merriam-Webster the closest thing I could find was Crepy and Crepey. According to these he is either indeed very good with strawberrys and cream for breakfast (although I think I might prefer a few blue-berries sprinkled on top!), or he is a light crinkled fabric woven of any of various fibers, or a form of crude-rubber shoe laces. However, (gasp!) according to Cambridge Dictionaries Online creppy was not found in the Cambridge International Dictionary of English, hence the only possible conclusion: Our dear Alan does not exist to anyone at Cambridge! Even if he is a figment of my imagination I adore him still!
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Not in NY:-( - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 18:30:50 (PDT)

I am new here and would like to ask the GB people a 2 ?ens to get to know them better #1 How long have you been an Alan Rickman fan? #2 What was the role you 1st noticed his greatness? Thats all. please reply!
x spice girl
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 18:25:14 (PDT)

Could someone please explain to me what "creppy" means? Is it something like "yummy" (referring to the "strawberries and cream post")?

I always try to expand my vocabulary! *grin*
Sabine
GA USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 16:57:07 (PDT)

I always tell my friends when they are looking for a good movie to rent-watch Sense and Sensibility, it's the most romantic movie ever made, in my humble opinion anyway! And yes. I will admit, I would have liked a good kiss between Brandon and Marianne at the end. However, its the essense of the romance that has always appealed to me. The Colonels's steadfast friendship and devotion to Marianne, even when he must have been dying inside with her indifference to him. His wanting her happiness above all other considerations is the ultimate declaration of true love. To be able to convey his feelings with just a look, a word, a raised eyebrow. Two entire romances that end with the ultimate happy endings for all, both done without nary a kiss in the entire movie! To be able to that and draw the audience into the film, rooting for both couples, is screen romance at its best.
Kathy
Lewiston, Me - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 16:21:39 (PDT)

"Rickmaniatic"? Ha! Well said! That makes it sounds like the disease this obsession really is! Perhaps we should have a new DSM listing: "Rickmania and Rickmanitis: A Differential Diagnosis." That should help all the befuddled mental health professionals out there! I can see the headlines now: "Rickmanitis: the darker side of Rickmania." "Rickmanitis: Is there a cure?" Oh, Fausta, wouldn't this make for a great Monthly Rickmanista feature?
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 15:39:05 (PDT)

I wonder if the director, costumers, or for that matter, Alan Rickman realized what his portrayal was going to do to Snape? He was a fascinating character in the books but "hot" wasn't the way I thought of him. I do since I've seen the movie! LOL. How does Alan do that? He's twenty years older than the character he's playing and looks it. They give him one monologue and a few lines in the background. He *still* dominates every scene he's in and Snape now rivals Harry for fan clubs. And he doesn't even shoulder out his co-stars for a better camera angle. (That I noticed. Maybe his co-stars would say otherwise.) It's amazing, really. Even though I'm affected by it, I don't know how he does it.
Cyndi
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 15:23:03 (PDT)

I fell in love with the Severus Snape Alan and immediately found all his other movies ~ and tons of wonderful people who are as obsessed as I am! Man I wish I lived in London so I could see him live in a theater. One question, why is it that Marianne Dashwood likes Willoghby more? He was such a geek! And any "gentleman" who badmouths other people behind their backs is so not worth it. Ugh. And was anyone else as disappointed as I was at the end of Sense and Sensibility that at the wedding Alan didn't kiss anyone? I felt so let down! Cheers! ~Jen~
Jen <blueyed_angel_@hotmail.comfoo>
Boise, ID USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 15:22:36 (PDT)

I really enjoy reading this guestbook! It's dreadful to think that I didn't even know AR existed, until I saw Harry Potter. Snape struck like a sledgehammer! I searched the web and found he is even more handsome and wonderful as 'nonSnape'. ;) This site has been of great assistance providing my rickmaniatic side with all kinds of information... not least the resumé of his work. I'm also thankful for all links that has been given here, on where to buy things!
Inger
Gothenburg, Sweden - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 14:48:55 (PDT)

Is there a Private Lives expert out there who knows why Ms. Duncan's costume has been changed from the bright, red one she originally wore (and is in the poster) in the 2nd act?? She now where a (beautiful) gray-blue ensemble. Just curious. Thanks!
Rhea <rheaaz@mindspring.comfoo>
Arizona - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 14:22:26 (PDT)

http://focus.de/G/GE/ge.htm?bild_tmp=1&snr=1531&streamsnr=7&newssnr=109821 Just to remember the flood-catastrophe in Germany for all who didn´t hear about, yet.
Lisa
Bavaria, - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 14:15:31 (PDT)

Does that mean he's good with strawberries and cream for Breakfast? Hahaha!
Julia
- Monday, August 19, 2002 at 13:47:28 (PDT)

Creppy. I'm sure he'd be...delighted.
jules
UK - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 13:38:59 (PDT)

Hey JC--I bought a copy of Sharman MacDonald's "Plays One" from Amazon. It has an excellent collection of Ms MacDonald's work including "The Winter Guest". Unfortunately, Amazon is only offering it through their Market Sellers right now and it looks awfully expensive. I checked Amazon UK and it is more reasonable even with the exchange rate, its cheaper. I treasure my copy. Ms MacDonald really is a remarkable writer. After reading some of her other work...its easy to see why The Man chose her to talk with Ms Duncan.
Claudia
GA US - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 13:11:02 (PDT)

i like alan rickman he is very creppy i always wonderd why he has that..........stady.............. voice............. i am a really big fan of him
Laura <Hotkoko99 @aol.comfoo>
Flushing, New york USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 12:27:40 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, PLEASE tell me you took a picture of Rima!!! Don't say it's only stored away in your head, like everything else!!! C'mon, this is a way better photo-op than his shoes! I don't think it's a good idea if your companion (Carole?) gets a hug and you don't. This'll be worse than the "my autograph is bigger than your autograph!" argument!
Julia
calgary, Canada - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 11:41:45 (PDT)

Thanks Sue :))) for the plug... Home of the Snape postcards indeed!! LOL
Amy
UK - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 07:46:18 (PDT)

I've heard that there's somewhere that you can order the script to "The Winter Guest", not the movie, the play. Is that true? Does anyone know where I can get it ASAP?

Thanks!
JC
Sorry for a second post. - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 07:27:09 (PDT)

Ali-Pat and Toby,

Wonderful accounts! I loved reading them. Ali-Pat, yours really brightened my morning and Toby, well written. I think it all gets me wondering what in Heaven's good name will I do when I go this weekend? I've never been to New York, what will I do? What do I wear? Will I be able to get something signed? I'm scared that I'll spend all this money to go, see a WONDERFUL show, and have little to show for it.

Back on the bright side now! Glad you two had wonderful trips. Ali-Pat, can't wait to hear August 17th.
JC
Successfully relocated to AL - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 06:56:09 (PDT)

There is a bit more information from "Variety" on "Love Actually" up on the News page, linked above.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 06:55:04 (PDT)

To whoever was asking about wallpaper, may I direct you to Amy's Wallpapers Inc. - Your one-stop for all decorating needs!! Also home of the good Professor's holiday postcard collection.:)))
Sue
England - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 06:19:06 (PDT)

My previous attempt at posting this morning completely disappeared, so I hope this is not a duplicate!

Anyway, another long post ahead.

Private Lives, Richard Rodgers Theater, Friday, August 16.

Tonight we try a great experiment. We have purchased tickets for seats that are exactly in the center of the front row. This has its advantages and disadvantages.

The play is back on track tonight, no overplaying, no mugging for the audience on entrance. A great disadvantage to those front row seats becomes apparent during the scene where Elyot and Amanda sit back-to-back on their respective balconies and slowly become aware of each other's presence--you cannot see either one of them or their priceless expressions! This is redeemed by the great advantage of being able to see Elyot's face when he turns his back to the audience and leans on the balcony, listening to Amanda. In this attitude, Elyot's face shows in perfect profile against a deeply shadowed background. Cuts to the heart. Then, when he turns his head slightly to look at Amanda, the light catches his eyes in such a way that they glow slightly, eerily. It is a vision that would sell a lot of photographs if it could be captured on film.

More play details. When Amanda cries, a tear drops from her eye a split second after she says the word, "dreadfully". Very touching. The singing is much better tonight--Elyot sings most of the way through and only speaks the introductory lines and few in the middle. He is in lovely voice. The fight scene is so vigorous that the trash can is thrown well clear of the curtain line and some of the trash ends up within inches of the edge of the stage. The couch Sybil spends the night on is looking more and more bedraggled--the seams have come open in a few places and it really does look as though slimy things have been crawling all over it. At the end of the play, we get a closer look at the papers that have been thrown from the trash can. It all appears to be sheet music, and on one piece there is enough of the title showing from the crumple to identify it as Someday I'll Find You. Talk about attention to detail.

Stage Door, Richard Rodgers Theatre, August 16.

There are many more people here tonight and the atmosphere is more nervy. My companion wishes to have her photo taken with Alan and we discuss the logistics. She wonders if she could also get a hug out of him, seeing how she will already be in such close proximity. "The most you can hope for is a sideways hug, you know," I tell her sagely. Yet she is game to try and wonders how she can bring it up without sounding starstruck (as if). I suggest she just say, "Well hug me sideways!" (a little levity for all you JK fans).

We see Rima tonight for the first time. Shortly after she gets into the Fred car, Alan and Lindsay emerge together. Photo op reaches a successful conclusion despite the usually incompetent photographer (me). Alan seems a bit more rushed than last night, but that is to be expected with the size of the crowd. Signing completed, the cars drive away and the crowd disperses. Just another night on 46th Street.

Final installment coming up: August 17.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 06:18:03 (PDT)

Hallo Mortianna Hat geklappt.Sende mir mal Deine Yahoo Adresse zu.
Anja <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
Germany - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 04:30:18 (PDT)

Ali-Pat and Toby - Thanks for the lovely descriptive accounts of New York. Brightened a dull (but sticky) English morning!
Sue
England - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 02:26:46 (PDT)

Hallo Mortiana Leider konnte ich Dir keine E-Mail schicken.Es geht nicht mit dem Übertragungssystem.Ich würde aber trotzdem gerne in Kontakt mit Dir treten.Sabine hat meine Adresse.Sie soll sie Dir geben.
Anja <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
Germany - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 01:04:56 (PDT)

gml - loved your definition of Thatcher. And of course we translate French into Latin and vice versa in German schools - what did you think?:-) After all, we have a renowned classical education *cough* - think Hans Gruber "when Aexander etc etc"... - we're all wearing these nice suits, too

thanks for the private lives reviews, ali-pat and toby. they were so nice.

i'm awaiting a gift of a fellow guestbooker who has promised me this much talked about movie dark harbor. you can all look forward to a really educated review of the thing - or run away:-)
mortianna
darn hot, germany, can it be worse in nyc? - Monday, August 19, 2002 at 00:27:36 (PDT)

Constance, 'Most unbiased' is my second name! (not!:) - Thanks for the continuing Private Lives reports, people, loved the direction-giving story. Very theatrical. There's a saying here (based on reality) that men never *ask* for directions (that would entail admitting they are lost), and I have personally noticed (as I travel a lot, get lost a lot and am always asking for directions) that men also *always* give you directions... even if they don't know where the place you're looking for is: they will send you anywhere rather than admit they don't know! :)) - Just thought I'd mention that, not that I think it was the case with Mr Rickman who is most un-macho and would probably admit to not having a clue (in fact the person who stopped him was probably asking where she could find Alan Rickman signing autographs and he pointed her to the theatre...;) Did he walk away markedly faster after the encouter? ;)

OT: Julia, I bought the 'Master Blackmailer' yesterday, OooOOh! (and aAawww!) (hope you got my last mail)

GML
UK - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 23:38:18 (PDT)

Ali-Pat and Toby: reading your accounts of meeting AR makes me want to giggle like a school-child. It certainly puts a smile on my face; can't be there in person, but I'll just have to live vicariously through you guys. Truly, thank you.

Granted, some of AR's works are difficult to locate just bec' they don't have the power (translated in Hollywood as money) of large studios behind it, but I for one am *dying* for a copy of CLOSE MY EYES. Alright, not quite that dramatic, but you get the gist. And obviously, I'm not the only one here, Eaten Ship.

So, scouring the net, site by site...

sinvids.net -----has 7 in stock at $11.99.

but I do have to place a disclaimer here and say I have never ordered from the co. nor have I *heard* of the co before, so if anyone ends up ordering, you're on your own. Sorry to sound so sharp, but I'm a bit wary of ordering from sites that I don't know of. Even from established co, problems arise once in a while (e.g. Amazon Marketplace-I've had 2 diff orders placed that, when I e-mailed the seller about the whereabouts of the product, received no answers... so the old adage...buyers be aware...

jody
CA USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 23:00:49 (PDT)

I had the wonderful opportunity to see “Private Lives” again Saturday night, 17Aug. What a wonderful way to spend an evening. The performance was chipper and lively. Elyot and Sybil totally overlooked the sequence about the yacht – but I bet they hit those lines on the nose Sunday afternoon. I was sitting in C15. The good news – it was close and on the left side of the theatre in front of him. The bad news – at the beginning of the second act, when he is lying on the couch and LD is lying on the floor, all I could see of him was the soles of his feet until he got up to get the brandy. It made me contemplate those of you who are so enamored of his feet – I can’t say that the feet were enough for me. The audience clapped on their entrances and laughed at all the right places. They got a standing ovation at the end. They do the same choreographed curtain call every night no matter how long and hard the audience claps.

The stage door was mobbed – lots of people. I couldn’t get close enough to LD to get my script of LLD signed – she did the front row of folks on both sides and then split for her car. Of course no one moved while she was signing because they were all waiting for you know who. When you know who came out, he was very cheery considering that he must have been exhausted after doing two consecutive shows. He was wearing a mustard yellow short-sleeved cotton shirt and well-used khaki pants. It was beastly hot and humid and he was soaking wet – as were all of us – in minutes. His town car was parked at the curb at the end of the gauntlet, purring away with its air conditioning on. For those of us near it, it was a radiating suffocating heat, increasing our discomfort. We whispered among us that maybe the driver could turn it off until AR was ready to go. I don’t know if the driver heard us, but he worked his way through the throng to AR. AR gave him his papers and his shoulder bag. The driver took them back to the car and drove away, much to our relief. AR continued to sign and pose and sign and smile and sign some more. His car never came back. The barricades were taken away and he was still signing for the last stragglers. Finally, when all were dealt with, he headed west on 46th Street, stretched his neck and shoulders, and clearly was walking home or wherever. I could just feel his thoughts, “Ohhhh, freedom until 3:00 tomorrow!”. Some fans followed him. I hope they just happened to be going that way, too, and were not tracking him. My friend and I went east to get to Broadway and Central Station.

He is so captivating – what an extraordinary person. I’m really going to miss him when he goes back to Europe, probably 2Sep …. if not the evening of 1Sep. Oh, you lucky Brits! I hope you French fans keep your eye on him while he’s filming “Love Actually”.
Toby
Newtown, CT US - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 22:11:39 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, Thanks for your touching account. I enjoyed reading it very much.

I am going this coming weekend and I hope to be able to get a moment with him as well. Thanks again for sharing.
Linda
NJ USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 20:35:18 (PDT)

Ooohh! Ali-pat, I am so jealous. He is so, so... aw jeez i dunno. Sweet? Yes. Sweet. I don't get to see PL and just reading all you ladies' stories I could almost die. You are a perfect writer. I enjoyed that very much.
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 19:27:20 (PDT)

i think alan is gorgeous..and all of his films are great! Can anyone tell me where i can find sum good wallpaper on the web of THE MAN...??thanx
rama
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 18:45:22 (PDT)

Warning--LOOOOOOOONG post ahead!

Private Lives, Richard Rodgers Theatre, Thursday, August 15, 2002

Should have known better, but still find myself surprised by how different the play feels from when I saw it in May. The first act starts out a bit richer than I remember, played more for meaning and with less staccato line delivery. Sybil now comes out and looks around a bit more from the balcony before she screeches out Ellie! Something hilarious happens when AR makes his entrance. When the audience applauds, as they always do, he looks out with a balefully raised eyebrow straight from potions class. This, of course, sets off a round of giggles in the audience. But he snaps back into character and stays there for the duration. The entire first act is lovely throughout.

Act II is different, too. Kind of nutsy at times, kind of hammy in places--but only in comparison to what I saw in May. Elyot speaks through most of the song instead of singing it. If Act II was hammy, Act III is downright zany (again--relative to earlier performances). Everybody, especially Lindsay, is playing the comedy much broader. I did not see so much of that "exquisite" behaviour Amanda promises she will deliver in Act II if Victor and Sybil show up. Elyot sticks out his tongue at Amanda (not a particularly edifying sight), which I also do not remember from May. Oh well, at least the produce does not end up in the laps of those sitting in the first row.

Stage Door, Richard Rodgers Theater, August 15, 2002

Since it is not a weekend night, there are not as many people hanging about--25 or so. This eventually dwindles to 16-18 owing to the wait and the heat. Adam and Emma come out and are thrilled to give autographs. I think many people simply miss asking them because they look so different out of makeup and costume that they are hard to recognize--Emma especially. She is so tiny and her hair is so unlike her stage wig, she actually looks like an adolescent.

Lindsay bounces out, full of fun as usual. She seems to get a kick out of talking to people and is always chatty and sweet. Alan appears shortly thereafter and is the most relaxed I have ever seen him at the stage door. This might be because the crowd is not so large and overwhelming, or he simply might be in a good mood. I have brought a copy of Big Night Out for him to sign, and as he takes it he says, "This is a first." Pride gushes through me at once. He goes on to explain to me that he and Beatie Edny (who authored the short story in the book for which AR contributed two drawings) appeared together on Broadway in Dangerous Liaisons. This is a lovely, lovely conversational opportunity which I immediately sabotage by going into full Hermione mode and saying "Yes, I knooooow."

Encounter over, I back off to allow others a chance (and to get those important last glimpses) and notice a woman standing all alone in what I have come to recognize as the "post-signing afterglow". She looks at me with eyes full of wonder and keeps saying, "so patient, so kind..." I felt compelled to stand by her and supply moral support.

There is an air of benign worship in the air and the watchful eye of the stage door manager is absent. Very relaxed scene and much love. This attracts the attention of two women who are simply walking down the street and they come over to see what is going on. These women are very small and childlike--might very well be developmentally disabled. The most astonishing exchange occurs when they walk up to Alan and ask him who he is. He very kindly takes them aside and says, "Did you see the film Harry Potter? I played Professor Snape." This elicits much oooooo-ing and delighted clapping of hands. (This was so touching, it still takes my breath as I remember it.)

Suddenly, the crowd is gone and so is the black "Fred" car that waits for Alan every evening at the stage door. But the car has left without its passenger. What follows is the other touching memory of the evening--the sight of Alan Rickman turning on his heel and simply striding down 46th Street, alone, and in that determined pace of his. On the way down the block, someone stops him and asks him directions and he provides them with much pointing and hand gestures. Then he regains his stride, turns the corner, and is gone. An Englishman in New York.

Next--August 16.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 18:36:44 (PDT)

I just wanted everyone to know that I had a wonderful birthday today; I spent the afternoon at Private Lives (I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my birthday). My sister and I sat first row and AR was just a few feet away. He missed a line or two, but it didn't matter a bit. The audience and I loved it! I consider myself very lucky since I live in Manhattan I have gone to see PL four times already, and once more for the final performance. I'm not sure I'll ever be so lucky again to see AR so often during a run of a play. I'm waiting for the Conan O'Brien interview to complete its download (only 24% complete so far).
Ellen
New York, NY, - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 18:20:04 (PDT)

Please! If anybody can see this post please tell me so!
Brit <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 18:16:35 (PDT)

Oh GML: Thank You for your most un-biast, fair-handed and apolitical take on the Thatcher admistration! LOL ;~)
Constance
Cary, NC USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 17:17:42 (PDT)

Hiya Gang! Just got back from NYC and will post my stage door anecdotes as soon as I take out the trash and sort out the mail. Oops--better sort out the mail and THEN take out the trash.

Anyway having read through a few posts from when I was away I feel this news flash is appropriate: EVERY THEATER SHOP I WENT TO IN NYC IS SOLD OUT OF THE PL POSTER. This includes Broadway New York at the Marriott, the shop in Schubert Alley, Theatre Circle, and all affiliated shops.

Great to hear they sold so well, but I'm very sad for those who want them now.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 16:29:29 (PDT)

Where can I get a copy of Close My Eyes?
Eaten Ship
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 16:16:37 (PDT)

To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other.

All this talk about politics...
Poetic Mask
It was a self signed and stamped envelope. I am obsessed but I only go so far. Aren't we all obsessed??lol, - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 16:16:21 (PDT)

GML
Thank you so much for the politics explaination about Maragret Thatcher. I can just picture AR zooming from a chair to turn off his television set as MT comes on. LOL

Marialis
I just didn't know who Thatcher was because I never look into Brit. politics. I am from the States so I never heard anything on the news or anything.

Claudia and Bev
I have to agree with you guys about the westerns. I can't stand them. I have not seen QDU. If AR wasn't in it then I would never look twice at it. I do want to see it though.
Jasmine
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 16:00:50 (PDT)

P.S. sorry for rearranging the letters in your anagram! Eaten Ship is the coolest name ever! (Although, I still can't get over the A CARNAL MINK, and I don't think i ever will) I, on the other hand, got nothing cool that I can yet discern! (Whew! brushes hair out of eyes in an adorable immitation of a quidditch/fire/wind flustered Potion master...)
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 15:46:02 (PDT)

PAL can be found at ebay.co.uk up for bid. Right now it is at 26.50 EAAAUHHHH!! I don't have a cute little pound symbol! Anyhow, pounds. It's not at amazon.co.uk :-( but in whatever other format there is (wtcs or some other non cute initialls that do not make a little word that reminds me of my kindergarten buddies!) one at amazon.com that you can buy for $39.95~used and 44.95~collectible! on ebay.com there are bids going as low as i think $12.something! I'm sure there are many other places. I can look some more if you want. I, myself am desperately searching for a copy!! Thinking about going and checking a local 'buy, sale, and trade' book store.
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 15:37:01 (PDT)

Which format Stephanie?
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 15:22:21 (PDT)

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of Close My Eyes?

Danke : )
Eaten Ship
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 15:09:37 (PDT)

Warning: (possible) spoiler, "Sense and Sensibility" Having read the FAQs and Austin's novel (I am NOT a Jane Austin fan, just a Rickmaniac) I can answer the question of why Marianne preferred Willoughby: He was passionate. Remember the line, "Marianne doesn't approve of hiding her emotions"? It applied to everyone else's emotions, too . . . she found the Colonel too reserved. She felt she had a great deal more in common with Willoughby than Colonel Brandon. After all, Willoughby (the rat) carried Shakespeare's Sonnets around with him!
Laura <oranaiche@aol.comfoo>
Greeley, CO USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 14:57:52 (PDT)

Oh - Thank you, Brit!! Here I go . . . .
Rhea
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 14:41:34 (PDT)

If you scroll down to Friday August 2 09:03:05 You'll find it where Suzanne posted it!
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 14:21:42 (PDT)

Hi everyone, I'm sure this has been posted before, so sorry - but is there a link somewhere to see a viewing of the Conan O'Brien interview?? Thank you!
Rhea <rheaaz@mindspring.comfoo>
AZ USA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 13:59:24 (PDT)

I love this site!!
gloria
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 13:24:11 (PDT)

Lisa, the floods in Central Europe are one of the main news stories in the UK at the moment. It is dreadful what damage has been done. I have visited Austria and Germany and I did not recognise Salzburg from the recent TV footage. I did not realise they were holding a benefit though. I hope it does well and I'm sure it will.

Half-way through Close My Eyes at the moment, and am thoroughly enjoying it. I like Sinclair!! (I know, I'm a Rickmaniac so I'm bound to like Sinclair!), but what I mean is I think the character's quite nice! Clive Owen is of course lovely too, but I'd pick Sinclair over Richard any day! ;-)
Catherine - off to Nottingham for a few days, back here on Friday!
Reading, England - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 13:22:33 (PDT)

Did anybody hear about the flood-catastrophe in Bavaria, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Austria and Czech Republic? Today is a live charity-show for the victims... the pictures are awfull and I feel helpless...
Lisa
Bavaria, - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 12:34:02 (PDT)

Hey! I was just looking through the television guide that I got this morning. Guess what I found. Anyone who gets the channel WTBS and also wants to see AR on TV in his only 'Western' role (and who wouldn't, honestly!) they are showing "Quigley Down Under" at 8 pm (7, central) this Friday night. Unfortunately, I don't know if anywhere outside the U.S. gets this channel, but somehow I doubt it. I don't own this film, but even if I did I'd still watch him on the TV :-)!!
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 12:21:55 (PDT)

I found this on a Dogma site ...Talks about Alan...i thought it was worth reading CELESTIAL BEINGS OF HEAVEN AND HELL In DOGMA, new characters often emerge from a puff of mysterious smoke or simply fall splat out of the sky. The first celestial being Bethany meets - most unexpectedly -- bursts out of the ether and into her apartment, sporting prodigious wings and a savage wit. This is Metatron, a Seraphim, one of the highest choirs of angels in the celestial hierarchy. He is vastly knowledgeable, in possession of potent supernatural powers and, like all angels, as neuter as a Barbie doll. Metatron's job is to be the Voice of God. English actor Alan Rickman brings to the role of Metatron a world-weary, self-possessed quality that is at once powerful and comical. States Kevin Smith: "The Voice of God has to be British; it's that simple." Smith continues: "Alan Rickman is the class of this movie and he brings to it an air of authenticity. It's also comical to have him opposite Jason Mewes- a Shakespearean trained actor of the highest order next to a dude from New Jersey. And he was a real sport to wear those 100 pound wings." Rickman was drawn to the movie because he found it "highly crafted, highly intelligent and terribly funny, with the humor putting the seriousness of the themes into perspective." "It's a script that makes great technical demands on an actor because there is a real beat to the line," says Rickman, "and Kevin can hear it. That's what comedy is about: the rhythm of the writing." He describes Metatron as "the sort of production manager for God, if you like." From the start, Rickman saw his character as a visual riff on the megalithic rock stars of the 80s with big hair and a slick, shiny suit - someone with a lot of self-importance and the audience to support it. "I remember talking to Kevin on the phone in America and asking if I could have a shiny suit somewhere in the film," recalls Rickman. "The suit became very important to the character." But spiritually, Rickman's Metatron is miles beyond humans and even many of his own kind. "Metatron is the ring master who treats the others like the naughty children they are," notes Rickman. "He merely wants to sort it all out and get back home to a cloud."
Bev
GA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 08:27:08 (PDT)

Ohhh Sue--the "wickeder" (snicker...is that a word?) the better in my book! (evil giggle)

Ha! I just HAVE to clarify my age here...LOL The Gunsmoke (thanks for reminding me its one word!) years I remember are mid-60s through the 70s. I don't remember Chester but Festus was a hoot! I always thought Miss Kitty was so pretty and Dillon was a fool not to marry her! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 07:49:02 (PDT)

Hey Claudia - I was brought up on Gunsmoke in the 50s and 60s. I loved Matt Dillon (the original!!) Miss Kitty and Chester LOL!!Mind you we didn't get a lot of Westerns in Britain.(Oh mustn't forget my crush on Rowdy Yates!!)
Marialis - you are right about QDU I have only seen it once but those legs do seem extra long!!! (Oh no!! I am not going down the height road again!!;)) And he is very wicked.
sue
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 07:36:25 (PDT)

Giggle.....Marialis! My quick draw style HAS to come from all those years of "Gun Smoke"! LOL

Back to topic--he is indeed one sexy rancher in QDU. Love the mustache and cute chin hair thing he has going in that one! tee hee
Claudia
GA US - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 07:34:15 (PDT)

Claudia ! You're faster than I!
Marialis
France - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 06:50:48 (PDT)

QDU is a western, yes ! And I like it. Not a masterpiece but... nice. And Alan Rickman in a white shirt, black trousers and long boots... well his legs seem still longer... he's very sexy. So if you have to see one western it's this one : word of rickmaniac. But as a fan of western, this one is far to be the best I've ever seen !
Marialis
France - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 06:49:11 (PDT)

Yes, Bev, QDU is considered a western and I am with you...I would have never watched ot if it hadn't been for The Man. I think my diversion of westerns stems from my Dad's insistence in watching "Gun Smoke" every Monday night in a home with only one TV! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 06:48:52 (PDT)

Do not forget in the O'Brien interview he also said he hated westerns. Now that is something we have in common I really hate them...Would QDU be considered a western?...Well I would not even half way like that movie if AR was not in it
Bev
GA - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 05:35:16 (PDT)

Catherine - He's funny too when he told about the driving licence !
Marialis
yes me again !, France - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 05:33:30 (PDT)

GML : je n'ai pas vu Le Roi danse. Tu me diras ce que tu en as pensé !
Marialis
France - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 05:30:46 (PDT)

Linda Thankyou...Now my little trivial driven madness can finally be put to rest ;)
X spice girl
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 05:29:52 (PDT)

OMG (now that I know what it means I can use it ! Thanks Magda !) ! Jasmine, when you asked who was Margaret Thatcher... you made me feel so old !
Marialis
France - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 05:26:03 (PDT)

Reminder - "Joust Like Woman" episode at 5pm on Sky One this evening.
Sue
- Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 04:20:26 (PDT)

O.T.--GML, I have never been heavily into politics (American or any other) so I really appreciate your explanation. On a sicker note....I would much rather see Blair on TV than Thatcher any day! Giggle

On the "trekky" front. The only sci-fi I could ever get the least bit interested in was "Lost in Space" and I think it was the robot that did the trick for me....of course I was only a wee thing back then too....LOL
Claudia
GA US - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 04:15:00 (PDT)

Who's Thatcher? Well, I remember the day when she had to leave power over 10 years ago. I remember the hysteria and the shouts of delights of the neighbourhood, and as the resident foreigner, I was invited to share in the celebrations. I wouldn't dream of claiming knowledge of Mr Rickman's precise political views of course, and he rarely goes into details himself in public as far as I can tell, but he has been described as a socialist. To oversimplify, socialists (at least the moderate Western European kind) are in favour of sharing the spoils of the country's market economy with the working classes, artists, academics, etc, ensuring that these are paid enough to live on in exchange for their very necessary hard work and benefit from accessible healthcare etc. Conservatives (or Tories) are more into privatizing everything and making sure that their own little friends make as much cash as possible by exploiting the poorly qualified and over-qualified intellectual scum to the limit. Well, as I said, this is oversimplified, the political scene is changing all the time, many of the present labour (a word which used to stand for socialism here) government's policies are in fact very conservative and the traditional tory party is adapting to the situation by modernising their own policies - but Thatcher was a good example of the more mindless approach, and she did a great job at bullying half the country into believing she was the saviour. Amazing how even educated people will blindly believe and follow anybody who shouts loud enough. I too always found it hard to listen to her on TV - you just wanted to, er... change the channel indeed. Except I didn't rush to the TV to do it, I used a remote control (see, this artists really are poor;). Anyway, enough politics: just my take, in lieu of an vaguely on topic explanation of the Star Trek comment for non-UK residents. Incidentally, I used to *like* Star Trek, before I got a bit tired of it (how many millions of episodes can one watch?) and I'm sure Mr Rickman would too, if he had watched it long enough to forget about the sci-fi vehicle and hear the message.

Talking non-UK residents, Mortianna, you had to translate latin into French in your (presumably German) school? Wow. Marialis, the film on Louis XIV I was talking about is only coming to my town now, but apparently was released in France two years ago and is called (I checked) 'Le Roi Danse' ('the King is Dancing') and focuses on how the young Louis XIV acquired confidence through dansing, Lully's music etc, but maybe you have seen it.

Right... back to work for me, and counting the decades till retirement... ;)
GML
UK - Sunday, August 18, 2002 at 02:28:45 (PDT)

Jasmine
What does AR have against Thatcher? Well, it's kind of like "What does the NAACP have against the GOP."
*shrug*
It's politics. He's politically liberal, she's politically conservative. Ideologically, they're opposed.

Poetic Mask
Did you send him an SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope)? Writing back to the thousands of fans can get expensive. He's not *wealthy* after the British tax system gets done with his income, you know.... He might also be a bit leery of someone who's written times. John Lennon got killed in NYC by an obsessive fan, you know. AR can't read your mind, to know that you're safely ;) obsessing about him. But I'm sure that crosses the minds of famous Brits when they visit the City....
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 23:41:43 (PDT)

This is like bringing coals to Newcastle: but AR has the most amazing sexy voice and personna. I am almost ashamed to admit how many times I just play the video of SENSE AND SENSIBLILITY in the background as as I do my appointed chores...my kids are starting to question me about my obsession!!
Suzanne <SzieQ@aol.comfoo>
Los Angeles, - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 22:55:18 (PDT)

Cinderella,
There is no fairy godmother,
the singing mouses are all in your head,
the white carriage is horseless,
the glass slippers are cracked,
and your prince died a long time ago.

Your Common Sense
Poetic Mask
I have sent AR 7 letters. No reply. :-(, - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 20:43:27 (PDT)

Does**
Jasmine
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 20:26:11 (PDT)

What doe AR have against Thatcher??
Jasmine
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 20:09:24 (PDT)

Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Britain. (I believe she's Dame Margaret now, having become a Life Peer. UK residents, please correct me if I'm wrong!)

Star Trek.... I wonder, does AR just loathe Star Trek or is it all science fiction? (Galaxy Quest, he said in interviews, is a movie he thinks is "about actors," not about science fiction.)
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 19:49:29 (PDT)

Who is Thatcher?? I also think that Star Trek is the most boring show on television(We have so much in common).

Star Trek and Thatcher were the two things that would send him flying to the television set to turn it off LOL. That sounds so funny. Did he actually say that?!? Now I have an excuse to rewatch(for the 100000 time)at the O'Brien interview.
Jasmine
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 18:44:28 (PDT)

Hi X Spice Girl, in regards to AABA I think that the woman tells P. L. that Stella's hair color is tedious. I am not sure but thats what it sounds like to me. Can someone help me out with it.
Linda
NJ USA - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 18:41:24 (PDT)

Some what off topic. In AABA When P.L makes a comment about Stella's hair at the party the woman he his talking to says yes is it not ______ .I can not remember what she said about it .it is just a little trivial thing that is driving me crazy
X spice girl
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 18:21:01 (PDT)

Hi everybody
Not posted here for a while but I have of course been keeping up with all that's been going on! Love the anagram site - but how come you lot all get better anagrams than me?!?! I get nothing worth repeating at all really; I blame excessive vowels myself!!

Thanks to a fellow GB-er, I now have my very own copy of the Close My Eyes video!! Not watched it yet but I will do so soon, and will post my thoughts about it when I get chance!!

The Conan O'Brien one has to be a fave AR interview moment of mine because I just laugh each time I think about the way he describes his reactions in the earthquake. Probably not at all an amusing situation to be in but he's turned it into such a good story.

P.S. - love the multitude of languages that are happening on the GB at the moment! It's great that I seem to be remembering much more French and German from my school days than I thought I could! :-)
Catherine - too hot, too hot!
Reading, England - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 15:37:42 (PDT)

Marialis: OMG! = Oh my God! = Mon Dieu!

Hope that helps.
Magda
Canada - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 13:16:38 (PDT)

Brit, As much as I'd like to take credit for something that is apparently hilarious, I'm afraid I don't know about the pic you are talking about:(. It must have been another guestbooker. But if its that good, i'd like to see it too!
nanc
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 11:25:15 (PDT)

this site rocks!!!
gloria
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 11:24:18 (PDT)

Lisa, if you want to have more information about me, you can e-mail me : marialisse@tiscali.fr
Marialis
France - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 09:09:57 (PDT)

What means OMG ?

Oh Claudia, I'm not sure a TMD themed wedding would be a good idea. This is my favourite movie too but... the bride would love two men... if you want to be accurate to the movie, "Jamie" would accompagny the bride to the altar and then she would marry another one... But I'd like to be present in this sort of wedding... because Jamie would be free ! And I could do everything to make him forget his Nina ! BTW I find Mickael Maloney (Not sure of the spelling) very charming too.
Marialis
France - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 09:07:14 (PDT)

OMG--A Star Trek themed wedding!!! Now I have heard of EVERYTHING!!! But hey....a TMD themed wedding might make sense! LOL The bride in a silk robe. The groom in silk jammies with pale makeup. The bride could come down the aisle to the tune of Bach's Cello Sonata in G Minor. The couple could do a duet of "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" at the reception. OK....I know...I'm am rambling on here. But with the recent deadline I have made at work....I feel FREE....YEAH!

Giggle...the French comic is absolutely right!
Claudia
GA US - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 08:30:16 (PDT)

About the height... a french comic artist said once that the right height is when feet touch the floor...
Marialis
France - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 07:47:54 (PDT)

Oh Claudia... my error is funny isn't it ?

I'm like him. Star Trek bore me( I know we're meant for each other... All these long evenings we could spend together without waatching at Star Trek on TV !) though my best friends are huge fans ! One of them married two years ago on the theme of Star Trek ! In the costume of Star Trek, with the music... and every tables for dinner had the name of a Star Trek character... It was very funny !
Marialis
France - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 07:41:17 (PDT)

ATTN: American viewers with the WE channel. ALERT!!! "Truly Madly Deeply" at 4:30 pm EST....commercial free--excellent recording opportunity. This is my absolute favorite AR movie. I know today's viewing will be the millionth time for me.

Funny...I have TMD in both VHS and DVD but I still get all excited and go out of my way when it is broadcast (along with other AR masterpieces)! LOL

OT WE has some very good programming going on today. "This is the Sea" and "Only When I Laugh" (yes old....but still one of my favorites!) this afternoon. Then tonight...."The Big Chill"...another old one but still a good one. The music alone is enough to make me feel good!
Claudia
GA US - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 07:16:29 (PDT)

Thank you, Marialis, I found Suzanne´s link. Thank you, Suzanne, too. It was so funny to hear himself telling these stories.
Lisa
Bavaria, - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 07:05:27 (PDT)

Oh OK, Marialis. I'm sorry I didn't understand your question.

Thatcher didn't prevent The Man from watching Star Trek. O'Brien asked AR if he ever watched Star Trek and AR responded that Star Trek and Thatcher were the two things that would send him flying to the television set to turn off. In other words, watching Star Trek is as uncomfortable for him to watch as watching Thatcher. Does that help?
Claudia
GA US - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 06:17:45 (PDT)

Thank you Lisa and Claudia. I didn’t know the word “earthquake”, so I didn’t recognize it when it had been said. Because Alan actually use to speak so slowly and so clearly… it’s quite easy to understand him. I must say that O’Brien has got also a good diction. This interview is much more easy to understand for a foreigner than the View…

Lisa, I can’t reach the document you told me about. Maybe I would have to search for it on the Tripod Page but I don’t know how… Can you help me again please ? If you want to see the O’Brien Interview, Suzanne (we all love you Suzanne, you know that ?) made a link on Friday, August 2nd at 9 :03:05. Enjoy ! He’s so funny and so charming !

Claudia, could you be more precise : I knew already about their differences of political opinions but I don’t understand why Mrs Thatcher prevented him from watching Star Trek ?!
Marialis
France - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 05:46:29 (PDT)

Playing with Alan photos, I realized how to account for at least one inch of the height variance folks have noted. In a lot of pics, he's wearing heavy, thick-soled, bully boy boots. That would add a least an inch compared to other photos, say post-play, when I understand he's often wearing sneakers. (Now realizing I know *way* too much detail about how he dresses. You'd think I'd know whether he double knots his laces. LOL.)
Cyndi
- Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 05:05:46 (PDT)

Well....DUH! Sorry again. Its Oops....not Opps! ROFL!
Claudia
GA US - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 03:33:53 (PDT)

Opps...sorry. The Thatcher answer was to question number 2
Claudia
GA US - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 03:32:48 (PDT)

Marialis--Thanks for giving me a good reason for reveiwing that interview again. I'll try to answer your questions.

1-The Man was referring to something that happened earlier in the show. I didn't see the whole show but apparently, someone sat on someone else's knee earlier and he was relieved that he wasn't going to have to do it too.

His problem with M. Thatcher is politically based. The Man is Labour and Thatcher is Tory. (Brits, please help me out if I am wrong on the party names)

3-An earthquake in LA (which he was located at the time) is what spurred his awakening at 4 in the morning. LOL....I won't bore you with my dirty thoughts here!

Now since I am in the reviewing mood...I think I will watch The View interview (my favorite and thanks for the millionth time, Suzanne)...but after I brush my teeth "Come one now down from the top and up from the bottom"! LOL

Oh and Suze, NY....I love your post on our height being the right size!
Claudia
GA US - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 03:31:45 (PDT)

One of you asked for the story of "Closet Land": http://comnet.org/PNetwork/closet.html and a german theater group: http://www.puk.de/arabesque/cl_bilder.html But I can´t find the printed story... Perhaps you use www.google.com? Now, I will go outside, sitting in the sun and enjoying it. ;-))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 03:19:03 (PDT)

Hi Marialis, our american members will sleep now. ;-)) So, I try to answer: http://members.tripod.com/~DailyTelegiraffe/rickmangalaxyque st.html Here you can read it again. He told, there was an earthquake. And these things seem to happen always at night... You wrote, you listen to the interview? Could you give me the link, please? From which part of France do you come? Bye
Lisa
Bavaria, - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 01:54:44 (PDT)

Hello friends ! This morning I’ve taken some times to listen carefully at the O’Brien interview but I don’t understand everything… I’m sure you could help me. Here are my questions :

- Why does he say that he is relieved at the beginning of the interview ?

- I understand he had never seen Star Trek… but I don’t understand the problem with Margaret Thatcher…

- I understand quite everything when he told about awaking at 4 o’clock in the morning… but I don’t understand why he has to wake up so early… and is it when he is in England or when he is in the USA ?

This interview is great too. I love it ! And … what a man…(sigh)… Oh pleaaaase I would like to have the same at home !
Marialis
France - Saturday, August 17, 2002 at 01:35:41 (PDT)

I'm getting a chuckle out of reading these comments. How does a woman 5'5" and a woman 5"8" come up with such completely different accessments of AR's height?
Suzanne <SzieQ@aol.comfoo>
Los Angeles, - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 22:56:52 (PDT)

Well, if I use my full name (Patricia)I get

A CHARISMATIC PUN or

A Anarchistic Ump

Trisha
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 20:36:58 (PDT)

hey hey hey to all my fellow rickmaniacs!!!!..hehe:)....anywho i was just thinkin if the search for JG had found a distributor yet cuz i heard it received really great reviews
andrea
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 19:28:20 (PDT)

Thanx for the clarification, Suze. My mistake.
Jasmine
Oops..., - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 19:04:31 (PDT)

The first 2 I came across that I liked:
A MAD PESO JINN
A DAMN JOE SPIN
Some of Alan's:
A CARNAL MINK
A LACK MAN RIN
Did anyone notice that the word "man" is frequently in his anagrams?Ohh...I am melting.
Jasmine
No patience to read them all!, - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 19:00:32 (PDT)

Actually, Jasmine, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is just for us poor, benighted Yanks lacking in a classical education. The proper title, as J.K. Rowlings wrote it in British English is "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone".
The philosopher's stone was the item sought by would-be alchemists, because it held the secret for transmuting base metal into gold, thereby making said alchemist wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice.
Suze
NY - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 18:55:54 (PDT)

Amanda- It Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, not Philosopher's Stone.

What are all these names for? Did I miss something??

Rima and Alan having children--In the interviews it does seem that AR hints that Rima doesn't want children, but he does. It really isn't our place to ask why not, but we all want to know. Talking about it really wont get to an answer, so it is probably a waste of time. So, I will stop...

"Shrimp Club Member"...that is sooo me.LOL
Jasmine
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 18:47:05 (PDT)

I don't know what to say
Mariana Fares <corujinha_3@hotnail.comfoo>
Curitiba, PR Brazil - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 18:46:38 (PDT)

I am sorry but yet another anagram, (loved that site), mine came out to: a lady fine - I think I'll keep it ** LOL **
Linda
NJ USA - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 18:33:14 (PDT)

I'm still laughing, this is so hilarious! Here's some winning anagrams for my name: Tamara Renee MEAN AR EATER and ENEMA AT REAR hahaha
Tami
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 16:49:31 (PDT)

When I used my maiden name, I got SAVAGERS SUN and GAVE ASS URNS - I have to admit, this is worth a chuckle or two!
Suze
NY - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 16:18:59 (PDT)

I dunno, E.S. When I used my married name, I got DARN FENCE INJUN, which isn't very nice, but I also got DANCER JUNE FINN, which isn't so bad. But my favorite came from my maiden name: ENFORCER JENNY I! I like that one!
Jen
MD USA - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 16:09:12 (PDT)

I'm sorry to plague all of you with the anagram-machine. I'll never do it again... : ( It seems that everyone got a bad result I got - SENATE HIP
Eaten Ship
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 15:42:29 (PDT)

Nobody tell Alicia Snape wears a WIG !!

Claire
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 15:09:13 (PDT)

OH NO!!!! This is awful!!! One of my anagrams was "A awakes cursing! *sob* Hopefully doesn't mean "AR!
Suze
NY - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 15:00:26 (PDT)

Double deleted.
Suz (D.o.C.)

Oops, sorry for the double post!
Tami
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 13:56:40 (PDT)

Off topic...I did that word thing and my name Beverly whicker turned in to HEBREW LICK VERY
Bev <beverlydiane515@yahoo.comfoo>
GA USA - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 13:51:23 (PDT)

Not necessarily. If you love a person and are committed to them and they don't want or can't have children, then you have to accept it or move on. And I don't think any of us would accuse Alan of being "pushed around" by anyone. I only meant that the interviewer was a bit insensitive, but that's par for the course in journalism.
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 12:59:01 (PDT)

Further more...if he had wanted children bad enough, he would have found a way to have them. Whether it be through Ms Horton, adoption, or whatever means are avaiable.
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 12:29:18 (PDT)

Anytime a question is asked of The Man...he has the choice to answer or not. He is a pretty strong willed person and I doubt he would ever allow himself to be pushed around by anyone much less a journalist.
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 12:26:19 (PDT)

Well, if Ms. Horton have had children, she would have had to say goodbye to her career. I´m not sure how the system works in Great Britain, but if you have children in Germany, you can forget a big career as woman! I know that, it´s a job-trap. Well, they will have discussed the children-question out, I´m sure... that´s life, you must make decissions and live with that... But journalist shouldn´t be to curious with a person, just because he is a celebrity. He needn´t answer to questions, you wouldn´t dare to ask another foreign person... poor Mr. Rickman, he must fed up with that sometimes and he is always so patient and friendly... Sorry, for my weird english...
Lisa
Bavaria, - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 11:59:24 (PDT)

Pat, I agree with you. Asking those questions was way out of line. I got the impression from an interview that Alan doesn't have children because of Rima, but we don't know that for sure. I have seen that he is wonderful with children, you can see his eyes light up and the playfulness in his smile when they are near him. I think it's sad that he doesn't have any of his own, but with his busy schedule, maybe it's for the best. Likewise, my brother-in-law is married to a wonderful woman and is the pastor of his own church. Kids adore him and he's terrific with them, but he can't have any of his own. It's an ironic twist of fate. So anyway, I think that interviewer was very insensitive to ask such a personal and potentially painful question of Alan.
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 11:23:56 (PDT)

Ellen, RH's pictures used to updated every year or so, so I would imagine that particular picture is fairly current.
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 10:38:40 (PDT)

I have just checked the link for Ms. Horton at her university. I'm very impressed with Alan Rickman for being involved with such a smart lady! Does anyone know whether the picture of Ms. Horton is current?
Ellen
New York, - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 10:16:12 (PDT)

I am totally in love with Alan Rickman..especially when he stars as Professer Snape in the movie Harry Potter..he is so dreamy when his hair is shoulder lenght and dyed black..he takes my breath away!!:)
Alicia
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 09:27:45 (PDT)

Thanks, Mesmer's Patient. GAWD....what I wouldn't give to be able to retire...I will probably have to work to the grave! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 09:17:39 (PDT)

Link to Ms. Horton's Retirement Info: link
Mesmer's Patient
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 08:57:40 (PDT)

Way to go Ms Horton!

I'm not trying to be a smarta** or anything, Liz, but would you mind sharing where you got this piece of fabulous news? Thanks.
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 08:38:41 (PDT)

Bit of OT trivia - Lily, I wouldn't worry about Rima flying back and forth across the Atlantic - she's got plenty of time now she's retired.
Liz
Newcastleish, - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 08:27:57 (PDT)

(tee hee)....Sue, England. I don't really care how tall The Man is.....he'd rock my world even if he were an inch tall!
Claudia
GA US - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 07:10:55 (PDT)

Arghh!!! MONDAY 19th August!!!
Sue <bittoowarmheretoday.comfoo>
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 07:04:06 (PDT)

I meant Monday 10th August!!!
Sue
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 07:02:59 (PDT)

Just in case you haven't cast your vote yet, the Whatsonstage Poll appears to have been extended till next Monday 9 (or maybe I got the date wrong in the first place)AR currently lies in1st place with 19% of the vote, Kevin Spacey has 16% and ian McKellan 11%.

What IS it with this height thing anyway!!!??Why do you all need to know how tall he is!!??
Sue <happywithmyheight.comfoo>
England - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 07:02:02 (PDT)

I'd just like to say that your webpage is cool. Alan Rickman is a wicked actor, not to mention he has to be the sexiest man alive!! In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, he portrays Severus Snape brilliantly and just as I imagined he would be when I read the book, although Professor Snape acquired more than a little sex appeal when Alan Rickman stepped in to fill his shoes! Keep up the great work and keep admiring Alan cos he's the best! Amanda from Scotland xx
amanda
Scotland - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 06:41:22 (PDT)

Thanks Anne for that anagram site, it was so funny looking at all of the different choices.
Linda
NJ USA - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 05:52:52 (PDT)

Maralis- I know what you mean. I think that there is a bit of all of Alan's characters in him. (I am questioning George, though...lol. Who knows, he could have a "sexually varocious side" lol)

Cyndi- Why didn't I see it before?! Of course he rules the world! The height issue is definitly settled.Wait! Nevermind. It is not settle. I just saw the latest pic posted by Cyndi. HE is 1 foot and a half.
Has anyone tried asking him? "Can you sign this, and by the way, how tall are you?"
Jasmine
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 05:06:56 (PDT)

If at first you don't succeed ... Wordsmith/Anagram
Anne/Manhattan
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 04:59:44 (PDT)

Well, I screwed that up. Give me a minute ...
Anne/Manhattan
- Friday, August 16, 2002 at 04:55:21 (PDT)

Inspired by "Eaten Ship," I Googled "anagram" and found a fabulous site that will make one up for you from any word(s) you give it, in English, German, Spanish, French or Italian: Wordsmith/Anagram. Not to belabor the bestiality theme, but among its offerings for "Alan Rickman" was "A Carnal Mink."
Anne/Manhattan
a/k/a A Yelling Hun, - Friday, August 16, 2002 at 04:52:48 (PDT)

Oh Gretchen, I was just *so* content w/ finally settling the height issue (consesus was 6'-6'1"), and then...*sob* I guess I will just *have* to book myself a ticket to NY and see him in person and settle it. LOL, but I do agree w/ you that he does seem to have a large frame.

To Brit M: I've ordered stuff from django numerous times, and have never had problem w/ either the products or any privacy issues, so I wouldn't worry.

Anyone out there need a copy of HP, try your nearest Blockbuster stores; got one today for $7.99 on VHS. DVD was $12.99, I think. Need a copy of either Dogma or S&S, try Target-$6.44 on VHS. Alright, enough ads for the day. BTW, anyone interested in asking AR for his height, (yet again, I'm sure he've answered that numerous times)*please*??
jody
CA USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 22:55:36 (PDT)

Ok... Standing Room Only is only a 15 minute SILENT film - where and how is that going to be distriubuted?! Is this going to be a filler at select film festivals? Will we see it on avant garde television stations? Will it be shown as a broadband movie on the Internet? Depressing - what will clearly become another hard to see, hard to find production with AR in it...
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 21:19:46 (PDT)

Brit, I always have had good luck with Djangos. I am on thier mailing list as well. no credit card problems to date. I am so glad you found the movies of AR...hooray!!
Juliana
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 21:00:31 (PDT)

Thanks to Sue for giving the link to the Guardian interview (and for reminding me to take it with a grain of salt). There was a lot of personal info in there--too much if you ask me. Before reading it I thought the journalist had a lot of nerve asking about "sexual voraciousness" and then come to find out she also asked why he didn't have children. Unbelievable. I had wondered about this myself after seeing AR at the Stage Door. There was a boy there of about 11 years or so. AR was so animated and happy talking to him that it was obvious that he loves children. I thought, "I wonder why he never had any?" If you think about it, there are basically two sets of possible reasons: (a) you/your partner doesn't want children or (b) you/your partner can't have children--both of which are INCREDIBLY personal. I think that she really crossed the line with this question.
Pat
CO USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 20:54:49 (PDT)

See, there you go, when you learn a word or phrase only from reading it in used context, you get quirky definitions (like mine). Spatulas and women dropping like flies.

I don't know if this matters anymore, but Spoiler for "Dark Harbor" in next paragraph.

AR (David) towers over everyone at Alexis' funeral in "Dark Harbor" but I think we read recently that the woman who played Alexis' mother was very, very short. (I've gone back to reading archives so maybe I'm confused about whether we got information about that actress this summer or some other summer!) It seemed to me that other mourners at the funeral were cast to emphasize David's height. I know it is the image of AR in that movie which convinced me he was exceptionally tall. If anyone has a plot-related explanation for the height-thing at DH funeral, tell it now--please! (Belated thanks to someone here for explaining the self-induced bout with poison ivy: David endured it to keep his distance from Alexis. I thought the poison ivy infection and the scrubbed raw skin were there to contribute to the aura of S&M in the movie but didn't really make sense, to me, in terms of the action.)

Regarding Marialis comments about the alchemy of acting, I'd bet serious money (but this is a "guest"book not a book-making operation so no bets) that AR/Jamie's comments in "Truly, Madly, Deeply" about his still attending political meetings and hating the government beyond the grave, which send Nina into gales of laughter, are really, really Rickman. I'd wager this scene is flat-out, undisguised Alan Rickman. (Okay, I admit, it's one of the traits that I admire and like most about AR, but had no idea of when Rickmanitis hit me. H*LL, if he was a right-winger in real life, I'd have put him in the dustbin of history and be getting some sleep by now!) The other moment in a role that I think was pure Alan Rickman, and someone else has mentioned it in the GB recently, is the genuine smile of pleasure he gives the children dressed as the dragon sneaking up on the Clive Owen character in "Close My Eyes." I'm pretty convinced that AR was himself, maybe not even acting, at that moment. IMHO, those are the only 2 times, in the films which I've seen, when I've been convinced that I'm hearing AR's own voice and watching his personal response.

As a 5 ft. Yank, I think you 5 ft. 3-inchers are members of the Prawn Club.
Lily (truly a Shrimp) <LilyChicagofoo>
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 20:05:49 (PDT)

A BIG THANKS goes out to everyone who helped me find 'Closet Land', 'Close My Eyes', and 'Mesmer'! And extra special thanks to Rhea and Juliana for suggesting www.buy.com and www.djangos.com, respectively (both places which I had never before heard of); these are where I found Closet Land and Close My Eyes, also respectively. I have a question for Juliana though. When you used djangos.com did you have any trouble, what with giving out your credit card number? No trouble from them? For some odd reason I get a funny feeling about that site... Great prices though on both films! I think one place however, had a copy of Close My Eyes for $45. I got it for less than 1/3 of that! Tee hee :-p Oh, and Nanc you're hillarious!! Where did you cut that pic from? It seems familiar yet I can't quite place it! Thanks, once again!
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 20:05:00 (PDT)

Brit. Well, I was surprised to find those movies, I had heard that they were hard to find, but, I got them at my local video store. I haven't tried to order them so I'm not sure where you would find them if you wanted them to buy.
nanc
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 18:29:47 (PDT)

My mistake. He's not 36,000 miles tall, he's about a foot and a half. See linked photo. I am wondering if he perhaps has gained stature with fame?
Cyndi
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 18:21:13 (PDT)

@ Anne: Yup it's an anagram for Stephanie.

http://www.nd.edu/~tchapman/alanquotes.html

Thanks for the info. If I remember right (which I usually don't) you were going on the 25th? I'm not sure. If you are, I'll see ya there. : ))
Eaten Ship
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 18:06:00 (PDT)

I can do metric conversions, just not arithmetic. Six foot is 72 inches or 183 cm. Sorry.
Georgiana
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 17:52:47 (PDT)

Tami, Tami, Tami... Have to agree - its a bit 'hopeful' to say photos don't lie... Apart from the joys for most attractive female celebrities having to endure photographs of their head 'grafted' onto a naked female body, there is a website out there with a spectacular argument for Anastasia having survived the Romanov masacre (RE: Rasputin) based on photos of skulls - alas, all false... And then there are all those UFOs that have been photographed, why I believe there was a SPECTACULAR UFO in the movie "Independence Day" or even "Close Encouters of the Third Kind..." All captured faithfully on film for us...
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 17:21:47 (PDT)

Spatula dropping scene- when Rasputin is dancing and picks up the female dancer and twirls her around, then of course on top of the table.Remember that when most of the people here have met AR he is leaning toward them for a picture or speaking, so he is probably taller than what is perceived. Many people do not stand completely straight up all the time. Just my two cents- not intended to spur on the height discussion.
Juliana
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 17:21:12 (PDT)

Okay, time to have my say on the height issue: I am 5'3" which is obviously exactly the right height to be (a trait I seem to share with an uncommonly high percentage of GB'ers, and Rima as well). As I said, 5'3" is perfect, however I do tend to feel quite tall if standing next to an adult shorter than myself. I don't tend to feel short standing next to someone taller than myself. So you see, even though AR is too tall, I wouldn't hold it against him (or maybe I would hold it against him *snicker*).

But for all you 5'3" 's out there - chins up, you aren't shrimps!
Suze
five-foot-three is fine with me!, NY - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 17:10:07 (PDT)

Actually, the spatula reference had its origins with our dear GB-er Constance, who had been holding a spatula when she first saw the photo of Alan on the cover of last November's Theatregoer magazine. The overwhelming attractiveness of the photo caused her to drop said spatula, and henceforth, overwhelmingly attractive AR pictures/scenes/etc. have come to be described as spatula-dropping.

Constance, feel free to correct any of this if my facts have been muddled up in any way.
Laura <trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 17:00:46 (PDT)

Spatula reference: Implement used to scrape off the floor listener who has melted upon hearing the Rickman voice and/or viewer who has gone limp and fallen to ground upon seeing an especially wonderful new AR photo, thus needing to be scraped out of the way with spatula(s).
Lily <LilyChicago@hotmailfoo>
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:53:34 (PDT)

Eaten Ship (Steph, is that you? - cool anagram) - There's a Broadway souvenir shop on the same block as the theater, just around the corner (Broadway and 45th). I got the poster there in June. $20, I think.
Anne/Manhattan
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:44:11 (PDT)

Just to add my two-cents on the seemingly never-ending height debate:

Being 5’10” myself, and having stood next to him only a week ago, I judged him to be at least 6’0”. Perhaps taller, but definitely no shorter. So, unless he’s shrunk in the past week, then I imagine he would still be that height. (Shamefully, I must admit that the height thing was one of the things that I’d set out to make observations on at the stage door, so it’s funny that this should come up again on the GB now … or does it ever actually go away?) I’m still waiting impatiently for my photos to be developed and scanned onto a cd, but if they turn out well, then perhaps I will share some of my photographic evidence. Oh, and metrically-speaking, 6’0” corresponds to a height of 183 cm, not 178. (And please don’t take offence, I’m not trying to poke at the previous respondent as I’m sure it was a simple mistake and that their math skills are as sharp or sharper than my own. The only reason that I picked up on it is that my own metric height is 178 cm, and I knew that he was taller than that).
Laura trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:38:16 (PDT)

Alan Rickman is one of my favorite actors, and I found your nice pages :-) I added the link on my homepage, hope you don´t mind? You are welcome to visit my pages too, but they are all written in finnish.. :-D In the future I´ll make an english version too.
Elina <..foo>
Helsinki, Finland - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:35:12 (PDT)

Laura, thanks for your report(and the postcard)! It was great to hear again about your wonderful experience. He is such a nice man, and it's nice to hear you treated him with such respect, which he evidently appreciated. Overfamiliarity with someone to whom you are a complete stranger is so demeaning, and he must tire of it. No wonder, then, that he was so sweet to you!
Helen
Cheshire, UK - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:24:03 (PDT)

Duplicates deleted.
Suz (D.o.C.)

ACK! I just posted like five times! Help! DoC, fix me please! *Laura slinks off soooo embarassed*
Laura
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:21:57 (PDT)

Brit:Sorry, it's www.bn.com. :)
Catherine
Chicago, - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:21:12 (PDT)

For Brit:I don't know about the other films, but I got my Mesmer DVD and Rasputin VHS from Barnes and Noble online (www.bm.com).They had a special that if you buy two items, you get free shipping. A warning about Mesmer--there are no subtitles nor closed captioning. The sound is not too good, so I play Mesmer with a headset on. I got them in about 2 weeks.Hope this helps. Good luck.
Catherine
Chicago, - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:20:13 (PDT)

Thank you! I think, Mr. Rickman is taller than 1,80 m - when Mrs. Horton is 5,3 = 1,61 and stands beneath him... she doesn´t reach his shoulder...I´ve seen "Blow Dry" yesterday... I need a new hair cut ;-))
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:15:03 (PDT)

Well, after months of reading everyone else’s stage door experiences, I finally have one (or actually two) of my own to share. :-) Here is the first night’s report:

I went to see PL last Thursday evening, which also happened to be my birthday! The play was simply wonderful – brilliant acting from all the cast members, beautiful sets, and it was incredibly funny! After it ended (much to my chagrin, as I wanted it to go on forever), my friend and I went to stand outside the stage door and wait for Alan to come out. I noticed that there was only one black car waiting outside the door and it turned out to be Lindsay’s (she came out before he did). We waited about a half-hour before he appeared, but when he did, time just seemed to fly. We were on the side of the barricades that he came to last but before I knew it, most of the people were gone and it was my turn. It was a funny feeling because I was feeling a lot of nervous excitement, yet at the same time, I felt very at ease speaking to him. In person, he really doesn't seem very intimidating at all - just a nice, regular guy who happens to have legions of fans with whom he is incredibly generous.

I handed him my Playbill to sign and told him that although he probably hears it every night, I thought the play was wonderful and that he was an amazing actor. He smiled and said thank you and handed back my signed Playbill. I then asked him if he would pose for a picture with me and he said sure, so my friend snapped a photo of us together. I thanked him and he then moved on to the next person.

I stood around watching with my friend for a couple minutes longer and then it suddenly dawned on me that I had completely forgotten to ask him for a handshake, which was one of the things that I had really wanted to do. Unfortunately, at the same time that I realized this, he had just finished signing autographs and was about to walk off down the street. Realizing it would be my one and only opportunity, I summoned all my courage and followed him! Lucky for me, he didn’t get very far away because another woman had also followed him and stopped him to ask a question, so I waited nearby while she talked to him. I then approached him and told him that I was sorry to bother him, but that I’d forgotten to ask him if I could shake his hand. Thankfully he didn’t seem to mind, and he said sure so we shook hands (he has very soft hands btw). I also decided to tell him that it was my birthday and as soon as I did, he wished me a happy biiiirrrrthday (just like that, with the charming drawl on the ‘iiiirrrr’). So, I thanked him and he started to step away to continue walking down the street, but then he stopped himself and told me to have a great rest of my birthday as well. Then he kind of gave a little laugh and started to walk again. (I assume he was laughing at the awkward-sounding phrasing of that sentence because he had paused before saying ‘rest’ as though trying to search for a better word). So I called after him that I would, but that this was definitely the highlight and then he turned around again (he had only gotten a few steps away by that time) and gave my friend and I a cute little wave (we waved back) and then he continued on down the street. My friend and I walked a little ways behind him because our hotel was in the same direction, but he quickly got far ahead of us because he seemed to be walking very fast, so we saw him get to the end of the street and turn the corner, then he was gone. The street was almost completely deserted that night, so we had a spectacular ‘view’.

Needless to say, I was bubbling all the way back to the hotel, had trouble getting to sleep that night, and then when I woke up the next morning, the first thing I thought of was that I had met Alan the night before! It was a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience, even if I did probably come across as being a little ditzy. ;-) I went back to see the play again on Saturday night, so I’ll be sharing that report with you soon.
Laura <trulymadlydeeply79@yahoo.comfoo>
Ontario, Canada - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 16:14:15 (PDT)

Lisa, 5 foot 8 is 68 inches, or 173 cm; six foot is 70 inches, or 178 cm.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 15:58:46 (PDT)

Claudia: not all Southern Belles are shrimpy! I am 5'8. of corse i have never stood next to rickman so i do not know if i would feel shrimpy or not..Is it just me are there alot of people from GA on this GB.
Bev <beverlydiane515@yahoo.comfoo>
Acworth, GA usa - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 15:49:01 (PDT)

How tall is 5´8 or 6´1 in the metric system?Kann mir bitte jemand umrechnen, wie groß 5´8 oder 6´1 im metrischen System sein soll... *nimmerdurchblick*
Lisa
Bavaria, - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 15:31:48 (PDT)

Brit: I bought my "Closetland" from www.buy.com and my "Close My Eyes" from www.entertainme.com but I just checked and it looked like they're both out. Mesmer, however, is available from Amazon.com in VHS and DVD format.Sunny: for ordering on-line posters in NY: www.broadwayposters.com. I got mine, brought it when I saw the play, got all the cast to sign - and will TREASURE it always!Good luck.
Rhea <rheaaz@mindspring.comfoo>
Glendale, AZ - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 15:00:52 (PDT)

Brit, try www.half.com or www.djangos.com. I bought my movies of AR from those 2 places. Other places to try are Amazon.com or www.Towerrecords.com good luck.
Juliana
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 14:51:49 (PDT)

Hi all! Have been away for a while again and just saw that post of *Eaten Ship* about the PL poster.

Well, I wrote to the Albery Theatre in London and they send one to me after some time. I never dreamed that this might happen... I was so glad!

Where do you order PL posters form NY online? I'd love to have one from NY as well. Weird? Hm, I just imagined it might look good beside the other one...

Don't be too hard on that man... he's exhausted and away from home for nearly half a year now - I'm sure he needs a break and then he's as charming and conversational as he was in London and during the first weeks in NY...
Sunny
Germany - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 13:52:42 (PDT)

Here is a Link to the Guardian Interview to be found on Claire's Page which includes the Sexual Voraciousness quote!! But remember just cos it's in a paper don't mean it's true!!lol
Sue
Englamd - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 13:52:09 (PDT)

Nanc, where did you find those two movies? Especially, where did you find Closet Land. Those and Mesmer are the three movies I desperately want to see and have not been able to find! Also, I wish I knew where I could find a script to Closet Land as I would love to perform it as a duet acting peace for competition in the Missouri (and surrounding state's) debate circuit. If anyone knows where I can find these please tell me!
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 13:47:47 (PDT)

Does anyone know where I can get a poster of PL? I know I can get one on-line but is there anywhere I can get one in NYC too?
Eaten Ship
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 13:19:46 (PDT)

We rented 4 AR movies this past week. Close My Eyes was a good movie. A very different character for Alan, one I really liked. He actually did some smiling in that movie! Love to see him smile.POSSIBLE SPOILER!! I wanted to know some of your opinions on Closet Land. His acting, of course was very good. The ability to carry an entire movie between only 2 people, I find, is amazing. It was, however, hard to watch the butality being inflicted on the women. It certaily helped me knowing that it had a purpose.After having read the credits and understanding the part about Amnesty International. I may rent it again, because it is some of his best acting, but I have to get past the brutality first, actually knowing that brutality like that still exist is whats hard for me. Nanc
nanc
ks us - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 13:11:22 (PDT)

Is it a general assumption that a sex symbol or sexy person engages in sex with many people and many times? That just doesn't add up right, if you ask me.
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:55:42 (PDT)

Spatula-Dropping moment: An AR moment that is so over-whelming that you drop whatever mundane ctivity you were doing in sheer awe. A spatula, therefore, is a measure of overwhelmedness.
Julia
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:43:14 (PDT)

Pat, if you are a journalist who is either a) used to dealing with sexually voracious actors and have therefore become cynical, or b) have been brainwashed into thinking that you have to slide in a mention of sex anyway you can, you can slip that in quite easily. Alan has often been called a sex symbol and the assumption is still out there that if you look sexy, you must engage in sex with many people all the time. Besides, most journalists who interview AR don't know him from the next English bad guy actor; how are they to know that comments like that don't fly well?
Julia
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:40:21 (PDT)

Oh! Well, then. I suppose, according to Cyndi's lovely picture, AR is easilly 36,000 miles. Well, I mean, it was so obvious anyhow, it's a wonder I didn't guess as much. Hmmph! Oh, yeah, and could someone please explain the spatula, reference? I'm certain it has just slipped my mind...
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:36:51 (PDT)

"In an interview in The Guardian, you are quoted as saying you have 'never been remotely sexually voracious'." Is this for real? Did some journalist actually ask him if he's sexually voracious? How does one casually slide that into a professional interview?
Pat
CO USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:15:49 (PDT)

Also, although I've never really thought of AR as a very tall man, I do believe that I have heard confirmed several times, in several different places that he is actually 6' tall!
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:14:05 (PDT)

Hey! Hey, is this The Shrimp Club? ARe you taking applications? ARe there any specific qualifications? I'm 5'3"; does that qualify me? Is there anyone in The Shrimp Club who lives near/in Kansas City, Missouri or in the state/surrounding states? Hope you accept my application to the shrimp club!(and whatever other club you have set up for this amazingly gorgeous, enthralling, enticing fellow whom I, a dignified intelligent woman, would gladly crawl on my knees and die for, called Alan Rickman, or whatever!)
Brit Melugin <britty77@joplin.comfoo>
Missouri - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:10:45 (PDT)

I believe that when he stands up straight, Mr. Rickman is at least six feet tall-when he is tired, he tends to slump but surely not as much to be five feet eight inches
a concerned citizen
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 12:04:26 (PDT)

Claudia - I'm 5'3" too and a Yankee. So this isn't a purely Southern Belle phenomenon :-)
Melissa
NJ, USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:35:57 (PDT)

S;-) Here is the Dressing Room Pic Again
Sue
England - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:30:03 (PDT)

Out of this world, obviously Cyndi!!!LOL
Sue
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:24:16 (PDT)

Cyndi--that pic certainly does settle the AR height issue!
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:23:13 (PDT)

where can I see that pic of AR in his dressing room?
S ;-)
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:15:34 (PDT)

I found this photo when I was browsing the NASA web site. I think it settles once and for all how tall Alan is. (I linked it to my name, I think, so just click there to see it.)
Cyndi
USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 11:11:45 (PDT)

AR is 6' or slightly taller. I have a photo of him standing next to me and he's taller than I.
Fausta
5'10", - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 10:38:56 (PDT)

LOL....seems as all we Southern Belles are shrimpy! Maybe its the water.
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 10:31:36 (PDT)

I´m about 5´9 (huge,isn´t it?) *g* and I think he´s never shorter than me! (Rima is 5´3? Cute! )
verena
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 10:18:36 (PDT)

Anyone interested in a copy of Sense and Sensibilty, the book, with pictures from the film, including a loverly one of AR as Colonel Brandon? I can get a copy for $3.50 CAD at this great used bookstore two steps away from my bus stop. First one to email me with full snail mail address gets it. Try hotmail, or petrovpeeves@yahoo.com
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, Canada - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 10:16:49 (PDT)

I've just seen the picture of Alan in his dressing room... I love it. And I'm proud to say that I have had the same pic of Fred Astaire in my bedroom for years... Isn't it a sign... that He... and I... are just meant one for each other ?
Marialis
France - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 09:32:48 (PDT)

I haven’t been here for quite a week… So I’ve read quickly all your posts… I hope I haven’t missed some important things.

First, GML, I don’t know what film you are talking about. The last movie I saw about Louis XIV was The Iron Mask with Leonardo Di Caprio. When I learnt at the end that D’Artagnan was Louis XIV ‘s father I was … how do you write it ? ROL… I just remember there is a A for A** … It was a great moment of my life ! I don’t want to be a spoiler… but well… there are as many chances for D’Artagnan to have been the father of a king than for me to be the mother of Rickman’s son… I promise that if it happens to me some day I would send a script of my life to Hollywood… But I would told you all the story in this GB before of course… Aren’t we closed friends now ?

Like you all, I’ve been astonished by Marie J post; but beyond her allegation (AR being gay because he had played one) there is another one, more interesting : what do we know of the reality of an actor when we watch him play ? I don’t speak about sexuality only… but everything that he could be. I often wonder that when I see movies in witch actors play “everyday character” I don’t look for Rickman under the mask of the sheriff … but when I see Jamie… I wonder… Is Rickman really like that ? Does he speak, does he move, does he laugh that way ? This is for the superficial sight. But lot of actors , when they’re asked “who are you actually ?” answer : “Look at my movies… I’m all in them”… that is for me as clear as a British frog ! I imagine Rickman is not Jamie from A to Z… What is the part or him and what is the part of his character. When is he just playing… when is he absolutely Jamie ? And when he is… is it because at this particular moment Jamie lives inside him… or is it because he, Alan, could have react like that in actual life… This alchemy of acting is fascinating… isn’t it…? In the other hand, I’ve read this week the interview of the widow of a French actor (I remember very well when he died , 20 years ago, because I learnt it when I was in Chelmsford : it was my first stay in England) who says that she never watch the movie of her husband because she doesn’t recognize him in them. I find it so strange … Is it possible to be so different… When I saw that actor (I’m not a fan, but well, he was good…) in different movies… It seems to me that he is quite always the same… So… (For my French fellows : I ‘m talking about Patrick Dewaere)

Here are my thoughts. It’s all for today… Hope that Sue always finds me refreshing (what sort of compliment is that ? I don’t understand what could be refreshing in my posts ! Is it only the charm of my French accent ?) I know I always send long posts, but it is because I’m always frightened not to be understood… so I explain everything very precisely… In fact, it’s because of my lack of vocabulary…)

See you soon. You don’t know how happy I am to read you again. I miss you all !
Marialis
France - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 09:24:22 (PDT)

This is too funny about Rickman's height! I'm 5'5", was wearing 2" heels, and he honestly appeared no taller than my 5'10" boyfriend -- but I'll have to see when I get the pictures developed! (But whatever his height, the man is still thrilling to be around!)And as a fun aside, there were other blatant Rickman fans in the audience, too. When the curtain went up on the second act, I heard from the woman sitting directly behind me: "He's tasty in silk pajamas!"
Gretchen
New York, NY USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 09:20:57 (PDT)

RE: Shrimp Club: Me too! Me too! Barely 5' 3". Well, look at it this way, at least we have something in common with Ms. Horton! LOL
Constance( Harlii! please don't hit me!)
USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 09:15:05 (PDT)

"Photos don't lie"!! Oh Tami, Tami!! and you a web-mistress too!!;))
Sue
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 09:10:13 (PDT)

Claudia: don't feel bad, I'm a member of the shrimp club, too! I'm 5'3.
Sabine
GA USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 08:42:30 (PDT)

Linda, NJ--My last post was in response to all the tall members here. Good to know that at least LD and EF are members of the "shrimp club" too!
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 08:04:47 (PDT)

I'm almost 5'8" and AR was quite a bit taller than I. My estimate is 6'1 1/2". (I stare at my autographed photo of AR and I as I type.) On the other hand, it felt that Adam Godley was shorter than expected--my guess less than 6'. LD and EF are fairly petite. Both much shorter than I. just my two cents.
S ;-)
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 07:59:07 (PDT)

I have to agree with Georgiana about Alan's height. Georgiana and I are about the same height and when we were standing next to Alan, he's at least 6'1", if not a little bit taller.
Holly
USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 07:37:55 (PDT)

Yes, yes, Georgiana, you're right. Perhaps Alan appears shorter because he is so reserved and humble? He also has a large head and hands, but not such a large body. Photos don't lie, and I have many of us standing together. It proves that he's at least 4 inches taller than me and I'm 5'8".
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 07:31:39 (PDT)

Hey Claudia - Why do you say that?
Linda
NJ USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 07:12:09 (PDT)

Ohhh I feel that shrimp feeling coming on again! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 06:56:48 (PDT)

Hi Gretchen - Thanks for your stage door account. Did you really think he was short? I think he must be taller than 5'9 because thats how tall I am, and he was a bit taller than me. I was thinking maybe he is at least 6'. I know we have talked about this at great length in the past.Hey maybe thats the interesting question I can ask him next week. So glad that you had a wonderful time and thanks again for sharing.
Linda
NJ USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 06:49:21 (PDT)

Gretchen, you are definitely wrong about how tall Mr. Rickman is. I am 5 foot 10, and, standing next to him (and photographed doing same--on more than one occasion), he is definitely 2-3 inches taller than I.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 06:43:19 (PDT)

Italics fixed.
Ten lashes will be enough. ;-)
Suz (D.o.C.)

Gah! italicized the GB!

Twenty lashes with a wet noodle!

DoC? Help?
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 05:59:32 (PDT)

Well, I sent the song to Tom Smith.

Song? What song? you ask. The Alan Rickman song, of course.

There's a fellow named Tom Smith who has a warped sense of humour in his music. He wrote a charming ditty called "I Wanna Be Peter Lorre."

I, well, I wrote a parody of it. Someone said to me, after I played the song for them, "But you want to be Alan Rickman."
"No," said I. "I don't want to be Alan Rickman, I just want to see Alan Rickman. That was the chorus. Then I had to write the song around it.

Tom Smith had this to say, in reply:
*grin* Thanks a lot! That's slightly insane. If I ever get my Fan Pages going (as I've been trying to for a few years, in all my COPIOUS FRICKIN' FREE TIME), may I put that up there?
Best,
Tom Smith
The World's Fastest Filker
www.tomsmithonline.com

Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 05:58:25 (PDT)

Saw Private Lives last night, and was blown away! Rickman was amazing and the reason I got *front row* seats, but I couldn't take my eyes off his costar, Lindsay Duncan. The two together were magnificent. Wish I'd gotten to see them in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. About the stage door -- waited with a very small crowd, maybe 20 people, and Alan came out after a bit, looking tired and a bit sweaty, in T-shirt and sweatpants, with a bit of tum apparent under the T (cute), definitely not taut but hey, he's 56 and still looks marvelous. He was very quiet and calm and polite, worked his way quietly around the barrier and signed two programs for me, allowed pictures to be taken with fans, but -- never made eye contact with anyone, as far as I could tell. He did answer a woman next to me who said Truly Madly Deeply was her favorite movie, he said he enjoyed it too, but he was definitely not chatty. Not rude or unprofessional -- if anything, clinically professional! (He pointed out to one woman that her flash didn't go off so she could take another picture with him, very nice.) Poor guy must have been tired, and it must be a little overwhelming at times to deal with thronging herds on an extremely hot and humid NYC night. (Costar Duncan was a total contrast -- made us wait another 20 mins. to see her, but she was positively effusive, yakking at length with fans, signing everything in sight, taking many, many pictures.) Funny too was how short he really is; he looks at least 6' onscreen, but was definitely more like 5'9" on the street. "Victor" in the play was quite a bit taller than Rickman, but has a much smaller frame; I think it's Rickman's large frame, large facial features that give him a real presence, so it makes him seem much larger than he is. Was neat too to see how light his coloring really is, esp. after getting used to seeing him darker, as Snape or the Sherriff. *sigh* Altogether, a wonderful night!
Gretchen
New York, NY USA - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 05:20:22 (PDT)

LOL...Brushing my teeth has gained a whole new light!

Stacie--you are absolutely right in that we are all different. I for one am not the stage door or autograph kind of person but I have to tell you....I wouldn't want to be within eyeshot of The Man when some of those questions you proposed are asked....(giggle). PC Virgin....that term is hilarious...thanks!

9/11 flying....yep will be the safest day to fly and with one of the airlines (name escapes me)....FREE!

Now since the car is full on fuel, the dishwasher is empty, no cookies to bake, and the carpet is clean...I am heading back to the bathroom to brush my teeth....AGAIN (won't my dentist just love me???)! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 05:04:28 (PDT)

...spatula, dishwasher, cleaned carpet... what is this now? cookery book, or AR quest-book? did you all see these? http://www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/rppshow0?k=alan+rickman&f=Newest
Magda (Hu)
- Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 03:45:01 (PDT)

OT but Julia's comment about the Russians telling jokes reminds me of a scene in The Man Who Would be King - (Connery and Caine)-where a Moroccan extra playing an inhabitant of a the mysterious Himalayan city addresses one of the stars and what he is really saying has nothing to do with the plot, the poor old man is actually pleading with the actor to help his son find a job!
Jane
UK - Thursday, August 15, 2002 at 02:32:02 (PDT)

What speech impediment? Sue quoted a magazine blurb under the photo of Alan in his dressing room that mentioned his former speech impediment. Has anyone heard of this? Stage door question! Joking. Jackie, I can certainly see why you're excited about your picture on his wall! That's amazing and fantastic. The odds are great that it's your picture. Now imagine that he likes it so much he saves it and hangs it up in the next place he's off to. When Christopher Reeves was in the hospital right after his accident, he got a postcard from a fan that inspired him so much he positioned it where he could always see it. Fans make more of an impact than they realize. Greg Louganis got a fan letter that moved him so strongly he mentions it in his book and asks the author to get in touch with him,(I think the person didn't sign their full name and address.)
Stacie
USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 22:49:05 (PDT)

Will there be any possibility, that Private Lives might be able to be show in asean?
justday <justday22@hotmail.comfoo>
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 22:43:20 (PDT)

You gave me a better idea of what it's like at the stage door than I had before. I can see why most people aren't having brief conversations with him. Interesting that he just smiled when you asked him a question. I'm glad you've all felt satisfied by your encounters. I remember Harlii didn't but she wouldn't want to get into that again, whatever happened to you Harlii?
Stacie
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 22:32:08 (PDT)

Saw Blow Dry on cable in the US a few hours ago. I LOVE THIS FILM!! All performances are good..but Hartnett's accent is uneven. The sarcastic verbal sparring between AR & Shelley is great! The closing credits are a joy to watch. My favorite line is Daisy's response to Shelley's frustrated insult, while at the hospital pharmacy. It's atypical of an American response. I guess there's no soundtrack. What is the title of the catchy, opening organ music? I LOVE IT!! I'm whistling it as I write this. Blow Dry is FANBLOODYTASTIC!!
Jamie <travelinman1968@excite.comfoo>
Downers Grove, IL USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 22:32:05 (PDT)

Hi all - I would like to add that when I met Alan the first time at the stage door, I was just in awe of his presence and couldnt speak at first. He was polite and not overly chatty but I didnt walk away thinking I missed out on something. Now the second time I met him was a month later, I was less nervous and I did ask him what I thought was an interesting question and he only smiled. I didnt ask again. I went to the stage door those times to see him and maybe shake his hand, and possibly have some things signed.

Just because some people dont ask him "interesting" questions doesnt mean it wasnt thrilling for that person. I was excited to be meeting someone that I admire and to have him be so nice, was a bonus for me. Who knows, maybe people are asking him interesting questions and they dont want to share his answer.
Linda
NJ USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 22:06:37 (PDT)

I'll wager that 9/11 will be the safest day to fly in the US....

Question I wished I'd asked Rickman, when I met him: "The cinematography in The Winter Guest reminded me of the paintings of Vermeer -- the way the light falls, and the use of windows. Was that intentional?"

*sigh* Chance lost, now... oh, well....

Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:53:10 (PDT)

Stacie, have you ever met Alan at the stage door? Maybe you should go and try it yourself and bring back a riveting account of your own conversation with Alan. It's not so easy as you might think. He's very reserved and seldom initiates conversation, he is mainly there just to sign autographs. To keep his attention you must ask him to sign things (he is remarkably quick at this!) The time allowed is very limited as Alan moves purposefully on to the next customer in line. None of the photos show interesting interactions because it is rude to shove a camera in somebody's face while you're having a conversation! It's difficult to recapture those moments and also to remember every word that is said. There is no substitute for being there in his presence and experiencing it for yourself, try as we might.
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:51:08 (PDT)

when admonished to be "careful" in New York City, Rickman scoffed and said "we've been putting up with stuff like that for a long time". Even so, I bet he wont be flying anywhere on September 11........
anon
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:34:36 (PDT)

clarification-it is alright to dance with gazelles, or like gazelles, or have a leonine appearance, just the sexual innuendo I find unsavory, especially for any young Snape fans.....
concerned citizen
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:30:53 (PDT)

could we possibly avoid the bestiality subject on this guestbook? Please?
a concerned citizen
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:28:26 (PDT)

I have three extra copies of the Charlie Rose interview, which aired several times here. Picture slightly snowy (they're originals but reception here is bad) but sound fine. NTSC which is U.S. and I think Canada. Anybody want? Yours for postage and the cost of the tape. Email agilhuly "at" gibsondunn "dotcom" (spam continues unabated).
Anne/Manhattan
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:26:49 (PDT)

Could some of you meeting AR at the stage door ask him some interesting question? Most people seem to just have him sign things and compliment him, and he says thank you. End of interaction. Ask him how it felt to kiss Norman Reedus, or if his character loved Alexis at all, or does he feel nervous flying in the U.S. since 9/11, or does he realize how many of his fans don't care if he goes down on dingoes or if he ever reads this guestbook,(with computers in hotels now he may no longer be a PC virgin), ANYTHING! We're all different, but I would rather have a brief conversation then an autograph. It's more personal. The pictures of stage-door encounters often show AR plus fan with heads down in solemn huddle over object being signed. I'd like to vicariously live through someone who talks with him, asks him something different, some of the things we all wonder about in the guestbook about his work. If anyone does, please post it, it will be great to read.
Stacie
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 21:07:36 (PDT)

It is so much better to come home and read this GB full of hilarious posts, rather than argument. Gazelle?? Toothbrushes?? I love it all! LOL.

I caught myself humming the song that *Jamie* sings in TMD, while making my bed this morning. It has been in my head ever since.

Voices while brushing your teeth? Thats new...lol
Jasmine
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 20:01:20 (PDT)

Sue: Thanks to your recent post, I decided to empty the dishwasher tonight, my last time to do it at home. Well, ok, I'll say it, "My life will never be the same." Thank you for that one. No really, THANK YOU! I enjoyed it!

Ali-Pat, why not add a fifth question. "5: So, what are your feelings of the gazelle? Intresting, aye?" Or should I save that one for my hopeful, dreamful (is that a word? Well, it is now!) encounter next week? Love the post by the way!
JC
MS - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 18:56:48 (PDT)

Claudia: Baking cookies definitely counts!

Sue: I bet that carpet was clean! Imagine if it had been "In Demand" that was playing... *grin*

Bev: I have one of those battery driven toothbrushes, so unfortunately the noise of the toothbrush drowns out any voices I might hear.... LOL!
Sabine
GA USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 16:54:11 (PDT)

"Dropping one's spatula while contemplating a gazelle"...I love this Guestbook!
FastFilm
Oryxmaniac, CA USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 15:03:32 (PDT)

Ali-Pat

"Is this the week?"

*peals of laughter*
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 14:39:07 (PDT)

Ohhh Bev...that is a good one!

OT I think Ciaran Hinds is quite sexy too...not up there on the same level with The Man, of course.
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 14:16:02 (PDT)

Speaking of things you that you never look at the same way. Am I the only person that when I brush my teeth I hear a certain voice telling me to brush up and down?
Bev
Ga usa - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 14:06:38 (PDT)

OFF TOPIC: Both Ciaran Hinds and Daniel Craig do a fair job with American accents in "Road to Perdition."
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 13:54:02 (PDT)

Oh my.
Georgiana, relieved to be frequenting different theaters in ...
Seattle - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 13:52:41 (PDT)

Well....baking cookies will never be the same either. You have to really hold on to that spatula, right, Con?

Does that count, Sabine?
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 13:38:36 (PDT)

Well Sabine I was hoovering to VH1 yesterday and the old Bryan Adams vid came up ("Everything You Do") and believe me that is the cleanest patch of carpet in front of the TV!!!
Sue
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 13:36:51 (PDT)

My goodness! I thought only going to the gas station would never be the same, now on top of this it's unloading the dishwasher! :-)

Which chore can be turned into an AR experience next? Any suggestions?
Sabine
GA USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 13:26:31 (PDT)

Do you know how cute Alan Rickman is? He is so charming in personality! So inteligent in tounge and mind...*sigh* You know while I was watching Die Hard, Harry Potter, and Dogma in the theaters, when he had his appearance I shouted out,"He's Sexy!!" Hella loud, mind you! But anywayz....I am sooooo in love with him. He's my dream guy....I hope he reads this 'cause I'm not ashamed of it!
Severe Loving
Sea Town!/Seattle, WA America - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 13:24:50 (PDT)

Hallo Tami My e-Mail will not arrived you.Please write me. Hallo Verena The same. I hope my e-Mail work?????
Anja <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
Germany - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 12:04:57 (PDT)

Most films with terrorists (whether German, Russian, or otherwise) contain these nonsense sentences for background "atmosphere". Some are quite good, and others are just funny. The Russian ambassador in Dr. Strangelove, for example, speaks actual Russian, but one has to get through the accent to understand what he's saying. I forget which Harrison Ford movie this was, but the Russians in the background are telling jokes. What continues to surprise me is that with the many immigrants that make up America, and Hollywood also, that they still don't have more believable foreigners in movies.

Anja,ich habe dir eben eine Mail geschickt.Ich hoffe,sie kommt auch an!Klein Erna kennt sich damit nicht aus ;)
verena (me again,sorry!!!!)
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 11:15:35 (PDT)

Double deleted.
Suz (D.o.C.)

Ops! Double Post! Sorry! I need the D.o.C. !???? Please ;)
vee
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 10:58:53 (PDT)

`n Abend,meine Damen.

Two hours ago,I watched the "Die Hard Special Edition" and it was *formidable* !!! I didn´t know he said some sentences in german,like *Shoot the glass* / *Schieß dem Fenster* (what a funny funny sentence,right translation but has NO sense). Or somehting like *Halt endlich.....* and * ::::::::::::* (no idea what he wanted to say, lol). And there is a short interview with him and different views for certain sences and so on.A wonderful DVD!

*Schieß dem Fenster* LOL and this typical pronunciation for Brits and Amis ! Like the german *I will a fish* instead of *I want a fish* and the "R" (veRy guuuuuud).... *g*
verena
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 10:38:45 (PDT)

sorry...for the mis-spell....voraciousness
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 10:34:42 (PDT)

LOL.....Ali-Pat--sorry possible supply depletion of the sexual viraciousness...Rima was recently visiting.

Sue, England...unloading my dishwasher will never be the same boring chore it has been all these years!

Gotta love our silly moods! So much better than bickering, isn't it?
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 10:31:15 (PDT)

Ali-Pat - Did you never consider the possibility of *shock horror* - A foot "double"!!! And not only a Legoman but a doll TWICE!!!(Bet he never dreamed of that at RADA!!)AND..While we are being Silly - Has anyone else shared a *Mesmer moment* whilst unloading the dishwasher with all those clean squeaky glasses?? (OK Maybe that's just me!!!LOL) Have a great time in NY.
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 10:23:34 (PDT)

I am off tomorrow for NYC, to enjoy "the shimmerin' gaiety of the big city" as they say in Pogo, and to see my favorite actor gazelling about the stage. Although I have done this before, the very thought just makes me feel giddy. And so, with your indulgence, and since (as someone pointed out earlier) we are in the midst of Silly Season, I share with you the following.

(Apologies in advance for the length of this post.)

I will of course be waiting at the stage door after the performance with autographable material in hand, praying to the deity of all fabrics that my tongue does not get wrapped around my eye teeth and prevent me from seeing what I am saying. (Or worse yet, praying that I not say something stupid like, "So tell me--what's Tom Selleck really like?). I will have a brief, lovely encounter, I am sure, barring any disasters.

However, in the back of my mind will be the questions that I have been dying to ask The Man, and, given the chance, the authority, and about twenty minutes of his undivided attention, I would--in a trice. They are these:

1. When they painted that fake tatoo on your foot for Blow Dry, did that tickle?

2. I have read that playing the glass harmonica (the instrument you played as Mesmer) for extended periods of time can be dangerous to the nervous system and has reportedly driven some people mad. So, how was it? Did it make you feel all weird inside?

3. Did you ever, in your wildest imaginings, speculate even once that you might end up inspiring a Lego figure?

...and finally...

4. In an interview in The Guardian, you are quoted as saying you have "never been remotely sexually voracious". But then you go on to say, "...but maybe I'll be sexually voracious next week." So I guess what I'm asking is, has that week already happened? (Hopeful here) Is this the week?
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 09:59:49 (PDT)

Thanks Sue, I thought you meant the picture of the woman that Jackie sent was from the magazine. Now I understand. I also understand that AR wasn't just having someone take pictures of his private life for the heck of it. It was a magazine spread. Never mind. Thank you.
Stacie
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 09:35:28 (PDT)

Hey, maybe we can teach each other different languages? That would be fun! LOL!

FJ: I loved you PL report, especially the "He moves around the stage like a gazelle" part!

Anja: You have mail!

Sabine
GA USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 08:12:15 (PDT)

Off topic - Just someone who reminds me of AR - the lawyer John Haymond. I was watching TV last night and it was sort of a 'quick glance' sort of thing.

Ah, now the GB has gone bilingual. Or would that be multilingual? I think it's all for the better, whatever it is.

Can I also tryout my German?

Bin 16. Ich wohne in den USA in der Nähe von Hartford. Ich habe Deutsch für nicht viele Jahre gelernt, nur 2.
Eaten Ship (My anogramed name)
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 08:02:44 (PDT)

Sabine!!! I´m happy to hear from you.Please send me a e-mail.You have my adress.Bye Anja
Anja <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
Germany - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 07:24:38 (PDT)

Sally, Sydney--Thanks for the tip in Altavista! That will be very useful!
Claudia
GA US - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 05:09:12 (PDT)

F. J., your post was sheer poetry. Thanks for sharing.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 04:59:21 (PDT)

Dear F.J. Washington, your write: "He moves around the stage like a gazelle. It was like watching a ballet.." Sure, it was the Swan Lake you have seen. AR is able to act EVERITHING! But a gazelle?...
Magda (Hu)
- Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 03:42:08 (PDT)

Sorry I thought my Tuesday post made it clear where the pic was from. The Telegraph magazine ran a 28 page portfolio of photographs by Lorenzo Agius. It was at the time of the Baftas and was highlighting British theatrical talent, not just actors but directors, designers, composers, make-up artists etc. The fact that Jude Law and Ewan McGregor posed for an amusing front cover shot of them in bed together, and most of the British Theatre glitterati (Jacobi, Dench,Hurt etc) agreed to being photograhed led me to believe that here was a fabulous photographer,who was obviously held in incredibly high esteem. All the photographs were wonderful and perhaps AR was asked to pose in a mournful position!!LOL(Or maybe he was covering a cold sore!! Who Knows!!!;)
Sue
England - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 02:28:26 (PDT)

sue - thanks a lot .As i said, the Brits are always so - educational.-)

as to leaving my dungeon - yes, i'm thinking of it. actually considering visiting another great english educationer currently abroad, even if someone else seems to have gotten the idea earlier (THIS LAST ONE WAS A JOKE). if i can drown the voice of conscience, i.e. bank account, long enough, i'll do it.

thanks for the review of pl.

anja, ich bin auch in deinem Alter, äh, na ja, noch ein wenig älter, und du kannst mir gerne schreiben bin auch erst ein fan seit Dezember*schluck*.

barbara t.w. i liked that one.

gml gallia est divisa in omnes partes tres. ha! that's what came out of the cabbage which calls itself my brain when i tried to think of this french sentence at school. something of a carrefour tragique or something, and all roads lead to paris. ahem.wot is the meaning of this strange word? off topic? wot?
mortianna <mortianna@gmx.netfoo>
no water in the dungeon, luckily - Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 01:15:27 (PDT)

I think that the picture in the dressing room is an answer to all those letters that say "won't you write back to me" obviously an impossibility, although I don't know why the silly man doesn't realize that the only letter he has to answer is mine LOL-I do hope that Ms. Horton doesn't have to fly back and forth-that is so tiring....
a concerned citizen
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 23:07:22 (PDT)

Dear Concerned Citizen,

Maybe Rima hasn't had to fly back & forth, maybe she's been able to stay since mid-July what with summer break and all. (I'd stay if I were her!)

FJ, what a pleasure to read your summary of the PL experience. Thank you.
Lily <LilyChicago@hotmailfoo>
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 22:15:23 (PDT)

Stacie, I was so VERY excited to see that picture! There is still a chance it is not mine, but I doubt it. Does sanyone know when that picture of AR and his mail was taken??

FJ, I really like your last post. It is really good.
Jackie
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 20:52:26 (PDT)

I forgot-- FJ-- I loved the story as well.
Jasmine
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 20:46:30 (PDT)

I feel like I am the only person who doesn't know German.

I am also really excited to see the "Rima Sightings". It makes me happy to know that someone that AR loves is around (to bad its not me. lol).

Barb. The Wallpaper--I love the "Rima sighting" post. It is funny. LOL
Jasmine
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 20:43:27 (PDT)

Thanks FJ for your wonderful story, I enjoyed it very much.
Linda
NJ USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 20:18:10 (PDT)

If you can figure out a way to see Private Lives, do it! I feel so fortunate to have been able to go. The production was gorgeous--sets, costumes, cast, all great--and AR was even better than I expected. It suddenly struck me that when we see a great actor on film we miss half of what he's doing, because we see only what the director decides to show us. On stage you can savor it all--the timing, the subtlest gesture, the body language, the energy, the rapport with the audience. There were the hands on the balcony railing, just a flick of a finger, a slight movement of a foot, a twitch of an eyebrow, a sidelong glance at the audience--and we ate it all up! AR was just stunning, and he played us like an instrument. He and LD sang a bit, danced a bit, he played the piano a bit, there was lots of physical stuff--throwing pillows, leaping on and off sofas--and the chemistry of the two worked just fine. (The bare feet in Act II were nice, too.) He moves around the stage like a gazelle. It was like watching a ballet, it was all carried off so perfectly. It was the most fun I've had in ages, not just because I love whatever he does, but also because I was so in awe of his professionalistm. The energy is incredible, the performance elegant, graceful, and utterly perfect, and to think that he's been doing it 7 times a week for 4 months is just phenomenal. Talk about hard work! What an unforgettable experience, and what fun to see him in a role that requires him to be what we all see all the time--elegant, funny, and sexy! P.S. At the stage door: This was a real person who came out--dignified, polite, patient, gracious, soft-spoken. And by 11:30 on a hot Saturday night, after 5 hours on stage that day, looking a little tired. Hearing "thank you" from The Voice was a souvenir I will always treasure.
F.J.
Washington, DC - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 19:42:47 (PDT)

Does anyone besides me remember this article? I read an article maybe on Claire's site about a movie AR did and the director and/or producer was being interviewed and asked what it was like to work with AR . The man answered that he really liked working with AR, and that he was very tall and could be intimidating. His presence commands respect was the type of comment. I took it to mean that AR is very exacting in his profession and wants everything to be professional and close to perfect. Did anyone else read this or maybe one of Professor Snape's potions has gotten to me. Thanks for your help.
Juliana
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 18:51:33 (PDT)

Hi Sally, I didn't mean being photographed by fans. I meant all the photos taken to publicize a movie, play, charity event, award show or film festival. Plus stills taken on movie sets, and TV talk shows, plus photos taken for general publicity purposes. Plus photos taken of them whenever they go to a restaurant, a wedding, a funeral, shopping. On top of all that, they allow people to photograph personal moments, like Alan in his dressing room. That picture surprised me because I would think Alan would be sick of being photographed and would not invite someone to take a picture of him hanging out in the dressing room, unless he were new to celebritydom and still thrilled that anyone wanted to take his picture. That got me thinking that it must be a real need. Then again, I don't know the purpose of that picture and what it was meant for. Maybe someone was writing about Private Lives for a magazine and asked for that photo. I was glad to see that he papers his walls with cards from well-wishers. I thought he was so private, that's another reason I was surprised. But, I'm all for it, I'd like to see more of his private life. I'd like to see him snoring away in bed. I bet he has a beautiful snore. I agree that going out to fans after the play is a caring and generous gesture.
Stacie
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 18:38:38 (PDT)

Without the scar, of course.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 18:26:01 (PDT)

Totally, totally Off Topic dudes, but I wish to state publicly that Julia does not look in the least bit witchy. In fact, if she bears the least resemblance to anyone at Hogwarts, it is more likely Harry Potter than Severus Snape!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 18:24:39 (PDT)

For those who don't know what the foreign posts are saying copy the text from this webpage (just click and drag your mouse over it and then go Edit > Copy) and just go to the search engine, Altavista (www.altavista.com) and click on the "translate" button, usually a link to the left just below the search box. When you click on that, babelfish opens and just paste in the text (Edit > Paste) and select the appropriate language. I must say, it has defintely improved over the last year or so - the past time I had a big block of Italian translated, it was a disaster, but it does a reasonable job now!
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 17:25:45 (PDT)

Stacie - i think you generalise. I can't imagine ALL celebrities are needy of attention! Quite a few seem to have got fed up with the press over time, and quite a few are rude to fans. It maybe a spasmodic occurrence or they may have a reputation, but it does all rather sound like they have their moment as well where they go "enough is enough! I want this moment to myself!" I imagine there may be days when AR probably just wants to crawl out of the theatre, straight into a cab after a show and go back to bed or something, but he graciously steps out and spends however long it takes for each of his fans to garner a special moment with him. I don't think that is being 'needy' on his behalf, I think that is being gracious and respectful of his fan base!
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 17:17:22 (PDT)

Julia and Jody - Thanks for saying I don't look like a witch *lol* Anja - Ich bin 41, komme aus USA (in der Naehe von Chicago) und kann ein bisschen Deutsch. Ich hab Deutsch in der Schule gelernt aber vor vielen Jahren. Ich bin nach Deutschland viermal, meistens Köln gewesen. Woher kommst du genau? Und ich liebe Alan Rickman auch. E-mail mich, wenn du willst. I also enjoy the Rima sightings. What a lucky lady :-) -Tami
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 17:00:17 (PDT)

Linda: Who knows, maybe I'll suck it up and try to write him. I'll have to send the letter some kind of EXPRESS to get it to New York before he leaves, but in this case (and probably this case only) money is no option! Sort of...

I'm planning on going to see Private Lives at 8pm on Saturday August 24th. My New York journey is going to be quite an interesting trip. E-mail me and I'll tell you my humerious details.
JC <Alvin415@aol.comfoo>
MS - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 16:34:01 (PDT)

Thank you Sue, I am interested. Do you know the origin of the dressing room photo? It's only since I became interested in Alan Rickman that I've realized how extensively photographed celebrities are. I think for the average person it would be too much. Celebrities are incredibly needy of attention to be able to tolerate the constant photography. I guess they thrive on it.
Stacie
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 14:36:39 (PDT)

ALAN IS THE GREATSET ACTOR EVER!!! I LOVE TRULY MADLY DEEPLY SO MUCH!! I CANT WAIT TO SEE HP2!! WOOHOO:)
RAINEE
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 14:15:00 (PDT)

Sabine, your not to slow...we all have to take a dose of reality every now and then..LOL Speaking of which...mine is calling....YUK!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:51:29 (PDT)

Claudia: I see that Steph has already translated. I'm just too slow! *grin*

Anja: Wenn Du willst, kann ich Dir e-mailen. Ich bin in Deinem Alter (ungefaehr jedenfalls). :-)
Sabine
GA USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:47:40 (PDT)

Verena, nous allons très bien, merci. Nous nous apprêtons à rentrer de Madagascar et à surprendre M. Elyot et Mme Amanda en train de commettre le pêché de chair dans notre appartment. We hope, anyway. (C'mon French guys, we're getting outdone here!;) - Julia, I'd got it right first time, and my second attempt has failed again. Not sure why, it just says that the message is undeliverable, the address has permanent fatal errors, you have no yahoo account and my action has failed. They like to crush your ego, don't they? ;) Well, I give up. Contact me on the address below if you can... (was the idea to stop filling the GB with off-topic messages? :D

GML <freddie009@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:40:45 (PDT)

sorry about spelling- Way to go Rima!
Cathy <Snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:39:54 (PDT)

LOL..Its good to know that he gets some TLC every now and then..wish it were me!!!!Wat to go Rima!
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
Altamonte Springs, FL USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:38:24 (PDT)

Of course its not to see a play that she has memorized by now....Sept 1 is still a long way off....(giggle) if you know what I mean! LOL
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:35:57 (PDT)

do you suppose that Ms. Horton could have a tax write-off for the New York trips-sort of like a red cross "mission of mercy"- sort of a " G-- it's been ages, fly over here RIGHT NOW!" trip? Surely it is not to see a play that she probably has memorized by now?
a concerned citizen
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:32:59 (PDT)

Barbara - that was cute!! I really liked it!!
Eaten Ship
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:23:35 (PDT)

Phew! Thanx, Barbara TW, now I can uncross my fingers. It was getting kinda tough to type...LOL
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:13:19 (PDT)

hello you rickman fans out there!! visit my site!! This is quite a cool site
L.Q. <microsoft_dunit.yahoo.co.ukfoo>
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:13:18 (PDT)

Yay! Another Rima sighting!

Camera pans the skyline of London, as a quiet Australian voice murmurs to the right of the lens.
"And this is the native habit of the Rima. It's a reclusive creature, with a small circle of friends. Rarely do you see it in public. Your best bet for a sighting of this elusive creature is to spot its mate, the much more flamboyant Alan, and follow it. With enough diligence, you'll be able to spot the Rima at some of the Alan's gatherings."

Thanks for watchin ARTV. It's your contributions that make it possible.
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 13:02:10 (PDT)

Again in English. What is that for a Story with Rima and Alan?i understand only the Half.Sorry.
Anja
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 12:47:08 (PDT)

Hallo Verena Was ist das da mit Rima und Alan?Ich versteh wieder nur die Hälfte.
Anja
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 12:24:04 (PDT)

Verena....there aren't any foreigners here...we're all just a great big "ole" AR family!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 12:20:56 (PDT)

No, Constance there are others that participate in the joy of "true love" along with us....I think they are just in the sad world of reality (LOL) at the moment and will perk up later (keeping fingers crossed!)

Anja...don't worry about your English...someone will always be willing to translate.
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 12:16:02 (PDT)

Hi Anja,

you don´t need to be afraid.Nobody´s gonna eat you ;) There are many foreigners (as me) and we all write what we think.I learn the language for three years (at school,French was my first choice in the 5th class,so I got English in class 7) and I think you all can see/read it :)

I´ll try to mail you in the next few days.I´m still doing my homework (can anybody help me with French? 6 years and I´m still as stupid as at the beginning :) ). So if you get an e-mail from *kge-bremen* ...that´s me!
verena (comment-allez vous?)
PISA´s city, - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 12:15:09 (PDT)

Georgia's Claudia: Are we the only women here who rejoice at the *Rima Sightings*???? LOL :~D
Constance <madaboutron4@yahoo.comfoo>
Cary, NC USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 12:06:11 (PDT)

Thanks for the Welcome,Claudia. I hope that my english will be better ??????
Anja
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:59:02 (PDT)

Hallo Verena Klar können wir Kontakt aufnehmen.Ich wohne in Henstedt-Ulzburg .Eigentlich gar nicht so weit weg von Dir.Das Du ´erst´16 bist stört mich nicht.
Anja <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
Deutschland - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:38:31 (PDT)

I am a bad bad girl! ;) tsk!
vee
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:34:48 (PDT)

Kewl, Steph. Thanks.

Anja--as you can tell, I don't speak one iota of German...but there are lots of nice people here that do. Sabine is the first that came to my mind but there are lots of others too. And welcome to our little affliction club!
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:34:45 (PDT)

Hi Anja, zwar bin ich nicht in deinem Alter,denn ich bin (erst) 16,aber ich komme auch aus Deutschland. Wenn du Lust hast,können wir Kontakt aufnehmem?!

Rima and Alan .... and my dirty phantasie (sorry *g*)
verena
Bremen, Germany - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:32:50 (PDT)

Thank you Steph for the Translation.
Anja Thies <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
near Hamburg, deutschland - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:29:17 (PDT)

Translation of Anja's post:

Hello, I'm looking for german fans near my age. I'm 33. Who can also help me with his films? I haven't been a AR fan for long. Are there other people from other countries that speak german? I'm thankful for your help. Please tell others. My english is really bad.
Steph
CT USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:23:53 (PDT)

Can someone tell me what Standing Room Only is about? Is it a movie or play? Thanks..
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
FL USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:41:25 (PDT)

Sabine...can you translate???
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:31:53 (PDT)

Hallo Suche die deutschen Fans in meinem Alter.Bin 33! Wer kann mir auch mit den Filmen weiterhelfen? Bin noch nicht lange AR Fan.Oder gibt es auch Leute aus anderen Ländern die deutsch sprechen?Bin für jede Hilfe dankbar.Bitte meldet euch.Mein Englisch ist echt hundsmiserabel. Bye Bye Anja
Anja Thies <markmannthies@onlinehome.defoo>
near Hamburg, Germany - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:23:22 (PDT)

Brenda and Ali-Pat: packages recieved, thank-you notes on the way.
Julia
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:18:26 (PDT)

GML, yahoo is very picky because of its spam protection. It could be that you're not allowed to email me unless I email you first. What's your addy? or, try me again: petrovpeevesatyahoodotcom
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:17:51 (PDT)

Anyone who wants to hear "the voice" go to whenlovespeaks.com Alan recites a sonnet, the track is #130. But beware..hold on to your chair when you hear it..LOL... it is addicting..
Cathy <snapefan2@aol.comfoo>
Altamonte Springs, Fl USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 10:14:38 (PDT)

Ah Mortianna, Mortianna *shakes head sadly* You must get out of that dungeon more often!!
A Tea Lady is well a...Tea Lady!!!She brings the tea round in offices, well at least she did until the advent of coffee machines and drinks dispensers. The tea lady in British movie history has always been portrayed as a middle-aged or older lady,usually Cockney, always with a floral pinny, and a fag on the go, dispensing tea, buns and words of wisdom!! She would come round mid-morning and afternoon thus enabling the workers to carry on working without leaving their desks. The Civil Service was renowned for tea-ladies but I don't think they exist anymore now.
Sue
England - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 09:38:57 (PDT)

[img]http://www.smiliemania.de/smilie.php?smile_ID=176[/img]
Katharina
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 08:28:03 (PDT)

sue - sounds like the movie needn't be made at all, doesn't it?
the author of that article seems to have taken some classical education in divination or something of the sort.

what on earth is a tea lady? anyone care to enlighten me?
mortianna
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 08:26:39 (PDT)

From: Sue Smith -Anyone who wants to share my obsession with Alan Rickman can. My email is: suesmith433@hotmail.com -I have not stopped thinking/fantasizing about A.R. since I first saw him for the first time in 'Harry Potter' movie over 8 months ago. For a 40 year old lady, it is shameful to have this state of mind; however, according to psychology, obsession stems from childhood rejection. (For those that are currently obsessed with A.R., like myself, this man isn't the only obsession we had in our lives). I have sent A.R. 3 letters to 3 different agents of his, and have not received any response so far. I feel rejected. Familiar? (part of obsession). I am not being realistic and fair, A.R. has tons of fan mail and he just has not gotten to mine yet. As for the message from "the concerned citizen" who claims that A.R. no longer sends replies to letters, I HOPE YOU ARE WRONG!!! & HOW DO YOU KNOW? My second obsession enhances my first one (A.R.): Am I going to die of heart failure? I have an overactive thyroid (Graves's disease) -heart beats too fast at times. I had 2 radioiodine treatments and still not sure where I stand - I had this condition over 6 years now.
Sue Smith <suesmith433@hotmail.comfoo>
Toronto, Canada - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 07:39:49 (PDT)

Tuesday 13th August The Guardian

Ditch these lickspittle cliches
Why sap the British film industry with rehashed export snobbery?
Zoe Williams Tuesday August 13, 2002 The Guardian

It was one of those utterances that really marks out the seasoned celebrity - so anodyne that it's almost unprintable, but not quite. "It's a totally fictional character," said Hugh Grant of his next role. "There won't be a glimmer of Blair's smile. He won't be based on Blair at all ... or any other prime minister, for that matter." Grant was discussing Love Actually, the directorial debut for Richard "Four Cliches and a Tearjerk" Curtis, in which Grant plays a prime minister who falls for a tea lady. The film has been cast (Emma Thompson, Martine McCutcheon, Alan Rickman, Rowan Atkinson). But filming doesn't start until the beginning of September, which gives the producers three weeks to realise they haven't written a part for Imelda Staunton and hop to it. Not one second of this film exists, but you can already tell that it will unite everything that's wrong with British cinema in one nicely shot, 117-minute package.

For one, why is the hero a prime minister? It is quite beyond the British imagination to idolise its premier. Where American mainstream culture has politicians as heroes and visionaries, we have idiots and scumbags - which is entirely as it should be. The only time we've ever had a giant among men in charge was when we were too busy hating Germans to unleash any natural scepticism (hence Churchill), and even then there were provisos (he might be a hero, but he had to be a fat, drunk hero).

The notion of a PM as romantic hero runs counter to everything that has ever happened in British politics - good God, not a million years ago, there were people who objected to Michael Heseltine because he was too good-looking. Hugh Grant's role as leader-crumpet neither reflects nor subverts, nor even graces with an allusion, any of our national mores or predilections. It is there to justify lots of shots of Westminster and Downing Street.

This is the cinematic equivalent of an open-topped tour bus - hoodwink some tourists with the fiction that it won't rain, take them sightseeing-by-numbers, tell them all the statues are Oliver Cromwell (they all look a bit like him), and if no local would ever go near one, who's to mind? The difference is, of course, that open-topped buses are a relatively minor part of the culture, and cinema is a major one. Nobody could call this sincere film-making - it just seizes upon an outsider's view, repackages it with extra "authenticity" and sends it back from whence it came. It's three removes from where its heart should be.

Obviously, Hugh's job isn't as grating as that of his love interest. Martine McCutcheon reprises her Eliza Doolittle role, only this time she isn't a flower girl but a tea lady. (Why they pull that particular switch is unfathomable, the latter trade being easily as archaic as the former. When did you last see a tea lady? Do they still wear frilly hats? It's just about conceivable that they still have them in Westminster, but only if they're being bred for the purpose in a basement somewhere.)

This quirk of plotting, friends, will be all about that charming old English class system. Posh chappie can't possibly go out with plebby female, except that he can, because stifling British snobbery is no match for true love. The exceptionally hawk-eyed might recognise this twist from favourite plots of two centuries ago, except that back then it usually had a broadly egalitarian agenda, whereas now its agenda is to rehash ancient cliches in a malign attempt to substitute nostalgia for reflection. Again, this is not honest self-fashioning. This is a cynical attempt to pretend that we're still Dickensian at heart, just to scotch any anxieties the rest of the world might have about us evolving over the past 100 years, and not being cute any more.

No other nation butchers its own cinema like this. Sure, American films are packed with cliches, but at least they're cliches that relate to their own self-image, rather than an image created by us, for instance, and never updated (otherwise all their heroes would be fat warmongers in bad shorts). Yes, French films are full of crazy females with beautiful smiles, and Finnish films are full of vodka and Iraqi films rarely have any jokes, but these are notions of their own devising. We're playing lickspittle running dog to the most tired ideas, and they weren't even ours in the first place.

Of course, this film hasn't yet been made. It's possible that Martine might be a well-heeled love interest who's only a tea lady because she has a degree in English and can't work out what to do with it. It's possible that Hugh might not stand repeatedly before his majestic black door with a jutting chin, a clipped accent and God on his side. It's possible that the nine other love stories comprising the film might explore altogether less hackneyed obstacles. It's possible that, however it turns out, films like this can be made without sapping the energy out of the British film industry as a whole. But, frankly, none of that is very likely.
Sue
England - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 07:14:58 (PDT)

Hip hip hooray! Another Rima sighting at the Richard Rodgers over the weekend was reported in ARExp group!

The report also said that The Man was relaxed looking as well...hmmm Rima in town and AR looking relaxed....wonder if there is any connection????
Claudia
GA US - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 06:42:12 (PDT)

OT - sorry me is completely idiotic house elf and my address is mortianna02@yahoo.de.
thanks for your help.
mortianna
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 04:16:45 (PDT)

BTW Stacie if you are interested this is what was written under the picture:

Entitled The Prince of Darkness - "Alan Rickman is the man who stole Robin Hood Prince of Thieves from Kevin Costner. His weapon is his voice, a louche drawl born originally of a speech impediment. Very good at being bad, his CV is predominantly made up of attractive villains, from Rasputin to Prof. Snape in Harry Potter. Truly, Madly, Deeply and Sense and Sensibility stand out as rare romantic moments in an otherwise sinister landscape. His brilliant Elyot in Coward's Private Lives has won him an Olivier nomination, but the next Harry Potter film puts him right back in menace central: the place we love him most."
Sue
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 03:04:22 (PDT)

Stacie - That photograph was from The Daily Telegraph Magazine dated 23rd February 2002. It was in a series of excellent photos by Lorenzo Agius covering the Best of British Film Talent.
Sue
England - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 02:53:24 (PDT)

Mortianna, I tried to email you because of Dark Harbor. Failed, said there is not account like that... ? Let me know if you don´t find DH.... :)
Kirsi
- Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 01:37:07 (PDT)

Thanks to Helen re: Dogma DVD. I'll just have to be content w/ my VHS...sigh..oh well. As much as I loved the film, I would have to be honest and say that I'd not have seen it w/o AR.

To Diana: half the fun is in scouring everywhere for some of his hard-to-find videos, but it definately is worth it. Though I have seen few of AR's films before HP, that movie was also the one that set me out on my obsession. Don't miss Truly, Madly, Deeply: beyond a fabulous story and add'l bonus of Juliet Stevenson, he sings in that one!

Catherine---re: Mesmer CD-in consideration of the problems that (I have so been told) surrounded the release of the movie, I'd have to say highly unlikely. So far in my endless search for anything AR-related on web, I haven't seen any signs of it. And in re: CC, if there's a movie that NEEDS CC, this one is it.I have a VHS version, w/ the terrible, terrible sound quality; I had to turn the volume to max and sit right on front to understand the dialogue. Needless to say, I've only seen it once thru, and now it's collecting dust on my shelves.

Jackie: do be careful!*grin* Practically everyone that had listened to ROTN while driving seems to have had a close call, myself included. Esp. be careful when you're sleepy. The way in which he speaks, he has a cadence,that specific way in which he phrase sentences. Puts me in a trance-like state, and have missed my Fwy exit countless times!

Tami-thanks for the pic link. Visual aid is always appreciated! And no Tami, I don't think you look like the WW of the W. BTW, fabulous website, esp. the 1st hand accounts of AR meetings.
jody
CA USA - Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 00:06:44 (PDT)

Uh, Julia, I thought I had done very well at decyphering your new address (Sherlock Holmes himself would have been proud!:) and mailed you last night, but I got a 'Mail Undelivered' message from the Demon guy telling me that you do not have an Why Ay Aich Oh Oh Dot See Oh Emm account... The forces of evil clearly are at work.

Thanks re the Sun King advice, Lily, I will definitely go and see it (although the mere fact it was coming to my local arthouse was a recommendation in itself: they only show good stuff.)

As to the debate re (trying hard to fall back on topic) who do all the cards and letters pinned in Mr Rickman's dressing room come from, I can answer this one: the 76 ones on the wall behind him are all from me! (just teasing :)

GML
UK - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 23:57:43 (PDT)

Hi Mortianna, tried to mail you and also send a mail to the guy from whom I got my Dark Harbor DVD, didn't find him on Internet any more, as soon as he will answer, I'll tell you if it's still available.
lelefua
stgt, - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 23:14:21 (PDT)

Well, I'm with Rhonda! I think Alan IS selective in his responses. I've written twice, once to his agent in London, and once to the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and nary a sight of a reply.

You have no idea how I grind my teeth when I read about all those people getting autographed photos.....
Gaye
Adelaide, South Australia - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 22:29:42 (PDT)

Hi JC, I am shy, but I was able to write him a letter, actually two since he has been in NY. And he sent his autograph both times. I know it must seem strange to write to him twice, but I had to thank him for being so nice at the stage door. He was so charming and sweet, and he even joked with my son, which was great. The first autograph was on paper that I sent and he returned, and the second one was a signed photo of him.

When are you going to Private Lives? I am seeing the play again on Sunday the 25th. And I cant wait. If you dont want to mail the letter, just give it to him when you meet him at the stage door. He will appreciate it I am sure.
Linda
NJ USA - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 22:22:38 (PDT)

I would guess those cards are from fans, friends and colleagues. Where did that photo of Alan in his dressing room come from? Thank you for posting it. Jackie, what work of art is that? It must be fun for you to see your picture in his dressing room! When did you discover that photo? (of him).
Stacie
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 22:21:36 (PDT)

Am I a weird person? Or does the movie "Rasputin" scare the days out of anyone else? I have no idea why, it's just freaky to me. I love the fact that watching Alan can give me a sense of ease, but it's either the movie itself or the fact that I'm seeing something on film proving that my tenth grade History teacher didn't mix up his stories about Ras, would someone like the write the letter FOR me?
JC
MS - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 21:06:57 (PDT)

Jody- about feeding my obsession- I have been watching AR movies ALL day!LOL. I have also been listening to ROTN tapes in my car (almost got into an accident- his voice is so mesmerizing)!

About those pictures on his walls-- They are from his fans. I sent him the picture of the woman with the forehead part of her face covered by another letter. It might not be the exact one, but this piece of art is rare. I have never seen it anywhere except one book from where I got it from. I am pretty sure it was the one I sent.
Jackie
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 20:54:18 (PDT)

Barbara-T-W- I hope those are from his fans. Why would he photograph it if they were from his friends or colleagues??

Dogma-- I happen to be Catholic and I found nothing offending about it. It is just a movie. It is one of AR's best roles, IMHO. He is so funny when he is plays sarcastic people. In GQ he is also very sarcastic. It is funny, though.

Claudia, don't feel bad. I am just shy of 5'3. Hey, being short is not a bad thing! lol
Jasmine <MadamJas57@aol.comfoo>
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 20:44:26 (PDT)

Re: "papering his dressing room walls with fan letters"

You know, those might not be from us.... they're probably from his friends (he has a slew of them, I understand) and colleagues (he has a slew of them, too!)...

So, though it's depressing for me to contemplate, alas, my letter shall never end up on his walls...
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 20:21:56 (PDT)

I love ALAN!!!
Cristine J. <chris2004011@hotmai.comfoo>
Houston, TX USA - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 17:43:10 (PDT)

i just wanted to say that this is an awesome site:)
tara
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 17:31:15 (PDT)

Sorry to write again, but I forgot. Does anyone know if the soundtrack for Mesmer by Nyman exists? Thanks.
Catherine
Chicago, - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 17:30:35 (PDT)

Just wanted to say thanks for the info on Mesmer and Rasputin. I just got my DVD Mesmer and my VHS Rasputin today and I love them both!!!!!! I think I'll never hear the phrase "God is love" in quite the same light ever again :) Just one question. I heard that there was some sort of documentary on Mesmer floating around but it's not on my DVD. Does anyone have it or has seen it? Also, my Mesmer DVD doesn't have subtitles or closed captioning which is a shame. Oh, well. Although, my favorite scene was the "I'm cleaning house!" bit. I laughed hysterically!!!
Catherine
Chicago, - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 17:06:38 (PDT)

Well, I think its rather nice that AR DOES wallpaper his dressing room with letters and cards etc from his fans! I reckon that shows he appreciates us!
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 16:54:05 (PDT)

That's the one-can't you just hear him thinking "where the b----- h--- are all these coming from? A bit like the scene in Harry Potter when the letters come in through the chimney, door, everywhere-must be tortuous for a rumored "control freak" I have also wondered what he does with all those gifts/presents/chocolates/fudge. When one person gave him chocolates, he groaned and said "just don't do it again"-{has to fit into that suit, you know}
A Concerned Citizen
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 16:47:25 (PDT)

Concerned Citizen -Would THIS be the picture you are alluding to?
Sue
England - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 15:13:37 (PDT)

Buyer beware. For people buying rickman photos on ebay those sold by valmon54 can be bought at a fixed price from bookseller rhian jones at abebooks.com who also trades ebay as ithell.
little bird
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 14:58:17 (PDT)

Mr. Rickman will send an autographed photo, personalized if requested, if you write him at the theatre-remember though, that the show closes on Sept 1, so if your request arrives after that, he won't get it, or may get it eventually. He will not reply personally to letters or gifts-occasionally his assistant, Ms Parker will send a response on his behalf. A long time ago, he did reply to letters, but his response was usually a polite routine thank you note. He is not doing that anymore, undoubtedly due to the volume of mail that he receives. Somewhere there is a picture of him in his dressing room, looking somewhat despondent, surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of notes, letters, pictures from fans. One can understand why he doesn't respond personally, as that would be overwhelming. Don't take it personally-I am sure that he appreciates your admiration but cannot personally respond anymore, as the volume would be prohibitive....
a concerned citizen
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 13:33:20 (PDT)

Claudia, I completely agree. This is why I prefer Europe. I feel tall there... And I'm just shy of 5'5" myself.

The "Joust like a Woman" episode of King of the Hill has first showing on British tv on Sunday 18th August at 5pm on Sky One (Satellite)
Sue
England - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 10:06:44 (PDT)

Thanks Georgiana for the Armadillo info. Saves me from having to check out when it will air again! I saw the previews and wanted to see it but due to work...missed it....darn reality!

Gosh...all you tall women make me feel like a shrimp at a mere 5'2...LOL
Claudia
GA US - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 08:40:39 (PDT)

Rhonda, I don't believe Alan is selective at all about replying to fan requests. He seems to treat all his fans fairly and with respect. You mentioned sending the letter to his agents, but what about the Richard Rodgers Theatre? That is where he's been the last 3 months so if you didn't send it there then he probably hasn't seen it yet. When I wrote his agent in London at the beginning of the year, I received a reply that said he couldn't respond because he was going to be out of the country for awhile. Please don't blame him, I'm sure it's not intentional.
Tammi <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 07:35:12 (PDT)

A combined production of A&E and the BBC, Armadillo, directed by Private Lives's own Howard Davies, has been running on A&E and will have another showing next Saturday. It includes a brief appearance by PL's "Victor," Adam Godley.

The unauthorized bio (in spite of its other difficulties) pegged Mr. Rickman's height as "just shy of six foot one inch" and this appears to be just where we end up. My photo next to him (I'm five foot ten) would support that height as well.

Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 07:10:00 (PDT)

Has anybody have any idea how many letters Alan Rickman gets per day? I am disappointed: it has been 3 months since I have posted a nice letter to him and 2 copies of it to all 3 agents of his, to ensure the letter doesn't get lost or misplaced. A.R. must be very selective to who he chooses to reply to. What does it take? A) invitation B) B&B and tour of your town C) a gift certificate D) offer yourself -haha Seriously, I am put off of A.R. and hope others can relate to me...
Rhonda S.
N.Y., U.S.A. - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 05:37:07 (PDT)

Hilarious goof on the Star Trek DVD (or was it a goof?)!!! Just goes to show you what an excellent parody Galaxy Quest is! That film is a happy collision of two of my obsessions, Star Trek and Alan Rickman.

By the way, has anyone noticed how Dr. Lazarus' headpiece kind of mimics AR's real hair? It has whitish patches at the temples and is full and textured in the back. The only reason I noticed this is that when you see fans in the film wearing headpieces that imitate his, they do not have those whitish temple patches. I love the idea that this is a subtle joke by the makeup crew! :0>
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 03:33:34 (PDT)

Actually, Josephine is asking an AR-related question as the NSEA Protector was the spaceship in Galaxy Quest. Obviously it has an active post-GQ existence.
Magda
Canada - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 02:56:18 (PDT)

Claire, you never cease to amaze me! Your Photo's are SO GOOD! I must say that I am looking forward to HP2 the Chamber of Secrets. not long to go now. I do hope that AR will do all "7" of them. Judy , Sydney, I have to agree with you re Dev. I really like MC and thought it took a lot of courage for AR to play Dev. So many thing I could say about what Dev was to go onto..... Unspeakable things for Women in Ireland..... I guess the "If only's" in life could become a reality.... What "If" Dev had agreed to the treaty....... No Civil War, Maybe Peace for the people....
Barbara the Australian
Gold Coast, Qld Australia - Monday, August 12, 2002 at 02:30:39 (PDT)

ot - fast film - yep, a wonderful scene. in fact i had to watch the whole movie again after your post and loved it. and we were all in there, too:-)

gml -love your posts.

anyone from europe, germany, preferably - has anyone been able to obtain said movie, i.e. dark harbor in a version that can be viewed on either dvd or video in europe? my video only speaks european and my dvd seems to be an utter idiot. help would greatly be appreciated. all the spoilers i read lately just hit me on the head and say: buy me, please buy me.
mortianna <mortianna02@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, August 12, 2002 at 00:34:25 (PDT)

Jody, Re; dvd extras , if you liked Dogma, the 2 disc set is probably worth it, there's some "fun" stuff there and many deleted scenes. Unfortunately, none of them are of Alan, so if he is your only reason for getting it, don't bother!
Helen
Cheshire, UK - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 23:35:19 (PDT)

LOL...sorry Jackie. I stole your word: obsession. *chuckles* I just read the GB w/i min or two, but that word must have got stuck in my mind. As I always tell my friends: we all need our own obsessions in life. They're good for our overall health. (well, w/i limits, of course.)

Now, go feed that obsession! *grin*
jody
CA USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 23:20:10 (PDT)

My thanks to Sally, Ail-Pat (LOL, not only is he versatile, but also expendable, hah!), and Tami. I do have a slight obsession w/ heights. But then again, it IS AR in Q: everything re: him is an obsession, but one that I'd be unwilling/unable to give up.

Is it just me that notices actors from UK have a bit of tendancy to be a bit taller than US counterparts. Or is it just selective comparison...

re: Dogma---are the extras on DVD worth the money? I have a VHS copy already, but now I see that the DVD has a slew of deleted scenes and others.
jody
CA USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 23:14:05 (PDT)

Josephine, this is the Alan Rickman Guestbook. Are you lost?
Stacie
- Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 21:25:19 (PDT)

On the new Director's Star Trek II DVD, disc 2, under special effects is an interview with ILM staff about the movie. Included among the various photos and film of the Star Trek II models Enterprise and Reliant, is a two second or so shot, full frame, of the NSEA Protector. Wonder how that one got by Paramount...?
Josephine
US of A - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 19:35:15 (PDT)

Regarding Dogma-I agree it's one of Alans best roles. As for its views on the Catholic church-I took them them to be rather tongue in cheek. I am a lifelong committed Catholic and the films content did not bother me at all. Well I should say the films religious content. I could have done without all that swearing.It got so boring after a awhile. One of the reasons I enjoyed the film so much was the inspired casting choices. I am not particularly fond of Damon-Affleck but they were a good fit for the roles. Chris Rock was hysterical, I liked Selam Hayak as the muse, but the two best were George Carlin as the Bishop and Alanis Morrisette as God. Another appealing factor in the film is that Alan's character gets to interact with all of them. I remember when the film was released it garnered such negative press. When I finally saw it for the first time I wondered what all the hoopla had been about.
Kathy
Lewiston, Me - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 19:16:08 (PDT)

hello all. just finished watchin Dogma. I have to say that this movie was one of Alans better choices. HOwever im sure ppl we not too thrilled abou the spoof an catholicism.
heidi
- Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 18:19:04 (PDT)

hey just wanted to say im a HUGE rickman fan!!! hes the greatest
samara
- Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 14:37:34 (PDT)

About the height issue: I'm 5'8", wearing 1" heels, in this photo of Alan and me. (Click on my name to see it!) As you can see, he is at least 6 feet, maybe 6'1".
Tami <chapman.1@nd.edufoo>
Notre Dame, IN USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 13:47:55 (PDT)

Claire: Thank you once more for your wonderful page and may I ask; that b/w pic from the Metropolis, do you know the year? Surely close to 10 years ago? His peek, no doubt, but the descent is slow and grueling! LOL
Constance
Cary, NC USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 11:43:55 (PDT)

I knew nothing about Alan Rickman and his work until I saw "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone". I was fascinated by Professor Snape's voice despite his being the villain. After rewinding the tape over and over I looked AR up on the web and then started watching his other movies. It was "Sense and Sensibility" that really reeled me in,though. I thought he was great as Colonel Brandon. Since then I have seen "Die Hard"; "Blow Dry"; "Galaxy Quest"; "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"; and "Michael Collins". I am waiting for some others I ordered to arrive.
Diane <bobbalu475@aol.com>
It is great meeting so many other Rickman fans!, - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 10:20:25 (PDT)

To GML: If it's "The Sun King" directed by Roberto Rosselini (Ingrid's second husband and Isabella's father), it is well worth seeing. A major-major art film backed by the desire for historical accuracy.

For those with a broadband connection this'll be easy. There are 4 free films starring Clive Owen (CME, "Croupier" & "Gosford..") made to be viewed on your computer only and produced as ads for BMW. Advertising is definitely not in the driver's seat. Production values rule. Directors are Ang Lee (we know him), John Frankenheimer (died recently but also did "Manchurian Candidate" & "From Here to Eternity"), Alejandro Inarritu ("Amores Perros"), and Guy Ritchie. Each is 6 minutes long and splendid viewing. They make you feel as if you've seen the future of moviemaking and advertising.

If Donald Sutherland is the voice of Volvo, and Clive Owen is now the persona for BMW...well, Rickman probably wouldn't want such a corporate connection, but one never knows. I wouldn't mind seeing him moving his long legs on my computer screen in a comic series for the new little Cooper. (Think I'll leave finding "just the thing" to his agent and him.) Owen got quite a plum here. From the behind-the-scenes segment it sounds as if there will be more of these little stories on film directed by the best and featuring Owen.

The site is www.bmwfilms.com. It will also give you the free download for the interactive film player, pc or mac. If you don't have broadband but get a strong connection late at night, it's possible to download them. Added warning for those without broadband: It will take time and use up memory, so save the great novel you're writing on your computer. I believe it's the first screen, which you can return to, that gives the option to delete them after viewing; thus, you won't tax your computer forever. After you've downloaded, click on "Films" at the bottom and you will see the listing--O1, 02, 03, 04, 05--for each; just click on one, see film, etc., at a time. The 03 film is listed but no longer available. David Fincher, who directed "Fight Club" and "The Panic Room" with Jodie Foster, oversaw all of them.

Is Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way" an improvement over Marvin Gayes' "Sexual Healing"? Might not be his fav, but it's got a good beat and you can dance to it.
Lily <LilyChicago@hotmailfoo>
- Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 09:21:51 (PDT)

The name for the guy in Dark Harbor is Grossguy.
Cynthia
CA USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 09:09:10 (PDT)

Good Grief, what a mess! Italic's fixed, boldness reduced and some doubles deleted. I haven't the time to read all I missed while away but I'm sure the any other doubles will be removed on GB archiving. Mind you, the subject matter looks the same ... obviously what we call in the UK the silly season when summer news is thin!

Claire
- Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 08:27:46 (PDT)

I admit it. It was me. I thought (and was confused by) a reference to Greek dialogue rather than French farce. Gail, however, rapidly corrected me.
Georgiana, burdened with a classical education <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 07:44:43 (PDT)

Hi! Great page... I was wondering if somebody could tell me if Alan is married? Or not? My email is : susanne.lynnerup@mail.dk
Sus <susanne.lynnerup@mail.dkfoo>
Denmark - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 07:37:18 (PDT)

Hi folks, I saw Private Lives 8-8-02; I had no idea how physically demanding that show is! Went to the stage door, and he was so nice to everyone. I now have a polaroid of us together which I will figure out how to scan on and post later on. I drove clear across the country (well, as far as Niagara Falls, Canada, where my car quit, and my in-laws (bless them!) put me on the train to NY) to see him work LIVE. It was worth every bit of that drive. His physical motion is so smooth, so varied, and so fascinating. On Charlie Rose, he spoke about actors needing to have all their physical resources available, head to foot. In PL, I saw that in action. Doing the petulant little boy characterization of Elyot, he used his hands, face, and knees...would you believe expressive KNEES?! Yes, I knew you would! BTW, on the transcript of the Charlie Rose interview, someone blew it; he describes the last act of PL as being like Feydeau, the famous French comedic playwright. Somebody transcribed the name Feydeau as "Phaedo", which sounds the same but is a Greek work, nothing to do with Private Lives. I will post more later; I'm at my sis-in-laws at Chatham and don't want to hog their computer. I met another fan after the show for hot chocolate...Hi, Laura!...and the whole experience was one I will treasure forever. Best to all, Mud
Mud <sam@deepforest.orgfoo>
Mt. View, CA USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 07:15:50 (PDT)

Oh, I figured out the height question when I read that one interview where he said he felt taller in the U.S. and felt somehow shrunken when he went back to England. So there you have it--he is 5'8" in England and 6'1" in the U.S. Maybe 6'3" on a really happy day.

Actually, he himself has answered both "6'" and "6'1"" when asked. I am 5' 10", wore 2" heels when I met him at the stage door in May, and was just about exactly eye-to-eye with him. An eternally repeatable experience!
Ail-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 05:39:55 (PDT)

Does this man *know* how affects some women? Does e? He is driving me crazy! It is 1:30 in the morning here. He keeps me up all night, looking at pictures and interviews of him or just listening to his voice on tapes or television. I lay sleepless in bed thinking for hours about him. Why can this man control me so much. I hate it. Its an obsession.

He touches things in movies and I always catch myself saying "Oh, how I wish I was that..."

OK I will stop. I love the pictures on Claire's page. They are really good.
Jackie
- Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 00:40:31 (PDT)

jody - TALL!!! There is absolutely now way on this planet, AR is a mere 5'8"! I would defintely put him in the rumoured 6'2" bracket...
Sally
Sydney, Australia - Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 00:36:58 (PDT)

Claire, thanks for the Neil Jordan interview.
Now I understand, how the scene with the tank on the footballfield came to being(?). I couldn't imagine that it should have happended like shown in the movie. It not only disturbed me because of the enormous violence in the scene, but there was something else I couldn't explain.
Also I liked to read about the real relationship between Michael Collins and DeValera, espacially concerning DeValeras reaction at(?on?to? right prepositions for me a thing of luck) Michael Collins death.
Thanks for the pictures too. You have always got new ones, how do you manage that?
lelefua
stuttgart, - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 23:18:24 (PDT)

Scouring thru all the fabulous accounts of stagedoor meetings of AR, no one seems to be able to agree upon his height. W/o means to actually fly myself out to NY to see him in person and come to my own conclusion...
what seems to be the consesus??
I've heard so far 5'8" to 6'3"? Could anyone get just a wee bit more SPECIFIC?
jody
CA USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 23:03:11 (PDT)

All right, all right. I'll post my new email addy. But use it at your own risk, since I can't guarantee that evven it is safe; also, I'll encode it slightly so that it won't that obvious to anyone trolling only for emails. Pee Eee Tee Arr Oh Vee Pee Eee Eee Vee Eee Ess At Why Ay Aich Oh Oh Dot See Oh Emm. I hope you got that. It's all one word, not capitalised.
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 20:44:11 (PDT)

Yes, the new pictures at Claire's are gorgeous, but he looks so brokenhearted in that "Interview 1999" picture--I wanted to just hug him and tell him everything was going to be all right!

Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind doing that even if he wasn't brokenhearted . . . *Grin*

Mary Anne
There, there, Alan, USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 20:04:02 (PDT)

Okay Friends: Time to leave the gloomy Harbor behind! Claire has new pics up on her site! Get your spatulas ready! I think we are all due a nice break!:!) Thank you Claire! SO worth waiting for, especially "Metropolis". O.M.G.!
Constance
NC USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 19:15:40 (PDT)

just curious if any1 here is into alan alda as much as they are alan rickman..hmmm...maybe we just like hearing the name alan...lol
marnie
- Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 15:55:50 (PDT)

More Dark Harbor comments and spoilers:

When I first watched DH, I was not surprised or shocked. I could see the relationship with the young man quickly, especially in the coffee scene, as mentioned previously, indicating he had served morning coffee to AR's character many times before. I enjoyed the acting performances very much.

But, I was also disappointed, and angry, that anyone would find a same sex romance to be such a shocking surprise ending. I assume that the intended audience was the "art movie" crowd, who would be more sophisticated (at least more sophisticated than I am) and also see this coming. I thought the better surprise would have been to have the wife realize what was going on just before she died.

When I listened to the director's commentary, I liked the movie a bit better. But did anyone else notice that the director seemed to have a conflict about whether he wanted people to figure it out early in the movie or not. He spoke of the scene when AR returns from town w/2 lobsters and quickly feigned illness. The director was disappointed that the test audience did not realize that he expected the wife to be dead at that point and was covering. I don't think he gave us enough information for that point, but, how can he want the viewer to get that and not get the relationship and be surprised. And, if AR expected the wife to be dead by dinner, why did he give himself poison ivy, that wouldn't appear until the next day, to make himself unattractive to the wife?

I did find that ending scene to be very sad. The look AR gives as the young man approaches seems to me, to be one of an intelligent, successful man having just given up total control of everything to this manipulative "child" who will ruin him. I found the kissing scene to be well done, but the necessary "revlelation" got in the way making the movements a bit akward.

Enough of my over-analysis. I hope I executed the html properly, it was my first effort at paragraphs!
Kat H
Kent, OH USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 14:59:29 (PDT)

Sorry GML, my way to Jean Genet has been another, I wrote my work for certification on topic "psychosocial aspects of AIDS" and therefor I had to read a lot of gay literature and so read Hubert Fichte, who did a long interview with Jean Genet. For me that's all long ago, but when someone even today discriminates homosexuálity I'd like to scream.
lelefua
stgt, - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 14:07:13 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, thanks for explanations.
I don't miss the previous history, but I do think it's absolutely nescessary to see the film twice.
I think many people are fenced in a relationship in which they are not happy. Espacialy for someone who isn't able to accept even for himself that he's homosexual it's a long way to come out and leave the present live behind.
I think it's clear in the film that he always wanted to live h i s life and felt fenced in and unhappy. For sure it's not the right and normal thing to kill the partner in such cases, but it's a film. You already mentioned that the diving scene shows his release and new freedom, these closes are the rest to get rid of, in the last scene he's comfortable in the jumper. For my feeling the expression on his face in the last scene shows deep ease from all he left behind and a sigh of relief that the partner is back and he is not alone anymore. "That's all I wanted" tells the rest. For me it's all in the film.
lelefua
stuttgart, - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 13:27:54 (PDT)

Spoilerama! Anne in Manhattan, the protaganist in "The Sixth Sense" is ALREADY DEAD! Rosebud was Charles Foster Kane's sled, symbol of his lost boyhood! And Dorothy could have returned home from Oz anytime she wished! Please...filmmakers use all they can muster in this highly collaborative art form to tell a story to amuse you, and, nudity or not, watching the end of Dark Harbor first has spoiled the otherwise enjoyable process for you. Not a good thing! Storytelling is supposed to be vaguely linear in most films (except "Rashomon" and "Memento.")P.S., others, watch Norman Reedus as a more prototypical young student in "Gossip" (frequently on American cable tv since it costars Kate Hudson) to get a line on his acting without the Dark Harbor biases.
Fast Film
not that fast, - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 13:24:09 (PDT)

Oh, NO, the woman was right: the Harry Potter books are evil: they italicized the whole Guestbook! *hides under a rock*

Uh... O Supreme DoC?

Off to sign up for new religion,

GML
UK - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 12:58:22 (PDT)

Oh, my, so many posts to catch up with... most of which being, alas, *puts on sad emoticon face*, answers to statements which can only be clever provocation from highly intelligent trolls (that's the optimistic interpretation) or (more likely, *sigh*) genuine opinions from thick-as-two-planks-nailed-together individuals. Why dignify these with any kind of answer when they will be either greeted with a satisfied snigger or totally lost on the said individuals' dogma-led lives? Ah, well. Humanity still is a mystery to me. Will always be. Damn stork dropped me on the wrong planet. I blame Royal Mail. Damn gays, all o'em! ;) - But since democracy has it that bigotry is legal, and since democracy is the best thing we have, however much trash it breeds (to quote a poet friend of mine), let's be kind and welcoming to all and be grateful for all these healthy debates. There! *slaps own hand*. I only wish Mr Rickman had the time to read them, for if he has never been confused by his sexuality before, he would be by now, and maybe we would all stand a chance to help him make his own mind :D

Uh, sorry for the grumble, you see, I am just back from a weekend retreat where I met a born-again-Christian who clammed up and refused to address me again after I mentioned the Harry Potter> books. Witchcraft. Baaad. Evil JK Rowling. I could cope with that, mind you, what really upset me is that she had no problem admitting that she had never even read the book! And I still coped with that pretty well, until she said she was a teacher. AAaaaaaArgh! Ahem. Excuse me. On a brighter note, a HP movie starring AR and directed by Alfonso Cuaron sounds like something worth living a bit longer for to me! YEAH! :) - And to answer whoever-it-was-who-asked, it's no mystery what happened to the last people who asked Mr Rickman what he thought of the reviews of Antony and Cleopatra: he spread every single one of them (thinly) on his toast the next morning for breakfast. After he'd lovingly polished his collection of human skulls. But don't let that put you off asking! ;) (Just joking, I'm sure he would happily answer. You try and let us know ;)

Lelefua (hope I got that right), if I had been told I would ever read a quote from Jean Genet by a German girl on an Alan Rickman site, I wouldn't have believed it! When I was a teenager, I used to sneak to the bookshop and guiltily read passages from his books in a corner! And I felt guilty too! Well, this is the closest I got to porn ;)

Julia, just when I decide I have finally cleared time to enjoy a few chats with you about about our other hooked-nose hero, the great Holmes-impersonator, you change your email address and keep it a secret! Booh! (Since I never ever post mine, for reasons that you now understand, we have a problem!)

And Marialis, have you seen/heard of a movie called, uh, the Sun King I think... about Louis XIV and I believe, society and arts at the time? It's coming to my local cinema, check your local ciné-club for it, might be good!

Bed time...

GML
UK - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 12:51:14 (PDT)

Forgive me, Lelefua--I have a lifelong devotion to slang and dialect.

"Betcha" is a slangy way of saying "I'll bet you". Immortalized in an advertising slogan (Betcha can't eat just ONE!) and a pop song (Betcha By Golly Wow....).

A "prequel" is the opposite of a sequel. In other words, I am saying that we need a movie that shows what went on before the events depicted in Dark Harbor. I for one would love to know where David and WHN (you know, What's His Name) met, and also what kind of craziness Alexis and/or David were going through that caused them to turn to each other for support and love.
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 12:44:41 (PDT)

Ali-Pat, could you please explain "betcha" and "prequel", it's not in my dictionary. Thanks

Sabine, it's good to have a "fellow-sufferer".
lelefua
stgt, - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 12:07:51 (PDT)

**Dark Harbor Spoilers** Yes! Poor David (sigh!)! "Whatshisname" must really wanted the house et all BAD! There are very subtle hints throughout the film that David suffers from a low esteem. I wish I could give you line and phrase but my distict impression was that he was trying so hard to stand on his own, far from Alexa's wealth and social standing. Perhaps even his relationship with that guy was more a symbol of his wanting an individual expression rather than homosexuality in it's purest form. I am not stating that David is not "gay" because I am uncomfortable with it (that is beside's the point), I am just saying that I was not convinced that he was truly a gay man and a happy gay man upon freeing himself of his wife. I am aware that the nude diving scene should represent this new found freedom but I for one was not convinced. I do not want to seem disrespectful but that ending embrace could have well been on a daytime soap, a Friday afternoon cliff-hanger, for the scene begs for a: "To Be Continued".

Having said all that and probably having squished some dainty toes in the process, this Rickmaniac remains much afflicted and will no doubt keep watching and rewatching whatever Mr. Rickman puts out there for me to pick and prode at till Kingdom Come! LOL ;~)
Constance
Cary, NC USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 12:04:05 (PDT)

DKH SPOILERS, PERHAPS

Constance--you hit the nail squarely on the head! I have always been under the impression that the whole murder scheme was the young man's idea (we gotta come up with a name for this guy) that and he was subjecting David to some kind of a test. Manipulating? You betcha. The creepy feeling I get at the end of this film comes from the surety that David was going to be the next victim.

Also, if ever a film needed a "prequel", this one does!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 11:24:29 (PDT)

Constance..I Felt the same way.
P.L
- Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 10:53:21 (PDT)

Sorry about this OT post. Don't have lelefua's e-mail. Lelefua: Ich mach' mir auch keine Sorgen darueber, dass ich nie erwachsen werde! Es macht viel zu viel Spass nicht erwachsen zu sein! :-)
Sabine
GA USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 09:23:28 (PDT)

About Dark Harbor's surprise ending; Maybe it's me but I thought that David did not look happy. After the kiss and during the embrase I felt that he had second thoughts, that it was the young man's idea all along and that somehow David had been manipulated. What do you think?
Constance
Cary, NC USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 09:16:27 (PDT)

And, oh, Anne, not to mention the wonderful profile shot of David on the sailboat lit by the setting sun in that lovely white shirt (just before it comes off). I had him sign that in London this past winter. He did not recognize it, and asked what it was from. His response to being told, "Dark Harbor," was "That dog?"
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 08:35:58 (PDT)

Anne, there is a lovely Rickman scene earlier in the film--"Shut, shut, shut!"--which is well worth watching the left. Actually, there are marvelous moments earlier as well. "Dark Harbor" is a film wherein we see lots of the man, so please do not judge it by the last scene alone.

We met that Maine actress at the MIFF showing of "Dark Harbor" in Waterville. She was quite apologetic about having been dubbed by Phyllida, and told a little story about Mr. Rickman's displeasure when she changed word order on one of the takes they did of that scene. She is amazingly petite.

Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 08:34:10 (PDT)

Here's a little DkH trivia I picked up from the DVD. The actress who plays Alexis's mother is a local (Maine) woman who appeared in several community theater productions. Although she acquitted herself well in her scene at the end of the film, the director was not entirely convinced by her accent and later had Phyllida Law dub her lines. Now, I don't know about y'all, but if I were asked to stand in front of Alan Rickman and speak in a fake English accent, I would be shaking in my boots! (It was hard enough to address him in my own, tragically hick accent when I actually got the chance.) What a woman--let's give her a hand for trying!
Ali-Pat <sa.pe@earthlink.netfoo>
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 08:15:33 (PDT)

I really must get organized and watch DH this weekend! All I've seen is the end - the friend who taped it rewound a bit just to make sure he hadn't screwed up, spotted The Dive, couldn't resist telling me about it, and considerately rewound to the beginning of That Scene, knowing I would want to check it out immediately. Which I did, and then watched to the end. Which I hated so much that I haven't been able to bring myself to see the film even though I've had the tape for at least two years.

I have no opinion whatsoever about the appropriateness of the ending in the context of the 90+ minutes of movie that I haven't seen. Know little about the plot and nothing at all about the characters except what I've read here. Couldn't care less what your sexual orientation is unless I'm sleeping with you or would like to (or you're doing something really interesting ...). My problem is that the kid is so unattractive! But maybe I'd like him better if I watched the movie. I will watch the movie.
An