Alan Rickman Guestbook

(July 1 - July 31, 2001)

Great Site. Thank You!
Rhonda Harris
- Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 21:43:15 (PDT)

Welcome, Leanne! Yes, the link changed, sorry about that. But it's fixed now, so try it again. Or click here.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
And thank you!, - Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 16:28:49 (PDT)

Hello everyone. I love this page! I hope you can help me. I was trying to download the videogram of the Four Yorkshire Men but received the error message from hypermart that the link was either changed or updated or something. I don't have a MAC, so I don't know what the problem is. Please help, I would love to see that video!! TIA
Leanne <LeannBanas@aol.comfoo>
Franklin, WI - Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 15:57:08 (PDT)

If we are going to play a game of GUESS THE THEATRE while we wait for the announcement of the real thing my money is on either the Cambridge or Albery theatres in the West End.My conclusions are based on the fact they will be empty at the right time!! But I am probably wrong! I wish they would hurry up and make their minds up the suspense is dreadful.
Jill
Kent UK - Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at 11:16:34 (PDT)

Last night I saw Die Hard on FX cable channel, and they had an extra scene in there that just blew me away. You might want to see if the Die Hard they are showing is 3 hours long, and you probably can be assured the extra scene will be in there. It is while they are trying to open the vault and the FBI turns off the electricity... they kept advertising the new DH dvd set, and perhaps it is in that version of the movie. I found his acting in DH to be very different from most everything else he has done before or since, and this additional scene even added to that. Months ago I wrote that I found an Hispanic actor who looked and acted just like Hans Gruber (only this was even before DH was released)... and since then I've traded Alan in for him in my "affections", but I do have to admit that I did greatly enjoy this extra scene of Hans that is now available to everyone. Also, I'm trying to figure what to do with all my Alan things, and if anybody wants to write me, I'll keep your emails for when I'm ready and organized to let go of them.
Maxine <maxinerose@prodigy.netfoo>
Greeley, CO - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 18:42:32 (PDT)

Has anyone seen the Harry Potter Poster Book? Any good pics?
Cindie
- Monday, July 30, 2001 at 17:45:34 (PDT)

"hoping to snag a shag" Really, our interest in him is purely artistic, isn't it? I believe that he is only available for autographs, anyway... that is, if you can catch him.....
a Rickman admirer
- Monday, July 30, 2001 at 16:40:25 (PDT)

Which Haymarket, Susan? The Theatre Royal, Haymarket, or the other one? Off Topic: For those of you much younger than Alan, hoping to snag a shag with the man, I suggest watching a little 1980's film called "Blame it on Rio," starring michael Caine as, well, the older man! Very Good Stuff!
Julia
Canada - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 15:36:11 (PDT)

Private Lives is not on at the Haymarket - I've had advance booking there for Judi Dench in The Royal Family which starts on 24 Oct. I'm hoping I can combine both plays in the same visit. By the way after my "indulgent" visit in July I can recommend "Blue/Orange", "Art" and "Chigaco" and also the Salvador Dali exhibition.
Susan
Yorkshire - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 14:50:32 (PDT)

Do they view the Royal Court Theatre as "West End"? It's in an entirely different part of London--on Sloane Square. And not exactly where I'd think they'd put a Coward revival--the Royal Court seems to specialize in new plays.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 14:34:15 (PDT)

Peter Lathan's excellent theater site, http://britishtheatre.about.com has this item,

Rickman to return to the West End? After months of whispers, we now have full-blown rumours! It is said that Alan Rickman is to return to the West End (theatre as yet unnamed), in the autumn (probably October), in a new production of Coward's Private Lives. The production, it is said, will co-star Lindsay Duncan and be directed by Howard Davies

It's not going to be at the Royal Court, which is staging Sliding With Suzanne And please visit the AugustMonthly Rickmanista, featuring Ren's art & a new recipe.
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
Suz, you, sliding?, - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 14:12:38 (PDT)

From what I've seen in the trailers, the "Harry Potter" film promises to be every bit as wonderful as the books! The author appears to have kept careful control, in picking her director, in casting, etc. And shan't it be wonderful come November 16 when we all find out?
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 12:16:15 (PDT)

Well, not a WARNING Elizabeth, not a warning as such...
Mary
McHenry, - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 12:10:22 (PDT)

Hi all! Haven`t been here for a while,so now I have to write; Tom Rickman,are you really Tom Rickman(yes,what a weird question!)Maybe I`ll have to mail you....it`s nice that you like Alan. Muppets?!Oh...no! Are they really making the "private lives"?GREAT!!!! I still can`t wait to see the HP-movie,and SNAPE in it! I`ve read all four HP books,and I think they`re great! Acctually;if you haven´t read the first book,I don`t think you should go see the movie either....read it!The movie can`t be as wonderfull,as the books are!
anna ("Snape's girl...!)
- Monday, July 30, 2001 at 09:50:22 (PDT)

Elizabeth!-Did your mother never warn you about going into basements with nice Irish builders?
Sue
England - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 07:11:37 (PDT)

I have been away for such a long time there is too much to read! I had a great time in Ireland and found out lots of AR related things.

When I was in Dublin I visited the place where they filmed P L O'Hara's flat for AABA. The buildings are in ruins, well most of them, but there was this very nice builder down there, who also turned out to be a film buff and he showed me round the basement they used in the film. If you ever get the oppurtunity to go to Dublin, the place is Henrietta Street, and it is the second basement on the left (It really does smell of turpetine)

Visited some places used in MC as well, which was inteesting, but the best part of the trip was definatley going tp the Irish Film Centre and finding a preview of Help! I'm a Fish. It was great, I couldn't stop laughing, it gets here on 10th August, everyone you must flock to the cinemas!!!

I was so happy to read about Private Lives, it also looks as though it will fall on my 18th birthday (mother take note!) I have a few "nice" reviews for HIAF (it is such a long title) and will post them when I have a chance. It is good to be back.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 04:02:44 (PDT)

Hi people!

Just saying hi and bye, I'm going back to France for a couple of weeks - I'll be back to work and England on the day they start showing Help I'm a Fish in my local little foreign & independent films cinema, that should help;) You're all welcome for the UK photos and articles, thanks for all the info on the (hopefully) upcoming play, I hope I can make it, it would be a great pleasure to enjoy his talent from somewhere else than my sofa.

Uh... I meant... Oh, never mind!;)

Bye for now.
GML
UK - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 01:40:01 (PDT)

hi there everyone, im alan's cousin, however i have never met him personally, i have spoken to his mother over the phone for a few autographs!! as i'v heard he is a very nice person and what can i say about his acting abilities: astonishing!! what a man, and what a family! i am very glad to be a rickman and if anybody would like to contact me by letter or email then please do my email is: i8_qpr@hotmail.com and my home adress: 183 manor grove, richmond, surrey, london, england thanks alot and i hope to be hearing from you soon! especially alan if he manages to read this and good luck for the future! from tom
Tom Rickman <i8_qpr@hotmail.comfoo>
London, N/A Great Britain, England - Monday, July 30, 2001 at 01:12:46 (PDT)

Thanks "lurker":-) That is INDEED the pic. Suzanne, I don't envy you a bit, what a task! Good luck at getting all of it transfered:-) Just wanted to comment briefly on the commentary in the Dogma dvd...I'd love to get ALAN's take on the "hell" they say he went through. I have to give them credit for their verbal admiration for him....funny, but I think THEY gave him more credit than the Die Hard producers and directors....and I certainly hope whoever had the task of helping him with the "cup" knows what an HONOR they had;-) Oh had I had THAT job..... Also, I've had so many posts and info going through my head, but can anyone tell me; is Terese Reqiuem the movie Genine Geraffelo (Is that her name?) stars in with Alan? Anyone know his part in this movie? I'm SOOOOOO terribly DESPERATE to see him in something NEW....November is too far away! Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 23:01:09 (PDT)

I just want to inform everyone that Xoom/NBCi has decided it will no longer host web-pages, so if anyone is linked to the front page at http://members.nbci.com/AlanRickman/, you will need to update your links (and/or bookmarks). I would recommend using http://www.alan-rickman.com, since I can redirect this to any of the mirror sites that I wish.

I was just informed by them a few days ago that all pages and files (which includes the Sound Gallery and Video Gallery) must be moved by the end of July, so I've been trying desperately to move everything on that server to my other servers before they disappear. I have over 165 MB in sound and video files, so as you can imagine, it's taking awhile to move them, and I know I don't have enough space for all of them, so I'm also looking for another server. I also have a lot of links to update, so if I'm not finished with all of this by Tuesday, you may come across a few broken links, especially for some of the sound and video files.

The Guestbook, FOF, Articles and Photo Gallery will not be effected by this... upheaval.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
You're probably right, Donna, but I've been kind of busy..., - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 21:30:57 (PDT)

Is it my imagination or do those 2 posts a few below mine here from fla. seem to be ads of some sort? It looks to me like they are pretending to like this site, but are just looking for business. I wouldn't even click onto their site. How come they weren't deleted? Just curious and if I'm wrong-Sorry!
donna
NY USA - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 20:53:52 (PDT)

my mates flatemate has a friend who is a friend of alan 'the lish' (tenous link i know) and he claims that AR is very bashful in real life. anyone know for sure? i would be interested to find out. would probably set me up for some good day dreaming!
nat <nataliebarbour@hotmail.comfoo>
uk - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 15:09:44 (PDT)

HA!! I knew I was psychic.. A few days ago I had a dream that someone else named Julia posted a question on the GB. And now I see that it is true! Hooray for ESP! Now back on topic... So Private Lives opens in October, does it? Hmm, now that I am not unemployed anymore and thus have the potential to save some money, does that mean I could pull off a reprise of last year? hee hee, I just might do it!
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 14:44:40 (PDT)

Thanks Claire,you've done it again.
Sue <ifitgetsanyhotteriwilldissolve.comfoo>
England - Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 13:53:03 (PDT)

From 6 minute extended trailer at Comic Con International last weekend, quotes from two HP pages on additional Snape footage:

"Scene in Professor Snape’s classroom. Snape walks (glides) into the class and to the front. He says his piece about- his class is not just silly wand waving." (The Leaky Cauldron Org)

"Speaking of perfect casting, the next scene that jumped out at me was Alan Rickman's Prof. Snape walking briskly into his classroom, muttering some nastiness and then turning around to Harry and you get that scene that was in the trailer." (AICN)

Claire
- Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 09:05:59 (PDT)

Michelle: I think this is what you are looking for since there is only one group photo as far as I'm aware. http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2001_06_24_archive.html#4260841 Scroll down a little bit -- the last one is the group shot and there is also one Snape still that look remarkably like Colonel Brandon. The Leaky Cauldron and the HP gallery also has the juicy line 'Mr. Potter, our new celebrity' on MP3 somewhere.
Lurker
- Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 03:04:55 (PDT)

Nice site. Glad I stopped by. bill
bill consolidation debt
fl - Saturday, July 28, 2001 at 16:50:25 (PDT)

Re: AR on The Muppet Show: Miss Piggy, being the vain, bossy chatterbox, will likely make him snarl. However, I have fond memories of Rudolf Nureyev's appearance ("Swine Lake"! LOL), so there's hope for a funny spoof with a part for the pig. Or, preferably, a play on British / American English, with the two old men. Thanks to the fan who posted the "Ruler of Stage and Screen" pic. Are there any spare copies to be had?? Must return to work, AW
Ann W <wagner@cybertrails.comfoo>
AZ USA - Saturday, July 28, 2001 at 12:36:51 (PDT)

Just wanted to say hello to everyone and wanted to know if you've seen this pick yet of Snape. It's a group shot, but my my he still has that PRESENCE doesn't he?;-) Also, still wondering if ANYone here would be kind enough to make a copy of any of Alans appearances on tv for me? I'll compensate you for your time as well...I'm DESPERATE!!!:-) Have a good weekend! Here's the pic....I hope the link works:-)aol://4344:928.hpcast10.1032020.663107280
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Friday, July 27, 2001 at 23:58:45 (PDT)

Thanks for posting the pic for me Suzanne!!!!!!
Gabby <de_valera@hotmail.comfoo>
Melb, Australia - Friday, July 27, 2001 at 23:19:01 (PDT)

OT to RA: I haven't heard about those two celebrities having Portland connections, but I certainly have heard of a few others. Factual or not, I can't be sure...I have seen a couple celebrities around in OR but not lately. It seems that our town is becoming some what of a hang-out for the Hollywood-ites who like the city's relative anonymity/privacy and the natural beauty of the surroundings.
S ;-)
- Friday, July 27, 2001 at 23:03:15 (PDT)

S;-) {I hope I did that right}-Bruce Willis was in town looking inconspicuous with dark glasses and a baseball cap{right} and a couple noticed and called out "Hey that's Bruce Willis" or something along that line, and Bruno said something rude--don't think it was yippeeeki yaa, though.On my way with my husband to see Blow Dry, I saw Jerry Seinfeld. Dark night, rainy, and I was wearing my bright yellow docs-they have postal boxes, telephone boxes, and crowns on them and they are one of my favs for rainy days-anyway Jerry looked at my boots and grinned-I smiled back and when he passed, I said "you know that was Jerry Seinfeld, don't you?" His best friend lives in Oregon....
a Rickman admirer
- Friday, July 27, 2001 at 12:32:50 (PDT)

Raffaella, if you use a PC, just double click the file and it should start playing automatically. If that's doesn't work, e-mail me. It won't play on a Macintosh, though (sorry!).

Gabby, click here to see the "Ruler of Stage and Screen" photo, posted by GML around the beginning of the month. And here's another great photo from Arena magazine (8-01 issue), courtesy of GML, of AR, Eddie Izzard & Vic Reeves at the Amnesty International 40th Celebration (thank you, GML!).

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Friday, July 27, 2001 at 10:40:58 (PDT)

Hi! Suz, I hate to be the usual dummy, but....I've downloaded the AI-MP-6-3-01.exe file (the Python sketch) and it does not open. It does nothing, except for messing with my computer. Have I done something wrong? How can I open it? Thanks a lot!
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Friday, July 27, 2001 at 09:26:08 (PDT)

I hate to be really annoying, but im going to be anyway. I read something in previous posts about a photo of Alan holding a ruler or something (forgive me, but i cant remember the details! i think someone commented that he looked like he was bashin something!) I was wondering if someone could please direct me to this pic. I could be wrong bu i think Fausta posted it. Any assistance would be much appreciated!!! Cheers!
Gabby <de_valerafoo>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, July 27, 2001 at 06:57:22 (PDT)

Donna, I've been looking for ages for any recorded footage of Alan! I HAD the Bruce Willis tribute taped myself but my little girl taped over it! (The shame:-)) So here I am on my KNEES and BEGGING....Could I PLEASE persuade you into making any copies of whatever you have (I'd LOVE the Raspi documentary especially!) I'll pay for any inconvenience plus tapes, etc. I'd be SO very grateful:-) You can email me if you'd prefer, at: Modedevout@aol.com Thanks! Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Friday, July 27, 2001 at 01:20:41 (PDT)

yes, it's me. I've been unable to add or contribute anything lately (and I'm not really contributing anything with this posting but...). I've been wonderfully busy being an extra in the Tommy Lee Jones movie that completed filming in town a few weeks ago and have been recently recovering from sinus surgery--all well. Got to watch S & S while recouperating ;-) ....So, I'm back happily reading past postings and looking forward to HP this fall. Tah-tah.....
S ;-)
- Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 23:23:38 (PDT)

Good webpage you have here, .. Yes You Are --> WELCOME <-- To Visit My Homepage as well.
27 IDX 106 - Odinn
Reykjavik, ICELAND - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 19:39:12 (PDT)

Well, Mary, in its place...
Georgiana
Slaving in Seattle... - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 17:59:04 (PDT)

Fausta-I have seen those muppet shows and know that the guest stars appear as themselves. It's just that I was thinking of how Alan would be as a muppet character, and I happened to remember about the squirrel part.
donna
NY USA - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 17:40:08 (PDT)

The actors newspaper The Stage is reporting that Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan WILL be doing Private Lives in October and that the venue will be announced very shortly!!! So this really looks like it is going to happen!!!!!Hooray!
Jill
Kent UK - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 12:58:40 (PDT)

Georgianna, don't give up on all magical thinking.
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 10:16:24 (PDT)

Thank you, Suzanne!

You are a STAR!
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 06:02:29 (PDT)

Addendum- Release date U.K. - August 10.
Sue <wotaboutthedogRolf?.comfoo>
England - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 05:34:11 (PDT)

TOTAL FILM SEPTEMBER 2001-Review of "Help!I'm a Fish"

"It may have the daftest of titles,but if you're looking for kid-pleasing summer amusement you could do worse than this Danish cartoon. The somewhat silly plot centres on the three kids who accidently happen across the workshop of amiably mad Professor MacKrill. The Prof has developed a potion that turns humans into fish and soon the children are swimming around a marine wonderland. But the potion's antidote makes existing marine life highly intelligent and fish leader Joe(Alan Rickman) refuses to part with his evolutionary shortcut. Especially as he's bent on building a fishy fascist state(fischist state,perhaps?) Rickman's trademark villainy and the well-realised underwater stuff make up fo the irritating songs. Should send all but the most cynical family members away smiling."

3 Stars(Good-worth checking out)
Sue
What is it with this guy and potions?, England - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 05:30:35 (PDT)

Cindie - the Muppet movie you were talking about was titled either The Great Muppet Caper or The Muppets Take Manhattan (2nd and 3rd Muppet movies, respectively). I'm much more sure of the latter---I sort of remembered Kermit taking charge of the bicycle while the rest of the gang were holding on for dear life on top of him along the way. Sue - well, at least you'll get to see a lot of Snape during the Whomping Willow episode. You might want to check out the 3rd book, Prisoner of Azkaban, to see how Ron was able to sort of "overcome" his arachnophobia. That's the chapter where their Defense teacher introduces them to a creature that changes into the thing/person that frightens you most...I MOST recommend that you check out that chapter of the 3rd book and do some visualization---I won't tell all, but it's got something to do with what Neville's most frightened of (I'll give you 3 guesses...^-^). Snape's got lots of scenes in there, as well as in the 4th book (I think).
Zel-Anne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 01:08:38 (PDT)

The bicycle was the first movie, I'm not sure of the title. It might have simply been The Muppet Movie. We also get to see Kermit tap dance.

Suzanne & everyone, thank you! What a treat to see that skit with our man.
Cindie
- Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 16:27:15 (PDT)

Re: the Mighty Python sketch. My apologies to the Mac users out there!

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Bicycle... was it "The Muppets Take Manhattan"?, - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 16:19:44 (PDT)

Although I should know better (being wary of 'magical thinking'), I can't help feeling like Saturday's announcement of a forthcoming theatrical performance was a special gift.
Georgiana (three weekends down, two to go...)
Seattle - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 15:48:43 (PDT)

Thanks, Suzanne!
Georgiana (now where was it they had Kermit riding a bicycle?)
Seattle (where my Mac still can't open .exe files...) - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 15:38:01 (PDT)

Star, you can see some photos of AR as Sei (doing the Tango!) in Tango at the End of Winter in the Theatre section of the Photo Gallery.

And now for something completely different...

Here's a Videogram I made of the Mighty Python sketch that AR, Eddie Izzard, Vic Reeves and Harry Enfield did at the Amnesty International 40th Anniversary show (just download and double click the file). Many, many thanks to Kathleen, Susan and Claire for sending tapes and to Georgiana for converting! Couldn't do it without you guys!

The Four Yorkshire Men (AI-MP-6-3-01.exe: 10.5MB, 6 mins, 35 secs)

And here's a QuickTime trailer from Help, I'm a Fish!. It's really funny. I'm looking forward to seeing this movie:

"Help, I'm a Fish!" movie trailer (help_im_a_fish.mov: 5.4MB, 2 mins, 20 secs)

And while I'm at it, I know this has been posted before, but if you'd like to hear AR singing one of the songs from Help, I'm a Fish! called "Intelligence," here's an MP3 file (thanks, Cindie!):

Intelligence (HIAF-Intelligence.mp3: 2.6MB, 2 mins, 45 secs)

And last but not least, I have another picture of Professor Snape for you from an Australian newspaper, courtesy of Judy (thanks, Judy!). It's a close up of the one from the first trailer, but it's clearer than the video capture:
Professor Snape

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
"Muppet Treasure Island" was my favorite., - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 15:06:41 (PDT)

Alas, Star, I missed Alan in "Tango," but of all his theatrical jaunts (well, haven't finished my way through reading them *all*!), it's the one I most would have liked to have seen. Loved the music they used. Alan played Sei.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 14:14:51 (PDT)

Thanks Georgiana! But where does our Alan fit in? Is he the star or part of the fantasy? Have you seen it on stage?
Star
NC USA - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 13:45:00 (PDT)

Donna, sounds like you've missed all the Muppet movie features! The starring actors, like Michael Caine & Tim Curry, play the central character, such as Scrooge, etc., in fully human form while the supporting cast is all Muppets. Which makes for definitely better casting than having many non-Muppet actors, BTW.

But sure, one would expect AR can play a Muppet, after all, he's done a fish (which we are still waiting -- as usual with any AR releases -- to see here in the USA, but I digress). So while we wait for Help! I'm A Fish to reach these shores, watching Muppet movies is highly recommended.
Fausta
Muppet fan, moi?, didistraction - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 08:38:13 (PDT)

"Tango at the End of Winter" was a Japanese play done in English translation initially at the Edinburough Festival in 1991, then moved to London. It was directed by Ninagawa, who speaks no English and was well known for a flamboyant interpretation of "Medea," as well as other well-known plays. If I'm remembering this correctly...

"Tango" is a very interesting play about a Japanese actor (Sei) losing his mind, living out his days inside a movie theater in his home town with various uncles, cousins, his wife, etc. A young actress with whom he had had an affair when at the top of his career comes to visit, along with her husband, having been summoned by the actor's wife.

Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 06:43:10 (PDT)

OT: Jutta-if you're still around please email me. I'd like to ask you something about a town in Germany. Danke!
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
NY USA - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 06:32:30 (PDT)

The idea of Alan playing a muppet-well, I read that years ago he played a squirrel in a play. He can squirrel up to me ANYTIME!!! As for Judas Kiss, yes, I was disappointed too, but I'm still glad my sister taped it for me. I think at the time it was on a premium channel that I don't subscribe to. Even though I also didn't care for Dogma I still want to get that video as well, just to add to my collection. I also have filmed any awards shows I've seen him on(even the one dedicated to Bruce Willis where Alan was the host), and on HBO when they've had behind the scenes, as in Rasputin, and I also have some of, I think, where he is speaking about Die Hard in an interview. I'm not sure if that's the film or not, I'll have to recheck.
donna
NY USA - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 06:15:45 (PDT)

Good morning all! I'm new to alot of this. What exactly is "Tango at the End of Winter"?A play, I presume but what is it about? When was it produced? And how did Alan learn to Tango so beautifully? Can anyone out there enlighten me? And yes! I agree that JUDAS KISS was a real stinker! How could Rickman and Thompson end up in such a cheesy flick? The writing left much to be desired. Well ,that's my twopense worth!Have a great day!
STAR
NC USA - Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 03:14:28 (PDT)

Is there in fact a muppet equivalent of Himself? Animal's behavior is strangely reminiscent of George in some of his finer moments, and of course bears a startling resemblance to Gregori. Yet, I don't know, he can't fully capture Himself's essential...Alan-ness.

O/T, I am such a sucker for a costumer - I've been renting the Horatio Hornblower series, and I've decided I'm going to marry Jamie Bamber when he grows up.
Mary
McHenry, - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 14:57:40 (PDT)

Jill, alas, Sam Waterston fans have claimed Sam The Eagle as inspired by their hero, namely because

Both named "Sam"
Both have beak
One word: Eyebrows
Fluffy, untameable white hair

In fact, it was from The Raised Eyebrow, the Waterston page, where I got the idea of rating Rickman films with hands. They rate Waterston films with eyebrows.
Fausta
- Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 13:56:53 (PDT)

Georgiana-re:Harry Potter 2-having recently finished the 2nd book (now half way through the 3rd)- I don't recall Snape playing a very large role at all in it. Gilderoy Lockhart seems to have the bulk of the action and according to British papers Hugh Grant is to play him! Actually I hope Snape won't be in it as I will not be able to watch the movie being a bit of an arachnophobe (the story calls for spiders the size of carthorses!!).
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 12:53:45 (PDT)

Don't forget, the second "Harry Potter." to which principles were said to be committed, is set to shoot before the first film premieres--wouldn't that place it in Sept/Oct? HP1 opens 16 Nov.
Georgiana (and what about Animal?)
Seattle - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 12:17:43 (PDT)

Look if we are going down the Muppet road has nobody realised that the Muppets already have their own Alan Rickman character in Sam the American Eagle. Very distinctive, dramatic, large beak and wonderful voice!! He is also my favourite Muppet!!!
Jill
Kent UK - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 11:10:35 (PDT)

Who was Carton's conniving lawyer friend, who had schemed to make his way into Lucie's heart? I see a Fozzie Bear role here. And wait! Lucie's aged and broken father, so wrongfully imprisoned all those years, Dr. Manette, recalled to life? I see...Tom Baker! (I knew we could work him in somewhere). We're talking high concept here. FastFilms, do we have a chance? Fausta, set up the meeting!
Mary <Be frightened...be very, very frightened...foo>
McHenry, - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 08:04:22 (PDT)

Fausta-I am SERIOUSLY concerned about this Muppet fixation!(Anyway what about Fozzie Bear...)
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 07:19:49 (PDT)

. . . imagine Rickman, in his final scene, surrounded by Muppets, saying "It's a far, far better thing I've done . . ."
Fausta, again
it'd be the best of times, the worst of times, - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 07:12:26 (PDT)

Mmmm, so it looks like there's a possibility we might even find John Gissing at a theater/video store sometime. Good!

And even better, it sounds like AR will be on stage this fall in Private Lives. So we are to asume that the stories about Actors & FuManChu were simply rumors, since both Actors & Fu were to film in the fall, too? Otherwise there'd be a great deal of commuting . . .

On a lighter side, and still in Muppet mode, wouldn't it be fun to have AR star in a Muppet feature film, like Tim Curry did in The Muppets' Treasure Island, and Michael Caine in The Muppets' Christmas Carol? I'd love to see AR in The Muppets' Tale of Two Cities -- AR as Sidney Carton, Ms Piggy as Lucie Manette, Kermit as Charles Darnay, & Rizzo the Rat as Madame LeFarge. Great cast, nice dramatic/romatic/comedy scenes for AR, and plenty of fun for all. Maybe I should pitch this to Frank Oz?
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
homage to the 1935 Ronald Colman/Jack Conway Tale of 2 Cities, - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 06:55:00 (PDT)

Private Lives To Return To The West End 23/07/2001
by Paul Webb - Theatre Now

Some thirty years after he died, and only a couple of months since he had two shows running in neighbouring theatres in Shaftesbury Avenue, Noel Coward is heading back to the West End.

The impresario Duncan Weldon, who has always specialised in classy revivals of classics, has teamed Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan (who played opposite each other in Les Liasons Dangereues in the mid-1980s) together in a production of Coward's best-known play, Private Lives.

The play, with (after Romeo and Juliet) the best known balcony scene in theatre history, was performed at the National in 1999, the year of Coward's centenary, and at the Aldwych, starring Joan Collins and Keith Baxter, in 1990.

The play works best when the leading players combine worldliness and sheer sex appeal, so the proposed production already has a head start.

A theatre is yet-to-be-announced.

Claire
- Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 00:44:12 (PDT)

From the online DH chat with McTiernan:

"Actually, in terms of professional working, the English actors are just a delight...Alan Rickman, Jeremy Irons. They're so skilled that all of it is easy for them, certainly anything we'd ask of them in an American action movie. It's because of the English training. It makes them extraordinarily technically good."

It´s the only mentioning of AR.

Jutta
Hof, Germany - Tuesday, July 24, 2001 at 00:14:15 (PDT)

Looking for a mention of "John Gissing"? In today's New York Post, there's an article about Jeanne Garofalo and she talks about the film:

That's why her role in "The Search for John Gissing," a film she just finished in England opposite Alan Rickman, is such a departure [from her usual non-sexy roles].

"I actually get to actually play a fully sexual woman, a grown woman, like somebody's wife," she says. "In fact. I play a suburban wife who eventually gets to have a son - I have sex with my husband! That would never happen in an American film. It would be a joke."

Magda
Canada - Monday, July 23, 2001 at 12:49:27 (PDT)

Catching up after several weeks on vacation and at a conference, I'll weigh in with a belated OT observation that including Robert DeNiro as one of the "beautiful, popular, boring" ubiquitous actors seems, to me, at least 67% inaccurate. Popular he may be, but beautiful? And BORING??? No matter how innocuous the material, Mr. DeNiro is SELDOM boring! He's an intelligent, sexy actor IMHO. Great new wave - love the hissing "Missssssster..." !!! I think we're in for a treat.
Cat <crubins@asu.edufoo>
Tempe, AZ USA - Monday, July 23, 2001 at 11:48:06 (PDT)

My God, Mary Anne, what a missed opportunity...
Mary (In an awe-filled reverie over the thought of the famous Kermit-George duel...)
McHenry, - Monday, July 23, 2001 at 10:28:03 (PDT)

Chrissie, AR & David Warner together, especially on stage, would be fantastic! Voice heaven, too.

Lynn, see S&S. I became a Rickman fan after that (even when I had seen Die Hard, RH,POT, etc). Finally, an actor who can play a sexy good guy!
Then, after you watch S&S a few times, watch anything else you want.

Mary Anne, the Muppet Show was a wonderful program for grown-ups that kids were able to enjoy. My take on an AR skit would be similar to the one Ms Piggy did with Christopher Reeve, where she, ehem, attacked him . . . or as a reviewer put it, "ms Piggy is everything Barbra Streisand would ever want to be"!
Fausta <fausta@yahoo.comfoo>
It's time to get things started on the muppet show tonight!, - Monday, July 23, 2001 at 06:18:35 (PDT)

Hi, all. A friend sent me this and I thought it would be helpful to those of you who've asked before about converting PAL-format videos. This was originally on the Dorothy-L listserv:

"The store you are talking about in Lawrence, Kansas, is called Brits, and I have found them very helpful,especially to order British videos ordinarily not available in the U.S.

As some of you know, British and American VCRs are not compatible. We use an NTSC form of recording and they use PAL. Many British videos that you find in the U.S. have been converted on a mass scale from PAL to NTSC, but not all of them. If you know, for example, of a particular British TV show that is available in the U.K. but not the U.S., Brits in Kansas can sometimes order it for you (although not in all cases) and do the conversion themselves, sending you an NTSC version, still priced reasonably.

Brits can be reached for enquiries at: brits@britusa.com

Their toll-free telephone is 888-382-7487."

Thought that might come in handy for someone.

Also, I thought this might be good for a laugh. I was recently watching a commercial for videos of episodes from the old Muppet Show television series--one of those, "Keep only the episodes you like!" sort of pitches. In a wacky moment, I imagined what it might have been like if the series were still being produced, and Rickman was the guest star. He'd have been following in the footsteps of many fellow Brits such as John Cleese and Glenda Jackson, and I bet it could have been hilarious. Alas, we'll never know. But can't you just picture it? A sketch of S&S with Miss Piggy, perhaps, or Die Hard with Kermit the Frog as John MacClane? Remembering when the show did its own version of Robin Hood, maybe Alan and Gonzo as duelling Sheriffs? Or Alexander Dane/Doctor Lazarus on "Pigs in Space"? The mind boggles! 8-D

Yes, I know, I'm a very silly person . . .

Mary Anne--"It's time to put on make-up; it's time to dress up right!
It's time for Alan Rickman, on The Muppet Show tonight!" *grin* - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 15:24:46 (PDT)

Sorry for my spelling that should read "Hello" again my apologies...
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 13:04:00 (PDT)

Heool everyone, just watched Judas Kiss again last night, and I really wished AR did not make that one. I am sorry to say that I was disappointed in it. It's the second time I saw it and hoped it was going to be better I was wrong. Mr Rickman was good in it but the rest of the story was terrible.

I have been off work for a few days now and wanted to watch my favorite actor. Now tonight I want to see another one but just don"t know which one to watch. It's a toss up between S and S,or Rasputin. Which one should I see?

As you can see I am in desperate need of an Alan Rickman fix. I just wish he would come here to Ottawa and be on our stage. We have a great theatre, the NAC (National Arts Center). He would be fantastic on it. Please Mr Rickman in case you come to this guestbook, and read this, think about the NAC in Ottawa Canada, we would love to see you here at least I sure would love for you to come.....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 13:02:22 (PDT)

Dear 'xxx': Read the FAQ, linked at the top of this page.
Georgiana
Seattle - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 11:50:38 (PDT)

Trying Renie's first link.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 05:51:29 (PDT)

Hello girls! I'm alive, just lurking. Great news, I'm jumping all over the room. October, huh? Thank you for all the links!
Raffaella <rossEross@tin.itfoo>
Italy - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 05:17:11 (PDT)

Agree totally with Mary on the Tom Baker/Himself possible family casting idea. The other obvious choice for an AR-themed family tie-in is Ronan Vibert (yes, back to that old chestnut!) either as a younger brother or oldest child (this *is* possible: 17 years between them). And he has a good nose. Best site I've found for the resemblences between Vibert and AR is: http//members.tripod.co.uk/Ronan_Vibert_ology/ which also has a nice little section on casting Vibert as Professor Lupin opposite Rickman in the 3rd Potter movie. Look at the Jaguar pics and The Buccaneers for the most obvious AR resemblences. Another fine & criminally under-used actor. The other possible family tie in is the Godlike David Warner, who would be a perfect Father Rickman, and even sounds a little similar (if you squint). Chrissie.
Chrissie <potterchris73@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 05:12:29 (PDT)

Link fixed.
Suz (D.o.C.)

Bloody link.
Bah!
R ;-) , - Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 00:47:37 (PDT)

Hmmm. Never realized it was producer Duncan Weldon who uttered those now famous lines. Wasn't it really Lindsay Duncan? Searching for more news on Private Lives, I found that artistic director John Doyle, who co-wrote Shakeseare for Dummies, says he was "responsible for" co-production of AR's Hamlet with Thelma Holt Productions. Was he actually Artistic Director for the production? I wonder. The link is here. And here:

http://www.btinternet.com/~j.m.doyle/artdir/artdir.htm

There is a tiny thumbnail of AR "at the pole" as Hamlet. There are much better and bigger versions of that photo around, however. Somewhere.

Renie
- Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 00:46:44 (PDT)

excuse me, I wonder if I wanna get a autograph from AR what should I do??
xxx
- Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 23:09:17 (PDT)

jennifer- Not sure about "baked goods" but I've found "random flattery" never fails ( they are so shallow).
Sue
- Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 13:56:40 (PDT)

Me too, Georgiana! Wonder if hubby will exchange a week of hiking and biking in Colorado for a trip across the pond to see The Man on stage (oh, and see the sights as well, of course). Perhaps if I ply him with baked goods and random flattery . . .

Oooh, I'm the Devil.
Jennifer <jelleebaby@yahoo.comfoo>
MD - Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 13:29:18 (PDT)

Ananova is reporting the same thing. Looks like I'll be rearranging my fall vacation!
Georgiana (be still my beating heart!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 07:55:39 (PDT)

Jill-Thanks for the info. I've scanned a few other sites but no luck yet. First person to get some news stick it up here quick (there's a lot of desperate people out here!!)
Sue
England - Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 03:03:40 (PDT)

Whilst shopping for dorm sheets, I came across a Harry Potter soapdish and a soap dispenser in the shape of an owl!They were NOT a pretty sight for anyone with home decorator instincts-although they might look okay with Georgiana's disco ball....
a rickman admirer
- Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 00:29:27 (PDT)

Saturday 21st July 2001 - The Daily Telegraph showbusiness page: Private Date for Duncan and Rickman. The last big revival of Noel Coward's marriage satire Private Lives took place 10 years age at the National Theatre with Juliet Stevenson and Anton Lesser. Unfortunately the pair were miscast and the production was woefully mirth-free. Now others are queueing up to revive it. Ralph Fiennes and Joely Richardson did a private"planning" reading of the play a couple of months ago but they are going to be beaten to the punch. The impresario Duncan Weldon has just signed Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan to play the lead characters, Elyot and Amanda, in the West End at the start of October. They are to be directed by Howard Davies, who helped to make Rickman and Duncan the talk of the town 15 years ago when they appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's erotically charged Les Liaisons Dangereuses. As Weldon said: "Most people came out of the theatre wanting to have sex and most of them wanted to have it with Alan Rickman". No mention of which theatre yet - I have done a quick scan of some theatre sites but no luck yet but this is beginning to sound very promising!!!
Jill
Kent UK - Saturday, July 21, 2001 at 00:15:05 (PDT)

Claire, the photo of "The Winter Guest" was really good! We are beginning to see all the "Harry Potter" cards, pencil cases and a LOT of other things including Money Boxes which have a very realistic drawing of "Snape" on the front. It begins. I just hope AR can cope with what is coming up.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione(underscore )3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Australia - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 22:50:12 (PDT)

Claire, what a lovely pictoral look at AR's theatrical career! [I hope, I hope, I pray, I beg he'll add to it in the fall!!!]
Georgiana (working the third weekend in a row--out of five...)
Seattle - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 16:30:22 (PDT)

As was posted some time ago, the Blow Dry DVD and video will both be out in mid-August. The video, however, will be priced for 'rental,' meaning it will cost an arm and a leg until its been out a while in video stores. Yes, box has been out for a month or more and, yes, it has the kids on the cover.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 16:23:51 (PDT)

OT: Christine Kofler, did you get my email?
Magda
Canada - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 15:58:53 (PDT)

All over the box, I mean.
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 15:26:53 (PDT)

What news on a "Blow Dry" VHS release? What do you want to bet that Hartnett's face will be plastered all over it, with a tiny AR in the background?
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 14:57:39 (PDT)

Hi to everyone, I just wanted to say I REALLY need an Alan Rickman fix. I can't wait for the Harry Potter movie to come out.

I just wish there was another movie coming out with our man. It has been awhile since one of his movies has been out And I desperetly need a major fix Oh pleeeeese can't there be a movie coming out sooner

Ok enough of me whining but I'm sure everyone else is feeling the same right? all I do is look at my scrapbook that I have put together of AR Maybe I'll put another one of his videos on now which one do I see tonight Oh the dilemma........
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 14:47:20 (PDT)

I was lucky enough to see Tom Baker speak (more years ago than I care to admit), and he was a charming, witty, thoroughly engrossing lecturer. "Dr. Who" is incredibly cheesy, I agree, but Baker was generally able to transcend the silliness and bring - dare I say it - a legitimacy to the role (no offense to Who fans - it may have been cheesy but I was glued to the tube every Sunday night).

Like AR, a talent that has been grievously underutilized. Wouldn't a generational thing be fun? Maybe Barnaby Rudge. Baker is old enough I believe to be Himself's father, and with a younger man they would shine in a family film...Lord knows, they both have, er, STATELY noses.

Perhaps Ioan Gruffud as the youngest member. He's got a start on the voice, and he certainly is not himself proboscisly-challenged. Besides, he looks so GOOD in those breeches...
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 09:28:21 (PDT)

About Rasputin being remade, I never really was a big fan of movies being done over a second, third, etc. time. For ex. I like the first Out of Towners(well done) and Parent Trap, too, but it wasn't the same when they made new ones, plus the fact that they also changed the story line. I know there have been lots of movies redone, but I always like the originals. I'm not sure if Alan's Rasputin was the first movie called Rasputin about the man, but after seeing Alan's performance I wouldn't want to watch another. It did it so well.
donna
NY USA - Friday, July 20, 2001 at 05:13:16 (PDT)

Oh, that "Bladdered" photo is hysterically funny! I think he's doing his chipmunk impression.

Mary, Tom Baker and Alan Rickman together? That would be something to see. I've always wanted to see them do something Dickens together. (Baker is a HUGE Dickens admirer, but I don't think he's ever done Dickens on film.) My husband is a major Dr. Who fan. Maryland Public Television is the only station in the U.S. to show all 30 years' worth of episodes in the order they were transmitted (minus those the BBC either lost or destroyed--what were they thinking?), and I've spent a good number of late Saturday nights the past few years watching it with him. I have to say that I thought it was pretty cheesy (I recall AR using the same word to describe the series in an interview). But then Tom Baker showed up, and I became a fan of both the show and Baker himself. I just wish he'd work more. His Rasputin (in Nicholas and Alexandra) was quite good, but I do prefer AR's depiction. All the same, I don't begrudge anyone else the opportunity to give it a go. There's no law against it, and sometimes, on a rare occasion, you might end up with two or three equally engaging performances by different actors. I think it enriches the canon, but that's just me.
Jennifer <jelleebaby@yahoo.comfoo>
MD - Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 17:00:56 (PDT)

Suzanne, Thank you for the information and the article. I really appreciated it.
Julia
- Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 09:12:01 (PDT)

In today's "Hollywood Reporter," a note on "Brown Sugar," a project with which Rickman has been 'attached' in the past. It looks like neither Alfre Woodard nor Blair Underwood, previously associated, remain 'attached.'

Diggs sweetens 'Brown Sugar'

Taye Diggs ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back") is in negotiations to star opposite Sanaa Lathan in Fox Searchlight Pictures' urban love story "Brown Sugar" for director Rick Famuyiwa. Shooting is scheduled to begin by year's end on the project, budgeted in the $8 million range. "Sugar," described as a black "When Harry Met Sally ...," marks a reteaming of Diggs and Lathan. The duo starred in Universal Pictures' 1999 wedding comedy "The Best Man." This time, Diggs will play an A&R executive for a hip-hop record label and the love interest of a magazine editor played by Lathan. Mike Elliot wrote the original draft of the script, with a rewrite by Famuyiwa. Peter Heller will produce with executive producer Magic Johnson. Executive vp production Claudia Lewis and creative executive Josh Deighton brought the project to Searchlight and will oversee it for president Peter Rice. Diggs, repped by CAA and Magus Entertainment, most recently starred on television as Jackson Duper on Fox's "Ally McBeal." His feature credits also include Artisan's "The Way of the Gun," Warner Bros.' "House on Haunted Hill," Paramount Pictures' "The Wood" and Columbia Pictures' "Go." (Chris Gardner)

Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 05:50:21 (PDT)

OT: Monika, AR is definitely right-handed.
Jutta <Nero3768@gmx.netfoo>
Hof, Germany - Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 04:26:03 (PDT)

Hi all, since you are on the subject of "Die Hard" already, I have a question regarding this film. There are two times where Hans Gruber kills a man while holding the gun in his left hand. So is AR left-handed? (Sorry if this came up before, I haven't managed to read all of the guestbook entries) There is another scene where AR is writing something with his right hand, and when he aims at Bruce Willis he's holding the gun in his right hand too. So that's a bit confusing. Suzanne, thanks for the wav-file. I'm gonna miss Alan's voice terribly in the Harry-Potter-movie - I don't think there is the slightest chance of a children's movie being played in the english version here in Germany. Sigh, I will have to wait for the video..... Monika
Monika <monika.voelker@uni-essen.defoo>
Bochum, Germany - Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 04:06:35 (PDT)

Yes, Julia, according to an interview he did for The Irish Times (May 5, 2001), he is planning on directing a film. But this is way in the future, for he is still co-writing the script.

Did anyone attend the live online Die Hard chat with John McTiernan today? I just found out about it.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 20:27:53 (PDT)

I take it that no one in this group knows whether or not AR is directing a film again? Does anyone know what he *is* currently working on? Thanks in advance.
Julia
- Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 17:20:54 (PDT)

Lynn-Apparently those Hollywood bigwigs always have blinders on because they keep casting the same boring people over & over. You know, the so-called "beautiful, and popular" ones. Ugh! Give me Alan Rickman anyday over Brad Pitt, Val Kilmer, Robert DeNiro, Matt Damon, etc., etc. I am so sick of seeing all of these people(plus numerous others) plastered all over the magazines & movies. Georgiana-I know what you mean about Allen Rickman(the imposter as far as I'm concerned) He is the worst actor I've ever seen! And because of a misprint in Hallewell's Film Guide, I foolishly bought, yrs. ago, a video titled Shock, Shock, Shock. Well, the shock was that our Alan wasn't in it at all! It was that other one and it looked worse than any homemade movie I've ever seen.
donna
NY USA - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 14:41:53 (PDT)

Ahhhh...Tom Baker's Dr. Who. Now THERE is a voice, and a talent. What a dream team cast that would be - Baker and Rickman.
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 12:58:36 (PDT)

Rasputin has been played by _many_ actors, including Tom Baker, who went on to play the Fourth Doctor on Dr. Who. In fact, it was his performance as Rasputin which caused the producer to cast him....

Food for thought.

Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 12:44:34 (PDT)

"Slime City" is that Allen Rickman guy...
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 12:18:05 (PDT)

For those of you who don't have a MP3 player installed on your computer, I made a .wav file:
"Misssster Potter, our new celebrity."

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 09:01:09 (PDT)

Have you ever heard of Lionel Barrymore? He played the mad monk in 1932 in "Rasputin and the Empress". So AR does not have a patent on the role.
Magda
- Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 08:22:59 (PDT)

Dear Lynn,I agree whit you. I wasn`t serious,when I said I would kill my self...(as you mite have guessed..!)I was just so angry,and upset,that I said it,when I really didn`t mean it. It`s just doesnt make any sense;Rasputin whitout AR? I think the firsht movie(made for TV-but should have been made for big screen)was i naf.It was SO GOOD,and ALAN WAS SO GREAT,that I think there`s no need to make second movie of Rasputin.(not whit Val,anyway...) I hope that they just wouldt do that movie...it cant be anything else,than a poor copy of orginal one...
anna
- Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 08:10:23 (PDT)

"... our new celebrity."

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 07:14:21 (PDT)

Could someone please tell me what the http://www.darkapprentice.net/mine/snape.mp3 is saying after "MISTER Potter,"?

Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
Deaf, moi?, - Wednesday, July 18, 2001 at 06:40:22 (PDT)

Georgiana

I was just going to ignore RomanLydia, but I'm glad you said something. Issues of income are intensely private, and AR is a private man. Let's not presume to traipse around there, shall we?
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 19:31:46 (PDT)

bad-boffin feedback on the query about whether DVDs from another region will play on computer-based DVD players... you *can* do this but from what I understand DVD players on PCs are rigged to stick to whatever region is being played after X amount of times. The most common thing I hear is people playing mostly their own region (e.g. PAL), then swapping for another (e.g. NTSC) and after 4 NTSC/US plays, their player sticks on that region and locks up. Theoretically you are then stuck with whatever your DVD has automatically set itself up as, and you have to pay to re-chip the player. However, number-based hacks are easy to find for most DVDs so shouldn't be permanent. Short answer: check a DVD community website FAQ for details on whether your player can be easily hacked. Chrissie.
chrissie <potterchris73@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 16:13:45 (PDT)

Far be it for me to *want* to stir things with my first non-lurk post (top site - thanks heaps for the work) but I caught the 2nd Potter trailer this week. Uhmm...he appears to resemble Garth Brooks' 'alternative' incarnation as that grunge rocker bloke. ehrrr...hmmmm. I'm somewhat bummed out: all they needed to do was have a pale, gaunt looking AR. Not sure this glam-goth look is a winner for Snape:-x Still, possible AR in good *and* successful movie shocker. Any news on the Sherlock Holmes movie? Chrissie.
Chrissie <PotterChris73@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 16:05:10 (PDT)

It's me again , just wanted to let you all know that you have to see Billy Elliot. I finally saw it and I too cried. it was brilliant. I was thinking as I was watching it that Mr Rickman was doing the same thing. As it has been mentioned that he too cried as he watch it. Everyone should just go out and buy it. That's what I did. I didn't even rent first, just took the chance and bought it......
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 15:40:43 (PDT)

Anna, what would be wrong would be you wanting to kill yourself. I am quite sure you wern't serious, but incase you were do you really think our man Mr Rickman would be happy that one of his fans did that all for the sake of him being in a movie.

Yes he would be FANTASTIC remaking the Rasputin movie to the big screen. I loved him in Rasputin also it was deffinetly made for him and I don't think any other actor could play that part especially Val Kilmer. What are they thinking. Lets hope the big wigs who are thinking of a big screen versiuon are reading the guestbook and taking notes of the fans who want to see ALAN RICKMAN in that movie.

Thanks for listening to me and please let me know if you agree with me.....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 15:33:03 (PDT)

GML- just entered that address and somehow got it downloaded into my son's jukebox selection. I just wish I knew what I was doing sometimes. Bits of AR pop up all over this computer without me being in control!!
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 13:39:14 (PDT)

"Mr Potter... (Gasp! Glad it wasn't me...;)

Go to: http://www.darkapprentice.net/mine/snape.mp3

to hear the rest! :)
GML
UK - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 13:17:04 (PDT)

Hi to all! Does anyone know of you something about the movie SLIME CITY in connection to AR? This movie is offered at Ebay. Is it truly him in THIS movie? Well, I never heard of it especially in case of Alan Rickman.
Marion <marion.nimz@talknet.defoo>
Krefeld, Germany - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 12:40:15 (PDT)

Whew Brigitte, I'm glad you finally mentioned it was off topic. I thought you'd gotten some kind of "in."

I was watching Les Miserables last night and wondered, is the woman who portray Mme. Thenardier the same actress who portrayed Little John's wife in RHPOT? The names aren't the same, but the women are eerily identical.

Still wondering if anyone knows if the restaurant scene in Dogma was filmed in a train station. C'mon, youse guys know EVERYTHING about himself - someone MUST know the answer to this.

Well, goodbye Anna. We'll miss you. Actually, Val Kilmer was fabulous in the movie "Willow," but I think that was the last good movie I saw him in. Maybe in the new Rasputin movie he'll get to show off his sword fighting skills...the mad monk was a fencer, wasn't he? I'm sure I read that in the history books somewhere...
Mary
McHenry, - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 10:56:44 (PDT)

Oh my God oh my God oh my God!!!I'm cold and hot at the same time, have butterflies in my stomach, can't get no sleep at night and have to think about the same thing the whole day. I couldn't believe it but it really happend to me: I found THE MAN OF MY LIFE!!! He works at the same place as I do but on another floor, which is soooo far away. The only problem: I don't know if he is in love with me too. There was't the right time to talk about it. Yesterday evening he gave me a lift home after work, because I told him that I missed my train (Of course that wasn't true, there was still enough time to get that train...)The funny thing was that after we parted from the parking, we had to wait at the barrier to let exactly this train pass... Another funny thing was the car radio: There was a talk about sexual hormons right at this time! When we arrived home he was looking at me with his blueblueblue eyes and I said goodbye. If I only waited another second, I'm sure he would have kissed me, there was something in his eyes, I mean he must have felt something too....Oh how can I say how much I care for him??????!!!!! I wish I just could look in his eyes and say: I love you. Oh God, forgive my long talk about this very off off topic thing, but I just had to cry it out into the world!
brigitte from Switzerland <spooky-bw@bluewin.chfoo>
- Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 09:52:46 (PDT)

I could never picture anyone playing the part of Rasputin besides Alan-THE Man Himself. No one can compare with him.
donna
USA - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 09:39:31 (PDT)

NOOOOOO! They cant do it!Rasputin whitout Alan?No WAY! Val Kilmer?They cant be serious! Alan is the real Rasputin,and no-one can play that role,like he did! If "they"(who ever had that horrible idea?)are really goig to make the movie,Im goig to kill my self!That would be SOOO wrong!Val cant never replace Alan! Im very,very upset too!!!!!
anna
- Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 09:32:21 (PDT)

Cheeky!
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 08:56:42 (PDT)

"Bladdered" courtesy of Sue on CPP

Claire
- Tuesday, July 17, 2001 at 07:13:17 (PDT)

Ananova also reports that "Ain't It Cool" has a review of a rough-cut of the first Harry Potter film, with the comment that "Alan Rickman is perfectly mean and nasty, sneering and spooky."

Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, July 16, 2001 at 17:26:57 (PDT)

Link fixed.
Suz (D.o.C.)

Oh, Suzanne, help, a great DoC! I screwed up the link!
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 16, 2001 at 17:21:40 (PDT)

Ananova, in its business section, reports:

Metrodome Group PLC said the current year has started encouragingly after the group reported a pretax loss of £851,000 for the year to March 31 compared with a profit of 511,000.[cut]

[Chairman John Hall] said the group's current slate of new films is strong and through the next major release of this year Metrodome will enter the lucrative children's animation market with "Help I'm a Fish" the European hit film, featuring the voices of Alan Rickman and Terry James.

Georgiana (wouldn't post what he makes for a film if I knew...and asking more than once can't make us create information out of thin air...)
Seattle but off for a day to one of the premieres of "Jurassic Park III"--in Bozeman, Montana! - Monday, July 16, 2001 at 17:20:55 (PDT)

I read awhile back that AR was directing another movie. A period piece, I think? Can someone verify this? Thanks in advance.
Julia
- Monday, July 16, 2001 at 05:33:23 (PDT)

Actually, Claire, I do agree with you that AR's left Rasputin behind and it's highly unlikely that he'd want to do a second film on the subject. Besides, he's busy doing other things. And no, you're right, it's not the same as LLD; I wrote that kind of as a knee-jerk reaction, without thinking. But, darn it, it just royally bugged me that the reporter wrote that AR failed with the role when, by most other accounts, he was brilliant with it. What I meant was, as with Valmont and regardless of whether it's on stage or on film, a hundred other actors may play that role, but there will always be only one Rasputin as far as I'm concerned. And that is Alan Rickman. Hope I worded it a little better this time 'round. :-)
Deb <ceilidh@cwk.imag.netfoo>
Canada - Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 21:27:34 (PDT)

OT-ish. I don't know if this has been posted yet, but Die Hard Director John McTiernan will be chatting at Eonline.com on Wed. July 18 at 6pm ET. Also, has there been any more news about AR in Private Lives? thanks
Marian
- Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 17:15:02 (PDT)

BtW

The picture is already winging its way to Claire (well sitting in the postbox,actually). Don't think it will be suitable for much as it already has a bubble but it's worth a look.
Sue
England - Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 14:13:32 (PDT)

ARA-I can't relax because everytime I hear these things, well it just grates on me. Sorry that's just my pet peeve. I'm sure everyone has them. Everyone-Saw something on the Court TV network last night where there will be a week of things about movies and Die Hard was shown with Bruce Willis talking about it, so hopefully-just maybe-they'll show Alan, too. I think they said all this coming week, but I'm not sure. I'll have to recheck that one. I forget what other movies they mentioned, but DH definately was one.
donna
USA - Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 13:32:30 (PDT)

Sue - email me please using the address on CPP re the ES photo.

Why would AR want to do Rasputin on film again? This is not transfering a stage interpretation to film as in LLD, this is the same medium again. You think next time they film Robin Hood he should be the Sherrif again just because he did a great job last time? I credit him with the sensible desire to broaden his working horizons and would think the producers of the new Rasputin do too.

Claire
- Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 12:41:16 (PDT)

Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable! After AR won the SAG Award, the Golden Globe and the Emmy for his *Rasputin* performance, how could anyone think AR "failed"?!!! What planet is that Guardian reporter from, anyway?!!!! No doubt our man would've won the Oscar too, had his performance been on the big screen rather than in a made-for-TV movie. The *movie* may have failed in terms of its historical accuracy, but certainly the performance was one of Rickman's all-time best, IMHO. How could anyone consider another actor after AR to play the part? It's a repeat of LLD. Many actors may play Rasputin in future, but as far as I'm concerned, no one will ever be able to hold a candle to our man. :-)
Debbie <ceilidh@cwk.imag.netfoo>
Canada - Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 12:10:06 (PDT)

Sue from England

Can you get that "bladdered" pic scanned and/or sent to Claire? I'm always on the lookout for more source material. ;)

On an aside, I have only four pictures of AR as Snape: there's the clips from the two teasers and one still of him in profile, w/hair falling down alongside his face. Is that a wig or did the stylist go in for dye and extensions?

Terribly curious minds want to know.... (Phil, will you stop jumping into my non-FoF work like that? I swear, characters are worse than the children....)
Barbara the Wallpaperer <sometimes,I*do*feel-like-I'm-channelling-these-peoplefoo>
- Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 12:07:24 (PDT)

RASPUTIN COMING TO THE BIG SCREEN.....but NO ALAN!!!! Well, I found this just tonight http://film.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/Exclusive/0,,331582,00.html and I am VERY upset! Seems they are bringing Rasputin to the silver screen, but ALAN will NOT be in it... Val Kilmer????? What are they thinking????? Did they even SEEEEEEEEE our man perform this role??? Did they even ASK him? How could they say Alans performance failed when there have been soooooo many good reviews???? Oh...I'm just furious! Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 02:51:53 (PDT)

Donna, relaxxxxx, you'll live longer. There are some pretty serious things to worry about in this world-everything else is "small stuff"-Thanks for the definition Sue-I'm in my own bed now with a private shower and bathroom and proper towels, so I am dead chuffed.
a Rickman admirer
- Sunday, July 15, 2001 at 00:13:48 (PDT)

Off topic again-Just thought of more over-used words/expressions; "whatever", "talk to the hand" and "time out" as in, a child acts up and is having a time-out. Ugh, how I hate these new expressions! I'm tired of hearing people use them over and over again. Another one is "You know what I'm saying?" after every sentence the person says.
donna
USA - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 17:25:12 (PDT)

Off topic-Now I am really annoyed because I went through a long paragraph of typing, only to submit it and find it couldn't be displayed, so I clicked the back button and all of my comments were erased. I will try again. I just had to vent my feelings on words & phrases that I think are really overused and I am sick & tired of hearing them. Let me know if you feel the same way. Here they are- "Don't go there", "24 seven", ambiance (why can't people just say atmosphere like they used to?), politically incorrect/correct, actresses calling themselves actors instead of the female version (must be another version of political correctness, ugh!), anal & obtuse. I'm sorry, but I can't stand it when people speak as it they are reading right out of a dictionary. Also, this political correctness has gotten way out of hand, especially when you know people are just saying things so they look good to other people yet are really thinking differently inside.(being phoney, another thing I hate) Ok, that's it. I feel much better. I just had to get that out. Now back to Alan-I just read in last week's TV guide that there are boxed sets in VHS & DVD becoming available July 10th of Die Hard:The Ultimate Collection. It says the newly re-mastered films feature restored footage and the widescreen DVDs offer even more, such as director commentaries and storyboards. Of course this is probably old news to alot of you, but what the heck! Maybe it is news to some of you. Would love to see more footage of Alan anyday.
donna
USA - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 13:40:05 (PDT)

ARA-Bladdered=rat-arsed;tired and emotional;pi**ed;inebriated.The term became official this week when it entered the New Oxford English Dictionary along with "ladette". I am a little concerned with your sleeping downhill (or was it uphill?).
Sue
England - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 13:38:53 (PDT)

Those of you who are interested in movie paraphernalia might want to check out As Seen On Screen. It seems to be a British site and it sells assorted stuff from recent films such as outfits and discarded props. WARNING: Most of the films are recent and there's nothing from any AR films. Just FYI.
Magda
Canada - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 13:03:52 (PDT)

I suppose wearing a black suit in the middle of July might look a bit warm--what exactly is "bladdered"? Is is how a 47 year old woman feels in a dorm shower room with a towel that one can read thru and doesn't even cover the front half? {can you tell I just returned from freshman college orientation?-for some reason the bed sloped downward so I felt the blood rushing to my head-is this to help them think?}Obviously all that money is being used for something besides comfort!}Anyway, I will probably feel "bladdered" for another few days-glad there are no papparazi around me!
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 12:40:30 (PDT)

Ananova is reporting "Private Lives" in rep at Birmingham Rep this fall.
Georgiana (loved ... and cried ... at Billy Elliott, and hastened to see more of Adventures in Motion Pictures)
Seattle - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 07:59:10 (PDT)

There is a really peculiar photo of our man in yesterday's (Friday)London Evening Standard Colour Supplement. It was taken at a book launch and he looks, to use the common parlance,a touch bladdered. He is wearing a very light suit (unusual) and bears more than a passing resemblance to a 70's football manager whose name currently eludes me but I know who I mean!
Sue
England - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 05:25:09 (PDT)

OK, I must watch Die Hard again, only seen it once, and enjoy the scene. It must have been hard for him to keep concentrating on the job and not to look *too* scared for the part: can you imagine Hans Gruber falling to his death shouting insults to the director? Anyway, I hope he doesn't make a habit of jumping out of windows. We want him to grow old enough to play King Lear! Preferably on stage. By the way, did somebody mention that the director had not elaborated on how he'd convinced Alan to do the stunt? Are you sure he was so brave? Could there have been a gun pointed at his head just out of the camera field? ;))

GML
UK - Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 03:03:53 (PDT)

It is really good to read all your comments about Die Hard. AR is a wonderful actor with a lot of integrity and as he likes "Roller Coasters" he is not afraid of Heights! This scene is one of the best and probably earned AR a lot of Respect amongst that close community in Hollywood. This shows that AR is willing to do his very Best in everything that he agree's to do. No wonder AR is "In Demand". The standard of the writing is very important to a Movie and AR has looked for quality writing and then given his best. I think, you always know, you will see a quality movie when AR is in it. There is a standard to be achieved-A message to be told maybe. The people will come to see the movie.It is good to see "Dogma" on the Pay TV here next month. Will check for dates soon. Bye.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione_3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Australia - Friday, July 13, 2001 at 22:56:23 (PDT)

Lynn-If Alan did do that stunt then I say Here's 500 Cheers for Alan because at least he was brave enough to do it. I don't think many of the "big" Hollywood types would do it themselves. I know there are a few who do, do their own stunts, but not many. Maybe that pavillion at Universal that I saw was more about how they did it in the older films.(and I do love the old black & white films, too) As for Alan crying during Billy Elliott, well I do love a man who can show his emotions like that(and I don't mean any violent emotions, just the soft-hearted ones) and Alan IS THE man! Now I'll have to check out that movie as well! I did want to see it anyway.
donna
NY USA - Friday, July 13, 2001 at 19:28:22 (PDT)

Sort of back after being gone awhile. I've had to prepare an instruction and costuming manual for the volunteers who will be working at our large history event this fall, and what a crunch job it's been! This while still recovering from surgery AND while trying to care for an abandoned, starving, pooping-and-vomiting cat.

So it gave me a glimmer of genuine pleasure when the historical costume specialist I've been working with suggested I also provide a list of movies that our volunteers could watch to help them visualize the designs of the period. She suggested movies like "David Copperfield (1997)," "The Last of the Mohicans," and the Horatio Hornblower series, but her first suggested movie? Yup. Who da man!
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, - Friday, July 13, 2001 at 15:09:04 (PDT)

Being a playwriter- this is a good find peter
peter crew <peter_crew@hotmail.comfoo>
- Friday, July 13, 2001 at 11:09:56 (PDT)

First about the fall AR did in DH I saw a show called Stunmen or Stunts it was a way back and it talked about the fall Alan Rickman did He actually did the fall, fell backwards out the window and fell usuing a harness.

In the show it said that it was the first time an actor did that type of fall going backwards, because its difficult for anyone to do that its an amazing stunt. I applaud Mr Rickman for doing it he really showed that he was scared.

In one of the entries away back in this guestbook it mentioned that AR saw the movie Billy Elliot and cried, well I have never seen it but took a chance and bought the video today I heard great reviews and if our man can see it then I want to see it I was planning on it anyway.....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Friday, July 13, 2001 at 11:04:02 (PDT)

What about this Noel Coward's play, Private Lives? Is HE (AR, of course) going to star in it after all? I just need to plan my holiday in advance - if I'm to go to England in autumn, I need to make my visit to Greece shorter...
Monika <monzaba@poczta.onet.plfoo>
Szczecin, Poland - Friday, July 13, 2001 at 07:10:55 (PDT)

About that fall of Alan's in DH, after visiting Universal Studios a few years back and visiting the Alfred Hitchcock section, I assumed that scene was filmed the way they showed there. They showed how falling scenes were filmed as in Vertigo, where the actor is actually sitting on a small seat where they can lean backwards and as they are being filmed, flail(did I spell that correctly?) their arms and legs around (as if in a fall) and it is filmed from above & the background scenery is later put in. It was really very interesting, just as the section where there was a small replica of the Statue of Liberty and they film the actor "climbing" it. Has anyone else seen this? There were other parts as well, but those 2 stick out in my mind.
donna
USA - Friday, July 13, 2001 at 03:13:37 (PDT)

I wonder if the director exaggerated for dramatic effect in the interview? Most directors have been v e r y careful with actors doing stunts since the John Landis fiasco with Vic Morrow and the two children. I used to ride my horse to that exact destination, a 3-sided stream canyon with high, boxed-in walls which just scream deathtrap to helicopters, and have concluded firsthand that the hubris involved in mixing actors and machinery at that site was inhuman.
FastFilm
Land of LaLa, USA - Thursday, July 12, 2001 at 08:34:58 (PDT)

So the fall goes from 20 to 70 feet? LOL Who can we believe?
Lucy
Tulsa, OK USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 21:33:36 (PDT)

C'mon guys. Does anyone know what HE gets paid per movie? Any statistics? You seem to know everything else about the man!
RomanLydia <RomanLydia@aol.comfoo>
USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 21:33:07 (PDT)

The DH DVD has a section on magazine articles within which is an elaborate description of how the 20-25 foot fall was set up and shot. Rickman did it 4 times. The cinematographer used a computer program tracking a tennis ball to set the focus points at each stage of the fall. Then the tennis ball was replaced by Rickman's ear. More details in the articles, one of which states that a reluctant AR was persuaded to do the fall by Director McTiernan.
Sue Zen
El Lay, CA USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 20:41:16 (PDT)

Georgiana: on the disc where the scene selection is, you can click over to the scene showing the fall then punch in the number of the fall scene and click the ok on the remote. What you get is the scene with director's commentary over the visuals. It is there that the person speaking clearly says the fall was 70 feet, set up on a sound stage with the airbag 7 stories down, and talks about how only the complete loss of gravity would produce the look they got from AR as he started the fall.

The director chuckles over how he talked AR into doing it, but does not elaborate on how he did that.

But the bottom line is, he is clear on the 70 feet of the fall. I have heard AR in an interview, on British TV, say he fell 40 feet, maybe he believed he did, maybe that's how the director talked him into it, told him it wasn't all that far down!

Well in desperation, I have ordered a DVD-ROM drive for this PC and it will be here for me to install in about a week. If I can find the gag reel on the DVD by playing it online, maybe someone who is good at this type of thing, could help me put it out to all of us, or at least the AR parts of it, if any.

Anne
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
alexandria, VA USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 20:37:54 (PDT)

What I've found on the "Die Hard" new DVD thus far is about 6 stills not previously seen of our man, plus one very brief scene not in the original film. I believe there is more--such as written (subtitled) commentary overlying the film, but have not yet watched that part. If there are 'bloopers,' I have not yet found many, although there are some on symbol attachment to the slide program--slides having the Nakatomi symbol in the corner buy you an 'extra.' This is often something like blueprints of the set, building, etc., a nice look at the model they used to crash the helicopter (complete with foot long actual flying machine), etc., but in some cases there are bloopers. Some of the funniest involved filming the little 'newscasts' that occurred during the film. The only outtake I saw with Rickman was a shot of conversation with Mr. Takagi where it was clear Rickman was talking to air--Takagi wasn't there. Nothing funny--just showed the skill of the man to get the timing without the other actor filling in the line. So . . . it's a question of what it's worth to you . . .

A DVD player can now be purchased for around $200--or much more. The quality on DVDs is superior to video (it's digital, right?), they come out sooner (since they are very difficult to copy/pirate), often have more material than the video tape, and will probably make video the 8-track of film.

As to the fall, I have no idea what they did with the camera. Don't recall what the F/X special had to say, except that they clearly stated Rickman himself did a backward fall of some 35 feet for the shot--and did it twice. As I recall . . . It's been at least a year and a half since I saw this.

Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 17:50:56 (PDT)

Georgianna and Anne, please elaborate on how they described the stunt. I always assumed it was enacted the same way Sir Ian McKellen's "homage" similar fall in "Richard III" was, with the camera pulling up as the actor fell, to exaggerate the depth. (I will admit Sir Ian explained this in person at a screening to gifted school kids that I attended too.)Similar to the famed opening sequence in "Star Wars" (you "Galaxy Quest" fans recall) where ONLY the camera pulled back to make that extreme foreshortening, not the miniature at all which was stationary...
FastFilm
Los Angeles , CA USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 16:33:05 (PDT)

Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Well now I DON'T have a DVD player, so this movie is going to be (ultimately) very expensive...(how much is a dvd player, anyway?;-)) I don't want to know what the scenes are, but is this well worth the money...are the scenes with AR brief? he he he...you know I almost said before your posts about lack of AR having any blooper scenes, that there probably wouldn't be any as he is such a PRO:-) A tribute to his talent, but unfortunate for us as I'd LOVE to see how he reacts to fumbling his lines:-) I just watched Closet Land again....You know, I have to say, though it's a bit shocking, I actually admire him for being able to play that part. And GOD HELP me, i must be SICK, because at the end when they're "in" the "closet" I just find him VERY seductive....something is OBVIOUSLY wrong with me....:-) Take care ladies:-) Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 15:35:46 (PDT)

Anne, I've got a Mac with a DVD player, and when I put in the disks (tried both) I get a screen telling me that I could play these on a DVD player with Windows... Not sure they are Mac-friendly. But I'll keep looking. Have not yet found anything resembling bloopers.

The old 'special effects' show on Hollywood stunts hosted by Christopher Reeve placed the AR fall at 35 feet--perhaps these were short stories? Or perhaps the fall has come to assume mythic proportions, as well it might. At the time it was done, it was said to be something no stuntman would do, given the grave risk associated with a backward fall. Reeve indicated Rickman set the standard (in this as in so many things), and had taken the fall *twice,* as I recall.

So, we have: . . . most lascivious of lovers . . . most heroic of villains . . . most foolish fall . . . most perilous plunge . . . Please name the part and add to the list.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 14:53:16 (PDT)

Georgiana: I too got my 'Diehard' Special Edition yesterday and spent ages trying to find the gag reel. I can only assume it's on the DVD-ROM portion of the second disc, which is a bit of a nuisance, as I do not have a DVD-ROM player on my PC.

Is there any clever person out there, who knows how to get that portion of the disc to play without a DVD-ROM on a computer?

I enjoyed the scene selection of the first disc, as you get to hear descriptions of the scene you have selected, by either the director or the special effects supervisor. I was interested to hear our anti-hero (AR, of course,)fell 70 feet according to the director. We have heard, 20, 30, and 40 feet, from varying sources, but here we have the director's version and he clearly states they shot the scene on a sound stage with the airbag 7 stories down. That's some drop, especially backwards!

Ah well, off to see more of the outakes and bloopers. Unfortunately no bloopers featuring AR. Maybe he doesn't make mistakes that much. :))))

Anne
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 12:02:01 (PDT)

Melissa:I`ve seen the second trailer!It was great,much better than the firsht one...
anna
- Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 10:55:25 (PDT)

Has anyone seen the second Harry Potter trailer? You get to hear Rickman's voice, and you get a cool scene with Rickman and Hart. From the HP Galleries, I've downloaded the movie clip with his voice saying, "Mr. Potter- our new celebirty," and he sounds SO hot! You can also get some stills from the second trailer at the HP Galleries (http://www.hpgalleries.com). Byddie-bye all Alan Rickman fans!
Melissa Ivory <MelissaIvoryM@aol.comfoo>
Gig Harbor, WA USA - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 10:44:50 (PDT)

Make that Bad Guys
Sue
England - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 06:38:45 (PDT)

Found a nice article in The Observer about Bad Guys that gives our man honorable mention of course.
Sue
England - Wednesday, July 11, 2001 at 06:32:43 (PDT)

Yes, Michelle! The "Annoy them" (times two) is part of the "expanded" shut-off-the-power scene on the *new* "Die Hard" collector's edition DVD. Mine arrived today. It finally makes the dialogue between the utility guys and the two Johnsons make sense, and gives another brief Rickman scene. As best I can tell, the "Rickman commentary" is in the form of *written* comments that run as subtitles over the film, and his are amongst many displayed in this run-through (which I have yet to watch). There is a nice slide show on the second disc which contains at least six not-yet-seen stills with Rickman/Gruber. And you learn interesting things, like the 30th floor Nakatomi lobby was designed after Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water. Which I think makes two for Rickman--wasn't "Fallen Angels" filmed in a FLW house?
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 21:59:16 (PDT)

It's been ages since I've visited!How is everyone? CLAIRE! MAY I ASK A FAVOR(hopefully others will benefit by it)? I missed the last set of pictures on your page(out of town)and my friend tells me you had the much admired B/W VOGUE PROFILE!Is there ANY way you can post it here and I can save it?I'm still new to this tecnology... is it possible?So how is our Alan lately? Is he in France directing that period piece or is there something else? Wish we could follow him around with a video-cam! Any volunteers?CHEERS!
Constance
nc usa - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 16:36:43 (PDT)

Claire-Thanks.
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 11:05:09 (PDT)

Off topic.
Sue the link will be the *seen that one* colour, in this case, purple as of course your computer has already done the link or you wouldn't be posting about it! Untried links are on the GB blue. The webpage owner can make the used and unused hyperlinks appear what any colour they like on your computer, I use green and red on CPP

Claire
- Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 10:34:04 (PDT)

It WAS purple really.....
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 09:44:27 (PDT)

Why are my links always purple when everybody elses are blue??
Sue <maybemyeyesareplayingup.comfoo>
England - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 09:24:17 (PDT)

Ananovahas a story about Warner Bros. wanting heaps of dosh from U.S. TV companies to show Harry Potter. Sounds a bit greedy-wouldn't mind seeing the 15 minute trailer though!
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 09:20:39 (PDT)

Just wached Rasputin...(Tv-1000)! I tryed to get it on tape,(2/times)but something,(somehow);went wrong! The man is a great actor!!!!!!!(and he`s a "great-man" in the movie as well...if you know..!Im just terrible,but cant help it!) The movie was good,and Alan acted amazingly!(For a sec,I really thought he was Rasputin!) CANT WAIT TO SEE H.POTTER! He`ll be great as Snape!!!!
anna
- Tuesday, July 10, 2001 at 07:59:40 (PDT)

Hi girls:-) Yes, I saw the first Die Hard at the theatre when it came out...Alan on the big screen, first time I'd ever seen this man and lemme tell you, I was in AWE:-)Been a devoted fan since:-)My brother told me he was probably going to purchase the new unedited version....Have any of you bought it yet? I'm curious to see how many "Alan" lines were cut... The only movie I never bothered with, because of hearing so many negative reviews, was Closet Land, which I finally bought last week and watched last night..... He he he....poor Emma...if she only knew how much her hairpits have sparked a thread!:-) Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 19:57:15 (PDT)

Michelle, if you look down to my post of Fri. the 6th, you'll see I did catch Die Hard on FX, but since it was already in progress & I didn't watch the whole movie this time(since I have it on tape), I'm not sure if it was unedited or not. ARA-you are too funny! I didn't know I'd cause such hilarity when I mentioned how gross Emma's armpits were! She just seemed to have much hairier(is that a word?) pits than I've even seen on some men, for cryin' out loud. Oh, dear, I hope Alan isn't fond of hairy pits on women. Just the thought of it grosses me out.
donna
USA - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 15:19:03 (PDT)

Just been watching MTV UK and caught the theme tune for "Help ! I'm a fish" sung by "The Little Trees" (yes, you did read that correctly). Three pre-pubescent girls who squeaked and whined for a couple of minutes. The annoying thing is... it's awfully catchy. All together now (cue tuneless honking)... "I'm a little yellow fish in the deep blue sea. Will somebody help me ?" Aaaarrrghhh !!!
Catherine <catherine.bowles@virgin.netfoo>
Halifax, Yorkshire - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 13:30:37 (PDT)

Fausta, he said in an interview about TWG, that his editor made him do it, that everything he loved about the film was out. It had to do with artistic/aesthetic issues apparent in editing the film, and he has expressed gratitude to Anthony Minghella for letting him watch--and make comments, which were listened to!--while Minghella edited "The English Patient."
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 13:07:20 (PDT)

Emma Thompson without showing any arms at all, but very short hair on her head, is one of the pictures on CPP this week !

Claire
- Monday, July 09, 2001 at 12:01:15 (PDT)

Hi Eva in Copenhagen. I'm glad someone on this chat besides the Londoners and me in "Hollywood" is getting an objective eyeful of celebreties. Yes, they're usually not as tall you'd think: the really good looking ones would have been models if they were (slightly more employable field.) Clint Eastwood, however, is. My namedrop story is that he asked me for advice on a certain type of film in a custom film lab that we were both in. (I've "worked" with Clint, then!)Protocol in this company town is that you don't schmooze in casual surroundings. But if the person talking to you is 6'5" and looks exactly like Clint Eastwood in a plausible setting, then he probably is.
FastFilm
Los Angeles, USA - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 11:47:23 (PDT)

Since AR directed The Winter Guest, why did his favorite scenes end up on the cutting room floor??
Fausta
- Monday, July 09, 2001 at 07:21:18 (PDT)

Hello everyone. Michelle, I heard on Entertainment Tonight that there was some extra lines from The Die Hard series. Did you see much from the original (and the Best) movie apart from these lines? This was a great movie and created 2 more after it and to quote some wonderful lines that were there, "It's Christmas, Theo, it's a time of miracles, so be of good Cheer!" If this is all that is added why muck around with something that is pure MAGIC. AR elevated this film and showed what a great Actor he is.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione underscore3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Australia - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 06:07:05 (PDT)

MAY CONTAIN A SPOILER>>>ERM>>>MAYBE>>>> he he he...You guys are hilarious! As for Emmas "hair pits"...I've yet to see this one....he he he....Now I'm sure to LOOK for it, THANK YOU very much;-) At any rate, I was wondering if anyone caught the airing of FX's showing of DIE HARD last week....To an UN-A.R.-tamed eye and ear, one might have missed the UNEDITED scenes...only...I'M not SURE now if they WERE unedited, as (sob), I no longer have the original DIE HARD on tape.... In the original, when Alan and his remaining team are in the by the vault towards the end...does he look at Theo and say " Annoy them...." (referring to the FBI) To which Theo responds with a "what?" and AR repeats in that AR way..."Aaannooooy thhhhhem".....???? I only caught brief glimpses of this airing, as I THOUGHT it was just the edited version, but I just KNOW that WAS NOT in the original.....WAS IT??? Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Monday, July 09, 2001 at 01:13:45 (PDT)

Well, I don't consider Norman Reedus a superstar. I thought he looked like he needed a bath, hairwash and manicure in "Dark Harbor" He didn't look much better in Seattle either. He is a "type", a "fill in the blank" actor-you need someone who is somewhat menacing, smokes a lot, looks like he could ride a motorcycle or pump gas, looks like he has a tattoo, then you get Norman Reedus. If you want the Sheriff of Nottingham,a New Orleans Policeman, a French Mesmerist, a Russian monk, a sweet honorable Jane Austenish gentleman, a torturer, an adulterer in an urn, a sweet cold lipped ghost then you get Alan Rickman. Is there a role he couldn't do? I don't think so....
a Rickman admirer
- Monday, July 09, 2001 at 00:19:30 (PDT)

Co-star sigting. I saw Norman Reedus (Dark Harbour) yesterday as he was entering the TIVOLI Gardens in Copenhagen with his Danish supermodel vife Helena Christensen and their little son. I later read in the newspapers that they were a attenting a birthday party with Bono and U2. I must admit that I was surprised that Reedus is considered a international sex symbol. He looked scruffy, unkeept and much shorter than what I have anticipated him to be. Maybe he just photograhs well. I have seen other international celebrities who looked as good and tall in reality as they do in the movies, including Terence Stamp as handsome in real life as in films.
eva
Copenhagen, Denmark - Sunday, July 08, 2001 at 22:31:47 (PDT)

Since I do not know the usual state of Emma Thompson's armpits, I interpretted the unshorn state to the character's depression and absense of a man in her life. Of course, there are some people who do not shave their legs or armpits for political or societal reasons, but the character did not seem to be one of those sorts, as she wore eye makeup and mascara. Twenty some years ago, I seem to remember that European customs did not include the shaving of leg/armpit hair, but I understand that this is different now--we have three options--1. Emma does not shave her armpits 2. The character does not shave her armpits from personal choice 3. The character is gobsmacked with grief and could care less about her armpits, as she doesn't plan on anyone seeing them. Actually one additional option could be that Alan Rickman LIKES women with hairy armpits, which would really test the devotion of some of his fans!!{anyone willing to grow hairballs under their arms for the sake of their favorite actor}snorfle....snorfle...snorfle
A Rickman Admirer
- Sunday, July 08, 2001 at 20:58:13 (PDT)

My local grocery store has a nice video rental deal-- 49 cents for five days on Mondays for older releases (99 cents for new releases, but you get those only one day). Anyway, one of the movies I checked out was "Dogma" (never saw it before), and I must have watched it about ten times in five days. What a wonderfully clever movie-- I'm a huge fan of political/contemporary cultural satire. I paid special attention to the Rickman parts of course. Even though the Rickmaniac rating was only 3 hands, I loved how Metatron was polished yet a little crotchety. And there were some good hand shots there too. (Most of the actors were pretty strong; I'd say the weak link was the kid prophet-- his idea of humor seemed out of place in this pretty cerebral comedy.) And yes, I was a bit startled by his pasty white face-- but look on some of the video covers, and AR looks different, like he has some color in his cheeks. Much handsomer.
MonteLukast
Manhattan, KS USA - Sunday, July 08, 2001 at 20:29:16 (PDT)

One thing I thought that TWG could have done without was Emma's armpits. I thought they were so gross to look at, but that's just my opinion.
donna
USA - Sunday, July 08, 2001 at 19:12:39 (PDT)

The Harry Potter Poster Book is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com! 32 pages -- Snape should be in there somewhere, don't you think?

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, July 07, 2001 at 17:39:09 (PDT)

I understand perfectly, RA...
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, July 07, 2001 at 14:30:55 (PDT)

Sorry, I lost my head, but The Winter Guest is a special favorite of mine..sigh
A Rickman Admirer
- Saturday, July 07, 2001 at 14:06:15 (PDT)

I know that what I want doesn't exist, but AR could do it-==maybe if we all beg--altogether now-PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE
A Rickman admirer
- Friday, July 06, 2001 at 18:51:52 (PDT)

Magda, my 'sophisticated' approach was to buy one from amazon.co.uk and see if it would play. It did play on my Mac, did not play on my DVD player. I have been told by 'computer types' that most computers will play most DVDs, for whatever that's worth.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, July 06, 2001 at 17:53:21 (PDT)

Georgianna: how can we find out if a UK/Europe Region 2 DVD will play on a computer? Details please.
Magda
Canada - Friday, July 06, 2001 at 17:36:12 (PDT)

RA, the UK "Winter Guest" DVD, which will play on your computer if not your DVD player, has no commentary, nor 'extras' of any kind that I could tell. I would especially like to see the "whole different ending" that was shot, then cut from the film as 'raising more questions than it answered.' It's a lovely, grown-up film, although AR has said that every scene he loved in the film ended up on the cutting room floor. Now wouldn't that be a fine lot to sort out!
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, July 06, 2001 at 17:08:44 (PDT)

Mr Rickman, I am still waiting for The Winter Guest DVD with a full commentary by you, deleted scenes, outtakes, a commentary by Emma and Mum... I know the UK has a DVD but we in the wilds of America have only the VHS. Would begging help? pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease......
A Rickman admirer
- Friday, July 06, 2001 at 16:25:49 (PDT)

The new Entertainment Weekly, with AI's Jude Law and Haley Joel Osment on the cover has a little feature on the new Die Hard DVDs. Apparently, there are text commentaries, whatever that might be, including one from AR. The article says they come from new interviews.
A-m
LI, NY USA - Friday, July 06, 2001 at 12:55:03 (PDT)

Just got back from my school speech day. It was a very emotional affair, well for me at least. Right at the last minute the head (who I really dislike) summoned me to her office. Would I please present something to a wonderful member of staff who had been there for 30 years and was now leaving (the truth of it is that she can't stand the head). So I did it and nearly ended up in tears because this teacher has always been amazing and supportive towards me, and I am going to miss her terribly. Anyway enough emotion, I also picked up my prize for being "commited". You guys really can't understand how funny that is....... Sorry Sue I really haven't a clue how to be commited, or how to advise your husband on the subject either.... only he could spend every tuesday morning helping dyslexic nine year old read, and then be a house captian, set up the school election day, and oh..... hold an annual student rebellion against the headmisterss, and be the leader of the spoon violence party.(no points for guessing where that idea came from) As you can see Sue I am being daft........ but it is the end of school and ...................
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, July 06, 2001 at 11:21:23 (PDT)

You all have me wondering what this marmite tastes like. I'll have to check out some of the stores around here that sell imported foods. That's one thing I didn't try while over in the UK. I did try crumpets, but found them a bit on the salty side. I prefer our Thomas' English muffins with the nooks & crannys as the ad says. My local grocery stores sells crumpets, but since I've already tasted them, I never buy them. We also have those bible thumpers here in the US, but they seem to be mainly from the south. We unfortunately have them on our cable network which we were told, that since they pay to be on the channel, the cable has to include them. I think it's a total waste of a channel. All they are (which I've mentioned before) is a bunch of phoneys, using religion (yes, man-made, I agree), to cheat people out of their money. There have been documentaries on them before(even on HBO). Did you ever notice the elaborate & expensive sets they use? Since when is God concerned with fancy clothes, hairstyles, expensive furniture, etc? It just makes me sick to know how they prey on people, especially the ones who are sick, have terminal illnesses & have just about given up hope. Ok, I am off my soapbox now. P.S. Alan was on the other night again in Die Hard on the FX channel.
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
NY USA - Friday, July 06, 2001 at 10:38:54 (PDT)

Oh its' nice to be back. Here's Alan's horoscope for July 06, 2001:
You could be in a reflective mood right now, Alan. You might be thinking about recent events in your professional life. Perhaps you are contemplating making a change. You might want to look at some employment adverts. You could also update your resume so that you can present yourself in a confident and clear way to potential employers. You'll enjoy thinking about new prospects. Don't let yourself feel trapped by your current job. [ED: Go do that play, Alan. Give everyone a thrill. Only remember to actually speak up.]
June
Chicago, USA - Thursday, July 05, 2001 at 22:13:56 (PDT)

I know our man doesn't pick his roles for the money, but does anyone have any idea of what he's been paid for some of his movies? Here in the States we frequently see lists compiled of what a star nets for a particular part, but I've never seen anything about AR's salary for a movie. Any info or ideas?
RomanLydia <RomanLydia@aol.comfoo>
USA - Thursday, July 05, 2001 at 17:29:54 (PDT)

Sorry Sue - just a product of an inadequate public school education.

I did make a spitball once, really a "flick ball," shot from the fingers. The girl sitting next to me lent me some perfume gook to load on the ball and I tried to flick it at some really repulsive goon in the front. It landed exactly in the middle of a page in our textbook being read to us (intoned, actually; a la Ferris Bueller's Day Off)by the Truly Amazing Vegetable Man Mr. Bennett, my high school English teacher. I've never forgotten the trip to the front of the room to collect that flick ball.
Jude the Obscure
- Thursday, July 05, 2001 at 15:27:13 (PDT)

I went to see A.I. and got to see the longer vesion of the trailer for Harry Potter. It has a very nice picture of AR where he is looks directly at the camera. It may be a kids movie but I know I am going to see it in the movies when it comes out.
Ellen W.
Whitehall, PA - Thursday, July 05, 2001 at 12:09:33 (PDT)

Elizabeth-Does this mean you have been committed? I have been trying to get my husband committed for years,perhaps you can give us some suggestions?
Sue
England - Thursday, July 05, 2001 at 04:54:20 (PDT)

ARA, I think you hit it on the head.....not the goose that is! I just spent the whole morning practicing walking up a stage shaking someones hand on taking a prize.....now this is funny..... I have won the School Commitment Prize.....whatever that is when it is at home!!!! And we still have to sing God Save the Queen!!! So my friend and I spent the whole morning rewriting the lyrics. I find the whole song offensive anyway because it was originally written as an anti-Scottish song during the 1600's. Oh dear I am seriously off topic.... I am going on holiday soon, and school breaks up tomorrow!!!!! I am not quite sure what to do with myself as I haven't been on holiday for 6 years, I am going to Ireland, I thought I might go to the Irish Film Centre. Anyway I am going for now, I have to go an practice being an usher now..............yawn!
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Thursday, July 05, 2001 at 04:03:24 (PDT)

You guys are starting to sound like Lucille Ball in the vitameatavegamin commercial-I didn't think that marmite was THAT good-you make it sound better than chocolate {if that were possible}
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 23:20:53 (PDT)

Georgiana, Crumpets are either round or Rectangle (smaller) here with holes all over the top! The Vegemite soakes into this. My daughter has it with honey,Sara. I think that Muffins are different from Crumpets here. No holes in the top, Georgiana. Fausta, thank you for clearing that up for me. I was guessing that they tasted similar - it is a Vegetable, beef spread with added Vit.B in it. AR must be a happy little Marmite - very bright indeed!We all enjoy our vegemite for Breakfast lunch and tea. We all LOVE our vegemite- We all ENJOY our Vegemite- it puts a ROSE in every Cheek! Or so the song goes!!. Happy eating AR! Barbara.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione underscore3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Australia - Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 18:37:10 (PDT)

The June 16 Southland Times (New Zealand), on TV showing of "Michael Collins," tells us ... "Julia Roberts is the love interest and the cast also includes Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea and Alan Rickman, who gives us a particularly treacherous portrayal of Eamon de Valera."
Georgiana (off to fireworks with Zelda and Mac...)
Seattle - Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 17:16:31 (PDT)

Just how obscure are you?
Sue
England - Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 13:03:52 (PDT)

So he's actually hitting the goose on the head with a spitball loaded with Marmite...
Jude the Obscure
- Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 12:59:29 (PDT)

Elizabeth, is a "bible basher" the same as a "bible thumper" in this country? Someone who is aggressive with their religiousity and "turns people off"? A person who truly reflects God's love and character attracts people, rather than the opposite. Man created religion, not God,and if one discovers perfect love and perfect truth, then God is there. Off my soapbox now, love. I am not a royalist, but I wouldn't mind a luncheon with the Queen, but she would have to come to my house, and bring the doggies so Rosie could play with them.
A Rickman Admirer
- Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 11:56:52 (PDT)

ARA, yes they would! Sara, yes I had a simalr experience of the Lord's Prayer. Not only is our school head a royalist (she has been invited to tea at Buckingham Palace, like we give a damn!) but she is also a bible basher (sorry to anyone who takes offence from my unthoughtful comments). So there we all were singing, God Save the Queen, followed by an elongated musical version of the Lord's Prayer, and I was on my knees laughing so much that they finally decided to give me a good talking to and enter into massive religious and political debate. And now I am having an argument with an IT teacher about utalitarian states!
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 03:15:36 (PDT)

If he put marmite on those spitballs, they would hit their mark better, don't you think?
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, July 04, 2001 at 00:24:26 (PDT)

Yes, Jude! I too thought he was hammering something--only to me it looked like a monkey wearing white cap and gown! I am very grateful to Anne for a more feasible 'school days' explanation.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 10:32:30 (PDT)

Jude the Obscure- had to go back to the picture just to check that scenario. It took a minute then I saw clearly that it was true. Can't wait for the movie!!
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 09:57:19 (PDT)

Oh, Marmite is _wonderful_! I'm glad he's a Marmite person, for some reason. It's so true it's a total love/hate thing... It's yeast extract, not malt, isn;t it? Whenever friends from other countries come to stay they're always fascinated by this gunky brown smelly stuff I'm putting on my toast and they all have to try it. Nine times out of ten they're totally repulsed! I tried Vegemite once and it just doesn't do it for me! The only difference (I think) is that Vegemite has a more creamy, buttery texture and Marmite is just... gooey. But I love it... although not on crumpets... crumpets are for butter and honey, loads and loads so it all falls through the holes.

The Hokey Cokey, yes it is that terrible "right arm in, right arm out, do the hokey-cokey and fall over with someone else's arm jammed in your ear" thing. I can only imagine he's remembering the queen's performance during Auld Lang Syne at that millennium party thingy at the dome.

Elizabeth, they're making you sing God Save The Queen?! That's insane! I never heard of that before... I used to get into trouble for refusing to say the Lord's Prayer in assembly... not like, "I REFUSE!" refusing, not kicking up a fuss, just standing there along with everyone else and not saying anything. Maybe you can persuade everyone to sing God Shave The Queen instead...
sara
london, uk - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 09:46:17 (PDT)

I'm glad the prop in the picture was identified - I thought it was a goose wrapped in a cloth getting whapped on the head with a claw hammer...I assumed it was a still from his latest movie. "Vomitting in his beard person" indeed...
Jude the Obscure
- Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 09:36:41 (PDT)

If crumpets are what I'm remembering (marketed here as Australian toaster biscuits), can't imagine having nine of them! But I see we have a 25-year tradition here--our own Crumpet Shop, which will serve marmite on 'em, and the reviewer describes this as (vegetarian) 'spreadable beef boullion.'
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 08:51:36 (PDT)

So Mr. Bean invented "Twiglets"!? Great Marmite flavored snack - love 'em! Can't say I've ever "hobnobbed" though! ;))

Christine
Canada Day fireworks called off due to high winds! Montreal, Canada - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 07:37:59 (PDT)

Nine crumpets, a packet of ginger nuts and two pints of milk later .... surprisingly I don't feel sick! I am thinking that we ought to have an AR quote of the day. It could be quite amusing posting random sentences that he has said over the years. Like this one: "What do you think of the monarchy?" AR's answer "I don't."
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 07:29:27 (PDT)

The BIFA photo works if you change the html at the end to jpg, such as www.bifa.org.uk/gallery/9901.jpg

Barbara The Aussie, after doing side-by-side tests, to the untrained palate Marmite & Vegemite taste exactly alike.
Fausta
- Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 07:27:36 (PDT)

Certainly Marmite on toasted crumpets, but you must spread it very thinly as it is very strong tasting (like Gentleman's Relish, to go even more off topic). I like to add a topping of thinly sliced *English* cucumbers (the long thin ones) and dust with black pepper.
Gail <who is getting in late on the Marmite debatefoo>
Toronto, Canada - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 07:27:26 (PDT)

Finally got through to the Arena picture - he obviously has a great sense of humour!! Marmite is one of those things which you either love or loathe - there is nothing inbetween. The man who ate Hobnobs with AR was the man doing the photoshoot for that fashion book (GQ?). I like Marmite but only very small amounts but plain chocolate Hobnobs are sheer heaven!!!
Jill
UK - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 04:29:19 (PDT)

Nope, me neither.
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 02:31:37 (PDT)

Just had to try and make a school pic link.I expect all will turn purple or something.

Julia, yes the "Hokey Cokey" is the arms in,out thing over here as well. I suppose the Queen would have to put "Ones' wholeself in"......
Sue
England - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 02:30:29 (PDT)

Yessssss. Pete Sampras is out. Opps, off topic. (Ar is a tennis man isn't he?!) I am positivley hopping around the common room at the moment well sort of hopping, and typing.... I got the go ahead for my production of Lord of the Flies. Yeeeeeessssss!!! Ok calm down now. Thankyou GML for that photo. It brought back some memories of my earlier school life, rubber flinging and spitball fights! And definatley standing on the desk, its the best place to do it, aiming for the door so that you hit the teacher as they walk in. It sounds creul I know but, oh what fun! It is our school parents day this friday, and we did this practice thing all morning. The head of our school is a royalist and has this year decided to make us all sing "God Save the Queen" at the beginning! I had to walk out of the practice because I had this picture of the Queen and all that lot standing in front of some palace doing the "hokey kokey"!!! I was laughing so much!!..... I am going now, because my friend just came back from the bakers with ..... oh I don't believe it ..... she's brought crumpets.... ok where the marmite gone... who's nicked the marmite? I'm going..... I don't believe this someone has taken our marmite!!!!!!
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, July 03, 2001 at 02:27:59 (PDT)

Since I'm rambling in my sleep-deprived state, let me say I saw the HP trailer this evening on the big screen, in front of A.I. (a film to be seen only because the kid remains fine and Jude Law was outstanding as a 'mecha') It was magnificent, although I am going to have some trouble with that stringy black hair... But my oh my have they done it right!
Georgiana (Spielberg would have done better sticking with JPIII...)
Seattle - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 23:27:27 (PDT)

Nope, doesn't want to do it as a link. Can try e-mailing you the .jpg, Anne.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 23:24:52 (PDT)

Thanks, Anne. I must have missed Spitball 201... I had no trouble with the bifa link. Try this.

Am I remembering? Are crumpets what we buy as Australian toaster muffins?

Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 23:23:30 (PDT)

Georgiana: The "thing" he has got in his hand as he stands on a school desk, is a clear plastic ruler, complete with spitballs attached, ready to fire at the camera. The additional piece of paper is, presumably, to make more spitballs, as necessary.

Has anyone been having trouble copying and pasting addresses with AOL? For some reason, at certain times, I cannot get the space where I want to paste the address to allow me to clear it of the info there.

I am unable to get the BIFA photo at all. I just get an error message saying site not found, so if someone can make a link to it, I would much appreciate it.

I loved AR's answers to the questions asked him, possibly as he stood there defiantly, spitballs at the ready. Oh Marmite, how that brings back memories of being ill and being fed Marmite on toast.

Anne
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 22:08:52 (PDT)

What is this "Hokey Cockey" Alan speaks of? Is it like the "Hokey Pokey" we all know and love, of "put your right arm in, put your right arm out" fame? I am deeply disturbed by the thought of British people doing that--kind of like a Python episode on a bad acid trip, really. Hmmm...
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 21:14:21 (PDT)

Oh, GML, That is a GOOD photo! I am astonished- he is a Crumpet man! I live on, and most of Australia, Vegemite and crumpets in the winter! I have heard of Marmite but never tasted it.... Vegemite is much prized here down under. Like football and Meat Pies! They must be similar in taste hey? Thank you for getting hold of it, GML - still laughing. Thank you to the person for the info about The Sydney Sun Herald. Will have a look for it!. Barbara.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione underscore3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast , Australia - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 18:03:54 (PDT)

Great photo, GML, thank you! Copying and pasting the URL seems to work great with Geocities, but if anyone has trouble, just say the word and I'll link it to Spree.

And thanks also to Marion for the bifa photo!

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 16:19:50 (PDT)

Hi GML I too want to thankyou for that wonderful photo of Alan Rickman. It's a great one.

I'm guessing that's a ruler in his hands. Looks like he is showing one of the many antics he did in school when he was younger.

To all my fellow Canadians, hope you had a fun and safe CANADA DAY. Now its back to the grind....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 16:06:47 (PDT)

Hi ladies, I found this photo a few moments ago. www.bifa.org.uk/gallery/9901.html I hope it´s useful to you. Bye, Marion
Marion <marion.nimz@talknet.defoo>
Germany - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 15:55:32 (PDT)

Tudai I return justice one more time!!! Tuday I saw Quills and I can't be sailent! Rush was alright. De Sade was not ze karakter tovarishch Rickman wuld ever perform - tuuu pervert and filosofik and more looking laik a depraved woman. Not hiz cup ov teee! Zet wat I sink... Personally... Mai bee ze role ov zis creeepy doctor? Plaied by Cane. Or mai bee it's only mai spoilt imagination? I laik him more under ze surface type zen laik a hurrikane sadistic writer. (Like Russin speak - I can't pronounce it without a bottle of vodka - sorry for my verbal rubbish but I must keep my mark). Tovarishch Rickman live, is living and will be living foreva! Or long live ze king! Or tovarishch Rickman ruleeees!
vasilisa <send_me_letters_wiz_ze_haresfoo>
certain tsardom, certain realm - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 15:21:24 (PDT)

Question answered, never mind.
PM
McHenry, - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 13:56:51 (PDT)

Hi y'all, just back from the weekend and so catching up on entries from Friday. Sorry Marialis and all, I (also known as Little Miss Can't-we-all-just-get-along-here?) started the entry about children that has wounded some feelings, which wasn't intended. I plead temporary insanity due to recovering from both the appendectomy and a very nasty root canal.

Found a young cat this weekend, strving and dehydrated, abandoned in one of our parks - I swear, people should be shot - so the HP news and the ultimate AR role description have been very cheering.

What's marmite? Sounds like a floor covering, or something that picnic dishes are made of.
Penitent Mary
McHenry, - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 13:53:53 (PDT)

Life without Marmite-doesn't bear thinking about( marmite is nice.....) the bracketed bit is my 10 yr old who just hi-jacked the keyboard!!!You only know you are getting over an illness when you can manage Marmite on toast.
Sue
England - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 13:34:35 (PDT)

Cindie,
Marmite is a malt extract, brown, very salty, that's spread on bread (Sort of like peanut butter, only different!). The Australians have the same item, only sold as Veggemite.

Thank you for the photo, GML! Now, what's that thing(s) on AR's h*nds? A plastic ruler, a cloth napkin?
Fausta
- Monday, July 02, 2001 at 13:01:10 (PDT)

Lovely photo you've put up, GML! Certainly drips with attitude. I can't figure out what he's got in his hands, though.

Here's a link to the marmite FAQ. It is this dark brown (nearly black) paste which is a residue of the brewing industry, I believe said to be loaded with B vitamins (pronounced with a 'soft' "I"--they're British!--vit, not vite...). Claire kindly shared a taste of this stuff with me last fall. The British Grocer at BBC America's site will gladly send you some, but might I recommend the chocolate hob knobs instead? (Now, who was it quoted as having eaten these in Mr. Rickman's kitchen?)
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 12:58:29 (PDT)

What exactly is marmite?
Cindie
- Monday, July 02, 2001 at 12:49:58 (PDT)

Hi people,

OK, I put that picture on my webpage, but I won't even try a link, Geocities doesn't like them! Try to go to:

http://www.geocities.com/storepage/arschool.jpg

and if that fails, just wait, it's sitting in both Suzanne's and Claire's inboxes, so a link should appear here soon. It's a fun one.

Elizabeth, thanks for telling me about the French film, nice of you. I didn't get a paper today, I'll have a check later on to see if it's one I haven't seen yet. Marmite on crumpets, Georgiana? Uuuuuh... I guess you have to be brought up on the stuff to enjoy its, er, subtle taste *wrinkles nose*. The way I love crumpets is with an old friend, lots of *real* butter, and nothing else, yum! And ARA, Nutella... I was brought up on it! *sticky, gooey noise of smacking lips* - Sooo, the Brits are brought up on marmite and the French on nutella? Clearly a different philosophy at work ;)

Play... phewww, that *was* powerful stuff. Jill, I'm glad you had to play it twice too, I thought my foreign ears were at fault. Did anybody Brit watch Waiting for Godot too? That was so rivetting, I found myself watching it till the end, when I had only meant to record it for later. Um, was *that* one written in French originally? Think so. Fausta, thanks for the news page, I started reading it and then got side-tracked by one of your links. I'll be back. Suz, congratulations on your success at getting rid of that *&%&*&% advert page. Unfortunately it is spreading onto other sites like the plague.

Bye for now.
GML
UK - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 12:14:31 (PDT)

Great site, Jill! Thank you. And, Fausta, what a coup! A Harry Potter poster book! I can hardly wait.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 09:12:14 (PDT)

I just got back in town, and have not read my e-mail, but the July Monthly Rickmanista is now on line. Please come visit!
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, July 02, 2001 at 09:00:53 (PDT)

For anyone who might be interested - there are photographs and interviews with all the stars of Play including Alan Rickman on the following site ; http://www.channel4.com/plus/beckett/plays/play/index.html I had to watch the film a couple of times just to catch the words they spoke so fast!! Great television.
Jill
UK - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 08:14:11 (PDT)

Well I just spent a lesson at school discussing 'Play'. ("Why are they in jars?" "That's the nice guy from S and S" " Ooow look thats the woman from our sciemce video") No they didn't have anything constructive to say!! I saw Play on the stage about a year ago, but nothing prepared me for the Play I saw on Friday. Wow. Surreal, visually stunning, brilliantly acted. I was extremly impressed.

Thankyou GML for those bits. Definatley Marmite! And the hokey kokey would be good! Off-topic. GML you may be interested to know that there is a french film on UK TV tonight (or is it tommorrow night?!) I had a brilliant AR day on Saturday. First of all I found a copy of TWG in HMV, then I found a second hand copy of that GQ magazine he was on the front of, and then to top it all while my friends were bowling I went down to the UCI cinema and watched the HP and Help! I'm a Fish trailers, being played about twenty times!! And my friend couldn't understand why I was so happy!!!
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 05:59:57 (PDT)

Good morning all! I finally located a copy of" Truelly, Maddly, Deeply" in a video store store here!All we have here are Blockbusters and you know how boring their selection can be.... I saw it years ago before I got bit by the Rickman bug and I remember enjoying it. Watched " Quigley" yesterday and loved AR in it, I don't mind all__ his villans!Well, that's my two cents worth. Have lovely day whereever you are in this vast world! I'm off to the video store to get TMD!
Star
NC USA - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 05:22:05 (PDT)

ARA, you just made me laugh so much coffee came out of my nose! Thank you!
sara
london, uk - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 04:02:28 (PDT)

To 'A Rickman Admirer' - Some advice regarding signed photographs.

Sue already had a signed photo of Alan so she got me a signed photo of Julie Christie for my 50th, I couldn't argue then, could I?. Julie is on my side of the bed and Alan is on hers.

Now there's a thought - Julie Christie and Alan Rickman cast together! ! !
John & Sue <jrnavigator@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Derby, UK - Monday, July 02, 2001 at 00:58:36 (PDT)

One of my husband's British television memories: the bed and breakfasts of Clacton and Brighton kicking everyone out after breakfast, and bunches of raincoat clad, miserable people huddling in shelters on the seacoast while rain lashed down, waiting to get back into the B&B's at 5pm. Something about bank holidays causes torrents of rain, from what he says. PS-I have tried marmite sandwiches, but prefer nutella on almost anything...
A Rickman Admirer {the original}
- Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 18:31:51 (PDT)

Thanks, GML! Is that Marmite on toasted crumpets???
Georgiana (here posting from a new G4 laptop!)
Seattle - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 15:24:16 (PDT)

a bit OFF TOPIC

Too all my fellow Canadians HAPPY CANADA DAY!

now to GML thanks for that bit you put in. that was cute. I can't wait to see the photo.

I'm sitting here with a large daiquiri waiting for dinner to cook, and trying to figure out which AR video to in. I love all his movies and can't decide which one to watch. Any suggestions?

I have dicided to stay in on Canada Day, because I worked all day and just want to unwind. Yes I had to work today. that's not fair. I want to just see my man on tv and relax.....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 14:58:37 (PDT)

As promised... Sorry if this has already been posted but I'm so chuffed I have something to offer for once... I didn't have the heart to check ;)

The Best of BRITISH

60 National Treasures talk exclusively to

ARENA

Featuring

(...) Alan Rickman (...)

Alan Rickman

ruler of stage and screen

"How the Dickens are you?

Tolerably well, thank you.

The best thing about being British?

The language.

How do you cope with the weather?

See above.

That childhood seaside holiday in full...

There's a photo somewhere of some kids, buckets and spades poised, sitting in the Clacton day-trip sand with their raincoats firmly belted that rings a distant bell.

A favourite British pastime?

Crumpet-toasting.

What do you always buy that is British?

Marmite.

The one person that defines Britishness?

Spike Milligan.

What could we teach the rest of the world about sex?

Take a large dose of repression, mix it with guilt and add smut to taste.

What song should be the new national anthem?

The 'Hokey Cockey'. Think of the Queen and 100,000 people singing 'Knees bend, arms stretch, Rah!Rah!Rah!."

:))))) Full marks for the answers Alan! Uh, except for the marmite, the one thing British I can't get used to. I can do beans. I can do brown sauce. I can even switch the conversation from sex to the weather in a flash now. But I can't do marmite. Oh, dear, the wedding is off! ;)

GML

PS: I'll try to scan the photo tomorrow. Is the email on your website still valid, Claire?
GML
UK - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 14:13:12 (PDT)

Picture the scene. Friday evening, video set, rushing around the supermarket at a hideous pace so that I could get back home in time. Got home....no cable tv (in fact no tv at all). The cable people say they will send someone round on Saturday (no, not the day after this particular Friday, but the following Saturday) Aaaarrrghhhhh !!!! Ok, ranting over. Will now go and stare at a blank tv screen and sulk.
Catherine <catherine.bowles@virgin.netfoo>
Halifax, West Yorkshire - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 13:18:59 (PDT)

Georgiana, Perhaps once you've perfected your recipe you will post it, or forward it to Fausta?
Cindie - increasingly intrigued.
- Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 11:20:24 (PDT)

From 29 June Indepoendent (London)
PURSUITS: THE DAILY WEBSITE
BYLINE: Sally Chatterton

[Dismissing "Shrek," she continues...]
However, deflecting some of the attention away from our flatulent friend is the online premiere of the second Harry Potter trailer. The wizard clip at www.harrypotter.com includes snippets of the main characters, including a very eerie Alan Rickman, Zoe Wannamaker and, of course, the spell-binding trio of Harry, Hermione and Ron, as well as some impressive demonstrations of broom flying. Trailer heaven indeed.

Georgiana (Experiment? Moi? Will try again for a bit more cream, a tad less prune... So much to do... so little time!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 07:48:32 (PDT)

From 29 June Guardian:

HEADLINE: Friday television: Pick of the day: Beckett On Film: Play
BYLINE: Jonathon Wright
7.45pm, Channel 4

The season of Samuel Beckett plays continues with a short piece dating from 1963. Directed by Anthony Minghella (Truly Madly Deeply and The English Patient), Play stars Alan Rickman, Kristin Scott-Thomas and Juliet Stevenson. The staging is stark and bleak, so that we see the three actors' heads protruding from urns as they take it in turns to relate the tale of a love triangle. If it all sounds simple in outline, the richness of the language - each actor speaking defensively of their role in events - proves otherwise. Utterly stunning.

Georgiana (Donna, try a 'reboot,' or a new ISP?--I've had no trouble) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 07:42:19 (PDT)

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary and since my hubby is out of the country I will celebrate by watching "Quigley"!Never watched it before..... is this considered "cheating"?Nancy, thanks for the e-mail about Dark Harbor. I'm not sure it is a convincing story line but i will keep it in mind if i ever watch it again.To the rest of you--- thanks for not pelting me with tomatoes for my comments! As critical as I may sound...I really am mad about Alan!Cheers! Happy Sunday!
Star
NC USA - Sunday, July 01, 2001 at 06:10:37 (PDT)

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