Alan Rickman Guestbook

(June 1 - June 30, 2001)

First off I would like to apologize for any cans of worms I opened. While I don't think I got too deeply into AR's private life, I did get a little too deep into this subject. (Marialis, my point wasn't really about having kids, it was about the smugness and "I gotta-belong"-ism that too often goes with it.) This is a pet subject of mine and I tend to go pretty far with it. This isn't really the place for getting soap-boxy, though, and so I will lay it to rest.

I still think it's terrific that he and I have a lifestyle choice in common-- that little flash of recognition felt good. It's like the good feelings I get when admiring his versatility, movies or voice.

To the person who wondered at his choice of movie subject matter: am I the only one who would like to see him as a James Bond villain? A megalomaniac businessman, perhaps, as witty and charming as he is treacherous. Problem is, he might threaten to out-charm James Bond himself.
MonteLukast
Manhattan, KS USA - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 22:42:19 (PDT)

Big two page spread in the Sydney Sun Herald about Harry Potter trailer - inlcuding picture of Alan Rickman as Snape
*
- Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 20:45:00 (PDT)

I am still having a long time getting on here. I tried the alan-rickman.com but it wouldn't work for me. Neither does this address unless i go thru all the channels. Plus I've had trouble even getting onto the internet tonight. Anyone else having trouble? Yes, i am glad also to be rid of that monkey running along the top of the screen. i managed to shock him a few times when he was on. i would never harm a real one though-just the computer one.
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
NY USA - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 18:41:16 (PDT)

First to GML thanks for answering my message.

Suzanne Congradulations on getting the ads off. I think they got tired of all of us complaining about it. Yipppppy! It 's so nice coming here without going through the ads and waiting to get through.

I just got back from a trip to the 1000 Islands boat cruise, and was glad to get back here to read all the messages. There were sure a lot of them.
I really enjoy coming here and reading about my favorite actor.......
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 18:10:19 (PDT)

And this man's name was Bob. Or maybe Dave. Possibly Tom. Anyway, he also had some identity issues; although he couldn't pay much attention to them, what with the vomiting and all!
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 16:20:51 (PDT)

Fantastic! As a writer, I've been trying for years to come up with an idea for a best-selling novel that would make AR think, "I must star in the film version of this!" A Rickman Admirer, thanks to you, I've got the opening sentence. "Once upon a time, there was a homosexual, incestuous sadomasochistic ghostly angelic magical alchoholic vomiting-in-the-beard person who lived in an urn." We've got our setting too: the urn. Now all I need is a plot and a few additional characters! ARA, laughter is therapeutic, so if you can make your husband laugh as loudly as you just made me, his recovery is assured.
Nancy R.
CA - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 16:10:50 (PDT)

My husband wouldn't let me have AR's autographed picture in the bedroom on the nightstand. Men are funny creatures, aren't they? If there was a script of a homosexual, incestuous sadomasochistic ghostly angelic magical alchoholic vomiting in the beard person who lived in an urn, you betcha Alan would go for it!!!!!!
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 15:45:57 (PDT)

Good afternoon all, Just sent off Hubby and Teenage Son to Honduras( service project: building community center in some village )! Now I can have alot of Rickmaniac times! Still there's three more where that came from...Anyway just want to say that as much as I love Alan- sometimes I truelly wonder at his choice in movies....Let's see CLOSET LAND(sado-masochism), CLOSE MY EYES (incest), AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE (more incest), DARK HARBOR (homosexuality),.... Am I missing something? Do we have a pattern here? And yet I read that in his private life he is quite tame?I wish that he would find the more less volcanic of sexual passions as interesting!I know I sound like an old ninny and you are probably all ready to pelt tomatoes at me but as a true admirer of Mr. Rickman.... I must be honest in saying that just because some subject matter raises eyebrows does not necessarily make it profound or a story worth telling. Sometimes I get the feeling Alan just wants to shock us! Still I am "mesmerized" by him and with all our differences(political and otherwise), I am drawn to him like a moth to a lamp.I thank you for this forum and for access to all the lovely photos. The Vogue is to die for!Could that really be just five years ago?If it weren't for my husband I would blow it up poster size and hang it in my bedroom( now who is SICK?).Thanks for all your patience as I ramble.... Most addicted,......
Star
NC USA - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 15:27:34 (PDT)

Hi all!

Just back from the Big Apple and catching up on the latest here on the GB. Thanks to everyone for the latest news and photos (Claire) and especially the news about the new HP trailer! This film is going to be fabulous!! I can't wait! AR makes a perfect Snape and as my son remarked upon seeing the trialer, he has hardly any makeup on which really puts the icing on the cake! Like you Georgiana, I'm going to try to read the first book to my daughter before the film's release. We started it once and she fell asleep after the second page. (I think we started too late at night and we shouldn't read in bed.)

Magda, I'm glad to see your name here again after quite a while and I would like to write you privately. If you don't mind, would you send me an email so I can do that?

To A Rickman Admirer - I pray that your husband will be well.

I'm not saying one word on the subject of having kids.
Christine <ckofler@hotmail.comfoo>
Montreal, Canada - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 14:38:13 (PDT)

When one has a child, then that child must be the focus of ones life for a very long time. I believe that Ms. Horton decided to work for the greater good-she is obviously passionate about children's issues and has no doubt done a great deal of good for many children. I thank her for making that choice. BTW, thanks for all of the good wishes, and hope the prune ice cream turns out "fine". No doubt, no doubt that it will. The weather today is cloudy-Portland weather is very similar to Victoria BC or England for that matter.{at least the parts of England that hubby and I have been}
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 13:10:53 (PDT)

Darn! That should be www.comingsoon.net. Sorry about that.
Magda
Canada - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 12:10:12 (PDT)

Apparently there's quite a jam on the WB - Harry Potter site to see the new trailer. You can also find the various versions at: www.comingsoon.com. You want what they call Teaser Two. And you can download right away.
Magda
Canada - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 12:09:31 (PDT)

Congratulations Suzanne, you have triumphed after all. It's so nice to be able to read the Guestbook without having to go through all the mess with other sites popping up and then causing error messages. Your persistence has paid off!

I have been away from the Guestbook for a few days and return to find it working well but filled with discussions on whether or not AR should have had children.

I think that's the private business, of AR and M's Horton. After all it DOES take two to make that decision in the normal course of things, doesn't it?

It's not for us to second guess why they have chosen not to, or to assume they should or should not have, depending on our point of view.

Sorry to be on my soapbox, I had hoped to find more about the second trailer for 'Harry Potter'or some other news about the script he's working on, and other related good news for AR fans.

Georgiana, let me know how your prune Armagnac icecream experiment goes, sounds delicious.

Anne
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 11:34:01 (PDT)

I'm happy for you, Sue! Pleased to be able to trade.
Georgiana (trying *my* hand at prune armagnac ice cream today...)
Seattle - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 09:34:21 (PDT)

Thanks Georgiana-Saturday afternoon,everyone's out and I've just been "mesmerized";))
Sue
England - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 08:19:10 (PDT)

Just something to come back to our favourite topic :I don't think that I can give you news about AR, but I've just read three articles about him.

First one : AR is working on a script of a movie that will be situated in the Chāteau de Versaille. In an interview with the Daily Express, he had said that the story is working on will show a gardener falling in love with a women during his work. We don't know if AR will have the first role-play in the movie or if he'll only write it."

2 - Ridley Scott wants to make a movie about a pirate called "Captain Kid" with Jude Law, Sadie Frost, AR and James Coburn"

Do you know more about it ?

I've also read something interesting : a poll shows that the great villains are : 1/ Dark Vador, 2/ Sheriff of Nottingham, 3/ Hans Gruber, 4/ Hannibal Lecter, 5/ Keyser Soze. But they point out that the poll was made on british people in majority, and that could explain the place of S of N, before Hannibal Lecter.

Did you know that too ?
Marialis
FRANCE - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 07:49:28 (PDT)

I'm totally discouraged this morning after reading Mary and Montelukast posts. Have I really said that I want that everybody on earth have two or three children, a house and a dog ? I'm sorry if I have. Maybe my vocabulary is not precise enough, maybe I've been clumsy. I've already said in the GB that I'm from those who think that to admire someone - even adore him - doesn't give you the right to intrude or to judge his private life. Nor in a way, nor in the other. And I could add that in my own private life, it's sometimes hard enough to make my own choices… yet I'm not able to make choices for other people !
I can't let you think that I'm so obtuse ! So let me try to explain what I meant : if you decide to stop working, to buy a boat with all the money you have and spend the rest of your life sailing around the world, you are not in the norm. You are not better, you are not worse : your life is simply different than the life of the majority of people. It makes them talk about you (and if your famous, the subject could be very discussed in a GB). But have I said that I wouldn't prefer stop working and sail the rest of my life ?
Perhaps do you react so warmly because you feel the pressure of society around you ? I know this sort of angriness : I 've been feeling it for years after my marriage. When we got married, all our parents and friends always used to ask us the same question every time we met them : "when will you make a baby "! It was unbearable ! I remember that I were thinking "Am I only a womb for them ?"
But you know, we - normal people ;-) - don't have children to be in the norm (even if we have them later in our life)! They give us something tough ! I understand that what does suit me could not suit you. Hope you understand it too… We could agree on this point : this is the foundation of freedom.

Sorry, for this long OT (for me it isn't about Alan Rickman.) I hope everyone understand me now.
Marialis
FRANCE - Saturday, June 30, 2001 at 03:25:18 (PDT)

Hello everyone. I really cannot wait to see Harry Potter. I have onle seen 1 of the trailers but the second will come to us here in Australia soon, I hope! I have been reading all the entries here on the GB about AR's Private life and I have to say that AR is a wonderful actor and his life apart from that is irrevelent. I think that we all agree, that we all find his career wonderful and the longer AR goes on - the better, in whatever mode he takes on. His Stage, film, TV and Music Video is always done to the best of his ability and it bring's a lot of interest to all of us.AR is a wonderful person - and how he lives his life is irrevelent to all of us here - suffice to say that we can SEE AR in all the characters that he chooses to play .How lucky are we that AR works hard to produce such thorough work? He enjoys what He does and the rest of us can go along and see him doing what he does best - acting and performing. I for one, am not interested in what is his Private life - I am drawn to his stength of character in dealing with all this absolute piffle that surrounds what is a magical Career. To AR - if you read this, keep doing what you do best and I will continue with I do best, being happy - that's all that matters! If anybody agree's with me, please write here on the GB. I think it is important to have our say, and everybody who reads this GB needs to express their views, from everywhere. Do you agree? BTA.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione underscore3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast , Australia - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 22:00:37 (PDT)

Thank you, Suzanne!
Lynx
USA - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 21:28:53 (PDT)

Hey gang,

Notice anything different?

No more ads! :-)

I finally received a message from a real person (I think!) from HyperMart stating that they recently starting offering a "no ads" deal that is less than their "Premium" package... so, I went for it.

I may still move the GBs, but it won't be in the immediate future. The server I was testing turned out to be unreliable; I was having occasional problems getting in over the past week+, but not at all in the last two days! So I think it's safe to say that one is out of the question.

At any rate, aside from the ads, one thing HyperMart does have going for it is its reliability. I can only think of two instances when the server went down for more than a few hours, in the last two years. So I think we'll stick around a little while longer while I do some more CGI server searching/testing.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Ahhhhh, much better., TX USA - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 17:36:23 (PDT)

VCR ALERT! They just showed most of the new Harry Potter trailer (including both AR parts) on "E! News Weekend" (about 20 minutes into the show). If you'd like to see it, the show will be repeated:
Saturday (June 30): 7 a.m. and 12 Noon
Sunday (July 1): 2:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Eastern Time

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 16:25:29 (PDT)

Today's (29 June) Guardian:

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
Seattle - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 15:11:00 (PDT)

Hi Mary. Glad to see another person understanding of those who choose not to have children. I am sickened by all the relationship-ism and pronatalism present in our society today. My stomach is wrenching from hearing that Matt Lauer (Today Show) has just become a father. Didn't he used to be happily single for a very long time? Another jolly bachelor lost to the cult of family. He turned 40 right about the time he was married. I'm being cynical, but to me it sounds like he couldn't hold up under the pressure anymore of pushing 40 and not being a father. Didn't Hugh Grant, also 40-ish, say something to the effect of "I want kids because my friends are all having them?" I think that more marriages and families start out of a desire to fit in than people want to admit.

Even I have felt the pressure sometimes-- I've wondered if I'd have to get married and have children, even though that's totally against my principles, so that my employers will find me socially skilled, nurturing, dependable and mature (I wish to be in a health related profession so that's where the "nurturing" part comes in). The message I seem to be seeing is, only if you are in a relationship, preferably a marriage/family, is there real evidence of your emotional health and your competence as a person-- and I think this is extremely destructive. People *do* need relationships, which makes this message all the more insidious because it completely confounds people about what is required of them to be emotionally healthy or to have joyful relationships.

And so I say, long live all those who go against the grain and this message. We need more people like that and I hope to be more like AR someday, with a health-professions twist.

Sorry this was off-topic and a bit long, but it was something I needed to get off my chest...
MonteLukast
Manhattan, KS USA - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 14:30:44 (PDT)

Normal? What's normal? I have no children, and I do not consider myself abnormal or subnormal for my choice. People who never wanted children are having them every day. Is it normal to damn these helpless people to a loveless raising, or a life filled with parental resentment, or abuse, or worse; simply because their parents bowed to someone else's idea of "normal?" It happens every day, every horrible day for these unwanted, unloved children. Maybe it's not "normal," but it's a reality.

If Rima and Alan chose not to have children, then that decision is right for them. Bottom line, it's their business.

Sorry to have written with some heat.
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 13:50:07 (PDT)

Becketts "Play" surreal?....I'll tell you what's bloody surreal-setting the video for Channel 4 and checking that it has come out and finding the Simpsons!!...Oh well I did get to see it in the kitchen but decided that it would definitely need another view or three,but that ain't to be.(OT-just saw Shrek-great movie-loved the donkey)
Sue
England - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 12:57:43 (PDT)

Realising now how shallow my last entry was, I have had time to ponder the enigma that is Alan Rickman and can say that his acting in 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' was so amazing. I cry buckets every time I watch that film. Also 'A truly big adventure'(hope I got that right) was a fantastic film too. And yes, he totally outacts Kevin Costner (not difficult)in Robin Of Sherwood. So. Gorgeous man, sexy voice, great actor.
lesley <LEI.KEMP@TALK21.COMfoo>
EASTBOURNE, UK - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 10:26:26 (PDT)

June 4 "Variety":

HEADLINE: Voters have soft spots for biopics
BYLINE: ANDREW PINCUS

Emmy voters, evidently, took special interest in history during high school.

Alabama Gov. George Wallace, diva Josephine Baker and Russia's legendary Rasputin were the subjects of acclaimed TV fare over the past decade in miniseries and made-for-TV movies. Not incidentally, portraying these real-life individuals garnered Emmys for Gary Sinise (1998), Lynn Whitfield (1991) and Alan Rickman (1995), respectively.

Georgiana (no further mention in the article...)
Seattle - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 10:22:06 (PDT)

Alan Rickman has,without doubt 1.the sexiest voice ever 2.the most charismatic air about him. If I could be just one person for one day, I'd be Sharleen Spitteri on the day the video for 'In Demand' was made.Lucky woman! Keep up the good work, and look out,Spitteri!
LESLEY <LEI.KEMP@TALK21.COMfoo>
EASTBOURNE, UK - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 10:19:25 (PDT)

Just a quicky for Lynn and anybody interested in that Arena photo and interview:

I'm afraid I found that scanner *after* I'd sent the mag to an even bigger fan ;)), but no doubt she will scan it and put a link up here as soon as she receives it. It's not an actual interview but just 4 or 5 short questions/answers. It's a special edition featuring 'British treasures', or something in that vein, and there is one page per artist. I'm off for most of the weekend now, but if I find another copy, I'll try to scan it and send it off to Claire on Monday.

GML
UK - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 10:15:42 (PDT)

GML - your description of this photograph in Arena magazine does not sound very attractive - perhaps he is rebelling or going through the male menopause!! I tried to see it at the local newsagents but no magazine yet! Any chance or anyone posting it?
Jill
UK - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 10:01:05 (PDT)

Hi Rickmaniacs, I've updated my Alan Rickman Page with Blow Dry pics and then click the Blow Dry link. For a nice picture of Alan playing Sherlock Holmes, go to the news link! Enjoy Alan!
Stezi <stezi@wxs.nlfoo>
The Netherlands - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 09:53:45 (PDT)

Star, I can answer your question, but only by giving away Dark Harbor's big surprise to readers who may not have seen the film yet. Send me your email address and I'll explain.
Nancy R. <nroberts@sonic.netfoo>
CA - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 08:48:06 (PDT)

From today's "The Independent" (London):

HEADLINE: PURSUITS: THE DAILY WEBSITE
BYLINE: Sally Chatterton

THE LATEST animated blockbuster from Dreamworks Studios hits cinemas nationwide today and, as is only fitting for a film of such stature, there is an official Shrek website. The site is cuter than the titular hero (which isn't difficult), and offers some quirky little details to keep younger surfers amused, including a satisfyingly long trailer. 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 (agree on the expanded Dogma DVD--not much there for a Rickman admirer...)
Seattle - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 06:20:35 (PDT)

Good Morning, I am baffled! Just saw Dark Harbor and after that beautiful speech about long standing love.... how could he do what he did? Please help me understand! On a lighter note; where can I access that new Harry Potter trailer you are talking about? On the HP web site( my kids are always on it ---awesome site )? And for Claire: will you be posting the KelClancy pics from Closet Land? Especially the portrait( hope you know what I am talking about )? CHEERS TO ALL!
star
nc - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 05:27:56 (PDT)

Something's sure : to have no child, as too have too many, isn't in the norm. How many times this question has been discussed here ? By those who really don't understand and try to find explanations. By those who argue that it's better like that for AR and RH's career and image. And by those saying that this situation or decision has not to be discussed here. I remember to have hear a debate as feverish about Mel Gibson's seven children !

Thank you GML. I'll read Comedie. Hope to see Play some day…Thank for the sites too.

Reading Julia I were wondering if it was to be a spammer to say here that I like John Malkovitch ? I know about the problem with "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". But I find him good, even in that film. Sorry if I chock someone here…
Marialis
FRANCE - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 04:57:30 (PDT)

Vasilisa, Like Mr.Rickmans talent I transcend all nationality.
Volga Olga <zedearswillonlyeatzerosesfoo>
The Final Post - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 02:54:27 (PDT)

To ARA and Husband, my thoughts are with you both. I hope that you get some good news soon. Claire - the new photo's are great especially the "Bust". Cheered me up a lot. Thanks. Barbara.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Australia - Friday, June 29, 2001 at 01:13:40 (PDT)

The Dogma special edition DVD is available, possibly already mentioned here. If you didn't like the film, then likely not worth the time/money to view and rent. If you did like it, then you may want to see the DVD for the commentary, deleted scenes and other extras. There are no extra AR outtakes or deleted scenes and, in general, comments about him simply reflect admiration for his talent.

Oh, one thing mentioned on commentary is that it was AR's idea to dye his hair black and wear pasty white make-up a la Ziggy Stardust.
Lin
Canada - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 22:23:43 (PDT)

Rickman Admirer The Original, do watch the Harry Potter trailer (AOL has an easy download) to cheer up. And remember, I woke up from an unrelated operation to hear a doctor say, "Do you know what an oncologilst is?" A scary year ensued. BUT that was fifteen years ago, I recovered completely, so know that the best case scenario is possible as well...
FastFilm
CA USA - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 20:04:32 (PDT)

Suzanne-Thanks for the Alan address. I'll try it next time to see if that works for me. I know you can bookmark addresses, but still being new to this computer stuff, I have to figure it out yet. There's so much to learn! MonteLukast-I agree with you-give me Alan anyday as well & anyone else can keep Brad Pitt. Alan is much more suave & sophisticated. A Rickman Admirer-Hope all goes well for you & your husband. I know how scary going to an oncologist can be, because I had the unfortunate task of having to take my Dad there & it was the worst feeling in the world. My husband also had a slight (Pre-cancerous) scare a few years back, so has to get tested yearly. I personally wish that all the money being spent on the space program would be spent instead to eradicate these diseases, plus any other money that is wasted(in my opinion anyway) on useless things. I think curing disease is much more important. Sorry to ramble. There I go on my soap box again. Well, good luck to the two of you. By the way, I've heard Oregon is nice. How do you like it out there?
donna
NY USA - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 19:43:36 (PDT)

Yes, it's a shame that English doesn't have such an "R" as the Russians have. Makes the transliteration of the accent quite difficult. Not to mention that word order and vocabulary choices so beloved by Russian people trying to speak English would make any of "Vasilisa"'s posts impossible to read! ;) OT-- Just watched "Being John Malkovich." My contempt for the man grows every moment.
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 18:57:22 (PDT)

I just saw the 2nd trailer, too. All I can of Alan's performance is--W O W! He really fits the role of the Potions Master, and I can't wait for November 16! Oya, the Harry Potter Galleries has now updated stills from the 2nd trailer, and you can see the characters more clearly than the first batch of stills, and as Hagrid said somewhere in the Sorcerer's Stone, "looks a treat!"
Zel-anne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 17:44:05 (PDT)

I believe that "another Rickman admirer" is from London. Haven't heard from that one for awhile--I live in the USA although my hubby is English. I wish a lot of the time, that I did live in London, but we got an appointment with the oncologist {cancer doctor} NINE days after the biopsy-my husband said that the NHS doesn't move nearly that fast, so I am grateful for the health care system that we have, although the insurance situation can be a nightmare for a lot of the people here, and it takes a while to accustom oneself to the lack of the "safety net" that one has in England. Sorry to ramble... '
a Rickman admirer{the original}
Portland, OR - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 16:50:55 (PDT)

I was just wondering if there is a link to that Arena artical.
That would be a nice picture to look at.

Hope you can either give us the address or put the link on the guestbook.
Thankyou in advance.....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 15:38:01 (PDT)

Ups! (Gash! It's hard to write with the acsent!) You are wrong - I have noting tu du wiz Rasputin. He iz sooo boring - just drinkinking and dancicing, and zis terrible beard! Actualy I was luuking for Closet Land - I'm reeellee intrigued by zis movie. I read Flights of Fancy Archives - ladies! you are so talented, and yet so modest, you got to pronounce you talents, to write a book - real and only - about tovarisch Rickman, or oll your fame olwais be distributed between someone like Paton (am I right? zis lady, whu wrote tovarisch Rickman's biography?). Oh! And Olga Volga - are you Russian? Hau strange - so many different peeple and oll ov zem admire hiz... hiz... just - him.
vasilisa <send_me_letters_wiz_ze_deersfoo>
certain tsardom, certain realm - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 14:46:11 (PDT)

Hello all,

I haven't had a chance to read this board for a few days, and that means I don't stand a chance to catch up with all I've missed... sorry if I tell you stuff you know already. I've finally managed to download the second HP trailer. Shame the sound goes weird on two occasions: when Hagrid speaks, and when Snape speaks. Argh! Maybe my stupid PC sound card can't cope with deep voices. Ah... but what a presence! Doesn't he look like he's worn black wizard robes all his life? And these hand gestures... the expression... perfect! Snape he is... and I should know, I'm a fan of the potions master... Magic! How could I ever doubt him?

Marialis and other French speakers here, I've found some of the reviews R Faey spoke about on L'Invitée de l'Hiver' which are all rather enthusiastic. The story is summed up on

http://www.anacoluthe.com/cinema/films/winter.html

, and the medal goes to the person who wrote the most hilarious review on:

http://www.multimania.fr/general/pub/popup/perso.phtml?category=/noref&search_query=invitee%20de%20l%27hiver

To be fair she only starts talking about the object of her review in the last paragraph, but it all ties up together somehow. How dare anybody eat popcorn while watching films like the Winter Guest indeed? Some people just don't get it. She did.

'Vasilia', congrrratulations, it takes a leetle skeel to spell a forreign accent! ;) Zat's a wink by ze way...

Oh, and did you Brits know there is a picture of Alan standing on a table in his old London primary school, threatening the reader with a plastic ruler and a sizeable spitball in the July issue of Arena? There is a (very) short interview too. His definition of Brit sex, or should I say the British attitude to sex, is spot on :-D but I won't quote it from memory 'cause I don't want to get it wrong ;) The other good news is that I have finally located the scanner in my new workplace :))

Oh, and Marialis, if you want to read more about Beckett's 'Play' (the one Alan plays in on the televised version), I think Beckett translated it into French himself, so there will be versions around for you to read up to help you make sense of it. Comédie is the title.

GML
UK - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 14:09:46 (PDT)

Today's (UK) TV Express for TV3:

TVEXPRESS - TODAY'S CHOICES; BECKETT ON FILM
BYLINE: BY GLYN GEORGE

7.55pm CH4 Samuel Beckett, eh? Luvvies get all smirky about Beckett, and stress his great sense of humour. But really, if you watch Waiting For Godot waiting for gags, you'll wait forever. But RTE have filmed all his plays for the screen, and CH4 is dotting them about this week before showing Godot on Saturday. So here's Pinter ranting away while an impassive Gielgud looks on; at 11.10pm Penelope Wilton rocks in a chair going quietly mad, and tomorrow at 7.45pm Alan Rickman plays at being a plant pot. So fair tasters for the uninitiated, then, and mercifully short with it.
Georgiana (who changed the font?) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 10:57:52 (PDT)

Vasilisa-LOL=Laughing Out Loud. I can only imagine that you have had a close encounter with Grigori Rasputin (eef only).
Volga Olga <Bearwizzmefoo>
Just Steppe 'd outside - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 07:56:49 (PDT)

From glancing at all the Alan-and-Rima posts I have only one thing to say:

Let's hear it for a terrific middle-aged childfree couple!

I don't care that Mr. Rickman is already involved (and I'll likely never meet him being that I'm going to be in Kansas for a while), the fact that he is unashamedly CF makes him even more attractive in my eyes. What a refreshing change from all these tool celebrities who blather on and on about how "having kids has made me a better person" etc etc. Give me AR over Brad Pitt any day. Pitt's baby rabies (not to mention his questionable personal hygiene) cooled any ardor I had for him faster than you could say "Legends Of The Fall".
MonteLukast
Kansas State, KS USA - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 07:10:14 (PDT)

ARA, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND. ALL THE BEST NOW AND ALWAYS, STAR
STAR
NC USA - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 06:07:44 (PDT)

It's iust mai great admirashion!!! Wenn I see zis man I can't speak properly Engleesh... I sink that you tuu... Stuttering and stammering... Em I rait? LOL - WAT IS ZE MEANING OV ZIS?
vasilisa <send_me_letters_wiz_ze_bearsfoo>
certain tsardom, certain realm - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 05:50:52 (PDT)

For all those who'd like to check out stills from the 2nd Harry Potter trailer, I'd recommend the Harry Potter Galleries at http://hpgalleries.com. Most are fuzzy, but the last page has clearer images, including Alan/Snape. I've checked the official site and I'm excited because it now has the 2nd trailer for all to see!!! Whoopeee!!!
Zel-Anne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 05:44:50 (PDT)

Vasilisa-time to "scnapp" out of that accent!
Volga Olga <willpigeonsdo?foo>
Tsars a lot of it about - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 05:20:38 (PDT)

ARA - I'm with you and your husband too, of course. And I do really hope that all the wishes that everyone here want to send you could help you a little in that terrible moment.

Sara - I don't want to judge anybody just after a look at a picture ! It was just my first impression and I don't find them negatives (I love self-willed women !) And I'm sure she is adorable, and charming : He had chosen her for entire life !
Marialis
FRANCE - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 01:44:28 (PDT)

Sara, I don't know if you can see the manifesto on the net and for some reason I am not allowed to disclose where I saw it or any of the literature!! Don't ask me why.

HP2 is still casting. I have that on good sound ground. There is a Warner Bros advert for aduitions for some of the child characters, stuck up on our school message board. Some lucky children will be having lessons from the potions master!!

And I have finally persuaded the headmisterss to let me direct a school production of "Lord of the Flies"!!!!!!!! Finally!!! So now I have to spend the next week doing casting and readings and then they have the holiday to learn their lines. (The headmisterss wanted us to do Peter Pan!! "you can be Captain Hook." "Er no I think I'll pass on that one!!")
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 00:58:01 (PDT)

Thanks for all of your best wishes. I know how Nina felt in TMD-don't think I'll be watching that one for awhile....
a Rickman admirer
- Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 00:53:00 (PDT)

To ARA and Husband - Our thoughts are with you - Good Luck and Best Wishes
John & Sue <jrnavigator@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Derby, UK - Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 00:29:41 (PDT)

ARA my best wishes to you and your husband. I'm thinking about you....
brigitte, from switzerland
- Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 23:10:08 (PDT)

Lynn, the Angel with Horns article can be found at both Claire's site and on the Rickman in Print page on this web-site.

Donna, perhaps a shorter route (than the one you were taking) would be to type:
www.alan-rickman.com
And then click on the Guestbook button. But have you tried bookmarking the Guestbook on your browser?

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
ARA, my thoughts & prayers are with you and your husband! - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 22:01:26 (PDT)

I had the most terrible time earlier today trying to get onto this site! Anyway, does anyone know an easier way to get here? I always have to start at the-movie-times, etc. site & work my way through, because I've tried just typing in this address(the hypermart one), the whole thing, and it just says page cannot be displayed. I always have to go from the-movie, to bigfoot, to prodigy, then this one. Help! To a Rickman admirer-Best wishes & good luck to your husband, hoping he does well. I am a little confused though with your saying about a trip to London with jet lag. I thought you already lived in England. Am i getting the admirers mixed up? Please tell me if I am.
donna
NY USA - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 20:58:36 (PDT)

STAR I was just wondering where this article that you mentioned ANGEL WITH HORNS is. I went to Claires page and could not find it.

Would you or anyone who knows about this article tell me how I can see it. It sounds like a very good one and I don't remember ever seeing it.

Thanks.

To ARA sorry to hear about your husband I wish you all well....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 19:34:33 (PDT)

Today's "Independent" has a short article on the new "Harry Potter" trailer.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 16:46:22 (PDT)

RA, best of luck, and *do* feel free to contact me--I can be pretty fair at moral support.
Georgiana (Here's praying it's one of those curable ones...)
Seattle - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 16:40:52 (PDT)

To ARA and husband Good luck - hope all goes well my thoughts and prayers with you Susan
Susan
- Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 15:32:57 (PDT)

Tuday i return justice... in Russia! I waz hoping zat some day i will see ze film oll ov you tolking abaut - zis "Blou drai". Mey bee in a year or tu. But imaging mai cozmic joy when tuday when i waz lasilee cliking on ze buttons ov mai reemote controller i saw tovarisch Rickman in oll hiz ineeemeeeetable glory!!! And wiz hiz bold or shuld i say bald vife... Gud muvie, greit actor, unforgettable lines(but i forgot wot i wonted tu write az an exzample...mamochka moya!), and zouz hŻnds(and feet...)!!! Wai oll ze critiks blou zis movie soooo hard? Not so amusing job - tu create peeple's attitiudes,ha? I sink zat zis time it waz not zere luky chance... And i beg yur pardon - wai do you coll it a comedy? Really sad, da-da-da...
vasilisa <send_me_letters_wiz_ze_dovezfoo>
certain tsardom, certain realm - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 15:32:28 (PDT)

Hello, this is my first entry on this site, and it is good to see there are so many like minded AR fans across the globe. I am a relatively new net user and am having great fun finding out about all my favorite subjects, especially this one!No quetions or comments really, as I am a bit overwhelmed by all your entries and am trying to get to know you all by reading over previous mails. Just great to see the diversity of AR subjects discussed and covered.
Lynn <lynnbellamy@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Oxford, UK - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 15:23:47 (PDT)

And mine also ARA. Blessings and good luck to you both.
Mary
McHenry, - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 15:22:24 (PDT)

ARA-Just a note to say my thoughts are with you.
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 14:41:48 (PDT)

My husband has just been diagnosed with lymphoma of an unusual type, so a trip to London in the autumn is off. Jet lag is difficult even when you are at your best. Just an explanation for my posting, since I do not know how often I will be able to post. Georgiana, I thought it over and realized that it would be very difficult for you to have an opinion under the circumstances, which is why I retracted my request. Glad you are having fun, BTW.
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 14:31:56 (PDT)

There's an article in USA Today (today, of course) with Chris Columbus, HP director, describing the movie and his experiences. Mostly about him but towards the end, some Brit stuff:

Columbus was adamant about employing an all-British cast, including Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith and John Hurt.

The British influence kept things magically low-key, Columbus says. ''There's not a sense of ego with any of the stars, none of that Hollywood stuff,'' he says. ''Everyone just comes in to do their work. Nobody has a cook or a personal trainer. It's just so refreshing.''

Magda
Canada - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 13:49:29 (PDT)

Whatever happened to "Search for John Gissing???"
RomanLydia <RomanLydia@aol.comfoo>
USA - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 13:36:49 (PDT)

The trailer looks wonderful! It also has Hagrid saying to Harry, "Remember, Harry, not all wizards are good" (as I recall), while you see Harry facing a hooded Snape who slowly turns to the camera...
Georgiana (Who will finish reading the first book with Zelda by the November opening...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 12:13:02 (PDT)

Sorry I've been out of it; have a lot of catching up to do. I just scanned the GB to see if this has already been mentioned and didn't see anything. Check out Amazon.com with "Alan Rickman" for a search. You'll see we're going to have a lot to buy in the coming months--Special Edition of Die Hard with extended/deleted scenes, Blow Dry and Quigley (has a trailer or two). I didn't get farther than that; going back to check some more...
Gilda
CT - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 10:47:01 (PDT)

The HP trailer is back on the leaky cauldron.It took 45 mins to download and is v.small but at least the picture and sound is clear.
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 10:35:15 (PDT)

Nearly all O/T

Annie - I’m sorry! I do get carried away with it sometimes; I know I shouldn’t in inappropriate situations. It’s just that it’s something I care a lot about and all the Tories I’ve ever met have been very unpleasant people (mainly friends’ parents and stuff, not more than 5 anywhere near my own age). I apologise sincerely. Will hold my tongue (fingers?) in future.

Kathy Burke- oh, she RULES! I love her! She’s one of the best actresses around… Like Alan, she’s incredibly versatile, she can do these flip comedy roles like Perry to Harry Enfield’s Kevin (and actually all the stuff in Harry Enfield’s programme, like Waynetta Slob and all that stuff), and then really, really hardcore, harrowing stuff like Nil By Mouth (one of the most upsetting films I’ve ever seen… but it’s just brilliant).

Have just been to look at that picture on The Leaky Cauldron site… man, how lucky was it that I was already sitting down? November seems too far away. But at least it’s started being sunny in London now.

On the subject of Rima, I think she looks nice! I know you can’t really tell that much about by someone just by looking (especially just at a picture) but she looks friendly, tough, warm, and like she likes to laugh (check out that ace slight smirk!). All these things are good, no?
sara
london, uk - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 10:07:51 (PDT)

To 'Rickman Admirer': My e-mail address has been repeatedly posted to these pages. If you wish to discuss something 'off topic' with me, please use it to contact me (which I cannot do, lacking yours).
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle (having had a 'shake, rattle and roll' sort of flight back from Atlanta last evening, most of which spent wearing the contents of my seat-mate's glass of vodka and tonic...) - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 08:58:27 (PDT)

ARA, is that a final goodbye (say it ain't so!)?
Mary
McHenry, - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 08:18:07 (PDT)

Fabulous! Thanks Barbara. I'm signing up immediately (I'll be glad to know the status of her next novel, whatever it may be).

The only references Himself has made to Sci-Fi that I know of is probably what everyone knows: in the Conan O'Brien interview he stated that, like programs having to do with Margaret Thatcher, "those shows" (referring to Star Trek) made him fly across the room to change the channel. On the other hand he speaks kindly of Sci-Fi fans (which I think speaks well of his attitude to fans in general). He may not have a personal taste for the genre, but he's certainly capable of treating it respectfully, as GQ more than showed.
Mary
McHenry, - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 08:15:08 (PDT)

Good morning friends! I just wanted to tell you that on Claire's page, there is the best Rickman interview I have yet to read. It's called "Angel with horns" and in it Alan really share's his heart with Suzie MacKenzie of the Guardian. He speaks of his Father's death, of his Mother, of wanting children, on and on... I was amazed at how candid and open he was (he used to be so cagey). Anyway, for those of you new to the Rickman world, this is worth reading to get a good understanding of the man behind THE VOICE.I was especially happy because it prooved to me that there is indeed alot of Christopher Brandon in him.THank's again to Claire and thanks to Suzanne for this great forum. Have an awesome day.
Star
Cary, NC USA - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 07:18:16 (PDT)

Georgiana, request withdrawn, hope you get to go to London in the autumn to see Mr. Rickman,,cheers. My best wishes to everyone and Mr. Rickman too.
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 06:30:42 (PDT)

Annie- I have just wasted 15 minutes on that site. It's a hoot.
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 05:42:31 (PDT)

For those with a sense of fun go to www.drizzle.com/~knuckles/boyfriend.html its a fun site run by a girl with a sense of humour. AR is on the boyfriend list and ranks quite highly considering she's a young whippersnapper.
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 04:51:10 (PDT)

There's a story about the Harry Potter film in today's USA Today, June 27th, 2001. No mention of Rickman though.

USA Today
Keyser <keyserfankf@netscape.netfoo>
USA - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 04:15:54 (PDT)

I've just noticed the the "Grauniad" can't even spell "sneer"!

Dastardly AND sneering-can't wait.
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 04:04:44 (PDT)

Further to the Lurkers post, there was an article about the new trailer being "leaked".
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 03:42:27 (PDT)

Thank you Sara. She has sharp eyes, looks intelligent and self-willed... maybe a little authoritarian. Does she always use to be dressed in a such severely way ?
Marialis
france - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 03:27:08 (PDT)

The new stills and screen captures for HP are up at the Leaky Cauldron, a HP news site already. http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/ Let me tell you, AR looks absolutely fantastic as Snape. He fits the part so well and according to the report, this time Snape gets a line -- the famous 'Mr. Potter, Our new ... Celebrity'. The trailer itself is not available to non-AOL user but the Warner Brothers site promise to have it by Thrusday.
Lurker
- Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 01:58:54 (PDT)

Donna, the Ab.Fab actress you're referring to is, I think, Kathy Burke, she plays the highly successful magazine editor who always rushes in and out, gets the job in New York and hires Patsy? Yes? Shes meant to be a caricature of the working class London girl who's hard,tough and made it to the top. Kathy Burke is a wonderful actress born and brought up in Hackney (still lives there) she plays the part perfectly and uses her own accent, as for the speed -walk around any London market and you'll hear the guys speaking ten times faster! As for Kathy Burke she's so versatile, does so much on t.v. here and even plays a boy Perry alongside Harry Enfield as Kevin...... not quite off subject as he's a friend of AR....and I'm sure ARs a fan of hers, she's so talented he couldn't fail to be and she's also a close friend of Ruby Wax. Her diversity is quite remarkable, you may have seen her as Queen Mary alongside Cate Blanchett in 'Elizabeth'. A great film I thought, far better than Shakespeare in Love - just my personal view. Annie xxx
Annie
London, - Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 01:44:21 (PDT)

To keep this on topic, let me recommend that everyone go out and read Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. I've been seeing AR as Aral Vorkosigan for so long, I "hear" him when I read the book. If we could get him to read the bleedin' book, I'll wager he'd snap up the role in a heartbeat.

Mary -- to subscribe to the Bujold Mailing list, send a message containing

SUBSCRIBE LOIS-BUJOLD _yourname_

to listproc@herald.co.uk

Barbara the Wallpaperer <I've heard AR _despises_ science fiction--does anyone know ifthat's true?foo>
- Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 21:35:13 (PDT)

OT-Georgiana, I have some medical questions, would you be willing to assist me via e mail?
a Rickman admirer
- Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 20:08:48 (PDT)

Anne-Thanks for your interesting input about accents.See, I always say, you learn something new every day, and I did. I've even noticed in some of the episodes of Absolutely Fabulous, there is an actress whose British accent I can't understand at all. She's not one of the main characters, but often seen at the meetings at work that Edina has. I always meant to ask my British friend if she knows what part of England she's from. She sort of speaks quickly and ties all of her words together. I'll have to check the 2 videos I have of that show & see if she's on those episodes. Maybe I can catch her name. Barbara TW- I had to laugh when you spoke about Fargo. I love that movie! I get a kick out of the accents! I always get self concious about my Long Island accent, although mine is the old LI accent because now since alot of people have moved there from the city the accents of the island are really changing. They sound more & more like NYC accents now. I try to catch myself with certain words, but once I start rambling on it catches up with me. So I know what you mean Barbara about the accent coming back! Mine especially shows up when I speak to my sister in Florida. She sounds just like me even though she's lived in Fla. for quite awhile now. C'est la vie! Sorry to have gotten carried away with the accent bit! I love reading all of the letters here, you're all so interesting. Wouldn't it be great if we could all get together & have an Alan Rickman convention?
donna
NY USA - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 17:49:39 (PDT)

Found it! Planet Organic, 42 Westbourne Grove,London was the shop - Thanks anyway
Sarah
- Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 16:30:12 (PDT)

Sara thanks for info - I do remember seeing that article; but I have a feeling that what I am thinking of was a report of a new shop which had opened - trendy new place? - and the reviewer mentioned Alan Rickman as shopping there. By the way in my earlier posting meant to say "full OF questions" sorry.
Susan
- Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 15:49:54 (PDT)

The Harry Potter trailer is scheduled to run with A.I. when it opens in US cinemas this Friday, June 29th.
Keyser <keyserfankf@netscape.netfoo>
USA - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 15:42:26 (PDT)

O/T...Barbara, she has a mailing list? Could you tell me how to subscribe to it? That woman could write a phone book and I'd read it. I've been a Vorkosigan fan for years, and my only complaint is that she can't clone herself and write even more prolifically. Thanks!
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, IL - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 14:40:13 (PDT)

HAHA, she *is* involved with Alan's career: on the staff list it says her research interests include "the economics of the arts"!!!! Oh Boy, that woman is too funny.
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 13:43:16 (PDT)

Mary--you remember rightly. It was lifted directly from LMB. One of my favorite authors. Are you on her mailing list?
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 13:04:12 (PDT)

Hi, ya'll. Not content with having my appendix ripped out, I went for a root canal yesterday. My God, I'm sore and tired and wishing for a video from Himself that I haven't seen...actually, I'm luckier than many of you, having not yet seen TMD, Mesmer or AABA. Something to look forward to.

Not to beat a dead horse - is it dead? - but to shove in my two cents; I've often been distressed at the unkind and cutting remarks that are aimed at RH in here. Now, reality dictates that the likelyhood of Himself forming a significant connection with any one of US in here is vanishingly small, so it's not as though we're in competition with the woman. As a person in her own right she is at least entitled to the common respect due any stranger; as his chosen companion she deserves an additional courtesy based on our affection for him. Why are there so many comments about old, or ugly, or childless, or whatever? Why is she so often dissed in here? All right, I'm off the soapbox.

BtW, I appreciated your comment about children. Your quote about choosing reminds me of one by Lois McMaster Bujold in one of the Miles Vorkosigan series. Normally I'd remember it, but the Vicodin has got me somewhat bleary. I'll have to find it. Be well, all!
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, IL - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 12:18:09 (PDT)

I don't like to post news without a full URL but in an effort to stave off another debate about politics, here it is: the second Harry Potter trailer is apparently out and AR has a couple of lines in it. The HP official site might have it but I'm looking for a QuickTime version.

Suzanne: these blankety-blank ads have caused my PC to freeze up and even crash on occasion. I don't want to rush you but have you found a new home yet?
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 11:58:18 (PDT)

John and Sue.Off the subject but I hope your children have as happy a childhood as I had as an adopted child. My parents were the best ever and I never felt differant to anyone else. I feel I was *wanted*, my birth mother couldn't bring me up but they could and did to their utmost, with real love....except...Sara.... their one flaw.....they were tories!!!!!! (tee hee) Only joking, I have no very strong political views really and I must admit there's no-one in our lot to match Blair, Hague was Mr.Boring..... Harry Enfields Tory Boy really did fit him to the tee. Annie xxxx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London., - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 11:23:21 (PDT)

Sara, Can I just say I'm a Tory, I'm also a huge huge AR fan,I know his political views differ strongly from mine but I'm not scum thanks alot. Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 11:08:59 (PDT)

I’ve kept up with this guestbook for quite a while and have quite good Rickman credentials, (saw Hamlet at 3 different venues…got the T-shirt) However, this is off topic, although you may be interested in another cool and stylish British 50-something ex art student currently cooking up a storm on tour. Roxy Music, with most of the original band, especially the inimitable Bryan Ferry, are performing live for the first time for 18 years. UK dates have finished for the time being, I think, but they’re touring the US and lots of other places. Not so much in UK from the smoothie “Avalon” era, but if “Out of the Blue” and “Mother of Pearl” mean anything to you, you’re in for a treat. Check out www.roxy-music.co.uk for dates.
Col
Manchester, UK - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 10:10:56 (PDT)

Few things...

Susan - the organic veg shop thing - I'm not sure if this is the same interview you're thinking of, but there was one where he said he still goes down Portobello Road to get the veg. Portobello Road's a road in Notting Hill that has lots of fruit shops and market-type things on it. There are a few organic shops I've been to around there there sometimes but I can't remember the names. I have seen Alan walking around there once or twice...

Marialis - you can see Rima at http://humansciences.king.ac.uk/~ku16618/horr.html

Elizabeth - where can you see Rima's election manifesto thing? Is it on the net anywhere? I'd like to have a look. And if she's that cool (which, you know, she probably is) then they really should get her elected. You have to live in the area you stand for, is that right? If it is then she has pretty much no chance in Kensington and Chelsea... If they moved a bit further west though, they'd be in Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush constituency, and she'd walk it. Labour got in there with no problems, it's a guy called Clive Soley who's, you know, alright, but not spectacularly cool or anything. But I guess they don't want to move. It is a pretty nice area. Shame about all the Tory scum...
sara
london, uk - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 09:52:14 (PDT)

Gosh, is no one else getting out of bed today?? Or is there something I don't know about!?
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 07:42:52 (PDT)

NEWS. But probably old news. Help! I'm A Fish gets released on August 10th in the UK.
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 06:35:35 (PDT)

I have just had the fortune to read Rima's manifesto from the 1992 elections. It is really fascinating stuff. Why on earth doesn't the Labour Party use its damn head, get her elected as an MP and make her Education Secretary!!!! Having just read what I have I think she would be the perfect candidate for the job.

Politics aside. I got bored yesterday and read Private Lives, and I was thinking, if he does do it, then it would be in the autumn, and then in Febuary there is the Olivier Awards .............
Elizabeth
UK - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 03:43:44 (PDT)

I understand your problem of accents or idioms… I have sometimes troubles to understand Quebec way of speaking for example. But it really makes me think that I'm not able to see a film in English without subtitles. And it means renouncing to see some of AR'films and in any case renouncing to hear his voice in the few others… Don't you find that appalling ?

About having children or not - I'm from those who think that admire someone - even adore him - doesn't give you the right to intrude or to judge his private life. But BtW, I actually don't think that having a child would have been an obstruction to their career. In France, for example, one of the most famous journalist who had presented 20 o'clock news is married to a famous politician, and they have one or two children. Though they're both involved in their job.
BTW, where can I see what's RH like ?
Marialis
FRANCE - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 03:35:22 (PDT)

Hi all,

I would like to make a couple of points.

The first is a sort of apology. My wife and I have made a couple of entries in the past where we have attempted to do it in a broad Derbyshire accent. We now realise that these must have appeared as total gibberish to most of you. This was not our intention. We were just trying to be a little bit humerous!! There are times when the GB does get a bit serious and we were just trying to lighten things up.

The other point is about loving couples and children. Sometimes all that a devoted couple want is children but it doesn't go to plan and for all sorts of reasons they never manage to have any or mis-carriages happen or even ectopic pregnancies occur. We speak from personal experience. Maybe this is what happened to Alan and Rima, who knows? If that is the case then they both have our sincere thoughts.

Luckily we have a happy ending in that ten years ago we adopted a brother and sister and they have been fantastic.

I hope I haven't gone too far off topic. Sorry if I have.
John & Sue <jrnavigator@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Derby, UK - Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 02:46:39 (PDT)

If a person is honest with themselves, all parents have brief moments when they understand why people don't have children, just as people who have made the choice to be child-free occasionally think of "what if we had" No great tragedy either way, as there are more than enough people in the world to make up for those of us who choose not to be "breeders". Doesn't mean we can't try, even if we actively plan to fail..he he he. I think they are a lovely couple, and obviously have loved each other very much for a very long time. "The older the wine the better the taste" applies to men and women, you know....
A Rickman admirer
- Monday, June 25, 2001 at 22:47:09 (PDT)

Today’s Telegraph has a great piece on the Beckett play, complete with a photo of AR. Ok, I’m going to try to link. If it doesn’t work, just go to http://www.telegraph.co.uk and click on the “review” section and you’ll find it there. Telegraph
Linda P.
- Monday, June 25, 2001 at 21:41:17 (PDT)

Accumulated comments:

Marialis--BTW usually means "By The Way" and refers to an side comment not connected entirely to the main discussion. I prefer BtW, when attaching the abbreviation to myself. ;)

Rickman Admirer--*grin* There's a reason AR moves so fast. He's built like a giraffe: all leg....

Anne--the speed of the English, speaking English: perhaps that's why so many like AR. He speaks sssllllllooooooowwwwwwllllyyyyy..... (insert tempo of slug in molassass in January)

Donna--American regional accents: I grew up in the northern American Midwest. Sounded like I escaped from the film "Fargo," only years before I could explain it that way. Took me 6 years to get rid of the bleedin' accent and I fall into it when speaking to my mother. *ack*

I wanted to comment on the whole "They didn't have kids" thread that keeps popping up. Has anyone ever considered that, if AR and RH had _had_ children, we would likely not even know who they were? She probably wouldn't be in politics. He probably would have stayed in the graphics company for the sake of the family. Just another middle-aged British couple with a family and unfulfilled dreams. I read a poem once that said that regret and self-reproach are the only things which make us human. If they have regrets about having a family, it's their business, not ours. All I can say is, I'm grateful to have had the chance to appreciate AR's talent. And I'm certain there are people in RH's area who are delighted with her work and wouldn't wish for anyone else.

And, as a brief aside, I really, _really_ am tired of hearing people pop off with nasty or negative comments about RH. She didn't "cost him" a family or a career or a whatever. He's a big boy, he can make his own choices.
Barbara the Wallpaperer <You are what you choose. You have always been what you chose, though not always what you liked. (homage)foo>
USA - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 21:09:20 (PDT)

Marialis: Don't be shocked by the fact that many people do not understand idiomatic English. There are so many different dialects and accents, sometimes it's very difficult for Americans to understand the accents of British actors.

In fact, recently, there was a film, made in Scotland, a coming of age type film, set in Glasgow,Scotland and they subtitled it for English speaking people, as the Glasgow accent is difficult for most people, even English and Scots ones from other areas of the Scotland to understand.

We English speak our language very quickly, and it's difficult for some Americans to understand, especially when the English is in a dialect, not heard often by Americans

Anne
Anne <AHard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 20:04:16 (PDT)

Sorry--from Scotland on Sunday.
Georgiana
Atlanta - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 18:04:48 (PDT)

COVER STORY
BYLINE: By Louise Rimmer

PICTURE the scene: Juliet Stevenson, Kristin Scott Thomas and Alan Rickman sit crammed into clay pots, smeared with dirt, babbling incoherently as Anthony Minghella screams at them to go faster yet express no emotion. No, this isn't the latest Hollywood blockbuster, but a 10-minute film to be shown on Channel 4 as part of the first ever filmed collection of Samuel Beckett's canon of 19 stage plays. . . .

In Play, Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott Thomas are entombed in grey urns, their faces encrusted with grime, so much so they seem to be part of the urns themselves. Against the gloomy backdrop of a huge graveyard and to the occasional sound of a squawking crow, they bicker frantically, endlessly telling the painful and petty story of their roles in an adulterous love triangle.

Directed by Anthony (The English Patient) Minghella, Play has benefited greatly from being filmed. With the sound of the camera still audible, there are an ambitious 500 cuts in 16 minutes.

Minghella has previously suggested that due to the contemporary techniques he uses, a younger audience "are not so dislocated from it as you might imagine".

Juliet Stevenson agrees. "The editing is vital to the piece, because it helps convey that these characters are stuck in a loop. There's no sense of linear time, they're just caught in their own subjectivity and obsession," she says. The stage notes instruct 'toneless voices' in 'rapid tempo' and she recounts her story with the subtlest of facial expressions: unblinking glares show steely hatred, snarled lips spit out contempt and furrowed brows appeal for sympathy.

"Anthony kept telling us to be faster, but do less. I couldn't believe how fast we were talking. He insisted that we drained the material of feeling. You have to convey that they have been telling these stories for infinity, yet still show jealousy and anger."

Michael Colgan says that "it is one of the great injustices of all time that Beckett has a reputation of being depressing." In fact the real tragedy is that to some people Beckett doesn't have a reputation at all - he is completely unknown.

These films should address that and allow ordinary people to see Beckett as he really was: witty yet poignant, a genius, yet beautifully, unmistakably human.

Channel 4 will broadcast Catastrophe and Rockaby this Thursday, Play on Friday, Waiting for Godot on Saturday and Breath and Not I on Sunday July 1

Georgiana
Stone Mountain, near Atlanta... - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 17:58:56 (PDT)

Marialis, BTW means by the way, or Barbara the Wallpaperer, depending on which fits...I think that quite a few of us have had the experience of seeing AR in public and being surprised at the speed that he has with his "getaway"!
a Rickman admirer
- Monday, June 25, 2001 at 17:33:55 (PDT)

Can anyone remember the name of the organic shop which AR was mentioned as visiting. My sister-in-law lives nearby and I was trying to tell her to try it but couldn't remember name. Have no idea how to find it in Guestbook. Sorry I seem to be full questions recently! Elizabeth - fully understand thrill of play readings, talking about plays and theatre etc - keep it up.
Susan
- Monday, June 25, 2001 at 14:45:10 (PDT)

Anne-Thanks so much for the info on those lines from CME. Now I'll finally be able to decipher it when I watch it again. I sort of knew already what splashing out was. We always say splurge or went wild with yourself. I love the book that I have which I've mentioned before- British English- A to Zed. Didn't think my posting about the understanding of the English language was going to appall Marialis so much. Here in the States we have regional vocabulary, besides different accents. For ex.- soda here (Pepsi, Mountain Dew,etc.) is pop in other states or fizz. They would think that when we say soda, we are speaking of Selzer water or something of that nature. My children even have a slightly different accent than my husband or me, being born & raised up north in a different county.
donna
NY USA - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 12:05:07 (PDT)

Slightly tangential: Clive Owen (or is it Owens?) stars in some BMW commercials, one also starring Madonna and directed by her husband. Pretty funny. You can see them at www.bmwfilms.com
pam
alexandria, va - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 10:41:43 (PDT)

RomanLydia - I am pretty sure that I have read in an interview somewhere - probably on Claire's picture page that his father was Irish Catholic and his mother Welsh Methodist. He was brought up Methodist (he remembered there being lots of wood involved) and that his grandmother ran the Sunday school. Sorry can't remember exactly which interview it was but if you plough your way through all the reading material you'll find it eventually.
Jill
UK - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 09:27:11 (PDT)

Hi ! The posts I've read today are absolutely appalling to me ! You, English speaking, don't understand everything actors say ! How could I ? I think I'll keep on seeing films with French dubbing !

ARA, thanks but what means BTW ? Otherwise, you seem to know or to have seen AR : in a post, you describe his behaviour when he feels observed . How have you experienced that ?

See you soon.
Marialis
FRANCE - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 09:14:42 (PDT)

Don't get me started on the religion subject!!

Thankyou everyone for your nice comments on my job situation!! I had a wonderful free weekend, I watched loads of AR films that I had not seen before, (AABA, Mesmer, and Closet Land, TWG interviews in almost every language and In Demand!!) Thankyou Jutta for sending me those videos. Then on Sunday I went to a play reading and spent the whole afternoon talking about new plays and theatre. Bliss.
Elizabeth
UK - Monday, June 25, 2001 at 08:15:27 (PDT)

Does anyone know anything about his religious upbringing? Some of his comments in interviews about "Dogma" sound Catholic. I've never seen anything about his religious orientation, and would be interested in your comments!
RomanLydia
- Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 21:52:24 (PDT)

Donna: What Natalie says at the garden party, while under the parasol is "you should see his table manners, they are X certificate(meaning X rated,)they frighten small children off food for weeks. He loves his B and T's"

For 'B'and'T' read bacon and tomato, maybe in a sandwich or just as likely for breakfast.A full British breakfast often includes fried tomatoes with eggs and bacon.Hope this also helps.

As to the remark from AABA, about splashing out at Woolworth's, well 'splashing' most easily translated, means spending money, but fully transliterated, means more like buying something not needed but rather extravagent and expensive. The nearest American equivalent would be 'buying out the store'.

I was born in England of Welsh parents and have been educated in England and Scotland, so there are not too many dialects of the British Isles I do not recognize and understand, so if there are any other phrases you hear, which you cannot work out or understand, let me know. I usually can tell you the meaning,or at least give you an American equivalent.

Cheers, Anne
Anne <AHard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 21:45:02 (PDT)

Donna: my pleasure to help. I will have to see that scene again, I really wasn't paying much attention to what she was saying, for some reason or other. :))

I will get back to you on her part of the conversation, but I do remember she was joking about Sinclair's table manners for a lot of the scene. Still, I will get you a good "translation" as soon as I can.I will be happy to see the film again, I still think it one of AR's best performances.

Anne
Anne <AHard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 18:54:55 (PDT)

Anne-Thanks so much for the help with the line from Close My Eyes. You don't happen to know the rest of that conversation in that scene do you? Like I said, Natalie sounds like she has marbles in her mouth much of the time & I just can't understand some of the words. Brigitte-I had to laugh at what you said about your experience in Scotland! When we had just arrived there accompanied by my British friend, we'd gone to a B&B to try & get a room. So we asked the man at the front desk and he rambled on about why there were no rooms left. Afterwards I told my friend that his accent was so thick (But I do love Scottish accents) that I could hardly understand him & to my surprise my friend said she was having trouble as well! I thought that since she'd been there many times before she'd understand better than me! It was funny at the time. It's so funny that we assume because it's all English we will understand it. I even have trouble sometimes when my husband & I go up to Massachusetts or New Hampshire. They have different ways of speaking up there & they are only a few states away!
donna
NY USA - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 14:40:55 (PDT)

Brigitte, If you could have understood "Only fools & Horses" with a Scottish family you deserve a medal. It is one of our funniest programmes but it is very South London.
Sue
England - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 14:31:10 (PDT)

Donna: The line in 'Close My Eyes' is ".....she's a tartar now", not a tart. quite a different meaning altogether. Brits use the term to refer to someone who is strong and tenacious.

Hope this helps a little.

Anne
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 14:18:37 (PDT)

Thanks Georgiana, ARA (the original) and Sue. Hey you were close Sue! The only word I could understand was "splashing"!
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 13:36:31 (PDT)

Much to my relief even American/English people sometimes don't understand what has been spoken in the film. It reminds me of my time in Edinburgh where I stayed with a fantastic Scottish familiy for some months: They watched "Only fools and horses" and I didn't understand a word, never mind a single joke! So I just tried to laugh at the same time as the family did. (Which was absurd enough to be really funny)
brigitte, from switzerland <spooky-bw@bluewin.chfoo>
- Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 12:57:28 (PDT)

Michelle-I will keep my eyes peeled for that showing of Die Hard you mentioned on July 6th. I often watch that channel. Now that I've been reading about that line from AABA I'll have to re-watch that. I don't remember Alan saying that or maybe I just didn't understand it. There are a few lines in Close My Eyes that I can't quite understand. It's when Sinclair & Natalie are standing at their party under parasols talking to some guests and Natalie starts mumbling (She always sounds like she's got too many teeth in her mouth)about Sinclair(can't understand what she says) and then Sinclair says something about her being a tart now. Can someone please decipher those lines for me? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks-Donna
donna
USA - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 12:06:33 (PDT)

From today's Daily Mail - "The list of talents on display during Channel 4's Beckett on Film season makes for pretty formidable viewing. David Mamet directs Harold Pinter and Sir John Gielgud - in his last performance - in Catastrophe. Damien Hirst directs Keith Allen's voice (or rather his breath) in Breath, and Neil Jordan film Julianne Moore's (eminently watchable) mouth for Not I. Rockaby, meanwhile, finds Penelope Wilton rocking in dusky darkness, listening to her own voice saying "Time she stopped, time she stopped, going to and fro". By the time we reach the denoument ("down into the old rocker, mother rocker, where mother rocked, all the years, in black, best black, sat and rocked and rocked"), it's tempting to see Rockaby as Samuel Beckett's version of Psycho - with Wilton as Norman's mother - only scarier. PLAY, Anthony Minghella's dazzling production, features Alan Rickman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliet Stevenson (or rather just their heads) sitting in huge urns. Like a scene from a violent apocolyptic Alice in Wonderland, their stained, green faces encrusted with barnacles, their hair matted, and their lips blue, the three stars gabble brilliantly at breakneck, commentator pace, as if franatically trying to outdo one another. The camera cuts between each head's version of a fractured love triangle: "One morning as I was sitting stitching by the open window she burst in and flew at me," Stevenson babbles. "Give him up," she screamed, "he's mine". Her photographs were kind to her. Seeing her now for the first time, full length in the flesh, I understood why he preferred me." Between them, Rickman is relatively composed as he recalls, "I smell her off you," she kept saying. There was no answer to this . So I took her in my arms and swore I could not live without her." At 14 (manic) minutes long, Play is an amazing, brilliantly enacted mini soap opera and, above all, is fantastically weel written, reminding you that Beckett's talent towers over them all. Sorry for the long posting. Just thought you might like to read this.
Catherine <catherine.bowles@virgin.netfoo>
Halifax, West Yorkshire - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 12:04:35 (PDT)

Susan- The line "Someone's been splashing out at Woolworths" is from An Awfully Big Adventure. O'Hara (AR) says it to Stella. Christine was having trouble deciphering the line on the video so in my effort to help I totally ballsed it up!
Sue
England - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 09:47:14 (PDT)

Sorry forgot to ask - what is all this about Woolworths? If it is a quote from a film or whatever please explain - it is driving me mad!
Susan
- Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 09:27:33 (PDT)

Right - OT - I am having 3 days in Londay Mon 2 - Wed 4 July unencumbered by small children, husband, work etc. etc. but with young good company. SUGGESTIONS as to what I should see - theatre, exhibitions etc. Not that I live in a cultural wilderness up here - in fact I am very much connected with the theatre - but it is good to hear other people's point of view. Sadly no AR but who knows what may happen in the Autumn!!! Thanks in anticipation.
Susan <(3 days of freedom!)foo>
- Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 09:25:33 (PDT)

Georgiana and ARA - You are absolutely right,of course. It is "splashing out". I actually heard it as that but somewhere between turning off the video and climbing 4 sets of stairs to Mrs. Rochester's room (where the computer lives) Alzheimers set in and we got shopping.(This is a very worrying,frequent occurence.) Sorry Christine,reliable I ain't!

There is a colour picture in the Sunday Times today of the mouldering Mr.R in his urn. Still, I suppose it makes a change from smouldering!
Sue <goshit'shottodayinbritain.comfoo>
England - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 08:51:45 (PDT)

Today's Sunday Telegraph (London) has a 1600 word feature by Heather Neill on the filmed Beckett plays, and a mouldering Mr. Rickman on the cover! Article leads with this paragraph:

Fifteen minutes of screen-time filled with Julianne Moore's gabbling mouth; three mud-blackened stars - Alan Rickman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Juliet Stevenson - dumped in giant urns like forgotten umbrellas, hurriedly repeating their lines; an old woman, possibly mad, sitting in a rocking-chair listening to a recording of her own voice.

Georgiana (more mouldering than muddy...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle, heading for Atlanta... - Sunday, June 24, 2001 at 06:42:47 (PDT)

Hi girls! A quick question...I just caught a commercial on USA Telivisian and they are playing the "UNEDITED" release of DIE Hard on July 6th says it's never seen before footage and I did notice a brief clip with Alan that I don't think I've seen before....Have any of you seen this release? Thanks! Michelle
Michelle Worley <modedevout@aol.comfoo>
Rockford, IL United States - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 23:53:59 (PDT)

Yes, it was splashing. I watched the film a half dozen times to decipher the accents, and even then I had to get a second opinion about a few words. "Splashing out" was one I had to pass by my husband, as I wasn't familiar with that idiom.
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 23:32:44 (PDT)

Wow the background!! I feel like in 7th (AR-)heaven...
brigitte <spooky-bw@bluewin.chfoo>
- Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 22:30:27 (PDT)

Wasn't the line, "Someone's been splashing out at Woolworths"?
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 17:03:10 (PDT)

Lynn-I know exactly what you mean. Often I have trouble getting on here, too. It's very frustrating. I just tried going directly to this address, but since I didn't type anything but com next to net, it said page could not be displayed, so I guess I'll have to type the whole thing. Usually I get on here by going through the-movie-times, etc. address & work my way through to here. Does anyone love Alan as much as I do in The January Man? Come on now, he's adorable as Ed!
donna
USA - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 16:08:10 (PDT)

Christine - .."Someone was shopping at Woolworths.."
Sue
England - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 10:19:48 (PDT)

Before I start looking through the guestbook I just wanted to say I'm relieved I could get in today.

Yesterday i tried getting in but was told that it wasn't responding. I tried,and tried, but no luck. I was going through withdrawal systems. I have to come here to see what the latest news is on the GREAT ALAN RICKMAN so now I fell sooooo much better now.

I will now go through and see what everyone has posted. Talk to you all soon......
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 09:40:23 (PDT)

O.K. everyone, Stand by for "Play" news All you Brits rush out and buy Saturday's Daily Telegraph and turn to the television & radio section Am I dreaming or is that AR?!!!!! The text says (on the front page) "Play it again, Sam On Thursday, Channel 4 embarks on the first leg of a Beckett on Film season, bringing all of Samuel Beckett's stage works to the small screen, among them Play starring Alan Rickman" See also page 24 - Pick of the Day Blah, blah, blah "perhaps the most accessible of the three, tells the story (twice) of an adulterous liaison, as Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott-Thomas, rooted in vast urns, address an inquisitorial camera under Anthony Minghella's direction." "PLAY" SHOWING CHANNEL 4 FRIDAY 29TH 29TH JUNE AT 7.45 P.M. only lasts 15 minutes)Keep your fingers crossed for me as I will have to set the new video again - mind you it worked last time for the Amnesty concert. Sorry the rest of the world but hopefully it will eventually go world-wide.
Susan
- Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 08:28:45 (PDT)

Alastair Macaulay reviews Simon Russell Beale's "Hamlet" in the Financial Times, and the role in general, merely mentioning (and dismissing) Mr. Rickman's.
Georgiana
Seattle - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 07:48:51 (PDT)

For anyone who has Sky and may have missed it - the Judas Kiss is showing again at 12.55 Sunday night/Monday morning on Sky Premier. I don't have Sky but have coerced my daughter's boyfriend into recording it for me - he has now gone up in my estimation!! I thought that the televison magazines e.g Radio Times, TV Times etc might run some articles on the Beckett plays this week as they are starting but they seem to be ignoring them - typical behaviour - you get some TV to make you think and no comment is made !!
Jill
UK - Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 00:47:48 (PDT)

Hello everyone! Elizabeth, I do hope that you find a job soon as you have tried with this one, hey? Good Luck!O/T It seems so many things can go wrong in this life and this week has been a terrible one for me - It is good to read all your comments here on the GB. Could anyone help me - Are the Beckett stories coming to Australia? If so, does anyone know when "PLAY" will come here? I'm sorry to be so personal here but am feeling a little low at the moment and all of you, here, are such giving people. Bye.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione (underscore)3@hotmail.comfoo>
Australia - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 22:27:06 (PDT)

Elizabeth-Good luck on your new venture after quitting your job. Hope everything turns out well for you. I can understand how you feel about being taken advantage of because that's how I felt working in the kitchen of that nursing home. Ok, back to Alan-wow, TMD sure has alot of fans! I also like that part when Nina is in the tub & Alan pops up with that toy frog. And I love his cute feet with the grey socks on in that scene with Nina after Titus finally leaves & then comes the warming his lips part. And also the scene where Nina's in bed & Alan starts singing Raining in my Heart, then pours the water on her face. Oh, he is so adorable & one of the few men who actually looks nice with a beard or moustache. Last night my daughter discovered The January Man playing on the TNN channel, so even though I have the video I watched the rest of it anyway because that's also one of my favorites. I love Alan's hair in that, but I also love it in TMD.
donna
USA - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 20:36:31 (PDT)

Thanks Marialis--lovely name, BTW. very musical
a Rickman admirer
- Friday, June 22, 2001 at 14:22:50 (PDT)

Thanks for posting the Winter Guest article written by Emma Thompson. She really is a brilliant and funny writer. Has she written anything else besides the Sense and Sensibility Diary (which I enjoyed as much as the film)? Alan-related or not, I'd love to read more from her.

GML
UK - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 11:22:47 (PDT)

If this is any comfort to you, it sounds like Mr. Rickmans behavior when spotted. He has his "antennae" up and can tell if he is being scrutinized, and I have never seen anyone move as fast as he does--zero to sixty in six seconds or less. Ignore him and he might hang around a bit longer. {I know, I know if we were that good at acting we would be....Alan Rickman!!!}
a Rickman admirer
- Friday, June 22, 2001 at 11:05:37 (PDT)

annie - yeah i did really want to know if it was him, but there was nothing i could do! if it was he touched my leg by accident... cool! i did try to get out of the cinema straight away but i was carrying this big pair of headphones that wouldn't fit in my bag and the lead got wrapped around the arm of my seat and by the time i untangled everything he, or whoever it was, was gone. i went downstairs and looked in both the little cafe thingies and in the pub across the road but there was no sign. i thought oh well, i'll look out for him after the end of central station. but he didn't stay for it. i came looking for a site like this hoping someone would know but evidently not... damn! now it's really going to bug me. about life is beautiful itself - no, it didn't make me cry... i thought it was quite sweet and endearing and occasionally very very funny, but ultimately myopic. central station was ace though!
emma
london, england - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 10:18:47 (PDT)

Marialis-Totally OT meant Off Topic i.e. Not about AR.

Thanks for the fascinating ET article. I have never seen TWG but will now seek it out.
Sue
England - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 10:11:36 (PDT)

Emma Thompson's take on the filming of The Winter Guest is in the 1997 Mirabella article Chilly Scenes of Winter Guest

Claire
- Friday, June 22, 2001 at 09:12:57 (PDT)

And The Times large picture from Play is .... Kristin Scott Thomas.

Claire
- Friday, June 22, 2001 at 09:05:24 (PDT)

There is a longer article on the Beckett plays in the "Times" here.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 09:00:39 (PDT)

GML - I can't argue because I actually have just seen RC in Gladiator… But I heard he was pretty good in " Revelations " with Al Pacino (maybe it isn't the english title ?) But really I don't care so much about him. Anyway, you give me a strong desire to see TBC. Hope I could soon.
By the way, I loved your story about your dentist…

Sue - You are so lucky to go in Dublin to see U2. I love them too. But what means 'Totally OT " ?

Elisabeth - I'm sorry for you have lost your job. I hope it will mean for you a new start and that everything will be better then.

ARA I will have a thought for your Colonel Brandon on Tuesday.

Ewa, my favorite scene in TMD is when Jamie appeared and took Nina in his arms. The way he did it : with so much grace and so much delicacy, with so much pain too, as if he was taking with him all the pain she has suffered, all the tears she had shed, during all these months. But I love the chello's one too. Two years ago, a friend of mine, who had lost her companion in a driving accident, said to me that she had met another person but it was difficult for her to accept this new love. I gave her my TMD, and said " You've got everything here : love, temptation of death and desire of life, happiness and pain, hope and despair. " She loved it of course. Because this movie is so true. When she gave me it back, I just said : " OK, now it's up to you to know if you're ready to put the chello in the case ? ". She did. I think she's happy again now, even if June and July still be terrible months for her (her first love died in June)… It's only a short story to show you how much I understand the importance of this scene. All the film, all the story is in it !
More funny : I love their song too and I were very happy to find it on this page. By the way I love the way AR says : " I'm warming my lips " . And I love too " Darling I know you shave yours legs… " and " You know how I'm sensible to pain " … You must think that I'm crazy because these two last sentences aren't very romantic and even not moving but it simply sounds good to my french ears. AR speaks in a very musical way. Juliet Stevenson and Mickael Mahoney speak faster… they don't take the time to pronounce the words as Alan does. That's why everything he says sound like a poetry for a foreign ear, in any case for me !
Marialis
France - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 08:58:47 (PDT)

...trying for a functional link.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 08:58:23 (PDT)

The London "Times" notes Channel 4's showing of the Beckett plays, with Rickman as the first actor mentioned.
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 22, 2001 at 08:57:16 (PDT)

Dear Friends, I am looking for an awesome article written by Emma Thompson about her experiance filming The Winter Guest. It was like a memoir...really fabulous! Do you know if it is posted somewhere? I had it for a while and then lost track of it. Thank you !
star
- Friday, June 22, 2001 at 07:52:00 (PDT)

thanks Suzanne for calling. I do so hope that it happens-it would be soooooooooooo disappointing if it doesn't happen.
a Rickman admirer
- Friday, June 22, 2001 at 01:47:07 (PDT)

OT-RE: Daniel Richler: I really DO have a "nose thing". Perhaps it's because my own nose isn't exactly miniscule. ;) But I thought I heard a little bit of a British accent when he talked, but I put it down to either posing or spending too much time in Newfoundland! Today, I was watching that "Reach For the Top" show again, and he said "whippersnapper." I thought, wouldn't that be a great word for Alan to say? Out of the blue... "Whippersnapper". And frther OT, Thanks to whoever mentioned Dale Chihuly: I love his work, and I recently got to see a retrospective in Jerusalem. Oh, it was fantabulous! I kiss the feet of the V&A curators once again.
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 20:04:03 (PDT)

Suzanne, I have written to Hypermart, but as I do not have a site with them, I just get the brush-off. I am glad to hear you might have found another site, ad-free, but you say you will have to pay for it?

Well, I for one will be happy to contribute to the costs of a new Guestbook site, so let me know how I can help.

Anne (Who wonders if you are still doing Yoga breathing)
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 19:11:22 (PDT)

You know that feeling of angst that you get when you find out that something really good is going to happen but you have to wait a while to experience it? That's how I feel concerning the Harry Potter movie...you know, the one that AR will be playing Prof. Snape in? Dang! November! That's,like,5 months from now! And Prof. Snape just happens to be my favorite HP character! Sigh...I don't think I'm gonna be able to get any sleep tonight......
Dusty Lockheart <severus@mindspring.comfoo>
Pheonix, AZ USA - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 18:34:44 (PDT)

Suz, thanks for calling!
Georgiana
Seattle - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 15:44:36 (PDT)

Wow! I haven't posted here for ages. For the people who saw From Sleep To Shadow--Did anyone else think that Alan Rickman's performance was a mixture between Mesmer and Rasputin? He was basically a medicinal/spiritual NUT!! But oh so powerful and intriguing. Now, for the people who have spoken to his agents...I would like to call but I don't have a clue what to say...care to help me out?
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ America - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 15:35:24 (PDT)

Mr. Rickman again mentioned as instrumental in Ruby Wax's career in an Evening Standard article up at "This is London" site.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 14:49:12 (PDT)

:-) Double italics fixed.
D.o.C. (Suz)

Make that double oops
Sue
England - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 14:21:22 (PDT)

Ooops
Sue
England - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 14:20:30 (PDT)

Claire maybe...- you are a wonderful person and doubtless will get your reward in heaven (if not sooner!)
Sue
England - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 14:19:07 (PDT)

I called Patrick Whitesel's office today (AR's American agent) and they could only confirm that he might be in Private Lives. And since it's still a "maybe" thing, they could offer no date or ticket information.

Cindie, "cost me," meaning not free (like this place). But it'll be worth the price, because I'm fed up with all these ads. I can only imagine how frustrating it is with errors!

Suzanne <Lady_Marian@Spreemail.comfoo>
Hallettsville, TX USA - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 13:54:37 (PDT)

Claire .. maybe .. HAS put the Hello picture up on CPP

Claire
- Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 13:42:13 (PDT)

Emma, Forgot to ask, did Life Is Beautiful make you cry? I thought it was a beautiful film and I wasn't ashamed to cry. Annie x
Annie
London, - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 11:49:21 (PDT)

Elizabeth, I'm sure you'll find something else. What job were you actually doing? Were you being sarcastic about the people you worked with or were you actually working in a horse yard? Only asking as I've got 2 horses. Emma. Guess it could have been AR. If that had been me I'm afraid I'd have had to know. I did it once with Charles Dance, I couldn't make up my mind if it was him or not, I stared in through the window just as he stared right back, my nose was virtually pressing on the window, he nearly jumped out of his skin.I've never been so embarassed. Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 10:52:23 (PDT)

Suz, I e-mailed them anyway. I can't even get to the screen to add comments without error messages. But *cost you*? That doesn't sound good.
Cindie
- Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 10:38:13 (PDT)

hi alan rickman fans. i'm not sure if it was but someone who looked a hell of a lot like him was sitting in front of me at a showing of life is beautiful at riverside studios cinema in hammersmith, west london last night. he was very tall and wearing a white shirt with a black bodywarmer type thing and black jeansy-looking trousers. and he had very very very long legs. there with a woman with longish dark hair, i think. or at least sitting next to her and talked to her once. i didn't see his face properly though, only when he got up to leave and it was dark (obviously) and by the time i got out of there he was gone. it was a double bill with central station on afterwards but he - or not, whoever it was - didn't stay for that. but i thought you might be interested.
emma
london, england - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 10:01:56 (PDT)

Cindie, here's HyperMart's "support" e-mail: support@hypermart.net. I'm not sure how much good it's doing writing at this point since all I've been receiving lately from them are form letters, but it can't hurt.

I have found another server that will host the guestbooks "ad free" and am in the process of testing it. It will cost me, but I'm sure it'll be worth it if they're reliable. I'll keep you posted.

Suzanne <Lady_Marian@Spreemail.comfoo>
TX USA - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 08:05:34 (PDT)

GML & Georgiana, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Not sure off hand which version of the recording I have but the song should be easy enough to find now.

I also recently watched TMD again and I had to hit rewind a few times at the part where Jamie says "I'm warming my lips!" The look he gives Nina just before kissing her is soooo intense! Congratulations Sue! I adore U2! Bono's another with a very sexy voice!

Hope you have a speedy recovery Mary!
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 07:28:51 (PDT)

Re:Amnesty pic in Hello mentioned by Pam on Tuesday.

I spotted the photo in 'Hello' in the dentist today. It is on page 52,of issue 667 dated 19 june. Amanda Barrie (Alma to us Brits)is on the front cover (it must have been an American issue that Pam saw.) Alan is helping cut the Amnesty cake. It's not very big (the pic.not the cake!)but it is rather nice. My scruples would not let me rip it out of the dentist's copy and besides I haven't got a working scanner BUT if anybody out there could oblige it would be nice!(Claire maybe....)Thanks.
Sue
England. - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 06:30:13 (PDT)

Georgiana & Ewa, Thank you.

Suzanne, could you reprint the link to complain about the pop-ups? They're making me crazy with their error messages!
Cindie
- Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 06:00:03 (PDT)

Annie & Donna, I quit the job this morning. I just got sick of being taken advantage of, I have worked my butt off in that horse yard for 10 months and I just got fed up. So now I am going to look for a job in a book shop, or maybe a video shop, at least a place where you get a lunch break! i do volantry work in a local theatre so I think I will do a bit more of that, also I am about to have talks with one of the directors about being AD on her production of David Hare's "The Secret Rapture" (Juliet Stevenson was in the film version of it) So that will be a big step.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 05:43:06 (PDT)

Hi all hope you're all well. Sue congrats! I love U2 too I also like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, your son has good taste. Elizabeth, hope alls well at work. On the subject of Mr.Crowe, I do actually quite like him but not for his acting talents. He does make me smile with his bluntness, calls a spade a shovel and is soo dry and sarcastic to the Hollywood press who don't know how to handle him. Love it. His acting does leave a little to be desired at times, his 'deep, thoughtful,penetrating gaze' look is..I think..meant to be full of emotion and angst....methinks he should take a few lessons from Colonel Brandon. As for Gladiator...well I cannot tell a lie, I love it...but i know full well it is historically innacurate etc., I like a bit of blood and gore myself..now and again depending on my mood, other days its high bosomed dresses and bonnets. Is that normal? I do *adore* period dramas,I love Great Expectations the BBC did a wonderful version last year,it was wonderful well worth buying. Pauline Quirke as Peggoty...perfect casting. Did everyone see Alan in Victoria Woods New Year Show in 2000? Alan and Reg (Richard E Grant) as the officer and his Adjutant? Brilliant, I couldn't stop laughing. He really is a wonderful comedy actor, as is Reg. By the way the American lady who comes from Texas and is bessotted by RC says that I am obviously one of these English snobs who thinks the only actors worth their salt are classically trained English actors......I think it was meant to be an insult,it wasn't. Annie xxxx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London England, - Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 01:30:13 (PDT)

Suz-Thanks for the info on that site. I'll check it out tomorrow during the day when I have more time. I'm still new at this computer & how it all works so I have a lot to learn. Also, if that other letter was spam, I'm glad you got rid of it. I've heard of it before, but never actually saw an example of it. Also, someone(I'm sorry, but I forget who) mentioned that her favorite part of TMD was the putting away of Jamie's cello. Oh, that part is so sad to me, even though I've seen it so many times! It's like Jamie is really, truly gone then! Oh how I love that movie!(and Alan of course!) He can play so many different roles & play them all so well, he's amazing.
donna
USA - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 20:19:59 (PDT)

OFF TOPIC: Just have to boast that Northwest's own favorite glass artist (from Tacoma, Washington), Dale Chihuly, is opening in London's Victoria and Albert Museum an exhibit with what looks to be loads of his sea-forms (my favorite), running from June 21 to October 21 (drat--will close just before I get back to London). Would recommend that those of you who have the opportunity see it.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 18:44:53 (PDT)

Cindie, in reply to your question, John Hurt is going to be Mr Ollivander.

Oh, and I have to share a certain impression with you all. I have watched TMD today again, and I came to a conclusion that my favorite scene is when Nina puts Jamie's chello in its case. I simply love this scene, it's like an ultimate farewell. This action is so simple and yet so meaningful. Thankfully, I have watched this film so many times that I didn't burst into tears.
Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 18:21:53 (PDT)

John Hurt is listed as playing Mr. Ollivander in "Harry Potter" at the imdb movie site.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 18:20:27 (PDT)

GML, I didn't realize John Hurt was in HP. Do you know who he plays?
Cindie
- Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 16:05:48 (PDT)

'Au point du jour' is on either tape 9 or 10 of the more recent 12-tape version of ROTN.
Georgiana (and, yes, Sue, 25 years, but we are all aging at the same rate...)
Seattle - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 14:13:39 (PDT)

Hello again,

Just to say I was looking up stuff on the French translation of the Harry Potter books just now, when I came across a page saying that a second HP trailer will be shown in American cinemas (boooh! hisss! ;) from 29 June (in Britain in September) and I believe will be online in June too (phewww!). They say:

"It runs about 2 minutes+ and is reminiscent of the 1st trailer. We do see a lot more of characters (Alan Rickman and John Hurt for example) and a lot more FX shots. A staircase that floats through the air, a three-headed dog like Cerebus, and a big stone giant-looking thing all stand out. But, like the first trailer it doesn't tell much of the plot (...)."

Sorry if it's old news to everybody here, it's fresh news to me. I haven't even seen the first one on the big screen yet.

GML
UK - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 13:57:25 (PDT)

My sympathy to all of you who are recovering from surgery or trauma-my "Colonel Brandon" needs surgery on Tuesday, so I also have some "slings and arrows" to deal with. I thought a call to ICM might be quicker as the turnaround time for a letter might be several months...anyone in the UK London area willing to find out the info for us faraway ones?
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 13:38:59 (PDT)

Hello everybody! Have you missed me? (All right, I'm pandering here). Exactly a week ago I went in for an emergency apendectomy and I've been in Alan withdrawl ever since, as I only have access to the internet at work. And I'm actually not supposed to be here until next week (so you're not really reading this). But thank you, all of you, for your many wonderful entries...I feel like I'm home.

I reread my favorite book, Dickens' "Great Expectations," while flat on my back and got lost in wondering which part I'd most like to see Himself in. Wemmick, Jaggers, Magwitch and Joe seemed to be the most probable, and it helped to pass the time imagining his possible interpretations of each role. I think I'd prefer to see him as Magwitch or Joe. What a wonderful job he'd do

Well, I'm not officially cleared to come back to work, so see you all next week!
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, IL - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 12:52:14 (PDT)

Christine, R Faey said that the 'Au point du jour' song in The Return Of The Native is on tape 15 of "the original version" so it sounds like there might be a more recent tape edition around - but it is on tape 15 on my copy too (book 4, Chapter 2 of the book). You won't miss it when you reach it!

Marialis, you hit the nail on the head with your French phrase about Alan and RC (or many other actors) "not boxing in the same class". I'm not sure how I would have translated it myself, but I'm sure it makes sense to everybody. Many actors that I used to think good actors (and do a better job than many of their peers) seem not to compare with people like AR, and it seems unfair on them to do so. They *are* good at the sort of part they play... they just can't match the range and talent of the few at the top. Probably haven't benefitted from the same type of training either. Many simply seem to play *themselves* in different situations, movie after movie - whereas the best somehow have the ability to turn into different people. Gruber in DH, Rasputin in R, Brandon in S and S, Jamie in TMD... The reason why some people who have seen all these films aren't always clear who Alan Rickman is might be because they don't realize they're watching the same actor in all of them! A credit to his talent. I also agree with your point about maturing into the job, as in any job, but I must say that the TV part in which I think Alan displays most talent is in The Barchester Chronicles, and he was still a baby then! Well, very young anyway... ;)

By the way, I must admit with shame that the "Three Colours Blue" video is still sitting, unviewed, on my TV. A friend lent it to me and I haven't found the time to watch it yet. You've just reminded me of it!
GML
UK - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 12:15:18 (PDT)

That, dear Donna, was a case of "spam" (which has now been deleted).
As for your link question, please click the Quick Guide to Punctuation and HTML link at the top of the page (or the one I just made :-) ) for instructions.
D.o.C. (Suz)

Elizabeth, Hope you're feeling better now about that job mishap. I recently quit my job because it was a bit too much. I was cooking for almost 100 people & it seemed when anything went wrong there, who was to blame, but the people in the kitchen. I know, it's Off Topic, but still hope your days are brighter. As to Cleophus- What was that all about? I know once in awhile we've all talked off topic, but if that's about religious beliefs, I like to keep mine to myself. Those aren't titles to any new films of Alan's are they? Just curious. By the way, can anyone tell me how, when some of you post a site in your message for us to use, you know, those blue lines, how do you do that? I've only been able to do that in e-mails if I put www. in front of it. Can anyone tell me how it is done? It's neat how you can just click onto it & it takes you there. I've been using the ones you've all put on here & found some interesting sites. Thanks in advance!
donna
USA - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 11:50:58 (PDT)

According to Ananova, Lindsey Duncan is AR’s possible co-star in Private Lives. She’s currently appearing in the West End in Mouth to Mouth with the wonderful Michael Maloney (Juliet Stevenson’s “other man” in TMD). Her play has just posted its closing notice for June 30, meaning she will soon be free to start rehearsals for a new play! Ananova was vague about the potential dates for PL, mentioning “the fall.” Judy Dench’s new play opens in “the fall” too on November 1, and tickets are already on sale for it, so I’m wondering (impatiently!) when we will here about play and ticket sale dates.
Linda P. <feeling anxiousfoo>
- Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 09:39:12 (PDT)

Totally O.T. but SCREEEEEECH, I have WON the two tickets to the U2 concert at Slane Castle in Dublin. We originally entered about 600 e-mails,then they altered the rules and could only enter once but we still won!! I'm taking my 14yr old son as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are on as well and they are his favourite band. They're not just any tickets but in the front in the Heart which if anyone saw the Amnesty Concert will know is a special enclosure.

Right I will shut up now and not mention it again but I am a BIT excited!!
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 09:37:57 (PDT)

JULIA, oh please, he has nothing in common with Alan Rickman. Yes I do know who Daniel Richler is I watch him as well sometimes. He had another show on a few years ago, can't remember it. he's not a bad interviewer/journalist I guess I'm just not a big fan of him or his father. I have nothing against them just not a big fan. I don't want to upset anyone out there so please don't take it the wrong way....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 08:55:17 (PDT)

GML, Could you please remind me which tape AR's French song is on in TROTN? Thanks
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 08:53:29 (PDT)

No really you didn't sound grmpy, but I thought I had offended you or something, I didn't mean to. I had a tough day yesterday, and When I posted that Play explaination, I had just been sacked from my job(I am now reinstated, as the top dog decided it wasn't my fault.) and I had discovered that half of my teachers were leaving so I was a bit wrought, not an excuse I know, but I am sorry, and we can leave it there, Ok.
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 07:58:30 (PDT)

Annie, Elizabeth & everyone-I'm sorry if I came off as sounding grumpy! I didn't mean to, really! Must've just typed in that post too quickly or something. I just meant that, oh darn, I wish we would get more of Alan's British TV shows over here! There are so many that I'd (we'd all) love to see. It's amazing to see all the people here that love Alan from all over the globe, isn't it?
donna
USA - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 07:34:52 (PDT)

Hi again from Japan! OK, I'm going to try some line breaks this time. Hope it works!

OFF TOPIC: Barbara, I'm actually from Canada originally, so I can't claim Japanese as my native language. And I'm nowhere near fluent - probably never will be, but I can get by in everyday conversation.

Christine, I am very envious of your Dad. Learning to speak another language fluently from books is an amazing talent! Of course, he probbably studied very hard as well.

And finally, Julia, it was such a nice surprise to hear you talk about Daniel Richler ! My favorite Canadian TV show ever was "The New Music", which Daniel hosted for many years starting in the mid '80s. His British accent was to die for! But looking at your link and listening to his voice makes me realize that he's lost most of his accent now. Too bad. (Daniel, incidentally, also happens to be the son of one of Canada's most famous and renowned authors, Mordecai Richler . Daniel was born and raised in London but moved back to Canada eventually with his dad.) When you said Daniel reminded you of Alan, I knew instantly what you were talking about. I think the nose and mouth definately have something to do with it, but there is also something about their persona that also seems to be similar. Can't quite put my finger on it though.

ON TOPIC (finally!):I have a couple of Japanese pamplets of movies that Alan has starred in. If I ever get around to it, I'd like to scan the pictures and perhaps translate what they have to say about Alan and then put it on a website. But my wishes often take a long, long time to turn into reality! The pamplets probably don't have any new pictures or information but it would be fun to document them anyway.
Carol <cebbyq@hotmail.comfoo>
Japan - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 07:23:58 (PDT)

Donna, it was just a joke. I have no problem with Germany ! It was just because I would like to see him in a French role-play. I'm a very peaceful person, you know…

Otherwise, I'm agree with you, I don't always understand what is discussed here, but I thought it was because I'm French. I'm sure nobody wants to leave us apart but we don't have all the same references. For example, I have problem with initials too… I don't always understand them. Sometimes, I guess after re-reading, but…

About the big topic of the day : Russel Crowe against Alan Rickman : I loved Gladiator ! I'm very eclectic in my choices… and I don't really know classical history. But I found Russel Crowe very charismatic. It was not the few words he had to says witch could show us all the talent he's supposed to have.
But I don't want to be rude with him. In France we'd say that "ils ne boxent pas dans la mźme catégorie " … They don't box in the same class. (GML HELP ! Is it the good translation ?) AR is older : he has more experience, he has been given the opportunity to show his talent through role-plays very differents. And because he already has a big career behind him, we can evaluate his choices and his work. Russel Crowe is young (how old 35 ? 36 ?) Talent is also about maturity. For me, everything is linked : you're gifted or you're not, but you can make your talent growing up with the choices you make : for example, Juliette Binoche, few years ago, refused to play in Jurassic Park to make "3 colours : Blue" of K. Kielowski : a wonderful movie with an exceptional part for her. Now we don't know what Russel Crowe 's choices will be… So give him a chance !

Waouw ! (exhausted sigh)…Difficult topic for my poor English today. Hope I don't have hurt your poor eyes with too much faults ! See you tomorrow !
Marialis
France - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 05:07:36 (PDT)

ARA, perhaps a letter would be a better option?
Elizabeth
UK - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 02:52:06 (PDT)

Do you think that ICM has info about the production with Alan Rickman-times, etc for those who need to request time off from work, arrange schedules, etc? Of course, one wouldn't want to encourage millions of phone calls, but if ONE person, perhaps from London, called and reported back to us, it would be really helpful, wouldn't it?
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 01:30:48 (PDT)

O.T.Julia- Just visited that link.I could have listened to him all morning.(Perhaps,like me you have a "nose"thing!)
Sue
U.K. - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 01:21:27 (PDT)

I am sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone, but if I sounded offhand it is perhaps because I am the sort of person who calls a spade a bloody shovel!! I say what I think and I am honest to the point of bluntness, I am affraid that is me, good-old-fashsioned Scottish stubborness. Sorry.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 00:33:33 (PDT)

Russell Crowe BETTER than AR???? What utter trash. Even though I am Australian (and it seems that Mr. Crowe is neither from NZ or Australia)I feel that AR would give this actor something to think about. I agree with you, Barbara the wallpaperer,- that Movie had NOTHING to do with actual History.... which, like yourself, means a lot to me.So many untruths paying homage to the great God Hollywood.... What did we all do before Special Effects? Give me a really good Actor who can give a convincing performance - make us believe in his character & a story that is believeable and well written.AR is one of the rare few who can do this.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione(underscore )3@hotmail.comfoo>
Qld. Australia - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 22:47:04 (PDT)

*blink*blink*

Russell Crowe as good an actor as Himself?

Perish the thought. ;)

I confess I _loathed_ Gladiator, mostly because I've been fascinated by classical times and have made it a particular study of mine for a number of years now. So the plotline grated.

We won't even _discuss_ the clothing. *ack!* The money they wasted on CGI work....

*sigh of the long-suffering*

Barbara the Wallpaperer
USA - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 18:02:12 (PDT)

Sorry, Annie, I see you only identified yourself as being from England, not London.
Michaele
Chattanooga, - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 17:15:43 (PDT)

Hello Annie from London, I'm from the States, but I agree with you. Alan Rickman is way better than Russell Crowe(who I do love in Gladiator). AR is one of the most versatile actors I have ever seen and is always believable in his roles. Some actors always play the same role no matter what movie they are in. Even when playing a "bad guy" AR brings something different to each role. Sorry you had such trouble out of one of my fellow Americans!
Michaele <mmh1324@home.comfoo>
Chattanooga, TN - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 17:14:23 (PDT)

Off Topic (again, I'm sorry), but it's my day off and I was just watching Access TV and this mind-bogglingly boring show was on, but the host was so enthralling! He's Daniel Richler, famous to Canadians as the host of "Big Life" on CBC Newsworld. I'd never realised how much he reminds me of AR in his mannerisms. Uncanny. Anyway, if you're interested on checking out this similarity, click on my name. (And if that doesn't work, copy and paste this: http://www.speakers.ca/drichler.html)
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, AB Canada - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 16:46:08 (PDT)

sorry if this has already been duly noted (but i scrolled back a bit and couldn't spot it): the issue of hello! now on sale at my border's book store has a pic of rickman from the amnesty int'l event. it's the hello! issue with nic cage and matthew perry on the cover (true brits, huh?).
pam
alexandria, va - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 14:37:27 (PDT)

Annie, Don't worry,you are amongst friends here (still if you go wandering off on your own on Russell Crowe sites,we can't look after you! What were you doing there?!) I went to see the Gladiator film set a couple of times as it was only about 3 miles away. It was quite an amazing set but as we hadn't heard of Russell Crowe then we wouldn't have recognised him if we had seen him. I bought my son the video but as it's so bloody I've never seen it all! You should just point all those misguided folks over here.
Sue
England - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 14:01:37 (PDT)

Donna, I'm sure Elizabeth didn't mean to sound off hand. I'm quite new here, but I'm lucky enough to be near the West End and have seen Alan on stage and on his t.v. appearances with people like Victoria Wood and French and Saunders etc., Sometimes I think we get blase about what we see, we waffle on and on and forget that some people are thousands of miles away and haven't had the same opportunity to see these plays, t.v. appearances or films. I know I'm guilty of that myself and I apologise. Annie xx
Annie
London, - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 12:17:48 (PDT)

Elizabeth, Thanks for the info on Play. Jelena, the part Alan played in the sketch was the guy who says ' a corridor... we dreamed of a corridor, we lived in a lake...' Know the one? They did actually change the sketch round a bit.They all wore hawaiian shirts and Alan wore large glasses. Jill.... Agree about the hair. Everyone.... I need to be amongst friends. I have just had an almighty argument on another site with a lady in the States who feels that Russell Crowe is just as good, if not better actor than Alan Rickman!*!*!*!* She was totally furious when I said that Russell is very handsome, love him to bits etc., etc, but that Alan could act his socks off..... she and many others disagreed...what can you say... I mean..honestly!!! Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 12:11:12 (PDT)

Elizabeth, thanks for the Play info, you've done it! R Faey, thanks for the comprehensive list of articles/interviews in French-speaking magazines. They are probably translations, but I must say that now I have heard Mr R sing this French song on the Return of the Native tapes, I am very impressed with his language skills. A slight English accent surfaces at times, but his pronunciation is excellent and certainly an improvement on that of many a French teacher I know! ;) He clearly has no problem with any of the sounds many English-speakers normally find difficult to master. As for the Québécois accent... I can sympathise with his "grand problčme"! ;). I have none with that particular accent, but I'll never forget that (British) dentist of mine who had learnt his French in Africa. He enjoyed having a French customer he could practise his language as well as his dentistry skills on, and kept serving me these jokes in African-accentuated French 'improved' by Brit intonation - just as well an anaesthetized mouth is a good excuse not to have to try and laugh in the right places... I could never get a word, let alone the jokes.

To get back to TRON, I enjoyed the song very much, in fact I am enjoying the whole recording, despite Hardy not being my favourite author. (I admire him, but oh, such a depressing outlook on life! ;) - I shall miss my daily meeting with the characters once I've reached the end.

Marialis, yes, I used to go watch the better-known films too, for the same reasons, but my tastes have changed and I am lucky enough to live close to a small independent&foreign films cinema here in Britain, now. Very spoilt. I am occasionally disappointed by these too, but rarely so, while I am nearly *always* disappointed by the blockbusters, however highly many of my acquaintances might think of them. Hope you enjoy practising your English-listening skills on Rasputin and BC.
GML
UK - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 12:02:31 (PDT)

Isn't it remarkable how international our communitiy is?! I enjoyed to read about our different languages. I speak 4 languages (Swiss-German/German, English, French and Italian), it's great to be able to communicate in other languages, and the best is, when I start to speak them all at the same time! Today I was spreaking French, well it was supposed to be French, in fact it was an unique language-mixture, but at least with a good French accent!
brigitte from switzerland <spooky-bw@bluewin.chfoo>
- Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 11:45:49 (PDT)

Elizabeth- I had to agree with Beverly when she asked (innocently enough) What's Play?, because I'd never heard of it either. I only just checked it out on another site & found that it must've been on British TV. While Beverly is from the UK, we don't get many British TV shows here that Alan has appeared in, so naturally not everyone knows about it. Please everyone, when you are discussing some movie or tv show of Alan's, please don't assume that the rest of us automatically know about it. Sometimes it seems (to me anyway) that you are leaving the rest of us out by not making it clear. I am not trying to criticize anyone either. Recently I've been reading posts here from people who are very new to Alan & his films & they certainly wouldn't know what is being discussed.
donna
USA - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 11:41:53 (PDT)

I see they've put the "kids" on the DVD/video cover for "Blow Dry."
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 10:28:47 (PDT)

Jelena, yes, I will put the Python clip up on the internet as soon as I get the tape.

Welcome to all our new friends from around the world, and thank you for all the great information, everyone!

Suzanne <Lady_Marian@Spreemail.comfoo>
TX USA - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 08:12:20 (PDT)

Sue. Thanks very much for the info on 'PLAY'. The VCR will be loaded and ready to go!!
John & Sue
Derby, UK - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 07:38:01 (PDT)

The Private Lives link at ananova that Sue posted is still active, but for some reason it appears no longer to come up on the search options.
Georgiana (ananova appears to never retract, even when in error...)
Seattle - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 06:57:06 (PDT)

What do you mean, "What is Play?". Sorry, please don't take that the wrong way. It is one of 19 Samuel Beckett plays that have been made into films, and are being shown on Channel 4 between 28th June and 2nd July. Play is about these 3 people (1 man 2 women) who are caught up in a love triangle. They are in these urns and have been there for some time. When the play opens you sort of come in halfway through the converstaion, which has each person narrating what has happened, it last for about 20mins when done on stage, but the film version is about 15mins. Needless to say AR plays the Man.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmailfoo>
UK - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 06:35:29 (PDT)

Marialis-Just curious, but why did you say "Even if it hurts" when you said you thought I was right about Hans being German? What is wrong with him being German?
donna
USA - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 06:09:33 (PDT)

Hello ! It must be the mystic side of my personality but I love to see Jesus now… ! How long will I have to pray ?

Donna, to end up with the problem of Hans's nationality, I think you're right (even if it hurts) but isn't it told in Die Hard 3 ? Die Hard 2 takes place in an airport and I don't know the name of the villains but they have no relationship with Gruber. In Die Hard 3, Jeremy Irons (I like him too…especially in Von Bullow) is the brother of Gruber and we even see again AR falling down from the building when MacLane realise or learn who his enemy is.
By the way, I agree with you : AR is much more handsome now than when he was young !

GML, I have been in those little cinemas when I was a student, Now it's much more difficult for me. I liked choosing a film without knowing anything about it. Now that I've got less time to go to the cinema (only once a month… and not really every month) because of my job, husband, children, social life… and house in the country, I don't take the risk to be bored or deceived, so my choices are more commercial.
About your advices, maybe I'd try Barchester Chronicles and Rasputin (if I have an occasion). But what about "Closet Land" and "Close My Eyes". These titles make me dream…

To R. Faey : thank you for all those informations about AR in French.

About different languages, I can try few words in Spanish : "Hola que tal ? Quiero Alan Rickman." I've learnt it in college… a long time ago ! But Fausta, I remember a poem I Loved saying "no tenga la cuchara con la mano izquierda". Isn't it from Antonio Machado ? Do you know it ? I just remember that… (If you don't, never mind).

See you tomorrow girls ! (why are there only girls here ?)
Marialis
France - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 04:16:24 (PDT)

Julia: Thanks. I know the site very well, for Monty Pyhon is my other great obsession. And I already have the Hollywood Bowl version of the sketch. I meant if someone could put this new, Rickman, version on-line. :0) Thanks anyway. Oh btw. which one did he play?
Jelena <crumb@yubc.netfoo>
Belgrade, Yugoslavia - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 03:42:37 (PDT)

I don't know all the alan films, but what's PLAY?
beverly <bevers@mulderandscully.co.ukfoo>
uk - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 03:31:42 (PDT)

Whilst running an AR search on Ananova I notice that the Private Lives story has completely disappeared. Do you think it was just a dream?...

Thanks for info. Elizabeth.
Sue
England - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 02:10:03 (PDT)

Ok I promised I would tell you, so here it is:

PLAY WILL BE SHOWING ON FRIDAY 29th JUNE ON CHANNEL 4 AT 7:45pm

I am true to my word.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at 00:42:47 (PDT)

Konichi Wa to our new friend from Japan! My daughter is teaching me your language! (She is in her 6th year of learning this language and has been a great help to me!) and to all our other friends from around the world Bon jour and Guten Tag? Hope I have spelled this right!!! I think it is wonderful that AR's fans come from all around the world and from here in Australia. I have tried to learn many different languages when I have traveled to different places including Egyptian. I feel that AR would approve too! I do hope this special TV show from Amnesty gets down under soon, and to Claire for posting that great photo from Austria, just wonderful!. To Christine from Montreal, Canada - yes it is getting cooler down here!!! About time! No Snow however! Thanks to R. Faey - Dennis Potter's Daughter. Really appreciate the info. It is good that we can all communicate here on this great GB! Bye. Barbara.
Barbara the Aussie <hermione_3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast , Qld Australia - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 23:45:05 (PDT)

Thanks for the prune ice cream recipe-the ice cream maker is certainly reasonable, but I need one like I need twenty more pounds, so I will borrow my sister's to try it and then I can give it back to her and avoid further temptation!!!!
a Rickman admirer
- Monday, June 18, 2001 at 20:14:46 (PDT)

Jelena: The skecth you want and others are available at www.MontyPython.com (or .net, I can't remember). Anyway, teh site is fabulous, but I hope your computer is strong: everytime I go on, Netscape shuts down for no apparent reason.
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 17:16:14 (PDT)

Make that 25 years ago. See, I'm so old I can't even do simple maths!
Sue
England - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 13:53:28 (PDT)

Thanks for the Private Lives Info., Georgiana. God, that was 26 years ago, I remember seeing it on T.V. I feel old,I am old ,sob. No, I must be more positive,wasn't it Mae West who said "you're only as old as the man you feel" Well if it wasn't, it should have been. I have a book of her quotes somewhere,there's always something to cheer you up in it.
Sue
England - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 13:48:55 (PDT)

Try this one for prune armagnac ice cream, only (1) eliminate the chocolate, (2) cut the sugar by at least a third, and (3) we favor the Donvier ice cream maker for relatively low expense, ease of use, and lack of automation.
Georgiana (we dined on paella while periodically giving the dessert a crank...) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 13:16:43 (PDT)

I am always open to new prune recipes, if you would be willing to print it here, or perhaps the Rickmaniac cooking section?
a Rickman admirer {the original}
- Monday, June 18, 2001 at 12:56:59 (PDT)

Yes, "Private Lives" from the BBC, 1976, with Alec McCowen as Elyot and Penelope Keith as Amanda. Looked quite true to the text. And, yes, prune armagnac was for years--many of us believe--the best flavor at Bertillion's on the Ile St-Louis in Paris. They stopped carrying this flavor last time I was there. It has become a favorite of upscale restaurants in the US, but you can make your own at home. As friends of mine did. Last night.
Georgiana (alas, I eat French better than I spell it!)
- Monday, June 18, 2001 at 12:46:20 (PDT)

Returning briefly to an often talked about topic on this page for all those who were lucky enough to see the Amnesty Concert - did'nt his hair look wonderful!!!!
Jill
UK - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 12:24:43 (PDT)

Thanks for the explanation of the prune ice cream.I'm sure it tastes interesting.My daughter took a twelve week Japanese class that used a robot as the main character. Very handy, I suppose if there are any Japanese robots around. I also enjoy the OT comments, as reading news clippings 24/7 would be very dull indeed.
a Rickman admire{the original}
- Monday, June 18, 2001 at 11:21:09 (PDT)

Georgiana-who was in the BBC video of Private Lives that you saw the other day? I can see the guy's face but can't remember his name.
Sue
England - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 10:14:28 (PDT)

Re: AR in French. Various French interviews have appeared over the years, but I don't know if AR gave them in French or if they were subsequently translated. They include: Sequences (no. 159-160, Sept. 1992, pp. 46-49); Revue du Cinema (no 481, April 1992, pp. 37-38); Ecran Total magazine (no date but probably March 1998, in connection with AR presenting TWG at Brussels); Premiere Magazine (French ed., March 1998, pp. 76-77); and Ecran Noir (online version, September 2, 1997). The last article, about AR presenting TWG at Montreal, quotes AR as saying, "Je parle francais un peu. Mais j'ai un grand probleme avec l'accent quebecois." The Evening Standard (London, Sept. 5, 1997), claims he addressed the Montreal audience "in perfect French." As to the TROTN song, "Le point du jour," it's on tape 15 of the original version (Hardy's Book 4, Chapter 2: "He Is Set Upon by Adversities but He Sings a Song.") It's a sweet song about lovers at daybreak.
R. Faey
USA - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 09:01:07 (PDT)

RE: AR's unidentified blonde companion in Claire's recent picture. She may be Dennis Potter's daughter Sarah. I've only a grainy black-and-white photo printed off microfilm of the London Times for November 2, 1994 (Home News, p. 5), but it appears to be the same event: Dennis Potter's memorial service ("part church service, part concert party") at St. James's Church, Piccadilly. AR read from the MESMER script.
R. Faey
USA - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 08:50:27 (PDT)

Claire, your pics are wonderful, particularly the Vogue b & w. Love all the tango pics I've ever seen. I saw that tiny clip on the Texas concert after Amnesty. Fantastic, soooo sexy. Just a thought butI was just watching a chat show from the States on t.v. and every swear word was beeped out! This could be a problem with the Amnesty Concert if it were ever shown over there.I'm a member of Amnesty and I'm sure the vids will be on sale shortly. Any other members out there?? Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 08:50:14 (PDT)

Claire, your pics are wonderful as usual! Thank you for sharing them with us. :) That's a pretty funky scarf(?) AR has on in the Austria shot! He certainly does have a flare for unconventinal clothing. And he certainly is very sexy in glasses!

Carol, if you can believe it, my father taught himself Japanese through books and tapes and he's now quite fluent in conversation as well as being able to write it. No small feat as I'm sure you know! Languages are his passion and he is now working on Portuguese.

Marialis, it has been devastating to the economy of the Province!

Has it cooled off in Oz at all?
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 07:31:12 (PDT)

Wow, it's so hard to keep up with all these entries! Thank you Annie, Christine and Barbara for the warm welcome to this GB. I'm sorry it takes me so long to respond - I am a very slow person when it comes to almost everything - except for eating chocolate! And Fausta, thank you very, very much for the link to the Japanese AR site and the other language info. The fact that her site is called the "Aran Rickman Page" is hilarious! I shouldn't laugh but that's what happens after years of proofreading bad English every weekday! Actually "Beverley", as the web page creator refers to herself makes her fair share of spelling goofs throughout the course of her extensive website. It's not her fault, though. Japanese students are not taught the importance of spelling in their English classes. Anyway, this is what she more or less says on her Alan homepage: "This is a page dedicated to the British actor, Alan Rickman. Anyhow, it doesn't have much information about him. Sorry that this page is rather dried out. What is written here is surprisingly unreliable. I'm sorry that all of his photos that I've put on this page have been taken from Raffaella's site, with her permission." Another fine example of Japanese humbleness! Finally, to answer your question, Annie, yes Japanese is an extremely difficult language to learn, at least for me anyway. Some people can pick up the language really easily, but for me it has been a constant struggle from day one. I especially dislike reading Japanese "Kanji" which are Chinese characters. It's hard to believe that part of my job is Japanese/English translation! All I can say is thank god for online dictionaries and the "cut" and "paste" shortcut on my computer! Take care everyone.
Carol <cebbyq@hotmail.comfoo>
Japan - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 06:42:37 (PDT)

Bridgitte, I just read your post, he wears glasses in both Michael Collins and Closet Land. Yes he looks very sophisicated.
Elizabeth
- Monday, June 18, 2001 at 06:04:12 (PDT)

Thank you Sue, I have been called a lot of things in my life but never "redoubtable". Give me until tomorrow at quater past eight in the morning and I will be able to tell you when Play will be showing. (If can't I ".... shall eat my bonnet...")

If anyone wishes to know anything about Search For John Gissing, then email this address: webmaster@searchforjohngissing.com

The website for this film is still underconstruction, as it has been for the past year or so!!
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 06:01:48 (PDT)

"Amazing Claire": Thank you for the wonderful Vogue Pic and all the other ones. You know what? I would like to see him wearing glasses! To me he seems to be the right type of man to wear them. He would look gorgeus, even more sophisticated than he looks now! I just have this imagination in my mind... Maybe there is a Picture somewhere?? To Rickman Admirer (The one and only): You were asking about Georginas "Prune Armenac Ice Cream". I'm not sure but I could imagine that she meant Prune (the fruit) Sorbet with "Armagnac" (a french liquor from grapes, like Coganc.) Maybe I'm wrong, but it's the only explanation I can find. To me it's completely o.k. to talk about off topic issues too. I'm pleased to know that there is also a personal interest in each other beside our admiration to AR. It would be a sterile thing if we would't be allowed to talk about other things as well. See you!
brigitte, from switzerland <spooky-bw@bluewin.chfoo>
switzerland - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 05:05:27 (PDT)

Hey people! I have a little, and very very very very very desperate question... Is there any chance that someone might put that sketch on-line? It's probably my favourite Python sketch and Alan was in it.. and well I'm getting rather depressed here.. So please, please, please, please, put it on line.. please.. Sorry for the begging post..Thanks guys...
Jelena <crumb@yubc.netfoo>
Belgrade, Yugoslavia - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 03:29:43 (PDT)

Claire, WHERE do you find all those amazing photos? Are you in the business or just in league with the devil?;)
Sue
England - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 03:29:05 (PDT)

Michelle, The Amnesty concert tape is going to be released but don't know of any date yet,but I'm sure it will be posted as soon as anyone knows.

Certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, I was only joking;-( Anyway we were probably just over-excited!) !!AMNESTY SPOILER!! - We were alluding to the comment made at the beginning of the sketch. The four came on sat down and started. AR was second to speak and after saying two words the crowd realised who it was and there was an almighty roar. Eddie Izzard looked behind him and commented dryly "I think Jesus just came in".
Sue
England - Monday, June 18, 2001 at 03:18:09 (PDT)

Most of the people in the USA are from somewhere else,so I was surprised that anyone would feel "lonely" on this guestbook because other members were not from their country of origin. I personally would prefer to deal with people as individuals, and not as "groups" or "countries". People from the US are not "yanks" just as people from the UK are not "Limeys" and French people are not "frogs". Such terms have no place in such a small planet as our earth is.
a Rickman admirer {the original}
- Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 23:28:49 (PDT)

Gads, what is prune armenac ice cream?
a Rickman admirer {the original}
- Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 22:13:02 (PDT)

I am being confused for another person-you are right, I have been off topic before and prattled on, and I don't mind if someone else wants to--I am not "a Rickman fan" or "another Rickman admirer" I am A Rickman admirer [the first and original BTW}
a Rickman admirer
- Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 22:09:38 (PDT)

I read "Private Lives" on the flight back from Los Angeles today--my, but it would be absolutely incredible to see Mr. Rickman as Elyot!
Georgiana (Also watched the BBC video of same play before heading out to dine on paella and prune armenac ice cream...)
Seattle - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 21:49:41 (PDT)

Okay girls, I've read enough and now I'm going absolutely NUTS:-) Please tell me it's possible to get a copy of this performance! I'm in the US but I have a friend who could convert PAL....PLEEEEASE>>>>>>I just HAVE to see this appearance!:-) Michelle
Michelle
USA - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 20:55:29 (PDT)

Thank you Claire!!!! You are a gem!!!! I know everyone will love the Vogue portrait! Keep them coming!!
star james
- Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 20:09:44 (PDT)

Now, now, Rickman Admirer, you too have strayed off topic from time to time and have prattled on a time or two as well, so settle down. Things will get back to normal, as they always do . . .
Luv Python Too
- Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 18:38:52 (PDT)

Sue-We Yanks get up earlier than you might think! Let's all get back to discussing Alan, the reason this is here.
the rickman fan
USA - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 17:27:55 (PDT)

Vogue picture now up on CPP and a new Amnesty International, not with the prop Hawaiian shirts or glasses from the sketch though - which may be considered a good thing from the sartorial point of view!

Izzard's "Jesus" comment was a classic.

Claire
Yes, glad to see more of *us* has been quite lonely here at some points in the last 4 years!, - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 14:43:32 (PDT)

Hello to the rest of the Brits - there seem to be more of you now. Love the fact that the GB is so cosmopolitan. Checked my video recorder this morning as I've got a new one and was worried it had not recorded Amnesty concert and just happened to rewind to "the" sketch! The word Luxury will never sound the same again. As a Scot now living in Yorkshire was v impressed with accent! However - did anyone see the Texas concert after - I had let the video run on and there was an - albeit brief - excerpt of In Demand video - good grief - saucy or what! I haven't seen it but am not sure I could cope! am v excited at thought of AR on stage. Fingers crossed.
Susan
- Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 14:25:46 (PDT)

Sue, Thanks for the play info. Jeremy Hardy was extremely funny, not on long enough. I read an extremely funny article about him in The Times, he handled a 'heckler' with such dexterity....the heckler was shouting continuously throughout his performance, he finally turned to the man and said 'Martin, I'm sorry but it *is* over, I realise you're devestated, I didn't mean to hurt you, you'll get over it in the end...promise'..... one very embarrassed and very quiet heckler! Annie xx
Annie
London, - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 13:08:22 (PDT)

Sue, please E-mail me, I want to ask you something. I am a political refugee from Thatcherdom, so I am British, despite my address.

I think we have something in common, which I would like to discuss with you, if you would be so kind as to reply.

This is taking up Guestbook space, but as it's AR related, I do not feel too guilty.

Cheers, Anne
Anne <ahard73977@aol.comfoo>
Alexandria, VA USA - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 12:53:39 (PDT)

Annie- I think we Brits are in a minority, there are a lot of Americans and Australians out there as well as a fair scattering of Europeans. The "urn" thing is called "Play",I believe,and is by Samuel Beckett.I think it is 20 minutes long and co-stars Juliet Stevenson and Kristin Scott-Thomas( who,I read recently,were both pregnant at the time of filming and had to have specially made urns to fit them!)For fuller details go to Fausta's wonderful Rickmanistare page. I believe the series of Beckett plays starts about the 28th June but I don't know the exact date for the urn one. I'm sure the redoubtable Elizabeth will inform us soon. I've just watched the whole of the Amnesty thing as it was past my bedtime last night. I thought Eddie Izzard was marvellous and also Jeremy Hardy.I'm afraid I skipped Jonathon Ross,he's someone I just can't quite take to.Also U2 were great,of course.(Doesn't look like I've won my free tickets to see them,sob.)But,of course,we know who was star of the evening!
Sue
England - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 10:39:56 (PDT)

Sue, Are there many of us Brits on here or mainly Europeans and our friends from over the great pond? By the way, please help a plebian person - What is the name of the play when the characters are in urns and you only see their heads.... you know the one I mean.I think Vanessa Redgrave was in it too, if she wasn't sorry to sound so thick, but its on t.v. soon isn't it? Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 10:10:32 (PDT)

GML- lucky you,listening to The Return of the Native. I ordered it from the library almost 4 weeks ago. The librarian reckons someone "housebound" has it and they are allowed to keep tapes longer,Hmmmmmmmmm. Isn't it nice to be discussing something in England before the Yanks are out of bed;) Only joking. Annie- I'm with you on Niles!(and M.Palin)
Sue
England - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 05:58:51 (PDT)

Sue, it sounds like you watched the Amnesty International Birthday show last night... ;) Wow! Was that a warm welcome from the audience or a nuclear explosion when Alan first opened his mouth? So much for not even listing him with the other artists in the TV programme! ;) Great sketch. Oh, and thanks for the Help I'm a Fish info: August is very soon, yeah! I love animations and I wouldn't miss it, Alan-voice or not, but this is *some* added incentive. My local library does have The Return of the Native after all. I'm enjoying it now... very talented subtle changes of voice. It's hard to tell it's him talking sometimes.

Marialis, yes, I remember enjoying the 'author films' shown by French cinemas. My parents' local offers the option of becoming a "cine-club" member: you get all the info about the non-blockbuster films (that would be the good ones, often independent, and from all over the world) and a choice of two or three viewings in the week. Nice compromise between making money with the 'chart' stuff and still showing quality stuff for those who can appreciate it. What am I doing in England? Well, to be honest, Alan was not the incentive ;) - I just got a job and ended up here somehow. My native home is in the north of France, which is 2 hours from London via the Channel tunnel so I don't feel too far away. I just like it here. Which films would it be easier for you to follow in English? Um.. difficult to say. Maybe other people can help, I haven't seen them all. I'd say Truly Madly Deeply might be the best 'n easiest, but I think you said you have seen this one with subtitles already. Sense and Sensibility? Good diction from all. Have you seen it in English? All the actors in Barchester Chronicles have excellent diction too, but I recall you're not that fond of XIXth century works, and to be fair, the plot is a bit subtle for somebody not into British religious history. Well, Die Hard and Robin Hood are easy enough to follow, but you might have trouble with Kevin Costner's American accent (I read somewhere it was supposed to be a Brit accent, uh?) and the same applies to Tom Selleck's accent in Quigley Down Under, although the plot is easy enough to follow. OK, in conclusion, I'm not sure! What about trying Rasputin first? The Russian accents actually make it easier for a French person to understand the English.

Fausta, thanks for the list of actors. No possible disagreement in the face of true talent. By the way, a friend of mine who teaches drama and directs play at the local community theatre told me he remembers Patrick Stewart from the days he played in Stratford and how great he was there. I can't find the French interview(s) of Alan, but never mind. There just are too many messages on one page, even once you have found it, to sift through. If anybody comes across it, please do post it again, thanks.

Who was talking about Palin? There was an article on him in one of last week's Guardian, talking among other things about the magic of travelling around the world in contrast to the misery of having to rely on Brit trains at home. ;) I love the guy too.

I'm off to smile at that sketch again now, bye!
GML
UK - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 03:16:30 (PDT)

God 'm here again. sorry. Just read Sues post from the States. Met all the Pythons!*! I'm totally green with envy. You lucky lucky soul. Michael was always my fave but I love them all, particularly Grahame. I saw them live in The Secret Policemans Ball (showing my age). Once seen never forgotten. Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 03:12:38 (PDT)

Debby, Just read your stuff about Python. Now as a full blooded Englishwoman I ADORE Python,I don't think it dates at all, I love all the team, particularly Michael Palin cause as a teenager I was *in luuuuvvv*. However... I know exactly what you mean about the English people portrayed in the States. You mention Daphne, but by far the worst, the absolute worst must be Daphnes brother!!!!!! Firstly,,,he's meant to be from Manchester isn't he? I mean Daphnes meant to be from Manchester so surely their accents would be the same!!!! But no he has the most AWFUL London accent, I have been in London over 20 years and never ever heard anyone speak quite like that its just TERRIBLE it really irritates me,really grates! But then again I think Giles from Buffy is fine,I mean I'm not saying he can act or anything (!*!) just that he seems to speak fine to me, that could be because he sounds like me!! I must be a minority!. As for Frasier, my hero is Niles. Niles is wonderful, Niles is a star! Annie xxxx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 03:07:56 (PDT)

Wasn't that great. Certainly shows we're far from alone!!!! What an unassuming man, just carried on no hint of an ego! Imagine how some actors would have *milked* that. I also noticed how intensely he read the screen at the end, obviously there for a *real* reason. As a member of Amnesty who couldn't go to the show I felt gratified to see so many of my fave people on stage. I Thought the it was absolutley hilarious, particularly Eddie Izzard his ad lib is so wonderful. I must say I thought the 4 Yorkshiremen were definitley the highlight, well worth waiting for. Seems like the audience agreed too. I saw Judas Kiss yesterday for the first time, what a fantastic film. I do love AR when he gets in a strop - ' Did you bug that telephone!?!?!' Great stuff. Annie xxx
Annie
London, - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 02:56:14 (PDT)

"I think Jesus just came in..."
Sue
England - Sunday, June 17, 2001 at 01:14:42 (PDT)

Making up for the OT posts: if you go to www.bbcshop.com and click of Drama and Arts and then choose period drama, you will be pleasantly surprised that they offer Barchester Chronicles, the our man Al version, for the very reasonable price of 19.99 pounds. I suppose it is in European format, but it is nice to see it's still available! and it "usually ships in one working day". hee hee...
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Saturday, June 16, 2001 at 23:28:17 (PDT)

Well, actually, Deb, my friends and I sing that song all the time. That and the songs from The Rutles: All You Need is Cash. One of teh reasons Eric Idle is my fave is because he did that spoof of the Beatles. I love them, too, and the film was just brilliant. BTW, sorry for taking up so much room with Python nonsense; it's just hard not to chat with a fellow fan!
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Saturday, June 16, 2001 at 22:36:00 (PDT)

Hello friends, I need help.I have been a Rickman fan forever and just started collecting his photos as bookmarks. One day last month , by accident, i found a link ( I think here ) to Kelclancy's photo vault. I found the most beautiful photos!!! Especially, the Vogue portrait, a profile in B/W....amazing... Anyway, I accidentally deleted it!!!! Now I am frantically looking all over cyber space for it. Can you help? Any Clues? Can anyone please post it here? I would really appreciate your assistance! Thanks for this forum. So great to share my admiration for Alan here with such lively and intelligent people!
star <dream22146@starspath.comfoo>
- Saturday, June 16, 2001 at 18:02:05 (PDT)

Calm down Debby! It's only TV! Get back to Alan, that's what we're here for isn't it?
a Rickman fan
USA - Saturday, June 16, 2001 at 11:12:58 (PDT)

(Off topic) Bear in mind those Python sketches are meant to be over-done, like caricatures. The accents aren't supposed to be bang-on; it's the absurdity of the sketches that made them funny. I mean, you guys don't really think we canucks go around singing "I'm A Lumberjack" do you? Tee hee. Nice to know AR is apparently a Python fan. :-)
Deb <ceilidh@cwk.imag.netfoo>
Canada - Saturday, June 16, 2001 at 09:54:30 (PDT)

Debby, I can relate to the whole stereotype thing. Im not English, but Australians have had some pretty terrible "representatives"!!! I mean, Python's Bruces sketch, the Simpson's Aussie episode!!! 'Neighbours' for crying out loud!!! Sheeesh. Although I must admit, the Bruces sketch didnt faze me at all...but thats because i love Python. If its any consolation, i think that Brit TV is the best going around in almost every category i.e comedy, drama etc etc etc You guys certainly do the best murder mysteries too! No offense to other international television. :) Gabby (who is, quite pathetically, in love with all things British)
Gabby <de_valera@hotmail.comfoo>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 23:46:09 (PDT)

Helen mirren was in Antony and Cleopatra with Alan.
Gabby <de_valera@hotmail.comfoo>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 23:36:17 (PDT)

Just something interestin: Helen Mirren who worked with Alan in what was it, either antony and cleopatra or troilus and cressida, starred in The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu,(1980)
Emily <DkNy9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 18:38:27 (PDT)

Jane Leeves, Daphne on Frasier is genuinely English, though not from Manchester. Her native accent is different than her character's. The Frasier actor who is English is actually John Mahoney, Frasier's "Dad". He came to the US in his late teens from, you guessed it, Manchester.
Josephine
Esperanto, Terra - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 17:00:27 (PDT)

For goodness sake what's this obsession with Monty Python,I love it myself of course but why is it that everyone in the States and beyond considers it to be so "typically English" unfortunately the sketches are nearly thirty years old so are hardly representative of the English "at large" anymore. It is sad to think that the only "English" characters who seem to appear on American TV are either that dreadful woman on "Frasier" who sounds unlike anybody from the North of England that I ever met (I am English and from the heart of the "North")and that idiot teacher on "Buffy the etc etc" who is representative of about 0.001% of the population of the UK. Drop the stereotypes and give us some real English "types"...come to think of it why not get a few English actors over instead of Americans doing bad impressions of one....
Debby
- Friday, June 15, 2001 at 15:56:49 (PDT)

Hey I just realized that the first time we saw Die Hard 2 was when we spent 3 weeks in England & Scotland. We saw it while we were in London near Picadilly Circus.
donna
USA - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 12:17:46 (PDT)

To the Original Rickman Admirer- Now that I think back, I think I remember where I read that Hans was German. It was when Die Hard 2 was coming out & an article somewhere was describing Hans' brother in the movie coming to revenge his death. Who knows! Even though Hans is a German name, maybe that article I read was misinformation. He was speaking German though. Does anyone know if there are any childhood photos of Alan floating about anywhere? I've only seen one photo of him on this website that looks like it might have been his late teens. I think he's much more handsome now than he was back then.
donna
USA - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 12:14:10 (PDT)

Gee, Sue Zen, I'm jealous!! Met all of the Pythonites but Eric --lucky you. I fear that he is the most zany.:) Anyway, the ol' thesis will keep long enough for me to say hello, and, did anyone else see the A&E "Biography" special on Monty Python? I haven't taken out the episodes for a while. I think the bit with the clamshells doubling for horses comes from "The Search for the Holy Grail" (a movie, very funny and irreverent, but it could also be a later-seson sketch. A&E: Remembering The American concert tour, 1980. One stop was on warm and balmy night in Baltimore. The shock and pleasure of hearing the audience singing along -- word-perfect, despite the alcohol consumed -- to every song!! Marvelous. :) Take Care, Ann
Ann W <wagner@cybertrails.comfoo>
Az USA - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 11:02:27 (PDT)

My Python stories...met almost all of them once or several times years ago while working as a journalist for two east coast newspapers and a national magazine. Interviewed Michael several times in the US and England. He is a gem, a real gentleman, with a quick ironic wit. He was warm and friendly, and his compassion, intelligence, and education always shone through. Embarassing moment: During my last interview with him in London at a movie press conference, I tried to hustle him for "work" by pitching my own TV credits. He smiled at me and returned, "You're very American, aren't you?" I haven't been so politely insulted before or since.

Terry Gilliam was bursting with creative energy, and mile-a-minute thoughts. I interviewed him in '82 before the Time Bandits premiere. He talked about his plans for Brazil and Munchausen, and didn't want to talk about why he had gone to England (to avoid the Vietnam draft). I sent him an old Munchausen book with original illustrations after the interview.

Terry Jones was bright, earthy, and funny. Embarassing moment: He gave me a wet kiss after the press luncheon. Yick.

Never met Eric, but he sent me a personal letter with some positive feedback and career encouragement on comedy material I'd written and sent him.

Graham, whom I interviewed twice, was also a gentleman. We shared experiences as fellow "doctor/writer"s. Met his significant other. Graham was in a reflective mood, optimistic, sober. His passing was a real loss.

John Cleese is tall. Very tall. He likes, according to Michael, tall blonde American women. He was polite, and all quiet business during our conversation, but quickly brightened when a tall, young, slim blonde entered his field of vision. (Sadly, not me.) I find Cleese's work the most consistently funny...he is also, I believe, the most "seasoned" and polished of the Pythons vis a vis the "Industry".

It was an honor and pleasure to meet the Pythons and I wish them well and thank them for the gifts of entertainment they provided me.
Sue Zen
El Lay, CA - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 10:10:19 (PDT)

ARA : The origins of Hans were kept vague not to vilify a particular country… People who decided that were wrong of course : it would be an honour for a country to have a terrorist (OK, Donna : a pseudo-one) so charming and so intelligent, even so cruel, than our dear Hans : I mean : I would love to be killed by him (Am I already touched by the Stockholm's syndrome ?). I propose to determine that he's French (any objection - especially from Germany ?) Christine : BRAVO FOR QUEBEC ! BRAVO FOR QUEBEC ! BRAVO FOR QUEBEC ! BRAVO FOR QUEBEC ! GML and Alice, or any other French speaking native … which film could I see first in English without subtitles ? It means actors speaking clearly (I know for Alan but the others ?) simple vocabulary and plot easy to understand… Thank you for your lightening advices. A very long time ago (I were a teen-ager) I saw something of The Monty Python : I just remember that it was funny. Maybe in the first scene, they were riding invisible horses and they were arriving… I'm not sure, maybe in a medieval town ? But I know that for many French people, cultured ones especially, they are something like the essence of famous English humour. Now that I have international relationships I've had to make up lost time !
Marialis
France - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 09:06:54 (PDT)

Re: I translated the French interview from a link posted on this website a couple of years ago. I'm sure it's in the GB archives (see link at top of this page) somewhere. Also, I vaguely remember someone else translating at least another French interview.

GML, as to other actors I like aside from R. Beltran (and I agree with you on his work), there's the magnificent Alan Bates, who I had the pleasure to see on stage & meet in NYC last Dec. after admiring him for 3 decades, Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart on stage only (not on TV of film), Ciaran Hinds, Errol Flynn prior to 1945, Liam Neeson, dozens others!
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, June 15, 2001 at 08:06:58 (PDT)

Hello ! Marialis - I came here to work. But I am going back to France at the end of July. Now, that I got to see most of his movies, I can come back and enjoy the French way of life again.
Alice <variot@research.att.comfoo>
Berkeley Heights, NJ USA - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 07:56:42 (PDT)

This may have been mentioned before, but Mr. Rickman is listed at imdb.com as having appeared in "Nikki (2000/II)(TV)" (USA). Can anyone tell me what that is/was? Thanks.
Georgiana
...heading back to Los Angeles - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 06:54:12 (PDT)

"The Search for John Gissing" is now listed at 'inhollywood' as looking for a distributor (update as of May 25).
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 06:44:10 (PDT)

Sorry, it was Barbara who gave me the A&R photo info! Knew i'd got it wrong!!!!! Thanks again!
Gabby <de_valera@hotmail.comfoo>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 06:28:35 (PDT)

I have to confess to being a Python fan too!!!! Palin is my fave...mainly because i met him and thought he was adorable! Cant say i would have the same luck with Alan though :( (meeting him, that is). Oh and thanks to the person who told me where to find the pic of Alan and Rima...i think it was Donna but i could be very wrong so forgive me if i am!!!!
Gabby <de_valera@hotmail.comfoo>
Melbourne, Australia - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 06:19:56 (PDT)

Truly sorry about the quadruple post girls! *still blushing* I must be a little trigger happy or have a stuttering mouse! ;)
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 05:57:20 (PDT)

Hi everybody ! What a pleasure it is to meet you everyday ! Ewa, I want to say to you that my sister in law is a quarter polish… So you're almost a quarter less alone here ! Yesterday, I've caught few moments of Rasputine, on VOX… And even without the sound, he was amazing ! I've seen when he enters in the chateau the first time and when he has his first lunch with the imperial family. What a talented actor he is ! He moves so well… He plays with all his body ! When I see him on the little screen of my TV, my heart miss a beat… so I think that if I'd see him in flesh, my heart could stop beating ! I have to see the right side of the thing : I'll certainly never see him in flesh… luckily for my heart's health? Fausta, I'm so curious to read a French interview of AR ! Can't you find it again and tell me in which magazine it was. It's true : The Winter Guest has been warmed welcome here. Critics said that it was a very sensitive and intelligent movie, without melodrama.. I re-read a critic yesterday night in Studio Magazine. It was saying that "British self-control could make jewel like this film". But even though critics were good, TWG has only been shown in few theatres in big towns with the stamp "author-movie" it means "intellectual" so for lot of people "boring". I live in deep country quite far from big towns…So I missed it. And I missed it two month ago too for an other reason : I were hit by the death of a very closed person (the father of my husband) and I were not able to watch this film talking about death. (Am I clear enough ? I'm afraid you don't understand this funny English !) Just because I'm curious : GML and Alice : what are you doing so far from your native country ?
Marialis
FRANCE - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 04:50:08 (PDT)

Donna, it was me who asked about the German in Die Hard. I read about the "gibberish" in a movie fact webpage, can't remember which one though.I also read that the origin of Hans was kept vague so as not to villify any particular country.
A Rickman admirer {the original}
- Friday, June 15, 2001 at 00:13:38 (PDT)

Hi people

Funnily enough (having just read Christine's quadruple post on Quebec), the French Alan speaks in Die Hard is the name of a terrorist group 'Liberté du Quebec', precisely when he is posing as a terrorist and rattling on that list of people he supposedly wants freed from prison to the police. I guess they taught languages -or at least French- well in his school. A whole interview in French? Anybody got a link to that or remembers where to find the (English, presumably) version on the guestbook? The only copy of The Return Of the Native I could find at my local library is read by somebody else unfortunately. As I normally prefer reading the books to listening to them, even by Alan, I haven't tried to find one to buy, but if Alan *sings* in *French* on it, I'm definitely getting it now!

John and Sue, thanks for the info on the plays

Fausta, hi, you *do* have good taste! ;)) Tell me of who else you like, I clearly ought to conduct a closer inspection on them. I don't think Robert B is quite as good in 'Voyager' as he is in his other movies etc, but this is where I first spotted him (and then got bored with the series around season 4)

Good day everybody,
GML
UK - Friday, June 15, 2001 at 00:01:15 (PDT)

To one of the Rickman admirers(there are so many now I don't know which is which), yes Alan is speaking German (Deutsch) in Die Hard. Also, Hans is one version of John, the other being Johann. Never heard mention about any gibberish in that movie. About the Euro terrorist thing, well, Germany IS in Europe & terrorists usually don't stick to one country, although I remember reading that he really wasn't supposed to be a terrorist in that movie. They were pretending to be so they could pull off that big heist & leave the country with the money. That's why they distracted the FBI with the story about letting those people go from prison.
donna
USA - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 20:47:59 (PDT)

Annie, I am a Python maniac. I even have the CD-Rom game of Quest for the Holy Grail! I think any fan of Python knows at least one sketch off by heart. My favourite episode ever is the one they did entirely in German with subtitles. John Cleese as Little Red Riding Hood was priceless. hee hee... my favourite sketches are Spanish Inquisition, Singing Barrister, and Dennis Moore. Anyone else like to confess to a secret Python passion?
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 19:28:54 (PDT)

Hello everyone! Welcome to all our new friends from around the world! Donna, sorry it has taken me so long to answer your question - couldn't get through to the internet and apparently the problem was Australia wide...... The photo is on Claire's picture page and the one in question is the first one. Who is that lady with AR? Can anyone help me with this? I do hope AR gets that play with Linsay Duncan! Bye.
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Australia - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 18:24:20 (PDT)

Can you believe it, I missed AR on tv the other day (CME), and I was the one who told everyone here that he was on. I just couldn't stay awake. I was soooo very tired, and had a long day at work with customers mad at me, so by the time I got home i watch a bit of tv and went to bed.
Boy was I very disappointed at missing him, I could have used an AR fix that night. I wished they put it on earlier. Hopefully another AR film will come on tv...
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 16:29:14 (PDT)

Christine speaks four languages, so she posted the message four times-unfortunately all the entries looked like English to me-at least I could read them. About "Die Hard" I understood that Hans spoke in gibberish. Was he actually speaking German? He was identified as a "euro" terrorist.
a Rickman admirer
- Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 14:25:27 (PDT)

Christine, Have you been drinking or just getting a bit repetitive!!! ;-)
Sue
England - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 12:45:09 (PDT)

Marialis- I just realized there are more definitions for those colors over here than I wrote down. Green, besides meaning fresh or new, also means being envious. Blue can also mean cold here, or sad & depressed. Red, besides being red with anger, can also mean embarrassed. Hope I've helped. I just noticed farther down that someone wrote that Alan had a good French accent in Die Hard. I don't remember anything but a German accent in that movie. I am half German & could understand his German in there. When I was in 2nd grade we had Spanish lessons.(i still have my notebook from that). Then we could have taken a foreign language in 8th grade, but I waited until 10th & took German. Then the next year I also took French. Our school offered German, French, Latin & Spanish. The school my children attended offers French, Spanish & now added Latin & Italian. It's amazing that down at the U.N. in Manhattan, they have interpreters there for any language. My German/Prussian ancestors who came here had to learn English back in the 1800's because there weren't signs in different languages then. My mother's side was from UK & Ireland so they had no problem.
donna
NY USA - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 12:41:19 (PDT)

It happens. Duplicates deleted.
D.o.C. (Suz)

Suzanne, SOOOOO sorry!!! Don't know how I did that! *embarrassed grin*
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 11:00:20 (PDT)

Welcome to all our new friends from around the world!

Fausta, if AR did an interview in French he must be quite fluent. I wonder where he learned it. I would have loved to have heard that interview!

OFF TOPIC: To look at the subject of languages from a different and very interesting point of view, I live in Quebec, a primarily French speaking Province in Canada and there are very strict laws here governing the use of the English language. Since the Parti Quebecois came into power, they have been after sovereignty. Their goal is for Quebec to become an independent country. Part of this mission has involved keeping the primary language French. To give an example, the Language Law says English on signs has to appear below French and in half the size. There are actually “Language Police” that make the rounds to enforce this law and, yes, you can be turned in.

As parents, at least one of you has had to have been educated in English for your children to be eligible for English education. So all immigrants to the Province from non-English speaking countries must, by law, send their kids to French schools. Many English schools have been closed over the years and the English School Board is always struggling to be treated equally by the government. The upside to this language issue is that most schools that belong to the English Board are now “French Immersion” schools where the majority of instruction is in French. The English kids are growing up bilingual whereas the French kids only start very limited English instruction in the 4th grade. So who’s coming out on top in the end?
Christine <I speak 4 languages!foo>
Montreal, Canada - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 10:58:02 (PDT)

Just returned from the Internet Movie Database, they had "Search for John Gissing" listed as Post-Production for months and now it is just listed as any other film would be. Soooooo hopefully that is a step in the right direction for a release date to be posted.

I was just reading the back log of posts(It really is amazing what you miss when you don't read this GB everyday) and everyone seem's to be French or French speaking. (Please don't take that the wrong way)I have a cousin who is half French, half Welsh, who is also a fan, but doesn't quite have the guts to sign the GB. She is coming to stay in early July so maybe I will be able to persaude her then. By the way, anyone here speak Gaelic??? (I am being serious)
Elizabeth
UK - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 08:41:20 (PDT)

Carol,

You can find a list of all the links I've found to the Rickman sites both at my http://www.rickmanistareview.com/links.html page, and at my http://alanrickman.fanpageguide.com/ page. The Japanese page misspells AR's name as Aran, and one needs to have Japanese fonts to read it.

Mr. Rickman's Spanish in TMD was OK, heavily accented but appropriate for someone who's playing a character that's still learning a language. As far as I've found he's never done anything else in Spanish.

He did, however, do an interview in 1998 in France, in French, which I translated and posted in this guestbook. I forget which month of the Guestbook the interview was posted, but it was from the time The Winter Guest came out. In The Return Of The Native audio tapes he sings a brief song a French, which sounds delicious, and in A Little Like Drowning (also in audio) he does some Italian, spoken and sung, also lovely.
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 08:40:54 (PDT)

This isn't fair! I spend months trying to find stuff on the Beckett plays to no avail, and then you lot find something over night!!!

I have now finnished my exams!! At last, it was driving me to insanity. I am now about to embark upon a seriously insane project that involves giving 40 16 year old lectures on the use of symbolism in fil. Thank god Mr Rickman made lots of films with symbolism in them.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 07:59:19 (PDT)

From ananova, Cinemas snub Gielgud's last performance.
Georgiana (Thanks, Sue! Hasn't "Play" already shown on the telly?)
Seattle - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 07:48:07 (PDT)

Kel Clancy has moved on to other interests and has been gradually dismantling her page. Sorry. Claire has put up most of the articles on her arkive page.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 07:40:01 (PDT)

Georgiana

If you still want a copy of Babitsky's War, please e-mail me.
Sue <mastermum@hotmail.comfoo>
England - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 06:14:49 (PDT)

hello again ! Can anyone help me with my query? Everytime I find links to Kelclansy's Rickman page and i click on it i just get her opening page and an envitation to e-mail, but alas, no way to enter!! I know she has some beautiful pictures of AR and i would like to see them. Please help!!!
star
nc usa - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 05:26:41 (PDT)

Do any of the rest of you love Monty Pyton too??? The sketch they're doing is one of my all time faves.I'm rather sad as I know most of them off my heart...but I know I'm not alone ... I am desperate to hear Alans accent - they must have had such a laugh reading those words..... 'we lived 3 months in a brown paper bag in a septic tank....' or 'Thats nothing, I had to get up in the morning at 10 o'clock at night, half an hour before I went to bed'...etc., etc., Sorry just can't wait..Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
- Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 04:25:21 (PDT)

Further news on the Beckett plays is on www.ananova.com
Sue
England - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 02:57:38 (PDT)

Hi friends ! It seems to be an explosion of languages and nationalities ! I'm amazing ! Donna, I haven't thank you yersterday for your coloured precision. In France, we are green annoyed and jealous (and seasicked too ;-)) , red when we are ashamed or angry, blue when we are cold (it is everywhere isn't it) and black when we are drunk (I'm never, promised ;-)) Isn't it an artistic language ? So poetic... Of course we are white when we are innocent (and when we are dead too : french humour ? Marialisean humour...?... Anyway : black humour !) Ewa , yesterday I were so happy to see Rasputin... I just forgot that I don't understand a word of german ! And if it's not really pleasant to watch Alan Rickman with a french voice, I'm used to... But with a german one ! And how can I explain to my husband that I watch a movie in german ? ...just to see the actor... He will be jealous... with some reasons ! Annie, How can you imagine a moment that Alan is not brave enough to face himself your 3 dogs, and even fight and kill them in a hard struggle, with his two beautifull hands ! Isn't he a Hero ? Anyway if he failed I could kill them by myself to make him enter in my house... Please don't call Animal's Friends Association... It's just fantasy ... Of course he'll never knock at my door : I can't vote for the Labour ! ;-))
Marialis
Fontenay, FRANCE - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 02:54:48 (PDT)

Carol, what a lovely post. I believe Japanese is an extremely difficult language to learn? You know I get terribly embarassed that I don't really speak a foreign language fluently. I do think its quite a fault of us English that we expect people - Welsh included - to speak our language even when we visit a foreign country!! Here the only compulsory language in the primary/junior schools is French. You can learn German and other languages in Secondary schools but I believe thats too late. My daughter is 8 and speaks better French than me because she went to a bi-lingual nursery school when she was 2. Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 02:29:52 (PDT)

Re Amnesty Concert on Sat. I know you lot probably already know what they're actually doing, but just in case there's anyone who doesn't I've just read the list of sketches and the climax is to be the Monty Python 4 Yorkshiremen sketch with Alan Rickman,Harry Enfield,Vic Reeves and Eddie Izzard...that I HAVE to see. Should be amazing. There's also the Stereophonics,Richard Blackwood,Harry Hill, Paul Whitehouse and the cast of Goodness Gracious Me. Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London., - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 02:18:47 (PDT)

I have to make a terrrrrrrible confession…. My eternal love for Mr. Rickman is falling down under the inimitable strong charms of Mr. Phoenix after his unbelievable representation of cruel Roman emperor Commodus. I’m so sorry but… They’re both wonderful. His - Sheriff of Nottingham, and His - Commodus. OK! I like violence! So what? And I don’t think that Mr. Phoenix was weak in his role. He was perfect, perfectly fit for sand-and-sandals background. His English accent wasn’t bad although I’m not native English. My oh my! I’m so sorry… So ***damn sorry, Mr. Rickman. Will you ever forgive me for sharing my appreciation for another man? PULEEEEEEESSSEEEE!!!
ilza <rus_rice@kaliningrad.rufoo>
baltic, - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 01:17:21 (PDT)

Hot off the press! Today's 'The Stage' (UK's weekly theatrical newspaper) Quote - 'Channel 4's plans to screen it's season of Beckett plays in cinemas across the country have fallen through.' - - ' Now the dramas will be screened on Channel 4 (UK tv) earlier than planned, beginning on June 28th and running each night until July 2nd.' - Unfortunately it does not say which ones will be screened on which nights. I hope this helps all those who have been searching for when these plays will be on UK tv.
John & Sue <jrnavigator@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Derby, UK - Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 00:55:55 (PDT)

Centaur Communications Ltd.
=Brand Strategy
June 6, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 3
HEADLINE: Sasha Dhillon pots a winner online
BYLINE: Dhillon,S; Managing director Hi-Media UK

=Aged twenty-six, and managing director of the UK arm of online- advertising-sales giant Hi-Media, Sasha Dhillon is alert to opportunity. In a Soho coffee shop, we are still exchanging pleasantries when she spots actor Alan Rickman. She breaks off at once. She just has to have his autograph.

Georgiana
back from LA... - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 20:54:37 (PDT)

my sister in law is Chinese-welcome everyone-
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 20:26:26 (PDT)

I come from Taiwan, I speak Chinese. It's funny to meet people from different countries, 'sn't it?
Pearl
- Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 19:57:12 (PDT)

Speaking of foreign languages, I got to watch Die Hard this weekend with a friend who speaks German so for the first time I got to know everything being said in the movie. I'm American and am sad to say I only speak English. It is a problem with our public schools not even offering foreign language to us until we are in our teens. I have study Latin(which of course no one actually speaks) and in college I studied Spanish (and can only say yo quero Taco Bell). Anyway, some of us do try to learn, it just is to late for some of us to become fluent. One of the great things about this site besides meeting other people that have similar interests is that I'm meeting people all over the world and getting different points of view that I might not have been exposed to otherwise. I love hearing from people all over the world about my favorite obsession.
Michaele <kph1324@bellsouth.comfoo>
Chattanooga, TN - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 19:33:47 (PDT)

Hi everyone. I have newly discovered that I am an Alan Rickman fan (about 3 months ago), and this is my first post. Actually, I was a fan of AR since I first saw Robin Hood at the theatres and couldn't get over how wonderful the Sherriff was and how much he outshined Mr. Costner. I had also seen other films with AR like Sense and Sensibility but it didn't click for me until I saw Galaxy Quest that I was seeing the same guy over and over again - this wonderful actor, Alan Rickman! Well, I found this guestbook on the internet and I've been a lurker here ever since. So I'll briefly introduce myself. I am a 33-year old woman born and raised near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Hi, Julia from Calgary!) but have lived the last 10 years or so in Japan. I majored in Japanese Language and Literature at the University of Alberta, and now work as a proofreader/translator at a Japanese company. My husband is Japanese. No kids. No plans to have kids either. And I respect everyone's decision to have or to not have kids. It is a personal life decision and I think it's not something that should be the subject of criticism from society or what people think is "right". Alan obviously made a personal decision about that and I think the least we can do is support him rather than criticise him. Ok, just had to get that out. Anyway, I am so happy to hear that there are more Robert Beltran fans out there - I've been a big Star Trek fan since I was just a 3-year old and my favorite series is "Voyager", which of course, for those of you who might not know, stars Robert Beltran as "Chakotay" the Native American first officer. Voyager has just finished production but we are still in season 5 here in Japan. But back to Alan Rickman, Fausta, you said that you have seen an AR site in Japanese - could you please post or send me the link to that site - I searched and searched for Japanese sites but could find practically nothing. I can't even figure out if he has any fan following at all here, or if he comes here for promotional visits - one could only dream!! I would love to see him in the flesh someday. Sorry for my strange English - it's the unfortunate by-product of speaking to non-native English speakers every day for years and years! But I am a firm believer of learning second and third languages, ESPECIALLY for some Americans and Canadians who tend to be rather self-centered about their native language, myself included! Notice I said SOME - I don't want to make the mistake of generalizing about any culture, although I do it all the time when I talk about the Japanese (I still have a long way to go, obviously.) Because I'm Canadian I had to take one year of compulsory French in junior high school. I hated it. Not because it was difficult but more because I was being forced to learn a language that I had absolutely no interest in. I quicky switched to German when I got the chance in high school, because it was a language much more culturally relevant to me (My mom is German and my dad is Swiss-German). But think of the thousands, even millions of people in this world who are forced to learn English because it happens to be the chosen language of the majority of the "developed" world. And English is definately not an easy language to learn. It is one of the most difficult languages in the world, I think. I admire all of our guestbook visitors from other countries who write better English than even me, a "native speaker"! And it's wonderful that Alan be our motivation to learn other languages! Can any of you tell me if Alan can speak any other languages fluently? I don't mean just being able to pronounce foreign words, but actually understand the language. He certainly has an amazing talent for accents, at least. I have to watch Die Hard again to check out his German accent, though - I can't quite recall it. And as for TMD, he was supposed to have a bad Spanish accent - but has he ever spoken Spanish in something else? I haven't seen even half of his movies yet, but I'm working on it! Well, I'm really sorry for rambling on like this, expecially with no paragraph breaks! I'm just so happy to be able to communicate with other AR fans!! Any other fans from Japan out there?? Thanks, Carol
Carol <cebbyq@hotmail.comfoo>
Japan - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 19:18:04 (PDT)

No one said that you couldn't post in a foreign language, as long as you subtitle, as those that do not share your language or a talent for languages want to know what you are saying.
a Rickman admirer
- Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 18:47:38 (PDT)

It's so nice to have people posting from so many different countries; it speaks well of Mr. Rickman's talent, I think. But now I, too, must shamefully admit that I was a terrible student of French, and all of the French being written here lately has made me want to go back and try again. However, since all the people in my high school who stunk at French took up German, I can speak a little Deutsch, and have had fun trying to decipher articles/reviews of AR's movies in that language. Okay, so I have to run a few things through translation software (has anyone tried Babblefish--the results are hysterically funny!)

Welcome, newbies! Hope you like it here! Jennifer
Jennifer <jelleebaby@yahoo.comfoo>
MD USA - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 17:24:16 (PDT)

On the international theme, I've found Rickman sites in Czech, German (3), Finnish, Spanish, Italian (Raffaella's, of course), and Japanese.

Robert Beltran speaks Spanish. Glad to see other RB fans out there!

Hasta la proxima, Ca va!
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 17:02:23 (PDT)

Hi Friends, I am new to this! Why can't i see Kelclancy's Rickman pages? Everytime I try a link to her site I get her welcome page but that is all. I hear she has awesome photos in her vault. Please help Star
star
nc usa - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 16:34:41 (PDT)

Czesc!/Hi!

Personally I don't mind, that some of you would like to write in your native languages, I'd do the same if I had someone to write to :-))). But please, if you do so then do not conceal any useful information, provide them also in English, it'll make my life easier, unless you write in German or Polish :-)))

Oh, and I have a question about the movie "Help! I'm a Fish": did it have its official release anywhere in the world? I tried to find anything on the movie on Polish websites, but there's literally nothing. And I didn't find any dates anywhere :-(((

Ewa
Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 15:15:21 (PDT)

UK video - Amnesty thing We know where you live - 10pm Saturday 16th June, Channel 4 (1 hour 40 minutes) To be followed by Texas in Paris concert, so I'm leaving the video on!

Oh Gotta be fast some times on ebay, GML looks like you were beaten by a Shakespeare buff as opposed to Rickman fan! Hope they appreciate Tybalt's finer qualities.

Claire
- Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 14:51:41 (PDT)

Hi!/bonjour!/hola!

My, are we getting international! We'll have Welsh people visiting, next... *ducks* (*joo-ooke*)- Marialis, I haven't seen Murder Obliquely either, but I'm lucky enough to have seen many other, if not quite all of AR's films. Sorry to hear you need subtitles as few have been subtitled in French I'm afraid. Your written English is so good I didn't realize that, but I know from experience that it's easier to read and write than to understand English... Alan has such a clear diction though, maybe you could read about the movie's plot in advance to get a head start, and give it a try.

Claire, thanks, but the PAL Romeo and Juliet video has already been snatched up by somebody who decided to take no chances and went for the 'buy now' option. Grump! I rarely spend more than a tenner on my videos, but I consider this one a bit of a collector's item, I might have forked out. Yeah, I know, you can buy it new, for a fortune. Not the same.

Alice-in-America, hi fellow (uh?!) French girl, I guess you've seen the movies I haven't and vice-versa. Some were released in the States but not here in Britain. Took me ages to get hold of Dark Harbor and have it converted, I haven't tried the other non-PAL ones yet. Mesmer is next on my list. Ahem, my birthday is soon and... just teasing... Please nobody sings 'joyeux anniversaire'! ;)

Mary, your French is good, and you did say what you thought you were saying. Nothing about green radiators attacking the pen of your aunt, promised! ;)

By the way, Alan's French accent in Die Hard is very good (oh yes, he *does* say 3 words in French... well, this is your quiz for today!)

Friend from Madrid, I agree but remember that not everybody gets the chance or incentive to learn. In fact a friend and I are fond of an American actor called Robert Beltran and because other fans found it hard to understand the info on his official (English-language) website, we decided to write one on him in 3 'others'. I vaguely thought about doing the same on Alan but decided against: it's fun but far too much work! His Spanish accent in TDM is not too good I believe, but I guess that was part of the, er, part.

John and Sue or anybody Brit, can you remind me when the Amnesty International concert is on? Is it this coming weekend? Thanks.
GML
UK - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 13:46:06 (PDT)

U.K. T.V. INFO

JUDAS KISS Friday 12 midnight Sky Premier Channel.

I will endeavour to record this and if anyone without satellite wants it (in the UK) I will pass it on. I managed to record it first time round when it was on at 3 in the morning. It's worth a look just for AR and ET doing deep south accents! and also Greg Wise (Willoughby) with his head in a bag for the entire film!! E-mail me if you are interested.
Sue <mastermum@hotmail.comfoo>
England - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 13:14:39 (PDT)

Alan Rickman running round in tights as Tybalt in 1978 Romeo & Juliet is available now on Ebay in video PAL format. This is hard to find so just a thought .... make sure you can run PAL videos or can get them translated if you are in the USA

Claire
- Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 11:44:05 (PDT)

It's OK... I've just come in the Die Hard Sound Gallery and I hear... "You're amazing...."
Marialis
Fontenay, France - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 09:36:15 (PDT)

I promise I'll try... but only on video now... because it isn't shown in the theater... I 've just asked the question because you all seem crazy about it... and I'm not very fan of Sci-fi. Other thing : I don't understand what he is saying on this page... Thanks a lot for your help...
Marialis
Fontenay, France - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 09:25:57 (PDT)

Marialis -- Go and watch GQ !!! I didn't know Star Trek at all and went to see the movie because of AR. I adored it. The movie is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO funny ! Just remember it's a comedy and you'll have a great time.
Alice <variot@research.att.comfoo>
Berkeley Heights, NJ USA - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 07:46:27 (PDT)

Marialis-If you are very annoyed at something, it would mean you turn red. When you are green at something it means you are very new at it. That film you are talking about with Alan & Laura Dern is Murder Obliquely & the film kind of leaves you guessing at the end as to whether he really killed his wife, but I got the impression that he did. If I remember correctly they show some of her pearls on the floor from her broken necklace & Alan has a strange look on his face. I am not a big fan of Star Trek yet I love Galaxy Quest. At first I was wondering the same thing you are, if I'd only like it because of Alan(I mean I just HAD to see it with Alan in it), but it turned out to be a very good movie, very entertaining, funny yet sad at the same time. Hope you enjoy it, too! Donna
donna
NY USA - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 05:10:28 (PDT)

Hi french everybody... I really wonder if I can stay on this GB when I read you : your english is so good... And now Mary write in a perfect french.... (really Mary, I can't believe you were your french professor's despair !) ... And, who knows, the Rickman admirer could sing in a perfect french to ? But you're all so kind and so interesting that I will impose my company on you for a time... Bad news ;-) A question now... I've seen once on TV a movie in which AR was playing with Laura Dern. I haven't seen the beginning... and not the end... You can imagine I were green ! (do you say that to meaning "very annoyed"). I remember that Laura Dern was wondering if he has killed his wife... So Has he ? Knowing that I find Star Trek boring, do you think I could love GQ for an other reason than AR ? (though he is a sufficient one, I agree !) Ewa thank you for the info : I'll try to see Rasputin on VOX. Alice, I'd love to travel a lot and live in different countries, but my husband has no feet ... he has roots instead of...
marialis
fontenay, france - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 04:38:36 (PDT)

I knew it, but I would't believe it; I said myself that it was only in my imagination, but not. This is a fantastic page, its a perfect site for all who like AR, but its only for english-speaking people. Why are you so close?, why don't you want to learn another languages?, ohhhh! of course you are the king of this kind of "forest" that is the world. Why to learn?, that is for the other people, they must learn to speak like you, not you try to understand with the rest of the world. I feel sorry for people so intolerant. Los que sois asķ teneis la mente muy pequeńita y sólo vosotros perdeis.
Chelo Vela <chelovel@wanadoo.esfoo>
Madrid, Spain - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 04:18:59 (PDT)

John & Sue

Where have you been??! Fu Man Chu was brought up around May29 and earlier. Haven't seen the Amnesty trailer though, so one up to you!
Sue
England - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 03:04:50 (PDT)

Hi fellow fans. just like to say that we saw the 'Amnesty Celebration' trailer last night on Ch.4 and there he was wearing glasses with script in hand! It's nice to see another 55yr old male, other than myself having to wear specs to read!! We would also like to order 2 Fried Rice and two Sweet & Sour Chicken from Mr Chu ! ! ! Explaination - We have not seen any comments on the Guest Book yet about AR starring as Fu Man Chu opposite Antonio Banderas in a new re-make. We read it about two weeks ago in the Daily Express. Has anyone else heard anything about this. Keep up the good work you guys.
John & Sue <jrnavigator@yahoo.co.ukfoo>
Derby, UK - Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 01:09:03 (PDT)

Has it occurred to anyone on the "descendant" issue, that they waited until too late to reproduce? As one who waited until her career was "at a certain point" - I watched too many friends unable to reproduce due various situations. I honestly feel I was one of the lucky ones, able to wait and have children. AR's commentary in several interviews might lead one to expect that they didn't plan to avoid another generation, but rather, weren't blessed with the ability. RomanLydia
RomanLydia <RomanLydia@aol.comfoo>
USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 21:30:59 (PDT)

This evening I was watching the AFI's salute to what they consider the 100 most "heart-pounding" films of all time. They did a countdown and there, in slot #39, was Die Hard! Pleasant surprise. I'll agree with them on the heart-pounding, though I'm sure mine always thumps for different reasons than the ones they were celebrating . . . *grin*

Mary Anne
"Gif me my detonatorsssss", USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 20:37:36 (PDT)

For people trying to find the newspaper, use the "find in this page" feature of your browser - usually under the "edit" pulldown menu. Use the word "express" (since it was in the Daily Express newspaper). Its only about 4 or 5 hits down the page. Much quicker than scrolling the guestbook to find something 2 or 3 weeks old!
*
- Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 17:14:44 (PDT)

I guess what I'll be forced to do is complete that thought. What I was TRYING to say was...

ARA, should you go there, I will be forced to retaliate with "Dominique" from The Singing Nun. I warn you, it will be ugly. Besides, no fear; I don't even want to admit how long it took me, and how many trips to the French dictionary, to come up with those few sentences.

But you're right, it's not fair. So what I thought I was saying was, "To our French friends, please forgive my French. It's not very good. We come from all over the world, but we share one thing in common: Alan Rickman. Isn't he marvelous? So welcome to the guestbook." 'Course, what I probably said was "The radiator is a stubby green dog" or something.

Alright, enough French. Hold your fire, ARA.
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, Il - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 15:25:46 (PDT)

ARA, should you go there, I will be forced to retaliate with
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, Il USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 15:17:41 (PDT)

Sorry for waffling twice in a row, but I've just read that our poor French friends have to watch AR dubbed!!!!!! Yegods! Its absolutely mortifying to think that you can see him but hear another voice. There is no other *voice*. The thought of that is too hideous to comprehend! Must admit the thought of AR speaking in French is quite beautiful, even though I wouldn't have a clue what he was talking about unless of course it was about my Aunts Pen or Brother John sleeping soundly. annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 15:15:16 (PDT)

A couple of nights ago I was watching t.v. very late and it was a political discussion re our recent General Election. It was about Michael Portillo, the Tory MP for Kensington and Chelsea, it is expected that he'll make a play for the leadership of the Tory Party, as I was beginning to fall asleep I jumped to hear AR being mentioned and they talked about the Labour Party having the idea that Alan R will make a great Labour Candidate for Kensington and Chelsea, and then it made me smile cause they said that RH had said Alan is good at pushing leaflets through doors but not to keen on the canvassing face to face bit. Well whenever anyone pushes anything through my door the 3 dogs go beserk and try to pull it through the letter box themselves,I usually open the door to apologise but to date I've only ever seen the postmans rear view! I had a wonderful vision of opening my door to AR , would he still be standing there brave and undaunted or would he, like most other folk be exiting at a rate of knots through my garden gate?!!! Methinks that by Gradvars Hammer he would remain dignified and aloof - no mean feat with 3 dogs hanging on to your rear end! Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 15:08:20 (PDT)

No problem. Double deleted.
Suz (D.o.C.)

Sorry for the double posting...
Alice
- Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 15:02:33 (PDT)

But we are posting in English !!! However, I would love to hear you sing Frere Jacques... ;o) Cheers,
Alice <variot@research.att.comfoo>
Berkeley Heights, NJ USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 15:01:44 (PDT)

I hate to play dirty, but if people start posting in French, I will be forced to sing "Frere Jacque"-and for anyone thinking of posting in Spanish, you do NOT want to hear my rendition of "Guantanamera"! I will be appeased, however, if the posting is followed by English subtitles...
a Rickman admirer
- Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 14:07:18 (PDT)

Hello again, Mary -- Your French was great! I would have given you an A. ;o) I think the greatest problem about living in a non-English-speaking country (as far as AR is concerned) is that you miss a lot of his movies (like Close my eyes, Closet Land, An awfully big adventure, etc.). The TV does not show them and they're not in the theaters. So the only solution is to pack and leave for one of these lucky English-speaking countries. That's how I got to see a lot of his movies!!! Cheers,
Alice <variot@research.att.comfoo>
Berkeley Heights, NJ USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 13:56:18 (PDT)

News for all those who have access to German VOX channel: They are showing "Rasputin" on Thursday, 14th at 20.15.

Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 11:50:02 (PDT)

A nos amis francais; pardonnez-vous mon Francais, s'il vous plait. Il n'est pas tres bon. Nous venons de partout dans le monde, mais nous partageons les memes chose: Alan Rickman. N'est-il pas merveilleux? Ainsi bienvenue au guestbook!

Did I butcher that too badly? I was the despair of my French professor, a kind-hearted Parisian who continually gave me "C" grades only because he didn't want to ruin my grade point average (when I was in high school, the first French phrase was "Avez-vous une amis dans la classe de Francais?" That was the first and last I learned until my late return to college four years ago).

I feel jealous of all the opportunities available to you Brits until I realize how little access fans in other countries have to the videos and shows. But keep the light on in the bedroom Sue, we'll all be over.

Julia, why are you heartbroken? Especially with a husband like yours.
Mary
McHenry, - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 11:40:18 (PDT)

Bon Jour GML, Marialis et Alice, et maintenant..(that's all you are getting!)

HELP I'M A FISH NEWS--Whilst trawling the Sky Movie Interactive page I came across a list of prospective dates for new cinema releases in UK until the end of the year.HIAF is set for release on 10th August 2001. So even if it is only (ONLY!)the voice at least thats something to look forward to. I knew having a 10 year old son would come in use one day (and he loves Harry Potter...).
Sue
England - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 11:20:58 (PDT)

Salut Marialis et GML, Here is another French admirer of our dear Mr Rickman! I'm originally from Bordeaux but I live in the US for the moment. Funny enough, I also thought I was almost the only one in France to admire AR. Hopefully, I'm wrong... A plus,
Alice <variot@research.att.comfoo>
Berkeley Heights, NJ USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 09:00:51 (PDT)

To those who wish to see that photo scroll down, it's there somewhere. Still no sign of the Beckett plays, at least not before 22nd June anyway.
Very tired, Elizabeth, I am going to bed!!! <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 08:23:18 (PDT)

Couldn't someone PLEASE post the AR and RH real estate shopping photo for those poor folks in the US? (and elsewhere, of course!) I'd appreciate it so much!
Roman Lydia <RomanLydia@aol.comfoo>
USA - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 08:00:16 (PDT)

His performance as Colonel Brandon made me read Sense and Sensibility... in english. So, as I've said before, I'm not very fond of XIXth litterature but I like this movie because the director, putting a sort of distance between the drama and the audience, introduce humour. I think particularly to the scene where the little sister, the mother and Marian all went crying in their own bedrooms and leave Emma Thompson alone in the stairs. This scene is funny, isn't it ? About dubbing, I always try to see movies in Original Version but it isn't always easy and alas the french actor who dub AR is far to have a so beautiful and deep voice. The voice is a part of a person. Can you imagine Morgan Freeman beeing white ? Or Mel Gibson without his marvellous blue eyes... and Julia Robert without her grin ? But my english isn't good enough to watch a film without the "sous-titre" (when it's written at the bottom of the screen) Hey Sue... and the others : you want to speak french better ? Practice it as I do with my english : write your admiration to Alan in french... and it could be much easier to me to read you...;-)
Marialis
Fontenay, france - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 03:16:21 (PDT)

This has to be one of the most active guestbooks on the whole internet. I have had to miss a couple of days courtesy of BTinternet and their problems and have had to catch up on masses of entries. I can put my withdrawal symptons away now. Channel Four have started advertising the Amnesty Concert showing on Saturday but have'nt spotted AR in advert yet!
Jill
UK - Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 00:06:55 (PDT)

NO! But I *love* "nudge, nudge, wink, wink"!!!! WHY??
Julia, heartbroken
Calgary, Canada - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 22:06:05 (PDT)

I can not see the pic of AR&RH. how can I see it??
Pearl <s850326@yahoo.comfoo>
KH, Taiwan - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 18:28:38 (PDT)

I have some LOVELY news for y'all...Alan Rickman is going to appear as Eugene/Fighting Guy in Nikki (2000/II) (TV)...whatever that is! HAHA. When I hear more, i'll get back to you! Ciao~
Emily <DkNy9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 18:00:28 (PDT)

Just sharing my GQ fix for the day (many of you may have already read this, so forgive me for posting old news). God, I love that man! What a graceful and funny person. "Alan Rickman on beaming aboard for Galaxy Quest: “I just thought, ‘What a brilliant idea. How come nobody has done this before?’ It was incredible that that one slipped through the net. It is a great idea and genuinely funny on the page. I just wanted to do some comedy.”

On wearing the prosthetic designed by Stan Winston: “I thought it was important for it to be good enough to convince the aliens who believe we’re the real thing, but also cheesy enough to imagine that it was something he applied himself. I didn’t complain. I only had to take a look at the poor actor playing Sarris (Robin Sachs) who spent six hours in make-up and every hour or so was given a little wooden stool to sit on and smoked with a cigarette holder…”

On why Galaxy Quest is so funny: “[It’s played] dead straight. That’s true comedy I think. If you do ‘nudge nudge, wink wink’, I don’t laugh. We are playing real people with real lives. You’ve got that as your guiding force all the time. It doesn’t matter how ridiculous the situation is - these are people who have to go and buy milk. These are real people caught up in an extraordinary situation.”

Rickman on sci-fi fans who imitate their heroes: “I think it’s great that there are people who leave their boring old jobs and get dressed up in costumes and live a fantasy life for a moment. God knows that’s what I spend my life doing.”"

(From Trekbbs.com)
Mary
McHenry, Il - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 17:22:42 (PDT)

Donna, if you'd click on Claire's name when she posts, she generally links it to her "picture page" (and often posts when she's changed the pictures!).
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 15:45:19 (PDT)

I agree with GML that dubbing is a horrible thing. But there is something much worse, and unfortunately I'm doomed to it, and that is when the whole script is read by one person in the language of the viewers. We've got it here in Poland, and believe me, it is much, much, much worse. I once tried to watch "Michael Collins" dubbed German (know the language just to catch the gist), but I couldn't force myself to watch Alan Rickman without His voice. I've read all Jane Austen's novels and I simply love them. It was quite long ago, so I need to re-read them, but it will be a pleasure to read "S&S" imagining Mr Rickman as Colonel Brandon.
Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 15:13:33 (PDT)

Barbara, can you tell me which photos of Claires are you talking about when you were wondering who the girl in the photo was? I couldn't seem to find any Claire photos on the site. Maybe I just overlooked it, but please tell me! Thanks in advance-Donna
donna
USA - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 15:06:00 (PDT)

Sue, thanks for the nice words. We do have the equivalent of 'la plume de ma tante' in French: an old method for French English-language beginners called 'My Taylor is rich' ( or something like that... that was before my generation) - Anyway, the standard joke in France, when asked if you can speak English, is to say: "My taylor is rich" "... Uh, but my English is poor!" - First time I served the "taylor is rich" joke to English friends, they looked just as puzzled as Marialis sounded by your auntie's pen! ;))

And now that everybody is thoroughly confused, I'll come back to Alan. Marialis, don't worry about tenses, we're not marking these messages with red ink! Are you at university? I loved Truly Madly Deeply too, beautiful, *sgniff*, and fell in love with Brandon too - but I love XIXth century settings! I studied XIXth century English literature for a while you see! Hey, they had Brandons in these days! ;) - I've seen a few more of his films than you have, and fortunately all in the original English version. I hate dubbings as a rule (an actor without his own voice is reduced to not much more than a puppet) and you're right, he has a great voice. I hope the French actor they have chosen to dub him has a comparable range - but I'm not planning to find out. If your video player can play PAL tapes (French tapes are SECAM but most recent-ish players can cope with PAL), you can buy some of Alan's English movies from www.amazon.co.uk and enjoy the voice!
GML
UK - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 13:48:43 (PDT)

Jean Anderson died on April 1 at the age of 93. Her Times obit. can be seen on-line.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 12:56:14 (PDT)

Didn't Jean Anderson play the original Madame de Rosemonde in Les Liaisons Dangereuses? And wasn't she also just in Billy Elliott?
Rebecca
Seattle, USA - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 11:19:27 (PDT)

Hope all our Texas chums are safe and well.
Sue
England - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 10:42:35 (PDT)

Annie-Yes, I meant funny as a compliment. I enjoyed reading the posts you put here on the site. Die Hard was on last night on FX, though I've had it on video for quite awhile now I still watched part of the second showing of it last night with my son. Would have watched the earlier showing of it, but we had a power failure here last night for 3 hrs. so had to sit by candlelight.
donna
NY USA - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 10:24:47 (PDT)

Hi you all! I just have to say this:Im allmost glad that Alan haven`t got childrem.(yet..he can still have,can´t he?Maybe..but not whit Rima.?)For me,it`s hard to think of him,as a father...it`s impossible! But Im sure that he`s child would look very beatifull! Ok..lets change the subject:Alan`s movies are SO hard to find!(guess someone has noticed?It`s impossible to find them whit finnish text...) Anyway:I envy those who live in England....and I wish all good for them!
anna <shokradio@yahoo.comfoo>
- Monday, June 11, 2001 at 09:39:50 (PDT)

"La plume de ma tante est dans la conservatoire" was the sort of phrase that beginners in French had to learn many,many years ago. It now is just a sort of joke phrase to show how inept we are at languages.(I'll stick to English from now on).
Sue <pretentious,moi?.comfoo>
England - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 09:26:44 (PDT)

Ah, Sue, alas, 'tis true.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 09:22:01 (PDT)

Sue I'm sorry but I don't understand the problem with your aunt ?
Marialis
FONTENAY, FRANCE - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 08:59:19 (PDT)

Marialis and GML-you make me feel very guilty. Your English is so good whereas my French is,along with la plume de ma tante,still in the conservatory!!
Sue
England - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 08:55:24 (PDT)

Hello GML, I am glad to meet another french fan of the great Alan... I'll try to write in english even if I'm not fluent because it's more correct for the other users of this page and it's a good exercise for me... In France we say : joindre l'utile ą l'agréable... I've got problems with the tense particularly... To answer to your question, I haven't seen a lot of films of AR : TMD (THE MASTERPIECE !), Die Hard (watching it on TV yesterday, I dreamed to see this Hans Grubber playing the Vicomte de Valmont), Mickael Collins (nothing to say about it... "bof") Robin Hood (And I love Morgan Freeman to) and I fell in love with colonel Brandon (I've read here that I 'm not the only one) even if the litterature of the XIXth always make me smile (all that melodrama's effects... The story of the poor girl left alone pregnant... it sound quite ridiculous now, doesn't it ?)But I have a regret : I only have heard his voice in TMD... all the other films I saw were in french translation... And he actually has a beautiful voice... What about you ?
Marialis
FONTENAY, FRANCE - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 08:50:13 (PDT)

Don't worry Elizabeth the anagram was mine not yours. I think Georgiana was a little overwrought that day at the thought of AR on stage.
Sue
England - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 06:53:36 (PDT)

I'm sorry Georgina, you tried to anagram what?
Eliazbeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 06:06:48 (PDT)

I'm Sorry, that email was wrong, it's 3 not # in my email... Bye!
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Australia - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 00:50:42 (PDT)

Gabby, the entry of this much written about photo is at May 26th on this GB. I got this info from a good friend and I think that I have made my opinion Clear here on this GB - maybe I could say that it adhear's to another of Shakespeare's plays and one of my favourites, "Much Ado About Nothing".Derek Jacobi at the Royal Shakespear Theatre, Straford-Upon Avon in 1982 was wonderful but I think the movie with the GREAT Emma Thompson and her then Husband Kenneth Branagh, was a delight to watch. Welcome to this wonderful GB and I hope more Australians will write here now, and in the future. I really miss all Australians who have written here in the past and the more we contribute to this GB maybe the more AR's Managers will take notice as I am sure they do READ these pages. I really think that a lot of Australians like AR's work, and if we show how much we appreciate his inspiring work, we will see what he does much quicker..... I hope to read from you all soon!
Barbara the Aussie <hermione (underscore)#@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast , Australia - Monday, June 11, 2001 at 00:46:48 (PDT)

Actually, Georgiana, the original instructions for a glass harmonica warned people who are melancholy or easily upset not to listen or play. So, being a chronic depressive, I'm afraid I'll have to pass! ;)
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 22:11:35 (PDT)

Hey guys, im a lurker but have finally decided to come out and speak, or rather make a request. Could somebody please email me the photo or the link of Alan walking with Rima that was discussed in late May. I cant find it and its driving me crazy! Any help would be much appreciated!!!!!!! LL&L Gabby
Gabby <de_valera@hotmail.comfoo>
Melbourne, Australia - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 21:31:08 (PDT)

I don't know who the young lady is, but she surely looks a lot like him-same eye shape and coloring and hair tint-wonder if it is one of his nieces....
a Rickman admirer
- Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 20:55:16 (PDT)

Hello everyone, I really hope that AR goes back to the stage!!!! How I wish I could be there... Claire, the new Photo's are really great but unfortunatly, I don't know who is in the first one. Anyone in the U.K. know who this lady is?OT/ Julia, I tried to email you but got nowhere.... could you try and email me? Would be happy to answer any questions! Bye.
barbara the aussie <hermione_3@hotmail.comfoo>
Gold Coast, Australia - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 18:01:32 (PDT)

Julia, as a GB denizen pointed out to me some time ago, one of the best known performers on the 'glass armonica' is William Zeitler, who lives in Seattle, performs regularly (especially around Christmas time), and has CDs available, if you would like to play recordings of glass armonica music at home.
Georgiana
Seattle - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 15:25:25 (PDT)

An interesting bit of Trivia: In Mesmer, the instrument that the doctor keeps playing (the one that looks like a whole bunch of cereal bowls in a box that make that wet-finger-to-glass-rim noise) is actually called a glass harmonmica. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin, and went out of style after the bad press associated with Mesmer's use of it. Modern versions are avilable from a master glassmaker named Gerhard Finkenbeiner, whose factory is in Lenox (I think) Massachussets. They are available for apporximately $15000 USD. No wonder the production of Mesmer went bust! ;)
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 13:48:57 (PDT)

Thanks for the compliment - I think! - funny *is* a compliment isn't it?!? My kids just watched Galaxy Quest for the 4th time with their dad who hasn't seen it before. Every time Alexander gave one of his *looks* they both turned and told their dad 'its just like you Daddy'. 'For Godsake' was the retort accompanied by a *withering* sigh ..... out of the mouth of babes...
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 12:42:53 (PDT)

Jill, I still had trouble getting on here today & for the past week we've been having trouble with the internet as well. It's frustrating, especially to me because I'm new at this computer stuff. Annie, you are so funny! I enjoyed reading your post. I liked Col. Brandon right from the start, too. What's with those nuns anyway!
donna
NY USA - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 12:16:17 (PDT)

The London Times reported on Friday that Mr. Rickman spoke at memorial services for Miss Jean Anderson, actress.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 09:46:14 (PDT)

Lucky Annie, to have seen him in LLD! *sigh*

VCR alert: Die Hard will air this evening on FX at 7:00 Central Standard Time. Check your local listings, and take the necessary terrorist/exceptional thief precautions . . .

Mary Anne
"Now I have a machine gun . . . Ho Ho Ho . . .", USA - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 08:51:56 (PDT)

Can I just say to all that haven't yet seen AR on stage, I saw him in the eighties in LLD. It was the most sensual performance I've ever seen and I came out of the theatre with steam coming out of my ears. I realise Private Lives doesn't have *quite* the overtly sensual context as LLD but I for one will be carrying a tiny hip flask of brandy secreted upon my person ready for resuccitation purposes! Anniex.
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 04:32:31 (PDT)

Sue, Thanks for the info, I'm off to WHSmith tomorrow. I hate ironing sooo much I have an order of videos to get me through the huge pile I always have, TMD was always first, followed by S&S if its a particularly huge pile.... a short tale of unrequited love.... I attended a convent, a very strict girls convent in the 60's and 70's. At 15 I had to read S & S for my mock O'levels. I fell deeply in love with Colonel Brandon which annoyed the nuns considerably as when asked for my hero of the book I declared it to be Brandon, it seems we were meant to choose one of the women! ... the nuns were quite appalled I picked a man I was from thereon considered a scarlet woman... but Brandon was my hero and I've been looking for him ever since... when I first saw AR as Brandon he exceeded everything I'd ever imagined...I'm on my second husband now and still I haven't found him, I'm beginning to think he doesn't exist...my first husband was a real Willoughby and this one..well there's alot of Alexander Dane in there.... those withering looks are most familiar, all he needs is a stick on latex head and he'd be the man himself, mind you like Alexander he is rather loveable so I guess I'll stick with this one and just dream of dear Brandon.. Ah me...such is life! Annie xx
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 04:25:44 (PDT)

Thanks Sue-if only I knew how to swim.
a Rickman admirer
- Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 00:26:26 (PDT)

Yes in a word - I could only get onto the guestbook to catch up just now by going onto the Rickmanista site and going via the links page. I thought it was only me though as I could'nt get onto the internet at all yesterday - very frustrating!!! Claire - the bubbles are wonderful why are'nt they a regular feature?
Jill
UK - Sunday, June 10, 2001 at 00:19:45 (PDT)

Lynn-Thanks for the post about the tv network. I'm glad I have the film on tape because we don't have that channel on our cable.My neighbors might get it-they have satellite tv. Has anyone else had trouble off & on lately getting onto this site? It took me forever tonight just to get on here.
donna
USA - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 18:34:35 (PDT)

Did I just do something to the guestbook? Sorry. I don't know what I did , but I hope it can be fixed.

Again I apologize...
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 17:26:47 (PDT)

Hi donna, and to all interested in the movie coming on this week (CME) its on Showcase. In Ottawa it's channel 39, but it may be on a different channel in different parts of the country, and for though's outside Canada you will have to check you stations, but it's Showcase.
It's on midnight Wed./Thurs June 13/14th. Hope that helps to you all, and enjoy our Man....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 17:23:51 (PDT)

Never! we would be lost without you. Just trying to get you over here, that's all.
Sue
England - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 13:55:09 (PDT)

Sue, is the "big Swim" sponsorship another way to "vote me off the island"? If it is, just say the word, and I'll go.
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 13:20:47 (PDT)

Claire-Thanks for the new pix and the "bubble".:-)
Sue
England - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 11:58:52 (PDT)

Lynn-I'm just curious. I have CME on video, but was just wondering which channel you were speaking about because we get alot of Canadian shows here, too. Were you possibly speaking of Bravo because I've seen quite a few of his films on there. It's just a shame that when they put them on tv they chop parts out & it's not quite the same. If you could post again & type in the channel for all those fans who don't have it on video.
donna
USA - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 08:14:37 (PDT)

Sorry if this is old news. The Daily Mail - Friday 8th June has this to say. "Watch out for Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan who are in talks with the producer Duncan Weldon about starring in Noel Coward's Private Lives in the West End with Howard Davies directing in the autumn. This rather puts the kibosh on the production which Ralph Fiennes had been considering. Mr Fiennes even went so far as to do a reading of the bittersweet comedy with Joely Richardson." So it looks like there will be a production of this play, but who will star ??? Claire - I haven't forgotten about you. Not been well lately. Catherine
Catherine <catherine.bowles@virgin.netfoo>
Halifax, England - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 07:50:01 (PDT)

ALAN RICKMAN ON TELEVISION ALERT!

To all Canadians and anyone who can get the channel AR will be on tv this week.
He will be on at midnight Wed/Thurs June 13/14th. He will be in CLOSE MY EYES.
I just hope I can stay up that late. I have been falling asleep lately around eight o'clock. I work shift work so it's hard to stay awake.
I know whom ever watches it will enjoy it.....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 07:00:22 (PDT)

Georgiana-the word was slapper. This is a derogatory term used by men(but not exclusively) about women who are deemed to have been round the block several times(sexually speaking).Hope that makes sense.

Rickman Admirer(the original)-How can we be sure YOU are the original? How do we KNOW that someone out there is not making clones of you? How do we KNOW that you are not some sort of "Stepford" Rickman Admirer??? Anyway I'm sure there will be lots of takers for sponsorship forms for your BIG Swim;)
Sue <they'vechangedtherulesoftheU2competitionandmy600entriesarevoid.comfoo>
England - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 04:14:01 (PDT)

Salut Marialis!

Maintenant on est au moins deux admiratrices franēaises sur ce forum! J'habite en Angleterre mais je suis des Ardennes. J'ai lu ici qu'Alan va faire un film ą Versailles, ou du moins sur le jardinier qui a dessiné les jardins de Versailles... as-tu vu tous ses films?

Hope French is not forbidden here, just a one off, I couldn't resist it: I've found a compatriot! I wasn't saying anything nasty in your backs, promised! ;)
GML
UK - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 01:26:19 (PDT)

Am I the only french fan of AR ? He isn't actually famous, here, in France... To explain who he is, I have to talk about villains of Die Hard or Robin Hood... Quite nobody have seen the masterpiece "Truly Madly Deeply"... So I felt a little lonely ! Here, I have never read an interview of him ! Never an article... So I thought I were the only one on the earth to know his name... Untill I discover all these passionating sites on the web... So thank you for being here, Thank you for existing and for loving him. And thank you especially to those who make sites, collect interviews and pictures and share with us their treasures...
MARIALIS
FONTENAY, F FRANCE - Saturday, June 09, 2001 at 00:57:17 (PDT)

quick, which films? "I need the NEC" "It's lovely. Very useful" only Alan films, no one elses
donna
usa - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 21:52:27 (PDT)

Elizabeth, I anagram'd it and still can't tell--must by one of those Brit idioms!
Georgiana (So excited by potential board-treading that I couldn't even spell 'sense'!)
Seattle - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 20:40:24 (PDT)

"Recognize this? It belonged to your father" "I'm going to cut your heart out with a spoon" ok, which film?
donna
usa - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 18:55:19 (PDT)

When I heard that there is a slight possibility that Mr Rickman would appear on stage, I thought that my dreams would come true. I would be spending all my savings to be able to come to London, but it certainly is worth it. And I don't really care how much it will all cost, as long as I will be able to see Him. And I can't tell you how much I envy those of you who live in England. But at least I have a chance...
Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 15:05:07 (PDT)

Lindsay Duncan and Alan Rickman in a play?I would swim to London!{that's about the only way I can afford a trip, BTW}
a Rickman admirer{the original}
- Friday, June 08, 2001 at 14:09:50 (PDT)

Annie- I got my copy of TMD at WHSmith earlier this year. I ordered it at the video counter on their on-line site (just make sure that the assistant can spell Truly or else it says unavailable).It will then be delivered to your door in about 10 days.
Sue
England - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 12:52:09 (PDT)

Hi, great to see other like minded people - I'm a die hard Colonel Brandon fan but Can anyone help? My tape of Truly,Madly Deeply just breathed its last breath and now I can't seem to find it on sale anywhere on net. I've searched all the on line stores and it seems to be unavailable. Anyone any ideas? Don't think I'll survive the ironing without my TMD vid to help me through.
Annie <Pimpernel@37.comfoo>
London, England - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 12:20:52 (PDT)

Georgiana-just put a couple of P's,an E,A,R and L and you've got yourself an anagram.(Actually I'm not sure if it's used Stateside,let me know) Elizabeth-I'm not sure if praying for that sort of thing is Kosher (sorry, wrong religion).
Sue
England - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 11:27:21 (PDT)

BLOW DRY is out for rental on mainland Europe - saw the DVD yesterday in Holland.

What a neat idea of the London Tourist Board to boost our post Foot and Mouth flagging US visitor numbers - leak a possible Alan Rickman London Stage performance !!

Claire
- Friday, June 08, 2001 at 11:26:45 (PDT)

QUERY: Anyone have a sence of what ananova's track record is?
Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 11:21:16 (PDT)

Sue, I have no idea what an old "s*****" is, but grand news! Perhaps 'fall' will coincide with the London vacation I just booked for end of October/early November.
Georgiana (Congrats on mastering the link!)
Seattle - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 11:20:36 (PDT)

Oh please please please let it be true, I might even take up religion and start praying every day, which could be a turning point in itself (I renounced God at the age of 10 much to the disgust of my headmistress who became a priest).
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 11:10:02 (PDT)

Dear a Rickman admirer (the original):

Actually, on this particular day, I was wearing my Ronald McDonald costume. Or maybe it was Hamburglar . . .

Please, please, please, God, don't let this dream, this tiny glimmer of hope, this minute possibility of seeing AR on stage, be dashed to pieces on the rocky shore of reality! That would seriously suck. (Pardon the language.) I'm sorry, it's finally Friday, and, since this week has been at least forty-five days long . . . I'm a little crazy.

Jennifer
Jennifer <jelleebaby@yahoo.comfoo>
MD - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 10:19:45 (PDT)

To think just 3 weeks ago I was a"link" virgin!!Now I'm just an old "s******".
Sue
England - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 05:58:54 (PDT)

Heres the link for Jill's news-www.ananova.com I will be offering very reasonable B&B rates to our foreign visitors!!!!!
Sue
England - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 05:55:34 (PDT)

Don't all faint at once but Ananova is reporting that Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan are in talks to star opposite each other in the London West End revival of Noel Coward's Private Lives. This is likely to take place in the autumn but there was no mention of which theatre is likely to be involved. If anyone can add any further information about this I for one would be interested!!!!!
Jill
UK - Friday, June 08, 2001 at 05:41:47 (PDT)

Jennifer, maybe he was talking about Colonel Sanders...of course, if you choose to walk around in that white suit with a black string tie, a goatee and those black glasses, it is your business.....for some reason I'm getting hungry.
a Rickman admirer{the original one}
- Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 23:22:19 (PDT)

I love this page! Sooooooo many pictures to view and information to absorb about Alan Rickman! I especially liked that picture with the bust...(^-^) Hey, I've been doing some reading around the Internet, and I've read in a website that many of the adult cast of the upcoming Harry Potter (I love Harry Potter!) movie will continue playing out their roles in the sequel. It named names, but I didn't see Alan Rickman's name---got anything on that, perchance?
Zel-Anne <zelanne@yahoo.comfoo>
Philippines - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 22:37:33 (PDT)

Dear "another fan from Rickmantown" (this would be a lot easier if you gave at least a first name. Make one up if you want to stay anonymous! You can be Bertha, or something!) Mr. Rickman gave a lecture for the benefit of drama students aged 15-19 under the auspices of the Theatre Royal Haymarket's Masterclass program. This took place on October 17, 2000. Even though I am not a student, I was able to attend, and meet some other Rickman fans (I don't know if they want to be identified or not, so I won't name them, but they came from many different countries.) including Phyllida Law (who was very apprehensive about Alan getting mad at her for coming!). The lecture (which Alan preffered to call "In conversation with...") lasted about 2 hours, and then Mr Rickman signed some autographs outside. The information wasn't earth-shattering, mostly the usual kinds of things he's said in interviews, but he seemed to be genuinely helpful to the kids when he answered their questions. I did tape the masterclass, but my tapes didn't turn out--probably serves me right for doing something illegal! My quote came from a newsletter I received from the theatre, which featured it on the front page. I hope that helps a little. I'm sorry for not being more specific, but I really can't remember much of what he said. I was in a daze about being so close to the man Himself!
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, Canada - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 18:39:56 (PDT)

To Sara: Hopefully, no one will "rip you to shreds" for posting your feelings on the children issue. I thought what you said was very sensible. I, too, remember reading that AR had wanted to have children, but that, after considering Rima's wishes, they had decided together not to. I think it's their own business. It astonishes me how much pressure there is, even today, to have children, and have them right away. My husband and I just celebrated our three year anniversary, and I have found myself answering the question, "When are you two going to have a baby?" more than I'd like. Someone actually recently remarked, "Well, I guess you guys aren't planning to have any children." An assumption that was not only totally incorrect, but also unbelievably rude. I guess what I'm saying is that people need to be free to make their own choices about their lives, without family, friends, co-workers, random individuals commenting or pressuring them one way or the other. All right. I'm finished preaching now.

More on the AR topic: The other day, my husband and I went and purchased a new car, and had to swing by the credit union to pick up the check. The building is about a hundred yards from the McCormick spice factory, and when I got out of the car, I said, "The air is full of spices," thinking that there was no way that my husband would know what the heck I was talking about. He smiled, though, and said, "Come on, Colonel." The man did me proud.

Jennifer
Jennifer <jelleebaby@yahoo.comfoo>
MD - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 16:11:38 (PDT)

First off, thanks Jutta for the Radio Times link! I've been away from computers for a while and hence unable to check this book, but I got there in the end! I also finally managed to watch "Rasputin" and, well... Oh. My. God. I was trying to watch it in some kind of half sensible scholarly way, and just kept getting soooo distracted. I've watched it another twice since then and I'm able to concentrate a little better, but only enough to be able to register that it's a really wonderful, extremely well done, quality film that I would enjoy even if himself weren't in it. But oh, god, has anyone _ever_ looked quite that attractive actually in the act of drunken puking?! No fair! But all this speculation about why Alan and Rima don't have kids, and the assumption from some people that they must be missing out because of it... I'm sure I read in an interview somewhere that he _did_ want to have kids but she wasn't into the idea. There was something about him sort of wishing sometimes that three kids would just fall from the sky, a ready-made family, one twelve, one ten and one eight, or something, and it's quite a big thing to be wishing for, and that's really sad. But I can totally see where Rima's coming from. I'm 27 and kind of assumed when I was younger that I'd be thinking of having kids by now, but I'm far too busy with my job and my social life. My partner and I are having way too much fun. We've both got jobs we love, no real responsibility for anyone other than ourselves, and while we're not exactly minted, enough cash to have a really good time and just enjoy being who we are and doing what we do, and that includes work, messing around and time by ourselves (and yes, we do know how lucky we are, thanks). Er, I'm going on and on now, I'll stop soon. I just mean, you know, don't assume that having kids is the be all and end all. Not to be disparaging about parenthood at all - it's a massive, massive responsibility and incredibly hard and I have the utmost admiration for people who make good parents (and an equal amount of despair when I see people with kids who seem to have had them either by accident, or just because, well, that's what you do, isn't it? Have kids?) and I can see from talking to friends who have kids how rewarding it can be, but different people have different priorities. And it looks like Rima's was her career, and Alan loves her enough for that not to be a problem that would split them up. And that's something _really_ rare. OK. Piece said. Rip me to shreds...
sara
london, uk - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 09:58:49 (PDT)

OT: Is there any way to view the Page Breaks in FOF for printing purposes?
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 08:36:18 (PDT)

Kathleen, I changed computers and have not been able to change everything over (hardware incompatibilities). Perhaps you would be so kind as to e-mail me again? (Oh, please, oh please!?)

Emily, "Benefactors" ran on BBC and commercial tapes were not available. It is held in private collections. I will e-mail you about this.
Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 07:58:12 (PDT)

Julia, I am still waiting for you to post about where you got the information about that Masterclass Of Alan's in October. You seem to quote from it often, did you film it or something? Please, let us all know about it.
another fan
Rickmantown - Thursday, June 07, 2001 at 06:10:37 (PDT)

Georgiana, if you still have my address, mail me and I'll get a tape to you.
Kathleen
Essex, UK - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 22:31:04 (PDT)

Do any of you know anything about Benefactors and maybe where I could find it? Also, what is Babitzky's war? Boy I wish I lived in the UK!
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 15:41:07 (PDT)

The Channel 4 website lists "Babitski's War" on their Friday late night (i.e., Saturday morning) schedule at 3:05--therefore showing early morning Saturday June 9. ...For those of you luckily setting your VCRs...
Georgiana (I've been trying to get ahold of this...)
Seattle - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 15:17:15 (PDT)

Blackstar.co.uk says Babitski's War is showing on Channel 4 on Friday, June 8.
Georgiana
Seattle - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 13:58:22 (PDT)

Hi Kathleen?

"For those that missed it first time around, "Babitski's War" is being shown in the UK on Channel 4 at 3.05AM on Saturday 9th June." - Sincere thanks for letting us know, but are you sure of the date? I had a quick check on a TV programme and could not find it. Could it be a regional broadcast?
GML
UK - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 13:34:21 (PDT)

Sorry, this is my e-mail address.I missed a letter.Sorry.
Beverly <bevers@mulderand scullyfoo>
- Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 06:54:40 (PDT)

Hello everyone, this is the first time I'm writing a message.You've all got loads of pictures and I don't know where to start.If anyone could give me a lead to some really amazing ones, I'd really appreciate it.I've seen some pictures, but I want 'take my breath away' ones now. Thanks.I've only just recently become a Rickman fan, so I'm just starting out!
Beverly <bevrs@mulderandscully.co.ukfoo>
kent, England - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 06:53:25 (PDT)

Hello all, I still cannot find anything on Play so I will have to presume that it won't be shown until the last week of June. I will keep you posted.

I have just done my second Eng Lit exam, and about halfway through I thought how nice it would be if AR did a recording of all Ted Hughes poetry. He would be excellant, especailly with the "Crow" poems. (not exactly the helpful thought I needed as I was writing an essay on Hughes most tricky poem!) And then I was doing my Wuthering Heights essay and he would be a perfect Mr Lockwood, a kind of cross between Brandon/Metatron/ and Sinclair! Um that could be interesting.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 04:55:53 (PDT)

I wish BBC America would replay all of the shows Alan Rickman was featured on. It's sad that they never show him. :(
Misty <rs-13@webtv.netfoo>
Cleveland, Ohio America - Wednesday, June 06, 2001 at 03:53:49 (PDT)

Hi Ewa from Warsaw, I can empathize with your movie-viewing dilemma to some degree for an American. I considered myself very lucky to have had access to the film collection at UCLA in the late 1960's and early 70's when I attended. There was no other way to see classic, or even recently current movies in those pre-cable, pre-video eras then! Maybe the occasional "art-house" movie cinematheque in your larger cities, then the "midnight movie" craze in the later seventies. American regular broadcast television wasn't so attuned to showing movies either in those days...
FastFilm
Los Angeles, CA USA - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 21:46:37 (PDT)

I was doing some scrolling tonight & saw a post from Julia of Canada talking about an Alan Masterclass from October. Where did you get this information & loooong quote? Must have a good memory. hee hee hee
another fan
Rickmantown - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 20:37:54 (PDT)

Mary-thanks for the info on the blood ticks. I'd forgotten what the people called that bowlful in GQ. Just found another catalogue of interesting British items including videos. It's The British Collection by Fusion International 1-800-959-0061 fax 1-800-882-4010 "Just Like Mother Used to Make"
donna
NY USA - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 20:02:36 (PDT)

OT--For those of you who love Python, too... Monty Python And The Holy Grail Theatrical Release The 2001 Theatrical Release features all new negative and stereo soundtrack and missing footage. Release dates: Cinema Village - New York - June 15 NuArt - Los Angeles - June 15 Kendall Square - Boston - June 15 Century Centre Cinema - Chicago - June 15 Lumiere - San Francisco - June 29 Shattuck - Berkeley - June 29 Egyptian - Seattle - July 6 Let me just say that I am very envious of those of you who live in these cities! ;)
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 18:42:46 (PDT)

As I've written before, I got crazy about Mr Rickman quite recently, but I just wanted to add that he dethroned Sean Connery. After long, long years of admiring Mr Connery, I have to admit that it was nothing compared to what I feel now for Mr Rickman. And as for Pauline Dixon's "lost" admiration for Tom Cruise: you're not the only one. I've got a friend who's in the same shoes, so to say. And I really envy those of you who live in English-speaking countries as their access to movies with Mr Rickman is much easier. They are rarely shown on TV here, and although I have cable TV, I don't have access to many English channels (it's sooooo unfortunate). And what's really sad, is the fact that not many people know who Mr Rickman is. Most of them remember Him because they saw Dogma, but they can't even recall His name. Soooo sad! And I'm soooo happy to have joined all Mr Rickman's admirers in their admiration.
Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 18:34:33 (PDT)

Georgiana, did you catch AR co-star Josh Hartnett in "Still Crazy" by any chance? (Convincing in the part of slinky young rocker, I thought.) Perhaps he fancies himself the male Gwyneth Paltrow, doing "British" whenever he can get away with it in the casting.
FastFilm
L.A., - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 18:30:37 (PDT)

With the opening of "Pearl Harbor," the Evening Standard on-line (This is London) has an article on Josh Hartnett which contains the following:

Unfortunately, there also followed the UK film Blow Dry. Written by Simon Beaufoy, who penned The Full Monty, but thwarted by American marketing which necessitated a US star, it saw Hartnett as an unlikely native of Keighley, Yorkshire. Not since Dick Van Dyke's chim-er-ney sweep has there been such a grating on the ears of Briddish cinemagoers. 'Painful,' said the Mail On Sunday. 'You recoil every time Hartnett opens his mouth,' wailed the Independent.

'That was a fun movie to make, up in Bradford, just hanging out in the pubs and taking it easy,' he says, having spent some time in London, too, where he made several trips to see Arsenal play and was very impressed, apparently, with 'that French guy'. 'Hanging out with Alan Rickman and Natasha Richardson. It was cool, a really good time. But we had an Irish director and crew, all the actors were from London, and I was supposed to play a guy from Yorkshire. I'd never heard a Yorkshire accent before. It was pretty tough because nobody spoke with the accent on set.'

Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 17:59:47 (PDT)

So Alan joined the ranks of the star-studded Amnesty oganisation, hmm? Him, and Gabriel Byrne, and U2, and the Eurythmics, and probably everyone else in the baby boomer star roster. Good thing he didn't grow up in a socially repressive country like the USSR. I was raised there, and even though I live in the free world now, I still can't get over the feeling that if I sign some document denouncing an oppressive regime, they'll come after me in the dead of night. Perhaps next year AR will join Greenpeace, and perform the lumberjack scetch? ;)
Julia
Calgary, Canada - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 17:56:55 (PDT)

Here's a link to the Times review of the Amnesty International gala that Sue so kindly quoted from earlier today.
Georgiana (had trouble with their search engine earlier...)
Seattle - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 17:50:04 (PDT)

Welcome, Leanne. If you'd click on the FAQ (frequently asked questions) at the top of this page, it has several suggestions for finding photographs.
Georgiana
Seattle - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 17:40:37 (PDT)

Hello everyone! I just wanted to say that it is SO nice to read notes from people who love Alan as much as I! My husband and sister think I have lost it. I have been a fan for years and just started finding fan sites on the internet which are just wonderful. Does anyone know where I could get an autographed picture of him? Or even just some professional photos? I would appreciate the help. Thanks, and I hope to be here quite often!! Leanne
Leanne
WI - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 16:21:04 (PDT)

Mary The whole show will be screened in the UK on June 16 then a video will be released so you'll get to see it eventually.
Sue
England - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 13:51:58 (PDT)

I don't suppose the revisited Python sketch was filmed?
Mary
McHenry, - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 13:34:54 (PDT)

No inside information on GQ, Donna. Near as I can figure, Dr. Lazarus was a way-parodied version of Spock and Ferengis and every other regularly-appearing alien type from the Star Treks. As I understand it, the network show GalaxyQuest was meant to be presented as a poorly written, pulp Sci Fi show, so some amorphous concept like the Kep-Mok Blood Ticks (thanks Georgianna!) would have just been thrown into the mix without much thought. "Hey, let's have the Dr. Lazarus character eat really icky things like bugs and worms. We'll call them Kep-Mok Blood Ticks!" Actually, I wonder if that in itself isn't a sly dig at Spock's favorite dish, plomeek soup.

Like the Verillian spheres (or is is Berillian?), the Omega 13 machine and other hackneyed plot devices, the humor can be found in the Thermians' ability to reproduce something that not only never existed, but was highly improbable to begin with. Like I said, their ability to do so (or to find the spheres on a convenient planet)defies logic, but ya just gotta go with it.
Mary
McHenry, - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 13:23:15 (PDT)

Hi UK people,

Special offer: Thanks to a friend, it so happens I ended up with two recordings of Rasputin last time it was shown - PAL format. Somebody might as well enjoy it. Anybody interested in an early Christmas present, just send an email to Freddie009@hotmail.com

Elizabeth, thanks for trying to locate the plays on UK TV. If you can't find them, no doubt they're not there, yet. My faith is in you. Don't feel pressured or anything.. ;))

To all the people who have posted links to articles, etc, thanks a lot too.

GML
UK - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 12:24:28 (PDT)

I am in need of a post-biology-exam antidote. What better to do that stare at a photo of AR for half an hour!! Amusingly, the radio tuner on the stereo in our common room broke and the only tapes we had were my collection of TROTN, so we all ended up listen to AR purring at us before our exams this afternoon. It really was the perfect way to destess before the exams!! I have now finally convinced them all that AR has got the nicest vioce on the planet.

That you Kathleen for the Babitsky's War tip. I will set the timer record thingy. Not only can I hear his voice but the programme will actually help with my we are living history project. Now how many actors can claim that as well as having a golden voice they can acctually be educational at the same time!
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 09:34:39 (PDT)

The Times Tuesday June5 "We Know Where You Live:Live!"-Wembley Arena-Review

".......At the close, Izzard and Reeves joined Harry Enfield and Alan Rickman for that Amnesty International institution,the Pythons'Four Yorkshiremen routine. The quartet's timing was off,the giggling dragged on,and all in all it was a bit of a mess,yet it still gave us the opportunity to mumble the lines under our breath..."

Sorry my typing is not up to giving the full review. Also in the Times in the review of tonights' showing of Dogma - "..Co-starring Linda Fiorentino as an abortion worker descended from Christ, and Alan Rickman as a sarcastic angel seemingly descended from Frankie Howerd......"
Sue <i'monlybuyingthetimesallthisweektotryandwinU2tickets.comfoo>
England - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 09:20:55 (PDT)

I think that FastFilm's contributions to the GB have been very insightful and interesting. I'm sure many of did not appreciate the distinctions between the jobs of the many people who make films. Very enjoyable.
Magda
Canada - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 07:52:10 (PDT)

Georgiana, thanks for Links-mania! Christine in Montreal, it sounds like you already have a firm grasp on an agent's duties: basically, be they literary or actors' agent, they find their clients work. Quoting from my friend's book "The Movie Business," it states "First, they find talent. Secondly, they screen out the really bad stuff." He elucidates further on slippery relationships with studios, that there is considerable pressure on agents not to alienate the buyers (the studios) for the sake of one deal. This relationship has intensified logrhythmically since the book was written, with powerplays ping-ponging back and forth betwixt superagents and studios: I would have to research to give you current examples in the post ICM era. Pick up "Premiere" or "Empire" and scan for your own! And Guinevere, Los Angeles is a very expensive place to live and only the wealthy can afford to live in areas untouched by gang crime. My husband is a teacher, and I'm a freelance photographer (hence the moniker FastFilm, refering to my favorite pushed ASA) and as such we just cannot afford a house in a better area.
FastFilm
Los Angeles , CA - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 07:48:24 (PDT)

Hey Fast Film- My first visit here, was scrolling down reading the input. Sounds like you live in a war zone. Why don't you move? Gee, maybe Alan could make a movie about the horrors in L.A. what do you think?
guinevere <foxwhistle@hotmail.comfoo>
usa - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 07:03:11 (PDT)

What beautiful children? Oh, dear. Can you imagine that nose on some poor little girl? ;)

That was a joke! That was a joke!
Barbara the Wallpaperer
- Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 06:56:10 (PDT)

forgot to tell everyone the names of the catalogues where you can get all sorts of videos, plus alot of British ones. There is Time Warner Viewer's Edge toll free#1-800-262-6868, fax-203-699-9586; the British Video Collection-1-800-959-0061 fax-708-799-8375; Britannia-1-800-778-7007 fax-651-645-7092- cust. service-1-800-733-6656 Hope this helps all of you searching for Alan's videos.
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
USA - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 06:56:07 (PDT)

Constance-i agree with you about what you said about it's a shame Alan never had any children. although that's his own choice i suppose, i always thought as you do-what a waste of good sperm.(can i say that on here?) hope you don't pay attention to the critics you'll hear from. some person from ca. didn't like stuff i wrote about either, yet i saw all kinds of comments from others about politics & that was accepted. go figure that one out. And this isn't to you, the original Admirer, but to whoever fastfilm is-at least i'm not hiding who i am. i could've been a fastfilm too as we have our own Film Festival here too because of our closeness to the city & the celebrities who make their homes up this way. Admirer, remember, i'm not talking about you with keeping your identity to yourself, you i respect. fastfilm just seems to have a need to attack & that's not why we are all here-it's to talk about Alan & his films, etc. I know i've gone on the soapbox a few times, but alot of others have as well, so don't attack me & no-fast-i do not live in a super rich neighborhood like you commented on. i live in a middleclass neighborhood, but we have our share of rich & poor as well. Sorry if i bored everyone. Welcome, Constance to the website, fellow eastcoaster
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
USA - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 06:39:36 (PDT)

I just want to thank Ms. Kelclansy(sp?) for the most amazing collection of Rickman photos!!!! I have bookmarked them and enjoy them tremendously.Keep up the good work!
Constance <madaboutron4@hotmail.comfoo>
- Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 05:35:05 (PDT)

Okay, fellow Rickman fans, I will humbly stand corrected and indeed I feel better about the whole thing. Our friend from London has set my heart at peace. Thank you for the imput. It must be glorious to live so close to him.... okay, i'll get back to worrying about my kids and leave our charming couple alone.
Constance <madaboutron4@yahoo.comfoo>
- Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 03:10:42 (PDT)

Constance P,as a very long term reader of this guest book I am fully aware of how my comments may be misinterpreted but I feel the need to make a point. Far from Mr Rickman needing to adjust his lifestyle (as a mature intelligent man I am sure he knows best how to enjoy himself by now), it is people like you, who perhaps need to get out more. To judge someone simply by what one reads in glossy magazines or on a forum like this is a very grave mistake. (On travelling on the underground once behind some-one who pointed at poster of a friend of mine who was starring in a show and hearing "I hate him" from a complete stranger, brought home to me how ludicrous people's public perceptions can be). Living around the corner from Alan and as a regular theatre goer I am always seeing Rima and Alan at his place and at functions very often together and very often separately - so what? They usually both seem very happy. Don't lose any sleep over them.
Anon
London, - Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 01:08:29 (PDT)

I believe that both Mr. Rickman and Ms. Horton are career oriented, and have very busy lives during the week. Probably Mr. Rickman considers seeing plays, films etc as part of his job.They seem to be happy with the life they have created and do not appear to me, anyway, to be pitiful creatures, but busy happy fulfilled people. Perhaps we should not make assumptions since we have so little information.
a Rickman admirer
- Monday, June 04, 2001 at 22:19:47 (PDT)

As much as I love Alan Rickman, one does have to question what kind of man would have the woman he loves( Rima Horton) so un- involved in his life. Afterall they met as actors, surely she shares his passion for the theatre and yet no marriage and no family. As profound as Mr. Rickman can be at times I wonder at his life priorities. I saw an interview with Emma Thompson recently when she was promoting her TV movie about a woman with cancer; she said that at the end of the day( i am para-phrasing) all those intellectual persuits she(her character) held so dear became quite meaningless and it was just Love that was left, family, the small everyday miracles of life that we take for granted. Because I care for AR so much ,i despaire at his break-neck schedule and remembering how once he described himself as"a moving target", I long for him to STOP and get a good spray of buck-shot(life).He is no longer a young man and gorgeous as he is, might very well spend his old age alone. Sorry to ramble so, I figure being women, you would understand what i am saying. Imagine the beautiful children such a man could help produce. Such a waste.....
Constance P. <madaboutron4@yahoo,comfoo>
Cary, nc usa - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 20:34:00 (PDT)

Mary-what are blood ticks & do you know what they have to do with the region Alan (or his character) is from? there also were wormy things in there. This is also to Georgiana, thanks for the info. to the fastfilm person-i was only going on with speaking my mind like everyone else has lately in here about politics-labor, communists, socialists. apparently that didn't offend you, but i did. you've also been speaking about movies at your home which are not Alan's. you've had your say, let me have mine. i wasn't trying to offend anyone. Also to Jutta, thanks for the letter, haven't quite finished reading it yet, had tons of trouble getting onto the internet the past 2 days. For ALL the Rickman fans, tomorrow i will try to get here to post 3 catalogue names & Tel. #'s that are good for finding videos in & 2 are for British ones.
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
USA - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 18:52:54 (PDT)

Jutta, thanks for the URL for the Radio Times article. Fascinating!
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 18:32:57 (PDT)

You can read the entire Guardian article on line.
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 18:32:01 (PDT)

SPOILER
The Guardian (London)
June 5, 2001
SECTION: Guardian Leader Pages, Pg. 25
BYLINE: Brian Logan

Comedy We Know Where You Live: Live! Wembley Arena When Alan Rickman is joined on stage by Vic Reeves, Eddie Izzard and Harry Enfield, you know that - unless the National Theatre's fad for star casting has spiralled out of control - there's a good cause abroad. For Amnesty International's 40th birthday, the quartet recreate Monty Python's famous Four Yorkshiremen sketch, the one in which they boast about childhood hardship. It's among the evening's highlights, partly because the performers make one another giggle, partly because the moment recalls the illustrious history of the John Cleese-devised Secret Policeman's Balls and resonates as Something Special. Suddenly, in what first-on-the-bill Phill Jupitus refers to as just another benefit gig, we're watching a routine that wouldn't have been created for any other event.

Georgiana <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 18:28:41 (PDT)

Oh, yow! Mary, what a picture! Thanks for a great end to my workday!
Cat <crubins@asu.edufoo>
Tempe, AZ USA - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 16:56:33 (PDT)

I was taking a brain break and I found this site - probably I'm the only one in here who DIDN'T already know about it - that tells you the address to write to contact whatever celebrity one chooses. Well, that information's been posted repeatedly in here, so no surprise. But what IS lovely is the absolutely gorgeous and soulful picture also posted at the site. Possibly you all know about that, too? But if not, take a look. It's bee-yoo-tee-ful!

http://www.stararchive.com/
Mary <mkeith@mccdistrict.orgfoo>
McHenry, - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 15:07:11 (PDT)

To Sara: a couple of days ago you asked for the url for a Radio Times article on AR. Here it is:
http://www.radiotimes.beeb.com/film/features/barry_norman/alan_rickman/

Jutta
enjoy it, - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 13:10:18 (PDT)

For those that missed it first time around, "Babitski's War" is being shown in the UK on Channel 4 at 3.05AM on Saturday 9th June.
Kathleen
Essex, UK - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 13:03:31 (PDT)

Wow. I just clicked on the link too, Sue. Somebody actually sat and thought those things up! Dr. Lazarus - pregnant? Doing diapers? hmmmmm......

I recently watched "Star Trek: Generations" and was tickled to see how much was lifted into GQ, including "fire at will" (and here I thought they meant Riker - wish they would,too; good job.).
Kep-Mok Mary
Mak Henry Tar, - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 12:53:02 (PDT)

YEA!!!Im so happy!AABA comes on tonight at 2:00AM tonight and 1:00PM tomorrow on the Bravo channel!Thank God its summer so I can watch it both times!YEA!!!
Miranda
Brandon, Florida USA - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 12:28:52 (PDT)

I just clicked on the Galaxy Quest Vault link.I've heard of science fiction but science fiction fiction fiction whew.(There are plenty of "characters" out there in cyber-space!!!)
Sue
England - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 10:37:29 (PDT)

Elizabeth, Eco Challenge is on UK Channel 5,tomorrow(Tuesday) but it is in Borneo so Alan it ain't!Sorry.
Sue
England - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 10:32:15 (PDT)

Why, Mary, as you can find from "Time Knots" in Travis Latke's "Galaxy Quest" vault, they are Kep-Mok blood ticks!
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 10:00:00 (PDT)

I can't make out most of Teb's quote (maybe someone with a script can help out), but the Thermians are offering Dane "?? ?? Blood Ticks." It's one of the spots where parody outweighs logic, but ya just gotta go with it.
Mary
McHenry, - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 09:38:44 (PDT)

There is a loving tribute to "Truly Madly Deeply" in a May issue of The New Republic entitled "Love, Deathless and Lifeless."
Georgiana (The 'lifeless' refers to another film...)
Seattle - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 09:05:26 (PDT)

Elizabeth, there have been a whole series of Eco-Challenges--different years, different locations. The one Rickman narrated was Eco-Challenge, Argentina.
Georgiana (and what a nice lot of projects for him!) <gellis@drizzle.comfoo>
Seattle - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 08:48:25 (PDT)

Thanks Sue for the link to that great pic!

To Fast Films - Would you mind answering one more question? I've always wondered what exactly an actor's agent does. Do they negotiate for the actors, find roles for them, advise them?
Christine
Montreal, Canada - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 08:39:52 (PDT)

I have tried and tied to find out when the Beckett plays are being aired. However my search yielded no results. I read in a newspaper, The Sunday Times, that they would be aired in June, only who know they could have meant June 2050!!!!!

There is something called Eco Challenge on Channel Four tomorrow, I have tried to find out if that was the one he narrated on Discovery channel but to no avail. I guess I have failed dissmally!!

Anyway I have just done and English Literature exam, The Winter's Tale. The more work I do on that play the more I think Mr Rickman would be the perfect candidate for the King of Scillia, very jealous, irrational, confused and basically in the first half of the play he is a psycopath!! Anyway I will depart now because I am tired and I want to go home.

Oh, R. Admirer, a film would usually start with some would be writer lossing their mind, writing a script, sending it to a production company, a Reader find the script in their heap and liking it. The the reader persuades the Producer that the script is good and so on and so forth. Obviously that is apparently not the case with the gardener film. Now I really am going home.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 07:51:21 (PDT)

And according to this article, it "...will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 11pm on June 16, with a video available at a later date." (!!!)

Thanks, Sue!

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
TX USA - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 07:18:37 (PDT)

Rickman Admirer, that's a hard call as usually every film's inception is a tad different. Usually, someone somewhere is excited about a script, from whatever source -original, adaptation- and it radiates out from there, through the aforementioned channels. There is a special place for the tradition of combined talents -writer/director, actor/director, director/executive producer- etc. in films. Orson Welles, Clint Eastwood, anyone?
FastFilm
Los Angeles, - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 07:18:10 (PDT)

He certainly is a busy lad. Go to www.ananova.com to see report of Amnesty Internationals 40th Anniversary show at the weekend including PICTURE.
Sue
England - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 04:10:53 (PDT)

Here's a poem that explains the line of thought I was in yesterday when I posted in here: In This Picture by Myra Cohn Livingston In this picture I sketch a forest in the afternoon, white pines overhead, leaves crunching under my feet. I am walking looking for you everywhere, along the trail, waiting in the meadow or at the big rock, but wherever I go up or down you are hidden, so I step out of the picture and draw you waiting by Bullfrog Quarry just as I come up the trail. You are surprised that I have been looking for you and thank me for putting you into my picture and on you hike as I sketch myself following closely behind.
Misty <rs-13@webtv.netfoo>
Cleveland, Ohio America - Monday, June 04, 2001 at 03:55:00 (PDT)

Excellent web page. If it wasn't almost 2.30 in the morning I would go through it entirely. Did I miss anything mentioning the Texas video In Demand? I watch it over and over and *sigh*. Best Regards Keri
Keri <coull1@btinternet.comfoo>
Dundee, Scotland - Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 18:16:09 (PDT)

So, since AR is producing the gardener epic, he has to find someone to pay the bills? Does it always start with the producer having the idea, developing the script and then finding the money, or is it usual for the Executive producer to start the ball rolling? Wouldn't AR have been the producer of TWG as he helped with the screenwriting and went to Cannes to find a financial source for the movie? Besides being the director, of course...
a Rickman admirer
- Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 14:18:43 (PDT)

If I failed to make it clear, the Executive Producer and the Producer are two different jobs. No, I'm not in the film business, yes we've had rather a few film and tv productions shot at our home. The producers are on the set daily, but boy, does everyone scurry and brown-nose when the Executive Producer pops by!
FastFilm
L.A. , CA U.S.A. - Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 08:44:15 (PDT)

Hi R. Admirer, I'll be quoting from info from a book "The Movie Business" co-written by my friend Stan Berkowitz, he of the enviable 2 Emmy awards. In his chapter clarifying what movie credits stand for, he notes the Executive Producer credit usually denotes ownership of the literary property of the film, ownership of the production company making the film, or having control of the finances of the film. The Producer is "at the insection of money and creativity:" he or she decides which director, actors, overall locations and time schedules to use. Producers are employees themselves, but can order re-writes and change major elements. They are beholden to accounting. The director is responsible for how the film looks, interpreting the script, giving the acting performances nuance, "part psychologist, part storyteller, part visual stylist... the director has the most challenging and envied job on the set."
FastFilm
Los Angeles, USA - Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 08:32:44 (PDT)

U.K. Info-The first showing of Dogma on British T.V.is on Tuesday 5th June at 10pm on Sky Premier Movie Channel.
Sue
England - Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 05:14:00 (PDT)

I just read this weeks Alan Rickman Newsletter and would like to comment on the article that talked about Alan looking around for a place with his girlfriend. It was said that she walked behind him and not beside him. I view it as, he was simply leading the way. It would be an honor to walk where he walked with his grace in his footsteps. Maybe it was just a way she was expressing her devotion to him. It would be nice to walk beside him but in this way, it was out of the ordinary, which is considerably good. Alan Rickman is a thinker and any woman who would be lucky enough to share her life with him would have to be in the same.
Misty <rs-13@webtv.netfoo>
Cleveland, Ohio America - Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 04:43:57 (PDT)

OFF TOPIC-BTW Donna, you have missed my point-either working or choosing to stay home are valid choices and should be equally respected, as is the choice whether to have children or not..."the guilties" and disrespecting a person's choice are both part of the problem, not the solution...I have nothing further to say about the topic..
a Rickman admirer
- Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 01:40:51 (PDT)

Fastfilm, Ive been wondering where you were--can you clarify anything about the difference between a producer and director? I agree that the "motherhood thing" is off topic, but it related to Emma taking her baby to Africa as she wasn't working right now. Emma does connect with Mr. Rickman-she gave him an orchid when he opened with A&C-anyway, perhaps if we do want to "rant" we should put OFF TOPIC so those who want to skip may do so.
a Rickman admirer
- Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 22:43:39 (PDT)

Everyone needs his or her 15 minutes of fame or ranting, but what, Donna, did any of that have to do with Alan Rickman? I'm poorer than you (no yuppies ever spotted in my neighborhood)(police helicopters circling overhead to check out the most recent gunfire, more likely) and I check in this site for transcendence to a world of wonderful acting, British theatre, high end entertainment and a global coterie of fellow fans. . .
FastFilm
LaLaLand, CA USA - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 22:18:23 (PDT)

To Emily again- forgot to tell you, concerning Fallen Angels, to try Media Play or Suncoast Video, if you have any of those in Jersey. I know I've seen it at Suncoast, but I bought my copy from a local video store when it was going out of business. Unfortunately, I also had to buy part 2 because they wanted to sell it as a set, but I got a good deal on it.(Alan is in the part-one video, Murder Obliquely) To Admirer- can I join you on the soap-box? I couldn't have said it any better myself! I agree totally with you on being a mother because I'm sick & tired of the way society treats us as bottom of the barrel, low-class citizens! I (we) am just as important as any working mother. I wanted to be here for my kids as they were growing up & not ship them off for someone else to raise.(before anyone blasts me, I do realize that some women have to work for economic reasons) The ones(around here anyway) that really annoy me are the people have kids & would rather send them off somewhere than live within their means. We have so many people around here(yuppies), buying these $300,000 & up homes, to have their material things, then, oh, all of a sudden the wife has to work to help pay the mortgage! Well, buy a cheaper house & cars, then you might not have to work! That's why everything is so screwed up in this world, people put material things ahead of their families. Well, I'm done with speakers corner(gee & it's not even Sunday yet!) Well, it is in the UK, so I'm ok then. It's close to midnight here. Sorry if I've bored anyone to death! Oh, also I agree with you on Clinton as well. He made a mockery of the presidency & his family, & I'm not saying that because I'm any particular party. I really don't believe in any one party anyway, plus I find it very hard to trust any politician. Ok, I'm done now!
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
USA - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 20:24:47 (PDT)

First to answer Emily-the talk shows I've heard about were The View & Arsenio Hall, & I missed both of them when he was on.(this was awhile ago) Don't know of anything recent. Plus, can anyone tell me, in GQ, the scene where they are eating the food specially made for the region they come from, what on earth is that glop of worms & creepy crawlers that they are feeding Alan? If that's supposed to come from his region, hope my ancestors never ate that stuff! Now- back to movie quotes- which movie(s) are these from? "Could you possibly try NOT to hit every single one?" "Just like mother used to make"
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
USA - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 20:07:11 (PDT)

Julia have tried e-mailing but hotmail message says does not recognise address or user.
Judy <judywudy80@hotmail.comfoo>
Sydney, NSW Australia - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 18:46:53 (PDT)

Off-Topic: Barbara the Aussie, Sally, and anyone else from Australia, please email me: I have some questions about Australia, since I'm going to visit in July. Thanks!
Julia <j_petrov@hotmail.comfoo>
Calgary, Canada - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 16:57:21 (PDT)

Hi there, I have become obsessed with Alan Rickman since first seeing him in In Demand - what a hunk - my ideal older man (I'm 35, by the way). My In Demand CD with Video has been played non-stop nearly every day - can't get enough of him - it's like having a teenage crush again - we've got just the perfect petrol station here in Elgin - would give ANYTHING for him to come and tango with me here - so if you ever read this Alan then mail me sometime and you could make me a very happy woman!!!! Sorry Tom Cruise, but you are now second place in my "hunk list" after being 1st since 1986!!! Must go, its late at night and I've spent the past 5 hours surfing the net for anything to do with AR - yes, I am a very sad woman!!!!!
Pauline Dixon <rafwife@hotmail.comfoo>
Elgin, Scotland - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 16:05:06 (PDT)

I have always liked Alan Rickman, but recently I got really, really, really crazy about him. I'm trying to gather all possible info about him and to see all films that are accessible in Poland. And I have a question:does anybody know a link to a site from which I could download a video for Texas's "In Demand"?
Ewa <bricken@wp.plfoo>
Warsaw, Poland - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 14:45:38 (PDT)

I've just seen Die Hard for the FIRST TIME!!!! I think he's v. sexy in it - I'm not an action-movie person, so I only watched it cos AR was in it! But I do have a valid excuse for only just having seen it - let's just say, I was only 3 when the film came out!!!
Serena "39*" <cyber@flirt.co.ukfoo>
- Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 12:22:00 (PDT)

Can someone tell me all of the talk shows that AR has been on and maybe give me a link to actually watch them? thanks so much....
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 11:30:16 (PDT)

Claire, nice photos on your site. Alan 'as he was' on UK TV last night? Argh! That was yesterday, right? *feverishly reading the VCR instructions manual to find out how to record yesterday's programme* ;))) Yes please, if there is a repeat, let us know. Elizabeth, when are the plays shown on UK TV? Did you mention June?
GML
UK - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 06:23:09 (PDT)

A while ago i asked where i could find Barchester Chronicles when i really meant Fallen Angels...lol....so....does anyone know?
Emily <dkny9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 06:10:52 (PDT)

UK TV - Last night The Way They Were 2 showed short AR clip from 1985 Girls on Top series. No mistaking the bearded tall gangly man to the right of the screen as soon as he opened his mouth!

For future reference this is the Amanda Holden TWTW2 - if it ever gets another repeat - so we can set the video recorder.

Claire
- Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 00:19:41 (PDT)

Hello to everyone! It seems all my computer problems have been ironed out!. Thankyou to Christine and Judy and Barbara the wallpaperer, for your really kind remarks!I have had a good read of this past week and it is wonderful to see AR involving his wonderful self in so many worthy issues. I also would like to say about the AR & RH issue that it seems like Humphrey Bogart would say that it doesn't "Amount to a hill of Beans" "Casablanker - am I correct in the spelling? Who cares? I, myself, being of the Aries persausion, always goes first! Has anybody in Australia been watching Changing Stages on the ABC on Friday Nights at 9.30? It is being presented by Mr. Eyre of the National Theatre and is really GOOD. It must be really hard for AR being the popular star that he is, but having see the quality of all his work, I feel that he can cope with all the pressures around him. Bye!
Barbara the Aussie
Gold Coast, Australia - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 20:37:03 (PDT)

setting: Speakers corner, up on a soapbox--off topic IMHO womens liberation has backfired to the point that women {ET} dont' think that "being a mother" is enough-one either has to have a job or save the world...being a mom is one of the hardest things that a person will ever do, and it is an honorable and full time profession, if one chooses to do so, and should be viewed as a viable option instead of something to feel guilty about....about Clinton--my goodness, he must be charismatic, but sorry, I still cannot forget his behavior, and wonder what we didn't find out about.IMHO he is a very charismatic charming man trying to do what he wants and hoping that he won't be caught, and if he is, that he can charm his way out of the situation. It would appear that he can. If I ever meet Clinton, I will offer him a cigar...end of soapbox....
a Rickman admirer
- Friday, June 01, 2001 at 19:26:38 (PDT)

Off-Topic, but Follow-Up:

Evening Times (Glasgow)
May 30, 2001
SECTION: Pg. 3
HEADLINE: Emma on a mission for Aids

OSCAR-winner Emma Thompson is to take a year off work to travel round Africa with her family to raise awareness of HIV and Aids for the Action Aid charity.

She said: "We've always wanted to do some voluntary work overseas.

Thompson, who will be accompanied by partner Greg Wise and their 17-month-old daughter Gaia, said it was the perfect time to do the trip because she was currently being a mother rather than an actress.

She hopes to begin the trip before the end of the year.

Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 16:56:12 (PDT)

HI CLAIRE, WENT TO YOUR PICTURE PAGE AND HAVE TO SAY HOW MUCH I ENJOYED THEM, I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE ONE WITH A.R. STANDING ON THE ROOF. KEEP BRING US NEW PICTURES, YOU FIND GREAT ONES. THANKS.

Is anyone finding that we are getting more advertising now. I am now getting something about finding a match, along with the regular annoying ad. I emailed a letter and told them my thoughts but it's not working. They just say they are working on the problem, but I think they just want to bug us even more. THAT TO DO, THAT TO DO....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 16:52:33 (PDT)

The Independent (London)
June 2, 2001, Saturday
SECTION: First Edition; FEATURES; Pg. 20
HEADLINE: MY WEEK: PETER FLORENCE DIRECTOR OF THE HAY FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE AND THE ARTS, WHICH ENDS TOMORROW
BYLINE: Interview By Susannah Prain

Sunday

It's midnight and I'm being serenaded by Cerys Matthews. Joe Fiennes and Alan Rickman purr into microphones. Bill Clinton is duetting with Arthur Smith. All my heroes and friends are here and look fantastic. And we've just written off our deficit from last year. Round about 3am I realise that I am not fantasizing any of this. Rosie Boycott and I are throwing a party for the Festival, and by some miracle everyone is having a ball. Clinton delivers and delights. My natural cynicism is blown away by the full blast of his charisma and I am now prepared to admit the possibility that he is a good man in bad world, trying to do well. Then there's a long bit of night involving Poker and the US Secret Service... The Festival team gathers for the breakfast briefing at 8am. Twenty of us, and about as many hours of sleep between us. Everyone is still high. We have 40 events today with 70 writers and comedians. Fifteen thousand people will cram the tents to share ideas and stories. The most remarkable moment is the audience reaction to Jeanette Winterson, who preaches the gospel of Art as personal salvation and aspiration in a barnstorming Raymond Williams Lecture. Nine hundred people rise as one, and hail her. It's a great manifesto, and in these dull times, the passion is infectious. ...

[Rest of the week follows; no further Rickman references.]

Georgiana
Seattle - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 16:47:06 (PDT)

DONNA, that quote is from my favorite film TMD. I loooooove that film and don't know how many times I've seen it. I've lost count. The scene is when he first comes back and they are in the kitchen sitting, She is so excited and shocked that he has come back to her. That scene makes me weepy. We should all try a quote from a movie and see how many people can pick the movie, What do you all think....
lynn
Ottawa, Canada - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 15:01:53 (PDT)

Emily, for reviews of all Rickman films, most audio, and some stage work, please visit The Rickmanista Review
Fausta, yet again
- Friday, June 01, 2001 at 14:40:14 (PDT)

You found the interview, Emily? Cool. Jezz, sorry about the link... again, BTW. I thought I fixed it, but apparently not. And just to prove to myself that I can get it right, here it is again. This one should work *crossing my fingers*:
Conan O'Brien interview (7.5MB)

As for Lumiere and Company (English name), it's a documentary; A compilation of various small films by different directors using the Lumiere camera. This camera was used in Michael Collins (and other films) for some of the old historical looking footage. Alan is seen walking by, pausing to look into the camera (over his de Velara glasses) and then moves out of frame. I thought the entire film was interesting, but as far as AR's part, you only see him for about 4 seconds.

Suzanne <Suz@mail.usa.comfoo>
Maybe I need more sleep., - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 14:25:30 (PDT)

I really enjoyed the interview. Does anyone know what Lumičre et Compagnie is?? and does AR have a big part?
Emily <DkNy9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 13:53:14 (PDT)

I too have a concern about taking a baby to the rougher parts of Africa. The little one is still at the crawl, toddler stage and undoubtedly everything goes in her mouth.I do not have the names of all the diseases, since I don't want to know-{tropical medicine can be gruesome]but parasites, worms, malaria, come to mind. Certainly a sheltered little English child does not have the immunities developed by children that are born in that climate. It is still common in many areas of the world for children to die before their second birthday. I for one applaud Emma's decision to get involved, but worry about the little one's health.
a Rickman admirer
- Friday, June 01, 2001 at 13:41:24 (PDT)

At least (as if this tragic difference could be written of as if it were a consolation) AIDS is a disease that because it affects so much of the "developed" world is getting some attention (although the cost of AIDS drugs are insanely high and unavailable to most of the poor of our own and many other countries).

Sleeping sickness, however, is a forgotten and dangerously escalating disease that, since it is only endemic to Africa, has garnered very little attention and can in fact be considered an orphan disease. The drugs used to treat it are horrifically painful, problematic in effectiveness, and not likely to be replaced any time in the near future.

I wish anybody luck who wishes to make a difference and has the power to do so. I hope their choices are wisely made.
Mary
McHenry, - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 13:29:32 (PDT)

In the Books & Arts section of The Economist, 2 June, 2001, Modern Drama: SUMMER OF SAM: All Samuel Eckett's plays are now on film. Would he have approved?

Beckett’s less polished sketches seem to liberate cinematic ingenuity, where his more developed conceptions of theatricality can prove resistant to adaptation. Anthony Minghella’s “Play” attempts to compensate for the loss of the play’s interrogative spotlight with a drama of the camera’s focus and brief jump-cuts. The talents of Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson and Kristen Scott-Thomas nevertheless conspire with Mr Minghella’s bravura film-making technique to crush the play’s humours.

Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
USA - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 12:55:02 (PDT)

Sorry about the long sentence. Must get to grips with punctuation one of these days.
Sue
England - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 10:25:59 (PDT)

GML & Emily- I couldn't get it either BUT if you go back to APRIL guestbook date April 14 Time 16.28 you can download it fom there (at least it started but as I'd seen it before I thought I'd just check for you in case you were desperate!)
Sue
England - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 10:24:30 (PDT)

Argh, Susan-the-site-mum, the interview videogram link (post-fix) doesn't work for me either. :-( Sgnif.
GML
UK - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 09:22:31 (PDT)

I feel I must add a few points to the discussion of Emma's proposal. I traveled the "main highway" along the coast of Tanzania heading north from Lindi four years ago, intending to get to Tendaguru, but getting no further than Mpingo Village where we got stranded by rain. Our commercial airplane landed in Lindi on a runway consisting of packed red dirt. The "main highway" was packed red dirt, punctuated by huge ruts that the Landrovers could traverse only when dry. There are two rainy seasons. One of the inhabitants of Mpingo sustained a gash to his leg while we were there; the medical officer informed me he had a 50% chance of dying from tetanus due to that injury. I am since told that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has provided enough vaccine for him to immunize children and pregnant women against tetanus, providing he has enough kerosene to run the refrigerator where the vaccine is stored. This area harbors chloroquine resistant Falciparum malaria and the mefloquine you take for protection once a week results in nightmares for many. Even so, East Africa is, health-wise, much safer than visiting West Africa, which harbors another misquito-borne pathogen, sleeping sickness.

Even with drugs available at extremely reduced costs, AIDS is a very expensive disease to treat. The entire world health community is aware of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. But in a country where a completely preventable disease, like tetanus, which costs pennies to prophylax, is still claiming victims, heightening AIDS awareness may not be the optimal direction in which to direct limited funds.

Obviously, many people live in and visit Africa. There are reasonably good roads in the areas tourists frequent, and Tanzania's neighbor, Kenya, is much more developed, with Nairobi being a modern city with millions of inhabitants. But she is proposing touring the continent by bus. Presumably with her child. This may need to be very discontinuous traveling.

Georgiana (Although I'd take Zelda to visit, I wouldn't tour her around for a year on a bus!)
Seattle - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 09:16:24 (PDT)

On the subject of the Chateau de Versaille, there was a fundraiser being held at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts recently to help replant trees in the palace's park which had been devastated by torrential storms. There was a museum tour followed by a dinner with the Montreal Chamber Orchestra providing the music and all were encouraged to attend in period costume! I would have loved to attend had I been able to afford the high cost of the ticket and the rental of the costume! What a soiree it must have been!!!
Christine <It would have been great fun don't you think Suzanne!foo>
Montreal, Canada - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 09:16:16 (PDT)

i think it's all well & good that celebrities can sometimes bring awareness of certain charities, etc., but what i can't stand is when they use the podium at awards shows to do this. that is not what the awards shows are about & too many times it's been abused that way. plus, i don't like it when some of them try to force their beliefs onto everyone else-(that old politically correct nonsense)- Now back to Alan - quick- which movie is this line from?- "It's like you're standing behind a glass wall, while everyone gets on with missing you"
donna <donnajkf@frontiernet.netfoo>
USA - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 09:06:15 (PDT)

As someone who has worked for charities and non-profits for over a dozen years, I read about ET's proposed year in Africa with mixed feelings. I think it's great that celebrities want to publicize a good cause and promote the activities of an organization or group of organizations that is/are working to solve a problem. Pierce Brosnan, to give a recent, local example, is passionately dedicated to breast cancer research because his first wife died of the disease and they had three daughters who are at increased risk of getting the same thing.

When Brosnan came to this area a couple of years ago he spoke in front of a huge luncheon crowd about how men can do more to help their wives in attempts to find suspicious lumps. You should have seen it: a bona fide movie star explaining with total seriousness how men can assist in their wives' breast exams in the privacy of the bedroom. And the men were hanging on his every word; some were writing notes in little notepads. There is no way that they would have listened to such a speech from a doctor. And Brosnan spoke about the various breast cancer groups that can help with info or resources and family support.

Pierce Brosnan is a man with a strong commitment to stop a horrible disease from destroying families like his. He has made a great effort to educate himself and doesn't just spout off platitudes. I believe ET would do well to pattern her actions on such an example. Celebrity can be a valuable resource and should be used to leverage the greatest good for a cause. I wish more would take such a step for something they believe in.
Magda
Canada - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 08:52:02 (PDT)

The name of the man who did the gardens at Versailles is Andre Le Notre.
Elizabeth <elizabethr33@hotmail.comfoo>
UK - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 08:25:17 (PDT)

Oops, sorry about that, Emily! I fixed the link, so try it again.
Suz (D.o.C.)

As a person who has lost friends to AIDS, I respect Mika's right to an opinion, but find several of her points rather misguided. First of all, AIDS is not a "man-made product": it is a disease, just as Ebola is a disease. Modern man in its conceit doesn't want to face the reality that there are things beyond our control, and nature is one of them. Then there is the fact that AIDS affects all, regardless of political persuasion, "lefty" or not. Whatever "selfish people" Mika refers to is not clear, but all over the world there are ordinary people actively involved in the fight against AIDS, for instance, another regular to this guestbook who works at a local AIDS hospice. Many non-profit organizations, for instance, the Bill Gates Foundation, are involved, and this year the USA & France have donated close to $400 million to direct help in Africa. It is unfortunate that politically-skewered comments obscure the fact that 3 out of 4 AIDS victims worldwide are in Africa. It's also encouraging to hear that Emma Thompson & AR are in their own ways involved in helping AIDS orphans.

Moving on to another subject, you can read about André Le Nōtre, who designed the gardens at Versailles at http://www.britannica.com
Fausta <faustaw@yahoo.comfoo>
- Friday, June 01, 2001 at 07:50:10 (PDT)

I just saw the trailer for Help! I'm a Fish, from that CD in Total Film magazine. It looks like fun.

I wonder who is co-writing that film with him. I know the name of the man who did the gardens only his name escapes me at this moment! Typical. Poison Ivy has gone from my face but everywhere else it is still on the war path.

I just meet one of my teachers. She is on her way to Africa (she runs this charity in Ghana, and they made her a trible chief) anyway she is going to be working with ET over the next few weeks!! Well it is a small world after all!
Elizabeth
UK - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 06:50:33 (PDT)

AH! Suzanne, thanks for the link but unfortunately, it's a broken URL? I gotta see this interview! heehee
Emily <DkNy9428@aol.comfoo>
NJ - Friday, June 01, 2001 at 03:28:57 (PDT)

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