Windthrop

Hadn't realised Carpenter had died. He was a nice guy - when I read the first Catweazle book I wrote to him asking for another book to be published. My parents sent the letter to Puffin books who forwarded it to him and shortly afterwards I got a charming handwritten letter back from RC thanking me for my letter and letting me know that the second book was in the pipeline.

Thats the joke that killed the Music Hall !

Harleybloke

Rhys might just get away with it, close, but he might!

.....You couldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!

Dame Starry

For me, Catweazle and Geoffrey Bayldon are one and the same although I did wonder a new production would be animated.

I've just discovered that it's a young German production company who are making the film and I'm going to e-mail them later; I hope they sprechen-Sie Englische!

YDSL x.

MrsBartholomew

Hello. I'm in the Catweazle fan club Catweazle - Popular TV Programme, Official Catweazle Fan Club , would you believe. Richard Carpenter most definitely isn't dead. He's in regular touch with the fan club people, and in fact has recently informed them that the film is not being made as far as he knows, and he would like to be able to correct this misunderstanding. A German company does have the rights to the film, but he says it's no closer to actually making it than has been the case many times before.

He has indeed said (on the Catweazle DVDs) that he'd rather not have any other actor playing Catweazle while Geoffrey Bayldon is still alive, though there was a degree of ambiguity in his tone, suggesting that it was more of a sentiment than a commitment. He is obviously very keen to have a film made. Personally I think it could only work with a remarkable actor taking GB's place, and I can't think of anyone worthy or capable off-hand. (Would it be set in the 70s again, or in the present, with mobile phones and so on?)

I've got a limited edition GB interview CD (Fantom Films) from a couple of years ago (autographed!). He tells a poignant tale about working with Jon Pertwee on Worzel Gummidge, and how JP was a very lonely man who had great difficulty making friends, but considered GB one of the few. Also about coming to terms with Laurence Olivier, who had been a bit of a tyrant in GB's early days in theatre with him, until oneday GB brought an injured bird to the theatre and they made friends over caring for it. He also talks about Marc Bolan, the Beatles, Doctor Who, etc. He comes across as a very lovely man.

Dame Starry

I have never killed anybody off in my life before - so I apologise profusely for that! I must have got two Carpenters mixed up; thank you for putting me straight.

We love Geoffrey Bayldon on here.
I think the great thing about Catweazle is that you can set him in any time you like because he's medieval himself. It's quite amazing (or frightening) to think just how far technology has moved on since the LAST series was made - giving even more scope to the tale.
It's about time we had some more good family entertainment and kids seem to love things like that - look at Harry Potter.
That entry on Imdb regarding the 2008 film is strange - I don't know where people get such incorrect information wrong and then publish it on the Internet...........

I do hope somebody takes up the project.

YDSL x.

Steve Crook

The IMDb entry for Catweazle (2008) appeared there last June - and hasn't changed much since then. I'd guess that someone optioned it and is now trying to raise funds to make it.

Steve

lordtednfs

I agree with you Harley, Rhys would be a very good choice and has all the Catweazle attributes, gangly, underfed, crazy eyes and most importantly a great character actor. Let's hope that GB can get a part in the movie, should it ever be made.

I have the disc sets and have thoroughly enjoyed watching the great GB in action again and I have lent them to the kids here and they love watching the antics of a great actor portraying a role that will always belong to GB, and I also agree that it is time for the great man to be honoured for his acting. Thanks to everyone else for the reminders of his other roles, I forgot he was once in Worzel Gummage as the Crowman and now wish I could watch a few episodes again.

________________
Hooked off the line

MrsBartholomew

I think the great thing about Catweazle is that you can set him in any time you like because he's medieval himself. It's quite amazing (or frightening) to think just how far technology has moved on since the LAST series was made - giving even more scope to the tale.

* Yes, it would interesting to compare the old with the new. There is certainly a taste for fantasy and time travel stories now, so there's definitely a large, ready-made audience for a good Catweazle film. I think we can trust Richard Carpenter to write it well, but whether we can trust the film company is another question. I hope it goes ahead, they get a great actor, and it's a wonderful film. Time will tell.

It would be great for GB to have a part in it. There has been talk in the fan club about an animated series. They were even thinking about trying to raise money themselves to make it, but I think they underestimated *somewhat* the sort of amounts involved. Geoffrey was keen though, as it meant no physical acting - which he doesn't feel up to these days - but a reprisal of the beloved role and a new audience.

Dame Starry

I imagine a GOOD animated series with the original voice and expressions would be wonderful. As much as I love Aardman, I don't think that would work for me for Catweazle.

Right - who can we all 'lobby' to get this project moving? I'm just in the mood today!

YDSL x.