Steve Crook

Exactly, it's ridiculous to think that only men are dangerous. But that's what the tabloids have led people to think.

Steve

Steve Crook

As I said above, beating you by mere seconds

But it's not even having a father's instincts kick in. I'm an uncle many times over and I'm very good with children. I'm just wary because of what the tabloids have done to poison people's minds.

Steve

batman

Sorry, but I didn't mean to imply Steve would walk on by, I was just expressing my own views. I too would be wary of how vulnerable I would be to an accusation but my 'protective instinct' towards kids is quite high so I would be willing to risk it.

Daddy .... the frisbee has gone in the water .... what a finger puppet drama queen I am!

stevie boy

You know Steve, those words of yours,are so sad but true. What a world we live in.

Steve Crook

An accusation from the mob is a lot to risk and very hard to disprove. Check what I said about my friend above

Steve

batman

I agree .... I have been on the receiving end of an accusation of 'improper conduct' at work and the investigation went on for months. It was not a pleasant experience. Fortunately I was completely (and rightly) exonerated.

Daddy .... the frisbee has gone in the water .... what a finger puppet drama queen I am!

Mark589

The Author Writes....

Well since I am a great fan of this forum and enjoy it immensely, it seems only fitting that I should take this opportunity to put the record straight.

Dame Starry, you have it spot on of course, the journalist wrote a sensational piece by selective editing that bears no resemblance to the character of the book. On seeing the article (and I have yet to finish reading it!) I immediately wrote to my publisher complaining - but of course, there is not much we can do about it now.

Andy H - believe me, it is not a nasty little book - 10 years of research about a man whom I greatly admired. I did try however to provide some form of balance - although comments were taken out of context. I would say though, that at the back of the book you will find a bibliography that is pretty extensive. I have tried to make sure that everything I have said in the book is supported by evidence.

Norma Wisdom - my bottom line is not money. I put some much time, effort and hard cash into seeking permissions and providing a wide range of illustrations that I doubt very much if I will break even. I wanted it to be THE book on Alastair Sim that I would enjoy reading - that was my only goal when I set out to write it. Hence you will find sections devoted to his great work with James Bridie and those marvellous stage plays of the 1940s and a humorous account of the Baked Bean court case. Background stories to his love of verse drama in the 1930s, his interest in a world government and the games that were played at Forrigan. Let me know, if you read it, if this is not the case.

Harleybloke - by all means wait until others have read it - but try not to be "stuck with prejudice" as Christopher Fry described his succinct appraisal of Alastair to me on one glorious morning as we talked over a coffee at his house in Chichester. Alastair was a highly principled man and we can admire him for this - but honestly, sometimes those principles were dubious and I think, haunted him.

Harbottle - limited acting ability - 'purveyor of trash' is a bit harsh. During Sim's stage performances in the 1950s, there was a definite critical awakening to the fact that Alastair relied sometimes too heavily on his look of angst and bewilderment for comedy effect. That is not to say of course that the audience didn't love him for it - and his Chichester success is testament to this fact. But his range was, shall we say, focussed on what he knew best - and Alastair admitted to this on more than one occasion.

Wicked Lady - I agree with you.

Hoggers - Thanks for that! Glad to hear from you. I had Sir Roy phone me up and tell me he thought the book was beautiful - but I can't print what he said of the Mail!

Orpheum - you're right, you cannot hide the faults and as much as I'm sure everyone who loves Alastair's work would like to think he was universally loved and adored, I'm afraid the truth is that he could be very difficult at times, especially when directing or... losing faith in a director.

Wee Sonny - well the book is now out so.... what do you think?

Well done to a lot of people that then followed in this thread commenting on the Mail/press. It is a great pity the damage that article did to my book. I'm sure some of you reading this will still not believe me, but the biography was a labour of love over ten years. Seeking out actors who were on stage with Alastair in the 1940s - and who commented what a delightful man he was - researching the plays of the 30s and 40s. Trying to track down some obscure films. Spending hours - no, make that days if not weeks, going through faded newspapers seeking out reviews. Walking the same streets in Edinburgh where Alastair had his drama school and Eton terrace where Naomi was rehearsing THAT play. Looking up Alastair's name in 1920s phone directories - the librarian didn't even blink when I asked to see it! And getting an artist to sketch out the sites in Edinburgh for a map in the book. I could go on and maybe will do so at some point - but it would be reassuring to hear the views of someone who has bought and read the book and can hopefully set everyone's mind at rest on this forum.
Mark Simpson

Steve Crook

Thanks for the reminder. I tried ordering it when you first mentioned it but The History Press don't seem to be able to handle pre-orders so they refunded my payment

I've just ordered it

Steve

francesgumm

Mine's on order

Rob Compton

Mark - that's a fantastic post, many thanks - and good luck with the book. I will be placing an order asap!

rgds
Rob

Harbottle

I feel annoyed at myself for doing a 'disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' now! In fairness I did somewhat agree with Dame Starry regarding the Daily Ma*l's record in these matters. Anyway apologies for pouring accelerant onto the Ma*l's flames and best of luck with your book.

silverwhistle

Good to hear from you!
Sorry that the Daily Mule butchered and misrepresented your work so badly. I daresay one must never underestimate how low that particular paper can sink… I hope you have every success with the book.

"Trust me, I'm a doctor...!"

TimR

Mark: It must have been very difficult for you to read that terrible article that blatantly misrepresented your book. Your response was very gracious. I'm sorry about what I said.

I know this may produce all sorts of responses here from those who know the newspaper - but what sort of tabloid is The Daily Mail? I do know that is considered to be junk, but this is beyond mere issues of quality. Here, a misrepresentation on that scale would be considered libelous.

Tim

Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind,
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety

Wicked Lady

Good on you for coming here and posting!

It must be frustrating having the lines blurred between your work and the Snail's insinuation. (I think I even blurred it myself on one of the posts here - my apologies!)


I shall look forward to reading it with a suitable beverage to enhance the mood.

Steve Crook

Just like an American, if you can't reach for a gun, reach for a lawyer
(Sorry Tim, couldn't resist).

The trouble is that the article isn't libelling Mark. It takes a few lines from his book and then puts its own terrible spin on them but it doesn't actually misrepresent what was in the book where it quotes from it. And of course they can't be libelling Alastair Sim because you can't libel the dead.

As for what sort of paper it is, it's the lowest of the low (IMO). But because it's a national paper and has been around for years, a lot of people still buy it through habit. It's been around since 1896 and has the second highest circulation figures of any daily newspaper in the country.

It quite possibly used to be a reasonable newspaper and just reported the news. But now, like most national newspapers, they are mainly interested in publishing scandal, celebrity gossip and rubbish like that. And if they can't find any then they'll quite happily make it up. Then they add their editorials and columnists, all of whom seem to take a stance that would make Genghis Khan or Hitler seem like softies.

Newspapers like this are sued quite regularly. But they treat that as a justifiable business expense.

Steve