CEverett135

Hello,

I am researching for a book that I am writing on obscure and unpopular British Cinema, and it's unknown and unpopular cast.
Accordingly unpopularity is my field of expertise.

I would like to include a chapter on the formidable Ambrosine Philpotts but also, I can find so little details about her -----
does anybody know any biographical details about her that one cannot browse on any number of cheap, ill-informed websites?

Regards.

CaptainWaggett

Do you mean that she was unpopular in the sense of not being very well known or did people actually dislike her? If the latter, then I'm intrigued...

CEverett135

I mean simply obscure figures in the cannon of British cinema whom avoided mediocrity and therefore any recognition or indulgent success.

Other chapters will be dedicated entirely to the delightful Esma Cannon and Cicely Courtneidge.

susanduic

Will it be only women?

susanduic

Steve Crook

I woudn't have called Esma obscure

Steve

CEverett135

It shan't be just women -- I shall publish extracts on a private myspace page in August.

If anybody is interested to read them please do feel free to send me a private message and I shall send you the link for my page.

Also if anybody has any suggestions for figures they would like to see lionized in the affectionate skirmish feel free to suggest.
A great many of the actors and actresses including in the book drip bombshell Britishness and expel acid aphorisms whilst wearing a lovely Susan Hayworth ball-gown.

I have about half way through the book at the moment.

CaptainWaggett

Can you get much more recognition than a Damehood?

Mark O

I recall Ambrosine in 'Room at the top' where she plays the snobby Mother of Heather Sear's character, she married abover her station and now looks down on everyone else, when she hears Joe's surname is 'Lampton', she says "what strange names these people have"!

I also remember her as the scatty Aunty in the popular soap 'Hadleigh', starring Gerald Harper......

Mark

Mark O

I would personally ask for Judith Furse (my own fave character actress) but barely anything is known about her apart from being the daughter of an Army General, and therefore a little too obscure, unfortunately........

Megs Jenkins was a popular motherly type, she could be included, also popular were Queenie Watts and Fanny Carby, Yootha Joyce, Eleanor Summerfield, Peggy Mount, Thora Hird, Lana Morris, are just a few names off the top of my head.......

Mark

CEverett135

Thank you for your reply.
Most of the actresses in your list have made an impact on various chapters.
Judith Furse has a rather sizable part indeed. I have found aphorisms that involve the grand lady but you are correct, little is known about her personal life.

In reply to messages posted earlier, the book may take into account obscure films by actors/actresses whom may have gained some degree of recognition in their time, for example the inimitable Cicely Courtneidge.

I shan't provide a rebuttal to the question regarding dame-hood, in my experience witticisms or acid retorts are usually, but not exclusively, wasted on forums and only result in unnecessarily strident comments that I would prefer to avoid at all costs.

For those who have sent me inquisitive and friendly private messages I thank you.
I shall reply to them all in turn.

Mark O

Thank you for including my beloved Judith in your forthcoming Book CEverett 135......you've made my Weekend!

Looking forward to it's publication

all the best with your research......

Mark

CaptainWaggett

It seemed a reasonable question - I would have thought Courtneidge one of the most successful and best-known comic actresses of the 20th century with a 50 year career that culminated in being made a dame. I certainly remember her guesting on variety shows in the 1970s, clearly still loved and remembered by the audiences. It doesn't seem unreasonable to ask where she fits in a book that celebrates the career of less well-known character actresses. Or have I completely misunderstood the premise of your book? (not unlikely...) Why would there be a need for 'witticisms or acid retorts' or 'strident comments'?

CEverett135

"In reply to messages posted earlier, the book may take into account obscure films by actors/actresses whom may have gained some degree of recognition in their time, for example the inimitable Cicely Courtneidge."

I'm afraid that you have misunderstood the premise of the book.

Cicely starred in some obscure films, she will feature in the book because of this fact.