MB

I think actors should get peanuts and be expected to dance for us on street corners whilst we chuck coppers at them.

That'll learn em.

batman

I don't think we will ever agree on this .... I think you are placing your own 'moral' views onto other peoples shoulders. I was an actor for many years and I have personal views on lots of things, but I appeared in several plays which I thought were crap or did not promote my own views. I never considered I had sold out, I was working. It was my choice and I can't think of anything that would give you the right to accuse me of surrendering my principles. My mate has some some really shit jobs while he has been 'resting' (as did I) so why shouldn't he or I or anyone else make a decent living using our tools of the trade ... ourselves. Accusing people of selling out is a very naive viewpoint as far as I am concerned.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

batman

Me too .... I enjoyed what I did and wouldn't have missed it for the world, but it got to the point where I was fed up of working harder to get the work than I was actually doing the work .... and was still finding it difficult to pay the rent at the end of the month. I did all sorts of bizarre jobs to make ends meet when acting work was very thin on the ground, so in the end I decided to call it a day.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

MB

No - I said 'if' 'they' were opposed to these kinds of films..I didn't mention what my moral views are..for all you know I could be sitting here surrounded by artillery.


'Naive' in what sense? As it happens it is something I have given some thought to and experienced myself. I am also viewing it from a socio-political standpoint removed from personal experience - I would hardly call that 'naive'.

batman

I know what you said .... and, regardless of the example you gave, you made it perfectly clear you feel it is wrong for actors to 'sell out' if they are 'morally opposed' to something ... therefore it is an obvious assumption that your 'morals' are somehow wound up in your point of view.

I believe you are naive in thinking that artistic principles are more important to the average performer (actor, musician, singer) than putting food into the mouths of their familes and providing shelter for them as well.

Life is more important than 'art'.

That's my socio-political standpoint.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

MB

..perhaps, when we don't know someone as yet - opinions should be based on what is stated rather than 'assumptions' or the discussion can become skewed..

I have never mentioned artistic principles - only moral ones..

Yes - life is more important than 'art' - which is why I believe it is important to examine how your moral principles may be affected before engaging in a particular activity...as you pointed out 'we only have ourselves to sell' - if we sell ourselves down the river..we don't have anything do we...

batman

"..perhaps, when we don't know someone as yet - opinions should be based on what is stated rather than 'assumptions' or the discussion can become skewed.."

This whole discussion was started by your assumptions about Gary Oldman 'selling out'. Oldman has never stated that he has 'sold out', it was your assumption that he had.

"I have never mentioned artistic principles - only moral ones.."

Maybe not directly, but your initial criticism of Oldman indicted that you were not too happy with his 'artistic' choices.

"Yes - life is more important than 'art' - which is why I believe it is important to examine how your moral principles may be affected before engaging in a particular activity..."

Again, you are making assumptions. How do you know Oldman (or me or my mate) didn't make that examination, and concluded that our decisions were morally sound. Just because you do not agree with a decision doesn't make it wrong, morally or otherwise.

"as you pointed out 'we only have ourselves to sell' - if we sell our selves down the river..we don't have anything do we"

And yet more assumptions. You assume that decisons taken for financial gain et al are morally suspect. In your eyes maybe, but not to many others, especially those with families to feed.

I cannot see the point in pursuing this discussion because, as I said earlier, I doubt if you and I will ever agree about it.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

apricot

I always assumed when seeing a talented actor in a less than entralling film/tv part, that they are doing it for the same reasons mentioned, i:e paying the bills, I don't suppose there can be many that can afford to be that precious.
I did snort with derision though when I read of a well known actor saying, when leaving a (very sucessful) tv show, that he had to go because his skills were getting flabby! Get over yourself Sweetie!!

MB

I'm happy not to take it any further - but hang on a minute - I was criticising you for making assumptions - you can't have a go at me for making assumptions as well - it's the law! lol!

I felt that Gary Oldman had sold out because he began his career appearing in films that were artistically interesting - in subject matter and in terms of artistic merit - but as his career progressed - he appeared to be be taking parts that were lightweight and I didn't feel that they were worthy of his talent..
So - as far as Gary is concerned - they were artistic objections..

I used a moral viewpoint to exemplify how 'selling out' could be easily identified.

And, as it happens, I have got a family to feed

I won't be selling arms any time soon to feed them - but I did once work as one of those annoying women who try to entice people who could probably ill afford it into getting 'catalogues' whilst they wandered round shopping centres..and I've never been particularly proud of that -so I know what you mean..

batman

Good night.

"Boom boom a baby .... Banham Zoo .... Banana pants! Hahahaha"

Jackdaw

My next door neighbour, Phyllis, is very nice.
Is that what you mean?
Failing that, Bernard Lee was great fun!

lupinpooter

I met Harry Andrews and his companion Basil: very flamboyant, and HA autographed the kitchen floor with a cigarette ;-)

smudge

Found ourselves sharing the queue in WH Smiths, Windsor, with Victor Spinetti, who was in the play we were seeing today. On the way out we had a quick chat, talked about the show and shook hands.

A nice, approachable and friendly chap. And the play was great fun too - completely bonkers, but fun!

(Victor and Derren Nesbitt were great in said play BTW!)

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

billy farmer

on saturday may 24th me and my mum went to the television and movie store in norwich to see nicola bryant (peri in dr who) we stood in a queue outside the store for a while and we talked to some friendly people in the queue who we now see every time we attend a dr who signing we eventually went in the store to meet nicola bryant and she signed 4 dr who items for me she was a very nice and friendly person i had my photo taken with her and then we had another photo taken with my mum in the photo as well nicola is the sixth person i have met from dr who at the television and movie store the previous one's were tom baker (my favourite doctor), colin baker (sixth dr who), nicholas courtney (the brigadier), sophie aldred (ace) and sylvester mccoy (seventh dr who) they have all been great to meet.

Tony Pendrey

Little did know that those "Little Arrows" would one day be all over his clothes.

Ah Yes, the Soviet Union. All them wheatfields and ballet in the evenings