Gracie Fields BBC4 biopic

**DB7** · 22-05-09 10:57 AM

Horrocks and Duff to star in new BBC4 biopic

Published Thursday 21 May 2009 at 14:51 by Matthew Hemley

BBC4 has commissioned a biopic of Gracie Fields, which will star Jane Horrocks.

Horrocks will take the lead in Gracie!, described by BBC4 as a romantic comedy about the singer and comedienne from Rochdale who rose to fame in the thirties.

Beginning at the peak of her career, the one-off film will look at the repercussions of her relationship with Italian-born Hollywood director Monty Banks.

In the drama, Horrocks will sing a repertoire of Fields’s songs, including Sally, Sing As We Go and I Never Cried So Much In All My Life.

It is being directed by Brian Percival, whose other credits include Ruby In The Smoke.

**CaptainWaggett** · 22-05-09 11:59 AM

And the Enid Blyton biography with the lovely Helena.

**Mark O** · 22-05-09 12:06 PM

Cheers DB7 i shall look forward to this, 'our Gracie' could certainly hold a note

, looking forward to the Enid Blyton bio as mentioned by the Captain, though I believe Enid was a bit of a tyrant Mother towards her Children

**cully** · 22-05-09 12:14 PM

I always thought somebody would get around to doing this but hoped they would get Tricia George for the part. Fine actress and looks like a better looking version of Gracie.

She's over 50 now but....she could be used as Gracie in later life. Jane Horrocks, wonderful though she is, doesn't look anything like Gracie...

**Joenoir** · 22-05-09 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by cully

Jane Horrocks, wonderful though she is, doesn't look anything like Gracie...

I think she is a good choice, from Lancashire, she's the right age and she can sing!

**Dandy Forsdyke** · 22-05-09 01:08 PM

Based on looks I wouldn't cast any of the actors in those BBC4 dramas. Trevor Eve as Hughie Green?

I'm sure Horrocks will be fine as Gracie - she has already proven she can sing like her from Little Voice.

**batman** · 22-05-09 01:13 PM

I thought Trevor Eve was very good as Green.

**Dandy Forsdyke** · 22-05-09 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by batman

I thought Trevor Eve was very good as Green.

So did I.

My point was I wouldn't have thought of casting him before I saw it. I'm sure after the BBC makeup dept. have done their magic Jane Horrocks will look every inch a Gracie Fields.

**batman** · 22-05-09 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Dandy Forsdyke

So did I.

My point was I wouldn't have thought of casting him before I saw it. I'm sure after the BBC makeup dept. have done their magic Jane Horrocks will look every inch a Gracie Fields.

Sorry, I misunderstood. Did you see Alfred Molina as Hancock a few years ago. Not obvious casting either, but he was terrific.

**Lord Lionheart** · 22-05-09 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Joenoir

I think she is a good choice, from Lancashire, she's the right age and she can sing!

That's exactly what I thought when I read the first post

**Dandy Forsdyke** · 22-05-09 02:04 PM

Talking of Jane Horrocks, this is one of my favourite sketches, which shows she's a lot more versitile than just the Lancashire characters she does...

**Windyridge** · 22-05-09 04:30 PM

A couple of years ago I briefly visited La Canzone del Mare, Gracie's hotel in Capri and was horrified to see a little annexe which was supposedly a museum/tribute to her. The bright sunlight had faded the few sad pieces of memorabilia such as LP and book covers so badly you couldn't read them. Such a shame. The once renowned hotel visited by the likes of Noel Coward and the Oliviers is now rather a third rate place, with many fat people sunbathing!

Gracie was a family friend and a wonderful character. Her life was 'colourful' shall we say and no doubt all will be revealed in the biopic. I think Jane Horrocks is a good choice, although she doesn't have the singing range that Gracie had and I remember Gracie being quite tall, whereas Jane H is small. Looking forward to it though.

**faginsgirl** · 22-05-09 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by CaptainWaggett

And the Enid Blyton biography with the lovely Helena.

Looking forward to that

xx

**Fallon** · 01-07-09 07:15 AM

The title of that biopic will be 'Enid Blyton's Great Adventure'.

**Rob Compton** · 02-07-09 11:17 AM

Anyone have any idea when these will be shown?

rgds

Rob

**bigarre** · 26-07-09 12:18 PM

Jane Horrocks as Gracie seems interesting? Over the last 6 years I have compiled Gracie Fields cds Ramona Requests 30-52 and are producing a set of 15 plates to commerate her 30 years since Gracie died. I look forward to the BBC4 Biopic with great interest. It seems a pity her Capri home hosts so little memrobilia and the Rochdale Museum not much better. It seems british stars are left to be forgotten compaired to the US. Perhaps we should follow their lead as we seem so not interested. Gracie to those who remember you long may it continue.

**dremble wedge** · 08-11-09 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Rob Compton

Anyone have any idea when these will be shown?
rgds

Rob

The Enid Blyton film starring Helena Bonham Carter as Enid will be broadcast on BBC 4 on Monday 16 November at 2100hrs. The rest will follow

**CaptainWaggett** · 08-11-09 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by dremble wedge

The Enid Blyton film starring Helena Bonham Carter as Enid will be broadcast on BBC 4 on Monday 16 November at 2100hrs. The rest will follow

indeed - I'm really looking forward to these especially the Enid Blyton one.

**Mr Sloane** · 08-11-09 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by CaptainWaggett

indeed - I'm really looking forward to these especially the Enid Blyton one.

and you Bats

Seriously, Gracie is the one I'm looking forward to.

**batman** · 08-11-09 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Sloane

and you Bats

I'd rather stick needles in my eyes.

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