Bryan Forbes

[Rennie]

Originally Posted by Windthrop Roll on part three, this is good stuff

Hi Windthrop.

Thank you. Sad that generally the BF's replies haven't appeared to create much interest.

[batman]

Originally Posted by Rennie Hi Windthrop. Thank you. Sad that generally the BF's replies haven't appeared to create much interest.

Hi Rennie

I think there is interest, the thread has had nearly 3000 views.

I can only speak for myself but BF's replies have been fascinating and I am really looking forward to the next batch of answers. Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to arrange this QA and please pass on my thanks to BF as well.

Best wishes

[Rennie]

Originally Posted by batman Hi Rennie I think there is interest, the thread has had nearly 3000 views. I can only speak for myself but BF's replies have been fascinating and I am really looking forward to the next batch of answers. Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to arrange this QA and please pass on my thanks to BF as well. Best wishes

Hi Batman

Thanks. You do know I have just posted Part 2???

[stevie boy]

Rennie, I did not think that when I started this post that I would have 2 questions answered by the great Bryan Forbes. Thanks to you and of course Mr. Forbes, great stuff.

[batman]

Originally Posted by Rennie Hi Batman Thanks. You do know I have just posted Part 2???

I do, thanks. I am looking forward to the next lot!

[Steve Crook]

I was just watching the end credits of that film shown the other day & I was reminded of the name of the production company that Bryan set up with Dickie Attenborough.

If you (or he) are accepting any more questions you could ask if they ever had any problem getting their films shown in the States when people saw that they were "Beaver films"?

Maybe you have to know your American slang to realise how much of a problem that might be, and how some Americans might get the wrong idea about what you are offering

Steve

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook If you (or he) are accepting any more questions you could ask if they ever had any problem getting their films shown in the States when people saw that they were "Beaver films"?

Lord Dick of Beaver

[Andrew 76]

Originally Posted by Rennie Hi Windthrop. Thank you. Sad that generally the BF's replies haven't appeared to create much interest.

This is certainly the most interesting thread that I have read here since I joined (no offence to other threads). Many thanks.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Rennie Hi Windthrop. Thank you. Sad that generally the BF's replies haven't appeared to create much interest.

I would say they've been very well received and appreciated.
I think they're great and I haven't seen any adverse comments about them.

But we are British old boy, we don't whoop and holler at every opportunity

Steve

[Wee Sonny MacGregor]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook I would say they've been very well received and appreciated. I think they're great and I haven't seen any adverse comments about them. But we are British old boy, we don't whoop and holler at every opportunity Steve

Here here, Steve

[stevie boy]

Originally Posted by Andrew 76 This is certainly the most interesting thread that I have read here since I joined (no offence to other threads). Many thanks.

Andrew, the First Thread I followed on this forum was the Dead of Night Cottage in location,location. Take a look at that one, it is superb.

[Freddy]

Excellent replies Rennie, very much appreciate the work that Brian and yourself have done for this. Looking forward to more.

regards

Freddy

[harryfielder]

Got this from Paul Burton...

Dear Aitch,

For twelve years, Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council have been recognising the contribution that famous individuals whose careers have involved film and television production at the past and present studios in Elstree and Borehamwood in an area which was once given the title of The British Hollywood.
Usually these special events take place behind close doors, but now film fans and local residents will be able to attend, although spaces are strictly limited.

Details of all forthcoming plaque unveilings will now be added to my website, Elstree Calling, as they are confirmed and I will be doing all I can to help promote these events on the aforementioned website and beyond.

Those people purchasing tickets for these events will automatically be added to a mailing list and sent news about future plaque unveilings.

Bryan Forbes CBE

Tickets are now available for the first plaque unveiling being held this year. This event will honour the distinguished career of the veteran actor, producer, director & author, Bryan Forbes CBE. Special guests joining Bryan at this event will include Lord Richard Attenborough. Other celebrity guests are also expected to attend this event.

In addition to the plaque unveiling ceremony, there will be a short video tribute and a Q&A session with the special guests conducted by Morris Bright, in which the audience will be invited to participate.

Further Details:

• Venue: Elstree Film Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
• Date: Sunday 13th April 2008
• Doors: 3.30pm
• Event Starts: 4pm
• Event Finishes: 5.30pm (approx.)
• Tickets: £10.00 each (to cover administration costs)
• Light refreshments will be provided and a licensed bar will be be available
• Ticket Booking: Tickets must be purchased in advance
• By Phone: 0208 207 1382
• By Mail: Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, Fairway Hall, Brook Road
• Other Booking Information: Please make cheques payable to 'Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council'
• Transport: Nearest railway station Elstree & Borehamwood Station

I shall be attending this special event and I hope to see you there too! Please let me know if you decide to go and if you book!

Thanks for reading this email!

Best wishes

Paul
Elstree Calling

----------------------------------------------------------- Aitch,

[stevie boy]

cheers Aitch

[Rennie]

BRYAN FORBES Q&A

PART 3 (OF 4)

Dear Barry, Whew! I did not know that I was to be faced by so many intelligent questions from your members, but I will have a go at answering them all, listing them in the numbers you have given.

Bryan Forbes.


14.


The League of Gentlemen is one of my favourite films, and I only discovered it recently through reading it about it on this forum and rushing out to buy the DVD.

The one thing that struck me was that Bryan was quite young at the time, and being an actor as well as the screenplay author in such a cast of legends like Roger Livesey, Jack Hawkins, Richard Attenborough and Nigel Patrick as well as having Basil Deardon as the director, was he awe-struck by the occasion?


14. I wasn't that young(33) and I knew everybody in the cast so, no, I wasn't awe struck. just grateful for the job and the credit.


15.

a) Did BF feel a little put out, that whilst he had the real talent, Richard Attenborough used him to make a number of films which he produced and walked off with the real money?

b) Also later on using him to write the screenplay of Chaplin then being cast aside?

Congratulations on a fantastic career in Films, our lives would have been very different without you. Disgrace that you haven't been Knighted, whilst others far less worthy have been, and more!


15.

a) I don't know that Attenborough ever walked off with the money.

b) Yes I was bitterly disappointed and indeed felt betrayed that Dickie did not use my screenplay for Chaplin. Though I say it myself it was far superior to the mish mosh that finally reached the screen from 4 writers. To get honours you have to play the political game and arse lick a lot of people. I never went in for that.


16.

Thank you for taking the time to answer some of our questions - it is much appreciated.

How easy did you find the transition from one side of the camera to the other and do you feel that your experiences as actor were a help when it came to directing?

From Philip Powell


16. Yes, i think being an actor for 20 years was a great help when I made the transition to directing. It sounds arrogant but I never really doubted I could direct - I have always had a keen visual eye and from an early age have always had a stills camera in my hand.


17.

You directed two excellent films (Deadfall, The Whisperers) starring the great Eric Portman late in his career.

What was Eric like to work with? Was he as difficult as some reports suggest?

It is such a pity a biography has never been published of this excellent (but secretive....) star!

With Best Wishes,
Julian


17. Again I feel I have already answered the question about Eric Portman above.


18.

Having recently enjoyed the commentary you and the missus gave to accompany that wonderful film, The League of Gentlemen, it again struck me why that marvellous actor, Paddy Patrick, has never quite been given the credit he deserves. There's very little information on the 'net, my friends have never heard of him, and I think, quite frankly, he gets a raw deal. I'd just like to know Mr Forbes, what Paddy was like as a chap, so to speak. I apologise for not coming up with a more intelligent, incisive question, but I hope you can answer my query. Many thanks.
P.S: As much as I adore J ack Hawkins, I always thought Stanley Baker should have been the man for the job!

Mark S Bradshaw


18. Apart from that one film Paddy Patrick and I never worked together again. I liked him very much as a person but seem to remember that he kept himself to himself and we had little or no social contact afterwards.