Bryan Forbes - Page 2 - Britmovie

stevie boy · 15-01-2008, 03:02 PM

Bryan

I am a great admirer of your work and could ask many questions, but I will stick with one.

Your screenplay on the League of Gentlemen was superb in its entirety. But focusing on the Bunny Warren entrance what came first, the casting of Coote or the words?? You cannot imagine anyone else playing that role??. What a cast and what a time you must have had filming this classic.

Keep well

Steve

Geoffers · 16-01-2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennie

I am occasionally in correspondence with Bryan Forbes.

I note the members' interest in his career, and have just asked him if he would be prepared to answer members' questions on his film career. Here is his (as always) humourous reply. Moderators: I trust you will accept the non censorship?

Dear *****, I wonder if any of your group have looked at the BAFTA web site which has been running a film about my career because Last year they honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Of course i would be willing to answer direct questions as long as they are not too onerous. I remember when I was a prison visitor many years ago and gave a lecture of some pith and moment(or so I believed) about the film industry and then asked for questions. A hand went up immediately, and the question was "Is Lana Turner a good fuck?" I saw then that my erudition had fallen on stony ground. Regards Bryan Forbes

So, if anyone would like to ask him a question, please contact me by PM or on the thread. Don't forget...'not too onerous'.

Thanks so much for this - I cannot believe I missed hearing about his BAFTA LAA until now. Thoroughly deserved of course. Bryan was very helpful to me when I was writing a biography of John Barry back in the early nineties, readily answering questions by letter and phone. I wish he was still directing films.

Steve Crook · 16-01-2008, 04:15 AM

I noticed that his Lifetime Achievement Award hadn't been recorded by the IMDb. So I submitted it.

It's understandable that they missed it because LAAs, Fellowships and other special awards are done at a separate ceremony, not as part of the main BAFTA prize giving

Steve

Rennie · 16-01-2008, 12:47 PM

Thanks for the questions, but am surprised that, to date, there are so few. I will probably leave it for a few days before I submit them to Bryan Forbes, in the hope there may be some more.

DB7 · 16-01-2008, 06:16 PM

Did he experience any difficulties dealing with the so many large (and sometimes disruptive; Sellers, Pete n Dud, Hancock) ego's on the set of The Wrong Box? Also, was he satisfied with the finished film? I do love it for all its strengths and weaknesses, but it's as if the train wasn't the only thing struggling to remain on the tracks.

Also, returning to an earlier post, what was the inspiration behind The Raging Moon? Had he read the novel or was he approached to direct?

penfold · 16-01-2008, 06:21 PM

Michael Powell has a reputation for being a bit of a martinet on-set..... How did he find working with him as a very young actor in a tricky scene to get right, in The Small Back Room.

Geoffers · 16-01-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennie

So, if anyone would like to ask him a question, please contact me by PM or on this thread. Don't forget...'not too onerous'. Hope to put the questions to him in about a week

Hopefully these are not too onerous, though they might test his memory a little:

Question on Deadfall. The casting of Shirley Bassey to sing "My Love Has Two Faces" was an inspired one, the song is very underrated in the opinion of many. Whose idea was this?

On the same topic, the lyricist was the American, Jack Lawrence. Up until then John Barry had worked only with British lyricists such as Trevor Peacock, Lionel Bart, Leslie Bricusse & Don Black. How did Lawrence become involved in the project?

Question on The Wrong Box. The soundtrack LP was only issued in America, although there was a catalogue number for a UK release, suggesting it might have been cancelled. There is a story that such a UK release would have included a song, Julia, presumably relating to the character played by Nanette, sung by Julie Andrews. Do you know if that is accurate?

samkydd · 17-01-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennie

Thanks for the questions, but am surprised that, to date, there are so few. I will probably leave it for a few days before I submit them to Bryan Forbes, in the hope there may be some more.

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 awestruck by the occasion?

Merton Park · 17-01-2008, 07:21 PM

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.

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!

Fellwanderer · 18-01-2008, 07:41 AM

Bryan

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

julian_craster · 18-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Dear Brian,

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

Brooksey13 · 18-01-2008, 10:23 AM

Dear Mr Forbes,
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 Jack Hawkins, I always thought Stanley Baker should have been the man for the job!

HitchcockScholar · 19-01-2008, 09:57 AM

Bryan Forbes once made an interview of Alfred Hitchcock in London:
BFI | Film & TV Database | HITCHCOCK AT THE NFT (1970)
IMO, it was the one and only time Hitch was questioned by an audience.
I would like to know what remembrance he keeps of that day, and if he is interested in a video copy of the show.
Thanks in advance for passing on my question.
Regards,
A.K.
(France)

stevie boy · 19-01-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fellwanderer

Bryan

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

It is good to sea another Powell on here, you, me and Steve Crook's favourite Director.

Rennie · 19-01-2008, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the questions. Closing date will be Tuesday, 22 January 2008. It may take a few days for me to precis some of the questions.

Before BF agreed to answer queries, I noted some discussion on BF's health. He has told me he is open to questions on any aspect of his life. Do members think it wise for me to put in a question about his health. I gather from a couple of postings that he has some form of MS. Is this speculation, or fact?

Further questions welcome.

16-01-2008, 06:21 PM	#21
penfold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 2,799 Country: iTrader: (0)	Michael Powell has a reputation for being a bit of a martinet on-set..... How did he find working with him as a very young actor in a tricky scene to get right, in The Small Back Room. __________________ Bit of a Bay Window, what??

18-01-2008, 07:41 AM	#25
Fellwanderer Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Durham Posts: 1,813 Country: iTrader: (5)	Bryan 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 __________________ All the best FELL This above all: to thine own self be true.

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15-01-2008, 03:02 PM	#16
stevie boy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coventry Posts: 1,514 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Bryan I am a great admirer of your work and could ask many questions, but I will stick with one. Your screenplay on the League of Gentlemen was superb in its entirety. But focusing on the Bunny Warren entrance what came first, the casting of Coote or the words?? You cannot imagine anyone else playing that role??. What a cast and what a time you must have had filming this classic. Keep well Steve

16-01-2008, 04:15 AM	#18
Steve Crook Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 8,951 Country: iTrader: (1)	I noticed that his Lifetime Achievement Award hadn't been recorded by the IMDb. So I submitted it. It's understandable that they missed it because LAAs, Fellowships and other special awards are done at a separate ceremony, not as part of the main BAFTA prize giving Steve

16-01-2008, 12:47 PM	#19
Rennie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW England Posts: 126 Country: iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the questions, but am surprised that, to date, there are so few. I will probably leave it for a few days before I submit them to Bryan Forbes, in the hope there may be some more.

16-01-2008, 06:16 PM	#20
DB7 Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shrops Posts: 5,757 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (10)	Did he experience any difficulties dealing with the so many large (and sometimes disruptive; Sellers, Pete n Dud, Hancock) ego's on the set of The Wrong Box? Also, was he satisfied with the finished film? I do love it for all its strengths and weaknesses, but it's as if the train wasn't the only thing struggling to remain on the tracks. Also, returning to an earlier post, what was the inspiration behind The Raging Moon? Had he read the novel or was he approached to direct?

17-01-2008, 07:21 PM	#24
Merton Park Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London Posts: 318 Country: iTrader: (1)	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. 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!

18-01-2008, 08:39 AM	#26
julian_craster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Isle of Foula, UK Posts: 1,419 Country: iTrader: (0)	Dear Brian, 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

18-01-2008, 10:23 AM	#27
Brooksey13 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 14 Country: iTrader: (0)	Dear Mr Forbes, 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 Jack Hawkins, I always thought Stanley Baker should have been the man for the job!

19-01-2008, 09:57 AM	#28
HitchcockScholar Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Neuilly - France Posts: 53 Country: iTrader: (2)	Bryan Forbes once made an interview of Alfred Hitchcock in London: BFI \| Film & TV Database \| HITCHCOCK AT THE NFT (1970) IMO, it was the one and only time Hitch was questioned by an audience. I would like to know what remembrance he keeps of that day, and if he is interested in a video copy of the show. Thanks in advance for passing on my question. Regards, A.K. (France)

19-01-2008, 02:44 PM	#30
Rennie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW England Posts: 126 Country: iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the questions. Closing date will be Tuesday, 22 January 2008. It may take a few days for me to precis some of the questions. Before BF agreed to answer queries, I noted some discussion on BF's health. He has told me he is open to questions on any aspect of his life. Do members think it wise for me to put in a question about his health. I gather from a couple of postings that he has some form of MS. Is this speculation, or fact? Further questions welcome.