Bryan Forbes

[Dame Starry]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Which is cheaper? Paying civil servants a lot more or to promise them a gong when they retire? Steve

Taking a big fat cheque from a businessman is cheaper than either - it's ALL profit! (I suppose the genuine Damehood's out of the question now?)

YDSL x.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Starry-Eyed Taking a big fat cheque from a businessman is cheaper than either - it's ALL profit! (I suppose the genuine Damehood's out of the question now?) YDSL x.

Not if you give them a big enough and fat enough cheque.
It doesn't matter who's in power, they all accept bribes

Steve

[Dame Starry]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Not if you give them a big enough and fat enough cheque. It doesn't matter who's in power, they all accept bribes Steve

Unfortunately, the overdraft wouldn't cover one at the moment!

YDSL x.

[rskershaw]

"He directed the infamous Peter O'Toole Macbeth at the Old Vic which again didn't help him."

I've keep hearing rumours about this apparently notorious production. Can anyone tell me more or point me in the right direction?

[Dame Starry]

Originally Posted by rskershaw "He directed the infamous Peter O'Toole Macbeth at the Old Vic which again didn't help him." I've keep hearing rumours about this apparently notorious production. Can anyone tell me more or point me in the right direction?

I've just found this:

FROM Wikipedia: But the most infamous recent Macbeth was staged at the Old Vic in 1980. Peter O'Toole and Frances Tomelty took the leads in a production (by Bryan Forbes) that was publicly disowned by Timothy West, artistic director of the theatre, before opening night, despite being a sellout because of its notoriety. As critic Jack Tinker noted in the Daily Mail: "The performance is not so much downright bad as heroically ludicrous."

YDSL x.

[rskershaw]

Originally Posted by Starry-Eyed I've just found this: YDSL x.

I don't think Timothy West suffers fools gladly, so it must have been a stinker. Does a recording exist? Can't see anything on the retail sites. Did any members see it?

[sippog]

My favourite Forbes film has to be KING RAT; still a hugely underrated war film IMO.
I'd be interested to know what Mr Forbes (you're right, it should be 'Sir') thinks of the re-make of THE STEPFORD WIVES, if he's seen it

[Fellwanderer]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Ah, but Powell is such a common name

Ah - but look at the company we Powells keep! Micky with Emeric and me with the Goddess!

[Maralyn]

Originally Posted by Starry-Eyed I do wish your father-in-law well, Maralyn. IMDb does say that Bryan has been in remission for 30 years. I believe that it is possible to have an isolated 'attack' which seems to be the case with Bryan - who I also wish well. YDSL x.

Thanks very much Starry-Eyed I will pass on your good wishes to my father-in-law.

Best wishes to you.

Maralyn

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by rskershaw "He directed the infamous Peter O'Toole Macbeth at the Old Vic which again didn't help him." I've keep hearing rumours about this apparently notorious production. Can anyone tell me more or point me in the right direction?

Originally Posted by rskershaw I don't think Timothy West suffers fools gladly, so it must have been a stinker. Does a recording exist? Can't see anything on the retail sites. Did any members see it?

BF devotes a whole chapter in his bio to the Macbeth debacle. The production was in trouble before he took the helm because O'Toole and West were at loggerheads. West had instigated a hard sell ticket campaign at the Old Vic that season and when the production got into trouble West sided with the critics. Though the reviews were scathing a considerable amount of column space was devoted to West's behavior and Sheridan Morley, I remember, commented on the distasteful practice of West instigating a successful ticket selling campaign and then telling the punters to stay away. Many in theatrical circles took a very dim view of West after that. The negative publicity worked in the plays favour and it made money but it was the end of West's tenure at the Old Vic. Whatever else you might say about the production BF was very brave for his first stage directing job taking on Shakespeare at the Vic.

BF has directed for the stage since - Killing Jessica an Ira Levin thriller which I saw starring Patrick Macnee and Graham Greene's The Living Room. A three years ago he directed Tom Conti in a regional tour of a play about John Barrymore which I believe is his last directing job to date.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Marky B Cheers,Bats for that. I haven't a question for Bryan,but if you can,will you forward my gratitude for his long service to the film industry and being a pillar to British films,which would have been poorer without his contribution. A tribute from his peers,if not done,is long overdue and a knighthood should be conferred upon him. Mark S Bradshaw

Couldn't have put it better.

P.F. Worrall

[Freddy]

Having worked with Cubby Broccolli and being good friends with Roger Moore, did you ever wish to write a screenplay for a James Bond film?

Is there one film you have been involved with in any capacity, including head of studio, which has the most fondest memories for you?

You have mainly written for cinema and not television, is this by accident or design?

Both you and Nanette are prolific writers , do you bounce ideas of each other and when working is it in the same room, and do you comment on each other's writing before finalisation?

Best wishes

Paul F. Worrall

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by Freddy Having worked with Cubby Broccolli and being good friends with Roger Moore, did you ever wish to write a screenplay for a James Bond film?

BF did turn down the chance to direct Dr No

[Fellwanderer]

Question for BF:

Which particular acting role, rather than film, gave you the most pleasure?

[rskershaw]

Great man.