Steve Crook

It was while they were filming that scene with the boat on gimbals in the studio, hefty studio hands rocking it in all directions, other studio hands throwing buckets of water, the wind machine going strong, everybody shouting.

Then David Niven wandered by and asked Powell, "Is this a private fight, or can anyone join in?"

It was then that Micky decided that David Niven would be perfect for Peter Carter in A Matter of Life and Death.

[From Micky Powell's autobiography]

P&P had already done a lot of work on AMOLAD. They wanted to make it a year or two earlier than they did, but they were delayed because all the Technicolor cameras were in use making training films for the American armed forces.

Because of that enforced delay they thought they had better do something while they waited. They had what I imagine to be a typical Powell & Pressburger conversation:
Emeric: Let's make a film about a girl who wants to get to an island. But she can't. And when she can, she doesn't want to get there any more.
Micky: Why does she want to get there?
Emeric: I don't know. Let's make the film and find out.

Emeric then went away and wrote the whole story of IKWIG in less than a week! He said it just flowed like no other story he'd ever written.

They did their usual back and forth a few times with the script to make it as close to perfection as they could. Micky and a few other people helped with the dialogue. Emeric always knew what he wanted the characters to say, he just didn't know the way they'd actually say it.

Steve

George Fry

What a sad ending for Roger Livesey. I've just read it and was very touched as he was one of my heroes when I was growing up and very much a role model.

Ljelja

Mr. Sexy Voice...I once "saw" Colonel Blimp with both eyes closed all the way. Brilliant experience!

Steve Crook

You could do a lot worse than to have Roger as a role model.

It was a strange and sad end. Roger & Ursula Jeans had been married since 1937. They had no children themselves but were uncle and aunt to the children of their many siblings. They were much loved by everyone that knew them and there was no hint of scandal in their life - so no publisher is interested in a biography about them.

Roger was diagnosed with cancer of the bowel and given just a few months to live. To avoid some of the swingeing death duties (taxes payable on the estate of the deceased) in force at the time, they decided to transfer all of their assets into Ursula's name. But then Roger's cancer took longer than expected to have its effect and even worse, Ursula developed a cancer and quickly died of it. So Roger was hit with all the taxes and had to live his last few years (he lived another 3 years after Ursula died) in relative poverty with the added expense of his medical bills.

But he lives on in our memories and our hearts.

Steve

Livesey biography - a work in progress

George Fry

Hi Steve. Yes, it is great that he lives on in our hearts and by the marvelous invention of computer discs. I am heartened that so many of these lovely people are still remembered with such affection on this site. They gave, and continue to give us so much and one wishes that it was possible to thank them. All that good feeling for dear old Margaret Rutherford on the "Blithe Spirit" exchange was so nice to read.

MrDrakesDuck

Just been a 15 min play on Radio 4 about the character Bridie as she waits for the boat to come back from Joan's desperate attempt to reach the island.

"I thought I had to shoot Germans, not chew 'em"

Steve Crook

It's the short series called Celluloid Extras that is being broadcast as the Woman's Hour drama all this week and repeated at 19:15
They'll all be available for a week on the web site after their second broadcast each day.

Steve

Woman's Hour Drama – Celluloid Extras
Monday 26 to Friday 30 March
10.45-11.00am BBC RADIO 4

Maggie Steed, Selina Cadell, Patricia Kerrigan, Claire Rushbrook and
Ellie Haddington star in five short plays about the secret world of a
minor character in a classic film.

Monday spotlights Miss Prism, or the Dreadful Secret from The
Importance Of Being Earnest, directed by Anthony Asquith in 1952. The
writer is Natalia Power. Cecily's tutor, Miss Prism, has a dreadful
secret and Oscar Wilde is determined to prise it out of her. His
discovery inspires his famous play. Miss Prism is played by Selina
Cadell, Oscar Wilde by Sam Dale, Bosie by Anthony Glennon and Cecily
by Jasmine Callan.

Taking centre stage on Tuesday is Molly's Story, from Great
Expectations, directed by David Lean in 1959. The writer is Shelley
Silas. Molly is housekeeper to Mr Jaggers, the lawyer who has managed
Pip's inheritance. Jaggers got Molly off a murder charge and she has
worked for him ever since, but her past is about to catch up with her.
Molly is played by Claire Rushbrook and Jaggers by John Dougall.

Wednesday's tale is Catriona's Story, from I Know Where I'm Going,
directed by Powell and Pressburger in 1945. The writer is Sebastian
Baczkiewicz. When Joan Webster is stranded on the island of Mull, she
is persuaded to stay with Catriona Potts, a penniless, dog-loving
owner of a large house whose husband is away in the War. When Joan
stubbornly insists upon heading out to sea towards a marriage of
convenience in the boat of a young local fisherman, listeners are left
to follow Catriona and local girl Bridie's tense wait as the boat
heads for a dangerous whirlpool. Catriona is played by Patricia
Kerrigan, Bridie by Tracy Wiles and Rory by John Dougall.

Thursday's drama is Sister Philippa's Story, from Black Narcissus,
directed by Powell and Pressburger in 1947. The writer is Katie Hims.
When a group of nuns establishes a remote mission in the Himalayas,
the physical environment produces illness, hysteria and a crisis of
faith. Sister Philippa is played by Ellie Haddington and Leonard by
Anthony Glennon.

Friday showcases Aunt Emma's Story, from The Railway Children,
directed by Lionel Jeffries in 1970. The writer is Rhiannon Tise. Aunt
Emma was temporarily drafted in to help bring up her sister's three
children, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis – the Railway Children. They
regarded Aunt Emma as a "prickle bush" and she knew it. Then an
invitation to Roberta's wedding reminds Aunt Emma of her past. Aunt
Emma is played by Maggie Steed.

ChristineCB

I'm not familiar with the authors of these radio-plays.

Am I to understand these are not part of the original film stories, but are modern tales of "What If-?" or "What were those other people doing while the stars were away?"

Just as I've been insulting creativity, here it seems to be alive and well in Radioland!

Thanks. I love the 'net.

moonfleet

A very good" Hitchcock and Lubitsch" style scene, in IKWIG is when Jean is dreaming in the train, going to be married in Scotland and she imagines the coutry with tartans hills, when the train enter in a very suggestive hill while a voice said something like "you have now cross the border"; it's very freudian and funny !

"Very difficult !" "Craazy!"

moonfleet

I've just seen the mini biography of R.Livesey by Steve, it's very touching...

"Very difficult !" "Craazy!"