Beloved Eleanor

I promised myself this after Nicola mentioned The Wicked Lady (1945) the other day.  The real Wicked Lady was actually from the same part of the world as I am, which makes it all the more interesting to me!

Do love the scary Margaret Lockwood, plus Patricia Roc and James Mason.  Does anyone else think that Michael Kitchen is a little like him?

While, we’re talking about wicked – what about The Man in Grey (1943)?  James Mason is absolutely terrifying in that film!  The end is really awful!  Again with Margaret Lockwood, Phyllis Calvert also love Stewart Granger – gorgeous voice.

No!!!  Argh!

Last but not least (for now anyway) in glorious technicolour, I could never resist a bit of swash and buckle…Scaramouche (1952) Stewart Granger and Eleanor Parker.

Ooooh, flame-haired wildcat indeed!  Truly the voiceover is dreadful.

Oh, go on then.  A favourite completely: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon.

Repeat after me with your best RP, Vintage films are the best!

I know, it’s another video, but as I’m not up to writing much at the moment I thought I’d share the new Sherlock Holmes trailer with you.

Not particularly what I enjoy Holmes-wise (plus the fact I can’t stand Ritchie or Law), but a fun action movie I think I may enjoy anyway -  if I get to see it anytime soon what with snow and ice making visits outside the house rather unpleasant.

Hope everyone has had a nice Christmas so far, and hasn’t eaten or drunk too much

It looks so good I had to say it twice

Seriously though, have you seen the new Robin Hood trailer?  Russell Crowe looks really good in the role, and I confess did take me back to Gladiator days…

Did I mention I loved Gladiator?  No?  Where have you been?!  You must have remembered that I love all things Robin Hood right??

While we’re on the subject of old stories, how good was the last episode of Merlin?  A totally non-guilty pleasure of mine.  Here’s to series 3.

Here’s the part where I finally get to update on lots of things that I’ve been either doing or attempting to do this year.

With reference to castle visits.  I managed to visit Delgatie Castle again, and it was sunny too.  I think it could end up being a favourite of mine.  Apart from the usual suspects, I haven’t managed any other ones this year sadly.

Plus, the  history books I got my hands on?

The lovely people at Country Life Magazine sent me a copy of Adams Houses, I bought myself Jane Austen: the World of Her Novels by Deidre Le Faye and I’ve managed to borrow Sir Thomas Lawrence (which I love) and Treasures From the Trust.

I should also update the historic film and TV list.  I’m ashamed to say I originally missed off accidentally: Excalibur, Daniel Deronda, Dangerous Liasons, Howard’s End.  There are lots more I love that I will add eventually.

Talking of TV, after the glut of interesting stuff, there hasn’t been much on that I’ve liked lately.  Series 3 of The Tudors was pretty boring stuff, and I even missed the end.  Caught up with the predecessor of Victorian Farm – Tales From the Green Valley – which I didn’t like nearly as much, haven’t seen the new Wuthering Heights (not bothered either, I HATE the story and characters) and am currently watching the new version of Emma, which I’m not liking much either, sigh.

I hope to get out to the cinema over the Winter to see at least a couple of new films, and to get some fresh books to read as I’m getting a bit low on material.  Maybe someone will take pity on me for my birthday…

Haven’t managed any exhibitions either, though I do lust over paintings at every available opportunity.  I can dream about making an exhibition some time soon.

Last, but not least, I’ve done a little tinkering with this site, and gathered a lot of Eleanor material together.  I’m much more happy with the site now than I ever was, so I will put a proper front page up.  Not in any rush though (why rush now!) it will come when time and creativity permits.

Sorry to all for the silence.  Life is super crazy at the moment, and I have some posts coming up in draft, updates and thoughts.  Plus, I have been tinkering slightly with the site to add some Eleanor stuff from my collection.  Will post soon…

In the meantime, the next film I am excited about is Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.  Click on the link to find the trailer.  (Damn these un-embeddable videos).

Anyone else interested in this one?  Apparently we still have to wait until March 2010 though, so don’t get too excited yet!

I’ve been seeing a lot of adverts for new films coming up that I like the sound of lately, and this one crept up on me a little, so it gets included first.

Do you like the story of Dorian Gray?  I like the idea of seeing this one, but not sure as I have never been that fond of the book.

I do like a lot of Victorian literature though.

You can check out the trailer below.

I’ve mentioned the novels of Georgette Heyer a few times on this blog, and am back to re-reading my way through her historical books.  Powder and Patch again, to be exact.  I will carry on in publishing order from there when I’m in the mood.

(You can find my other Heyer posts via my search box on the right if you want to, they aren’t particularly relevant to this post, so I’m not linking directly.)

I’ve wanted for years to hear that someone is making a film or TV adaptation of her work, but nothing ever happens.  Today though, I discovered there’s a old black and white film of The Reluctant Widow made in 1950, which you can view online.  I will post a link to the first part – and there apparently was also a German version of Arabella made: Bezaubernde Arabella (1959).  Learn something new every day!

Here’s the details of the film from IMDB: The Reluctant Widow (1950).

I’m off to search for a DVD copy (legal of course)…

Please, please someone make a decent version of one of her books!

Monday was a holiday here, and as a treat the nephews got to go to the cinema to see Ice Age 3, and not only that – it was the 3D version.  Also as a treat, I got to go and see it too plus dodgy 3D glasses.  Bit of a change from the cardboard things I used many years ago!

Actually, it was really good, funny with in jokes that children wouldn’t get, and very entertaining in 3D.  The cuteness overload comes from one of the trailers we saw.

G-Force are highly trained spies….guinea-pig spies.  See the trailer, fabulous!  The mice will agree to anything…

Well, this new film needs no introduction.  Though I should say that it is only the first part of the story, part two coming next year I think.  Anyhow, I do want to see it, even though I’ve heard they’ve changed the story a fair bit.

Edit: I did have a trailer on here, but apparently they’re all being deleted.  Way to advertise people.

In other film news, some of you may remember that I loved the film The Young Victoria.  The DVD is due out here in the UK on Monday, so if you haven’t seen it yet, now’s your chance!  A warning though, they do monkey around with the history a tiny bit in this film, but mostly it’s ok.

I’ve been making this list for a while, and it is neither exaustive nor finished at the moment.  I feel that it is ready to begin to share and gather comments.  I should also point out that I have included ones that have a slight fantasy element to them also, if they mainly appear historical.

How about adding your favourite historic films and tv dramas to the list?

Films:

• The Company of Wolves (1984) Fantasic Neil Jordan film, fantasy and fairytale.  Based on the short story from the collection ‘The Bloody Chamber’ by Angela Carter which should also be read, it’s brilliant.
• Ladyhawke (1985) Great film, though the soundtrack has dated somewhat!  Matthew Broderick as the loveable thief and Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer as the starcrossed lovers.
• Lady Jane (1986) I love this film, based on the short period of Lady Jane Grey’s life leading up to her coronation and ultimate execution.  Beautifully made and acted, starring Helena Bonham Carter.
• Shadowlands (1993) Covering the period of time when C.S Lewis met and fell in love with Joy Gresham.  Beautiful and moving.
• Sense and Sensibility (1995) It’s an engaging version of the story, and I’m always pleased to see Margaret Dashwood included.  I do not, and will never approve of Emma Thompson playing Elinor however.
• Twelfth Night (1996) I love Shakespeare, and this is one of my favourites.  Has great moments of comedy and tragedy.  Plus I love Toby Stephens.
• Elizabeth (1998) Oh, what a stunning and epic film!  Cate Blanchett blows everyone else out of the water as Elizabeth I.  The follow up isn’t bad either.
• Gladiator (2000) If you haven’t seen this, are you dead?  Russell Crowe as Roman General turned gladiator, ’nuff said.
• Moulin Rouge (2001) People have said to me, you either love it or hate it.  I love it, Nicole Kidman as the courtesan and Ewan Macgregor the writer, musical-tastic!
• Possession (2002) A beautiful Victorian love story, with some unexpected twists.  Parallels with modern day London.  Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Ehle.  You should also read the fabulous book by A.S. Byatt.
• The Abduction Club (2002) A funny and engaging romp set in 18th Century Ireland.  Great cast, feelgood story.
• King Arthur (2004) I love this film, but many didn’t give it a chance.  A new take on the legend, bloody, sexy and enjoyable starring Clive Owen.

TV Dramas:

• Sherlock Holmes Memoirs/Return (1984-1988) Arthur Conan Doyle
  
• The House of Eliott (1991-1994) Two sisters, fashion and the roaring twenties.
  
• Cadfael (1994-1998) Ellis Peters
  
• The Glass Virgin (1995) An adaptation of a Catherine Cookson novel.  My fave one.
• Pride and Prejudice (1995) Jane Austen
  
• The Bucaneers (1995) Edith Wharton
  
• Persuasion (1995) and (2007) Jane Austen
  
• The Aristocrats (1999) From a biography by Stella Tillyard, read it, it’s fantastic.
  
• Wives and Daughters (1999) Elizabeth Gaskell
• The Murder Rooms – The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (2000) Inspired by the life of Arthur Conan Doyle.
  
• Lorna Doone (2000) R.D. Blackmore
  
• Foyle’s War (2002-2008) A detective, in 1940s war-torn England.
  
• North and South (2004) Elizabeth Gaskell
  
• Bleak House (2005) Charles Dickens
  
• Jane Eyre (2006) Charlotte Bronte
  
• Northanger Abbey (2007) Jane Austen
  
• Cranford (2007) Elizabeth Gaskell
  
• Lark Rise to Candleford (2007-) Flora Thompson
  
• Little Dorrit (2008) Charles Dickens

More to follow when I have time!