Update: www.petitionbuzz.com is now defunct so our lovely petition is gone! We were at almost 2000 names from all over the world and I am devastated that it has disappeared. The post below was written in the summer of 2014 and still no definite news of a Georgette Heyer film. Feel free to leave your name and country on a comment below. Fingers still crossed!
So here I am, flogging my Georgette Heyer Film Petition again. However, since we now have over 1000 names from all over the world on the petition (and lots of pleading and suggestions for which books to adapt and casting ideas) it was time to thank you all for your support. And obviously to beat the bushes for more Heyer fans who are aching for a really great film adaptation of one of her charming, hilarious novels.
Now if you have never read a Georgette Heyer book, you must purchase one instantly. And I can confidently say purchase because you will want to read these over and over again. OK, fine, I suppose you can also check them out of the library again and again as well. I have one or two on my e-reader but the beautiful covers of the new editions are so lovely on a bedside table that I think all future purchases will be of the paperback variety. My sister assures me that Georgette Heyer is one of the hottest sellers at used book stores world-wide, so they may be hard to find there however!
Alison Flood of The Guardian says of Georgette Heyer, "Just picking up one of the many battered paperbacks stashed around the house is like snuggling up in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate. Comfort reading, times a thousand."
So if there are so many Heyer fans from all over the world that have read the books to tatters and now would really like a film adaptation, where are the BBC, ITV and even Hollywood? What the heck is going on in the world of entertainment? The novels are almost film scripts already!
Well, apparently they don't realize that we are a large group of people with disposable incomes who will gladly part with some of it to see and purchase some quality film adaptations of Georgette Heyer's books. Money on the table people!!!
I suppose my next task will be to send the petition to some executives at the BBC and ITV and try to convince them of the financial viability of a film. I wonder if the fact that the books are still under copyright protection and can't be purloined gratis has some bearing on this. Hmmmmm.
So here is the link for the Georgette Heyer Film Petition again. And if you have already signed it, you nay want to go back and read some of the comments left by other fans. Countries represented include: The UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Russia, Brazil, Spain, Germany, India, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Poland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Argentina, Croatia...well, you get the idea.
Perhaps I should drop off a copy of the petition to ITV and BBC when I am in London in a few weeks time. What say fellow fans?
Cheers and have a great summer. And take a few Heyer paperbacks to the beach!!!!
Well, Jenny, now that the petition is over 1000 names, I definitely think that you should be scheduling side trips to the offices of ITV and the BBC and drop off a copy (especially showing the diversity of countries represented!). After Downton Abbey, they'll all be looking for the "next big thing" in the world of period drama!
ReplyDeleteThe second thing to do is to send it to Stephen Fry (possibly suggesting that he promote a role for himself!) to see if he would champion the idea - after all, he lists Georgette Heyer among his "guilty pleasures"!! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZP4hCoodb0)
The fans have spoken!
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ReplyDeleteJust have to say a huge thank you! I had never heard of this author before so I added her to my reading list. I finally got around to reading the grand Sophy- I have not been not entertained in years! Loved it so much I ran down to the library and checked out 6 more. As soon as they have time to go to the bookstore I'm definitely tracking down her books to buy thank you for introducing me to a wonderful new world.
ReplyDeleteHi Frogwindy. You have lots of fun ahead of you. There are still a few of her Georgian/Regency novels that I haven't read, but there are lots which I have read a few times over. I think Venetia is my most dogeared Heyer, followed by Sophy and Arabella. But they are all so good. Hard to pick a fave. And let's keep hoping for a film!
DeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteJust read my first Georgette Heyer novel, Venetia. Loved it!!! Thanks for petitioning the BBC to make a movie. I will definitely be reading many more!
Hi Olga! Glad you are enjoying Georgette Heyer. You have such fun ahead of you. If you want to hear Richard Armitage reading Venetia (yummy voice and has been suggested a few times for playing Damerel if ever it gets to film) the link is here. [url]http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/437912.htm[/url]
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