Michael Gambon- Actor of the Week

Sir Michael Gambon

Sir Michael Gambon is a Dublin born treasure of the British stage and screen has done so many wonderful period dramas, I will never be able to list them all. He also seems to be quite a character. He flies planes and drives a Ferrari and has "Gambon Corner" on BBC's Top Gear named after the location of his his near roll of a Suzuki Liana in their "Star in a reasonably priced car" segment.

Although he keeps his private life quiet, he became a father for the third time in 2009 at the age of 68 with the then 43-year-old set designer Philippa Hart, with whom he already had a two year-old. He has been married to his wife, retired mathematician and staunch Catholic Lady Anne Gambon for 50 years. He and Lady Anne still share a house in the countryside of Kent, but he visits his other family regularly. OK, enough with the titillating gossip and on to his wonderful work.

Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse with Romola Garai as Emma

I am showing my bias here again with one of my favourite adaptations ever, Emma 2009. Sir Michael Gambon does a wonderful job of the worrywart father Mr. Woodhouse who clings to Emma, ever fearful of being left alone.

Michael Gambon as Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters

With the wonderfully meaty role of Squire Hamley in Wives and Daughters, Gambon really gets to flex his acting chops. Poor Squire Hamley goes through a contrariety of emotions, from the love he has for his cultured wife to the rage he vents at his eldest son (and huge disappointment) Osborne and then through sorrow, confusion and on to pride and happiness in his remaining family by the end of the series.

Michael Gambon as Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited with Ben Whishaw and Hayley Atwell

As the aloof Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Revisited 2008, he has a small role, but quite dramatic at the end when he returns to his beloved Brideshead and to his family.

Michael Gambon as Sir William McCordle in Gosford Park

In Gosford Park, Sir Michael plays the head of the house Sir William McCordle. He turns out to be rather a key character in this wonderful ensemble piece. Well, at least Elsie the maid and his dog loved him! The 3 Dames in this film (Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins and Maggie Smith) thought he was a rotter!

Michael Gambon as Judi Dench's love interest in Cranford

In our beloved Cranford, Sir Michael Gambon plays Mr. Thomas Holbrook, the long lost love interest of Miss Matty Jenkins (Judi Dench) and a tender story it is. I love the way he eats his peas!

Michael Gambon as King George V in The King's Speech

Lending a note of authority to the role of King George V, grandfather to the present Queen Elizabeth in The King's Speech, he shows why the relationships between English rulers and their fathers have usually been fractious.

Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in Harry Potter

And of course, we all know Sir Michael as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. He had big shoes to fill after the death of Richard Harris in 2002 after filming the first two Harry Potter films.

Michael Gambon in Longitude 2000

I had forgotten about Michael Gambon starring as John Harrison in Longitude. Sounds like a good birthday gift for The Squire. Good thing he rarely reads my blog. My secret is safe!

The Lost Prince 2003

The Lost Prince is on my to be watched list. I think I saw it when it first came out, but I may not have seen the whole thing. Michael Gambon plays King Edward VII in this one, grandfather to the "Lost Prince" John. There seem to be a lot of folks who love this one about the epileptic uncle of our present Queen who died of a seizure at the age of 13. Any fans out there?

Listing of period films starring Michael Gambon (thanks to Cheryl at Enchanted Serenity of Period Films):

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2008)
Brideshead Revisited (2008)
Cranford (2007)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Amazing Grace (2006)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Being Julia (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Sylvia (2003)
The Lost Prince (2003)
Path to War (2002)
Charlotte Gray (2001)
Gosford Park (2001)
Wives and Daughters (1999)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Last September (1999)
Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)
The Wings of the Dove (1997)
Mary Reilly (1996)
The Browning Version (1994)
Blood Royal: William the Conqueror (1990)
Much Ado About Nothing (1967)

Jennifer Ehle- Actor of the Week

Jennifer Ehle

Jennifer Ehle's career has really taken off in the last year or so. Most of us know Jennifer as the definitive Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice 1995 (OK, you younger ones think it is Keira Knightley but your elders know better!).

Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice

Total geeks like me also know that she wanted this part so badly that she dyed her naturally blond eyebrows dark before her audition so that when they put the dark Lizzy wig on her, she looked like a brunette. And that she had a little fling with Colin Firth during the filming of Pride and Prejudice. Well, who could blame her...I mean he was Mr. Darcy!

Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam in Possession

And how many of us would give our right arm (first born?) to be snuggling and holding hands with Jeremy Northam as Jennifer is in this photo from Possession? Hmm...haven't seen that in a while. Pretty sure I bought the DVD...

Jennifer Ehle as Myrtle Logue in The King's Speech with Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth

And if you are a true Pride and Prejudice geek like I am, you got a real thrill watching The King's Speech and seeing Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle on screen together again. Even if it was just for a minute. That was one adorable scene!

Jennifer Ehle as the ghost of an ex-wife with Patrick Wilson in A Gifted Man

I was surprised to find out that she is co-starring in a network TV show this fall. Here is the synopsis from CBS:  When a well-known surgeon begins seeing his dead ex-wife he starts questioning the meaning of life and his place in the world. 'A Gifted Man' begins this Fall on CBS!

Early reviews are surprisingly good considering the unusual premise. Here's hoping! Friday nights at 8 o'clock if you're interested.

Jennifer Ehle as scientist Ally Hextall in Contagion with Laurence Fishburne

And the rest of the world is just now discovering the talents of this wonderful woman in the adult "horror film" Contagion. This one will have us washing our hands for months (years?) but it is so great to see two such capable actresses (Jennifer Ehle and Kate Winslet) playing scientists in a credible manner. Role models for all the young aspiring female scientists! Yay!

As an actress who can switch from an English accent to an American one at the drop of a hat she should have a good long career ahead of her on both continents. The only other actress who can do that as easily is Gillian Anderson (they were both raised on both continents).  And as a two time Tony Award winner and a BAFTA winner she doesn't have to prove that she can act.

So here's hoping we see a lot more of the lovely Jennifer Ehle.

The King's Speech DVD released today, April 19, 2011

The King's Speech DVD released today

In honour of the release of The King's Speech DVD today (a perfect gift for Easter Bunnies everywhere) I found a great little piece on "The Real King's Speech" on You Tube. I also found the historic recording of the actual King George VI giving his famous address for those who would like to hear the actual radio broadcast. Happy Easter and if the old hopper doesn't bring this to you, go and get it yourself. What a great film to watch with your family (assuming they are old enough to hear some swearing in a very funny context).

Here is Colin Firth with the mini documentary:




And here is the Queen's father himself with the historic radio address:



I hope there are lots of extras on the DVD! Have a wonderful weekend to all of my Jane Austen Film Club friends. I'll be showing this to both of my teenage boys this weekend. Great family time!

Sir Colin Firth? Just a rumour, but it has a certain ring to it!

From King Colin Firth to Sir Colin Firth? Just a rumour!

We won't find out about whether or not a knighthood is imminent until the list is posted in June, but my guess is a no for the moment. He just seems too young even though he thinks his career has peaked! It would make Hugh Grant really really mad however, which might be fun to watch.

For the link to the article from E! online, click here:

http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b229370_true_false_colin_firth_getting_knighted.html


Now, while I am on the Colin Firth topic, I found some interesting photos on the blog of his ex-wife, Meg Tilly.  It seems that his son Will, who would be about 18 now, looks a lot like Colin. Meg has a really cute photo of Will when he was younger in her photo collection on her site. If you scroll down the page on the link below you will find a photo of Will Firth in a red shirt playing with some Ghost Buster toys. No need for a DNA test on the paternity of this kid!

http://www.officialmegtilly.com/blog/will/

OK, I am done with idle gossip for the time being. Back to watching Richard Armitage playing Claude Monet in The Impressionists.  Droooool!  Art galleries will never be the same for me.

The Oscars and Period Drama 2011

Period Drama of the Year 2011, The King's Speech

I will be thrilled if The King's Speech sweeps the Oscars. It is nominated for an incredible 12 Oscars, so the chances are good.  As I am writing this, the pre-Oscar show is playing in the background and I just saw Colin Firth arrive, probably wearing Tom Ford.  Helena Bonham Carter is wearing her usual dark round shades and a really cool black dress with sliced up puffed sleeves and a bustle (I love her!).  Who else would dare wear a late Victorian inspired dress designed by a costume designer?  No one but Helena of course. Here is a photo with her unusual garter!

Helena Bonham Carter Oscar Dress 2011- Patriotic and wacky at the same time!

Geoffrey Rush has shaved his head for a new role and so looks quite different from Lionel Logue at the moment.

Geoffrey Rush bald at the Oscars 2011 (and wearing straight top bifocals!) No Hollywood vanity here. How refreshing!

Colin Firth's wife is wearing a "green" dress which is detailed on her blog at vogue.com. She describes it as being recycled, repurposed, upcycled.  "Eleven dresses in one, vintage/thrift/charity shop buys all from the era of The King's Speech",  and here it is:

Livia and Colin Firth getting ready for the red carpet at the Oscars

And for a few more of Livia getting ready with a bit of help from her adoring husband.  Also check out the amazing jewels, all fair trade!

Livia Firth getting laced into her corset with a little help from her adoring husband

Gorgeous fair trade aquamarine earring on Livia Firth

I'd love that aquamarine ring, but I'm afraid I couldn't pull that one off!

Couldn't resist this one last photo from the film. Sooooooo cute!

Adoring looks abound for Colin Firth

And now for something completely different...

The other Period Drama which has been really overlooked is True Grit.  Although nominated for 10 Oscars, I think it hasn't gotten nearly the attention that was anticipated when it was released.  I quite enjoyed this one, although it wasn't in the same league as The King's Speech.  I truly enjoyed the performance of the young star Hailee Steinfeld.  She reminded me somewhat of Megan Follows in Anne of Green Gables.  Quite a joy to watch.  Although Jeff Bridges has been mocked a little for his rather difficult to understand diction in this film as Rooster Cogburn, he was obviously having a lot of fun and so did I watching him!

Rooster Cogburn and Mattie Ross

It's been years since I watched a western and this one was definitely worth seeing.  Perhaps a rental as opposed to one you might want to own.  The King's Speech, however, will be in my library as soon as it's available.

Well, the awards are starting, so off I go for now.  I'll update with the wins later!  Bye!!!!!

#1 Congrats to David Seidler for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
#2 Congrats to Tom Hooper for Best Achievement in Directing (Listen to your mother!)
#3 Congrats to Colin Firth for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
#4 Congrats to Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin for Best Motion Picture of the Year

Night, night!