Georgette Heyer Fans discussion
Heyer in General
>
Which GH Regency would you like to see turned into a film?
Judith wrote: "There are at least 2 Judiths posting; I am Judith L.Last year I viewed on You Tube the only film (that I know of) of one of her novels, viz. The Reluctant Widow. It was a 30's or 40's production i..."
Hi Judith
If you go into your profile & put the L by your first name, that will make it easy to tell you apart. :) Or you can upload an avatar.
I have seen part of of the filmed Reluctant Widow but it was just too bad to sit through.
I think the most filmable of GH's books is The Grand Sophy & rumour has it that a film is in the works. I often wonder if casting unknowns would be best - by the time some films are in production the leads are often too old for the parts!
Also good could be Venetia, Cotillion and The Foundling. No casting suggestions -- not sufficiently up to date on actors.
I've often thought that Faro's Daughter would make a good film. It's shorter than many of Heyer's other books, it has strong, attractive leads, and a good deal of physical / visual humor.
Didn't someone post here that the prospective film of The Grand Sophy makes her a secret agent? I suspect that GH would turn over!I actually saw The Reluctant Widow on TV ages ago. (I was fifteen and knew nothing about the author or the book.) What I remember is the deathbed marriage and then quite a bit later seeing a second one between Eleanor and a supposedly dying Carlyon. I also remember one scene in which Eleanor was hiding under covers on a settee (I think) and peeping out at whatever was going on in the room. If it hadn't been for the first marriage, I would hardly have recognized book and movie as the same story!
MaryC wrote: "Didn't someone post here that the prospective film of The Grand Sophy makes her a secret agent? I suspect that GH would turn over!Yes fortunately that leaked email has now been discounted. There is something about it in a thread here but it was easier to find this;
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Yes, that account made me shudder! "Bodice ripper," my eye! And not one mention of the original author?! After acknowledging that the film-to-be was based on that "bodice ripper," Robin Swicord went on and on about the talents of the adapter! Well, now you're evidently telling us that it's not going to happen. Good.Now, if Sophy had been available to be filmed several decades ago, I could imagine Lynn Redgrave in the lead role.
I'm thinking Talisman Ring would make a good film: smuggling, murder, mystery, wintery haunted woods... and so began rereading it. Grand Sophy is another I agree.BTW at Sundance, a film version of Jane Austen's Lady Susan will be shown. Doubt it will come to our small town.
Margaret wrote: "I've often thought that Faro's Daughter would make a good film. It's shorter than many of Heyer's other books, it has strong, attractive leads, and a good deal of physical / visual humor."That's very true! Now who would we cast?
I'm thinking Talisman Ring would make a good film: smuggling, murder, mystery, wintery haunted woods... The Talisman Ring was actually staged by the Lifeline Theater in Chicago some years back, from what I understand.
Margaret wrote: " I'm thinking Talisman Ring would make a good film: smuggling, murder, mystery, wintery haunted woods... The Talisman Ring was actually staged by the Lifeline Theater in Chicago some years back, from what I understand."
Ooh! It hadn't occurred to me that, when GH refused to allow any more of her books to be filmed, she didn't mention their being staged! Are new horizons opening up?
I agree The Talisman Ring would make a good movie. Faro's Daughter would probably be good too but it wasn't one of my favourite books.
I just recalled that Arabella was made into a movie in Germany some time ago. Last spring I was able to locate it on YouTube, but since there were no English subtitles did not play it. Now I wish I had played a few minutes just to see how it was done.
Yes! The Grans Sophy is in progressing! And I can't wait for more information to come out about it!As for casting, I truly want to see JJ Feild (Northanger Abbey & Austenland) as dear Charles! Though I know that Charles is only 26 and JJ is going to be 40, but, who cares! At least I've never matched Charles with a youthful face ;P When I watched Austenland, his 'judging you' face at the beginning immediately reminded me Charles Rivenhall.
As for Sophy, well... I would love to see Jenna Coleman portray her (if we could ignore the problem about the height hahahh). Her Clara 'control freak' Oswald is truly Sophy style! Oh yes, Rebecca Hall is also on my list.
Indeed I also agree that Venetia would make a wonderful film/miniseries as it is truly romantic. Since I listened to Richard Armitage's audio version, as long as I think of Damerel, Richard's image automatically appears. I think we have a wider choice for Venetia, who is a typical beauty, than Sophy. For me I would like to see Laura Carmichael as her. Carey Mulligan is also good.
Also, as I am particularly interested in Waterloo, I sincerely hope that somebody could make a film of An Infamous Army. This could be an epic! No particular suggestion for casting, but I am thinking about Michael Fassbender or JJ Feild (yes how I love him! And in AMC series Turn he is in red coat and TRULY gorgeous!). Sadly, I have no ideas for Barbara.
I could see Olivia Munn as the Grand Sophy—tall enough, perhaps a little slim for the part, but with a brown complexion and, most important, a lot of attitude!http://www.justjared.com/photo-galler...
Some news on the new Grand Sophy film being made. I personally cannot wait, finally something! Although would have loved to have seen a mini series or two.http://www.janetogeorgette.com/george...
Sounds pretty good. If this goes well, which of the novels would you like to see filmed next? Cotillion? Frederica? False Colours?So many have great characters and plots!
Eleanor wrote: "Some news on the new Grand Sophy film being made. I personally cannot wait, finally something! Although would have loved to have seen a mini series or two.http://www.janetogeorgette.com/georgette-..."
& I saw I'll do anything & remember Jessie Buckley well. She was the raw talent as a singer - without the same professional experience/training as some of the others. & charisma to burn!
I also clicked on the Stephen Fry interview. :)
I think Cotillion & Frederica would make great films - False Colours may be harder to pull off. I also think Faro's Daughter & The Talisman Ring would translate well.
Carol ♔ Typo Queen! ♔ wrote: "Eleanor wrote: "Some news on the new Grand Sophy film being made. I personally cannot wait, finally something! Although would have loved to have seen a mini series or two.http://www.janetogeorgett..."
Here's the Jessie Buckley performance I remember best from I'll Do Anything. Thats her in the green. All talent & no finesse! Samantha Barks in the blue is a big West End star now. Niamh in red has also done OK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vswuF...
Her most moving performance. I've no idea how she didn't beat Jodie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2ueQ...
Her Wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessie_...
I would love to see The Toll Gate or The Nonesuch as a film. Oh it would be marvelous if they started to make the books into films. I always wondered why no one had done it already. They'd be fantastic.
My candidate for a film version would be The Unknown Ajax--I could see the director having heaps of fun with the climax scene!
Marissa wrote: "My candidate for a film version would be The Unknown Ajax--I could see the director having heaps of fun with the climax scene!"I agree! It would also make a great scene on stage.
Cotillion. Totally with Tom Hiddleston as Freddie. Can't you just see it? It would be HILARIOUS.
Karen wrote: "Cotillion. Totally with Tom Hiddleston as Freddie. Can't you just see it? It would be HILARIOUS."Karen wrote: "http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lm1..."
Oh yes, indeed . And for an actor if- he -were -25 years younger, Hugh Grant https://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgu...
Sorry - Tom Hiddleston as Freddie? My deep, dark and glamorous Loki? The same Tom who transformed F Scott Fitzgerald in After Midnight into a charismatic but troubled hero? The wildly talented Tom who recently played Jonathan Pine in the Night Manager in BBC's series of the same name and managed to make an almost psychopathic character credible and sympathetic? The actor who won such fabulous reviews for his Coriolanus on the London stage? Tom is one of the best actors of our generation; he has the ability to combine elements of darkness and cruelty with charm and wit; to take an almost psychopathic individual and make him believable; the gift of making you feel that you have insight into the mind of someone with intellectual brilliance and a deep understanding of the human condition. No - for me - he might play several of GH's heroes - but he is never, ever a Freddie in my eyes. Sorry!!
Oh but I can totally see him carrying it off when I watch him in interviews. His ability to portray the duo darkness and charm would be totally translatable into silly but smart. Just because dark is where he's hired now doesn't mean he can't do charm and wit.
Karen wrote: "Oh bobcat totally see him carrying it off when I watch him in interviews. His ability to portray the duo darkness and charm would be totally translatable into silly but smart. Just because dark is ..."I agree that Tom could probably do absolutely anything - with his hands tied behind his back even!- but, whatever he plays, and without doubt he can do charm and wit, - he is always intelligent, clever and smart. (Taking a big breath!), - I'm sorry (and I know this is heresy for many fans), but I don't see Freddie as smart! At least, not in the way Tom is - and plays smart. Sorry Karen - I think we must agree to disagree. I would still go and see the film if he played Freddie but I would prefer to see him in something else of GH's.
Freddie is smart in a common sense "whatever it takes to make me comfortable" way. He anticipates pretty much every move Jack is set to make and thwarts it. Sussed out immediately the Chevalier isn't quite right and how to find out. He's rarely at a stand still in any situation and disposes of difficulties with ease. He's often see fluffing himself when he's actually calculating something. I guess he is situationally smart. He hides it so well his own father is fair stunned that Freddy's waters run deep. He is a Heyer hero in all but athleticism really. And as a character what makes him funny is how he carries it off. Which takes a really fine actor. Comedy (not bafoobery, but real comedy) is often so dismissed in an actors repertoire when actually it's much harder to pull off. You'd need an actor of that caliber to actually make Freddy really funny and not a clown.
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Sorry - Tom Hiddleston as Freddie? My deep, dark and glamorous Loki? The same Tom who transformed F Scott Fitzgerald in After Midnight into a charismatic but troubled hero? The wildly talented Tom ..."So you like Tom Hiddleston Susan lol!!!!
I got that impression too, Teresa. Even though she only hinted at it.
Now then ladies, I can't think what gave you that idea!
Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Now then ladies, I can't think what gave you that idea! "Though seriously, who could NOT like him. Seems like the ultimate good guy who is also sexy.
Karen wrote: "Susan in Perthshire wrote: "Now then ladies, I can't think what gave you that idea! "Though seriously, who could NOT like him. Seems like the ultimate good guy who is also sexy."
Gosh Karen - I had barely noticed! Ha Ha!! Seriously, I think you are absolutely right about him.
I've never heard of him, what should I be watching?
Well I heard that Night Manager is very good on AMC. And any of the Thor movies.
The Night Manager - a BBC adaptation of John Le Carre's book - in Woody Allen's After Midnight as F Scott Fitzgerald and as Karen has said - Loki in the Thor movies. He has also done a lot on stage and seems to be in the running for the next James Bond!
Just about to mention the Bond thing. Wouldn't he be perfect. The epitome of 'the English gent'!!
Think I've seen him in some good Shakespeare productions, as well.
Oh yeah and of course the Hank Williams biopic.
Karen wrote: "Oh yeah and of course the Hank Williams biopic."https://www.theguardian.com/film/vide...
Haven't seen this film yet but this clip just shows how versatile Tom H is!
Karen wrote: "Here's a clip from Miss Austen regrets. https://youtu.be/-VJBb9yQmQ0"They won't let me see this as I am in the UK - frustrating!
He also played a part in the second Cranford which was televised here. In fact I think that's the first thing I ever saw him in.Funny how a thread about Heyer books into film has turned into a Tom Hiddleston appreciation society lol!
Back to the film adaption aspect, I remember reading the Aitken Hodge bio, it said that GH treasured a letter from a political prisoner in Roumania, telling of how their nights were made bearable by one prisoner telling the story of Friday's Child (again & again). I think this double story would be v accessible for modern film. Casting always a problem but if we could pop into a time machine and get Helena Bonham Carter for Kitten...
If we are looking at Film adaptations again - I would really love both These Old Shades and Devil's Cub to be adapted into a film or tv series. Guess what, I can absolutely see Tom Hiddleston as Dominic!!
Marion Cotillard as the older Leonie (after all Leonie can only be about 44 max by the time of Devil's Cub).
I like Rufus Sewell for Avon in TOS and I am sure he could be aged well for DC.
I think Daisy Ridley would be great as the young Leonie. She has the feistiness and the sensitivity!
I am struggling to immediately think of someone for Mary - all the actresses I keep thinking of are sadly way too old! But if the time machine was available, I think the younger Keira Knightley would be good.
Last year I viewed on You Tube the only film (that I know of) of one of her novels, viz. The Reluctant Widow. It was a 30's or 40's production in B&W, is free, is posted in sections (so be patient if you go view it) and is TERRIBLE. I can see why she was so upset that (as I think I read somewhere) she refused to let any other Regency be made into a movie. Granted that a 90 minute movie (long for that time) is going to have to cut the plot, but in the midst of it all the Elinor and Carlyon have the most ridiculous flirting/seduction scene, that the actors can hardly keep from laughing. Actually I thought it was slimy. BTW the last section on You Tube you should not open as I was informed by posts that it has a very bad mal-link; it is the concluding part of the movie and I think Carlyon and Francis have a fight, with swords or so I was given to believe.
Any how, what GH Regency would you most like to see turned into a very good movie script? And why? Which actors/actresses would you think best to cast for the main romantic parts?