Alan Rickman Guestbook

And for those with less time or just want 'the facts,' please go to the News, Info & Schedule page.

We have another guestbook page devoted to fiction & virtual parties called Flights of Fancy. Again, this page that we are on now is intended (more or less) for discussion of Mr. Rickman's projects (both past, present and future).

We also have another page called the Harry Potter Forum where we can discus all things Harry Potter, spoilers and all!

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Family first...must attend event but I am very disappointed it means I won't have opportunity to even TRY for tickets to Creditors in NYC. Very large sigh....
Jan
KY USA - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 06:32:19 PM (EST)

Speaking of Die Hard, Pia Susanna, my friend attended the event at the Royal Court two nights ago and was able to get an autograph from Jeremy Irons for me, personalized with a cute little saying. Now I have BOTH Gruber brothers in my autograph stash! She spent several minutes with AR and said that he looked wonderful and was in fine spirits. His portion of presenting Mortimer's work included a reading having to do with outdoor sex, lol. I understand that it was especially amusing and a fun time was had by all.
Dottie
- Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 08:26:28 AM (EST)

Die Hard in 30 seconds with bunnies! The very essence of the greatest action movie ever! Many thanks, Amy.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 08:05:38 AM (EST)

Dear Alan, I am a fan. Ok. There, I said it. But what is more, I am a woman who is interested in meeting you for a cup of coffee. Do you ever come through Virginia? If you do, you can contact me. You will be glad you did.
Mary Horsley <mphorsley@verizon.netfoo>
Richmond, VA USA - Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 05:59:09 PM (EST)

I found this on the net, and thought you'd like it. I did!! http://www.angryalien.com/aa/diehardbuns.asp
Amy
- Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 04:42:19 PM (EST)

Yes, wonderful! The film makers do seem a bit stupid at times. This isn't the first time good stuff has been cut from an HP film, or omitted in the first place.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, November 13, 2009 at 04:12:53 PM (EST)

Awesome is the word, Renie (if the * is any clue)! I hope it all ends up on the DVD.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, November 13, 2009 at 07:18:43 AM (EST)

Awesome HBP unused footage - wonderful Severus (and music), Just imagine what he could be thinking.
No h*nds, but still.
- Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:24:23 PM (EST)

Alice Poster: Must say, caterpillar doesn't look anything like Mr. Rickman. Artists should have done better connecting character to actor. Regarding "Mortimer's Tribute": I wish I lived in Great Britain (or NYC even) where theater & culture were within easy reach. :-(
Jan
KY USA - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 07:02:38 PM (EST)

Not a very flattering caterpillar....

Alice in Wonderland Poster.
Bit of a disappointment, really.
- Monday, November 09, 2009 at 12:00:40 AM (EST)

MORTIMER'S TRIBUTE TO LATE DAD to take place at the Royal Court Theatre on November 15th.
Sara
PA USA - Sunday, November 08, 2009 at 09:16:05 PM (EST)

The review is nice, too!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, November 06, 2009 at 04:19:04 PM (EST)

Photo of Bottle Shock filmshoot as part of review for film for Taiwan News.
總金額
- Friday, November 06, 2009 at 02:41:41 PM (EST)

From the New York Times:

�Julie & Julia� for the Rugged: Tracing a Fatal Everest Trek

By MICHAEL CIEPLY
Published: October 30, 2009

LOS ANGELES � Natasha Richardson, working on what was to be her last film, had trouble with a line last February.

This photograph is believed to be one of the last images of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine the men before they disappeared on Mt. Everest in 1924. Ms. Richardson was providing the voice of Ruth Mallory, wife of George Mallory, for a new documentary, �The Wildest Dream,� about Mallory�s 1924 attempt to climb Mount Everest. And she was supposed to read from a telegram reporting his death on the mountain.

� �I can�t read this,� � Anthony Geffen, the film�s director, recalls her saying, as she broke down in midsentence. � �I can�t imagine getting the letter, or Liam�s getting a letter like that.� �

Ms. Richardson was referring to her husband, Liam Neeson, who narrates the movie. Weeks later she died of a head injury suffered while skiing in Quebec, leaving Mr. Neeson and their children to cope with the sort of loss that dissolved Mr. Geffen�s take in a puddle of tears.

But Ms. Richardson finally delivered her line, and �The Wildest Dream,� five years in the making, is now jostling for a place among 15 or so documentaries that will be included on a �short list� of Oscar candidates scheduled to be released in mid-November by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Last year almost 100 films from an increasingly crowded field vied for a place on the list, from which the five nominees for best documentary feature are chosen. This year�s contenders are as varied as �Anvil! The Story of Anvil,� which follows the life and hard times of an aging heavy-metal band; �The Cove,� about the slaughter of dolphins; and Michael Moore�s �Capitalism: A Love Story,� about the dark side of big business.

Few demanded quite as much from its cast and crew as Mr. Geffen�s film, which is scheduled to be released by National Geographic Entertainment on both conventional and Imax screens in April, after having qualified for Oscar consideration with screenings in New York and Los Angeles this year.

�The Wildest Dream� is devised as a kind of �Julie & Julia� for the rugged. It follows Conrad Anker, an Everest veteran, and Leo Houlding, his prot�g�, through an attempt in 2007 to mimic, if not quite duplicate, the ill-fated climb in which both Mallory and his companion, Andrew Irvine, died near the summit.

This required a difficult assault from Tibet, in the north, as Mallory about 85 years ago had no access to a less demanding southeastern alternative from Nepal. It also meant scaling a rock formation near the top, the Second Step, in the way Mallory and Irving would have had to do it � without the benefit of a metal ladder that for years has been giving climbers a leg up.

*snip*

In the film the various historical figures are voiced by a cast that includes Ralph Fiennes as Mallory, Hugh Dancy as Irvine and Alan Rickman as Noel Odell, a fellow climber who survived the 1924 expedition.

The New York Times plays a minor role in the picture. During a visit to New York Mallory was asked, �Why did you want to climb Mount Everest?� The Times, on March 18, 1923, reported his answer, the now famous �Because it�s there.�
R
- Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 08:43:24 PM (EDT)

How did i miss Sue's post? Thanks, Sue. These eyes . . . sheesh.

Stephen Dillane will appear as Jaques in Sam Mendes' As you LIke It (and will be Prospero in the Tempest) as part of the Bridge Project -- a three-year series of co-productions by BAM, The Old Vic, and Neal Street Productions. Runs January 12-March 13.
Renie
- Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 02:05:20 AM (EDT)

From Variety: Alan Rickman's Donmar Warehouse production of August Strindberg's "Creditors" will see a New York run as part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music's 2010 spring season.

First staged in London in October 2008, David Greig's adaptation of the 1888 drama of marital bitterness and betrayal starred Anna Chancellor, Tom Burke and Owen Teale, all of whom will reunite for the Gotham engagement.

The play runs April 16-May 16 at BAM's Harvey Theater. Director Rickman will give an Artist Talk on April 27.<-------

Renie
Jude Law in Hamlet- yes. God of Carnage - even better. , - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 01:58:04 AM (EDT)

I'm GIDDY with anticipation!!!
Jan
KY USA - Monday, October 19, 2009 at 05:35:28 PM (EDT)

SO maybe that WAS him I saw trudging through Penn Station a couple of weeks ago - looked just like him, and I thought I recognized the beat-up script bag he carries from pix I've seen.
Betsy <BestBets@aol.comfoo>
- Monday, October 19, 2009 at 03:38:43 PM (EDT)

Yippeeeee!!!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Monday, October 19, 2009 at 09:28:28 AM (EDT)

Rickman's London production of Strindberg's Creditors is going to NY next April. Details HERE. Another source lists that he will do a Director's Talk on 27th April.
sue
- Monday, October 19, 2009 at 09:07:20 AM (EDT)

I apologise for this being really off-topic, but I remember that a few years ago one of the regular long-time contributors to the Guestbook also followed the actor Nigel Bennett. He is currently in a Canadian series and if whoever it was wished to contact me I would be happy to give more information.
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Cobourg, Canada - Friday, October 16, 2009 at 11:20:12 PM (EDT)

Oh, I see, Jan! I thought more in terms of associations of ideas. I love "Snow Cake", too; a warm-hearted, original, lovely film. Have seen it only once, though. AR and SW are perfect in their roles, and the snow/winter imagery is so apt, and beautiful. I also liked the fact that the autist isn't presented as a victim, but rather as one of Alex's helpers. There's this strong positive development in the story. From winter to spring.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, October 16, 2009 at 09:56:07 AM (EDT)

Pia Susanna, it was a night to watch (yet, again) a poignant, witty, and uplifting movie with the most Alan Rickman scenes I've ever seen in a movie. I also catch all of Ms. Weaver's movies because I went to school with her husband for several years. I "force feed" Snowcake to friends and family and without fail, they love it & the performances.
Jan
KY USA - Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:45:21 PM (EDT)

Hi girls! Lets get together at the new social network! Lots of Alan`s groups and fans! I`m looking forward to see you there! ps Sorry for my awful English :) http://vk.com/reg43389055
Sash <texangirl@yandex.rufoo>
UA - Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 02:44:37 AM (EDT)

Jan -- what does this mean? Snowy? Cosy? Romantic? Sad? One when people play Scrabble? Have herbal tea? Everybody has probably their own associations.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 09:33:11 AM (EDT)

Ah, you've discussed "Benefactors," one of my very favorites. Noteworthy for (1) the versatility of the playwright (Michael Frayn also wrote "Noises Off" and "Copenhagen," very disparate plays), (2) the versatility of the actor--Mr. Richman nearly cackles with the joy of it, and (3) how hard it was to watch the Twin Towers come down without hearing Colin's gibe, "progressive collapse."
Georgiana
Seattle - Monday, October 05, 2009 at 09:03:41 PM (EDT)

It's a "Snow Cake" kind of evening!
Jan
Ky USA - Saturday, October 03, 2009 at 07:39:08 PM (EDT)

It's a "Snow Cake" kind of evening!
Jan
Ky USA - Saturday, October 03, 2009 at 07:38:53 PM (EDT)

FREE COPY of NOBEL SON in this Sunday's MAIL ON SUNDAY

The Mail on Sunday is to be the exclusive distribution channel for the feature film Nobel Son, in what is thought to be a first for a UK newspaper.

The film, starring Alan Rickman, Mary Steenburgen and Eliza Dushku, will be given away on Sunday (4 October). The title will be distributed with the Mail on Sunday on 4 October.

The Mail on Sunday bought the rights to the film and it has not had a cinema publication was the first newspaper to be the exclusive distribution channel for new full-length CDs when it secured a deal to release Prince's new album Planet Earth in 2007.
sue
england - Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 01:06:12 PM (EDT)

Yes; we have discussed this before, on this page. And somebody pointed out that Broadway was probably out of the question (even on the strength of Strindberg's name), but that somewhere off-Broadway might be possible. Haven't seen anything about this for quite long, though. And, yes, it should be "Creditors", not "The Creditors". "Creditors" is probably as close as one can get to the Swedish title, which is a bit more ambiguous. Or so I'm told.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 09:02:16 AM (EDT)

It is highly unlikely that "Creditors" will come to Broadway - it's more likely that it would run at somewhere like the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The production does not have star performers, and that will make the Strindberg a very hard sell to Broadway investors.

Mary Stuart was a recent Broadway transfer, and Janet McTeer and Harriet Walter are not terribly well-known to New York audiences - despite the wonderful production and wonderful performances, the play did not recoup its investment. Unfortunately, there isn't anything to recommend the Creditors project that would lead investors to believe it would do better than MS did. But Brooklyn Academy is not hard to get to.
Bonnie <Borderlou@aol.comfoo>
- Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 12:17:25 AM (EDT)

Hello, I like all your films.I can�t understand all because I have just two years English at school but what I understand is really good.
Friederike
Wilhelmshaven, Deutschland - Friday, September 25, 2009 at 11:42:34 AM (EDT)

Hi everyone,I'm from Japan.Ali-Pat,thank you for your reply to my e-mail.In Japan, films("for children") of foreign languages are presented by dubbed version and Japanese subtitle version. But if you have grown up,it's stupid not listening to Alan's world sexiest voice,isn't it? On the other hand, it is poison for children at puberty...like my daughter. She watches his DVD every morning befor going to school,every morning! And her computer is full of photographs of a man who is over sixty. Of course,I am not seriously worried about it. I'm enjoying *ALAN* together with.She hopes to watch his stage and he takes an active part for a long time. Long post,this is my first one for a message board.Thank you all for reading my poor English.
Mihoko
Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Japan - Friday, September 25, 2009 at 01:25:36 AM (EDT)

But seriously, folks...a while ago, I read online that Alan hoped to bring "The Creditors" to Broadway. I've no idea how old that message was but does anyone have a scoop about whether that will happen or has that ship sailed? I hoped it might happen after Deathly Hallows filming wrapped. Anyone????
Jan
KY USA - Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 05:52:25 PM (EDT)

Ladies, the fact that Alan and Rima have never married and maintain that elusive bond very simply leads me to admire him that much more. Look at all the opportunity to stray that he gets. Bravo, Alan! After 20 years, I discovered I had an unfaithful husband(I married when I was 12 ;-0), we both wore wedding rings, the whole shabang. Bupkiss! Bupkiss, I say!
Jan
KY USA - Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 05:47:32 PM (EDT)

Elen, that's cute. I know how you feel!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 01:59:02 PM (EDT)

Yes, Dottie, I agree with you. A marriage ceremony is only an outward sign of something far more important. And if that isn't there, no ceremony in the world can help. If it IS there, though, any ceremony may appear superfluous. I have lived, myself, for years with a man I'm not married to. This isn't really off topic, and I don't think your post was. We're trying to explain Alan's long, informal, wholly private relationship. Supposing it needs an explanation at all.
pia susanna
- Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 05:39:28 PM (EDT)

Alan Rickman makes my heart go all fluttery.
Elen
NY, USA - Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 05:23:57 AM (EDT)

I think that it is logical to assume that Steven Spurrier is married, or at least was at the time that the Paris wine tasting took place. AR has worn wedding rings in several films when the character that he plays is married. There has been no ring on his finger following Bottle Shock. That is not to say that AR and RH have not married at some point. Perhaps they have, but if so, they have chosen to keep it private. I personally think that they have not, because they have decided to stay together out of choice rather than words or pledges and promises on paper. We are all unique individuals and we all have the ability to choose the best way that our relationships work for us. I lived with my husband for five years before we were married and we were very happy. A month after we married, we found ourselves fighting like cat and dog. One night we took a drive to the beach and pitched our wedding rings out the window, then afterward laughed all night long at why we had attempted this matrimonial bliss (it was for the parents and what was expected of us). We've remained married for almost thirty years, but deep down, I think we both sort of wish that we could have just continued with a promise to each other instead of all the other stuff. Long post. Sorry. I just sort of understand why their bond is perhaps even more sacred than marriage. They made it to each other. Period.
Dottie
- Monday, September 21, 2009 at 11:45:40 PM (EDT)

Pia Susanna, there was no mention of Steven Spurrier's marital status in Bottle Shock or in any of the DVD "extras". Nothing in Wikipedia either so that's why I was curious about the ring...it was there but didn't seem to have any relevance to the story (unless Alan had a secret only he & Ms Rima knew. hee hee) Idle curiosity on my part.
Jan
KY USA - Monday, September 21, 2009 at 08:03:02 PM (EDT)

Has anyone seen this? ricmaniaco has uploaded parts of Private Lives http://www.youtube.com/user/ricmaniaco
rickimam
- Monday, September 21, 2009 at 04:25:58 PM (EDT)

I had a brand new metallic green 1976 gremlin for my first car-I loved it-wouldn't drive it now though LOL
ACC
- Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 11:22:04 PM (EDT)

Is his character supposed to be married?
pia susanna
- Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 02:58:35 PM (EDT)

Bottle Shock was never released in my neck of the woods but I did acquire the DVD. I laugh out loud every time Alan drives into the scene in a Gremlin (Really, where did they even FIND one of those?)and again when he yells "knickers!", kicks the tire, and falls on his assets. Good times! PS. Why was he wearing a wedding ring in the film?
Jan
KY USA - Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 05:32:25 PM (EDT)

From IGN Entertainment:

Bottle Shocking Contest
Indie wine comedy offers a promotional contest.
by David McCutcheon

September 18, 2009 - The makers of Bottle Shock have taken their do-it-yourself promotional approach to another level by announcing a new contest. The contest encourages viewers to watch Bottle Shock, and share their experience � including what wine they were drinking, who they were with, where they were etc., through an interactive blog. The winners will then be hosted for a unique Bottle Shock experience.

Bottle Shock is based on the real events surrounding the 1976 blind tasting in Paris pitting California wines against the French. The film stars Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Chris Pine, Freddy Rodriguez, Rachael Taylor, Dennis Farina and Eliza Dushku. Bottle Shock was shot in Sonoma and Napa during August 2007, and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2008. When big studio buyers weren't acquiring films that year, the producers of Bottle Shock opted for a do-it-yourself theatrical release, raising more funds and hiring Freestyle Releasing to run a marketing campaign and book the film into as many as 400 theaters across the country last August through October.

The getaway package includes the following:

2 nights at the Lodge at Sonoma, where the cast of Bottle Shock stayed (Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Chris Pine, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez, Dennis Farina, Eliza Dushku).

Helicopter tour with the producers capturing those beautiful aerial shots over Napa and Sonoma and stopping for tours and tastings at key filming locations.

A guided tour of Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley, whose 1973 Chardonnay was the winning white wine at the 1976 Judgment of Paris.

A guided tour of Kunde Estates in Sonoma Valley where several scenes were filmed, including the boxing ring scenes with Bill Pullman and Chris Pine, and the final judging "tasting" scene inside the Ruins at Kunde - the first winery in Sonoma Valley.

Dinner with the producers at Della Santina in Sonoma, where scenes with Alan Rickman and Dennis Farina were filmed.

Food and wine pairing with Gustavo Brambila (played by Freddy Rodriguez in the movie) at his own Napa winery, Gustavo Thrace.

A bottle of Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena, signed by the cast. Movie poster

The best story will be determined by the Producers of Bottle Shock in November, 2009. Stay tuned to IGN DVD for more information about the film.

Truly Sonoma is really special. Della Santina is good eats, and Chateau Montelena is good wine. But no helicopters for me, so go for it!
Renie
- Friday, September 18, 2009 at 09:47:40 PM (EDT)

Dottie: I've now discovered that "short" is wrong. Sorry!
pia susanna
- Friday, September 18, 2009 at 03:09:59 PM (EDT)

Jan: Perfectly normal, nothing to worry about! And we who visit this site know of course everything about those "other virtues" of his . . . ;-) Renie: Thanks for this. I'd just like to add that Frayn is a very famous British writer. Incidentally, he's married to another one, Claire Tomalin (though she's half French, I think).
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 10:11:31 AM (EDT)

Just watched some "Gentlemen Broncos"...if that's not Mr. Rickman doing voiceover, then I'm gobsmacked! I'm also very glad to know there are others who are serious fans who appreciate his talent as well as other virtues. I worried somewhat about my obsession ;-)
Jan <tututo3@yahoo.comfoo>
KY USA - Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 08:07:25 PM (EDT)

Oooooooh, Colin. "Progres-sive col-lapse."

"Benefactors", a play by English playwright/novelist Michael Frayn was first staged in London in 1984 and won the Olivier Award for Best New Play. In ran on Broadway in 1985: original Broadway cast included Glenn Close, Mary Beth Hurt, Simon Jones and Sam Waterston. The play was nominated for two Tony Awards. It was adapted for film by the BBC in 1989, with this wonderful cast including AR. The Rickmanistagave it 5 hands. The play is a wonderful read after the film as well.
Renie
Nearly enough to send me to FOF, - Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 06:42:30 PM (EDT)

Thanks, Dottie! I don't know why "benefactors" + "rickman" didn't work. I'll watch this short film as soon as possible. Didn't know it existed!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 04:37:57 PM (EDT)

Greetings everyone! I've been a longtime Alan fan (ever since seeing S&S in 1995), but have only recently become utterly fanatical -- I'm trying to see every one of his movies and have been obsessively Googling and YouTubing him. (My husband is being very tolerant -- probably because he is benefiting from my ardor! ;-))

Is this one of the more active Alan fan sites or forums? There seem to be a number of sites out there that haven't been updated in quite a while.

Apologies if I'm repeating stuff that everyone already knows, but I want to share! ;-) Here are some of my recent favorites (I hope I did all these links right):

On YouTube, the wonderful ricmaniaco has posted all of Busted from 1982 in six parts, as well as Benefactors (already mentioned here). I haven't had a chance to see Benefactors yet, but Busted is great (despite the poor picture quality). Intriguing story, and Alan is so very long and lean (and nearly nude at the beginning -- yowza!). His character Simon is pouty and petulant -- definitely a man-child, but I would certainly "fancy the idea of a week-end" with him, or even "lunch." ("Cheeseburgers?")

Another fun YouTube find: My Favorite British Men Dancing, by colbnan. Lots of Hugh Laurie, but some good Alan bits too (along with Stephen Fry, Craig Ferguson, Eddie Izzard, and even Ricky Gervais). AR clips are from Rasputin (which I am PANTING to see! definitely next on the list!!), the In Demand music video, John Gissing (slides and end credits -- best parts of the movie, I thought), and Blow Dry. Mighty catchy song, too!

I am also very fond of the Four Yorkshiremen comedy sketch from a 2001 Amnesty International live show, with Alan along with Eddie Izzard, Vic Reeves, and Harry Enfield. Poor Alan didn't have time to learn his lines, so he had to read them from a magazine, but did quite well nevertheless. ("Loooxury!") The wild applause and screams when the audience in the huge arena realizes it's him are quite thrilling. (Izzard: "I think Jesus has just come in!")

For more on this sketch, see the "Making of" piece. It's mostly Izzard talking about the sketch with clips from it and an older Monty Python version, but there's a dressing room scene at the end (at 8:00) in which Alan says to Eddie, "Don't ever ask me to do that again" and laughs. ;-) He also says "They won't criticize us, because -- we took a classic and pushed it into oblivion." (There's a glimpse of Rima in the background, too.)

And finally, check out the trailer for Gentlemen Broncos, the new film by the makers of Napoleon Dynamite. Kiwi Jemaine Clement, of Flight of the Conchords, plays an English fantasy novelist. No doubt about it -- he is definitely channeling you-know-who. (Everyone's noticed -- Googling "Gentlemen Broncos" and "Rickman" gets over 6K hits.) There's a fake website for his character, Ronald Chevalier, with some very funny videos.

Thanks and enjoy!
Ondinea
USA - Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 10:54:37 AM (EDT)

It is still there. Search Alan Rickman Benefactors. It is a made for tv movie. Oodles of Alan. Harriet Walters plays his wife. An extremely interesting, compelling little drama. It was completely new to me and like finding hidden treasure. Enjoy!
Dottie
- Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 09:45:24 AM (EDT)

I think "The Benefactors" is a film produced for TV. It hasn't been deleted (yet) from Youtube. All 12 parts still come up when your search for Rickman and Benefactors.
Vera
- Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 08:14:15 AM (EDT)

Dottie: What exactly is The Benefactors? I assume, something with Alan? When I had a look at youtube, I found no suitable match, though ("benefactors" + "rickman").
pia susanna
- Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 07:08:03 AM (EDT)

The Benefactors was just recently posted on YT. If you haven't yet seen it, it is amazing.
Dottie <jamesteegardin@bellsouth.netfoo>
Tavernier, Florida USA - Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 01:23:17 AM (EDT)

I am so sad...I've just received what I believe to be the last available DVD/VHS Alan Rickman movie. As a relatively new fan, I thought it was Christmas every day a DVD or VHS I ordered arrived in the mail. Now what do I do?
Jan <tututo3@yahoo.comfoo>
KY USA - Monday, September 14, 2009 at 08:12:34 PM (EDT)

Thanks for the info, Ali-Pat. Janice, you were lucky! Could you tell us something more?
Amy
Spain, - Monday, September 14, 2009 at 06:04:38 AM (EDT)

Amy, I think that film was originally to be titled Acts of Charity and has been around since 2004. He was supposedly to play a journalist named "Fenchurch".
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 09:59:38 AM (EDT)

Hello, everybody. I've just seen in IMDB the film "We're Here to Help" listed as "in development". Anybody knows anything about this film? Thanks.
Amy
Spain, - Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 12:01:21 PM (EDT)

What an actor! I enjoy him in whatever role he plays. I had an opportunity to watch him work when he made "Dogma" in Pittsburgh (my original hometown), a film that deserves a wider audience.
Janice Young <olberfann54321@hotmail.comfoo>
Saugus, CA United States - Friday, September 11, 2009 at 04:40:17 PM (EDT)

MNiRC is closing at one and opening at another theater:

Simply New Theatre (558-9194; marketing, 876-2161), John Nara�s company, begins the season with My Name is Rachel Corrie (Sept. 12), Alan Rickman�s staging of a diary by the American peace martyr.

and in Minneapolis. A messy, articulate, Pat Benatar-loving chain-smoker, Rachel Corrie left school and home to work in the heart of history's most intractable conflict. My Name Is Rachel Corrie is one woman's journey of discovery--of herself and of a world in need of peace.

Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie. Edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner. Directed by Jessica Finney. Featuring Emily Gunyou Halaas

On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a twenty-three-year-old American, was crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer in Gaza as she was trying to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home. My Name Is Rachel Corrie is a one-woman play composed from Rachel's own journals, letters and emails - creating a portrait of a messy, articulate, Salvador Dali-loving chain-smoker (with a passion for the music of Pat Benatar), who left her home and school in Olympia, Washington, to work as an activist in the heart of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the three sold-out London runs since its Royal Court premiere, the piece has been surrounded by both controversy and impassioned proponents, and has raised an unprecedented call to support political work and the difficult discourse it creates.

"Extraordinary power ... Funny, passionate, bristling with idealism and luminously intelligent." - Time Out London

"You feel you have not just had a night at the theatre: you have encountered an extraordinary woman [in this] stunning account of one woman's passionatge response ... The theatre can't change the world. But what it can do, when it's as good as this, is send us out enriched by other people's passionate concern." - Guardian (London)

"As an impassioned eulogy ... it's hard not to be impressed - and also somewhat frightened - by the description of her as a two-year old looking across Capitol Lake in Washington State and announcing, 'This is the wide world, and I'm coming to it." - New York Times.

Renie
- Friday, September 11, 2009 at 01:02:25 PM (EDT)

Alan Rickman is the hottest actor ever and his voice is really sexy!
Holly <neonrainbows@hotmail.comfoo>
Houston, Tx - Wednesday, September 09, 2009 at 03:23:24 PM (EDT)

Thanks for the site.
Richmaga <guyman419@yahoo.comfoo>
Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria - Monday, September 07, 2009 at 06:08:20 AM (EDT)

Nice pics, Suzanne! I think Alan copes better with being a little tipsy than some others do. And isn't that Rima in the background, in one or two of the celebutupia.net photos?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 10:15:06 AM (EDT)

Don't forget the boots, Renie!!
pia susanna
- Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 09:45:19 AM (EDT)

" . . . as if holding them at the end of his intellectual fingers"

"Even the crisp crackling of his leather gloves sounded threatening."

*thud*

Renie
On the floor . . . , - Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 12:37:06 AM (EDT)

I received an e-mail from Patricia (thanks!) with the following link from the Sept. 3, 2009 London Evening Standard:

Alan Rickman and Ian McKellen show support for Alan Cumming in his play, I Bought a Blue Car Today.

And here are a couple more links with more photos from the first night after party:
celebutupia.net
whatsonstage.com

Thanks, Gail and Ali-Pat for the great articles!

Welcome, TracyAnnShaw!

Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Friday, September 04, 2009 at 06:05:27 PM (EDT)

Here is some cool news I swiped from Claudia's:

National Geographic picks up 'Wildest Dream'
Distrib buys pic about Everest climber George Mallory
By DAVE MCNARY

National Geographic Ent. has acquired "The Wildest Dream," which explores George Mallory's obsession with becoming the first person to reach the peak of Mt. Everest.

It's the third acquisition for the newly recast distrib, which opens Cherien Dabis' "Amreeka" in New York and Los Angeles today and "City of Life and Death" in early 2010.

Mallory's remembered as having said, "Because it's there" in reply to the question "Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?" He and his climbing partner disappeared in 1924; they were 800 feet from the Everest summit before the clouds closed in.

"The Wildest Dream" is directed by Anthony Geffen and produced by Geffen and Claudia Perkins, with Mike Medavoy exec producing. Story's told through the explorer's letters to his wife, Ruth; previously unseen photos; and film from 1924 and from the 1999 expedition led by Conrad Anker, who found Mallory's body on Everest.

"Dream" is narrated by Liam Neeson, with the voices of Ralph Fiennes as Mallory, the late Natasha Richardson as Ruth Mallory, Hugh Dancy as Mallory's fellow climber and Alan Rickman as the last person to see Mallory alive. NGE said the film is dedicated to Richardson.

From Variety .
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, September 04, 2009 at 07:30:29 AM (EDT)

Thanks for the exact quote, Gail!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 10:18:41 AM (EDT)

Sorry, pia susanna - you are right - I had missed that bit. I dug back into the pile of newspapers. Here is the exact text:

...on opening night, the real audience barely drew breath during the Guise's sotto voce snarls. Even the crisp crackling of his leather gloves sounded threatening.
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Cobourg, Ontario Canada - Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 12:35:01 AM (EDT)

And I saw on another site that Alan, in this Marlowe film, appears in thigh-high black boots. Thought this might interest some of you . . . :-)
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, September 02, 2009 at 06:30:00 PM (EDT)

Hi Gail;

I, too, was grateful for your long quote from that splendid review. I have read the text in the TLS myself, and I think you omitted (perhaps on purpose) something towards the end of the paragraph. Isn't there something about how the audience was quite still while watching Alan, listening with bated breath to every word he says? Also, I'm almost sure there is a final sentence about how the very creaking of his gloves sounded threatening.

I don't really wish to correct you (in so far as I'm right); just thought that at least the glove bit might interest his admirers here! I read the text at a library, so can't check up any details at the moment. I agree that the critic is probably a fan of his.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 02:53:41 PM (EDT)

Amelia, it is a long-time understanding on this GB that we do not publish private information about Alan such as his residence. I have removed your post and I refer you to #2 on the FAQ page. Please don't take it personally, it is just one of the rules here.

Gail--thanks for that article!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 07:45:44 AM (EDT)

The August 14 issue of the Times Literary Supplement has a story on the Rose Theatre short film The Genius of Christopher Marlowe. The writer, who I suspect is a Rickman fan, singles out his performance as follows:

With such a cast, it seems unfair to single out any one actor but Alan Rickman's spine-chilling Duke of Guise from The Massacre at Paris merits mention. Rickman rescues his character from cartoon comic-strip villainy. His Guise is unmoved and unwavering.........His Guise offers words and concepts in inverted commas, as if holding them at the end of his intellectual fingers. We watch them squirm under scrutiny before he crushes them beneath his boots. Rickman's voice is a low growl: this is an animal with intellect."
Gail <gail.rayment@sympatico.cafoo>
Cobourg, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 12:55:16 AM (EDT)

I just wanted to say hi and that Alan Rickman is the most beautiful man and the most talented of our British actors.I am only just discovering Mr Rickman but i am finding out he is fantastic.
TracyAnnShaw <tabbycatuk@hotmail.comfoo>
- Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 10:11:49 AM (EDT)

I'm really so happy to realize (again) how fond AR is of Edinburgh! I even went to his favourite Starbucks (as rumour has it) in this city, but didn't see him there. but nice pics, with great Edinburghian atmosphere.

Kerri Lynn: Don't wish to be pedantic, but I'm not called Susanne. Or were you thinking of webmistress Suzanne?
pia susanna
- Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 09:41:11 AM (EDT)

I mostly agree with you, Linda. But the problem (at least so far as I understand it) is that the contracts of the actors involved stipulate that the film may only be viewed in one location, the Rose Theatre. Still, if enough people express a desire to see a DVD released it might be possible to negotiate further. I really, really think it would be an excellent way to get people to become members or friends of the Rose!

You can email the Rose Theatre here. While you are there, take a look around their site--very interesting!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 07:32:51 AM (EDT)

Oh I don't know. The people at the Rose might have it all wrong. I think that video could help their theatre by serving as a nice bit of advertising. When I first read about "The Genius of Christopher Marlowe" I thought it would be nice to visit the Rose and see it. But after watching that clip on youtube (THUD) I wanted to go see it even more.
Linda
CT USA - Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 02:39:23 PM (EDT)

Oh, dear! That did not even occurred to me, Ali-Pat. I have removed the link to YouTube in respect to the Rose Theatre and everyone involved in the making of this wonderful film. Like Renie, I claim complete distraction by AR's performance. :-) I'm so glad you got to go to London and see the entire thing! Perhaps they'll put it out on DVD in the future. That would definitely help with their fundraiser.

Thanks, Renie and Sheena for posting the Edinburgh article and photos!

Hi, Stezi, great to see you again!

Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 08:37:42 PM (EDT)

Isn't that just my luck--I go to London and Alan goes to Edinburgh! Brilliant photos--thanks for sharing.

Had a chance to see the Christopher Marlowe film while in London and was dumbstruck by Alan's part. Worth the whole trip just for that! I do feel I need to point out, however, that the folks at the Rose Theatre do not look kindly on the YouTube post. The Marlowe film was made as a fundraiser for them which is how they secured the cooperation of the brilliant actors who took part in it. The actual word used to describe the person who made the illegal camera phone video on YouTube was "scallawag', I believe...

Stezi--nice to see you posting again!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 06:20:08 PM (EDT)

Hello guys, It's been a while, but I still love Alan Rickman' work. Just saw the teaser of Alice in Wonderland, nice Caterpillar Alan will portray, don't you think! And his performance, singing and acting in Sweeney Todd. He's so talented. Love from Holland
Stezi <tomstezi@pirates-cave.comfoo>
Nijmegen, Holland - Friday, August 21, 2009 at 02:57:51 PM (EDT)

Thought you may like to know that Rob McDougall has shared the other four photographs of Alan Rickman from the photo shoot.

As he has been kind enough to share with the fans and he is a professional photographer it would be nice if the fans could credit him when they repost. After all he could of kept them to himself and he only shared because of fans on Twitter ;-)
Sheena <purple-dragon@sky.comfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 02:59:08 PM (EDT)

My pleasure, Suzanne.

Article and a hair-blown photo from BBC News:

Film star Alan Rickman is in Edinburgh to support Scotland's Year of Homecoming.

Rickman, who has starred in blockbuster movies such as the Harry Potter series, first appeared at the Edinburgh Festival more than 30 years ago. He said: "I've had so many extraordinary experiences at the festivals. "I always feel that when I come to Edinburgh in many ways I am coming home."

The 63-year-old star of films such as Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Love Actually first appeared at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1976 with a double bill of The Devil Is An Ass and Measure For Measure.

Over the years he has returned with productions of Brothers Karamazov and Tango At The End Of Winter.

In 1986 he directed Ruby Wax in her show Live Wax. While he is in the city, Rickman is seeing festival shows including Simon Amstell at the Bongo Club, Muriel Spark's The Girls of Slender Means at Assembly, and performances of Faust and Gelabert Azzopardi at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Homecoming 2009 is a programme of events marking Robert Burns 250th birthday and celebrating Scotland's contributions to the world, such as the Edinburgh festivals.

The aim is to engage Scots at home and abroad, as well as those who love Scotland, to take part in a celebration of culture and heritage. Other celebrities who have recently shown their support for the festivals include Alan Cumming, Brian Cox and Ian Hislop.

Renie
And thanks, Ali-Pat for the original info on Marlowe., - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 09:07:23 PM (EDT)

*heh* Can't blame you there. Wow! Thanks, Renie.

Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 08:25:04 PM (EDT)

youtube

LOL. youube???? LOL.
SO distracted.
R, - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 02:22:49 AM (EDT)

The source link for article: londonse1

Renie
Distracted, by AR's performance of this, which is on youube., *thud* - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 02:21:24 AM (EDT)

From: londonse1:

Star cast performs Christopher Marlowe�s greatest hits in aid of Bankside�s Rose Theatre

Tuesday 18 August 2009

A short film featuring Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Anthony Sher, Henry Goodman, Alan Rickman and Frances Barber is showing nightly at the Rose Theatre on Bankside till the end of this month.

The remains of the 1587 playhouse were found in an excavation two decades ago and the charity that safeguards the site is now raising funds to return the Rose Theatre site to its rightful status at the heart of Bankside's cultural life.

The film has been devised by local resident Robert Pennant Jones and is intended to give visitors an idea of how his plays might have been seen and heard by audiences in the place they were first performed.

Pennant Jones says that visitors "can expect a series of brilliant professional actors acting magificient extracts from all of Christopher Marlowe's plays to give a flavour of the variety and genius of Christopher Marlowe".

The 35-minute film features Ian McKellen, Alan Rickman, Henry Goodman, Frances Barber, Shaun Parkes, Joseph Fiennes, Charlie Cox, Kevin McNally, Clive Francis, John Shrapnel, Rebecca Night, Anthony Sher and Harriet Walter, together with the voices of Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi.

The extracts have all been shot against a green screen which will enable the performances to be used in future plans to project the actors into the space where the Rose's stage would have stood.

In this initial presentation the actors appear in front of a virtual representation of the original playhouse.

"The remains of the Rose Theatre were discovered here in excavations which started in late 1988," explains archaeologist Harvey Sheldon. "They were only intended to last three weeks.

"When, by the end of December 1988, it was clear that some of the remains of the first Elizabethan theatre on Bankside were actually here, we had to mount a huge campaign to ensure that excavations could continue.

"In that we were greatly helped by the theatrical profession and the world of arts and literature generally. Without that I'm sure we wouldn't have had the media interest and political support that allowed the Rose to survive."

The Rose Theatre Trust was set up to protect the remains of the playhouse and to find a way of continuing the performance tradition on the theatre site.

Ten years ago a permanent exhibition was created and the space has been used sporadically for public performances.

The trust is now seeking Lottery funding to excavate the remaining portion of the site and to recreate the playhouse in sight and sound.

There is also a plan to create more a more permanent performance space, perhaps on a platform that could be lowered into position above the archaeological remains.

� The Genius of Christopher Marlowe is showing nightly at the Rose Theatre Exhibition in Park Street until Saturday 29 August; tickets �4.50 (under-14s free) from 020 7261 9565 or boxoffice@rosetheatre.org.uk

Renie
"That like I best, that flies beyond my reach.", - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 02:18:52 AM (EDT)

Susanne, I would simply love, love, LOVE, to visit Scotland someday. All I want to do with my life is perform and travel, so hopefully one day I'll make it to Scotland. But first, I have to get through college, :D
Kenni Lynn
Carson City, NV - Monday, August 17, 2009 at 03:20:22 AM (EDT)

Social networking sites can't be controlled. Virtual impersonations happen to every celebrity so, quite unfortunately, people will be taken in. The only celebrities that seem to be immune are the ones who have official websites, and tweet themselves, such as Eddie Izzard.

Mr. Rickman will not likely do those things, so he, among many others, will continue to be impersonated. If fans are lucky enough to find Suzanne's website, they will be lucky enough to find the warning she's posted. But even if they don't, only the most foolish among them will be taken in, and foolishness is something of which society has an overabundance. Caveat emptor.
Peggy <Londoncalling@aol.comfoo>
- Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 11:18:57 PM (EDT)

You're very welcome Suzanne, thanks for the help and yes I will certainly let you all know if anyone tells me anything has changed. It's a shame really that so many fans allow themselves to be fooled, you only have to look at the fakes to see how many fans actually believe they are talking to the real thing. I've heard from several fans who were taken in and then got hurt or upset by something the fake said.
Sheena <purple-dragon@sky.comfoo>
Berkshire UK - Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 02:09:06 PM (EDT)

No, Kenni, I haven't -- sorry! Perhaps you could visit Scotland yourself, some day?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 08:20:29 AM (EDT)

Hello, Suzanne! :D
Kenni Lynn
Carson City, NV - Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 02:33:57 AM (EDT)

Sheena, thanks so much for the update. I copied your post to the News Page. But it also eventually scrolls down, so I will put this info on the FAQ page as well (which desperately needs updating, but anyway...). Hopefully this will help fans from being deceived. If anything changes, please let us know.

Ali-Pat, Garnets over Rubys? ;-) By the way, thanks for relaying the news about The Genius of Christopher Marlowe. When are you planning to see it? We would love to hear your (and anyone else going) review/report.

Hi, Kenni Lynn!

Suzanne <webmistress@alan-rickman.comfoo>
TX USA - Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 01:04:53 AM (EDT)

By any chance then, have you had a chance to watch Sound and Fury? I know they're currently touring over there, I believe.
Kenni Lynn
Carson City, NV - Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 06:05:33 PM (EDT)

I live here!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 06:56:01 AM (EDT)

Never ever have I done any such things, :D But, I'm glad there's someone out there who don't think it's weird. But, question for you, you're from Edinburgh? :}
Kenni Lynn <kennawasinga@hotmail.comfoo>
Carson City, NV - Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 12:20:50 AM (EDT)

Kenni: As far as I know, lots of very young people admire him. It seems to me rather normal. I don't see that it could be wrong, unless you'd stalk or pester him somehow. But I'm sure you'd never do that.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, August 10, 2009 at 08:13:39 AM (EDT)

Also, I really hope that it's okay to "crush" on him. Is it wrong that I do? I'm only eighteen, and I've liked him since I was fourteen. Everyone that I know tells me that I'm weird, and awkward for thinking so, :'{
Kenni Lynn <kennawasinga@hotmail.comfoo>
Carson City, NV - Monday, August 10, 2009 at 01:41:35 AM (EDT)

Um...Alan Rickman makes my heart go all fluttery...
Kenni Lynn <kennawasinga@hotmail.comfoo>
United States - Monday, August 10, 2009 at 01:36:38 AM (EDT)

Sheena, I think there is a lot of wishful thinking among Alan Rickman fans of all ages :o)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Saturday, August 08, 2009 at 03:40:55 PM (EDT)

I love Alan so much when i first saw him in "Truly Madly Deeply", his voice is really great, and he's also cool and sexy in movies. I adore his acting and really truly madly deeply love him. His recent movie--harry potter, is really great. Ithink he fits the charater,Snape,perfectly!!! i love him and .....just want to say he's brilliant!!!
Kitty <kittykaoiyin@hotmail.comfoo>
Hong Kong, China - Saturday, August 08, 2009 at 11:24:00 AM (EDT)

You're welcome Pia, I didn't check this time but certainly when I was told a couple of years back it included Rima as well. So I'm pretty sure it still holds for Rima as well, again its just to sucker fans of Alan Rickman in who want to believe they are sending messages to him.

You know I find it fascinating, I thought when people first told me about it, that it would be all teens who friended him or Rima on these things. I had thought that most adults would be cynical enough that they would reason it out, I was stunned when I saw messages from fans age 20 upto fans married with grown children.
Sheena <purple-dragon@sky.comfoo>
Berkshire UK - Friday, August 07, 2009 at 10:50:10 AM (EDT)

Sheena: Thank you for posting this! It's just as I suspected. But "the world wishes to be deceived" (don't know who said this). I've seen accounts in the name of Rima Horton on Facebook, but they're probably fakes, too.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, August 07, 2009 at 08:35:01 AM (EDT)

I emailed Mr Rickman's agent for an update about the social networking sites, because yet more people claiming to be Mr Rickman have turned up and some fans are really being taken in by these FAKES. "as far as social networking sites go, you are right and Alan Rickman doesn't have any sites of this kind." I'm not going to post the rest of the conversation as it was stuff for my eyes only. Please feel free to repost this to other fan groups and sites to get the information out there and to stop people getting taken in by the fakes. So as you see she has backed up what Melanie Parker told me two years ago and it is still current information. As I have stated (it seems till I am blue in the face on some sites LOL) Alan Rickman does not have a Twitter account, Facebook Account, Myspace Account, Bebo Account... well you get the picture! All of the ones you find on such sites are FAKES! Suzanne, is there anyway you can perhaps post this message somewhere the fans will see it even if conversations push it down the page?
Sheena <purple-dragon@sky.comfoo>
Berkshire UK - Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 02:41:36 PM (EDT)

Alan Rickman is wonderful. He is so sexy and a great performer.
Shelly <musshel@aim.comfoo>
Springville, UT USA - Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 08:21:24 AM (EDT)

Great site keep it up
Frank <frank.flash@live.co.ukfoo>
- Wednesday, August 05, 2009 at 07:13:20 AM (EDT)

Thanks for putting spaces in my post, Suzanne--I have been in great haste these days. Garnet-encrusted handcuffs for me, if you please.
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Sunday, August 02, 2009 at 08:14:20 AM (EDT)

Try the link again (it's a PDF file).

I haven't seen HP-HBP yet, but I hope to this Wednesday *crossing fingers*

Suz
R, mink lined, of course. :-) , Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 11:42:31 PM (EDT)

Ah, yes--I stand corrected. Though Ella, I can't find the photo link to see what the other one looks like! (Your majesty, am I to receive time in handcuffs? One can only hope.)

Yes, Ali-Pat, I had the privilege and good fortune to see the HBP at my local big screen theater (I mean, huge screen, great sound) with Claire (yes, our Claire) and her wonderful husband. Who better to enjoy those very h*nd scenes you mention?! I enjoyed every minute of AR's so-much-better-than-usual screen time, but those flourishes and touches never fail to get to me. *sigh*

Renie
And all because of this GB, was that friendship forged. , - Saturday, August 01, 2009 at 10:14:47 PM (EDT)

It appears not to be Alan, the actor, but another Alan Rickman. There's a picture of THAT Alan in a Tact Newsletter (bottom 1st page).
Ella
- Friday, July 31, 2009 at 05:25:44 PM (EDT)

This was posted over at Claudia's. I plan to attend--anybody else?

The Genius of Christopher Marlowe

Film presentation - for a limited period only

10th July - August 31st

A remarkable film, The Genius of Christopher Marlowe, has been produced which will be shown on a cinematic screen in the Rose, to enable visitors to have an idea how his plays might have been seen and heard by audiences in the place they were first performed. The film will help to raise funds and support for the Rose Theatre Trust in their efforts to fund the preservation and presentation of the oldest excavated theatre on London's Bankside.

The film boasts a cast of outstanding actors which includes Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Anthony Sher, Henry Goodman, Alan Rickman and Frances Barber to raise funds for the Rose Theatre Trust to preserve and present to the public the oldest excavated theatre in Europe.

Screening times
The Genius of Christopher Marlowe, which has a running time of 35 minutes, will be shown Monday to Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Rose Theatre on Bankside (200 yards from Shakespeare�s Globe) from 10th July to the end of August.

Bookings
Entrance �4.50 (under15s free)
Box office: 020 7261 9565
Email: boxoffice@rosetheatre.org.uk
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, July 31, 2009 at 07:38:35 AM (EDT)

Renie, I think this is a different Alan Rickman.

BTW, if you have not already seen HBP I urge you to see it. There is a significant hand scene in the first third. Enjoy!
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, July 31, 2009 at 07:36:26 AM (EDT)

Except from article: Tenants' hopes for government's council housing finance proposals

Winchester City Council has recently announced that they need another �3m each year to maintain the Government�s Decent Homes standard and the latest Government announcements suggest the Government may be listening.

Alan Rickman, chair of the City Council�s tenant group, TACT, who has worked tirelessly in recent months campaigning for change, said, �It does seem that the Government have listened to us and proposals to invest significantly more cash in Council housing has to be welcomed. However, it remains to be seen whether we will get enough to address the Council�s �3m shortfall�.

Renie
MA, I cannot imagine Jimmy Stewart as anything approaching Hans . . . (and if I were Jimmy, I wouldn't approach him, either!), - Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 08:55:11 PM (EDT)

At Internet Movie Database today, they had an article about seven actors who were cast against type as villains. One of them was Henry Fonda, who played a cold-blooded child killer in Once Upon a Time in the West. Here's part of the commentary:

"Always known for playing the standard goodguy role in not just westerns, but films in general, Henry Fonda's turn as Frank in Once Upon a Time in the West would almost be like seeing Jimmy Stewart play Hans Gruber."

Now there's an image I'll have trouble getting out of my head!

MA
Hearing Hans' lines with Jimmy Stewart's accent . . .and giggling!, - Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 09:15:17 PM (EDT)

Thanks, Claire--that was wonderful! Nice to see your name on the GB. :o)
Ali-Pat
Dayton, OH USA - Friday, July 24, 2009 at 07:42:39 AM (EDT)

INTERVIEW UK SAGA MAGAZINE - JULY2009

Master of the dark arts

Alan Rickman is back on screen as the sinister Severus Snape in the latest Harry Potter film. Gabrielle Donnelly is truly, madly, deeply entranced

http://www.saga.co.uk/saga-Magazine/July-2009/alan-rickman.asp

Link for the photo There is, says Alan Rickman when we meet in Beverly Hills, a certain sort of Englishman you can recognise all over the world.

�He�s usually from an upper-class background, and he�s the sort of person who will make no concessions whatsoever to the country he happens to be in,� he muses, his famously expressive voice neutral, so that, unless you listen carefully, you are unsure whether he regards the person he is describing as being on the whole a good or a bad thing.

�He is an alien abroad. He wears a suit and tie and socks even in 100 degrees of heat. His attitude is, �I created an Empire. I go where nobody has trodden before, and I say, Now you are mine.�� He stops, and for the first time, allows a glimmer of humour to appear. �Of course, he�s going to lose it all later� but for the time being, the land is his.�

It is tempting to suppose that he speaks so knowledgeably of the breed because this is the sort of Englishman he is himself. At 63, he certainly looks the part today, sitting languidly in this celebrity-ridden hotel, with agents and producers patrolling the courtyard and the sun beating down overhead.

He has the patrician vowels down flat, the world-weary stare, the off-beat, is-he-kidding-or-isn�t-he delivery of jokes so dry you could stick an olive in them and serve them shaken-not-stirred. But appearances can be deceptive, and if you did suppose that he was describing himself, you�d be wrong. Alan Rickman is not upper-class, and does not pretend to be. He�s not even English but half-Irish, half-Welsh; and although his naturally mournful countenance � combined, I suspect, with a touch of honest shyness � can make him seem initially aloof, once you get him talking, you find he is anything but.

�I�ve been excited by America ever since I first came here,� he remarks mildly, sipping at the regulation Californian glass of designer water. �That was, oh, years ago. I�d just finished a season at the Royal Shakespeare Company, it was holiday time, and a friend at the company had a family who had a house in Florida. She said, �Come to Miami, I�ll take you to the Fontainebleau Hotel.�� He raises an eyebrow just the merest jot, immediately conjuring youthful high jinks.

He does not say if the friend was fellow RSC graduate Ruby Wax, but he and the effervescent comedienne have been fast friends for nearly 30 years. �So I went. It was all incredibly exciting, especially the food, which was very interesting when you were as young as I was then, and the part I remember being most excited about was the weird discovery of a thing in a restaurant called a � doggy bag.� Ever the actor, he furrows his brow in remembered bemusement. �We don�t have those in England, do we? We eat everything on our plate.� He raps sharply on the table � now he is being a stern schoolmaster. �Or we�re told to. Anyway, we went to this restaurant and somebody asked for a doggy bag, and the food came back all wrapped in aluminium foil and shaped like a swan�� Large, elegant hands swoop gracefully into the foil swan shape beloved of a certain type of American restaurant in the excessive Eighties. �So that was when I knew I�d come somewhere else than England.� His voice changes again, becoming wistfully affectionate. �We�re still close, my American friend and I. Her son is my godson, in fact.�

Claire
UK, - Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 08:52:03 PM (EDT)

The teaser trailer for "Alice in Wonderland" is up here but may not stay, as it appears it may have been posted a bit before it's ready time. No caterpillar in this one.

R
Snape, snape, we like your shape....when you FILL the screen. *wicked grin*, - Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 06:40:12 PM (EDT)

The Leaky Cauldron has posted a very favourable review (from Variety) of HPHBP. Really nice comment on AR as Professor Snape.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, July 20, 2009 at 09:17:00 AM (EDT)

Allen, I rate you up there with Jack Palance.
Michael L. Richardson <mlr52@michaellrichardson.comfoo>
Brooklyn, NY 11226 - Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 11:10:35 PM (EDT)

Yes Pia S. that was the scene I meant. He didn't look as if he was enjoying it too much-he can be very sensual, but he doesn't seem to enjoy being sexual on the big screen-he does give it a good go though.-
ACC
- Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 04:05:44 AM (EDT)

wow, I can't wait for this afternoon, as i'm finally going to see "THE MAN". It sounds like it's going to be a good one, and to have more of Snape in the film , Its going to make so much more enjoyable. I can't wait, can't wait, can 't wait.

I've read all the book and i think this is the best one. well the last was too, but.... and thats all i'll say , for those who haven't read it yet.

Its going to be sad when ALL the films are done. and what are we going to do.

Did everyone see the JK Rowling special on last nite. Its wait it was new but i believe its been on before, as i have seen it. but at the end when she the interviewer ask if there would be another book, she hesitated (didn't say anything for a bit) and then said no, but i'm wondering if now she may write another. Perhaps she should do it 10 years after so we can find out what happens. We need anothr book of somesorts.

again , does anyone know when we'll see another Alan Rickman film, thats not a HP . aparently he had a few in production but has he finished filming, and when are they coming out to the theatre.
Lynn <pyewacket003@aol.comfoo>
ottawa, canada - Friday, July 17, 2009 at 10:02:14 AM (EDT)

Luckily, I got three tickets to see HPHBP with my two boys on 15 July morning. We enjoyed the film very much. I am looking forward to the DVD release of HPHBP too.
Amy65
Hong Kong, HKSAR China - Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 02:07:47 PM (EDT)

Great movie!! Snape finally has a larger role and AR looks marvelous! I do think he's trimmer somehow! I will see it again at least once in the theater!!
Chandra
Virginia USA - Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 07:06:09 AM (EDT)

Alan was magnificent as Professor Snape in the "Half Blood Prince." He FINALLY got a good amount of face time on screen. Wonderful performance. Every word just drips like honey from his beautiful mouth. That Voice !!!
Julianasa
- Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 07:41:50 PM (EDT)

I finally cooled off after spending the evening with the wonderful Alan Rickman as Severus Snape (on the big screen, of course.) I feel kind of bad because this morning it's so cold in our house you could probably hang meat in here. My daughter had several friends over for the movie party and they're all laying around in the living room wrapped up in their cloaks. They look so pitiful. Aw. My poor 14 y.o. daughter is paying for her mother's huge crush on this actor. Le sigh.
Kellie S <the1democrat@yahoo.comfoo>
Tupelo, MS USA - Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 10:32:35 AM (EDT)

Kellie S: Seems delicious! No wonder you need to cool off a bit . . . :-) I'll watch the film soon. Really look forward to it. Hope I can persuade my SO to join me.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 07:21:43 AM (EDT)

Ok, ya'll...I just got home about an hour ago from seeing the new HP and the HBP movie. The movie itself was ok, but I'm still swooning over Severus Snape. Wow. Alan Rickman. Wow! Man, oh, man. It's bad enough that it's hot and humid in Mississippi tonight, but...I'm just gonna go stand in the freezer for a little while. Go see the movie!
Kellie S <the1democrat@yahoo.comfoo>
Tupelo, MS USA - Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 05:16:24 AM (EDT)

ACC: Do you mean that sex scene taking place on a desk? I think I read that AR felt quite depressed afterwards. He's a bit of a feminist, and I'm sure he genuinely likes women. I believe he felt it was awful to identify with somebody who merely exploits their bodies.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 07:34:13 AM (EDT)

Nobel Son reminded me of Judas Kiss LOL-he's still the best part of whatever he's in-but I must be getting old, as I wasn't particularly interested in the sex scene with the stick insect figured lady-he didn't particularly look like he was enjoying it either.
ACC
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 03:00:07 AM (EDT)

It was startling to see pics on this guestbook!!! but then I see it was a boo-boo!
wowed
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 02:08:24 AM (EDT)

Vera: Yes, I found out about that, too, but late! And felt some surprise again.

Luann: You may well be right, but such promotional agreement can't have been included, in his case at least, in his contract for every HP film, can it? I mean, when was the last time he appeared at an HP premiere, before this summer? Wasn't it when HPGF was new? Not at HPOP, I believe. Well, I'm sure others know these details better than I.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Monday, July 13, 2009 at 08:55:12 AM (EDT)

Like other film stars, Alan Rickman would have a certain level of promotional agreement written into his contract. Barring accidents or illness, he would be required to attend the London and New York premieres. Others, like Tokyo, would be optional. He would also have agreed, or not agreed, to do certain chat shows in London and New York. The potter franchise is a juggernaut, so Alan Rickman probably wouldn't be required to do mandatory appearances necessarily. Junkets and the like are often needed for tiny (and, apologies, bad) films like Nobel Son, but HP doesn't need them.
Luann <LunaLoves@aol.comfoo>
- Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:53:55 PM (EDT)

I believe he had mentioned in an interview long time ago that the reason he doesn't promote the HP movies is because he doesn't want to rune the effect that the storey has on kids. He doesn't want to give anything away. (something to that affect)

I wonder if Mr. Rickman is coming out with anything new besides the HP movie. Does anyone know when there will be another AR film coming out?
Lynn <pyewacket003@aol.comfoo>
Ottawa, Canada - Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 11:54:30 AM (EDT)

He also attended the premiere in New York.
Vera
- Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 09:35:36 AM (EDT)

Kellie S: I suspect AR doesn't want to be really closely linked with the HP films, in spite of all. I felt a bit surprised to find he put in an appearance at the London premiere of HPHBP recently.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:34:43 AM (EDT)

You're welcome, Amy!
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 08:30:29 AM (EDT)

I haven't seen Alan on any talk shows plugging HBP. Where is he? I want to see Alan on TV! He should be on Letterman with clips. I want clips! Bring on Alan!
Kellie S <the1democrat@yahoo.comfoo>
Tupelo, MS USA - Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 05:55:27 AM (EDT)

Thanks so much, Pia!
Amy
- Friday, July 10, 2009 at 01:25:21 PM (EDT)

Amy: The Leaky Cauldron has lots of pics from the premiere, but not so many of AR. Go to the Leaky Cauldron, then to the Leaky Galleries.
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Thursday, July 09, 2009 at 05:25:14 PM (EDT)

Any news of the Harry Potter premiere? I've only found this photo of Alan's in http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1198130/Harry-Potter-premiere-Emma-Watson-shows-shes-grown-up.html. You have to scroll down quite a lot, past stories of wardrobe malfunctions, etc. to see it but, as usual, it's worth! Perhaps our "correspondents" in the area can give us some first-hand information? I'm dying to know!!
Amy <googlybot@yahoo.comfoo>
- Thursday, July 09, 2009 at 12:39:48 PM (EDT)

If you have iTunes, you can download for free today only (tuesday, july 7) alan reading an excerpt from "nelson mandela's favorite african folktales." (if you know iTunes, tuesday is the free selected download day). i imagine that it'll still be on iTunes after today, but maybe not for free. it is 8 minutes long.
pam
USA - Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 04:47:09 PM (EDT)

No prob, Sue. Great photos!
Suz
TX, USA - Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 11:22:42 PM (EDT)

Yes the baot picnic is definitely on the Thames. The boat leaves from Sinclair's garden (at Marlowe) and goes downstrem to Cliveden Reach (where the islands are). Along the way you see children playing by the River and that is in the grounds of Cliveden I believe. Deep in the bowels of my pc I may have one or two shots that are recognisable from the film, I'll dig them out sometime.
Don't forget you can go to Google Maps (satellite version), search Marlow Bridge and find the house and follow the river downstream if you want to do some armchair location hunting;)
sue
- Friday, July 03, 2009 at 10:55:42 AM (EDT)

Thanks, Sue! I knew you'd come through with photos!
Ali-Pat
- Friday, July 03, 2009 at 08:48:06 AM (EDT)

So you think it's likely that the boat trip was actually shot on the Thames, then, Sue?
pia susanna
edinburgh, - Friday, July 03, 2009 at 06:33:26 AM (EDT)

Oh bugger! I didn't mean the actual photos to come up! Maybe Suz or somebody can just make them links! Still at least you can see them!;)) LOL
sue
- Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 06:46:38 PM (EDT)

After a lot of rummaging on an old Photobucket account.THIS is Sinclair's house and boathouse at Marlowe. Another view of the house Cliveden from the river
sue
- Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 06:44:47 PM (EDT)