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Patsy Byrne
Patricia Anne Thirza Byrne (13 July 1933 – 17 June 2014) was an English actress, best known for her role as "Nursie" in ''Blackadder II'' as well as Malcolm's domineering Mother, Mrs Stoneway in all seven series of the ITV comedy '' Watching''Slide, Anthony (1996) ''Some Joe You Don't Know: American Biographical Guide to 100 British Television Personalities'', Greenwood Press; , p. 11 between 1987 and 1993. Biography Byrne was educated at Ashford County Grammar School. She studied drama at Rose Bruford College before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company playing parts such as Maria in ''Twelfth Night'' and Gruscha in ''The Caucasian Chalk Circle'' at the Aldwych Theatre in the early 1960s. In the 1980s she also worked at Chichester Festival Theatre. Byrne starred alongside Tony Robinson in a Series 3 episode of ''Maid Marian and her Merry Men''. She played Betty the Tea Lady on the BBC children's programme ''Playdays''. Other roles included appearances in ''I, Claudius'' (1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bexhill On Sea
Bexhill-on-Sea (often shortened to Bexhill) is a seaside town and civil parish situated in the county of East Sussex in South East England. An ancient town and part of the local government district of Rother, Bexhill is home to a number of archaeological sites, a Manor House in the Old Town, an abundance of Edwardian and Victorian architecture, and the famous De La Warr Pavilion: today a centre for contemporary art – which has featured the work of Andy Warhol, Cerith Wyn Evans and Richard Wilson among others – and an auditorium, where Bob Marley had his first UK appearance and has since seen performances by Elvis Costello, Goldfrapp, Marti Caine, Ray Davies, Years & Years, Patti Smith and Laurie Anderson. History The first reference to Bexhill, or Bexelei as it was originally called, was in a charter granted by King Offa of Mercia in 772 AD. It is recorded that King Offa had "defeated the men of Hastings" in 771 AD. At this time, the term Hastings would have ref ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stealing Heaven
''Stealing Heaven'' is a 1988 film directed by Clive Donner and starring Derek de Lint, Kim Thomson and Denholm Elliott. It is a costume drama based on the French 12th-century medieval romance (a true story) of Peter Abelard and Héloïse and on a historical novel by Marion Meade. This was Donner's final theatrical film, before his death in 2010. Plot Peter Abelard is a famous teacher of philosophy at the cathedral school of Notre Dame, and a champion of reason. At a time when academics are required to observe chastity, he falls in love with one of his students, Héloïse d'Argenteuil, a sixteen-year-old gentlewoman raised in a convent, who has both intellectual curiosity and a rebellious view of the low status of women in 12th-century Europe. When the relationship is suspected, Heloise's uncle Fulbert, who had other plans for her marriage, works with the bishop of Paris to put a stop to it. Nevertheless, Abelard and Heloise pursue their relationship; they make love in her b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Devil's Crown
''The Devil's Crown'' is a BBC television series which dramatised the reigns of three medieval Kings of England: Henry II and his sons Richard I and John. It is also known as ''La couronne du Diable'' in French. The series was written by Jack Russell and Ken Taylor. It was shown in the United Kingdom in thirteen 55-minute episodes between 30 April and 23 July 1978. A full set of tape copies exist at the British Film Institute, where they can be viewed on request. It has never been released on DVD, although a French dubbed version, called "La couronne du Diable", is available as a paid download. Summary Henry Plantagenet (latterly Henry II), sees his opportunity to seize the crown of England and create a kingdom of law and order. He cuts a deal with King Stephen in which Stephen will name him his heir, excluding his sons Eustace and William in exchange for a fragile truce. Stephen's sudden death elevates Henry to the throne. He may have been King of England, but the bulk of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Class Of Miss MacMichael
''The Class of Miss MacMichael'' is a 1978 British comedy drama film directed by Silvio Narizzano, and starring Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed, and Michael Murphy. It was based on a novel by Sandy Hutson. Plot The film depicts the attempts of an idealistic teacher, Miss MacMichael, to inspire her pupils in an inner-city London school. While trying to help the teens she works with, she also must fight the ultra authoritarian headmaster, Mr Sutton. Cast * Glenda Jackson as Conor MacMichael * Oliver Reed as Terence Sutton * Michael Murphy as Martin West * Rosalind Cash as Una Ferrar * John Standing as Charles Fairbrother * Phil Daniels as Stewart * Pamela Manson as Mrs. Bellrind Production Although the film was shot in Britain it was financed entirely from the United States which the director thought was "disgraceful". Reception Reviews of the film were mostly negative, dismissing the film as routine and predictable, and criticizing Oliver Reed's role and performance. Janet Maslin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
I, Claudius
''I, Claudius'' is a historical novel by English writer Robert Graves, published in 1934. Written in the form of an autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius, it tells the history of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and the early years of the Roman Empire, from Julius Caesar's Assassination of Julius Caesar, assassination in 44 BC to Caligula's assassination in AD 41. Though the narrative is largely fictionalized, most of the events depicted are drawn from historical accounts of the same time period by the Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus. The "autobiography" continues in a sequel, ''Claudius the God'' (1935), which covers the period from Claudius' accession to his death in AD 54. The sequel also includes a section written as a biography of Herod Agrippa, a contemporary of Claudius and a Judaea (Roman province), King of the Jews. The two books were adapted by the BBC into the award-winning television serial ''I, Claudius (TV series), I, Claudius'' in 1976. Graves stated in a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Z Cars
''Z-Cars'' or ''Z Cars'' (pronounced "zed cars") is a British television police procedural series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby, near Liverpool. Produced by the BBC, it debuted in January 1962 and ran until September 1978. The series differed sharply from earlier police procedurals. With its less-usual Northern England setting, it injected a new element of harsh realism into the image of the police, which some found unwelcome. ''Z-Cars'' ran for 801 episodes, of which fewer than half have survived. Regular stars included: Stratford Johns (Detective Inspector Barlow), Frank Windsor (Det. Sgt. Watt), James Ellis (Bert Lynch) and Brian Blessed ("Fancy" Smith). Barlow and Watt were later spun into a separate series '' Softly, Softly''. Origin of the title The title comes from the radio call signs allocated by Lancashire Constabulary. Lancashire police divisions were lettered from north to the south: "A" Division ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Alf Garnett Saga
''The Alf Garnett Saga'' is a 1972 British comedy film directed by Bob Kellett and starring Warren Mitchell, Dandy Nichols, Paul Angelis and Adrienne Posta. The film was the second spin-off from the BBC TV series ''Till Death Us Do Part''. It starts where the Till Death Us Do Part (film), first film finished, but with Angelis and Posta now playing Mike and Rita, the roles previously played by Tony Booth (actor), Anthony Booth and Una Stubbs. Unlike the first movie, it has never been released on DVD. Premise With the Garnetts' Wapping home demolished, Alf and his family are installed in a high-rise council flat. Alf struggles with "living in the sky", using lifts (which frequently break down due to power cuts "caused by the striking miners") and walking long distances to the local pub. Alf also swallows LSD thinking it's a sugar cube and walks across his neighbours balcony handrail Cast * Warren Mitchell ... Alf Garnett * Dandy Nichols ... Else Garnett * Paul Angelis ... Mike ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Ruling Class (film)
''The Ruling Class'' is a 1972 British black comedy film. It is an adaptation of Peter Barnes' satirical stage play '' The Ruling Class'' which tells the story of a paranoid schizophrenic British nobleman (played by Peter O'Toole) who inherits a peerage. The film co-stars Alastair Sim, William Mervyn, Coral Browne, Harry Andrews, Carolyn Seymour, James Villiers and Arthur Lowe. It was produced by Jules Buck and directed by Peter Medak. The film has been described as a "commercial failure ... hathas since become a cult classic"; Peter O'Toole described it as "a comedy with tragic relief". Plot Following the death from accidental asphyxiation of Ralph Gurney, the 13th Earl of Gurney, Jack Gurney becomes the 14th Earl of Gurney. Jack, a paranoid schizophrenic, thinks he is Jesus Christ and shocks his family and friends with his talk of returning to the world to bring it love and charity, not to mention his penchant for breaking out into song and dance routines and sleepi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Cherry Orchard
''The Cherry Orchard'' (russian: Вишнёвый сад, translit=Vishnyovyi sad) is the last play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Written in 1903, it was first published by ''Znaniye'' (Book Two, 1904), and came out as a separate edition later that year in Saint Petersburg, via A.F. Marks Publishers.Commentaries to Вишневый сад The Complete Chekhov in 30 Volumes. Vol. 13. // Чехов А. П. Вишневый сад: Комедия в 4-х действиях // Чехов А. П. Полное собрание сочинений и писем: В 30 т. Сочинения: В 18 т. / АН СССР. Ин-т мировой лит. им. А. М. Горького. — М.: Наука, 1974—1982. Т. 13. Пьесы. 1895—1904. — М.: Наука, 1978. — С. 195—254. It opened ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Silver Chair (1990 TV Serial)
''The Silver Chair'' is a series shown on BBC television in 1990. It is the third and final series of ''The Chronicles of Narnia'' that ran from 1988 to 1990. Barbara Kellerman returned in a new role as the Green Lady; Barbara had previously played Old Hag and the White Witch in previous seasons. The six-part series followed the 1953 book in great detail and was filmed in various locations including Peak Cavern, Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire and the Duchy of Lancaster. Cast *David Thwaites as Eustace Scrubb *Camilla Power as Jill Pole *Tat Whalley as Chief Bully *Ailsa Berk and William Todd-Jones (puppet performance) and Ronald Pickup (voice) as Aslan *Geoffrey Russell as King Caspian *Richard Henders as Prince Rilian *Big Mick as Trumpkin *Warwick Davis as Glimfeather and Reepicheep *William Todd-Jones as Centaur *Mike Edmonds as Second Owl *Roy Boyd as Lord Drinian *Barbara Kellerman as Green Lady *Tom Baker as Puddleglum *Ailsa Berk as Dragon *Nick Brimble as Giant P ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kevin & Perry Go Large
''Kevin & Perry Go Large'' is a 2000 British teen coming of age sex comedy film based on the Harry Enfield sketch Kevin the Teenager. The film was written by Dave Cummings and Harry Enfield and directed by Ed Bye. Enfield, Kathy Burke and Louisa Rix all return to their roles after previously appearing on ''Harry Enfield & Chums''. James Fleet replaced Stephen Moore as Kevin's father. Although the film received mixed reviews upon release, it has since gained a cult following primarily due to its soundtrack. Plot The film begins at the beheading of Anne Boleyn, which turns out to be an erotic daydream that introduces teenage protagonist Kevin, who is having sexual fantasies when he's supposed to be doing his history homework. Kevin has tried to lose his virginity for three years. He and his best friend Perry go to a newsagent's to buy a pornographic magazine. Like all of Kevin's previous attempts at sexual exploration, this ends in failure when he sees his father and pretends to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
David Copperfield (1999)
''David Copperfield'' is a two-part BBC television drama adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1850 novel of the same name, adapted by Adrian Hodges. The first part was shown on Christmas Day 1999 and the second part the following day. The production is the acting debut of Daniel Radcliffe, who would later rise to stardom as the title character of the ''Harry Potter'' film series, where he would collaborate with his ''David Copperfield'' co-stars Maggie Smith, Zoë Wanamaker, Imelda Staunton, Dawn French and Paul Whitehouse. The series was co-produced by BBC America and Boston television station WGBH, and first aired on American television in April 2000, as a feature in the PBS series '' Masterpiece''. It won a Peabody Award in 2000. Production The original adaptation was written by John Sullivan, the writer of BBC sitcom ''Only Fools and Horses'', and would have emphasised the comic aspects of Dickens' novel. The plan was to reunite former stars David Jason and Nicholas L ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
