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Work Is A 4-Letter Word
''Work Is a Four-Letter Word'' (also known as ''Work Is a 4-Letter Word'') is a 1968 British satirical comedy film directed by Peter Hall and starring David Warner and Cilla Black, in her only acting role in a cinematic film. The film was not well received by critics even though it was based on the award-winning play '' Eh?'' It also marked the acting debut of Elizabeth Spriggs. Plot Everyone is employed by the ultra-modern DICE Corporation but Valentine Brose (Warner) would rather stay at home to tend his psychedelic mushrooms. However, his bedroom is too small and his fiancée Betty Dorrick (Black) wants him to settle down. Accordingly, Brose seeks a job in DICE's boiler-room, a suitable environment to grow his mushrooms. The plot describes his attempts to get the job, and the conflicts with middle-management, including the personnel manager, Mrs Murray (Spriggs, in her first film role). Having obtained it, Brose is more interested in his mushrooms than tending the boiler, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peter Hall (director)
Sir Peter Reginald Frederick Hall CBE (22 November 1930 11 September 2017) was an English theatre, opera and film director. His obituary in ''The Times'' declared him "the most important figure in British theatre for half a century" and on his death, a Royal National Theatre statement declared that Hall's "influence on the artistic life of Britain in the 20th century was unparalleled". In 2018, the Laurence Olivier Awards, recognizing achievements in London theatre, changed the award for Best Director to the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director. In 1955, Hall introduced London audiences to the work of Samuel Beckett with the UK premiere of '' Waiting for Godot''. Hall founded the Royal Shakespeare Company (1960–68) and went on to build an international reputation in theatre, opera, film and television. He was director of the National Theatre (1973–88) and artistic director of Glyndebourne Festival Opera (19841990). He formed the Peter Hall Company (19982011) and became ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Comedy Film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the oldest genres in film and it is derived from the classical comedy in theatre. Some of the earliest silent films were comedies, as slapstick comedy often relies on visual depictions, without requiring sound. When sound films became more prevalent during the 1930s, comedy films took another swing, as laughter could result from burlesque situations but also dialogue. Comedy, compared with other film genres, puts much more focus on individual stars, with many former stand-up comics transitioning to the film industry due to their popularity. In '' The Screenwriters Taxonomy'' (2017), Eric R. Williams contends that film genres are fundamentally based upon a film's atmosphere, character, and story. Therefore the labels "drama" and "comedy" are t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the List of United States cities by population density, most densely populated major city in the United States, and is more than twice as populous as second-place Los Angeles. New York City lies at the southern tip of New York (state), New York State, and constitutes the geographical and demographic center of both the Northeast megalopolis and the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban area, urban landmass. With over 20.1 million people in its metropolitan statistical area and 23.5 million in its combined statistical area as of 2020, New York is one of the world's most populous Megacity, megacities, and over 58 million people live within of the city. New York City is a global city, global Culture of New ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tommy Godfrey
Thomas Frederick Godfrey (20 June 1916 – 24 June 1984) was an English comedian and actor who mostly played working-class Cockney characters. Variety performer He was born in London, and started his career as a tap dancer in variety shows, as part of the act Godfrey, Randall and Deane. He then worked as a solo comedian, and often as a principal boy in pantomimes.Roy Hudd and Philip Hindin, ''Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts'', Robson Books, 1998, , p.71 Television His television credits included ''Love Thy Neighbour'', ''The Saint'', ''Special Branch'', '' The Persuaders'', ''Mind Your Language'', '' The Avengers'', '' Bless This House'', ''Till Death Us Do Part'', ''Z-Cars'', '' Softly, Softly'', ''The Goodies'', ''Steptoe and Son'', '' Crown Court'' and ''On the Buses'' Films His film credits included ''Passport to Pimlico'' (1949), ''Hide and Seek'' (1964), ''Work Is a Four-Letter Word'' (1968), '' If....'' (1968), ''Ring of Bright Water'' (1969), ''The Best H ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Clifford Rose
John Clifford Rose (24 October 1929 – 6 November 2021) was a British actor. Life and career Rose was born in Herefordshire. He was educated at the King's School, Worcester, and King's College London, before appearing in repertory theatre, rep and began his association with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960. He played the character Sturmbannführer Ludwig Kessler in the BBC World War II television drama ''Secret Army (TV series), Secret Army'' (1977–79) and its sequel ''Kessler (TV series), Kessler'' (1981). He later played SS General Hans Kammler in the miniseries ''War and Remembrance (miniseries), War and Remembrance'' (1988). Rose played leading roles in ''The Pallisers'' (1974), ''Fortunes of War (TV series), Fortunes of War'' (1987) and Alan Bleasdale's drama ''G.B.H. (TV drama), GBH'' (1991), and appeared as Rorvik in the ''Doctor Who'' story ''Warriors' Gate'' (1981). Rose also played a judge in some episodes of the 1970s/'80s British television series ''Crown Cou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyril Cross
Cyril Cross was an English actor, who is best known for playing ''Monsieur Chargon'' in '' A Patriotic Offering '' of the first episode of the fourth series of the period drama '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. It first aired on 14 September 1974 on ITV. He is also known for his film appearances in '' The Mini-Affair'' (1967), ''Work Is a Four-Letter Word'' (1968), ''Dulcima'' (1971), ''Doomwatch'' (1972), ''Operation Daybreak'' (1975) and '' The Orchard End Murder'' (1980). He was also shot down in a Lancaster Bomber over Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ..., in 1943. References External links * English male film actors English male television actors 20th-century English male actors Male actors from London {{UK-screen-actor-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Steiner
John Steiner (7 January 1941 – 31 July 2022) was an English actor. Tall, thin and gaunt, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed on-stage for the Royal Shakespeare Company, but was best known to audiences for his roles in Italian films, several of which became cult classics. Early life and acting career Steiner was born in Chester, Cheshire on January 7, 1941. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. He acted in the role of Monsieur Dupere in Peter Brook's production of ''Marat/Sade''. He reprised the role when the play was transferred to Broadway, and again for the 1967 film adaptation. He found work primarily in films including and the original '' Bedazzled'' (1967) with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. In 1969, Steiner was hired to play a part in the Spaghetti Western ''Tepepa'', and also appeared opposite Franco Nero in ''White Fang'', directed by Lucio Fulci. In 1971 he starred in the television series '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Derek Royle
Derek Royle (7 September 1928 – 23 January 1990) was a British actor born in London, England. He graduated from RADA in 1950. His face was probably better known than his name to British viewers, but he acted in films and TV from the early 1960s until his death. He had a supporting role in the Beatles' film ''Magical Mystery Tour'' in 1967, as well as a minor one with Cilla Black in the film ''Work Is a Four-Letter Word'' a year later. Most of his film appearances were in comedy films such as '' Tiffany Jones'' (1973), '' Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!'' (1974) and ''Confessions of a Sex Maniac'' (1974). Stage and television roles He appeared in a children's TV comedy series, ''Hogg's Back'' (1975) as Doctor Hogg, an eccentric general practitioner (GP); in 2016, this series appeared on Talking Pictures TV. Royle acted with Wendy Richard and Pat Coombs over two series. Hog's Back is a ridge of hills in Surrey. Royle played the hotel guest who dies in his room in th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Joe Gladwin
Joseph Gladwin (22 January 1906 – 11 March 1987) was an English actor, best known for his roles as Fred Jackson in Coronation Street, Stan Hardman in Nearest and Dearest, and Wally Batty in the world's longest-running sitcom, ''Last of the Summer Wine'' (1975–87). Biography Gladwin was born at 44 Tatton Street in the Ordsall district of Salford, Lancashire, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (née Dooley) Gladwin. His father was a coal dealer. Gladwin was baptised on 28 January 1906 at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Ordsall, and educated at the parish school. He married Lily Anne Wynne on 30 December 1933 at Mount Carmel Church. Gladwin was appointed a Papal Knight (of the Order of St. Gregory the Great) for his charity work. Before his professional career took off, Gladwin performed with The Decoys during World War II, a Concert Party based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester. This Concert Party (ENSA) entertained the troops in hospitals and elsewhere. At the time, Gl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tony Church
James Anthony Church (11 May 1930 – 25 March 2008) was an English actor, who has appeared on stage and screen. In 1989 he became the Dean of the National Theatre Conservatory, which is the teaching arm of the Denver Center Theatre Company in Denver, Colorado. Stage Church was educated at Hurstpierpoint College, and Clare College, Cambridge. In 1953 when fellow Cambridge student Peter Hall directed his first professional production— Pirandello's ''Henry IV'' at the Arts Theatre, London—Church was a performer. In 1960 Hall set up the new Royal Shakespeare Company and Church joined him as a founder member. He was a regular performer with the company until 1987. In 1988 Church took leading parts in ''Cymbeline'', ''The Winter's Tale'' and ''The Tempest'', once again under the direction of Peter Hall, at London's National Theatre. He appeared for the last time on the Stratford stage on 31 March 2007, in a special programme marking the closure of the Royal Shakespeare Theat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jan Holden
Valerie Jeanne Wilkinson (9 May 1931 – 11 October 2005) was an English actress known as Jan Holden, using her mother's maiden name as a stage name. In theatre she was known for her performances in light comedy and appeared in several television series during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Early life Born in Southport, Lancashire, Jeanne Wilkinson, as she then was, spent her early childhood in India, where her father was a senior manager at the Swadeshi Cotton Mills in Kanpur. At the age of six, she and her twin brother Geoffrey were sent to schools in the hills near Simla. Getting there took a two-day train journey. The term lasted nine months, and there were three months at home during the cool season. The schools were not mixed, so she and her brother only met at church on Sundays. Holden was heartbroken when her twin brother drowned during the early 1960s. On the outbreak of the Second World War, Holden and her mother returned to Britain, where she became a boarder at Low ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alan Howard (actor)
Alan MacKenzie Howard, CBE (5 August 1937 – 14 February 2015) was an English actor. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1966 to 1983 and played leading roles at the Royal National Theatre between 1992 and 2000. Early life Howard was born in Croydon, Surrey, the only son of actor Arthur Howard and his wife Jean Compton (Mackenzie). His uncle was Leslie Howard, the film star,Michael Covene"Alan Howard obituary", ''The Guardian'', 18 February 2015 while his aunt was the casting director Irene Howard. On his mother's side he was also a great-nephew of the actress Fay Compton and the novelist Sir Compton Mackenzie. He was educated at the independent school Ardingly College in Ardingly, West Sussex. Theatre career 1958–1965 Alan Howard made his first stage appearance at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, in April 1958, as a footman in ''Half In Earnest''. He remained with the company until 1960, where his roles included Frankie Bryant in Arnold Wesker's '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
