Quick Fannish things

[thisbluespirit]

Some nice things:

1. Trailer for the new Librarians series! It looks just as fun as before! I have NO idea how I will see it, but I've been missing having a fun magic TV series so much, and especially The Libs. (My usual method was to wait for the UK DVD release and then rewatch it all to death, cheering myself up muchly. ha bloody ha, as they say.)

Watch on YouTube

2. I don't know what was in the water re. my fandoms for last Yuletide, but not only have I continued to have much fun with edwardianspinsteraunt and The Winslow Boy, but someone showed up this week on tumblr to first shower love on my for writing the only Jack/Angela The Net fic on the internet, but then wrote their own start of an AU, which promises to be fun, and turned up on AO3. (The Net is v hoky, but also deeply nineties, and Sandra Bullock and Jeremy Northam play a fun game of cat and mouse, plus JN, a cyber terrorist, fails to win because he doesn't know when to use an escape key, which should get some sort of prize for popcorn-worthy silliness.)

Alive on Paper (2842 words) by theelectriccat
Chapters: 2/?
Fandom: The Net (1995)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Angela Bennett (The Net 1995), Jack Devlin (The Net 1995), Ruth Marks (The Net 1995)
Additional Tags: Suspense, Killer For Hire, Crisis of conscience
Summary: Angela Bennett sees her perception of the handsome Jack Devlin crumble before her, but before he can fulfill his employer's expectations, he has a crisis of conscience, which only intensifies when his coworker notices his obvious attraction to his target.


3. Talking of The Winslow Boy, I am now watching the 1970s BBC version from The Rattigan Collection - I didn't entirely mean to, but I finally treated myself to rewatching the 1980s Browning Version with Ian Holm & Judi Dench & Michael Kitchen (&, as it turns out, a wee Stephen Mcintosh as Taplow and, briefly, Imogen Stubbs as Mrs Gilbert) for the first time in 30+ years, and it was on the same disc. I wasn't sure if I was ready to be fair to an alternate version, but it's got such different emphases etc, plus I can see more of where the 1999 does differ from the play, and it's not only really good in itself, but it's fascinating. Sir Robert has just turned up, and I was intrigued to see what Alan Badel would be like, because I mainly know him from being the perfectly OTT saving grace of duff 1960s films, and it's a very different performance to anything I had expected he might do (but good obv.) Eric Porter has rocked up for duty, aged up as per usual. I am happy to see him, but I am beginning to worry that he spent the entirety of the 60s and 70s as an aged up Edwardian gent. XD


4. My main way of calming myself lately re. the whole world being what it is has somehow turned out to be watching the better end of the Thomas More vids for The Tudors (with occasional relapses into Obidala vids, as per 2020). (It was because I knew I had found a good one, but I'd lost it, but I rediscovered it last week. It turned out I had saved it, but it was to Hallelujah and I'd assumed no good could come of fandom's eternal use and abuse of every version of that, and then another one, if with some dialogue going on there, and apparently angst and dodgy hat-wearing angles help? Plus, I'll give the person who couldn't resist making one to I'm Just More points for the lols.)

... oh drat, late for dinner now!

Comments

[ruuger]

fails to win because he doesn't know when to use an escape key

This is the number one thing I remember about this movie. I saw it back when it came out and and being flabbergasted that whoever wrote that movie knew less about computers than I did :D

(I've been meaning to rewatch it, because ESC keys aside, it was an entertaining popcorn movie)

[thisbluespirit]

This is the number one thing I remember about this movie. I saw it back when it came out and and being flabbergasted that whoever wrote that movie knew less about computers than I did :D

It's both v funny and v weird, because while I'm sure it commits other gaffes, the rest all seems plausible enough to at least usual Hollywood-handwavable IT, which does make me wonder if they changed something slightly about what Sandra Bullock was doing at the end but kept the escape key thing due to it being set up at the start. But, yeah, in 1995, even I would have known that wasn't how it worked! (I wrote it for Yuletide, so I have recently watched it more times in a row than is advisable and I'm having Thoughts about a film that probably does not require any. XD)

[persiflage_1]

What did you think of the Dench & Holm version of The Browning Version? It's the only one I've ever seen, but I did enjoy it.

[thisbluespirit]

Oh, I love it! I had to rush off and eat too soon to check the post over properly, so part of that sentence got lost/went uncorrected & I'll have to fix it now - I was rewatching it as a treat, for the first time in 30+ years! It was the one we saw for A-Level and therefore my default Browning Version, my first and for a v long time only Rattigan. I've enjoyed the others I've seen/listened to now, too, but that one was where I started. (It went without saying so much I didn't say it. XD)

[persiflage_1]

😂

So much left unsaid!

[shannonsequitur]

I am mildly surprised that you don’t have a region-free DVD player (well, VLC is one, but I can understand not wanting to watch things at your computer desk).

[thisbluespirit]

A region-free player would be lovely! I could finally have all those stupid obscure Brit films they only release in R1 for reasons unknown to man nor beast. But, no, my DVD player is just a cheapo one from the supermarket, bought whenever the former cheapo one conked out.

[senmut]

I remember enjoying The 'Net but cannot for the life of me remember ANYTHING about it.

[thisbluespirit]

I remember enjoying The 'Net but cannot for the life of me remember ANYTHING about it.

Well, it has Sandra Bullock being classic Sandra Bullock, evil Jeremy Northam and overrated Cyberterrorists who don't know what you do with an escape key. XD I enjoyed it, too - it's a popcorn sort of film, really. I just thought, after I watched it, that clearly there would be Jack/Angela foe!yay, and then there was NOT, I had to write it myself, the internet should have resigned.

[corvidology]

I always found The Librarians to be silly diverting fun so I look forward to checking this out. Thanks for the heads up!

[thisbluespirit]

It was! And my pleasure! It looks pretty classic Librarians to me, and I gather that, fingers crossed, they want to also involve more of the original cast in the future as well, so that's nice.

[sovay]

Sir Robert has just turned up, and I was intrigued to see what Alan Badel would be like, because I mainly know him from being the perfectly OTT saving grace of duff 1960s films, and it's a very different performance to anything I had expected he might do (but good obv.)

I know him best from Three Cases of Murder (1955) and am curious to hear about his Sir Robert!

[thisbluespirit]

I know him best from Three Cases of Murder (1955) and am curious to hear about his Sir Robert!

My first encounter with him was very funny because I saw Children of the Damned for the Alfred Burke content, which starred Ian Hendry and Alan Badel. I don't know how long it took me until I finally realised that I'd mistakenly assumed Ian Hendry was Alan Badel and Alan Badel was Ian Hendry, but it was probably not until I made a picspam here and my flist pointed out my error and I still nearly didn't believe them. But basically, Alan Badel carried almost the entire film by sheer force of charisma, and then he was also v eccentric and OTT in Otley in a more minor role, so I'd kind of assumed he was just Like That. (My flist told me Ian Hendry was awesome, but unfortunately CotD is a definite off-day for him, indeed, a whole wet weekend in November, and that was how I came to muddle them up so hard.)

Anyway, his Sir Robert is very downplayed - he's very much taken the cold/dry/unfeeling surface thing to heart. I'm liking what he's doing so far very much.

[sovay]

But basically, Alan Badel carried almost the entire film by sheer force of charisma, and then he was also v eccentric and OTT in Otley in a more minor role, so I'd kind of assumed he was just Like That.

That is also the mode in which I am used to seeing him, which I mean in an approving fashion, so I am intrigued by the underplaying. How is their Catherine?

[thisbluespirit]

That is also the mode in which I am used to seeing him, which I mean in an approving fashion, so I am intrigued by the underplaying. How is their Catherine?

Oh, I totally would have assumed the approving - he is highly enjoyable in that mode!

Michele Dotrice is Catherine and she's also very good - she just hadn't been in it so much at the point I made the entry last night. I had expected it to be more the full play, but I think it's also a similar length (& actually, somehow feels even shorter), so it's also made choices about what to emphasise, while obviously being more play-based (in terms of where the scenes happen, who does what and timing). I'm finding it both lovely in itself and it's also giving me new appreciation of just how effective & clever & deft David Mamet's adaptation is.

If you wanted to watch it, it is here on YT, at least visible in my region.

(I clearly need to obtain the actual play at some point. But anyway, 2/3 adaptations I can confirm as lovely, and I obv how no trouble believing you & edwardianspinsteraunt that the 1948 also is, if I can catch it one day!)

ETA: I think it's only fair to add that I have now finished it, and Michele Dotrice and Alan Badel made me cry at the end.

[sovay]

ETA: I think it's only fair to add that I have now finished it, and Michele Dotrice and Alan Badel made me cry at the end.

I understand that as a good sign!

*hugs*

[thisbluespirit]

I understand that as a good sign!

Oh, yes. :-) 1970s TV is always sneaking up on a person and doing that, I find. It's very unfair of it.

[edwardianspinsteraunt]

I'm so glad you're enjoying the 1977 TWB, and I'll be eager to hear your continued thoughts! :DD It was actually the first adaptation I watched (since it's available for free on Youtube, unlike the 1999 one), and I've been meaning to rewatch it sometime to see how it compares to the 1948 and 1999 ones.

I have to say that Eric Porter is my favourite version of Arthur Winslow (sorry, Nigel Hawthorne!), perhaps because he kind of cemented my impression of that character as someone who's trying (and kinda failing) to be sternly patriarchal, whereas Hawthorne plays him as more soft and gentle...And Alan Badel definitely makes a fun contrast to Jeremy Northam - he's more believably fishlike/unfeeling for one thing, haha, and from what I recall this version doesn't play up the shippy aspects so much as the 1999 one.

Also I'm so glad that one of your other Yuletide fandoms is attracting more fans - that's wonderful news, and I hope it continues to provide joy! <3

[thisbluespirit]

I'm so glad you're enjoying the 1977 TWB, and I'll be eager to hear your continued thoughts!

I'm not quite at the end now, but I'm approaching the final scene, and I've enjoyed it very much! It is fascinating to see the choices made in both as to emphasis, and also gives me increased appreciation of just what Mamet did in turning it into a film. One thing being the removal of almost all the lines re. the family being afraid of Arthur/him being stern, so I feel that's probably not so much a performance difference, as a deliberate directorial choice.

Eric Porter is excellent, of course, though - he always is!

And Alan Badel definitely makes a fun contrast to Jeremy Northam - he's more believably fishlike/unfeeling for one thing, haha, and from what I recall this version doesn't play up the shippy aspects so much as the 1999 one.

Yes, although the sandwich scene remains definitely flirty; I think Jeremy Northam's right about that just being written that way, heh. Even if here, it's also a bit of gallantry to her following her rejection, too.

Btw, I looked for this on YT in case sovay wanted the link and then stumbled over a German TV production, which I don't understand a word of, but Kate has particularly good expressions and the last scene appears faithful enough in terms of when characters are coming in and out and talking - but that was very random. (Although the design, with the garden with the roses visible reminded me of the 1999, as did it ending on Kate's smile.)

One random incidental detail struck me as well - in An Ideal Husband, though they borrowed TWB set, they altered the shape of the gallery bars, and I noticed that in the 1977, they are the same shape as in An Ideal Husband, which rather suggests that's the correct shape for them and that the diamond pattern was another deliberate detail choice by the 1999.

[edwardianspinsteraunt]

One thing being the removal of almost all the lines re. the family being afraid of Arthur/him being stern, so I feel that's probably not so much a performance difference, as a deliberate directorial choice.

Hmm, yes, that would make sense! I wonder why Mamet would have made that choice...

Yes, although the sandwich scene remains definitely flirty; I think Jeremy Northam's right about that just being written that way, heh.

Indeed! xD And don't they get a flirty moment where they light each other's cigarettes in this version? I must say that Michelle Dotrice's hat is pretty hideous in that scene - a friend of mine actually thought that Alan Badel was making fun of her when he complimented it :P I think the age difference between the actors probably damps down the shippiness a little - Northam's Sir Robert seems a bit more obviously vulnerable in the scenes where he's supposed to be Having Emotions.

And ooh, thank you for the link to the German TV production, I'm quite tempted to give that a watch! (I have never studied German, but I'm well versed enough in Old Englis that I can puzzle it out :P). You may already have encountered it but there's also a BBC radio production of TWB with Sarah Badel, which I've found on both Youtube and archive.org but have yet to watch!

[thisbluespirit]

Indeed! xD And don't they get a flirty moment where they light each other's cigarettes in this version?

They do! I noticed that. XD And her hat is definitely not as nice as 1999 Catherine's, but it was the 70s. Taste was notoriously lacking. That shade of green was in!

I finished it now and they made me cry at the end, and also it does appear that you can't do that scene without it appearing shippy, either. So, yes, I enjoyed it very much!

If you can understand any of the finer details of the German one I'll be interested to hear it, lol.

[edwardianspinsteraunt]

Well, I've now had a chance to watch one of the TWB radio dramas I mentioned in my earlier comment, and it was pretty good! I can recommend it. They've added some extra scenes and dialogue to the original play, some of which worked pretty well, and some of which didn't - it's available on archive.org if you're interested! (and with Alan Badel's daughter Sarah playing Catherine, coincidentally) There's another radio adaptation here which I have yet to watch, but am quite curious about.

And in other fannish news, I've also just posted another Robert x Catherine fic on Ao3 (but am too lazy to make a proper post about it xD)!

[thisbluespirit]

And in other fannish news, I've also just posted another Robert x Catherine fic on Ao3 (but am too lazy to make a proper post about it xD)!

Yay! And it's marvellous, and I had a lovely time reading it last night - I will leave a proper comment on it soon. <3

one of the TWB radio dramas I mentioned in my earlier comment, and it was pretty good! I can recommend it.

Oh, cool! I'm glad; I've enjoyed a lot of radio plays over the last few years. I'm slow at listening, but I have really grown to love the medium. I'm still working my way through some radio Rattigans that I don't know and don't have any other available formats, but I'm glad at least one of TWBs are good - and that you still have a working link! I shall make sure to download it for when I do want it.

I'm quite amused that Michael Spice is in both of those, but not entirely surprised - I think he's a pretty regular BBC Radio supporting player.

[edwardianspinsteraunt]

Apologies for not replying to this sooner - I've been having a particularly intense period of PhD-ing, combined with a sudden accommodation move, so fannish activities had to fall to the wayside for a little while. But thank you for reading and reccing my latest TWB piece <33

I've found I get along quite well with radio dramas, especially when I'm not in the mood to deal with visual stimulation - I haven't listened to many but I've enjoyed the ones I have. I really need to get round to listening to more!

I hope that you're managing as best you can with this warm spell <3 My fannish brain has been hard to get into gear lately, but I'm contemplating signing up to some of the forthcoming summer exchanges - I'm particularly eyeing Rare Pair Exchange and Just Married as opportunities for TWB evangelism (and inflicting Deranged Marriage Tropes on Robert and Catherine, heh)

[thisbluespirit]

Apologies for not replying to this sooner - I've been having a particularly intense period of PhD-ing, combined with a sudden accommodation move, so fannish activities had to fall to the wayside for a little while. But thank you for reading and reccing my latest TWB piece <33

Aw, no worries! PhD-ing does have to come first. And it was lovely, so no thanks needed for that. <3

I've found I get along quite well with radio dramas, especially when I'm not in the mood to deal with visual stimulation - I haven't listened to many but I've enjoyed the ones I have. I really need to get round to listening to more!

Oh, nice. I got into it via Big Finish's efforts for DW after a few false starts back in the day, and listening is hampered by being ill, but I also find it often works for me when nothing else does, as well as me enjoying it carefully the rest of the time. Martin Jarvis (who should know) once said something about a radio director taking him aside early on in his epic radio career and telling him it was the most intimate medium, and it really is. There can be something quite special about it.

Funnily enough, I've just been listening to another Rattigan BBC play, The Sleeping Prince with Peter Wyngarde, which was very well done & I enjoyed it a lot, if definitely one of his lighter pieces.

I'm contemplating signing up to some of the forthcoming summer exchanges - I'm particularly eyeing Rare Pair Exchange and Just Married as opportunities for TWB evangelism (and inflicting Deranged Marriage Tropes on Robert and Catherine, heh)

Those would be very good exchanges to put them into! I love justmarriedexchange, but it always runs in the summer, so whether or not I can do it depends a lot, but it is one I pine for when I can't. (I have pined more than I have taken part, which is how these things go.) But, yes, you should absolutely make them experience all the daft marriage tropes they really shouldn't have to deal with! XD

[earthspirits]

RE - on calming one's self. I hear you on that. Like you, I've been taking a deep dive back into
what I consider "comfort" fic and films. It helps, so that there's something more pleasant to think of than the current world situation.

And thanks for the heads-up about the new Librarians series - that's fun news!

[thisbluespirit]

Yes, I think it's only natural for us to dive back into our favourites. <3

And thanks for the heads-up about the new Librarians series - that's fun news!

It is! And we could use some, too. <3

[ragnarok_08]

I've heard a lot of good things about The Librarians, so I'll have to check it out soon.

I vaguely remember watching The Net with my mom a long time ago, but I read the the fic, and it's pretty intriguing already :)

[thisbluespirit]

I've heard a lot of good things about The Librarians, so I'll have to check it out soon.

It's a fun show, I think, with a bit of heart, too. I'm v fond of it.

[executrix]

TWB, TWB...I was wondering why you never mentioned Blake! It would interesting if the post also discussed something abbreviated as PGP, although I can't think of anything offhand.

[thisbluespirit]

I typed it out in full in the post, so there's no excuse for expecting Blake!

I'm sure there must be something that would also be PGP, but all I'm thinking now is PWP instead. XD

[scripsi]

Oh, I didn't know there are more Librarians coming. Nice!

[thisbluespirit]

Yes, I'd heard it was in the works via tumblr, but it is apparently on its way! (Its way to where and which streaming service etc. of course will be the question...)