This strikes me as an S&D I'd like to see; when an actor established as a big star in Britain on radio, stage or TV has dipped into film, it has generally been seen not to have worked. But is this a generalised media-fostered myth? I am certain there will be films of great interest:
Obviously the career of Peter Sellers (esp. 1955-64) seems to be the major example for me...
The Sandwich Man (1966; Michael Bentine) [compared in an interesting IMDB review to "Ulysees" and Keillor's "London"]
The Punch and Judy Man (1962; Tony Hancock) [I *quite* liked 'The Rebel', though later parts faded]
Has anyone seen these two films...? Have been meaning to see them for years, but I've always missed them on TV.
I think you get the sense I am more thinking of comedy actors/performers and post-WW2 [though, a Max Miller film, "Hoots Mon" from 1942 I managed to catch some of recently, and found it fascinating). Less 'star' figures, but well-respected actors in TV sitcoms like Arthur Lowe I'm also interested in.
One would expect, erm, a 'destroy' for things like "The Boys In Blue" (1983). ;)
Anyway, my dear cineastes; feel free to add any titles that fit the bill as outlined, whether S or D...
― Tom May (Tom May), Sunday, 23 May 2004 13:48 (twenty-two years ago)
S: 'Shaun of the Dead'
when an actor established as a big star in Britain on radio, stage or TV has dipped into film, it has generally been seen not to have worked
Tom, are you smoking a crack? Half of all Brit actors began on stage! Olivier! Finney! Bates! As for TV -- Tim Roth, Gary Oldman, that guy from 'My Family'...
In fact, there are few Brist stars who *didn't* start elsewhere.
― Enrique (Enrique), Monday, 24 May 2004 08:59 (twenty-two years ago)
Not sure what I was imbibing (ha, that was then, during the period of revision for my finals, this is now, after those), but the basic gist was to do with British comedians (or comic actors) of the music halls, stand-up, television, radio managing or not to adapt to cinema.
It did probably come out cloudier than that, aye...!
S: 'The Rebel' would have to be a 'search', as I feel intrigued to see it again, having previously had mixed feelings. I had actually never seen or heard a full "Hancock" or "Hancock's Half Hour", when I saw this film first.
And as above, a very high percentage of Sellers's films from 1955-64, most of which were British-made.
― Tom May (Tom May), Thursday, 3 June 2004 20:24 (twenty-two years ago)