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We were talking tonight of the BBC series we most liked. For me, Rumpole is the all time favorite. I read the books too. Worthy: Mortimer is a fine writer. Far better than Dexter of the Morse series.And Leo McKern was the perfect Rumpole. He made the video better than the books. Spouting poetry: "a beaker of the south" and carping about "she who must be obeyed", irascible with humanity and humor. If this ever comes out in DVD, I'll buy a player.
Something about the Brits. They come up with those characters we(I) love.
Follow Ups:
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Did you know him? I can hardly imagine what he was like as a youth or young man. Was he a jock?Remember him in "Help" where he played the priest of Kali? Anything else he was in that's worthwhile?
Nope, didn't know him - he attended waaaay before my time.He wasn't a jock, nor was he academically gifted. He wrote a piece for the school journal many years after he left reminiscing about the jolly japes he got up to - I don't think he did much studying. Sounds like he had the same sort of experience I did! (I wasn't a jock or a nerd either, just spent most of my time playing jokes on other students). He is a really funny guy. Doug ;-)
That joking irreverence sure was apt for Rumpole.Was looking up his work. Didn't realize he'd been in so many films.
I agree! Rumpole forever!Rumpole was so much better than your typical American lawyer show. Leo McKern, with his hound dog looks and razor wit was perfect for the part.
Was always a big fan of Inspector Morse. So much so that I read some of the books. Certain different than Rumpole but just as wonderful.
I also loved the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes. For me, he was Holmes. I had thought no one could better Basil Rathbone but Brett did. And he was far better than anyone else who portrayed him on tv, especially the woefully miscast Matt Frewer. (Max Headroom in a deerstalker)
Then there was Blackadder
And Monty Python
And Benny Hill (Yes, I know, but I still loved it)
And Kenny Everett (see above)
And Miss Marple
And As Time Goes By
And A Fine Romance (basically anything with Judi Dench, who is soooo absolutely wonderful)
And Upstairs, Downstairs
And O Claudius (and anything else with Derek Jacobi)
And The Duchess of Duke Street
And more...And the greatest of all: PRIME SUSPECT with the splendid Helen Mirren
What's not to love?
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Man, you're talking some great TV.You are correct about Jeremy Brett. I even like to watch his reruns. I thought there was something out recently about his having problems because he identified so much with Holmes. Could be typical journalism garbage, not sure.
As Time Goes By. I happened to watch it once and became hooked. I could not believe I was watching this soap opera type stuff about these "middle" aged people.
Did you read any of the Rumpole books?
Only one Rumpole book, some years ago. I remember enjoying it very much.Part of the charm of AS TIME GOES BY is the cast. The British casting directors seem more aware of chemistry between actors than we do over here. Of course I never see the BAD British tv shows, of which I hear there are many.
But anything with Judi Dench is on my list of things to watch. I have been a fan of hers for many years and have been quite happy to see her recent American popularity.
You're right about the chemistry in As Time Goes By. The cast seems to be having fun. At least they're not phoning in their parts.It's also the characters. They're uniquely different. I remember reading something once about the Brits' acceptance of eccentricity. Sure, there are gradations of this, but think about Morse, Rumpole and Lionel, just for starters.
Hi,
I recently got my wife the entire 'Darling Buds of May' series on dvd. I also have 'Piece of Cake' on dvd. Buds is a light hearted comedy about a lovable rogue, set in the 50's. Piece of Cake is a brit docudrama about a Spit squad that starts just before the war, carries on to the peak of the Battle for Britain. The book, Piece of Cake, is even better. My favorite Rumpole moment is the one where he comes home after a brutal day at work, and the wife announces they are not only going on a cruise....but that the cruise will also hold someone Rumpole loathes, and he thunders.."No force on Earth...." And then, of course, there is a cut to a cruise ship stack blasting it's whistle.
Was "Piece of Cake" written by Roald Dahl? I seem to remember a similarly titled and themed short story in his "Wonderful story of Henry Sugar and several more". That is the book that turned me on to reading when I was seven or eight. Still love it.
Hmm,
this guys is one busy bee, he's written dozens, I had no idea. Perhaps I'll take one on holiday.
PIECE OF CAKE was shown on PBS some years back. I watched it and liked it very much.Rumpole, as much as he protests and complains about "she who must be obeyed", is really still in love with his wife. She's a nag and a bit foolish and he's resigned to it, maybe even endeared by it, appearances to the contrary. I think he's truly irritated at her constant prattle but he seldom listens, anyway.
And McKern makes him so very real. What a splendid actor!
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