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Gracie
Nov 20, 2009 0:01:04 GMT -5
Post by beckettologist on Nov 20, 2009 0:01:04 GMT -5
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Gracie
Nov 21, 2009 12:57:50 GMT -5
Post by beckettologist on Nov 21, 2009 12:57:50 GMT -5
Here's another article in anticipation of Gracie! Grace and favourJane Horrocks plays much-loved star Gracie Fields who kept British spirits high in time of war GRACIE! MONDAY, BBC4, 9pm She may have been born above a fish and chip shop but Gracie Fields' spirits never took a battering. Come Hell, high water or Hitler, she was determined to keep Britain laughing in the face of every obstacle the world had to throw. And in doing so, she became a national treasure, British icon, and true national sweetheart. The Women We Loved season continues as Jane Horrocks stars as Fields in Nick Vivian's romantic drama about the singer and comedienne from Rochdale who, in the Thirties, became the nation's darling and the highest-paid film actress in the world. Renowned for her "common touch", Gracie symbolised the indomitable spirit of Britain. Beginning at the phenomenal peak of her career when her iconic status seemed indestructible, this film examines Gracie's war-time struggle between love and duty, and the staggering repercussions of her relationship with Italian-born Hollywood directorMonty Banks, played by Tom Hollander. Gracie! opens a window on the complicated private life of a very public star who, despite everything, was determined to keep the nation's spirits up. Jane Horrocks sings a stunning repertoire of Gracie's songs, including Sally, Sing As We Go and Looking on the Bright Side. Born in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1898, she made her first stage appearance in 1905. Her professional debut in variety took place at the Rochdale Hippodrome theatre in 1910. In 1923 she married struggling comic Archie Pitt, who became her manager. Fields came to major public notice at the Alhambra Theatre in London's West End in 1925, making the first of 10 appearances in Royal Variety Shows in 1928. She gained a devoted following with a mixture of self- deprecating jokes, comic songs and monologues, as well as cheerful "depression-era" songs all presented in a "no-airs-and-graces" northern, working class style. After the war, Fields continued her career on a less active basis. She continued recording, but made no more films, moving more towards light classical music as popular tastes changed. She did a great deal of charity work, and established a home on the Mediterranean island of Capri. She made a final appearance at the Royal Variety Show at the age of 80 in 1978. This is a tremendous examination of an indomitable star. (c) 2009 Daily Record; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved. A service of YellowBrix, Inc. www.californiachronicle.com/articles/yb/138037077
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Gracie
Nov 24, 2009 0:24:24 GMT -5
Post by beckettologist on Nov 24, 2009 0:24:24 GMT -5
If you get the chance to see Gracie! you will not be disappointed. My only criticism is that it feels rushed. But all the same it is wonderful Here is an excerpt that sums it up beautifully: "But the real reasons to watch Gracie! are Jane Horrocks and Tom Hollander. The former was almost born to play Fields, employing her full range of talents, from funny faces to quiet moments of desperation, and – as Little Voice showed – is more than able to imitate her unusual singing voice, which mixed a touching soprano with Lancashire cheek. Hollander adopts a bizarrely appealing silky accent as her husband; the two are wonderful together, quickly sketching in a relationship between a couple who both adopted comic banter to hide their vulnerabilities but found circumstances pushing them apart. Despite the conventional script, their performances hint at something much more interesting. " news.scotsman.com/entertainment/TV-preview-Gracie--School.5849369.jp
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ineko
Dragon
"...never too late to learn, eh?"
Posts: 93
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Gracie
Nov 24, 2009 21:40:25 GMT -5
Post by ineko on Nov 24, 2009 21:40:25 GMT -5
Fortunately, I could watch Gracie! yesterday, and Yes! It's really wonderful! I love it! ;D Tom is marvelous as usual. (Of course Jane Horrocks is marvelous too. What a singing! I was really moved by her.) Sadly, I don't have much skill to understand their dialect, but their acting reached me somehow. Especially Tom! The expression on his face talked to me everything. What a fantastic actor he is...! I want to watch it more! but, well... maybe the DVD will have some extras. I really hope so. How I'm looking forward to get the DVD! While waiting the DVD, I'll read the English subtitles. I've printed it out for studying English. Hehe.
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Gracie
Nov 27, 2009 3:00:12 GMT -5
Post by beckettologist on Nov 27, 2009 3:00:12 GMT -5
This is such wonderful news! Of course *we* are not surprised are we? Jane Horrocks's turn as Gracie Fields equalled BBC4's highest ever audience last night, Monday 23 November.
Richard Klein, the BBC4 controller, said: "Two great performances from Jane Horrocks and Tom Hollander in last night's Gracie show yet again that BBC4 is a place which gives real creative space for actors, writers and dramatists."Here is the entire article: www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/nov/24/tv-ratings-jane-horrocks-gracie
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fiona
Abingdonian
Posts: 116
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Gracie
Dec 14, 2009 14:03:58 GMT -5
Post by fiona on Dec 14, 2009 14:03:58 GMT -5
I watched Gracie only a couple of days ago - I know how could I wait? But I loved not watching it until later, its like saving up your pocket money for something really special. I loved it. I agree it was a little rushed - hmm - I do love these BBC4 biopics but they're not as good as last year's comedian biopics.
I thought both Enid and Gracie glossed over a lot and despite great acting and everything else - just felt baggy and how the glazed over time passing sometimes feels lazy. If you ever get the chance to watch the ones BBCFour did last year I recommend them Tom or no Tom.
Speaking of Tom though, he was just absolutely fantastic. I loved his frustration at Gracie never being able to say no, his love for her and his humour, even his little Italian accent and silly moustache. <3
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Gracie
Dec 14, 2009 14:19:04 GMT -5
Post by beckettologist on Dec 14, 2009 14:19:04 GMT -5
I watched Gracie only a couple of days ago - I know how could I wait? But I loved not watching it until later, its like saving up your pocket money for something really special. I loved it. I agree it was a little rushed - hmm - I do love these BBC4 biopics but they're not as good as last year's comedian biopics. I thought both Enid and Gracie glossed over a lot and despite great acting and everything else - just felt baggy and how the glazed over time passing sometimes feels lazy. If you ever get the chance to watch the ones BBCFour did last year I recommend them Tom or no Tom. Speaking of Tom though, he was just absolutely fantastic. I loved his frustration at Gracie never being able to say no, his love for her and his humour, even his little Italian accent and silly moustache. <3 Glad you finally saw it. I felt the same way (they were rushed and should have been at least a 2-part series) but Tom and Jane played so well together. I absolutely love that scene near the end ("your Gracie"). So sweet.
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embee
Oxfordian
Posts: 37
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Gracie
Aug 27, 2010 13:14:20 GMT -5
Post by embee on Aug 27, 2010 13:14:20 GMT -5
I watched it until today's afternoon for the first time (now is evening here) and I have an inconsistent feels about it. Great performances of both (Tom+Jane) only her voice, she is spoken, is horrible. It dined me. Singing is well enough, the final song is even wonderful but if she speak... Conversely, I love Tom´s lovely accent there. And I agree with Beckettologist that "Your Gracie" scene near the end is so emotive and sweet.
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addicted_to_steve
Abingdonian
Cutler, Steve, Severus, Darken, Vorik and Felix - my six sexy muses
Posts: 135
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Gracie
Sept 8, 2010 21:51:49 GMT -5
Post by addicted_to_steve on Sept 8, 2010 21:51:49 GMT -5
This was on ABC TV last Sunday night (it's always exciting when Tom is actually on Australian TV!) and I have to say Tom stole the show for me. Though his accent was slightly distracting at first, he really manages to pull it off. I did not know anything about Gracie or her story before this, but I loved the chemistry between Tom and Jane. It's been quite a while since I've seen anything with Tom in it, and I'm glad that ABC played this. I'm also pleased that Tom has been getting leading roles in TV and cinema. Yet another example of his fine talent
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Gracie
Sept 9, 2010 18:06:54 GMT -5
Post by sanssouci on Sept 9, 2010 18:06:54 GMT -5
Tom was excellent as Monty Banks. Being of a certain age(! ) I’d heard of Gracie Fields but didn’t know that much about her so I found this really interesting. Jane Horrocks played Gracie brilliantly with the Lancashire accent (which probably sounds strange to anyone who isn’t familiar with Northern English accents) and her distinct singing voice.
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embee
Oxfordian
Posts: 37
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Gracie
Sept 13, 2010 4:54:07 GMT -5
Post by embee on Sept 13, 2010 4:54:07 GMT -5
Jane Horrocks played Gracie brilliantly with the Lancashire accent (which probably sounds strange to anyone who isn’t familiar with Northern English accents) and her distinct singing voice. I haven´t intended to offend J. Horrocks anyhow. I read about her Lancashire accent but I have never listen it. I´m not English and it is really strange for me. I have seen some videos with real Gracie Fields and she hadn´t it.
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Gracie
Sept 13, 2010 16:38:37 GMT -5
Post by sanssouci on Sept 13, 2010 16:38:37 GMT -5
You’re quite right, embee, her spoken voice did sound horrible, and I think Jane Horrocks really exaggerated it.
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Gracie
Nov 10, 2011 16:28:37 GMT -5
Post by marty on Nov 10, 2011 16:28:37 GMT -5
I saw Gracie for the first time the other night, I enjoyed it but I prefer it when Tom uses his own accent or goes for an 'upper-crust' sound much more than playing in this type of role. I am catching up with my viewing - also saw 'Paparazzi' for the first time, i found it to be obscene and propaganda. However, I thought Tom did a very good job with his role in that. I know I still have a lot of catching up to do!
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Gracie
Nov 10, 2011 22:24:45 GMT -5
Post by beckettologist on Nov 10, 2011 22:24:45 GMT -5
I saw Gracie for the first time the other night, I enjoyed it but I prefer it when Tom uses his own accent or goes for an 'upper-crust' sound much more than playing in this type of role. I am catching up with my viewing - also saw 'Paparazzi' for the first time, i found it to be obscene and propaganda. However, I thought Tom did a very good job with his role in that. I know I still have a lot of catching up to do! I loved him in Gracie and thought his Italian accent was great. The only accent I am not really that keen on him doing is American because it always sounds strained and harsh. I wonder if that is how he hears us? And yes, I agree with you about Paparazzi. Not one of my faces either. Keep on viewing Maria!
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