The "Pink Panther" film series reached its peak silliness in the 1970s and was all the better for it. Come "The Pink Panther Strikes Again," Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers had dropped the usual business of framing Inspector Clouseau's bumbling antics with a wider crime caper and just focused on him and his arch-nemesis, former Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom). Dreyfus, having had it up to here after years of Clouseau's ineptitude, builds a vanishing ray and threatens the world with annihilation if the clueless detective isn't assassinated.
You can see the jokes coming from a mile away, but it hardly matters when you have a comic talent like Sellers delivering the gags. This is the period when all the elements of Clouseau that literally had me rolling on the floor laughing as a kid were cranked up to epic proportions; his penchant for zany disguises; the apartment-trashing fights...
You can see the jokes coming from a mile away, but it hardly matters when you have a comic talent like Sellers delivering the gags. This is the period when all the elements of Clouseau that literally had me rolling on the floor laughing as a kid were cranked up to epic proportions; his penchant for zany disguises; the apartment-trashing fights...
- 12/24/2022
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
Showbiz in Soho is artificial, gaudy and vulgar, but Laurence Harvey’s slick promoter-con man thinks he can cheat at the pop music game. Cliff Richard is his new discovery, a teen crooner who digs the bongo drums. Wolf Mankowitz’s portrait of talent, glitz, and double-dealing in music and TV showbiz also stars Sylvia Syms as a Soho stripper and Yolande Donlan as a singing star trying to make a comeback. The disc contains director Val Guest’s uncut original version.
Expresso Bongo
Blu-ray
Cohen / Kino Lorber
1959 / B&w / 2:35 widescreen / 111 106 min. / Street Date January 18, 2022 / Available from Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Laurence Harvey, Sylvia Syms, Yolande Donlan, Cliff Richard, Meier Tzelniker, Ambrosine Phillpotts, Eric Pohlmann, Gilbert Harding, Hermione Baddeley, Reginald Beckwith, Avis Bunnage, Sally Geeson, Kenneth Griffith, Burt Kwouk, Wilfrid Lawson, Patricia Lewis, Barry Lowe, Martin Miller, Susan Hampshire, Peter Myers, Lisa Peake, The Shadows.
Cinematography: John Wilcox
Art Director:...
Expresso Bongo
Blu-ray
Cohen / Kino Lorber
1959 / B&w / 2:35 widescreen / 111 106 min. / Street Date January 18, 2022 / Available from Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Laurence Harvey, Sylvia Syms, Yolande Donlan, Cliff Richard, Meier Tzelniker, Ambrosine Phillpotts, Eric Pohlmann, Gilbert Harding, Hermione Baddeley, Reginald Beckwith, Avis Bunnage, Sally Geeson, Kenneth Griffith, Burt Kwouk, Wilfrid Lawson, Patricia Lewis, Barry Lowe, Martin Miller, Susan Hampshire, Peter Myers, Lisa Peake, The Shadows.
Cinematography: John Wilcox
Art Director:...
- 3/5/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Indicator delivers another in their long line of fan-friendly box sets with Hammer Volume Five – Death and Deceit (a subhead that could be applied to the majority of the studio’s output). This latest release would be for Hammer completists only were it not for the extras that shine a bright light on a few overlooked artists and their work.
Hammer Volume Five – Death and Deceit
Blu ray – Region B Only
Powerhouse Films/Indicator
1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 / 1.85:1, 2.35:1 / 75, 87, 83 and 81 min.
Starring Richard Basehart, Christopher Lee, Lionel Jeffries, Oliver Reed
Cinematography by Arthur Grant, Jack Asher, Reg Wyer
Directed by Michael Carreras, John Gilling
Michael Carreras’s Visa to Canton was a Cold War thriller photographed in Technicolor but released to U.S. theaters in black and white. To add insult to injury it was given a new and even more prosaic title: Passport to China – a fate this unassuming little Cold War thriller didn’t deserve.
Hammer Volume Five – Death and Deceit
Blu ray – Region B Only
Powerhouse Films/Indicator
1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 / 1.85:1, 2.35:1 / 75, 87, 83 and 81 min.
Starring Richard Basehart, Christopher Lee, Lionel Jeffries, Oliver Reed
Cinematography by Arthur Grant, Jack Asher, Reg Wyer
Directed by Michael Carreras, John Gilling
Michael Carreras’s Visa to Canton was a Cold War thriller photographed in Technicolor but released to U.S. theaters in black and white. To add insult to injury it was given a new and even more prosaic title: Passport to China – a fate this unassuming little Cold War thriller didn’t deserve.
- 3/17/2020
- by Charlie Largent
- Trailers from Hell
Pearl S. Buck and Leo McCarey give it to ya straight: Red China is Bad. This strange mix of Cold War truth-telling and mawkish, ethics-challenged church sentiment may have meant well, but it overstates everything. A top-flight cast works hard to make it compelling: William Holden, France Nuyen and in his last film, Clifton Webb.
Satan Never Sleeps
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1962 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 125 min./ Street Date , 2019 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: William Holden, Clifton Webb, France Nuyen, Athene Seyler, Martin Benson, Weaver Lee, Burt Kwouk.
Cinematography: Oswald Morris
Film Editor: Gordon Pilkington
Original Music: Richard Rodney Bennett
Written by Claude Binyon from the novel The China Story by Pearl S. Buck
Produced and Directed by Leo McCarey
Leo McCarey’s film career followed quite a strange trajectory. A master of Laurel & Hardy classics, and an absolute king of sophisticated comedy in the 1930s, his cooperative method...
Satan Never Sleeps
Blu-ray
Twilight Time
1962 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 125 min./ Street Date , 2019 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95
Starring: William Holden, Clifton Webb, France Nuyen, Athene Seyler, Martin Benson, Weaver Lee, Burt Kwouk.
Cinematography: Oswald Morris
Film Editor: Gordon Pilkington
Original Music: Richard Rodney Bennett
Written by Claude Binyon from the novel The China Story by Pearl S. Buck
Produced and Directed by Leo McCarey
Leo McCarey’s film career followed quite a strange trajectory. A master of Laurel & Hardy classics, and an absolute king of sophisticated comedy in the 1930s, his cooperative method...
- 1/19/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Peter Medak’s new documentary “The Ghost of Peter Sellers,” about the catastrophic production of the actor’s failed 1973 pirate comedy “Ghost in the Noonday Sun,” begins with a little back-patting.
Medak, who also directed the classic films “The Ruling Class” and “The Changeling,” says he’s fairly certain that no filmmaker has ever made a movie about the making of his own movie before. “It’s incredible,” he remarks. And also “completely insane.”
That statement isn’t strictly true. Richard Rush made a documentary about his Oscar-nominated drama “The Stunt Man” called “The Sinister Saga of Making ‘The Stunt Man,'” and Richard Stanley catalogued his catastrophic production of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” (which was eventually finished by John Frankenheimer) in “Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s ‘Island of Dr. Moreau.'” But it’s always intriguing, regardless, to look back at what was, what could have been,...
Medak, who also directed the classic films “The Ruling Class” and “The Changeling,” says he’s fairly certain that no filmmaker has ever made a movie about the making of his own movie before. “It’s incredible,” he remarks. And also “completely insane.”
That statement isn’t strictly true. Richard Rush made a documentary about his Oscar-nominated drama “The Stunt Man” called “The Sinister Saga of Making ‘The Stunt Man,'” and Richard Stanley catalogued his catastrophic production of “The Island of Dr. Moreau” (which was eventually finished by John Frankenheimer) in “Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s ‘Island of Dr. Moreau.'” But it’s always intriguing, regardless, to look back at what was, what could have been,...
- 9/8/2018
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
'The Pink Panther' with Peter Sellers: Blake Edwards' 1963 comedy hit and its many sequels revolve around one of the most iconic film characters of the 20th century: clueless, thick-accented Inspector Clouseau – in some quarters surely deemed politically incorrect, or 'insensitive,' despite the lack of brown face make-up à la Sellers' clueless Indian guest in Edwards' 'The Party.' 'The Pink Panther' movies [1] There were a total of eight big-screen Pink Panther movies co-written and directed by Blake Edwards, most of them starring Peter Sellers – even after his death in 1980. Edwards was also one of the producers of every (direct) Pink Panther sequel, from A Shot in the Dark to Curse of the Pink Panther. Despite its iconic lead character, the last three movies in the Pink Panther franchise were box office bombs. Two of these, The Trail of the Pink Panther and Curse of the Pink Panther, were co-written by Edwards' son,...
- 5/29/2017
- by altfilmguide
- Alt Film Guide
This sequel to 1963’s The Pink Panther is a smaller-scaled affair and all the better for it as director Blake Edwards is able to focus his attention on that great Parisian bumbler, the cosmically inept Inspector Jacques Clouseau – played to slapstick perfection by Peter Sellers. Based on a stage play (that did not include the Clouseau character), the 1964 hit introduced two long running players to the series, Burt Kwouk as Cato, Clouseau’s over-eager Man Friday and, memorably, Herbert Lom as the long suffering Commissioner Dreyfus.
- 3/17/2017
- by TFH Team
- Trailers from Hell
By Lee Pfeiffer
Character actor Burt Kwouk has passed away at the age of 85. Although primarily known for his work in comedy in film and television, Kwouk was equally adept at playing dramatic roles. In fact in the year 2011, he was awarded an OBE in honor of his accomplishments in drama. However, Kwouk will always be immortalized as Cato, the long-suffering but fanatically devoted man servant to Peter Sellers' bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther series. A common theme throughout the series was having Cato follow Clouseau's orders to keep him on guard by ambushing him at the most inopportune moments. Their raucous battles were the stuff of inspired lunacy. He and Sellers first appeared together in 1964 and he would continue to play the same character in new installments of the series after Sellers death up until 1992. Kwouk was also a popular presence in British television and reinforced...
Character actor Burt Kwouk has passed away at the age of 85. Although primarily known for his work in comedy in film and television, Kwouk was equally adept at playing dramatic roles. In fact in the year 2011, he was awarded an OBE in honor of his accomplishments in drama. However, Kwouk will always be immortalized as Cato, the long-suffering but fanatically devoted man servant to Peter Sellers' bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther series. A common theme throughout the series was having Cato follow Clouseau's orders to keep him on guard by ambushing him at the most inopportune moments. Their raucous battles were the stuff of inspired lunacy. He and Sellers first appeared together in 1964 and he would continue to play the same character in new installments of the series after Sellers death up until 1992. Kwouk was also a popular presence in British television and reinforced...
- 5/25/2016
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
• Mnpp picks 5 favorites from Roger Deakins great filmography - love the write up
• i09 Netflix is going to be the exclusive home for Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar movies when it comes to streaming
• The Guardian looks back at the career of Burt Kwouk (Rip) who played Cato in The Pink Panther franchise
• Variety looks at the top Emmy races. Where are we guaranteed movement in the often stagnant fields?
• Hypable Disney's gay erasure problem (not the pop band) and why the hashtags #GiveElsaAGirlfriend and #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend are so popular. (Captain America already has a boyfriend, of course, but why did Disney include that Sharon Carter kiss?)
• Flickering Myth Chris Nolan's Dunkirk shoot has begun (photos from the set). Since he's sick of not being Oscar nominated for directing he's making a World War II picture instead of sticking with sci-fi, magicians, or Batpeople
• Playbill the 61st annual Obie Awards,...
• i09 Netflix is going to be the exclusive home for Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar movies when it comes to streaming
• The Guardian looks back at the career of Burt Kwouk (Rip) who played Cato in The Pink Panther franchise
• Variety looks at the top Emmy races. Where are we guaranteed movement in the often stagnant fields?
• Hypable Disney's gay erasure problem (not the pop band) and why the hashtags #GiveElsaAGirlfriend and #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend are so popular. (Captain America already has a boyfriend, of course, but why did Disney include that Sharon Carter kiss?)
• Flickering Myth Chris Nolan's Dunkirk shoot has begun (photos from the set). Since he's sick of not being Oscar nominated for directing he's making a World War II picture instead of sticking with sci-fi, magicians, or Batpeople
• Playbill the 61st annual Obie Awards,...
- 5/24/2016
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Whenever I went to Memphis with my parents, my time was divided between staying with my two grandmothers. How I thought about that time with them was defined, not surprisingly, by what sort of movie experiences I had with each. My dad’s mom was the one who had cable, and she liked to go to bed early, meaning I learned all sorts of things at night. My mom’s mom was the one who took me to the theater more often, and she’d take me to see pretty much anything as long as the rating was okay. One afternoon, she told me to get in the car because there was something special playing. I was ten years old, and I only knew The Pink Panther as a cartoon character. That afternoon, though, I saw The Return Of The Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, and Revenge Of The Pink Panther...
- 5/24/2016
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Burt Kwouk, the actor who played martial arts expert Cato in the original Peter Sellers "Pink Panther" films, has died at the age of 85. He "passed peacefully" according to his agent Jean Diamond, with no specific cause of death mentioned.
Born in northwest England in 1930 and raised in Shanghai, Kwouk had his first major role in 1958's "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness". He also appeared in two James Bond classics - "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice" - along with the original "Rollerball" and Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun". He also had guest spots on popular 1960s shows like "The Avengers," "Secret Agent" and "The Saint" and a regular role on 1980s British sitcom "Last of the Summer Wine'.
But it's his work in a half dozen "Pink Panther" films as Cato Fong that he'll always be remembered for. The character, a manservant to Sellers' bumbling Inspector Clouseau,...
Born in northwest England in 1930 and raised in Shanghai, Kwouk had his first major role in 1958's "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness". He also appeared in two James Bond classics - "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice" - along with the original "Rollerball" and Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun". He also had guest spots on popular 1960s shows like "The Avengers," "Secret Agent" and "The Saint" and a regular role on 1980s British sitcom "Last of the Summer Wine'.
But it's his work in a half dozen "Pink Panther" films as Cato Fong that he'll always be remembered for. The character, a manservant to Sellers' bumbling Inspector Clouseau,...
- 5/24/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Actor best known for his roles in the Pink Panther films and the BBC’s Last of the Summer Wine
Anna May Wong, the first of the few Chinese actors to gain Hollywood stardom, explained why she retired from the screen: “I was so tired of the parts I had to play. Why is it that the screen Chinese is nearly always the villain? And so crude a villain – murderous, treacherous, a snake in the grass. We are not like that. How should we be, with a civilisation that is so many times older than that of the west?” Burt Kwouk, who has died aged 85, felt the same way but, as he remarked: “I look at it this way – if I don’t do it, someone else will. So why don’t I go in, get some money and try to elevate it a bit, if I can?”
Kwouk, mostly...
Anna May Wong, the first of the few Chinese actors to gain Hollywood stardom, explained why she retired from the screen: “I was so tired of the parts I had to play. Why is it that the screen Chinese is nearly always the villain? And so crude a villain – murderous, treacherous, a snake in the grass. We are not like that. How should we be, with a civilisation that is so many times older than that of the west?” Burt Kwouk, who has died aged 85, felt the same way but, as he remarked: “I look at it this way – if I don’t do it, someone else will. So why don’t I go in, get some money and try to elevate it a bit, if I can?”
Kwouk, mostly...
- 5/24/2016
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Burt Kwouk, the actor who played Cato in the “Pink Panther” films, has died. He was 85. According to the BBC, a statement issued by his agent read, “Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date.” Kwouk appeared in seven “Pink Panther” films opposite Peter Sellers, starring as Clouseau’s servant Cato. Kwouk also starred in three James Bond films, including “Goldfinger” and “You Only Live Twice,” as well as the BBC sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine” from 2002 to 2010. Also Read:.
- 5/24/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Burt Kwouk, the veteran actor most closely associated with the role of the long-suffering Cato in The Pink Panther series opposite Peter Sellers, has died at age 85. A statement released by the actor’s family confirmed Kwouk passed away peacefully May 24. Kwouk was born in Warrington in the UK but lived in Shanghai until he was 17. His long career took in seven Pink Panther films, three James Bonds as well as appearances in Doctor Who and The Avengers. Kwouk’s big break…...
- 5/24/2016
- Deadline TV
Burt Kwouk, the veteran actor most closely associated with the role of the long-suffering Cato in The Pink Panther series opposite Peter Sellers, has died at age 85. A statement released by the actor’s family confirmed Kwouk passed away peacefully May 24. Kwouk was born in Warrington in the UK but lived in Shanghai until he was 17. His long career took in seven Pink Panther films, three James Bonds as well as appearances in Doctor Who and The Avengers. Kwouk’s big break…...
- 5/24/2016
- Deadline
London (AP) — Burt Kwouk, an actor who played martial arts expert Cato in the comic Pink Panther films, has died. He was 85. Kwouk's agent, Jean Diamond, said in a statement that he "passed peacefully" on Tuesday. She didn't give a cause of death. Born in northwest England in 1930 and raised in Shanghai, Kwouk had his first major film role in 1958's The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman. Kwouk appeared in the James Bond films Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice as well as the 1967 Bond spoof Casino Royale, and had roles in popular 1960s TV series
read more...
read more...
- 5/24/2016
- by The Associated Press
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Burt Kwouk, who played Inspector Clouseau's nimble manservant in seven Pink Panther films opposite Peter Sellers has died, the BBC reports. "Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date," his agent told the British news agency. Kwouk rose to fame playing Cato Fong opposite Sellers, who regularly assaulted the bumbling detective to keep him vigilant. After seven films with Sellers, he revived his character in later films that featured Roger Moore and Roberto Benigni as the French detective. Born in England but raised in China,...
- 5/24/2016
- by Kathy Ehrich Dowd, @kathyehrichdowd
- PEOPLE.com
Burt Kwouk, who played Inspector Clouseau's nimble manservant in seven Pink Panther films opposite Peter Sellers has died, the BBC reports. "Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date," his agent told the British news agency. Kwouk rose to fame playing Cato Fong opposite Sellers, who regularly assaulted the bumbling detective to keep him vigilant. After seven films with Sellers, he revived his character in later films that featured Roger Moore Roberto Benigni as the French detective. Born in England but raised in China,...
- 5/24/2016
- by Kathy Ehrich Dowd, @kathyehrichdowd
- PEOPLE.com
British-born actor who grew up in China starred in three James Bond movies and Last of the Summer Wine as well as his celebrated role alongside Peter Sellers
Pink Panther star Burt Kwouk, best known for playing Inspector Clouseau’s manservant Cato opposite Peter Sellers, has died aged 85.
A statement from the Warrington-born actor’s agent to the BBC revealed the news. No further details were given as to cause of death.
Continue reading...
Pink Panther star Burt Kwouk, best known for playing Inspector Clouseau’s manservant Cato opposite Peter Sellers, has died aged 85.
A statement from the Warrington-born actor’s agent to the BBC revealed the news. No further details were given as to cause of death.
Continue reading...
- 5/24/2016
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
This sequel to 1963’s "The Pink Panther" is a smaller-scaled affair and all the better for it as director Blake Edwards is able to focus his attention on that great Parisian bumbler, the cosmically inept Inspector Jacques Clouseau – played to slapstick perfection by Peter Sellers. Based on a stage play (that did not include the Clouseau character), the 1964 hit introduced two long running players to the series, Burt Kwouk as Cato, Clouseau’s over-eager Man Friday and, memorably, Herbert Lom as the long suffering Commissioner Dreyfus. Read More: The Pink Panther Returns, Again...
- 5/18/2015
- by Trailers From Hell
- Thompson on Hollywood
Stars: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams, John Beck, Moses Gunn, Pamela Hensley, Barbara Trentham, John Normington, Shane Rimmer, Burt Kwouk | Written by William Harrison | Directed by Norman Jewison
We live in an age where remakes take movies from the past and look to modernise them, sometimes changing them completely. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it ends up in a complete shambles, dumbing down what the original stood for and losing the whole point of what they were trying to replicate. This is the case with Rollerball, a cult classic which suffered the bad remake treatment. Thankfully in this review though I’m looking at the original film which is being released by Arrow Video on Blu-ray, so from this point on we can forget the remake even existed.
In a future controlled by corporations war is a thing of the past and the only conflict is Rollerball. Jonathan E.
We live in an age where remakes take movies from the past and look to modernise them, sometimes changing them completely. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it ends up in a complete shambles, dumbing down what the original stood for and losing the whole point of what they were trying to replicate. This is the case with Rollerball, a cult classic which suffered the bad remake treatment. Thankfully in this review though I’m looking at the original film which is being released by Arrow Video on Blu-ray, so from this point on we can forget the remake even existed.
In a future controlled by corporations war is a thing of the past and the only conflict is Rollerball. Jonathan E.
- 3/21/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Jason-Isaacs-in-Case-Histories
Within the crowded field of British detective shows, Case Histories truly stands out as one of the very best contemporary dramas in recent years. It’s not as gloomy as Vera, not as gory as Luther, and it lacks the frivolity of Midsomer Murders. What it does offer is a realistic central character played brilliantly by Harry Potter bad-guy Jason Isaacs. Jackson Brodie (Isaacs) is broody but he’s positively jovial when compared with Wallander. He’s something of a lady’s man and could be described as Scotland’s answer to Jim Bergerac only with a penchant for cigarettes rather than booze. Brodie has his demons and he’s not immune to the odd cock-up but he’s a good guy at heart and he usually unravels the perplexing mysteries that land in his lap.
Case Histories ran for two seasons each comprised of three feature length mysteries.
Within the crowded field of British detective shows, Case Histories truly stands out as one of the very best contemporary dramas in recent years. It’s not as gloomy as Vera, not as gory as Luther, and it lacks the frivolity of Midsomer Murders. What it does offer is a realistic central character played brilliantly by Harry Potter bad-guy Jason Isaacs. Jackson Brodie (Isaacs) is broody but he’s positively jovial when compared with Wallander. He’s something of a lady’s man and could be described as Scotland’s answer to Jim Bergerac only with a penchant for cigarettes rather than booze. Brodie has his demons and he’s not immune to the odd cock-up but he’s a good guy at heart and he usually unravels the perplexing mysteries that land in his lap.
Case Histories ran for two seasons each comprised of three feature length mysteries.
- 3/18/2015
- by Edited by K Kinsella
The fifth in the chaotic comedy series sees Peter Sellers take his last bow as the ludicrously unkillable Inspector Clouseau. Once again, there's a plot to assassinate the crimefighting buffoon, and once again Clouseau's former boss Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) is determined to be part of it - despite being stark raving mad. Dyan Cannon provides the glamour while Sellers upholds his legacy with more disguises, more linguistic misunderstandings and more punishment for man-servant Cato (Burt Kwouk).
- 8/7/2014
- Sky Movies
Miscasting in films has always been a problem. A producer hires an actor thinking that he or she is perfect for a movie role only to find the opposite is true. Other times a star is hired for his box office draw but ruins an otherwise good movie because he looks completely out of place.
There have been many humdinger miscastings. You only have to laugh at John Wayne’s Genghis Khan (with Mongol moustache and gun-belt) in The Conqueror (1956), giggle at Marlon Brando’s woeful upper class twang as Fletcher Christian in Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) and cringe at Dick Van Dyke’s misbegotten cockney accent in Mary Poppins (1964). But as hilarious as these miscastings are, producers at the time didn’t think the same way, until after the event. At least they add a bit of camp value to a mediocre or downright awful movie.
In rare cases,...
There have been many humdinger miscastings. You only have to laugh at John Wayne’s Genghis Khan (with Mongol moustache and gun-belt) in The Conqueror (1956), giggle at Marlon Brando’s woeful upper class twang as Fletcher Christian in Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) and cringe at Dick Van Dyke’s misbegotten cockney accent in Mary Poppins (1964). But as hilarious as these miscastings are, producers at the time didn’t think the same way, until after the event. At least they add a bit of camp value to a mediocre or downright awful movie.
In rare cases,...
- 1/24/2014
- Shadowlocked
Cinema Retro has received the following press release:
London Film Memorabilia Convention
www.londonfilmmeorabiliaconvention.co.uk
At Central Hall Westminster – Saturday September the 22nd ( 10 am – 5 pm )
A celebration of the quintessential James Bond film!
Key members of the cast and crew, reunite for a one day and one-off unique event!
With over 100 sellers from four continents coming to London for the day. Selling Goldfinger and other original James Bond film memorabilia , plus general film memorabilia from the silents to the latest releases.
One of the worlds largest collections of James Bond film memorabilia ever assembled up for sale!
Plus vintage James Bond collectable retro toys and games!
The special guests on the day include –
Sir Ken Adam Honor Blackman Shirley Eaton Tania Mallett Margaret Nolan Caron Gardner Burt Kwouk Norman Wanstall
A special Sir Ken Adam retrospective with Sir Christopher Frayling An Honor Blackman retrospective show Goldfinger Memories – The Golden...
London Film Memorabilia Convention
www.londonfilmmeorabiliaconvention.co.uk
At Central Hall Westminster – Saturday September the 22nd ( 10 am – 5 pm )
A celebration of the quintessential James Bond film!
Key members of the cast and crew, reunite for a one day and one-off unique event!
With over 100 sellers from four continents coming to London for the day. Selling Goldfinger and other original James Bond film memorabilia , plus general film memorabilia from the silents to the latest releases.
One of the worlds largest collections of James Bond film memorabilia ever assembled up for sale!
Plus vintage James Bond collectable retro toys and games!
The special guests on the day include –
Sir Ken Adam Honor Blackman Shirley Eaton Tania Mallett Margaret Nolan Caron Gardner Burt Kwouk Norman Wanstall
A special Sir Ken Adam retrospective with Sir Christopher Frayling An Honor Blackman retrospective show Goldfinger Memories – The Golden...
- 9/4/2012
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Harry Hill's Channel 4 reunion was attended by under a million viewers on Thursday night, overnight data suggests. Whatever Happened To Harry Hill?, a mockumentary reliving the comic's cult Channel 4 sketch show with Al Murray and Burt Kwouk, attracted just 817k (3.9%) in the 9pm hour. Fellow performer Peter Kay delivered 3.6m in the same slot last week, almost five times Hill's audience. Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's new spoof quiz show, Vic & Bob's Lucky Sexy Winners, followed with 574k (3.1%) at 10pm - the Funny Fortnight season lineup denting the broadcaster's share for the night. Liverpool's trip to Hearts in the Europa League gave ITV4 an impressive average audience of 1.38m (6.6%) between 7pm and 10pm, helping the sports channel trump Channel 4. For some of the 9pm hour, ITV4 was even (more)...
- 8/24/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
TV Burp comic Harry Hill will revisit his classic Channel 4 '90s comedy series in a new Reunion special. The comedian's self-titled series was a cult hit in the '90s, taking Hill's irreverent radio series Fruit Corner onto the small screen. Harry Hill, which ran for three series, was a mixture of stand-up, sketches, songs and regular characters played by guests such as Al Murray and Burt Kwouk. Famous skits on the show included Stouffer the Cat, the Badger Parade and Kwouk playing a chicken catcher. Channel 4 has revealed that Harry Hill: The Reunion will "be a one-off show hosted by Harry looking back at the seminal series". (more)...
- 6/15/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Louise Jameson co. Ian Fraser
Kieran Kinsella
You may know her as John Nettles’ leading lady, as Tom Baker’s able assistant or as the matriarch of a powerful East End family but if you love British TV then it is safe to say that you are a fan of Louise Jameson. Narrowing down my list of questions was no easy task considering that Louise has starred in everything from Doc Martin to Tenko, but when I recently had the chance to speak with her she provided me with a candid incite into her incredibly successful career.
What are your favorite memories of working on Doctor Who? and appearing alongside Tom Baker?
“Not too many of them I’m Afraid but I have fond memories of him recently whilst recording the audio version of our time in Doctor Who. He has been mellow, wonderful, easy going and rather brilliant. I...
Kieran Kinsella
You may know her as John Nettles’ leading lady, as Tom Baker’s able assistant or as the matriarch of a powerful East End family but if you love British TV then it is safe to say that you are a fan of Louise Jameson. Narrowing down my list of questions was no easy task considering that Louise has starred in everything from Doc Martin to Tenko, but when I recently had the chance to speak with her she provided me with a candid incite into her incredibly successful career.
What are your favorite memories of working on Doctor Who? and appearing alongside Tom Baker?
“Not too many of them I’m Afraid but I have fond memories of him recently whilst recording the audio version of our time in Doctor Who. He has been mellow, wonderful, easy going and rather brilliant. I...
- 4/17/2012
- by admin
“My name is Bond - James Bond". That classic introduction to the cinema’s greatest secret agent is as famous as “I am Dracula, I bid you welcome.” When the box office success of Dr No (1962) turned the unknown Sean Connery into a movie legend, Hammer was never far away from the franchise. With their own films running parallel to the Bond series, Hammer and Eon Productions often made use of the same talent.
Dr No also marked the debuts of Bernard Lee (the first of 11 films as M) and Lois Maxwell (the first of 14 as Miss Moneypenny). Lee had a brief turn as Tarmut in Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1973) and despite never starring in a Hammer horror, Maxwell turned up in their early fifties thrillers Lady in the Fog (1953) and Mantrap (1954).
As doomed double-agent Professor Dent, Anthony Dawson is best known as the vile Marquis in Curse...
Dr No also marked the debuts of Bernard Lee (the first of 11 films as M) and Lois Maxwell (the first of 14 as Miss Moneypenny). Lee had a brief turn as Tarmut in Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1973) and despite never starring in a Hammer horror, Maxwell turned up in their early fifties thrillers Lady in the Fog (1953) and Mantrap (1954).
As doomed double-agent Professor Dent, Anthony Dawson is best known as the vile Marquis in Curse...
- 6/1/2011
- Shadowlocked
Deep End was acclaimed by critics. Then it all but sank out of view. Ryan Gilbey on a newly salvaged British classic
It's not uncommon for movies to drop out of circulation and simply disappear, as fans of Deep End will attest. Barely seen since its release in 1971, the film concerns Mike (played by John Moulder-Brown), a floppy-fringed 15-year-old who becomes dangerously infatuated with Susan (Jane Asher), his co-worker at the public baths. What's unusual about this prolonged absence is that it should have befallen a film so passionately admired. The influential critic Andrew Sarris thought it measured up to the best of Godard, Truffaut and Polanski. The New Yorker's Penelope Gilliatt called it "a work of peculiar, cock-a-hoop gifts". If something as venerated as Deep End can sink, what hope for the rest of cinema?
After years of being mired in rights issues, this vivid, rapturous film is about...
It's not uncommon for movies to drop out of circulation and simply disappear, as fans of Deep End will attest. Barely seen since its release in 1971, the film concerns Mike (played by John Moulder-Brown), a floppy-fringed 15-year-old who becomes dangerously infatuated with Susan (Jane Asher), his co-worker at the public baths. What's unusual about this prolonged absence is that it should have befallen a film so passionately admired. The influential critic Andrew Sarris thought it measured up to the best of Godard, Truffaut and Polanski. The New Yorker's Penelope Gilliatt called it "a work of peculiar, cock-a-hoop gifts". If something as venerated as Deep End can sink, what hope for the rest of cinema?
After years of being mired in rights issues, this vivid, rapturous film is about...
- 5/1/2011
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
The use of Can's music in Norwegian Wood confirms the krautrock pioneers have always made sounds fit for cinema
He hardly needs to give up his day job, but Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood seems to have a pretty good alternative career lined up as a film composer. After his dissonant, overpowering strings on There Will Be Blood, he does sterling work on this week's excellent Norwegian Wood, adding to the Japanese teen gloom with sheets of orchestral noise and tender acoustic guitar melodies. But what caught my attention on the soundtrack was the welcome reappearance of Can, whose music not only fits the late-60s setting, but also reminds us how much Radiohead are indebted to the trailblazing krautrockers. They've made no secret of it, even covering Can's The Thief, but listening to The King of Limbs' precision clattering, jazzy guitars, slightly slurred vocals and unorthodox song structures,...
He hardly needs to give up his day job, but Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood seems to have a pretty good alternative career lined up as a film composer. After his dissonant, overpowering strings on There Will Be Blood, he does sterling work on this week's excellent Norwegian Wood, adding to the Japanese teen gloom with sheets of orchestral noise and tender acoustic guitar melodies. But what caught my attention on the soundtrack was the welcome reappearance of Can, whose music not only fits the late-60s setting, but also reminds us how much Radiohead are indebted to the trailblazing krautrockers. They've made no secret of it, even covering Can's The Thief, but listening to The King of Limbs' precision clattering, jazzy guitars, slightly slurred vocals and unorthodox song structures,...
- 3/11/2011
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
There were, however, many arts practitioners on the list. Is the Diary the only one surprised (and pleased) to see Steve McQueen get a Cbe, given the artist's marathon battle with the establishment to get the Iraq war dead printed on stamps? Among the other recipients of a Cbe – and the Diary apologises to the names omitted here – are producer Trevor Horn, sculptor Richard Wentworth, theatre director Howard Davies, choreographer Wayne McGregor, trumpeter John Wallace, actors Sheila Hancock and David Suchet, and composer Howard Goodall. OBEs went to Annie Lennox, folkie Richard Thompson, director Andrea Arnold, actor Burt Kwouk, costume designer Sandy Powell and composer Colin Matthews. And there are damehoods for actor Harriet Walter, mezzo-soprano turned professor Felicity Palmer and writer Antonia Fraser.
Disappointingly, despite the Diary's call for a triple whammy of knighthoods for Ken Dodd, Ronnie Corbett and Brucie Forsyth, they got nothing.
New Year honours listSteve...
Disappointingly, despite the Diary's call for a triple whammy of knighthoods for Ken Dodd, Ronnie Corbett and Brucie Forsyth, they got nothing.
New Year honours listSteve...
- 1/4/2011
- by Mark Brown
- The Guardian - Film News
No knighthoods for tabloid-backed stars, but Sheila Hancock, David Suchet and composer Howard Goodall make the list
Despite the best efforts of the tabloid press, there were no knighthoods for either Bruce Forsyth or Simon Cowell, but veteran actors Sheila Hancock and David Suchet were both awarded CBEs, as was the composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall. Representatives of the arts and media make up 7% of the honours list.
Harriet Walter, best known as a classical actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company – most recently as Cleopatra opposite Patrick Stewart's Antony and as Friedrich Schiller's Mary Stuart in the West End and on Broadway – is made a dame, 11 years after becoming a Cbe. Reacting to her award, Walter said: "I have reservations about some parts of the honours system. I fear it's not very fair and I think there are lots of people not recognised who should be." But she...
Despite the best efforts of the tabloid press, there were no knighthoods for either Bruce Forsyth or Simon Cowell, but veteran actors Sheila Hancock and David Suchet were both awarded CBEs, as was the composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall. Representatives of the arts and media make up 7% of the honours list.
Harriet Walter, best known as a classical actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company – most recently as Cleopatra opposite Patrick Stewart's Antony and as Friedrich Schiller's Mary Stuart in the West End and on Broadway – is made a dame, 11 years after becoming a Cbe. Reacting to her award, Walter said: "I have reservations about some parts of the honours system. I fear it's not very fair and I think there are lots of people not recognised who should be." But she...
- 12/31/2010
- by Stephen Bates
- The Guardian - Film News
Update: This New Year's UK Honours list from the Queen includes only two names of major film/TV interest for CBEs (one notch below knighthood): film director Steve McQueen (Hunger) who’s about to start shooting Shame in January with Michael Fassbender, and actor David Suchet, best known for playing Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in those marvelous Agatha Christie mysteries for ITV and PBS. Music legend Annie Lennox was on the list, too, but a notch below with an OBE. I would say that McQueen's selection is surprising given his anti-establishment stance. His Hunger was a sympathetic portrayal of Irish terrorist Bobby Sands – not the Establishment’s favourite person. Actress Harriet Walter, mainly known for her stage work over here, has become a Dame, and comedienne Sheila Hancock also becomes a Cbe. Burt Kwouk, who was Peter Sellers’ karate-chopping butler in the Pink Panther movies has been made an OBE.
- 12/31/2010
- by TIM ADLER in London
- Deadline London
Despite Daniel Craig successfully taking over the role of James Bond in Casino Royale (2006), Eon Productions has now put the immortal series on a backburner because of a potential take-over of MGM. Whether another Bond film will be produced under the partnership remains to be seen, and even if the series kick-starts once more, there’s no guarantee that Craig will return as the world’s most famous secret agent.
The past 40 years has seen a number of actors who have contributed to more than one film. So with this imposed hiatus, it's worth taking a look at those performers who have been in the most 007 movies.
Making her debut in the first 007 outing Dr No (1962), the durable Canadian actress Lois Maxwell made 14 appearances as Secretary Jane Moneypenny, forever flirting with 007 when he returns home from another world-saving assignment. Ian Fleming always regarded Maxwell, who died in 2007, as the perfect Moneypenny because,...
The past 40 years has seen a number of actors who have contributed to more than one film. So with this imposed hiatus, it's worth taking a look at those performers who have been in the most 007 movies.
Making her debut in the first 007 outing Dr No (1962), the durable Canadian actress Lois Maxwell made 14 appearances as Secretary Jane Moneypenny, forever flirting with 007 when he returns home from another world-saving assignment. Ian Fleming always regarded Maxwell, who died in 2007, as the perfect Moneypenny because,...
- 12/21/2010
- Shadowlocked
This weekend there’s a huge event for film fans in London as FanFest, billed as the Ultimate Spy and Sci-Fi Event, opens its loving arms to embrace the public for a two day collision of star appearances, signings, prop exhibitions, Q&As, and the whole event promises to be a memorable experience.
There’s a list of those attending below (including a certain Mr. Harryhausen…which is incentive enough) and you could be going along as HeyUGuys are giving away a pair of tickets to the entire weekend.
The event is being held at The London Film Museum at County Hall in London, and you can visit the website, linked above, to see the full programme.
To be in with a chance to win this pair of tickets please use the form below to answer the following question.
In Which James Bond film did Honor Blackman appear?
[contact-form]
Confirmed guests...
There’s a list of those attending below (including a certain Mr. Harryhausen…which is incentive enough) and you could be going along as HeyUGuys are giving away a pair of tickets to the entire weekend.
The event is being held at The London Film Museum at County Hall in London, and you can visit the website, linked above, to see the full programme.
To be in with a chance to win this pair of tickets please use the form below to answer the following question.
In Which James Bond film did Honor Blackman appear?
[contact-form]
Confirmed guests...
- 4/20/2010
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The Fan Fast is the talk of the town, as evidenced by this coverage in the Evening Standard. Legions of classic movie lovers are expected to converge on London for the event.
The London Film Museum's Fan Fest, April 24-25, is shaping up as one of the most ambitious classic movie events in memory. The event will be of special interest to James Bond fans, as over 30 stars and crew members from the series will be on hand to sign autographs and participate in panel discussions. Among those attending: George Lazenby, Richard Kiel, Maud Adams, Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Maryam d'Abo, Jesper Christensen, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton, Britt Ekland, Eunice Gayson, Burt Kwouk, Valerie Leon, Tania Mallet, Margaret Nolan, Blanche Ravalec, Madeline Smith, Shane Rimmer and many others.There will also be an abundance of classic movie props including the original Little Nellie autogyro from You Only Live Twice. There...
The London Film Museum's Fan Fest, April 24-25, is shaping up as one of the most ambitious classic movie events in memory. The event will be of special interest to James Bond fans, as over 30 stars and crew members from the series will be on hand to sign autographs and participate in panel discussions. Among those attending: George Lazenby, Richard Kiel, Maud Adams, Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Maryam d'Abo, Jesper Christensen, Honor Blackman, Shirley Eaton, Britt Ekland, Eunice Gayson, Burt Kwouk, Valerie Leon, Tania Mallet, Margaret Nolan, Blanche Ravalec, Madeline Smith, Shane Rimmer and many others.There will also be an abundance of classic movie props including the original Little Nellie autogyro from You Only Live Twice. There...
- 4/7/2010
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Fan Fest: The Ultimate Spy and Sci-Fi Event
London Film Museum | 24th and 25th April 2010
www.fanfestival.co.uk
Fan Festival is proud to present their first collectors convention and signing event at the London Film Museum in County Hall. FanFest takes place on the weekend of the 24th & 25th April and will be packed with opportunities to meet some of your favourite actors and actresses from the movie industry.
Stars of the British film industry will be on hand for signings among the collector’s tables and exhibition pieces on display. Confirmed guests so far include:
Richard Kiel – His first signing in Central London
George Lazenby – James Bond himself, from Ohmss.
Ray Harryhausen – The man who invented stop motion animation in film
Honor Blackman – Pussy Galore and Doctor Who
Burt Kwouk – Cato Fong from The Pink Panther films
Jesper Christensen – From Casino Royale. His first ever signing event
FanFest...
London Film Museum | 24th and 25th April 2010
www.fanfestival.co.uk
Fan Festival is proud to present their first collectors convention and signing event at the London Film Museum in County Hall. FanFest takes place on the weekend of the 24th & 25th April and will be packed with opportunities to meet some of your favourite actors and actresses from the movie industry.
Stars of the British film industry will be on hand for signings among the collector’s tables and exhibition pieces on display. Confirmed guests so far include:
Richard Kiel – His first signing in Central London
George Lazenby – James Bond himself, from Ohmss.
Ray Harryhausen – The man who invented stop motion animation in film
Honor Blackman – Pussy Galore and Doctor Who
Burt Kwouk – Cato Fong from The Pink Panther films
Jesper Christensen – From Casino Royale. His first ever signing event
FanFest...
- 3/26/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
South and east Asian actors may be enjoying higher profiles in the Us on the small screen, but in mainstream films they haven't moved far away from comedy sidekicks and stereotypes
No sooner had the BBC told us that south Asian actors had never had it so good in the Us – more recognition, higher-profile roles – than Variety came along to crush that bright-eyed optimism into bitter, scowl-making resentment.
In one survey of the state-of-Asian-actors-in-Hollywood, there's excitement and hope: the last decade has seen a steady emergence of faces, if not memorable than at least vaguely familiar, with significant telly parts in ER, Lost and Heroes. Brown faces are making it big(gish). Hooray! In the other, there's weary hand-wringing at the persistent lack of awards acknowledgement for south – and indeed east Asian – actors in film, despite cross-cultural epics such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Babel otherwise being nominated for gongs across the board.
No sooner had the BBC told us that south Asian actors had never had it so good in the Us – more recognition, higher-profile roles – than Variety came along to crush that bright-eyed optimism into bitter, scowl-making resentment.
In one survey of the state-of-Asian-actors-in-Hollywood, there's excitement and hope: the last decade has seen a steady emergence of faces, if not memorable than at least vaguely familiar, with significant telly parts in ER, Lost and Heroes. Brown faces are making it big(gish). Hooray! In the other, there's weary hand-wringing at the persistent lack of awards acknowledgement for south – and indeed east Asian – actors in film, despite cross-cultural epics such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Babel otherwise being nominated for gongs across the board.
- 12/22/2009
- by Nosheen Iqbal
- The Guardian - Film News
Chan Signs Up for 'Pink Panther'
High-kicking star Jackie Chan has signed up to join Steve Martin in the new Pink Panther movie. Chan will play Inspector Clouseau's hapless servant Kato in Birth Of The Pink Panther - following the news Martin has secured the role famously played by the late Peter Sellers in the hit series of comedies. Chan replaces Burt Kwouk in the role, which will see Kato joining Clouseau in trying to solve the murder of the French soccer team manager. Chan is next slated to be seen in the all-star version of Around the World in 80 Days.
- 11/20/2003
- WENN
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