Director Tom Hooper, whose heritage is both Australian and English was particularly drawn to this unlikely story, largely unknown, about the friendship which developed between King George VI and his Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. The screenplay writer David Seidler, was a young stammerer himself during WWII and derived great inspiration from the King's struggles with his speech. After writing the screenplay for the film Tucker, (for Francis Ford Coppola in 1988), he turned to this story. However, after approaching the Queen Mother (widow of King George VI) for permission to tell the story, she asked that he wait until after her death, as the events were still too painful for her to relive. Little did he realize that she was to live until the age of 101! He was aware that some diaries and documents belonging to Lionel Logue existed, but by the time he finally got to write the story (after the death of Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2002), it was only a few weeks before the film shoot began when the documents were finally found in the London attic of Logue's descendant.
Apparently, the script was reworked at the last minute to include much of the authentic information from the diaries and medical records. There was also a three week rehearsal involving Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and the director and writers where each line was worked on and some jokes even added by the actors. Apparently when Lionel Logue asks the King if he knows any jokes, and the King replies "Timing isn't my strong suit", that line was written by Colin Firth!
The film is largely about the friendship which develops between the two men and swings back and forth between drama and comedy (something the Brits do so brilliantly) and is already generating Oscar buzz. So you all know where I will be on December 10th when this is released in North America. I don't care if I have to drive to Toronto, I'll be seeing it on opening night!
I have a few gaps in my DVD collection so 
and 
are on my Christmas list this year. What is on yours? The only way your loved ones will know what you want is to give them some hints, and 
To adorn the desk of a reader, there may not be a better stocking stuffer than the 
which may or may not actually recite A Christmas Carol on command (just kidding) but does come with "removable hat and quill pen!". What more can a literary fan ask for? However, for my money the funniest (or more tragic, depending on your viewpoint) is the 
with launching head? OK, that one is not on my Christmas list. Actually these reminded me of the hilarious 
. Personally I like the action figure better, but there are some who would definitely prefer a plush version and this one comer with white gloves, lacy cap and Regency dress. All for just $18.99! What a hoot.
looks like a lot of fun. There are a few of us out there who have read the book and seen the adaptations more than once (!) and who would probably enjoy this over a glass of wine during the holidays. 
, a beautiful hardcover book, includes 
behind the scenes stories about the production, the adaptation of the script and the scouting of the English countryside for filming locations. Also included are a map of Cranford, information about the characters and interviews with actors who portray them. Gorgeous photos from the series and the set will keep you coming back to pore over this book for years to come. A must for any Cranford fan.
, consisting of three short stories each written by a different author. Mostly there are great reviews for this, some lukewarm, but I am looking forward to reading this one during the holidays. I especially like the sound of the adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol to the Pride and Prejudice characters. There is also a portrayal of the Darcy family over many years of Christmas celebrations, and a story about a little "addition" to the Darcy family over one of their first holidays together. Sounds great!
:
Many people who watched 
are not aware that they had to use 
, a cute little flick based on fact, is about four young Scottish students in the 1950's who decide to steal the Stone of Scone from under the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey and repatriate it to Scotland. (In 1296 the Stone had been captured by 
Even 
which had Sarah Ferguson involved as a Producer and had Princess Beatrice in a cameo role as a Lady in Waiting, couldn't use Westminster for interior shots. Instead, 
This has as many great British actors as you can cram into one film, and there was so much great stuff, that the extras contain almost another entire film (and some of the best bits).
