We love the cinema and, reflecting the lyrics in Richard Shelton’s opening song of his Sands Blackpool show Rogers and Hart's “The Lady is a Tramp”, ‘won’t run in there late’ - let’s face it, any film dealing with the background to how films are made is a must in our book.
In keeping with other such films, including “Day for Night” (directed in 1973 by Francois Truffaut) and “ The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981, Karel Riesz), “My Week with Marilyn”, directed by Simon Curtis, is a fascinating observation of what goes on behind the scenes when a film is made.
“My Week with Marilyn” has a fantastic cast – Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Michael Kitchen, Derek Jacobi, Zoe Wannamaker, Julia Ormond, Emma Watson, Jim Carter, Philip Jackson … and of course, Richard Shelton.
The story is based on the diaries and memoir of Colin Clark (the younger brother of MP Alan Clark), who secured the job of third director working on the making of the film “The Prince and the Showgirl” in 1956. “The Prince and the Showgirl” which went on release in 1957 starred Laurence Oliver (director), Marilyn Monroe and Dame Sybil Thorndike.
Marilyn Monroe’s difficulties in getting to the studio on time have been well documented over the years but this film goes further and we see the vulnerable, lonely person behind the glamorous persona who was surely the most beautiful, vibrant and charismatic film star in the world. We follow Colin as he tries to help Marilyn deal with her lack of self-belief faced with working with some of the world's greatest and most talented stage actors. It is curious to note a similar loneliness and need for love in the character of the Regent portrayed so sensitively by Laurence Olivier in "The Prince and the Showgirl".
Zoe Wannamaker's performance as Marilyn's "Method Acting" adviser is inspiring. Michelle Williams plays a simply stunning Marilyn to perfection, especially if you compare her performance to that of Marilyn Monroe in "The Prince and the Showgirl". Kenneth Branagh’s Olivier is brilliant, Judi Dench – well what is there to say about anything Judi does – is amazing as Dame Sybil, as are all the other actors in their roles.
We are always the last to leave the cinema because we watch the credits right to the end to see who was involved in bringing the film to the screen. Thank you to everyone involved - not just the stars, actors and extras but also the boys and girls in the backroom - you all deserve awards.
Zoe Wannamaker's performance as Marilyn's "Method Acting" adviser is inspiring. Michelle Williams plays a simply stunning Marilyn to perfection, especially if you compare her performance to that of Marilyn Monroe in "The Prince and the Showgirl". Kenneth Branagh’s Olivier is brilliant, Judi Dench – well what is there to say about anything Judi does – is amazing as Dame Sybil, as are all the other actors in their roles.
We are always the last to leave the cinema because we watch the credits right to the end to see who was involved in bringing the film to the screen. Thank you to everyone involved - not just the stars, actors and extras but also the boys and girls in the backroom - you all deserve awards.
All in all, “My Week with Marilyn” is very entertaining and definitely a must-see film but pay careful attention to the scene in which our hero Colin takes Lucy the wardrobe assistant (played delightfully by Emma Watson) out to dance, or you will miss Richard Shelton as the waiter!
If his workload permits, Richard Shelton (who played the role of Frank Sinatra in the show “Rat Pack Confidential” and also appeared in TV Soap “Emmerdale” and the film “I Capture The Castle”) has promised to be back to entertain us on Swing Saturdays at the Sands Venue in Blackpool in 2012.
“My Week With Marilyn”, currently showing at a cinema near you.
Photo: Richard Shelton (left - it is Lucy in the middle - not Marilyn Monroe, although many people do make that mistake... and another great actor and singer, Liam O'Brien, on the right)
Photo: Richard Shelton (left - it is Lucy in the middle - not Marilyn Monroe, although many people do make that mistake... and another great actor and singer, Liam O'Brien, on the right)
