St. Valentine's Day:
Romance,
Jane Austen
and Colin Firth...
And so here we are again; February 14th St. Valentine’s Day. Well, not exactly, Pope Paul VI deleted St. Valentine from the Saint's calendar in 1969 and in any case, St. Valentine wasn’t exactly one person; there were at least three Christian martyrs with the name- and none of them were in the least bit romantic. In fact Chaucer- he of “The Canterbury Tales” fame- appears to be the first person to connect anything romantic (mating birds) to St. Valentine’s Day. Since then St. Valentine’s Day has moved from poetic 'love birds' to become an industry.
Whether it is a card, flowers, chocolates, a candle-lit dinner or pyjamas (really?) there are many enterprises competing for your attention on this, the most romantic day of the year. However, much romance -outside of real life- happens in literature before it is disseminated by cinema, television or mobile device. So on this day we are contemplating two romantic novels from different eras that have between them successfully conquered newspapers, books, television and the cinema.
Firstly, the mighty Jane Austen and her all-time classic “Pride and Prejudice.” Twenty million plus copies sold, and adaptations a-plenty- the reading public have found that her novel of manners has not lost any of its luster in the almost 200 years since first publication. The central story of the novel is the unfolding attraction and friction between the luminous Elizabeth Bennet and the smoldering Mr. Darcy. What makes it so compelling is the clash between his perceived arrogance and aloofness and her contrasting generosity of spirit which leads her to mistakenly trust in a false account of Darcy’s poor character. It honestly does not get much better than this. Aside from the romance there is great comedy in the Bennet daughters and their social escapades. Ultimately it is one of the most satisfying of novels of any genre and one which I never tire of re-reading.
And second up… Pride and Prejudice re-imagined: Helen Fielding’s Chick lit classic, “Bridget Jones’ Diary.” Adapted from Fielding’s newspaper column with a plot loosely based on “Pride and Prejudice” this novel was a huge hit in print and subsequently on film. Bridget’s love life is the central focus of the novel and in particular her relationships with the caddish Daniel Cleaver and with the perplexing Mark Darcy who is aloof, apparently arrogant and according to Cleaver, untrustworthy. Throw into this Bridget’s parents and her surrogate family of friends, and you have an irresistible combination of comedy and romance.
While the parallels between Mark Darcy and Austen’s Mr. Darcy are fairly clear, the inter-textuality is more complex as Fielding’s Mr Darcy- Mark Darcy is not only based on Austen’s character, but also upon Colin Firth’s portrayal of Mr Darcy in the PBS/BBC adaptation. Naturally when Bridget Jones came to the big screen, Mark Darcy was played by none other than Colin Firth.
Colin Firth: Television's Mr Darcy interviewed by Bridget Jones.
So this Valentine’s day, whether you receive a card, chocolates, flowers or pyjamas or none of the above- I can whole heartedly recommend that you curl up with either “Pride and Prejudice” or “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and if you feel after reading this the need for a little Colin Firth - check out the videos, and as Geoffrey Chaucer apparently is responsible for us saying, "Happy Valentine’s Day."
Great Book!
Shame About
The Film...
As we head deep into award show territory, and with the Oscars fast approaching, we thought that while we could celebrate some great literary adaptations, such as “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” (Go Gary Oldman!) and even re-adaptations such as “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” it was maybe time to reflect on some lesser cinematic achievements.
Adaptation is not necessarily about a slavish reproduction of the original story; in adapting Shakespeare, Orson Welles observed that the artist has an obligation to make a film, opera or play that is true to itself and its form. An example of this is Stanly Kubrick’s film of Stephen King’s “The Shining,” which is not faithful to King’s book - as King himself complained. Kubrick had his own vision and found something quite different that appealed to him in King’s novel, and in his adaptation he changed motivations, themes and characters to serve that vision - to great effect.
What we want to consider here are three examples of adaptations that were botched and bungled so royally, they deserve a spotlight to at least act as cautionary tales.
"If I had to live my life again, I'd do everything the same, except that I wouldn't see The Magus.” -- Woody Allen.
John Fowles’ “The Magus” is a story about a student who, while trying to escape a serious relationship, finds himself in thrall of a mysterious recluse and his mind games, where real life and reality become indistinguishable. Fowles spent 12 years writing and revising the book before it was published to great acclaim in 1966, and further revised for publication in 1977. However, in 1968, Fowles scripted a cinematic adaptation that its star, Michael Caine, described as one of the worst films he had been involved with - and he would know, having starred in both “Jaws IV” and “The Swarm.” Caine’s concern derived from the fact that nobody making the film appeared to understand what it was about - a problem it apparently shared with the audience it never found. Read the book - it is brilliant - and judge for yourself if Woody Allen had it right about the film.
“When intimacy is forbidden and passion is a sin, love is the most defiant crime of all...” -- movie poster tag-line for "The Scarlet Letter"
I am not sure this is what Nathaniel Hawthorne would have had in mind for the cover blurb for his classic, "The Scarlet Letter,” but it sufficed for the 1995 box-office bomb of an adaptation. Hawthorne’s classic story of adultery, sin and redemption in mid-17th century New England has been adapted more than 10 times for the cinema, but this “free adaptation” liberated the film from the constraints of what the book was about - sin and redemption - and provided the story with a happy ending because Demi thought few people had read the book. Unfortunately, without these elements, the tension and the whole point of the story exit stage left - apparently along with any potential audience. What one is left with is a Demi Moore star vehicle, and a very unconvincing one at that. Demi Moore, a Puritan? Really? She appeared in “Striptease” the following year. Gary Oldman’s performance and John Barry’s music were, as ever, world class, but they could not lift the film from the status of unintentionally amusing. Check out the trailer and order a copy of Hawthorne’s novel - it is an American classic.
“I mean, nobody realized it was going wrong when we were making it. We were very enthusiastic about what we were doing" -- director Brian DePalma on making “Bonfire Of The Vanities”
Tom Wolfe’s classic eighties novel “Bonfire Of The Vanities” was a throwback to the 19th century, being serialized over a year in a magazine (Rolling Stone) and seeking to expose social ills of the day. Wolfe’s novel sought to shine a light on life in eighties New York, and especially the racial and cultural tensions in a city which witnessed both excessive wealth and poverty. The basic plot is that a wealthy bond trader and his mistress (Melanie Griffith) commit a hit and run on a young black youth. A washed up British investigative journalist takes up the story, and whips up a popular crusade against him. The adaptation was beset by miscasting, star-ego and political correctness. The central character, who is supposed to be pretty unlikeable, is played by Tom Hanks. Major plot changes were made to make Hanks’ character likeable, because it was Tom Hanks. The washed up investigative Brit journalist was natural casting for, er… Bruce Willis? To ameliorate any criticism of the film’s racial politics, Alan Arkin, who was signed up for the role of the judge, was replaced by Morgan Freeman. While the film bombed at the cinema, it is apparently very popular in Eastern Europe - so check out the trailer, grab a copy of Wolfe’s excellent novel, and judge for yourself!
Stephen King reportedly hated Kubrick’s treatment of his novel "The Shining," and even tried to persuade Kubrick to drop Jack Nicholson prior to shooting, thinking he was all wrong for his character Jack Torrance. With all of these objections and dislikes from the author, one has to ask the question: “So what would King’s adaptation be like?” The answer came in 1997, when King managed to realize his vision of “The Shining.” It was a television mini-series which he adapted from his own novel. It faithfully follows the book. It was very long - six hours. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very good. It was like a bad TV movie. Watch Kubrick’s film (check out the great trailer) and read King’s novel - they are both great!
What The Dickens?
Charles Dickens
At 200
February 7th marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, perhaps the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. He traveled widely, giving readings in both the UK and USA, and was the most famous living novelist up to that time, being a master of both popular media and live appearance; this level of celebrity for a novelist was unprecedented. And so 200 years on, we consider some of Dickens' most enduring works.
At the top of our list is the classic “Great Expectations,” the story of Pip and his growth and development from orphan to gentleman. The novel includes an array of memorable Dickens characters, including Abel Magwitch, Mr. Jaggers, Miss Havisham, Joe Gargery, Herbert Pocket and Pip himself. Dickens popularized the publication of novels in serial form with his novel “The Pickwick Papers,” and “Great Expectations” was in turn serialized in the magazine All the Year Round over nine months. Unlike many who utilized this format, Dickens wrote while the novel was being serialized, allowing him to create suitable cliffhangers to keep the reading public wanting more. After "Great Expectations" was published, Wilkie Collins said the ending was too sad, so Dickens decided to go for the Hollywood happy ending long before the film pioneers had headed west.
Dickens the social activist shone a very bright light on the squalor and poverty in the newly industrialized London, and particularly on child labor and the recruitment of children as criminals. "Oliver Twist" depicts the social ills and hypocrisies of society with a grim realism, and even if the plot eventually ends on a happy note, the power of Dickens depiction gave rise to the term “Dickensian.” Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger, Fagin and Bill Sikes are some of the most memorable characters in literature, and have moved from novel to stage musical to film and television with a regularity matching the apparently insatiable demand of the audience.
And so to "A Tale of Two Cities." The cities in question are London and Paris, and the story is at once a tale of espionage, social injustice, obsessive shoemaking, assassinations, unrequited love, doppelgangers, ultimate redemption and a whole lot more, including the French Revolution. One of only two historical novels Dickens ever wrote, it has sold over 200 million copies and is perhaps his most satisfying. It also includes, one of the most moving quotes in all of Dickens: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known."
And what of the rest? There are a couple of other novels you might just have heard of, “David Copperfield,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Nicholas Nickelby,” “Little Dorrit,” and the list goes on. Dickens was prolific and his writing is extraordinary, and as we approach his 200th birthday I heartily recommend that you revisit your favorite Dickens. For your entertainment, check out some of Dickens’ finest storytelling committed to film, including two film classics by David Lean and a trailer for the musical "Oliver!"
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Martin Luther King
An
All-American
Hero
Martin Luther King Day is a day to reflect on the life and legacy of a true American hero whose relevance not only remains undiminished, but grows with every passing year. He was a man who followed the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, preaching a philosophy of non-violent activism and resistence. He was principally focused on racial inequality, segregation and discrimination, but expanded beyond this to include economic inequality and peace - all issues that are still very much with us today.
"I Have A Dream" is a children's book which includes the full text of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, and is beautfully illustrated with pictures that help amplify the speech and allow children to more readily engage with Dr. King's powerful vision of an America free of racial discrimination and inequality. Other excellent children's biographies of Dr. King include "I Have A Dream: The Story Of Martin Luther King" and "Martin Luther King, Jr. (DK Biography)" which are both great introductions to his teaching and what he stood for.
For an adult perspective on King and his work, Mashall Frady's biography, "Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life" explores both the complexity of the man and the difficulty of pursuing a campaign of non-violent resistance. The path King took was not easy, and riled conservative forces who sought remedies through the courts. King's approach also confounded more militant activists who saw violence as a valid means to securing their rights. He was personally conflicted by his own demons, and yet despite all of the forces tormenting him he continued with a constancy in his public mission which seems all the more remarkable in this light.
Ultimately what one always returns to are King's own words from speeches and books such as "Why We Can't Wait" and "Stride Toward freedom: The Montgomery Story," as well as numerous collections of speeches and quotations. And so, on this day of reflection, we leave you with Dr. King himself, in interviews and speeches - a true American hero.
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The Iron Lady
and
The Fine Art
Of
Political Biography
With Margaret Thatcher getting the Hollywood treatment, courtesy of the remarkable Meryl Streep in “The Iron Lady,” we're taking a look at the fine art of political biography and autobiography. Political figures who command the attention of multiple biographies tend to be the more controversial or most beloved or both, depending on your political perspective. Figures of recent history that fall into these categories include Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
Margaret Thatcher wrote her own memoirs, which sought to settle scores with colleagues by whom she felt betrayed while also burnishing her legacy with a less than objective (or for that matter complete) version of her stormy tenure as British Prime Minister. Her books are essential reading, but one should probably arm oneself with a broader history of the era, such as “The State We’re In,” in order to have a more balanced perspective on events in Britain during her premiership.
Ronald Reagan’s Hollywood treatment was in his own hands, most memorably in “Bedtime for Bonzo,” where he co-starred with a chimpanzee (probably not bad training for a political career). But most impressive was his final screen appearance in “The Killers,” where Reagan played the part of a double-crossing villain (he hated the film). Reagan’s own account of his life and times appears in a number of books, from his memoir, “An American Life,” to his personal diaries and his collected letters. However, Reagan also authorized the fascinating biography “Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan,” a compelling book which uses fictional elements to more fully elucidate Reagan’s character. His son Ron Reagan’s book, “My Father at 100,” is well worth a look too, as it provides an intimate and unexpected perspective on Reagan.
No recent President more fully embodies a mixture of controversy and adoration than William Jefferson Clinton. As a political figure, there are few who have left office as popular, or who at the height of a scandal that threatened his presidency confounded his political foes had job approval ratings in the 60’s. He told his own story in the thorough and highly readable “My Life.” With his foundation and his book, “Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World,” he continues to show he is still relevant, and commands attention and respect on national and world stages. In Hollywood, however, he has been served, perhaps unfairly, with the most entertaining of portrayals - John Travolta’s depiction of Governor Jack Stanton (a fictionalized Clinton) in “Primary Colors.” In Anonymous’s (Joe Klein’s) book, the view of Clinton is far from flattering, but it is highly enjoyable, and, one suspects, contains more than a grain of truth.
And finally...for a unique insight on Bill and for the remarkable story of her own life, Hillary Clinton's excellent book, "Living History," is highly recommended. And while Hilary Clinton and Margaret Thatcher may appear to have very little in common - politically speaking - in the male dominated field of politics, they have more than earned the right to the last word as two of the most powerful and compelling women of their generations.
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2012:
The End Of
The World
As We Know It?
Or
Perhaps Not...
Well, as we all well know, when the 5,125 year long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar reaches its end on the last day of b’ak’tun 13 (that's December 21st, 2012 to you and me), the world as we know it will end in a cataclysm. So what will life be like after all the impending unpleasantness, I hear you ask? And so I turn to a brace of classic post-apocalypse science fiction for a description of what we should be looking forward to…
“Alas, Babylon” by Pat Frank is a classic of the 1950’s nuclear paranoia strain of post-nuclear holocaust novels. Set in Florida, Frank imagines a war with the Soviet Union which lasts a single day but renders The United States crippled by destruction, radiation and an enormous death toll, reduced to relying upon aid from Brazil and Venezuela. Much of the country is uninhabitable, lawlessness is rife, and the country is being governed from Colorado - and organized by groups of militias. When offered an airlift out of their camp the band of characters in the novel decides to stay on in Florida and continue with the life they are building rather than face the uncertainty that lies outside.
Nevil Shute’s “On the Beach” envisions nuclear war breaking out World War I style: minor countries become involved in a conflagration which eventually - and accidentally - engulfs the world. The story is principally based in Australia, where the population has been spared from the first wave of radioactivity; however, their deaths by radiation poisoning are inevitable as the wind carries the fallout ever closer. Their reaction is stoic, and in anticipation of their fates they continue to cherish the pleasures of their everyday existence. The crew of an American submarine - which travels searching for survivors to witness much of the destruction in San Francisco and Seattle - eventually goes on one last mission to scuttle their vessel.
David Brin’s "The Postman" turns the whole post-apocalypse scenario on its head. Instead of the survivors being the victims of an apocalypse which leads to a breakdown in society, they are the victims of a “hypersurvivalist” society that has sought to exploit and dominate the post-war situation. A battle of good and evil ensues. A similar battle between good and evil takes place in Stephen King’s “The Stand,” where groups of survivors of a biological plague end up pitted against each other. In King's expanded "uncut" edition, just as evil appears to be vanquished it escapes, and appears to be starting the process over. This cyclical view of humankind repeating mistakes and undoing itself also lies at the heart of another post-apocalyptic classic, “A Canticle For Leibowitz,” which begins in the dark ages, six centuries after a nuclear apocalypse, at an abbey of catholic monks where what remains of scientific knowledge is preserved. Over the three parts of the book this knowledge is revealed, and once again a nuclear holocaust beckons as mankind appears to be destined to repeat its mistakes.
Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend” explores the breakdown of post-apocalyptic society with a twist. A biological plague kills nearly everyone, except one doctor - Robert Neville - and a group of survivors who cannot stand the light and have become feral and vampire-like. Neville seeks a cure, experimenting on the vampires, until one day he comes across a female survivor apparently uninfected by the plague. Ultimately it becomes apparent that Neville (and the science and certainty that he represents) are not necessarily the force of good that they may appear to be.
So there you have it, most post-apocalyptic scenarios do not resemble a Sandals vacation. I was personally hoping to welcome my simian overlords in a “Planet of the Apes” movie-type way. Failing that, having checked out “2012,” I will attempt to hang out with John Cusack in late December, as he appears to survive the entire experience relatively unscathed - and he apparently likes The Clash, so post-apocalyptic life would at least have a reasonable soundtrack.
If you want a more complete experience of the whole post-apocalypse world, check out the accompanying videos. From Will Smith to Charlton Heston, that post-apocalypse world is pretty darn handsome.
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To Eat
Or
What Not To Eat:
Questions of Diet
and Resolution
While excessive indulgence in all good things is a hallmark of the holidays - did I mention chocolate? - the aftermath frequently becomes a heady mixture of guilt and good intentions which can only be satiated by the purchase of a gym membership and the acquisition of one, or perhaps several, books advising you on diet. As Thrift Books has yet to diversify into the realm of spinning and personal trainers, I am offering a very rough guide to the books that intend to enable you to eat yourself back to the shape you desire.
There are many different approaches to dieting which have gained popularity over the years, two of which have endured and even provoked hybrid solutions. The Pritikin Diet is a low-fat, whole food and exercise diet which was championed by many, including the American Heart Association. This diet was big in the eighties, but sustains a solid following to this day. Dean Ornish has a similar low-fat approach with low consumption of animal products and the addition of fish oil supplements. His approach arose from the perspective of controlling coronary heart disease, winning accolades worldwide.
The Atkins Diet is low-carb weight loss method intended to lead to the metabolizing of fat and the reduction of bad cholesterol. While much controversy has surrounded the diet, I have friends who have sworn by it, which has allowed me to witness the culinary indignity of a hamburger losing its bun to a green sheath of lettuce.
The South Beach Diet, designed by cardiologist Arthur Agatston and dietician Marie Almon, is more of a hybrid diet, which saw Pritikin as tough to follow and Atkins as potentially risky. It introduced concepts of “good carbs and bad carbs” and “bad fats and good fats,” with a focus on the glycemic index. It also introduced the “Oktoberfest exception,” allowing dieters to consume as much beer as they desired during the German festival, as it was a favorite of Dr. Agatston.
The Zone proved to be another popular diet, and is the creation of Dr. Barry Sears. Based on the calorie ratios one consumes from carbs, proteins and fats, “the zone” is the sweet spot you will be aiming to reach under this regimen, and there are number of guides and recipe books available. The diet is not extreme - it is not a no-carb diet - and its relative moderation has made it popular and easy to follow. Aside from the balance of food groups, the diet is also big on Omegas, so fish oil is a must. However, for vegetarians and vegans Dr. Sears also offers “The Soy Zone,” with a matching recipe book.
While celebrity hypnotist Paul McKenna insists that he can make me thin (“I Can Make You Thin: The Revolutionary System used by More Than 3 Million People”), and celebrity therapist Doctor Phil has “The Ultimate Weight Solution: The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom,” Weight Watchers’ roots and solutions are a lot more homespun. Founded in 1963 by Brooklyn homemaker and avid cookie-consumer Jean Nidetch as an alternative to failed fad diets, Weight Watchers uses a combination of calorie counting (foods are allotted a point value) and a support group. The support group concept was accidental but proved to be the key factor; Nidetch was on the brink of giving up on her diet when she reached out to her friends, and it was their support that helped her stay with the regimen. Since then, with the guidance of books, points, exercise and the support of the organization and its members, millions of people worldwide have been helped by Weight Watchers.
And if you want a different approach, less diet-oriented and more holistic, you might want to look at Dr. Oz and his You series of books, including “You On a Diet,” which examines how your body works, how diet affects it, and what you can do to control weight gain.
So there you have it - whichever approach you choose, GOOD LUCK!
And if you need any encouragement on the exercise front, check out the videos below.
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Father Christmas,
Oliver Cromwell
and
Charles Dickens
The Holiday Season: like buses, there is nothing for ages (well, Thanksgiving feels like an eternity ago…) and then three turn up at once - Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. And so to this week's blog, and the story of one of these holidays, Christmas.
Christmas not only commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, but as a holiday it has co-opted ancient winter festivals and over the centuries incorporated such secular elements as Santa Claus, decorated trees, mistletoe, reindeer, cards and gift-giving. Christmas is also the holiday that by the Middle Ages was synonymous with drunkenness, lewd caroling, gambling and worse. So, no change there. But seriously, by the mid-17th century things had gotten out of hand. Christmas was banned in England by Oliver Cromwell, and the Puritans and colonial America followed suit. It was not until the 19th century that Christmas made its popular return in both countries.
The return of Christmas in a form that we recognize today can largely be attributed to Charles Dickens and his novel “A Christmas Carol.” Dickens’ depiction of Christmas as a festival - replete with food, songs, dancing and games - that celebrated family, goodwill and giving was both compelling and enormously popular. As Christmas rose in popularity, an image of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in front of a Christmas tree (a German tradition) went viral (in a 19th century way). By the late 1860’s, the Christmas tree had become common in America, the Christmas card had arrived, and in 1870 President Ulysses S. Grant made it all legal and Christmas became a federal holiday.
Since then, Christmas has become many things to many people, but in keeping with the 19th century theme I will recommend two more books, both about gift-giving. The first is the poem attributed to Clement C. Moore, popularly known as "The Night Before Christmas." This is where Father Christmas, presents for the children, and reindeer and the sleigh come from, and it is a classic that every parent should share with their child. The second is by O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi,” a wonderful story about sacrifice and love - which is sentimental, but if you cannot be sentimental at Christmas, when can you be?
Happy Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy holidays to you all!
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Stockholm Syndrome:
The Return of
The Scandinavian
Murder Mystery
Next week the enormously popular “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” will see its second cinematic incarnation at the hands of the mighty David Fincher. As a book, it’s a great thriller - however, once one completes the Larsson trilogy, what then? An out of order elevator and seven flights of stairs saw the author expire before even one word of his trilogy was published, and his partner and family are fighting over what is left in his notes and drafts. Are there any other Scandinavian thriller writers that one should know about...? Er… yes, quite a few in fact, and some pretty good ones too.
Stieg Larsson is in fact only the latest in a line of Scandinavian thriller writers who have enjoyed success over the years. The first in this line are the husband and wife team of Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, whose loner, divorced (he starts out married), anti-establishment detective hero Martin Beck appeared in 10 novels between 1965 and 1975 and even received the Hollywood treatment with Walter Matthau in an adaptation of “The Laughing Policeman.”
More recently, Peter Høeg had an international smash with “Smilla's Sense of Snow,” a powerful thriller where Høeg’s Smilla investigates the alleged accidental death of her friend, a 6 year old boy. This also received the Hollywood treatment with Julia Ormond as Smilla.
Henning Mankell brought us Kurt Wallander, who made his debut in the novel “Faceless Killers.” Wallander followed a similar pattern to Martin Beck, with alcohol and diabetes added to our angry everyman detective’s plate. However, the novels are effective and engaging thrillers which I can personally recommend. Wallander has been filmed for television and cinema in Sweden, and the British television adaptation starring Kenneth Branagh has been a considerable hit on PBS, with two series already produced and a third on the way.
Other notable Scandinavian thriller writers include: Camilla Läckberg, author of “The Ice Princess," in which a woman returns to a small seaside village after the death of her parents and discovers the dead body of her childhood best friend, so she starts to investigate…; Anders Roslund and Borge Hellstrom’s amazing "Three Seconds" - a drug deal goes wrong leading to murder, the potential exposure of an undercover cop and the start of an investigation that nobody wants to succeed except the brilliant but troubled Detective Ewart Grens; and last but not least, Kjell Eriksson, whose suspense filled “The Princess of Burundi” sees an entire town terrorized by an unknown killer.
And that is not the half of it - from Kerstin Ekman to Karin Fossum or Jo Nesbo, there are a whole range of other Scandinavian thriller writers to check out. Back to Stieg though, if you do head to the movies and see “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” chances are you will encourage Hollywood to follow through on the sequels - which would not be a bad thing, David Fincher and the cast have signed up for sequels if this film is a hit. Early signs (according to an embargo-breaking David Denby) are that it will be!
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Children's Classics
Christmas
and Hugo
With Christmas almost upon us, and Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” about to hit the big screen, we are taking the opportunity to look at some children’s classics that made the leap from literature to the silver screen.
MGM’s adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was a box office dud in 1939, and the book was banned twice for extended periods from public libraries on religious and political grounds. It was condemned by one librarian as being poorly written, unwholesome and old-fashioned with a "story that relies on fantastic rather than fanciful happenings…" The film only started to make money on re-release, and its reputation as the classic it has now become was earned by its repeated television screenings at Christmas from the 1950’s onwards. Today, no Christmas is complete without “The Wizard of Oz.”
Walt Disney has successfully adapted a number of children’s classics over the years, from the live action/animation of “Mary Poppins,” based on Pamela L. Travers classic book, to the Disney adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan.” More recently Disney has triumphed with the live action and stop-motion classic “James and The Giant Peach,” based on Roald Dahl’s classic book, even winning the approval of Dahl's estate - no mean feat given his reluctance to see the book adapted to film during his lifetime.
However, all adaptations are not equal. Peter Pan failed to fly in “Hook,” Roald Dahl hated the 1971 film version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and “The Wiz” didn’t even begin to emulate the success of “The Wizard of Oz," despite the presence of Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. The most recent adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” equally failed to steal hearts, and instead sent people back to the cartoon adaptation, animated by Chuck Jones and voiced by Boris Karloff.
And so to “Hugo,” an adaptation of Brian Selznick’s amazing novel cum picturebook, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, inspired by the true story of Georges Méliès, the French film pioneer. Well, without offering a definitive prediction, it has to be said that given the director (Martin Scorsese) and the subject matter (childhood and the movies), we might be adding another classic to the pantheon!
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