Billy Liar Film 1963

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 22 May, 2013 5:10 pm

Who on earth chose 'him' to read 'that'.Enjoyed the book.For my part '62 Film was the medium that best suited it (I'm dreading a remake with hollywood big names, lol).Not seen playWill avoid radio reading.

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Wed 22 May, 2013 5:30 pm

I can remember when we studied 'Billy Liar' for GCSE English, our high school English teacher Mr Aubrey had a flimsy claim that he went on a date with... Julie Christie! I dont know if this was true or just him shamelessly name-dropping to try win some cred with the kids... who knows?! I think Billy Liar is long overdue a tacky Hollywood remake, I can just see it now with Jude Law playing the title role... argh!! And Sienna Miller instead of Julie Christie.... Nooooooo!!Saying that I dont know who I'd like to see in these roles, maybe Sam Rockwell as the eponymous star and er, Scarlett Johansson as 'Mucky Liz'...?? Well it would have to be set in L.A, or New York wouldnt it?!

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 22 May, 2013 7:29 pm

Strangely - Jude Law was the one I thought they'd think of for the part, or 'lil Tommy Cruise.

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Wed 22 May, 2013 8:19 pm

they have just released a new 50th anniversary edition of the film on DVD with lots of extras.

majorhoundii · Post by **majorhoundii** » Wed 22 May, 2013 9:51 pm

jonleeds wrote: I can remember when we studied 'Billy Liar' for GCSE English, our high school English teacher Mr Aubrey had a flimsy claim that he went on a date with... Julie Christie! I dont know if this was true or just him shamelessly name-dropping to try win some cred with the kids... who knows?! I think Billy Liar is long overdue a tacky Hollywood remake, I can just see it now with Jude Law playing the title role... argh!! And Sienna Miller instead of Julie Christie.... Nooooooo!!Saying that I dont know who I'd like to see in these roles, maybe Sam Rockwell as the eponymous star and er, Scarlett Johansson as 'Mucky Liz'...?? Well it would have to be set in L.A, or New York wouldnt it?! I've got a bit of a thing about Julie Christie - but as Bathsheba in Far From the Madding Crowd. (Waterloo Sunset was written about her and Terrence Stamp apparrently)

biofichompinc · Post by **biofichompinc** » Thu 23 May, 2013 12:33 am

jonleeds wrote: ......our high school English teacher Mr Aubrey had a flimsy claim that he went on a date with... Julie Christie! I dont know if this was true or just him shamelessly name-dropping to try win some cred with the kids... who knows?! ..... Hi JonLeedsI know from previous posts that you're a Morley lad.I played some football with a bloke called Aubrey who was a teacher, and I think he taught in Morley. Maybe your teacher was him.He was a big man. Over six feet tall, played in goals. Yorkshire League on Saturday afternoons and with a top Sunday League team - when required - on Sunday morning (obviously!).One weekend which I think must have been around 74 or 75, Leeds United were due to play Nottingham Forest away and both the first choice keepers were doubtful because of injury. They took the third choice keeper who was the young apprentice professional from the Northern Intermediate League team. They also took your Mr Aubrey just in case the young man was called upon and either he or the 'management' decided it was not for him. That sounds rubbish but you will know what I mean. What I am trying to say is unless he also told you this maybe he was not such a name dropper after all. Maybe he still exchanges Christmas cards with the fragrant Julie.Alan Aubrey. Was it him?Edit : substituted 'rubbish' for my first choice word after 'edited for content' was included in my post. Sorry.

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Thu 23 May, 2013 8:05 pm

salt 'n pepper wrote: jonleeds wrote: ......our high school English teacher Mr Aubrey had a flimsy claim that he went on a date with... Julie Christie! I dont know if this was true or just him shamelessly name-dropping to try win some cred with the kids... who knows?! ..... Hi JonLeedsI know from previous posts that you're a Morley lad.I played some football with a bloke called Aubrey who was a teacher, and I think he taught in Morley. Maybe your teacher was him.He was a big man. Over six feet tall, played in goals. Yorkshire League on Saturday afternoons and with a top Sunday League team - when required - on Sunday morning (obviously!).One weekend which I think must have been around 74 or 75, Leeds United were due to play Nottingham Forest away and both the first choice keepers were doubtful because of injury. They took the third choice keeper who was the young apprentice professional from the Northern Intermediate League team. They also took your Mr Aubrey just in case the young man was called upon and either he or the 'management' decided it was not for him. That sounds rubbish but you will know what I mean. What I am trying to say is unless he also told you this maybe he was not such a name dropper after all. Maybe he still exchanges Christmas cards with the fragrant Julie.Alan Aubrey. Was it him?. Hi Salt n Pepper, yes I think thats the same bloke, Alan Aubrey, I wasnt aware of him playing football and nearly playing for Leeds at the height of their fame, but I'm not a great football fan so if he'd ever mentioned that it would have gone straight over my head.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Sun 08 Dec, 2013 3:14 pm

1962. Off Green Lane Armley.View shows actor Tom Courtenay during shooting of the film 'Billy Liar' in which he played the title role. This scene, shot at a site off Green Lane, shows Billy's dream of being the head of the state of Ambrosia, where he is preparing to take the salute at the victory parade.Behind him is actress Topsy Jane, who was originally cast to play the role of Liz, but was taken ill during filming.Topsy Jane starred with Courtney in Long Distance Runner.She was replaced by Julie Christie (in her first major film role). As a result, some scenes featuring the character had to be re-shot, though others in which she was in the background were retained.After a dazzling start, little is known of Topsy Jane.

Steve Jones · Post by **Steve Jones** » Sun 08 Dec, 2013 7:50 pm

More about Topsy Jane (Legge) here:http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/actor ... ne.htmlThe breakdown appears to have stopped her career although she is still listed on Imdb.Possibly living in cornwall according to the references above.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Sun 08 Dec, 2013 8:51 pm

Steve Thanks, that's kind of sad, I hope she came to terms with it, you only need what you need etc.Funny how it goes, fate throws the dice, you're dealt the hand and must make the best of it.Julie Christie (to me) really helped the film along. Not sure Topsy would have given it the same appeal?Topsey Jane's sad illness and downfall directly led to Ms Christie's meteoric rise as" the face" of the 1960's,I'd like to hope that Ms Christie felt a moral 'debt of honour' and saw Topsey Jane alright:-".... It was only Christie's third acting job; she filled the shoes of Topsy Jane, who was forced to leave filming when she became ill. "It was my lucky break," Christie recalls. "Without it, who knows what I would have been doing?" ..."Doubt it though, born on Parent's Tea Plantation in Assam etc.