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#76835 07/24/02 04:35 PM
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Last night BBC News carried obituary of Leo McKern, who played part of Rumpole
I thought it a horrible choice of words that he was characterized as "blustering".
In my recollection he was anything but blustering. But I am quite unable to think
of a single word that characterises his sly good humor. Comments, please.


#76836 07/24/02 11:19 PM
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Not sure I can do that justice, Bill.

But sad to record his final parole - a fine actor who gave much joy. Incidentally, I chuckled to realise this 'quintessential Englishman' was an Aussie (see, yah can do subtle and civilised when yah want to, guys!). I was also stunned to hear how he moved to the UK in pursuit of a woman he loved, asking her to marry him 50 times before she agreed... now that is love that deserves a life sentence.


#76837 07/24/02 11:55 PM
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Dear Mav: And I hope his beloved was not the proto-type of "she who must be obeyed."


#76838 07/25/02 12:49 AM
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Curiously enough, watching the BBC news item on his passing made me think of you, maverick. Mortimer's comment on the death of McKern was that he, McKern, never reached his full potential as an actor. Specifically, Mortimer felt that McKern would have made an outstanding Lear, a role he never got to play.


#76839 07/25/02 02:07 AM
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made me think of you, maverick... never reached his full potential...

Thanks, stranger ~ it's as if you know me from top to bottom ;)

No Lear, me either, but a passable Fool.

hey, anyone want to hear my theory about the Fool and Cordelia?


#76840 07/25/02 02:31 AM
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>No Lear, me either, but a passable Fool.


Something made me think that for some reason you are particularly well-acquainted with my least favourite of Chris's works, the play that makes Hamlet seem as sunny The Lion King.


#76841 07/25/02 10:54 AM
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anyone want to hear my theory about the Fool and Cordelia?
I do, very much--you can whisper it in my ear, if you like. Um...who's Cordelia?


#76842 07/25/02 12:56 PM
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No Lear, me either, but a passable Fool

Perfect, mav!




#76843 07/25/02 01:06 PM
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Um...who's Cordelia?

King Lear's youngest daughter. Lear's older daughters Goneril and Regan profess their complete and utter love for Lear when he divides his kingdom of Britain in three. They say what he wants to hear so he believes them. Cordelia, who is faithful to the king, cannot lie and tells him the truth that her love has its limits. He takes this as a rebuffal and divides her share between the two others. The rest of the play gets a bit complicated to discuss here but you'd really like it. I did five (yep, five) Shakespeare (or Marlowe, as sjm suggests above) plays at school and that was the only one I really liked. I remember watching the tv play with Olivier in the lead. An astounding performance and cast and I highly recommend it.

Edit: Incidentally, Leo McKern played Gloucester in that same production.

#76844 07/26/02 11:03 AM
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but you'd really like it.
Oh no I wouldn't. Not unless it was translated into a language I can understand. Hrmph. [curmudge, curmudge]


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