#Michael culver

[star-wars-forever]

RIP Michael Culver, who portrayed Captain Needa in The Empire Strikes Back

1938 - 2024

[all-action-all-picture]

Another favourite actor no longer with us. Only just heard about this. Michael Culver (died 27 February 2024) who you may remember from his roles in Secret Army (Major Brandt), The Adventures of Black Beauty (Squire Armstrong) and The Empire Strikes Back (Captain Needa). Also had a few small in a couple of early Bond movies (From Russia With Love and Thunderball).

[asking-for-apologies]

Rest in Peace, Michael Culver. Thank you for giving us Captain Needa.

[kwebtv]

Secret Army - BBC One / BRT - September 7, 1977 - December 15, 1979

War Drama (43 Episodes)

Running Time: 60 minutes

Stars:

Bernard Hepton as Albert Foiret

Jan Francis as Lisa "Yvette" Colbert (series 1-2)

Christopher Neame as Flight Lt. John Curtis (series 1)

Angela Richards as Monique Duchamps

Clifford Rose as Ludwig Kessler

Michael Culver as Maj. Erwin Brandt (series 1-2)

Juliet Hammond-Hill as Natalie Chantrens

Valentine Dyall as Dr Pascal Keldermans

Ron Pember as Alain Muny

Eileen Page as Andrée Foiret (series 1)

Robin Langford as Cpl. Veit Rennert (series 1-2)

Timothy Morand as Jacques Bol (series 1)

James Bree as Gaston Colbert (series 1)

Maria Charles as Louise Colbert (series 1)

Gunnar Möller as Hans van Broecken

Marianne Stone as Lena van Broecken (series 1-2)

Henrietta Baynes as Yvonne (series 1-2)

Stephen Yardley as Max Brocard (series 2)

John D. Collins as Insp. Paul Delon (series 2-3)

Hazel McBride as Madeleine Duclos (series 2-3)

Nigel Williams as François (series 2)

Paul Shelley as Maj. Nick Bradley (series 2-3)

Neil Daglish as Wullner (series 2-3)

Trisha Clarke as Geneviève (series 2-3)

David Neilson as Jelinek (series 3)

Terrence Hardiman as Maj. Hans-Dietrich Reinhardt (series 3)

Michael Byrne (series 2) and Ralph Bates (series 3) as Paul Vercors

Stephan Chase as Capt. Stephen Durnford (series 3)

Hilary Minster as Hauptmann Müller (series 3)

[jazzandpizazz]

daily dose of granada holmes: michael culver as sir reginald musgrave

@tisnotmydivison here’s some more reginald musgrave for you :]

[storytellingdreamer]

Watching Granada Holmes: The Musgrave Ritual

This episode had a good riddle, but the interpersonal stuff that surrounded the case was hard for me to deal with. Read my other recaps here. 

I don’t like love triangles, sex scenes (no matter how tasteful or hidden) make me squirm, scenes of social awkwardness incite almost visceral dread, and unhappy endings are hit and miss. So this episode was not particularly fun. 

Except for the mystery itself which the episode and story are named after, and pretty much all Holmes and Watson moments. Even if some of them make me Feel Things. 

For example, their first scene. Watson is rather happy to be on holiday. Holmes is miserable.  

Then Holmes distracts Watson by referring to records of “his earlier work”. A nod to the fact that the original version of this story was one of Holmes’s earlier works, told to Watson by Holmes later. The sort of thing that could make for quite dull viewing, so it’s been brought “forward” to the present for the Granada adaptation. 

They arrive, and settle in. For Holmes, to Watson’s dismay, this means using his syringe (probably with a solution of cocaine, as his behaviour afterwards is stimulated, not suppressed). The scene where Watson finds out is just heartbreaking.

Watson knocks on the door, realises Holmes is in the bath, and an impish look crosses his face as he creeps into the room. He’s happy and relaxed and, I think, thinking of surprising Holmes.

Then, after he’s seated, Watson looks around and spots the syringe, and his face just falls completely. After a thoughtful look, he gets up and leaves again. Not wanting to be with Holmes now. 

The next few minutes of the episode are rather excruciating to watch. 

The cocaine makes Holmes act, well, rather out of character. His usual mannerisms exaggerated and amplified by the drug. 

That false, loud laugh that Brett does when Holmes is like that gives me chills - it’s so unlike Holmes’s usual reserve! 

There’s also his behaviour towards Brunton the butler - something about Brunton catches his attention, and Holmes stares at him very obviously, in an almost creepy way. 

Holmes has no social filter at all when he’s under the influence and it’s painful. Not even Watson trying to cover for him by leading the conversation does much to help. 

... this has now given me Thoughts about why Holmes started using in the first place. (I know there are other reasons given in the text, and that I’m projecting parts of my own ND experience instead. Bear with me a minute.) Basically, I can’t help but observe that there’s a difference between not caring about (NT) social things, and being completely unaware of them. 

One is somewhat conscious - you can willingly say, “oh, I don’t care about what others think of me”, and then act like it. 

However, you may well be still aware of the (NT) social norms, and - with a heckton of anxiety and effort, if you’re ND - may be able to apply them if you really need/ want to. 

I would say this is Holmes’s usual behaviour (to an extent), but it’s tempered, as the situation or person calls for it. 

When he’s under the influence of cocaine, though, this awareness disappears, along with any NT social graces. It also means any hidden anxiety about needing to “get it right” disappears, because the drug makes him unaware of such things. 

I wonder if that would have been freeing for a younger Holmes...

The next Holmesian headcanon that the episode points to is something I only realised recently. Sherlock Holmes can easily be seen as dyslexic. It’s relevant here because I’d just seen the post thread linked before I watched this episode... in which Holmes asks Musgrave and Watson to read the ritual aloud to him rather than reading it himself. 

Right, the ritual! 

“Whose was it?” “His who is gone.” “Who shall have it?”  “He who will come.”

“Where was the sun?” “Over the oak.” “Where was the shadow?” “Under the elm.”

“How was it stepped?” “West eight by eight, south seven by seven, west six by six, south five by five and two by two. And so, under.”

“What shall we give for it?” “All that is ours.” “Why should we give it?” “For the sake of the trust.”

I do like these sort of puzzles! “It’s a treasure hunt!” Watson says, excited. 

Note: Brunton’s method of finding out the tree’s height from Musgrave (in the flashback scene) is very similar to Holmes’s method of finding out about the goose in BLUE. Remember, folks, when searching for information... people do like to prove others wrong! 

The height of the elm is given as 64 feet, which of course put me in mind of the “west eight by eight” line above. Unfortunately for me, that thought didn’t go anywhere! Instead, there’s a delightful moment of discovering what the “over the oak” actually means, followed by some deductive trigonometry. 

The set up for the trigonometry scene is delightful. Holmes is back in his element now - giving Mysterious instructions and marching about. 

Don’t feel bad about messing up the answer, Watson, I needed to write it out at first. (Always makes more sense when I can see it...) 

Though once you know, this is a simple one. Basically: what’s six into nine? Two-thirds. So, what’s 64 two-thirds of? ;) 

Then, more marching about, Holmes pointing his stick like an arrow. The rowboat scene, the opening of a door, the search of a room... they are briefly stymied until Watson remembers: “And under. Holmes, you’ve forgotten the ‘and under’!” Got to love it when Watson gets to be the one to Realise the important bit! 

Of course, the cellar is where things get grim again. 

I think the most notable part for me about the next few scenes is Watson explaining Holmes’s methods to Musgrave. An interesting way to introduce a flashback scene. Also a delightful bit of character bonding - Watson knowing Holmes so well, etc. 

Better to focus on that than the flashback scene itself, and its steadily building dread. 

The scenes afterward with Holmes, Watson and Musgrave in their shirtsleeves by the fire, sifting through and cleaning the “treasure” are very nice visually though. 

[Image description: a close up of Holmes’s face as he studies part of the treasure, which he’s holding level with his eyes. / end image description.] 

They don’t quite make up for the sorry tale itself. Especially given the final scene of the episode, as Holmes and Watson leave. What a scene to end on! 

[haveyouseenthismovie-poll]

[smashpages]

Out this week: Batman: Urban Legends #21 (DC, $7.99):

Michael Cho not only provides the stunning cover for this issue of DC’s regular Batman anthology, but also co-writes and draws a story featuring a high-speed chase through Gotham. Come for the spotlight on the Batmobile, but stay for additional stories from Joey Esposito, Dennis Culver, Julio Antle, Vasco Georgeiv, Hayden Sherman and others.

See what other comics and graphic novels arrive in comic shops and on digital this week.

[themarvellousmichaelbryant]

Scenes from 'Five Finger Exercise' at the Comedy Theatre, London in 1958. The cast comprised Roland Culver, Adrianne Allen, Michael Bryant, Brian Bedford and Juliet Mills. Written by Peter Shaffer, the play was directed by John Gielgud.

[introvertedpedant]

Scenes from 'Five Finger Exercise' by Peter Shaffer which ran at the Comedy Theatre in London in 1958, starring Adrianne Allen, Roland Culver, Michael Bryant, Juliet Mills and Brian Bedford. It was directed by John Gielgud.

[rwrbmovie]

Deadline: Nicholas Galitzine & Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning For ‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel

Following its huge success with Red, White & Royal Blue, the adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s bestseller, which last year came in as one of its top three most-watched romantic comedies of all time, Amazon MGM Studios has greenlighted development on a sequel, with stars Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez set to return.

After making his feature debut with the first film, Matthew López has returned to write the script for the sequel — this time, alongside McQuiston. Berlanti Schechter Films’ Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter will return to produce the film, joined by the banner’s Michael McGrath, as well as López. McQuiston will executive produce.

Details as to the sequel’s plot are under wraps. News of its development was announced during a Q&A tonight following a screening of the film at the Culver Theater, which came ahead of Amazon’s inaugural upfront presentation, scheduled for May 14.

[fuckyeahgoodomens]

The Amazon Good Omens Press Release! :)

In a special celebration for fans, Neil Gaiman collaborated with superfans Hilly & Hannah Hindi of the The Hillywood Show to reveal the ineffable premiere date in their original video “Good Omens Parody”

Official Teaser Art Available HERE Fan-Created Parody Video Viewable HERE 

*NOTE TO EDITORS: Please refer to our streaming service as Prime Video and not Amazon Prime Video*

CULVER CITY, California—May 10, 2023—This summer, something’s going down in the up!Good Omens Season Two will  premiere July 28 on Prime Video. After the global success and enthusiastic response to the first season, co-creator Neil Gaiman is satisfying fans’ hunger for more on-screen  adventures of the beloved unholy duo with an entirely original story. The ineffable Season Two premiere date was revealed on the 33rd anniversary of the publishing of the original novel Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Gaiman, which was the basis for the first season of the television series. As a special celebration for fans, Gaiman collaborated with superfans Hilly & Hannah Hindi of the The Hillywood Show to reveal the date in a fan-funded video, “Good Omens Parody,” which can be viewed HERE. The six-episode season will be released exclusively on Prime Video on July 28 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Fans can catch up on the first season of Good Omens streaming now on Prime Video, part of the savings, convenience, and entertainment that Prime members enjoy in a single membership.

Season Two of Good Omens explores storylines that go beyond the original source material to illuminate the uncanny friendship between Aziraphale, a fussy angel and rare book dealer, and the fast-living demon Crowley. Having been on Earth since The Beginning, and with the Apocalypse thwarted, Aziraphale and Crowley are getting back to easy living amongst mortals in London’s Soho when an unexpected messenger presents a surprising mystery.

Good Omens Season Twostars Michael Sheen and David Tennant as angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley, respectively. Also reprising their roles are Jon Hamm as archangel Gabriel, Doon Mackichan as archangel Michael, and Gloria Obianyo as archangel Uriel. Returning this season in new roles are Miranda Richardson as demon Shax, Maggie Service as Maggie, and Nina Sosanya as Nina, with new faces joining the misfits in Heaven and Hell: Liz Carr as angel Saraqael, Quelin Sepulveda as angel Muriel, and Shelley Conn as demon Beelzebub.

Neil Gaiman continues as executive producer and co-showrunner along with executive producer Douglas Mackinnon, who also returned to direct all six episodes. Rob Wilkins of Narrativia, representing Terry Pratchett’s estate, John Finnemore, and BBC Studios Productions’ head of comedy Josh Cole also executive produce, with Finnemore serving as co-writer alongside Gaiman. Good Omens is based on the well-loved and internationally best-selling novel by Pratchett and Gaiman. The new season is produced by Amazon Studios, BBC Studios Productions, The Blank Corporation, and Narrativia.

ALL THE EPIZODES WILL BE RELEASED AT ONCE!!! 🥰🥳 WAHOO!

[kwebtv]

Game, Set and Match - ITV - October 3, 1988 - December 19, 1988 / PBS - March 23, 1989 - June 8, 1989

Drama (13 Episodes)

Running Time: 60 minutes

Stars:

Ian Holm as Bernard Samson

Mel Martin as Fiona Samson

Michael Culver as Dicky Cruyer

Michael Degen as Werner Volkmann

Gottfried John as Eric Stinnes

Anthony Bate as Bret Renssalaer

Frederick Treves as Frank Harrington

Amanda Donohoe as Gloria Kent

Hugh Fraser as Giles Trent

Gail Harrison as Tessa Kozinski

Gary Whelan as George Kozinski

Brigitte Karner as Zena Volkmann

Alan MacNaughtan as Sir Henry Clevemore DG

Michael Aldridge as Silas Gaunt

Peter Vaughan as David Kimber-Hutchinson

Eva Ebner as Frau Lisl Hennig

Jeremy Child as Henry Tiptree

Ralf Wolter as Juri Rostov

[jazzandpizazz]

If you, mayhaps, post any more Musgrave, add me to the list of stans for Culver-posting, please. I have a soft spot for that archway chap.

But of course. Welcome to the unofficial Culver Musgrave fan club.

[garadinervi]

Seeing in Tongues, Edited and Designed by James Knight, Steel Incisors, 2023 (book here) (pdf here)

An anthology of contemporary visual poetry, including work by Muhammed Yusuf Aktekin, Brian Baker, Gary Barwin, Jay Besemer, Richard Biddle, C D Boyland, ReVerse Butcher, Kenneth M Cale, Susie Campbell, Richard Carter, Burak Ş Çelik, Theodoros Chiotis, George Clutterbuck, Madelaine Culver, Amanda Earl, Alexis Fedorjaczenko, Emma Filtness, S J Fowler, Sylee Gore, Arden Hunter, Victoria Kaye, James Kearns, Robert Frede Kenter, Laura Kerr, Michelle Moloney King, James Knight, Ayşe Kongur, Emma Levin, Emma Mitchell, Bob Modem, Sophia Mold, Morphic Rooms, Mette Norrie, Michael L Orr, Michelle Penn, Konstantinos Papacharalampos, Astra Papachristodoulou, Dan Power, Dave Read, Imogen Reid, Rasiqra Revulva, Hakan Şarkdemir, J P Seabright, Rachel Smith, Chris Stephenson, Samuel Strathman, Nic Stringer, Stephen Sunderland, Michael Sutton, Simon Tyrrell, Hayriye Ünal, Nico Vassilakis, Maggs Vibo, Martin Wakefield & Bob Modem, Katy Wimhurst, Paul Woodford, Mark Wynne and Jill Zheng

[hotjaneaustenmenpoll]

I'm glad at least some of the men from the older BBC adaptations made the cut, but I'm sad not to see Captain Harville and Captain Benwick from 1971 Persuasion! I'll admit that Captain Wentworth from that adaptation is not that hot (even if it is my favorite version), but Paul Chapman is definitely the hottest of the Benwicks, and Michael Culver as Harville is just hot full stop!

Pics as evidence:

The pre-90s adaptations are getting a lot of love (but can they win a match-up). This Captain Harville has peaked my interest!