Classic Movies on Sky Arts - Series 5 Episode 2 - The Story of Chaplin

 

I thought this might be a strange choice, a film about Charlie Chaplin. In the end, Chaplin seems to be a marvellous film. This episode starts with a lot about the back story of this famous comedian. From his roots in England (there are extracts from a newsreel where the actor is unrecognisable as the clown, with his classy British accent) and extreme poverty to the riches of Hollywood. Ian Nathan tells us about the "sensational central performance by Robert Downey Jr", who portrays the man on and off screen, from teenager to octogenarian. 

Christina Newland talked about his genius and the "lush period detail" of the movie. Neil Norman added it's a "rags to riches" story. But Steven Armstrong mentions that the film is "laced with tragedy" and about the costs of fame. Ian Nathan thought the film was a "fabulous portrait" of early Hollywood. 

We then hear about the director, Richard Attenborough, who had actually specialised in biopics, and how he made the transition from acting to directing. Christina explains how he became a national treasure. It was then Neil Norman who tells us how Attenborough had to get the Chaplin family on board. Christina adds that he had already bought the rights to two books about Chaplin, but that the studio, Universal Pictures, was not impressed by the subject. The fact that Attenborough also wanted a budget of 30 million dollars put a stop to their interest. 

The film was saved by Corolco (I had never heard of this production company). They had made a fortune from the Rambo movies, and so maybe wanting something of a higher class, they decided to finance the entire film. Next we hear about the cast. Robert Downey Jr worked so hard on his preparation over nearly a year. Steven Armstrong tells us about his screen test and that certain physical resemblance. Neil Norman says he was "absolutely perfect in the role". Ian Nathan takes us through the supporting cast with a special mention for Dan Akroyd. The script was by Bryan Forbes, William Boyd (one of my favourite authors) and Willaim Goldman.

The main thread of the movie involves a book editor, played by Anthony Hopkins, talking to Chaplin about his life. We hear about the theme composed by John Barry. Neil Norman ends by saying how Downey Jr was perfect in the role and how it is "one of the few really good biopics". Ian Nathan explains how the film didn't do well when it was released but has stood the test of time, with Downey Jr nominated for a best actor Oscar.

The Wildflower Border

 

The wildflower border has been mainly disappointing over the years. But not so this May. Everything has grown up together, so mostly all are self-supporting. They include the wildflowers that I planted years ago and love the warm weather. These include the ox-eye daisy and greater napweed.

This improvement might be partly down to the fact that the viburnum I was growing as a small tree was removed two years ago and all the asters have gone. Whatever has happened has worked. Some ofthe flowers have yet to bloom, so watch this space.

Shrubs under the trees

 

This is an update on my post of the 10th of April 2026. The shrubs that I planted years ago are still thriving under the tall leylandii along the back fence. Today they had to be pruned, as they were growing over the lawn, and I couldn't get past that round shrub at the far end of the photo. 

I took the opportunity to take some photos and, using PlantNet, identified them all. Starting at the far end with the lonicera xylosteum (dwarf honeysuckle). 

Next are three Berberis darwinii Hook (Darwin's barberry).

Then the euonymus japonicus Thunb (Japanese spindle). No idea where that came from.

Next comes two viburnum tinus L. (Laurestine).

And then the cotoneaster.

Before the last of the viburnum.

And finally, two vinca major (periwinkle).

Robinia pseudoacacia

 

Even though this tree is not actually in our garden, the Robinia pseudoacacia is right next to our fence at the very far end of the garden. In that patch of ground that nobody seems to own. I have included photos over the years, and my latest post was on the 23rd of May last year. I'm always happy when it comes into flower, which means it is still quite healthy.

I had a closer look at the multiple trunks that seem quite unusual. When the tree comes into full leaf, I will add another photo.

Then at the end of May the blossom is falling to the end of the garden.

The Garden in May

 

I had already posted about the alliums, which are the highlight of the garden in May. The other colourful shrub is the Weigelia Red Robin. Next come the astrantias that are putting on a good display.

The geraniums are just about coming into bloom.

Even better than the red, pink and white flowers in the borders is this blue iris with a yellow centre. Unfortunately, the flowers do not last very long.

This dianthus is new.

But these are from last year, transferred from pots into the garden.

The delphinium has taken a while to come into flower.

As has the foxglove.

The roses had been in bud for so long, but they needed a change to warmer weather to come into flower. 

The lawn has struggled all spring, but with some warmer weather it is now fine.

This is the shrub that grows next to the wall that separates the front garden and the patio. I thought it was a berberis but maybe not.

Right in the corner of the patio is this hydrangea that has these lovely white flowers.

Next to the dwarf wall, the Penstemon 'Shirley Blue' has only just flowered in the last week in May.

The campanula around the conservatory has spread all across the path, so it's difficult not to tread on them.

The Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile' is in flower with lots more to come. It suffers badly from black fly but the flowers are fine. 

Finally, the Photinia Red Robin has flowered like never before. A picture taken from my study window.

Sight and Sound Magazine - June 2026

 

Editorial

Mike Williams looks at what was happening in 1926, as this was the year that Marilyn Monroe was born. The magazine celebrates her career. Among all the events of that year, Hitchcock's first feature, The Pleasure Garden, stands out. With the general strike in full swing, "silent cinema was at full strength".

Opening Scenes 

Philip Concannon reviews the new film Obsession. "A witty and unnerving horror" and "a wish-gone-wrong scenario". Not sure if it's for me. We hear the background of director Curry Barker and about how new young directors are getting a start on YouTube.

Editor's Choice

BFI Southbank is showing a new season called "Expectations: British Post-War Cinema 1946 - 1960". I had never heard of the films mentioned here. 

Sight and Sound are publishing a weekly dispatch online on Mondays called "The Watch List". Will look out for this.

In Conversation

Katie McCabe talks to writer/director David Lowery about his new film Mother Mary starring Anne Hathaway. Sounds like a very strange ghost story, but it does have music by CharliXCX. 

In Production

Justin Trier's follow-up to the great Anatomy of a Fall is Fonda, a psychological thriller. An ensemble cast includes Mia Goth and Andrew Scott.

Alex Garland is filming an adaptation of a fantasy game.

News, Mean Sheets and Reader's Letters

Nothing of note.

The Long Take

Nicole Flattery takes us back to Ealing Comedies. Again. She selects Kind Hearts and Coronets (see this blog) and compares it to more modern films such as How to Make a Killing and No Other Choice. She thinks that there are "some pertinent rhymes" between these films. The liberal use of Mozart..." etc.  

TV Eye

Andrew Male advises us that there are amazing little treasures available on YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Male thakes, for example, Three Salons at the Seaside. A forty-minute BBC film from 1994 looks at the inhabitants of these Blackpool establishments. No narrator, just the customers and staff talking. Then on to the BBC's "Written Archives Centre" in Caversham and how difficult it is to access. 

Flick Lit

A piece by Nicole Flattery is all about relationships, taking the film The Drama as its theme. What secrets one of a couple might hide. She says, "I always return to James Gray's Two Lovers (2008), a love triangle where the characters are not always as they seem. A long exposition follows. The article ends on the director's notes on "obsessive, romantic love" in Vertigo (1958) and The Graduate (1967).

Black Film Bulletin

Eight pages of what seem quite specialised films that do not come close to mainstream cinema.

The Marilyn Moment

One hundred years after her birth comes a ten-page retrospective introduced by Farran Smith Nehme. This looks at the acting career of Marilyn Monroe, not her life. It seems it was studio head Daryl F Zanuck who wanted her in these light comedies when what she really wanted to do was test herself with something more interesting. There is a BFI season called "Marilyn Monroe: Self-Made Star" running at BFI Southbank from 1st June to 6th September. Some films of which I had never heard.

Designing Marilyn

We see her in the costumes for eight of her movies. The last of these is from The Misfits (1961) – "The sight of Marilyn in jeans is quite touching." 

Marilyn's Close-Up

The Misfits was the last film for both the stars, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. "It's the strength and pathos" of her performance that impressed Kim Newman. Being re-released in the UK on 5th June.

At the movies with ...... Guillermo del Torro

The Mexican director receives a BFI Fellowship. He talks to Mar Diestro-Dopido about his work and inspirations.

Rebels with a Cause

Following the success of these Brazilian films: I'm Still Here (see my post of 26th February 2025) and The Secret Agent (which I missed as it was too long), Filipe Furtado looks at this country's films from 1964 to 1985 (none of which I had heard of) and then City of God (2002) – see my post of 11th November 2024. This is followed by ten Brazilian classics, but none that I want to see.

Notes from the Underground

Two drum and bass artists make copies to preserve film prints to leave blemishes intact.

Reviews: Films

Kate Stables reviews The Christophers, starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel in a film about some unfinished paintings and a battle over their fate. To finish them or not. But it was only released in selected cinemas, so I may have to wait to see if it arrives at The Rex. Steven Soderbergh directs and talks to Kate. It's about "art and criticism, authenticity and legacy". 

Lots of foreign films before we get to Hokum, a mild(?) horror starring Andrew Scott that I avoided at the cinema. Anton Bitel mentions "creepy grotesquerie and black comedy". 

For Madfabulous, Laura Venning explains about the real-life Henry Paget, fifth Marquess of Anglesey (1875 to 1905), played by Callum Scott Howells. His butler is Rupert Everett, who else. Apparently there are lots of flaws and no general release.

There is a long review of The Drama by Kate Stables. An "unsettling cringe film" is exactly right. See my review 24th April.

Henry K. Miller reviews Tuner. A young piano tuner who has extraordinary hearing is recruited by a bunch of thieves into safe breaking. He forms a relationship with a pianist and composer played by Havana Rose Liu. "A beautifully constructed film" and "stylishly shot" by director David Roher. I liked the trailer, so I'm hoping it's on here soon.

Normal is the new film by Ben Wheatly that stars Bob Odenkirk, the star of the Nobody movies. So no guessing what this film is about. Kim Newman thinks it actually "evokes the Coen Bros". But his mention of a "snowbound comic massacre" – I can guess this is not for me. Odenkirk's "interim sherrif" is obviously in the thick of it. 

Then comes Virginie Selavy's excellent review of Obsession, a creepy film from Curry Barker. Mainly a two-hander when Bear's crush on Nicki evolves when he uses a novelty "one-wish willow". And not in a way he expects. Creepy, some violence, so maybe not.

DVD and Blu-Ray

These are my selections from the many reviewed.

The films of Jacques Rozier "are little known outside his homeland" of France. 

Catherine Wheatley reviews an early film by Pedro Almodóvar called Matador (1986). She calls it a "gorgeous, grotesque, excessive spectacle". 

Lost and Found

The Legend of Time (2006) by Isaki Lacuesta from Spain. 

Wider Screen – In the loop

An adaptation of a video game called "The Exit 8" is reviewed by Adam Nayman in a double page spread. The film is Exit 8 and sounds very strange.

 Books

Nothing of interest.

From the Archive

Burning Bright by Derek Malcolm from Sight and Sound in Summer 1982. An Indian filmmaker, Ritwik Ghatak, had a complete retrospective at BFI Southbank.

This month in ..... 1976

The cover was from Alfred Hitchcock's final film, Family Plot. Reviews of other films included All the President's Men and The Man Who Fell to Earth, directed by Nicolas Roeg and starring David Bowie as an alien.

The Magnificent Seven - New Cygnets at Weston Turville Reservoir

 

On my walk this morning, I stopped at Weston Turville Reservoir to see if I could see the swans. They were both missing the last two times I was there. I hoped that was because they were looking after some brand-new cygnets in the rushes at the very far end. 

When I saw the two swans in the distance, I could not see anything else. But then I noticed there was something between them. And they were heading my way.

There were seven cygnets swimming between their two parents.

And lo and behold, they arrived at the bottom of the bank and came out of the water. It is a very safe place for them and an excellent view for people at the top of the bank.

They all stayed there for ages, cleaning and preening. I just wished I had my camera instead of the poor quality on my phone. But it certainly made my day.