YIPPY... I've got it!

Got a knock at the door this morning and the postie handed me a parcel from Amazon, it was Sheila's book "Just Me", that I'd ordered for me and my friend Theresa, as a Christmas present. Had a quick flick through to check the pages are OK etc, will settle down tonight and start reading it, really looking forward to getting lost in the places that Sheila travels too, as she as a wonderful way of describing them to the reader.

I'll do a review of the book when I've finished it, though that could take some time, as I'm rather slow at reading due to having dyslexia, but i don't let that get the better of me, because i love reading, and usually have several books on the go at once.

The Wait Is Over... "Just Me" is out TODAY!!

Sheila's new book ("Just Me") is out today, though i'm waiting for mine from Amazon, which i don't mind, but looking forward to it arriving, just hope postie doesn't wake me up at the crack of dawn with it, ha-ha!!

Sweeney Meeting in London

Hi Everyone

Not been on this unofficial Sweeney website for a long time, as i'd lost the link, but now i've found it again, i've put it below and will add it to the links list.

They are having a meeting on 12th October, with some vague details of where they are travelling around London, to keep up-to-date or even join in if for instance you are in London for the signing of Sheila's new book then here is the link:

http://www.thetvlounge.co.uk/sweeney/viewtopic.php?t=3319&start=0

I'd go myself if i wasn't so far away and unable to get around on my own, due to being disabled!

Anyway here is a link to the Sweeney home page, where you can join the forum and respond to the fan meeting, if you want too:

http://www.thetvlounge.co.uk/sweeney/index.php?sid=03b5d85e169d809724f38dce2177ed9b

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 1 Dead on Time

Well anyone who knows me knows i rate this the best episode that John did out of Morse, and for me its also an episode that could stand on its own.

Did the good doctor do it - Morse thinks so? We know different though don't we?

DEAD ON TIME… (First screened on UK TV 26th February 1992, writer Daniel Boyle.) This is the saddest story of all the Morse's that John ever did, but the acting is first class. It is the story of two people who meet up after many years apart. John and Joanna (David) sparkle when working together and make the story even more special by the chemistry they share.

The story has many scenes that are good and for me two of the best are… First when John as Morse finds Susan dead on the sofa and he can barely control his anger, this is so beautifully and tenderly done.

Second is where John is questioning the good doctor (played brilliantly by Adrian Dunbar) near the end as Morse he loses his temper first class acting. John was shaking after doing this scene, and I can see why. If you ever needed evidence of John's outstanding acting ability then watching this one piece of drama will give it to you…pure genius.

This was why he was the best actor this country has ever had, no one else could have done this story only him.

First class piece of acting by all concerned!

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 2 The Remorseful Day

This is the hardest post for me to make, yet it's one of John's best performances, and therefore it's my No2, the only problem is i can't watch it anymore, so if any of you can then savour it.

A dying Morse! A very sad episode.

THE REMORSEFUL DAY… (First screened on UK TV 15th November 2000, writer Stephen Churchett.) The only time i have watched this was when it was first screened, i'm sure i woujld have watched it a lot more, but since John's death this story is one I can’t watch because of John’s excellent acting, and i just can't bare to see him die on screen knowing what has happened.

Here John acts a man having heart problems and finally a heart attack; which for me is the best attack scene I’ve ever seen on TV. No one but John could have given Morse the grace and dignity of ending the series the way he did and for that this is also a brilliant piece of drama, but still i can't watch it.

I hope one day in the future to be able to watch this wonderful performance from John, until that day i'll be happy with all his other work that i have.

Sheila in the Daily Mail part 3

Here you go everyone part 3 of the Daily Mail abridged extract from "Just Me" by Sheila Hancock, published by Bloomsbury on 18th September, if anyone would like to read the online version then here is the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1053586/Sink-swim-Sheila-Hancock-peace-John-Thaws-death.html

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 3 Service of All the Dead

Another one bites the dust - Plus another and another would it ever stop?

SERVICE OF ALL THE DEAD… (First screened on UK TV 20th January 1987, writer Julian Mitchell.) This is a very funny story and again John pulls it off.

Here Morse the poor thing is suffering from vertigo (I know the feeling) and yet still has to go up that 'bloody' church tower much more than he (or I) would like him too.

The dialogue between Peter (Woodthorpe) and John is timeless, as Morse and Max talking about more grave space needed is so funny. John's fainting spell is a classic.

Sheila in the Daily Mail Part 2

Can't sleep so thought i'd check my emails and the following link was in my inbox, and rather than wait until later i'd post it now for everyone to see. Again it's from the Daily Mail abridged extract from "Just Me" by Sheila Hancock, published by Bloomsbury on 18th September, if anyone would like to read the online version then here is the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1053307/Sheila-Hancock-Regrets-Plenty--late-Just-Me-Time-fresh-start.html

Now i'm off back to bed, night everyone, or should that be morning!

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 4 Death of the Self

Doesn't he look cool?

DEATH OF THE SELF… (First screened on UK TV 25th March 1992, writer Alma Cullen.) Pure bliss! Morse is in paradise and loving every minute of it. And John looks so gorgeous in this and very happy.

The music is beautiful especially when they arrive at the train station (Concerto for 2 Mandolin in G by Vivaldi.) Also Nicole's final the beautiful Signora Ascolta from Turandot by Puccini, sung by Janis Kelly.

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 5 Masonic Mysteries

Oh dear! What have you done? Naughty boy!

MASONIC MYSTERIES… (First screened on UK TV 24th January 1990, writer Julian Mitchell.) This is the story that made me a fan of the great Mozart and I have the lovely John to thank for that.

Because all the way through this story is Mozart, I love the introduction (called: Tamino, The Three Ladies) that is played as Morse and (Kevin's wife) arrive for the play beautiful piece of music.

Also the opera sung by the large lady is terrific; also don't you think John looks so sexy in his Magic Flute suit? I also love the scene of John in a cell, and so lonely looking playing Morse so brilliantly worried about what is happening to him, for once he has no control over his own life, someone else does.

Sheila in Daily Mail Part 1

Got the following link below sent me yesterday, (but didn't get a chance to add it to my blog), from the Daily Mail abridged extract from "Just Me" by Sheila Hancock, published by Bloomsbury on 18th September, if anyone would like to read the online version then here is the link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1052860/Just-Me-Sheila-Hancock-coping-life-beloved-John.html

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 6 The Wench Is Dead

A new mystery - just a read away!

THE WENCH IS DEAD… (First screened on UK TV 11th November 1998, writer Malcolm Bradbury.) This is brilliantly acted story when you consider that John spent nearly all the time lay in a hospital bed.

So he was only able to use his eyes and face to express what he was thinking. When Morse had to have that tube put down his throat he looks so terrified and helpless I truly felt for him.

I think Judy (Loe) was a fantastic co-star second only to Joanna in my book. I love the bit where Morse and Adele are sitting on the sofa and she asks him a crossword clue and it makes him jump up out of his seat because he's got an idea…cool!

See you all tomorrow!

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 7 Twilight of the Gods

That beautiful grin!

Well onto tonight's choice, and at No 7 we have TWILIGHT OF THE GODS… (First screened on UK TV 20th January 1993, writer Julian Mitchell.) In this story John/Morse is very cheerful after seeing Gladys in concert the previous evening.

And because he is so ‘high’ he claims to be the 'cheeriest chief inspector in the division' though Lewis doesn't seem to think so. So it's not until the attempted murder of the said diva that Morse loses his joyfulness and becomes more his old self.

When ever John is wearing blue he makes me go all weak at the knees as i love this colour, and think it suited him too, so this photo is a very special one to me, as he's grinning and wearing blue what more could a girl ask for...

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 8 Deceived by Flight

Lewis had just been hit on the head! Silly twit.

No 8 - DECEIVED BY FLIGHT… (First screened on UK TV 18th January 1989, writer Anthony Minghella.) The only sport story thank heavens! This is Kevin (Whately's) favourite episode.

I'm with Morse on this I hate sport especially cricket! It's nice to see Daniel Massey in this episode even if he's not in it for long.

A couple of my favourite scenes are Morse and Donn eating chips (it was always nice in anything John did to see him doing the things that we all do like eat chips, (Hoover - in Kavanagh etc.) John thinking near the end as Morse and then running after the cricket team and getting the drugs. John's face as Kate Donn collapses in the café - a classic!

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 9 Driven To Distraction

Don't take driving lessons if this is how you end up looking afterwards!

Onto No9 and working down to the best episode as far as i'm concerned, hope you all enjoy my choice, and watching them along with me.

No 9 - DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION… (First screened on UK TV 17th January 1990, writer Anthony Minghella.) In this, Morse is convinced that poor Jeremy Boynton has done it (whatever it happens to be), and won't let him rest even when he goes into hospital he searches his office.

Morse and Sgt. Maitland working through the night on computers are cool and her saying if this music plays again I'll scream (I liked it because it was Mozart.) Also seeing John on the driving course was good as well.

My Top Ten Inspector Morse Stories - No 10 Second Time Around

What is their connedtion with the child's death?

I thought I'd do something a little different this month, first it will be my top ten Inspector Morse stories that I think John was at his best, and also the stories themselves were the best, that I’m going to share with you over the next ten days, feel free to join in watching them, and also let me know what yours are and what you think of my choice if you like.

No 10 - SECOND TIME AROUND … (First screened on UK TV 20th February 1991, writer Daniel Boyle.) This is a sad case about a child's death, something which Morse didn't do very often (the only other case was Paul Morris's death in Service of All the Dead.)

Sam Kelly is excellent in this story and by far steals the show. In this John would meet his future character boss in the shape of Oliver Ford Davis who later would appear with John in Kavanagh QC.

ATTENTION ALL FANS OF JOHN THAW!

Would you like to see a John Thaw Film and Television Retrospective organised and screened in Australia and UK? If so, please leave a message for Theresa (An Australian Fan who is organising one) and me (who is also organising one here in Manchester UK), via my email address on this blog, and I will pass messages for Theresa on to her, and also get back to you.

I have been writing to Film Festival and Events organisers here in Manchester with ideas and information, asking them if they would like to support and host such an event.

We both would like to hear from anyone who would like to help us in contacting these companies or who have other helpful ideas. Even if you just let us both know that you would like to attend such a Retrospective that will help us demonstrate support to Events companies etc, for our idea.

In Australia John Thaw’s late brother, Ray who lived in Australia, had kindly agreed to support the project there, and had also contacted film festival organisers to register his support.

Here in the UK I have Sheila Hancock’s backing and she is happy for a Festival on her late husband to take place, I have also been in touch with Dick Fiddy of the BFI (British Film Institute) who has indicated to me that he is happy to help in any way he can.

He has contacted in this regard his colleague Veronica Taylor (who handles all UK TV clearances for the cinema) who, in turn, has passed it onto the programmes at Manchester's Chapterhouse.

Hopefully the more interest is shown, the more likely that we can find an organisation willing and able to host a John Thaw Retrospective. Please join in showing your support!
Thank you
Janet and Theresa