Hi Chester
The Saturday before the London event Roland sent me the link to the Maureen O'Hara website I joined on the Monday was registered on the Tuesday and joined the others in London on the Saturday.
I am very much a newbie on that sight. But like this one they all seem friendly.
Regards
Arthur
Hi
You're a fabulous people.
Regards
Arthur
Hi Roland
I was just about to leave home and thought that I'm likely to get in such a state that I would probably put the book down somewhere and lose it, so at the last minute I picked up the first career bag that came to hand stuffed the book in it. Later I put the newspaper I was reading on the train and while I was in the queue the gentleman from Norway very kindly gave me a copy of the Irish American magazine with Maureen on the front cover. So that went into the bag.
The first thing my wife said when she saw the original picture Why didn't you lose the bag. But in that rush and on that occasion rational thinking goes out of the window.
Saw the interview with Richard and Judy last night
She was asked about her experiences with John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart she had a slight senior moment when she forgot what she was going to say but after that she was fine.
They showed a couple of clips from the Quiet Man and she explained off set that she had broken her wrist when she slapped John Wayne.
She also related the incident with James Stewart after she had stolen a scene off of him and his reaction.
Also showed a clip from the Rare Breed with good ole Jack Elam and Jimmy Stewart in the fight.
And then the difference between John Wayne who said about a shot go ahead and try to steal the scene and as he walked away he looked back and said if you can.
The final question asked was if she ever thought that John Wayne ever loved her.
She replied with an emphatic no saying that they were always friends but she didn't think he loved her.
The interview ended with a clip from Rio Grande
I got the impression that Maureen was happy to sit and talk all night but she didn't get on screen until ten minutes from the end of the programe.
It sort of capped the weekend.
Regards
Arthur
Hi Roland
I think you are right about the stars,
The only thing that was a slight let down was the attitude of some of the shop assistant who began complaining about all the people who were gathered around and were saying that it was ridiculous.
You are right I will never forget Saturday, and what these people don't realise or couldn,' care about is this was the only chance myself and many many people like me will have of seeing her, some like me have watched her pictures since the early fifties, and although other might deride it as trite, for about six hundred people Saturday was an unforgettable experience.
Regards
Arthur
Hi
I had an interesting day yesterday I thought I'd get to London early (its only an hour and a half by train). I got to the station and found that there were no trains in or out of Portsmouth for two days because of line repairs. So we had to go by bus to Havant a small town about four miles outside of Portsmouth. after leaving home at 0805 by 0935 I was at last on a train to London, so much for an early start.
Arrrived in London shortly after 1100 made my way to Harrods and met Karen Cooksley who is Ithink June Becks second in command on the Maureen O'Hara magazine. She comes from Dallas Texas and was combining the visit qwith a holiday. I also met Arild, a Norwegian teacher and his friend, and trevor and his wife wh come from Bedhampton which is in between Portsmouth and Havant and who by coincidence worked in the same building that i was in during the late seventies and early eighties. They were nice people. Started to queue at 1200, the signing was due to start at 1400.
Behind us was a little old lady and another man who at first I thought were together but it later transpired that they didn't know each other (more about him later in another thread).
Time passed and then it was announced that Maureen when she arrived was very frail, and would be in a wheelchair, she would not write dedications, she would not sign photographs and no cameras were allowed. By 1400 I would estimate their being about five to six hundred people in the queue.
As We got round the corner she was surrounded by people cameras were flashing left right and sideways and she was talking. If she was a frail old lady I hope I'm that frail if I reach her age.
Just as It was near my turn the man at the head of the queue looked at my book and said she might not sign that as its American but by hiding the cover she signed. I had taken a picture of her that I hoped she might sign, but in the end didn't press my luck, thankful that after two and half hours I had got the book signed. Although she was signing pictures as well as books. despite the officials trying to stop herr talking to the people she did hold conversations but I must admit I was tongue tied and just said thank you.
After we all went for a drink and I left to get home, pick up a Chinese Takeaway
and relax. It had been a long day.
I took some photographs I don't know if they came out, I'll have to wait for my son to check the camera for me, If I can I will put some on the board.
Regards
Arthur
Hi All
Thanks to Roland I was alerted to a post in the Maureen O'Hara magazine.
She is in London Saturday 18th September doing a book signing at Harrods. I have just joined the magazine site and I will be in London at High Noon tomorrow to hopefully get my book signed and meet the lady.
Can't wait for Saturday, I'll let you know how I get on.
She is also doing a live interview on the Richard and Judy show on Channel 4 on Monday around 4 0'clock.
And for Robbie she is in Dublin September 26 at the Irish Film Institute to receive a lifetime Achievement Award.
Regards
Arthur
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Hi
On my visit to Brighton I managed to pick up a couple of photographs. I think they're pretty good.
Regards
Arthur
