why oops, northie? it was lately who almost recommended the racier version to his grandson.

or have i misunderstood?

Thanks again, Tedgale, for your thorough and helpful trip report. I've made some notes for our upcoming trip. Nola

ANNHIG,

I watched the old version of THE BROWNING VERSION (b & w) on Youtube with Michael Redgrave in the lead. Excellent. Then I got the 1994 version starring Albert Finney.

They jazzed that up to rated R by moving the scene where the straying wife is dumped by her faculty lover from her and the professor's house to the lover's apartment where the wife throws herself at her paramour. Also there is some dirty banter among the boys in their dormitory. In my view these changes did not enhance Rattigan's work.

That's why I did not recommend it to my grandson - not that he has not seen worse. LOL Guess we will have to go with "Goodbye, Mr. Chips."

lateday - one of the attractions for me of Rattigan is his reserve and what isn't said, which is so typical of his era [thinking for example of Mrs Minever].

the sorts of changes that you describe are so contrary to the spirit of his work that they are bound to detract from it, just as you say.

I'm sure that your GS has seen worse - but that's no reason to compound the felony.

I put oops annhig cause I forgot to put your name on my reply to you.

ANNHIG,

Re the dramatist: "one of the attractions for me of Rattigan is his reserve and what isn't said ..."

Again, we are of like mind...

>>Not sure what we will do before Chelsea flower show . <<

Spend some time getting a handle on the BBC's (normally compost-to-flower) coverage so as to give you an idea of what there is to see? It's usually at www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea, or if where you're staying has a full digital TV service, not only daytime programmes on their regular channels, but also on "red button" services.

good idea, Patrick.

Northie - i misunderstood - thanks for the clarification.

Thanks Patrick but we only have the basic channels in our apartment so it is on free to air channels.

northie - you'll find it on BBC 1 or 2 on the basic channels.

The Red Button services would also be free: it's more a matter of the technicalities of the TV set. But in any case, you could also catch up on a whole range of information on the show through the BBC website (including, once you're in London, the broadcast programmes and supporting material).

It is on every day on BBC 1 or 2, afternoons and evenings . . .

Bookmarking--thank you!

Thanks for the info on BBC. Hopefully I can use wifi on my iPad in the apartment. I have difficulty every time with wifi connection in that area.

Thanks for the Trip Report, very insightful!

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I realize I'm quite ready to go back to London!

TEDGALE,

"I realize I'm quite ready to go back to London!"

Ditto - I am always ready to go back to London!

I'm SO ready - I've booked <i>two</i> (!)

4 or 5 days at the end of April and 4-5 days late Aug/early sept.

First trip is semi-budget (B&BBelgravia) while the 2nd is posh (Royal Horseguards)

lateday and janisj: I just booked May 20-26.

Not exactly a holiday. My brother, a recent widower, is moving back to NYC and I am helping him get his things sorted for the move. But there will be some fun along the way, I'm sure.

Staying with him in Kensington, just off Queen's Gate.

I'm sure he is going through some struggles/changes -- but moving from London - must be hard.