RAPIERS ARE GO!

British Music Experience at O2

"From Trad Jazz to pure Pop, get up close to original handwritten lyrics, famous outfits, instruments and other amazing personal artefacts from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, Culture Club, Motorhead, Stone Roses, The Spice Girls, Coldplay, Amy Winehouse and 100s more."

Typically, not a mention of pre-Beatles rock 'n' roll in the marketing blurb; nevertheless, sounds like I'll do myself a BritCool favour to arrive at the O2 early Monday evening to sample the pop pickers promise of the BME, which, to its credit does feature photography exhibits like "Halfway to Paradise: The Birth of British Rock", so mustn't grumble.

"Telstar" DVD Launch

Synchronistically, London's biker paradise the Ace Cafe gets the last public screening of the Joe Meek biopic Telstar—featuring Rapiers in walk-on parts—on Sunday, 27 September, 3 p.m, before the DVD—with additional scenes, extended performance clips and an "inside look" at director Nick Moran's directorial debut—goes on sale the next day.

British acting legend Rita Tushingham earns a Telstar credit as "Essex Medium", which brings things full circle, as she famously starred in director Sidney J. Fury's ultraboss early '60s Kitchen Sink teen drama The Leather Boys, filmed at the Ace.

Alas and alack, I won't make the Ace shebang. My consolation? Snagging a shrinkwrapped copy of Telstar at HMV's flagship Oxford Street store, assuming the release hits the shelves the day advertised.

The Sound of a Hurricane

Singer Wreckless Eric has today's opening notes, to accompany the UK opening of the film Telstar:

On the second floor of number 304
Above a handbag store and the heavy roar
Of traffic rolling down the Holloway Road
A one time bedroom housed the studio of Joe Meek

Where he conjured with the sound of another world
That Tin Pan Alley thought was too absurd
But miles of wire and recording tape
Brought fortune fame and no escape for Joe Meek

As he stirred up the sound of a hurricane
Joe Meek
Called upon forces from beyond the grave
Joe Meek
Suffered alone for his madness and pain
These were the only rewards that the hit parade
Held in store for Joe Meek

Brand New "Telstar" Film Promo Features Mr. Ainsby; Meanwhile, US Premiere at Seattle Festival Friday

The rise and fall of Joe Meek lives!

There's a new Telstar trailer, radically different from the original teaser promoted for months on the film's home page. Watch below but don't blink when Rapier Neil Ainsby's brief appearance flashes 26 seconds in.

It's hard to believe it, but at long last, Telstar opens 19 June in the UK. Jumping the broomstick, the American unveiling happens tomorrow night at the Seattle International Film Festival with a repeat showing there 14 June.

London's Sunday Times Sunday spotlighted Telstar big time.

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"Telstar" Has New Look on Its Home Page

A taste of the latest site promo for the film Telstar, opening 19 June.

"Telstar" Summer Affair Set for June

UPDATE 4 APRIL 2009: We have a launch date!

"In cinemas nationwide across the UK, 19 June 2009," emails the film's producer. "We have a press release going out next week with regards to the UK theatrical release. We have another trailer and website coming up soon."

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ORIGINAL POST: Impatient for any word on this Joe Meek biopic's release, I pinged the film's site and received two replies from the film's producer, stitched here:

"We are releasing the film in the UK this summer... We will be making an announcement within the next few days with regards to the UK release of this movie. Can assure you the release will happen this year."

As we've detailed over the past year, Rapiers Colin Pryce-Jones, Nathan J. Hulse, Neil Ainsby and John Tuck feature in uncredited bit parts.

"Telstar" Gets Its Trailer Groove Back

The Telstar teaser, with a slightly faster edit, is online again.

At left in the scene below, I've masked where you can spot three Rapiers—Neil Ainsby, Colin Pryce-Jones, Nathan J. Hulse—in walk-on parts. For the record, Nathan's behind the flash camera, Neil's in full view applauding The Tornados, and Colin's clipped at upper left.

Meanwhile, still no official release date for Nick Moran's biopic chronicling the rise and fall of '60s producer Joe Meek.

London to Leipzig

Continental skymen Colin, Neil, John and Nathan missed the red-carpet whirl of the Telstar film premiere Saturday night at the London Film Festival because they were stomping at the Ballroom Bash in Leipzig, Germany.

"William Tell featured in our set," says Nathan, rhetorically wondering, "Is this becoming a standard encore for us?" I say take a Gallup Poll.

Rounding out other travel particulars: "Colin ate well; Neil never went to bed, instead opting to stay out and party with '60s beat music and other sounds (Motown, Northern Soul)... Our hosts were very nice. Andy, the driver for Colin and John, explained how in the years before the Berlin Wall came down he would have been 'taken away' for his punk hairstyle."

People Take Pictures

Before all the mach schauing, the lads posed for Nathan's camera on the Leipzig Airport tarmac ("Neil's proudly showing his priority boarding pass"), in front of the minikin terminal and near an appropriately dilapidated, abandoned bunker.

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"Telstar" Moves to Dark Side

Streuth!

On the eve of its world premiere, Telstar The Movie has lost its trailer on its own site. Just "Coming Soon". And someone's scrubbed the trailer from its YouTube perch, too.

Insider's View on "Telstar The Movie"

On-the-scenester Rob Bradford posted this rave review overnight on various '60s boards:

I was able to see [Telstar The Movie] on Friday (Press screening) and today (Cast & Crew screening). IMHO it is outstanding. Gripping from the outset—the audience is completely drawn in and the pace of the film doesn't let up. Even though the ending is inevitable—it is still shocking. Con O'Neill reprises his stage role as Joe Meek in magnificent style. In the film he is surrounded by top class actors. Every performance is tremendous—meaning that Con had to raise his game even further—if that's possible.

As a film directing debut—a wonderful effort from Nick Moran. As a work of art and for dramatic content—this is a great film. [Moran] loves his subject but he also pulls no punches in heightening the personal demons which ultimately drove Meek to destruction. The film works on many levels and the music is great.

Rapiers-wise, Messrs. Pryce-Jones and Ainsby can certainly be seen in the presentation scene. Yours truly can also be glimpsed walking across shot (Heinz brawling with homophobic teens outside 304 Holloway Road ) and right in the opening credits! Yes, I think that I should be nominated for a BAFTA for "most convincing support artist in a non-speaking role" (Man Staring Into TV Shop Window).

Meek's relatives and several former RGM artists all gave the film (especially O'Neill's portrayal ) the "thumbs up". The film goes on general release next year... A great evocation of the '60s—go and see it!

General release? Hope that includes an engagement in the Meek-starved USofA. Meanwhile, the following Telstar stills come from the BFI London Film Festival site. More here.

"Telstar The Movie" Launches Into Orbit Next Sunday

Since I witnessed the chilling West End production of actor Nick Moran's Telstar in July 2005 (I came out emotionally wrenched after Con O'Neil's bravura performance), I've been anticipating the big screen version of the rise and fall of '60s producer Joe Meek.

After three years, a pop eternity any decade, it debuts next week at the 52nd London Film Festival, with showings on 25 (sold out) and 28 October.

Below is an edited trailer, uploaded on YouTube. A clearer, complete version is on the Telstar site itself. Watch carefully!

Specifically, I call your attention to the suave gentleman on the far left in the screen grab below celebrating with John Leyton and The Tornados. Why, I spy Rapier Neil Ainsby. And that's reportedly Nathan J. Hulse's head behind the camera!

Stop and pause the trailer and you might make out Colin Pryce-Jones sneaking into frame behind Neil. Hoping John Tuck gets his cameo, too.

"Telstar" Film "Likely" Launch in October

I'm still on short pins and needles waiting to hear if The Rapiers' bit parts as EMI execs make the final cut in actor Nick Moran's big biopic about '60s producer Joe Meek.

The answer—drum roll, please!—may be forthcoming next month, based on singer John Leyton's September newsletter:

The latest news that we have received concerning the screening of [Telstar] is that it is likely to be shown at the London Film Festival being held between 15th and 30th October. More news as we get it.

The Accent Is on Accent

Cockney, Cornish and Northern Working Class, Liverpudlian, London and Lancashirian, actress Sarah Hannah, appearing as an EMI secretary in the upcoming film Telstar, might charm any Henry Higgins-in-wating with her basket of English accents, if you note her CV.

Yes, perusing the Casting Call Pro site is great fun. Besides stage, film and TV credits, you glean those extra personal details about up-and-coming thespians who spent a day rubbing shoulders with Rapiers. For example, our Sarah "also has vast experience in the licencing trade, is a qualified licensee and holds a personal licence—so she could have her own bar!" Something to fall back on, as they say.

CVs Full of Telstar

Speaking of Telstar film parts, a dozen or more apparently came via Casting Call Pro: 

...an online directory of professional actors, presenters, agents and casting professionals... With 15,000+ industry professionals on our system we really are the central point for the UK acting community, listing the very latest acting jobs, auditions and casting calls...

Besides the expected "Featured Extra", "Stunt Double" and "Music Fan", Casting Call Pro's fascinating credits page lists more evocative Telstar roles like "Tornados Fan" (Michelle Crane), "EMI Secretary" (Collette Winter, Danielle Voller, Sarah Hannah) and can't-wait-to-get-to-know-her "Groovy '60s Chick" (Louisa Kenten).

NB: Collette, Danielle and Sarah are seen posing with lucky lads Nathan, Colin, John and Neil in the second of yesterday's Telstar photo call shots.

Waiting on Telstar to Orbit Cinemas

Scanning the entertaining Facebook.com profiles* of Nathan J. Hulse and Neil Ainsby reveals reminders that our lads play bit parts (NJH: "I'm an EMI executive and a photographer") in the forthcoming film Telstar about '60s producer Joe Meek, starring Con O'Neill, Nick Moran, Kevin Spacey and Rita Tushingham. 

As yet, I find no release date for this production, originally slated for summer 2008, on IMDB.com or the official site.

The Back Story

In late August 2007, Neil, Nathan, John Tuck and Colin Pryce-Jones spent a day filming, as reported here.

"Wardrobe took our measurements but asked us to come in our normal '60s-styled gear as well. They were so happy with our appearance that we didn't need to be fitted!" Nathan said at the time.

The images of sartorial splendour below came from the shoot.

TELSTAR STARS: Top, clothes make the Rapier men. Above, posing with cast members Collette Winter, Sarah Hannah, Ruth Wynne and Danielle Voller; photo by Patrick Barclay.

*Sorry, registration (free) required to view

EMI Background

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Nathan J. Hulse quietly snapped this scenery sans extras, cast or crew on the film set of Telstar using his trusty mobile phone's camera. Love the black and white wireframe graphics and modest corporate boast, prime examples of mid-century moderne, no?

STOP PRESS: Rapiers in Shooting "Telstar" Film!

Dressing for success still pays dividends.

The Rapiers spent last Thursday as extras on the set of actor-director Nick Moran's upcoming biopic Telstar, based on his 2005 stage play chronicling the mad rise and fall of '60s producer Joe Meek. Our lads, one and all, were pegged to play "EMI executives" in several scenes, reports Nathan J. Hulse.

"We were asked on Wednesday if we could turn up Thursday in Bethnal Green by midday," Nathan says. "How could we say no? Wardrobe took our measurements but asked us to come in our normal '60s-styled gear as well. They were so happy with our appearance that we didn't need to be fitted!

"We were fed and sent to various places to wait while they filmed other scenes. It wasn't until 7:30 p.m. that we were called for our parts. I also got to play a photographer, you'll see my back [hopefully] when the film comes out."

Sometime in 2008, fingers crossed.

For Telstar, actor Con O'Neill reprises the title role he played in the West End, American actor Kevin Spacey plays Meek's banker. Others making appearances include British film icon Rita Tushingham, writer Jake Arnott, Meek's personal assistant Patrick Pink and '60s singers John Leyton, Jess Conrad and Mike Sarne.

NB: Mr. Moran's production for Aspiration Films is a completely separate project from Los Angeles-based Palm Door Film's Something I've Got to Tell You: A Life in the Death of Joe Meek documentary, now in post-production. Aspirations has spent the past two months location shooting around London, including outside Meek's flat on Holloway Road and in Soho at the famed New Piccadilly cafe, according to eyewitnesses. A casting call went out in June.

TELSTAR STARS: The Rapiers in their finest business clobber pose with cast members Collette Winter, Sarah Hannah, Ruth Wynne and Danielle Voller. Photo by Patrick Barclay.