The real-life dame and on-screen dowager countess, who has died aged 89, earned fame in her 70s and 80s for blockbuster roles. But her early work at the National Theatre marked her out as a talent for the agesDame Maggie Smith’s trophy cabinet reflected her extraordinary achievements across theatre, film and television – and in the biggest arenas of British and US culture, from the BBC to Hollywood, the West End to Broadway. A measure of her versatility and durability is that, in the 1960s, she played nine major roles in the formative years of the National Theatre, but also, from the start of the 2000s, appeared in five series of Downton Abbey, the ITV Sunday night series that became one of the biggest popular hits of the new millennium.Her role in that show was Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, who lived in such a bubble of exclusive comfort that, in trademark one-liners, she would drawl in mystification, for example: “What is a ‘weekend’?” That acerbic superiority was a signature throughout Smith’s career, including the part that brought her first Academy award in 1970, against a shortlist also featuring Liza Minnelli and Jane Fonda, for the title role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, adapted from Muriel Spark’s novel about a maverick, arrogant schoolteacher in Edinburgh. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2024-09-27 13:37:47 UTC ]
From #Girlboss to #Scandal, publishers are discovering a new marketing hook for hard-copy as well as online readingCan a book go viral in the same way a cat video on YouTube can? Unless its Harry Potter or Fifty Shades of Grey, probably not. So rather than simply trying to reach mass audiences,... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2014-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Gambon starred as wizard Dumbledore in the movie series based on 'Vacancy' author J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' novels. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Already in fracas with publisher Hachette, retailer pulls pre-orders such as The Lego Movie to pressure the studio over pricingFirst they came for Harry Potter's author, and now they have come for your Lego. Amazon has expanded its trade dispute with publisher Hachette by adding Warner Bros to... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2014-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The tournament is currently down to 16 contenders, with everyone from Ron Weasley of 'Harry Potter' fame to Winnie the Pooh's friend Piglet still in the running. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-03-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Specs Who Albert Tsai Age 9 Accomplishments Stars as Bert on ABC’s Trophy Wife (Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c) Base Los Angeles I’ve read that you take all of your classes online. What’s that like? Yeah, I’m homeschooled. When I’m on set, there’s a studio teacher who helps me with my work. I like it,... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2014-03-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
In an interview conducted by 'Potter' actress Emma Watson, Rowling said she's wondered whether she should have paired two of the characters, Ron and Hermione, romantically. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
In an interview conducted by 'Potter' actress Emma Watson, Rowling said she's wondered whether she should have paired two of the characters, Ron and Hermione, romantically. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The new section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios is expected to represent the Diagon Alley shopping area frequented by the wizarding world in the books. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The new section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Universal Studios is expected to represent the Diagon Alley shopping area frequented by the wizarding world in the books. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The release of the latest Hunger Games film, backlist titles such as Harry Potter and success... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-12-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The group Improv Everywhere sent an 11-year-old dressed as Harry Potter to Penn Station to ask commuters and workers where he could find Platform 9 3/4. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-11-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is named the 'nation's favourite' children's book in a vote by reading charity Booktrust. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2013-11-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
A recipe for butterbeer, a beverage beloved by 'Harry Potter' characters,' is making the rounds and fans say you can order one at Starbucks locations. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Rowling wrote her book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," when she was a single mother, receiving government benefits. She's now asking the government to step up support for Britain's poor.Without help from the British government, there might never have been a Harry Potter. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-09-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
J.K. Rowling will write a screenplay for Warner Bros. inspired by her book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."Warner Bros. is hoping "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling has another magic trick up her sleeve. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
When the U.K. newspaper the Sunday Times outed J.K. Rowling as the author of detective novel The Cuckoo's Calling earlier this year, computer scientists were among the first people called in. Although the novel was published under the pen name Robert Galbraith, two computational... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2013-09-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
In a video on 'Good Morning America' celebrating the 15th anniversary of the release of the 'Harry Potter' books in the US, Rowling singles out Dumbledore as the 'Potter' character she misses the most. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
Debut author Samantha Shannon has received plenty of pre-release buzz for her novel 'The Bone Season,' which comes out today. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
A new book by a University of Vermont professor found that 'Harry Potter' fans have similar views on political topics – with a large majority in opposition to the George W. Bush administration. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this
The new 'Harry Potter' covers, by artist and writer Kazu Kibuishi, were created to honor the 15th anniversary of the US publication of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this