Guys, check your man card at the door. This post might make you cringe from all the estrogen. Don't say I didn't warn you.
In seeking a diversion from the dizzying blur of final draft line-edits and the copious amount of holiday preparation I haven't even attempted, I offer up a concoction of romantic trivia from the past. To celebrate the latest run of The Thorn Birds on LMN and the evolution of my appreciation since I watched the miniseries the two previous times, a game of Friday True or False?:
Richard Chamberlain would have satisfied my Irishman and Father-What-a-Waste fantasies all in one deliciously bundled ten hour saga had I been born thirty years earlier (true or false?)
Okay, that was just to get you warmed up. Do I really have to answer that for you?
Seriously, here goes. Careful, some are tricky:
1. Colleen McCullough hated the ABC miniseries adaptation of her international bestselling novel (t/f).
2. The original week the miniseries aired in 1983, a major airline aired episodes during its evening flights so no passengers missed any portion of the ten hour saga (t/f).
3. The McDonald's corporation was the number one advertiser during the miniseries (t/f).
4. Rachel Ward beat out actress Jane Seymour to portray Meggie Cleary because she had a more authentic Australian accent(t/f).
5. Amongst the many technical flaws in the film, cars are seen driving on the right side of the road instead of the left, as is the norm in Australia(t/f).
6. The antique church robes used for Father Ralph's wardrobe came from a former priest who'd been excommunicated from the church(t/f).
7. Bryan Brown, the actor who portrayed Meggie's husband Luke O'Neill, and Rachel Ward fell in love on the set and remain married to this day(t/f).
8. The "ashes of roses" dress Meggie Cleary wore at her coming out party was lost in the men's bathroom at LAX during filming(t/f).
9. The sugar cane fields and beach scenes were filmed in Hawaii(t/f).
10. Christopher Plummer won a Best Supporting Actor Emmy for his portrayal of Archbishop Vitorrio(t/f).
The first blog visitor to correctly answer them all will receive an archbishop cone fashioned out of construction paper from me. Kidding. I'm feeling generous, so in addition to bragging rights, the winner will get a copy of Colleen McCullough's novel, The Thorn Birds.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
What a treat, to visit your blog and be reminded of The Thorn Birds! Thank you! 🙂
Ah, Richard Chamberlain... what a waste indeed... 🙂
Let me try my luck at the answers:
1. t
2. f
3. f
4. f
5. t
6. f
7. t
8. f
9. f
10. f
As for your first question, I think that the answer is probably yes - I was in love with him just as I was in love with Errol Flynn or Gary Cooper, or many others... It's the screen persona that matters and that is, well, immutable...
A nice weekend to you too! 🙂
Oh, what a lovely walk down memory lane. I had such a crush on him. *sigh*
I actually did watch and enjoy this miniseries, many many years ago. I have no idea, however, as to the answers to any of these questions.
back atcha, lam... since i did not see it and know little of it, will not even attempt your quiz
oooeee... my word verification: noted
Vesper...thanks for playing. You missed four, but try again. As for the Richard Chamberlain question, a hearty "yes" 🙂
Pam...you'll have to read his autobiography now. I've heard he's quite the writer...very deep and intellectual.
Charles...who would have thought? You're full of surprises.
laughingwolf...your aversion to tv is *noted* 🙂 Thanks for passing through.
Ohhh, I loved the book and movie! I drooled over R.C. during this mini series and saw him live once in a Chicago production of My Fair Lady. Your questions were tough, though...I'd be tempted to say "true" for every one of them, but I doubt that's right :).
lol... can't recall the last time i even turned it on, i get my news and info on the radio... or online 😉
I, like Charles, watched the miniseries when it first aired. My memory isn't what it used to be, so I'll pass on the questions.
Marilyn...thanks for playing 🙂 Some of them are false. I'm so happy I'm not the only one who sees past RC batting for the other team.
laughingwolf...everything in moderation, I say. Even the internet can be a vortex of wasted time.
Barbara...so good of you to stop by 🙂
Answers post Monday morning, 12 am CST, so there's still time to win the book.
Thorn Birds, ah, that brings back memories. It was fun seeing you'd popped into my blog. Yes, I did join NT, but haven't been able to make it back for a few months. Hope to make this months. Maybe I'll see you there? Take care.
I'm not sure if I've ever heard of this movie. Was Jean Claude Van Damme in it?
Clover...not sure I'll make it, but I *could* just holler over the fence 🙂
Rick...not unless he was a priest packing a weapon under his robe :O