RIP GMF

[Clyde Penquin]

Not exactly Plum-related, but Mr. Wodehouse *did* offer warm praise
on the publication of one of this man's early novels; that counts a
bit, doesn't it? If not, kindly excuse my indiscretion, to the
degree you perceive this to be off-topic.

I've just learned that George MacDonald Fraser has handed in his
lunchpail. Back in January 2008, apparently. Sad, but he left
quite a fine body of work.

For those who haven't read the "Flashman" novels, I must say I like
them quite well. For those who don't like them--my beloved bride
for one--you still might admit the man was quite a fine stylist.

<sigh> Adieu, Mr. Fraser.

[Low Life #3]

"Clyde Penquin" <***@springmind.com> wrote in message news:***@earthlink.com...

The Pyrates is an outstanding read with perhaps the best opening paragraph
I've ever read (though it goes on for two pages).

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Low Life #3
The Pyrates is an outstanding read with perhaps the best opening paragraph
I've ever read (though it goes on for two pages).

I don't recall the opening of _Pyrates_, though I enjoyed the book
quite a bit--one long laugh.

The Flashman novels are favorites of mine; Fraser was, it seems to
me, a very careful stylist, not to mention a very funny writer. I
never seem to hit one of hose sentences in Frasier, nor in PGW's
work--one of those sentences that stops you a second as you think
"What is THAT supposed to mean?" or "What an awkward way to have
phrased that."

Mind you, I'm reading them for entertainment, Plum and Fraser both,
not because they wrote so well. :-) Rather amazing, isn't it, how
PGW's work remains fresh and delightful, 80 years after it was written?

[Low Life #3]

"Clyde Penquin" <***@springmind.com> wrote in message news:***@earthlink.com...

: Rather amazing, isn't it, how PGW's work remains fresh and delightful, 80
years after it was written?

Quite. G. M. Fraser is also credited with co-writing the screen-plays for
The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, which were delightful romps.

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Low Life #3
Quite. G. M. Fraser is also credited with co-writing the screen-plays for
The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, which were delightful romps.

I only saw the first of those--don't get to the talkies that
often--but it was quite good. Oliver Reed, wasn't it?

I also enjoyed _The General Danced at Dawn_ more than a little.
Wish I could find my copy but it's hiding itself somewhere.

[Mike Schilling]

Post by Clyde Penquin

Post by Low Life #3
Quite. G. M. Fraser is also credited with co-writing the
screen-plays for The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, which
were delightful romps.

I only saw the first of those--don't get to the talkies that
often--but it was quite good. Oliver Reed, wasn't it?

Yes. They're actually a single movie, filmed at the same time, but broken
up into two pieces that were released seperately. (Though no one told the
actors, who were originally paid for only one.)

[Clyde Penquin]

Post by Mike Schilling

Post by Low Life #3
screen-plays for The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers,

Yes. They're actually a single movie, filmed at the same time, but broken
up into two pieces that were released seperately. (Though no one told the
actors, who were originally paid for only one.)

I once heard an interview with the actor Martin Landau. He was
remarkably interesting; intelligent, funny, articulate. At one
point he discussed having worked with Alfred Hitchcock in his young
days, and he quoted Hitch--in a lovely imitation of AH's voice--as
saying this:

"Maaahtin, deah boy, I *nevah* said actors were cattle! I merely
said one should TREAT them like cattle."

[charles stone-Tolcher]

I do not have any of the Flashman novels but have read a couple. I do have

Fraser's "McAuslan in the Rough" though and it is hilarious.
Pillingshot
Not exactly Plum-related, but Mr. Wodehouse *did* offer warm praise on the
publication of one of this man's early novels; that counts a bit, doesn't
it? If not, kindly excuse my indiscretion, to the degree you perceive
this to be off-topic.
I've just learned that George MacDonald Fraser has handed in his
lunchpail. Back in January 2008, apparently. Sad, but he left quite a
fine body of work.
For those who haven't read the "Flashman" novels, I must say I like them
quite well. For those who don't like them--my beloved bride for one--you
still might admit the man was quite a fine stylist.
<sigh> Adieu, Mr. Fraser.