#GeoffreyBayldon

[vicsage2005]

"If you can recognize who is - or was - Dr. Starr, then I'll consider you qualified for the position." - Asylum (1972) #robertpowell #geoffreybayldon #petercushing #barrymorse #roywardbaker #saturdayfrights #horrorpodcast #horroranthology #horrorgeek #horrorcommunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CLJlJ_qlWaq/?igshid=67oxv1s6jqim

[quadrasophics]

Wieder hat sich ein Stück unserer Kindheit verabschiedet. RIP Geoffrey Bayldon. Salmei, Dalmei, Adomei... #Catweazle #Quadrasophics #GeoffreyBayldon #ElektrikTrick #electrickery #tellingbone #bilddestages #sprüche

[doomonfilm]

Screenings : To Sir, with Love (1967)

Alamo Drafthouse definitely has the new releases and obscure cinema on lock, but every once in a while they hit us Victory Rewards members with bonafide classics.  I’m a sucker for a good classic movie, and the last notification I got was for one that holds a place near and dear to my heart : To Sir, with Love. 

Engineer Mark Thackeray (Sidney Poitier) takes an interim teaching position at the North Quay Secondary School in London’s East End while waiting for word on a job he has applied for.  The school, known for taking on troubled, last chance youth rejected from other schools, is notorious for putting teacher through the ringer, and Thackeray, in the eyes of the students, is just the next in line to receive the treatment.  The kids do their best to try Thackeray’s patience, and he does all that he can to hold without breaking, but like any normal man pushed to his limit he eventually hits a breaking point.  Upset with himself, Thackeray decides to take a different approach, relating to the young men and women with respect while serving as both a sounding board and a safe place for them.  The transition is not smooth, but eventually, after a series of moving events, he breaks through, forcing him to make one of the most difficult decisions of his life.

There really isn’t a better film out there in terms of illustrating the importance of relationships, patience, and respect.  Thackeray and the young adults that make up his class could not be from further ends of the spectrum... Thackeray’s British-Guyana origins, California education and overall style fly in the face of what Denham (Christian Roberts), Pamela Dare (Judy Geeson), Babs (Lulu) and the rest of the students understand about life and adulthood.  The kids’ irreverence, long hair, mini-skirts, leather jackets and sunglasses are all fascinating to Thackeray in the way that they make it harder for him to make a proper connection with the class.  It is only through showing them the world (and attempting to show them their place in it) that real progress is made.

The film also handles many key issues without preaching or doing it in a heavy handed manner.  Be it Theo Weston (Geoffrey Bayldon) or one of the students, Thackeray is often reminded of what many think about his race.  Class is a constant issue, with many of the students missing class due to reasons such as births in the family, jobs, chores, and even parental deaths.  Sexuality may be the issue that ‘forces’ viewers to pay it the most attention due to the dancing, Pamela’s attraction to Thackeray, the prank that the young ladies play on Thackeray, and even an admirer in the form of fellow teacher Gillian Blanchard (Suzy Kendall).  Abuse is even touched on in the form of Seales (Anthony Villaroel) (and his relationship with his father), or even the symbiotic abuse that flows between the students and the staff.

The 1960′s Swinging London aesthetic is on full, glorius display via the students the film focuses on.  All of the ladies are decked out in amazing skirts, blouses, dresses and suits that many of my women friends would kill to own.  The guys are decked out in torn jeans and leather jackets, looking like they were ripped straight off of the punk rock album covers that they eventually influenced.  Thackeray and Blanchard are decked out in some adult contemporary sharpness of their own.  The soundtrack gives the film a wonderful energy, carrying viewers out of the heavier parts and allowing moments to relax.  The slang used by both the students and their parents is rich, textured, and entertaining as repeated viewings allow deeper understanding.  The presentation of the East End is treated with respect and chock full of beauty within its run-down existence.

Sidney Poitier brings a huge level of class and style to the proceedings, emoting an honesty and respect that radiates outside of the boundaries of the film.  Judy Geeson is charming, bringing a balance of teenage cuteness and ladylike magnetism as she navigates her way through on-screen maturity.  Suzy Kendall provides a nice balance against Poitier’s composure, with her fear and curiosity shining boldly.  Lulu also brings the charm at maximum capacity, letting her singing prowess match her comedic prowess.  Christian Roberts plays the troublemaker with no hope to a tee, making his eventual understanding and growth that much more rewarding.  Chris Chittell steals more than a handful of scenes with his strong presence and intense looks.  Geoffrey Bayldon, Anthony Villaroael, Gareth Robinson, Lynne Sue Moon, The Mindbenders and the rest of the young cast all stand out, while RIta Webb, Ann Bell, and the rest of the adult cast bring a scene of real world adult frustration to the mix.

Every time the class presents Thackeray with the gift at the end of the film, the waterworks start up.  I cherish that as a testament to the power of this film, and the impression it leaves in regards to believing in people (even when they don’t believe in you).

[die-picks]

R.I.P. Geoffrey Bayldon 😢😢😢 #geoffreybayldon #catweazle #rip

[maturegems]

We here at Mature Gems extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the UK's best loved and respected actor Geoffrey Bayldon. His career which begun in theatre, span for well over 50+ years with numerous films and TV acting credits to his name.  He will no doubt be best remembered from our childhood memories for not one; but three legendary leading characters: in well loved children's series: Catwezle; Worzel Gummidge and the unmissable Magic Grandad. May he rest in peace.... #geoffreybayldon #actor #theatre #films #catweazle #worzelgummidge #magicgrandad #tvseries #legend #icon #rip

[omegadj1-blog]

#geoffreybayldon aka #catweazle #restinpeace 🙏🏿 #restinpower ✊🏿

[mistfunk]

Mistigram: @horsenburger #teletext portrait of #GeoffreyBayldon as time-travelling wizard #Catweazle. This screen was included in the television-themed MIST0718 artpack collection released one year ago. (Another television-themed collection is in the works for later this month!) https://ift.tt/2XqCjm9

[edwinbressers]

http://twitter.com/EdwinBressers/status/862723317068955648

RIP #geoffreybayldon #catweazle een van mijn jeugdhelden http://pic.twitter.com/7jf3NpBaMQ

— Edwin Bressers (@EdwinBressers) May 11, 2017

via Twitter https://twitter.com/EdwinBressers May 11, 2017 at 07:37PM