In reply to:

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Tony:
Definitely get the novels and read them that way.

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Nooooooooo. Get the radio series. Apart from the fact that the radio series is the definitive HHGTTG, you'll also not be tempted to read the abomination that is Mostly Harmless.

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Tony:
No. The BBC-TV version sucked.

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I'd have to disagree. The casting was superb (well, I agree about Sandra Dickinson - by the way, she was then married to Peter Davison who played the "dish of the day" in the Restaurant At The End Of The Universe scene) and I still can't watch anything with Stephen Moore in it without thinking of Marvin. Unfortunately, the voice of the book, Peter Jones, died only a couple of months back.

The effects were, for their time, excellent too. Did you know that all the book graphics were hand drawn - they spent a massive part of their budget on that. Another large part of the budget was spent on Zaphod's head, which caused several delays in filming when it kept breaking down.

It always amuses me when somebody slates something for being low budget. Surely story, actors and production is much more important? That, for me anyway, is certainly true of Blakes 7, Red Dwarf, and to a lesser extent, Dr Who.

In reply to:

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Tony:
Fortunately, Douglas is working on a feature film version now,

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And is, apparently fighting against Hollywood's attempt to bastardise the story beyond recognition (the hero is, of course, American. He does, of course, save the world etc. etc. etc.) HHGTTG has been 'in production' several times. Each of those times, Douglas Adams has had the conviction, presence of mind and guts to pull it out after writers, directors and producers wanted to change the whole point of his story. Hopes are, though, high for the latest venture, but we'll see.

The problem I've got with high-budget films is that where there is a story, they detract from it. Then, there's the fact that you can only get so much into a film anyway. Well, like I said, we'll see.

In reply to:

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Bryan:
How may I fulfil your vertical transport requirements for today?

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Ah, go stick your head in a pig.

Nick.

PS - Just so this is even vaguely Empeg related - How's about some sort of short, snappy and associative catch phrase for the unit? Like The Guide's "Don't Panic".


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Edited by bonzi on 12/9/00 08:12 AM.

"I'm a great Ozophile, and I think it would be great to have an Australian or two in the cast. In fact, my ideal cast would be very international. I completely understand the point of view of those who would like the cast to be entirely British, but in fact even the radio series had a mix of accents, and I think that an all British cast would be as artificial as an all American cast. The Galaxy isn't British or American!

When it comes down to it, my principle is this - Arthur should be British. The rest of the cast should be decided purely on merit and not on nationality."

"But there is one solid, straightforward piece of good news I can pass on, which is that I finished an all-new draft of the screenplay last week and Jay loves it. It's the first time in all these years that we've had a screenplay which clearly works and seems to solve all the problems of it needing to be both a real version of Hitchhiker and also a proper movie. It's been a very hard circle to square."

In reply to:

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Which Rumor Mill sites have you been reading?

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I was at a reading/Q&A/signing for Mostly Harmless (spit) when it was first published. Somebody asked about films and that was what he said.

Nick.


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In reply to:

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Where should I start?

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Information on "primary phase" and "secondary phase" is rather scant, so I don't know what they are. To be the entire radio series, they would have to have 6 episodes each (I may be speaking crap, and I can't find any reference to it on the net, but I seem to remember that it ran over one series of 5 episodes, and one of 6 with 1 special (Christmas?)).

I bought a box set of six CDs, two episodes on each, but looking around now, I can't find that for sale anywhere any more.

Nick.
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"Yes, there is a way around this. Quite simply, we can and will add Alaska to the shipping list for the services of Royal Air Mail only. There is an issue with the couriers as to which tariff certain areas within Alaska fall under. However, the exclusion was based on an old courier company that we used, we have since changed our shipping services so that we could offer better rates and more flexiblity and therefore apologies for misleading you (or your friend). We do still offer the UPS for the USA but not for Alaska, this is to do with our individual tariff which excludes certain areas. The site information regarding this subject will be amended and Alaska will be added to the list this afternoon (UK time) so that your friend can make his order.

Thank you for your comments and for drawing this matter to our attention.

Kind regards
Mary Ridout"

In reply to:

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I was going to, but got too busy yesterday. Since they did take such prompt and efficient action on my behalf, it kind of behooves me now to order it from them, even though it will cost me a few dollars more. I like the idea of supporting them directly anyway, rather than indirectly through Amazon.

[two minute pause...]

There, it is now ordered. Their website still says "48 contiguous states only" but I am taking Ms. Ridout at her word that they will really send it to Alaska. I hope their carrier knows how to drive a dogsled... :-)

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Nice sentiment, Doug. They promissed me to add Croatia to shipping list, but since they still didn't do that after three days, I ended up ordering at Amazon, anyway. It turns out I saved some $15 (28GBP including shipping vs. 33GBP plus shipping). (If they do add Croatia soon, I might order a T-shirt, mug or something from them to compensate )

Dragi "Bonzi" Raos
Zagreb, Croatia
Q#5196, MkII#80000376, 18GB green