Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee

Subject: Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 05:20 PM

Work is starting on a new idependant film on the extraordinary life of John 'Babbacombe' Lee. A humble undertaking, done on a tiny budget hopefully will convey some of the angst and unbelievable nature of his peculiar story. This post acts as an unofficial announcement and also casting call to folks in the DC/VA area. Actors and folk musicians may contact us via Mudcat or at [e-mail]. The story and music is based on Fairport Convention's landmark 1971 album 'Babbacombe' Lee. Mr Lee is railroaded for a particularly gruesome murder in Victorian England. Knowing he is innocent he has a prophetic dream before his scheduled execution assuring him no harm will come. In a twist of fate the gallows failed 3 times the next day and his sentance was commuted to life in prison. Many petitions and years later he is unceremoniously dumped into freedoms hand again. Newly freed Lee is then off on a memoir writing and book signing whirlwind after which he mysteriously disappears again leaving a new life and responsibilities behind. A couple of silent films were produced after these series of bizarre events in the early 20th century. I believe this is the first attempt at such an endeavor since the worlds attention was briefly focused on the story some 100 years ago....'Drop away'
Dulcimerjohn

Subject: RE: Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 06:26 PM

Any plans to get Harold Pinter to do the screenplay so that the two possible "new life" locations of Australia or the US can be incorporated in the script? Or for a cameo appearance of Dave Swarbrick brandishing the old newspapers he found in a junk shop?

Subject: RE: Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 11:10 PM

Hi Diane, I think most of the production will be home-grown..we do have lots of talent out here. John's 'dissapearance' and the speculation that followed will undoubtedly not be omitted from the story. Have contacted Swarby about rights to do it and yes, I'd love it if he were in any way involved. Feeling nervous and excited about starting this project. Cheers, j

Subject: RE: Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 11:20 PM

I used to walk past Exeter prison (where it all happened) every day when I was a student at the technical college there.

Subject: RE: Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 06:30 PM

'the echo of my heartbeat is the beating of a drum,
and all the earth is singing with life's sweet humm'..Swarb/Lee

Subject: RE: Indy film re John 'Babbacombe' Lee
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 07:02 PM

'one less man, one less world.....'

from George Orwell's essay, 'A Hanging'.

Subject: Babbacombe Lee Movie help
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 08:52 PM

Work has started on the movie project here in Va on John 'Babbacombe' Lee..anyone interested in this admittedly low budget project may contact me here or at [e-mail]. Actors/camera/film etc folks needed, project is here in rappahannock co (75 miles west of DC) mostly bartering for payment, labor of love/experience etc. Thanks, Dulcimerjohn

Subject: RE: Babbacombe Lee Movie help
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Nov 08 - 09:05 PM

No, we are watching the world change as Barac sails forth

Subject: 'Babbacombe Lee' movie project starting
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 05 Nov 08 - 10:48 AM

Work is starting on our indy film project re John 'Babbacombe' Lee. Filming is in rappahannock county va over the next few months. Anyone interested in potentially acting/tech help/other may contact me here or at [e-mail]. The Merkles will do some of Fairports originals as well as other unique accompanyments. "Drop away" John

Subject: RE: 'Babbacombe Lee' movie project starting
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 03:54 AM

Any news or updates on this one?
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 09:04 AM

Hey folks in the UK, we've started work on the independant film about John 'Babbacombe' Lee. Any help on 'consulting' regarding authenticity would be greatly appreciated. We've done some good homework but would love to speak with interested folks over the pond. Thanks, Dulcimerjohn

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: johnadams
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 09:12 AM

Coincidence! I played a track from the John Babbacombe Lee album by Fairport Convention on my radio show yesterday. I don't normally like 'concept' albums but that's one I make an exception for.

Sorry I can't help with the research but I look forward to seeing the film escape in due course. It's an odd story.

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 04:12 AM

I would think that just being interested in Authenticity is a good starting point. Most film makers don't bother...

What help there is on Mudcat might depend on what it is you want to be authentic. There are a number of 'catters interested in dating verifiable dates and printed sources for tunes, lyrics and songs (people singing a song in a period piece, many years before it was written, is often a big gaffe in films).
A quick web search tells me that the murder took place in 1885 and there are photographs of Lee himself and of the house, plus copies taken from contemporary newspapers (www.ianwaugh.com/murderresearch .
The time frame for the events ought to be well documented, but it may be that mudcatters who live in or around Devon may be able to add local colour and background to the area.
It sounds like a worthwhile project.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 06:18 AM

I'd try the Local Studies or Local History section of the Devon County Council libraries and museums. They're going to be the 'on the spot reporter' as it were and are bound to have something.

Try Googling 'Devon County Council' and see what contacts you come up with.

Good luck.

LTS

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 06:42 AM

I used to walk past exeter prison where it all happened,
every day on the way to college,

georgian Silver was a cop in Exeter at one time. he may have some thoughts.

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 10:04 AM

Appreciate the responses..we had our 2nd meeting of the film crew last night-lots of good brainstorming. We are energized about the project and even though most are non-actors we are starting to have some key production folks sign on. Swarb has given us permission to do stuff from the record of which we plan to do 'Sailors Song' as a period piece being played in the background at the 'Cary Arms' and 'Dream' as a thematic piece(with trippy dreamlike visuals). Proper English accents are gonna be tough..but we're gonna try (perhaps with some voice-overs). Will look into the leads you guys graciously provided. Drop Away..John

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: Tradsinger
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 01:05 PM

What do you mean, English accents? We English don't have accents.

Seriously, when I was collecting songs in Hampshire in the early 70s, I was given a handwritten ballad of the Death of John Lee. Also, Peter Kennedy collected a different version in Devon. So far as I know, these are the only 2 versions in the tradition. Is this information of any use to you?

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: Teribus
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 08:30 AM

Great story, absolutely crap album

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 08:51 AM

Know what you mean Teribus - I was never a great fan of the album. But the TV show about it at the time with Carthy and a hangman, was quite entertaining.

I see what you mean about the English accent. perhaps you should go for realism rather than naturalism.

All the working class people perhaps sounding Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins. All the posh people like the bloke with a top hat in the wacky races.

After all its a comedy of manners. It requires a degree of politeness to stand there and let someone try and hang you, three times.

Subject: RE: Brit help with Babbacombe Lee film
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 27 Nov 08 - 10:00 AM

Busy with fam stuff later today..happy thanksgiving by the way(assuming Brits celebrate). Excited to be doing this film, it's been a long time coming. I'm a longtime britcom fan so think I have the inflections down pretty good, we'll see about other cast members. I'm envisioning it being fairly visually interesting(Terry Gilliam is my fav director) with strange angles, low-tech effects and projections. I realize Brits would probably be the harshest critics re accents/authenticity, I hope to not dissappoint on either score too badly. Many of us are neophytes at this but we are having some key prduction/musical/consulting help. I'd like to do this extraordinary story justice. Thanks again, John

Subject: Babbacombe Lee Film shooting soon
From: GUEST,Dulcimerjohn
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 10:25 AM

Script is nearly finished and casting close to complete for the Indie film 'The Man They Couldn't Hang'. We are shooting in the Washington DC area and farmland west of town. Hopes are that we will shoot within the month and be complete in 6. Swarb has allowed us to do songs from his recording, we will use 'Sailors Song' and 'Dream' the latter with some intense projections/choreography. Hope it'll be a big hit with folks like Catters! Your comments/questions are welcome. Cheers, Dulcimerjohn

Subject: Babbacombe Lee Film shooting soon
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 04:31 PM

We will be filming within 2 weeks and hope to be done in in post production by mid may. Larry Keel of newgrass fame will make a cameo acting appearance. As fate would have it..we hope to be released 100 years after the first 'The Man They Couldn't Hang' it being produced in 1909. Hope some catters might see it. Dulcimerjohn

Subject: Babbacombe Lee Film wrapped/editing
From: GUEST,Dulcimerjohn
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 07:56 PM

'The Man They Couldn't Hang' will be finished soon by independent filmmakers Ashby Films. The Merkles do a couple of the Fairport songs and Larry Keel adds to the score as well as English folkie Issy Emeny. Wondring how forgiving folks in the UK will be with American actors-given the Devon accent is closest to 'American' I've heard. Most of our attempted English accents are passable here but detectable there I'm sure. We have some great sets in Rappahannock Co. Va..also wondering about how it'll be viewed not being the west country of England. I think the acting will shine through (many of the sets are inside as well) as will the notorious and amazing story. Any festivals that might particularly be appropriate for showing it in the UK? etc Other advice? Thanks, John

Subject: RE: Babbacombe Lee Film wrapped/editing
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 10:25 AM

I remember years ago a TV documentary here in the UK on the life of John "Babbacombe" Lee, made in and around Babbacombe, where the filming of it was reputedly plagued by all sorts of paranormal activity (can't remember specific incidents, too long ago). Did anything like that happen with this American film? Or maybe it was filmed far enough away from the original setting to escape that.

Joan

Subject: RE: Babbacombe Lee Film wrapped/editing
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 10:42 PM

I just saw the documentary with interviews by Swarb et al. Actually ..it's seemed to go the other way..hope I haven't jinxed us (not done yet). Maybe it's the near 100 year anniversary of Lee's release that has secured his blessing from the grave..heh. I had heard there was another attempted film in the 80s that went afoul because so many things went wrong. They tabled the film. For our first film (a daunting endeavor) things have amazingly fallen into place sometimes..seemed weird. Still does. The film will 'escape' to festivals this fall and then hopefully to big screens..perhaps one in Devon or Torquay..john

Subject: RE: Babbacombe Lee Film wrapped/editing
From: nickp
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 03:50 AM

I'll look forward to seeing it.

Subject: RE: Babbacombe Lee Film wrapped/editing
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 05:10 PM

I'll look forward to seeing it too.

Joan

Subject: RE: Babbacombe Lee Film wrapped/editing
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 26 Jul 09 - 11:08 AM

The case was so big then that ALL the papers carried the story and for the illiterate songs were sung in the street. Be fun to collect em. Will post when we are truly done and where to view etc. Drop Away! john

Subject: Babbacombe Lee film clips
From: GUEST,dulcimerjohn
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:11 PM

Our indie 'The Man They Couldn't Hang'
will be released soon. There are a couple clips you may see at raggedmountainvoice.org. One clip is a portion of the 'dream' in which my band (Merkles) do our version of Fairport's 'Dream'. I know we'll take a little heat on the accents but I hope many mudcatters eventually get to see it. It'll be online and available on dvd. Thanks, John Hallberg ps will direct you to site and info soon.

Subject: Babbacombe Lee film release
From: GUEST,Dulcimerjohn
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 11:28 PM

Ashby Films 'The Man They Couldn't Hang' had it's local (Va) premiere recently and is set to have it's world premiere soon. Info may be seen at http://johnleefilm.com. There is the possibility that the film may be shown at or around Cropredy this year. Cheers, john