Latest news with #Gregory'sGirl
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Film crews for new BBC drama in Cumbernauld shopping centre
People couldn't contain their excitement as cameras were set up inside The Centre on Wednesday, May 21, to film for the upcoming eight-part series Mint. The shopping centre commented on the filming, they said: "The Centre Cumbernauld hosted the filming of the new BBC drama 'Mint' today on site. "It stars Emma Laird, Sam Riley, Laura Fraser, Lewis Gribben, Lindsay Duncan and Ben Coyle-Larner. "Sadly, the Centre Manager's big break was left on the cutting room floor!" The Centre houses over 50 national and local shops. One local business owner asked if his shop would be featured: "That's my shop!! Will the shop signs be in the drama?" One local shared how positive they thought it was for the area: "Great for Cumbernauld, at last, someone is taking notice of a good place to live." Another said it might spark an influx of tourists: "Bus loads of tourists will visit Cumbernauld now." READ MORE: Scottish music icon 'needed a moment' at 'emotional' Glasgow gig The shopping centre is close to some of the filming locations for the classic Scottish film, Gregory's Girl. Joking about how close the location was to the iconic film, one person joked: "Gregory in the background ragin dain keepy-ups." The 1980s film directed by Bill Forysth is a coming-of-age romantic comedy where 'gangly teen Gregory and his schoolmates are starting to find out about girls'. READ MORE: Man charged over alleged 'fight' on busy Glasgow road after Scottish Cup Final The film is set in and around a state secondary school in the Abronhill district of Cumbernauld. The Glasgow Times previously reported on multiple street closures around the city in the past few months for the filming of Mint. The BBC revealed casting information in March for Mint, a "darkly comic and unconventional drama" about a crime family's inner drama. The series is created, written and directed by Charlotte Regan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind award-winning movie Scrapper. It will star Loyle Carner, Emma Laird, Sam Riley, Laura Fraser, Lewis Gribben and Lindsay Duncan.
The Herald Scotland
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
10 films from Scotland that Donald Trump might just love
Local Hero (Image: Moviestore Collection/REX) Isn't this the greatest story ever told? Drill baby drill. Burt Lancaster was fantastic as the American oil man so clever he convinces the locals he's been bamboozled by their coughing and cutesy ways, while all the time he sets out to annex the sh*t out of them. Love it, baby. And it proves that if you throw enough dollars on the table, then Greenland and Canada will join the Trump party too. Braveheart Braveheart (Image: free) Some newspaper critic once said this movie 'serves up a great big steaming pile of haggis,' that it got its dates all wrong, that Wallace came from Renfrewshire – not some Highland hut – and that everyone looks like they're appearing in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and points out that Wallace's girlfriend has perfect teeth. But didn't they also have very good dentists in the 13th century? Fake news, baby. And why was this movie deemed a little homophobic? Who's to say Edward 2nd didn't sprance around the French palace in baby blue crushed velvet? As you know, I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist, and I think the movie was right on the money. And for those who say Wallace couldn't have impregnated Isabella of France, because she would have been nine at the time in 1304, well that's just the sort of fake news you would expect from Macron's people. Gregory's Girl Gregory's Girl (Image: free) At first, I didn't like this guy, Gregory. He couldn't score, and unlike me the blondes didn't take to him at all. And he clearly wasn't a team player, like me. But it's a great movie because it teaches young guys what foxes women can be, that they're all Hilarys and Kamalas at heart, like the one he ended up, from the pop band who sings Happy Birthday all time. And if you're not careful women will have you lying on the grass and doing hand dancing. And what good is that? Trainspotting Begbie bar fight scene from Trainspotting. Filmed in the Crosslands bar, Glasgow (Image: unknown) Doncha just love the honesty in this movie, when Rent Boy declares it's sh*** being Scottish, and points out how Scotland has been colonised by England. And what he was really saying was the truth; let's not be colonised by England, but by America. Make Scotland Great Again. And hats with MSGA will be available in my golf shop in Turnberry any day now. Fifty bucks each. Awesome baby. A bigly idea. Restless Natives Restless Natives (Image: free) Beautiful story. About two lovable rogues – they could be JD Vance and me, couldn't they? – although JD is definitely the one in the clown mask, who take money from the tourists who have been leeching off their beautiful country for the longest time. And why shouldn't you tariff the tourists? And if they help make Scotland great again, how can you not love it? Greyfriar's Bobby My old Scots friend Janey Godley one described me as a 'Greyfriar's Bobby', and I took it to mean that she thought me a very, very loyal, sorta guy, the kind who find themselves surrounded each day by local kids all wearing big saucer-shaped Bisto caps and nice ladies from Morningside who were kind, although not that good looking. And I guess she thought I was the kinda guy who would sleep in a cold, damp cemetery for 14 years to be close to the person I loved most. And it's true. I would sleep next to me any day. Whisky Galore Whisky Galore (Image: free) My Mama loved this movie, being an island girl herself, which is all about showing the big guys you can't be pushed around, and if you have to break a few little laws then why not? I can't stand Scotch myself, but Mama loved a glass with her porridge in the morning. And I guess Diet Coke Galore doesn't have the same ring. Great Escape I love prison movies. I love anything to do with Alcatraz, any way you can lock up people who eat cats. And I know this is not really a Scottish movie, but it featured only these wonderful Scottish actors, who were so brave and so defiant, like Mr Hudson from Upstairs Downstairs, one of the Men From Uncle and Wee Shughie McFee from Crossroads - who all led the way to freedom against evil with nothing but kitchen spoons to dig their way out. But we've got shovels these days to show China what we're made of. Yes, I know the Escape guys all died at the end, but don't we all at some time? Although I'm told if you drink enough bleach you can push that off almost indefinitely. The Wicker Man The Wicker Man (Image: free) I love the theme of human sacrifice, because all of us humans have to sacrifice something, right? That's what I said to Zebedee, or Zelensky, or whatever his name is. I said, 'Look at me, I've sacrificed my freedom as an individual to make America great again, I've given up on my ego.' He looked at me in awe, which told me he agreed totally. But back to the movie. Isn't it great that men are portrayed in roles of power and women are hypersexualized and isn't this the way it should be? What's the point of sexy underwear if you can't wear it in a movie? I know Scottish underwear relies on a lot of heavy flannel, but that can work too. But wasn't it great that Britt Ekland didn't have to wear any, although I hear Rod wasn't too happy about it, but then he doesn't play golf, and he used to wear Spandex trousers so who the hell cares? Geordie Young handsome guy with great hair and a beautiful smile becomes champion of the world... You can see why I love this film. Okay, I've never slept with my feet out the window on a cold winter's night, except the time Stormy ran over my toes with the golf buggy. What's also great about this movie is Geordie wasn't seduced by the Russian with the big biceps – that would have been a terrible thing – but the moral of this movie is sometimes you've gotta kiss a little ass to get what you want, which is the cute babe with the fruit in her hat and world domination.
The Herald Scotland
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
10 films from Scotchland that could escape Trump's bigly tariffs
Local Hero (Image: Moviestore Collection/REX) Isn't this the greatest story ever told? Drill baby drill. Burt Lancaster was fantastic as the American oil man so clever he convinces the locals he's been bamboozled by their coughing and cutesy ways, while all the time he sets out to annex the sh*t out of them. Love it, baby. And it proves that if you throw enough dollars on the table, then Greenland and Canada will join the Trump party too. Braveheart Braveheart (Image: free) Some newspaper critic once said this movie 'serves up a great big steaming pile of haggis,' that it got its dates all wrong, that Wallace came from Renfrewshire – not some Highland hut – and that everyone looks like they're appearing in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and points out that Wallace's girlfriend has perfect teeth. But didn't they also have very good dentists in the 13th century? Fake news, baby. And why was this movie deemed a little homophobic? Who's to say Edward 2nd didn't sprance around the French palace in baby blue crushed velvet? As you know, I have so many fabulous friends who happen to be gay, but I am a traditionalist, and I think the movie was right on the money. And for those who say Wallace couldn't have impregnated Isabella of France, because she would have been nine at the time in 1304, well that's just the sort of fake news you would expect from Macron's people. Gregory's Girl Gregory's Girl (Image: free) At first, I didn't like this guy, Gregory. He couldn't score, and unlike me the blondes didn't take to him at all. And he clearly wasn't a team player, like me. But it's a great movie because it teaches young guys what foxes women can be, that they're all Hilarys and Kamalas at heart, like the one he ended up, from the pop band who sings Happy Birthday all time. And if you're not careful women will have you lying on the grass and doing hand dancing. And what good is that? Trainspotting Begbie bar fight scene from Trainspotting. Filmed in the Crosslands bar, Glasgow (Image: unknown) Doncha just love the honesty in this movie, when Rent Boy declares it's sh*** being Scottish, and points out how Scotland has been colonised by England. And what he was really saying was the truth; let's not be colonised by England, but by America. Make Scotland Great Again. And hats with MSGA will be available in my golf shop in Turnberry any day now. Fifty bucks each. Awesome baby. A bigly idea. Restless Natives Restless Natives (Image: free) Beautiful story. About two lovable rogues – they could be JD Vance and me, couldn't they? – although JD is definitely the one in the clown mask, who take money from the tourists who have been leeching off their beautiful country for the longest time. And why shouldn't you tariff the tourists? And if they help make Scotland great again, how can you not love it? Greyfriar's Bobby My old Scots friend Janey Godley one described me as a 'Greyfriar's Bobby', and I took it to mean that she thought me a very, very loyal, sorta guy, the kind who find themselves surrounded each day by local kids all wearing big saucer-shaped Bisto caps and nice ladies from Morningside who were kind, although not that good looking. And I guess she thought I was the kinda guy who would sleep in a cold, damp cemetery for 14 years to be close to the person I loved most. And it's true. I would sleep next to me any day. Whisky Galore Whisky Galore (Image: free) My Mama loved this movie, being an island girl herself, which is all about showing the big guys you can't be pushed around, and if you have to break a few little laws then why not? I can't stand Scotch myself, but Mama loved a glass with her porridge in the morning. And I guess Diet Coke Galore doesn't have the same ring. Great Escape I love prison movies. I love anything to do with Alcatraz, any way you can lock up people who eat cats. And I know this is not really a Scottish movie, but it featured only these wonderful Scottish actors, who were so brave and so defiant, like Mr Hudson from Upstairs Downstairs, one of the Men From Uncle and Wee Shughie McFee from Crossroads - who all led the way to freedom against evil with nothing but kitchen spoons to dig their way out. But we've got shovels these days to show China what we're made of. Yes, I know the Escape guys all died at the end, but don't we all at some time? Although I'm told if you drink enough bleach you can push that off almost indefinitely. The Wicker Man The Wicker Man (Image: free) I love the theme of human sacrifice, because all of us humans have to sacrifice something, right? That's what I said to Zebedee, or Zelensky, or whatever his name is. I said, 'Look at me, I've sacrificed my freedom as an individual to make America great again, I've given up on my ego.' He looked at me in awe, which told me he agreed totally. But back to the movie. Isn't it great that men are portrayed in roles of power and women are hypersexualized and isn't this the way it should be? What's the point of sexy underwear if you can't wear it in a movie? I know Scottish underwear relies on a lot of heavy flannel, but that can work too. But wasn't it great that Britt Ekland didn't have to wear any, although I hear Rod wasn't too happy about it, but then he doesn't play golf, and he used to wear Spandex trousers so who the hell cares? Geordie Young handsome guy with great hair and a beautiful smile becomes champion of the world... You can see why I love this film. Okay, I've never slept with my feet out the window on a cold winter's night, except the time Stormy ran over my toes with the golf buggy. What's also great about this movie is Geordie wasn't seduced by the Russian with the big biceps – that would have been a terrible thing – but the moral of this movie is sometimes you've gotta kiss a little ass to get what you want, which is the cute babe with the fruit in her hat and world domination.
Scotsman
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Local Hero a threat to US national security? Alcatraz may await the culprits
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In the 1970s, the idea of a Scottish film being an international success was almost laughable. Then along came wonderful movies like Local Hero and Gregory's Girl and, suddenly, we were a hit. However, while Peter Capaldi, John Gordon Sinclair and Clare Grogan didn't realise it, these successes made them threats to US national security. No one else realised either – until self-proclaimed 'very stable genius' Donald Trump worked it all out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Actor Peter Riegert, who played 'Mac' MacIntyre, inside the famous phone box in the film Local Hero | Contributed 'The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States...' he posted. 'This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat.'
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Paddy Higson obituary
The film and television producer Paddy Higson, who has died aged 83 from cancer, was Scotland's pre-eminent fixer and facilitator. She helped capture the nation's sensibility in the early films of the director Bill Forsyth, among them the hit romantic comedy Gregory's Girl (1981). Of this cultural predisposition toward the wry and whimsical, Higson observed: 'Perhaps it is the old Scottish feeling that if we didn't laugh, we'd cry.' But her portfolio also included episodes of the crime series Taggart, as well as the harrowing Silent Scream (1990), about the poet and convicted murderer Larry Winters, who died of a drugs overdose in HMP Barlinnie's special unit in Glasgow in 1977. Iain Glen won the Silver Bear at the Berlin film festival for his lead performance. David Hayman, who directed Silent Scream, called Higson 'the mother of the Scottish film industry'. Her ethos as a producer, he said, was: 'Everything is possible until proven otherwise.' That philosophy came in handy on projects where the entire budget would not have paid for the doughnuts on a studio film. This was true of Forsyth's disarming debut That Sinking Feeling (1979), a comedy about a group of unemployed Glaswegians who plan to get rich by stealing and reselling a consignment of stainless steel sinks. Shot for just £5,000, the picture made it into the Guinness Book of Records on account of having the lowest budget of any theatrical release at the time. The cast was drawn largely from the Glasgow Youth Theatre, and some of the crew members had no film experience. Higson was production supervisor. 'Everybody was prepared to work their guts out,' she said. The Observer's Philip French, who compared That Sinking Feeling favourably to the Ealing Studios comedies, later said the film was 'among the happiest surprises of my years as a movie critic'. It received a retrospective commercial boost and a US release on the back of the international success of Gregory's Girl, in which a gawky schoolboy (John Gordon Sinclair, who made his debut in That Sinking Feeling) becomes infatuated with the footballer (Dee Hepburn) who replaces him on the school team. Higson was production supervisor on the film. She was born Patricia Frew in Belfast, where her father, Gordon, a civil engineer and later hotelier, was briefly stationed during the second world war. Her mother, Winifred (nee MacIntyre), was a florist. Raised in Glasgow, Paddy was educated at Laurel Bank school. Her hopes of going on to Glasgow School of Art were stymied by her father. Instead, she spent a year in France as an au pair. On returning to the UK, she got a secretarial job first at the Savoy and then at the BBC, where she later became personal assistant to the radio producer John Gray. It was he who first encouraged her towards film-making. At BBC Scotland, she met the editor Patrick Higson, who in 1965 became her first husband. She left the BBC in 1967 to have their children. After Patrick set up the independent film company Viz with Murray Grigor, Higson began to help with catering and booking accommodation for crews. Early productions included Big Banana Feet (1977), a documentary following Billy Connolly on tour in Ireland. On its recent re-release, the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw called it 'a 70s time capsule as pungent as a brimming pub ashtray'. Also in 1977, Viz was asked to produce the Scottish side of a New Zealand television period drama, The Mackenzie Affair. As the only person at the company who was free at the time, Higson stepped in, overseeing a crew of 40 for five weeks in the Highlands village of Ullapool. 'We got through by winging it,' she said. The experience set her on the path to producing. Following her double whammy with Forsyth, she chose to spend time with her children rather than working on the director's next film, Local Hero (1983). She was back on board, though, for the glorious Comfort and Joy (1984), in which a radio DJ, played by Bill Paterson, is unwittingly caught up in a war between Glasgow's rival ice-cream vans. She also produced Charles Gormley's comedy-drama Living Apart Together (1982), starring the pop singer BA Robertson as a musician whose life is in turmoil. In 1983, she and her husband established Antonine Productions, but Patrick died later that year. Antonine's first film, The Girl in the Picture, was released in 1985. Directed by Cary Parker on a modest budget in the leafy West End of Glasgow, this was another romantic comedy starring Sinclair as a lovelorn young man – a photographer in this case – pining over a woman (his ex-girlfriend, played by Irina Brook, daughter of the theatre director Peter). Keen not to be accused of recycling Gregory's Girl, Higson said: 'We tried very hard to come up with someone other than John Gordon Sinclair for the star part. But no one else could have done it so well.' Her most challenging production to date, released in the same year, was Restless Natives, a comedy about modern-day bandits in the Scottish Highlands who become a tourist attraction in their own right. At £1.25m, it was Higson's largest budget. 'There was a big crew and quite a large cast, and it was a bit like moving an army without the time to do it,' she said. The film has now been turned into a stage musical, currently touring venues in Scotland. Higson next bought the old Black Cat cinema in the Parkland district of Glasgow and transformed it into Black Cat Studios. As well as being used for Antonine's projects, it was hired out to others and became Scotland's largest independent film and TV production centre. Business grew scarce. In an interview with the Scotsman in 1989, the producer Andy Park called Higson 'a real ambassador for all the film-making world' but pointed out that 'the trouble is that in terms of work she has a drip feed, she doesn't have a water supply'. The company went into liquidation in 1991. In 1993, the Scottish Film Production Fund appointed her to the board as one of its directors. That year, she worked on Taggart, where one of her proudest achievements was to see to it that the show's star, Mark McManus, was given a trailer. 'They were doing his makeup in a pub,' she said in dismay. Other TV producing credits included Dalziel and Pascoe (1997) and Monarch of the Glen (2000). Among her later work were two films by the actor-director Peter Mullan: the absurdist black comedy Orphans (1998) and The Magdalene Sisters (2002), a gut-wrenching dramatisation of the brutal treatment by the Catholic church in Ireland of young women considered 'fallen'. The latter won the Golden Lion at the Venice film festival. Both were produced by Higson's daughter Frances, whose career in the industry began as a runner on The Girl in the Picture. Higson had married the motor businessman Graham Harper in 1984, and in her spare time she enjoyed sprint racing (motor racing against the clock rather than other cars). She also prided herself on rebuilding car engines. 'Her 1931 Alvis is a tribute to her skill,' wrote the Glasgow Herald in 1986. Her marriage to Harper ended in divorce in 1991. Her long-term partner, the artist Norman Kirkham, died in 2021. She is survived by her three children from her first marriage, Michael, Christopher and Frances, four grandchildren and two sisters, Jennifer and Susan. Paddy (Patricia) Anne Higson, film and television producer, born 2 June 1941; died 13 April 2025
