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GET CARTER (Jack's Return Home)

Osborne said:

Get Carter and a sniper did just that

with a bullet in the back of his head

made sure that he was dead.

It didn't happen like that in the book

he was cut real bad and left to die

open ended like the wound unattended

in Scunthorpe by a brickworks

 

but that's often the way these plots can vary.

 

Now back to the film:

in Gateshead chiefly

where Jack was intending

to do some checking,

nobody wanted him there looking lively

least of all the team from town

 

Next thing we know Cliff Brumby's tipped over

and lands on a car

his aspirations cut dramatically short

(the multi - storey car park now pulled down

was an eyesore but nevertheless iconic)

after jollies and a rout in the councillors' home

over a late night gin and tonic.

 

Talking of cars I remember two

a Sunbeam owned by a luscious tart

and a Cortina Jack apparently drove

through lines of washing as you do

and all distressed was the landlady

stripped down to shocking mauve.

 

The timber staithes with the railway lines

were sadly removed, the area improved

where Eric and Jack came face to face,

set up then beaten to death

where the filthy beach ran down to the sea

tipped into it with coal and gravity.

 

 

Michael of course remains a legend

stacking up his movie credits

and who can forget the train he took

that northern sunset and gantries look

the rawness of that pingy music

drawing us in, and Osborne's dens

Jack's pursuits in well cut suits

rough justice seen to be carried out

with a blend of northern and southern clout.

 

The book was good but the film was great

of that there can be little doubt.

◄ JACK

THE COMMON COLD ►

Comments

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raypool

Sat 12th Nov 2016 15:57

Guys, (and Jem) quite by coincidence I was checking filming locations for this and found that the cinematographer who filmed it died on 7th October - Wolfgang Suschitsky aged 104! so would have been around 60 at the time. Genius technique . Worth checking him out I reckon.
regards all.

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raypool

Fri 11th Nov 2016 20:13

Great utube clips David thanks for that !

Glad you enjoyed this Harry, cheers. Can't believe it was forty six years ago .

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Harry O'Neill

Fri 11th Nov 2016 15:02

Nice appreciation ray...always re-watchable

elPintor

Fri 11th Nov 2016 00:56

Point well taken, Ray..I'll keep that in mind.

elP

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raypool

Thu 10th Nov 2016 22:14

Thanks everyone for your warm appraisals.
elP I tried the Stallone version for about ten minutes... my resume left a lot out but you need to join all the dots !

Thanks Greg - my nemesis was the cock up on the reading, but it provided a laugh which is always a bonus. I look forward to a reprise, as you suggest. I'm happy to have given a taster to a classic of the genre. Am I on film? I hope so. You're a big man Greg but you're in bad shape.

David, cheers mate. I know we've talked about the film and I think we have to get a fix now and again. I love the line when the architects of the proposed restaurant on the top of the car park see the police car arrive. "Something tells me we're not going to get our money."

Very nice Colin. THanks. As Eric says : "I see you havn't lost your sense of humour, Jack," and Michael says: "No Eric, I retain that." Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks Jemima. Quite right , especially John Osborne cast in that role - and George Sewell was great as the guy from London in the camel coat. Music by Roy Budd who died so young. He was a good jazz pianist.

Ray (Michael or rather Maurice).

Jemima Jones

Thu 10th Nov 2016 21:31

I have lost count as to how many times Dad and I have watched this classic.And like all classics,a lot of praise for their successes should be given to the casting directors.In this case whoever had that job,was absolutely spot on.Great poem Ray.Thank you.Jemima.

<Deleted User> (13762)

Thu 10th Nov 2016 19:59

Hi Ray - there's not much more I can add that hasn't been said by elP, Greg and David - but if the video of your performance becomes available please please please share the link.

"my name is Ray Pool. Not a lot of people know that."

a fine piece of writing Michael.

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Greg Freeman

Thu 10th Nov 2016 06:25

Terrific poem, Ray, summing up the brilliance of the film Get Carter with such keen observation, for all us devotees of the movie. And to hear you reading it at the Keystone in Guildford last Monday in your Michael Caine accent ... I know there was videoing going on that night. It would be great if Jan had managed to capture it. I look forward to a repeat at Write Out Loud Woking on 21 November!

elPintor

Thu 10th Nov 2016 02:58

Definitely a watch for the upcoming weekend..can you believe I can choose from Caine or Stallone..fucking wondrous..oh bless this beautiful world!

elP

ps
As far as the film goes, I hope I haven't missed something imminently relevant? (that would be the like of me)..

thanks for stoking my curiosity anyway it goes, Ray

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