"I didn't make a film for eighteen months
after "Zorba the Greek" and then I did "Georgy
Girl," quite deliberately. Not only because I liked the
script, but because it was completely different. I had to fight
a bit to get that part... I enjoyed "Georgy Girl" in
the way that I enjoyed "Nothing But the Best," although
it wasn't so unique or sophisticated. But it just had great life
and energy - it was fun." -Alan Bates in a conversation
with Gordon Gow, for Films and Filming, 1971.
 The film, still readily available in the US
and UK, won a number of Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations
and awards (see below). The theme song, by the Seekers, is familiar
to even more people. Here for your amusement are some odd bits
from the "Georgy Girl" press book:
General Advance
Lynn Redgrave, daughter of Michael Redgrave and
sister of Vanessa, moves into the star spotlight on her own,
in the title role of "Georgy Girl," the delightful
new Columbia Pictures release at the .....Theatre on .......
. Miss Redgrave, whose earlier screen appearances were in minor
roles in "Tom Jones" and "The Girl With Green
Eyes," reportedly makes a sensational stellar bow in the
new comedy, appearing as a gawky plain Jane who tries to hide
her desperate need for romance by her clowning and her wit.
 According to Hollywood, Miss Redgrave will
become the "personal discovery" of every moviegoer,
so adroit and appealing is her performance. Despite her family
background, Miss Redgrave is only five years away from her initial
decision to act. She now is an important member of Laurence Olivier's
world-famous National Theatre Company, reputedly the most demanding
repertory company in the world. That she possesses the subtlety
and skill to make her "Georgy Girl" characterization
o poignant is a tribute to her training and talent.
 James Mason
and Alan Bates are co-starred with Miss Redgrave in "Georgy
Girl." Mason plays a wealthy, loveless and childless businessman
who watched her grow up in his own home, the daughter of his
domestics, and no longer regards her as a "daughter"
but as a woman with whom he wants to live. Bates appears as an
irresponsible young bank clerk whose love affair with Georgy's
roommate ends in marriage; even before the arrival of their baby,
he comes to realize that he chose the wrong girl. Charlotte Rampling,
a former model, also stars as the selfish young woman whose romantic
freedom is so strongly envied, and whose baby is so warmly welcomed
by the ungainly "Georgy Girl."
The story of "Georgy Girl" is told
with warmth, wit and supreme understanding. Silvio Narizzano
directed the Everglades production from a screenplay by Margaret
Forster and Peter Nichols based on a novel by Margaret Forster.
Robert A. Goldston and Otto Plaschkes produced the film.
Plays Host
Alan Bates' swank bachelor flat in London was used
as a temporary dressing room by his co-stars James Mason and
Lynn Redgrave during bitter cold location filming for "Georgy
Girl," now at the .........Theatre. Bates lives directly
opposite St Mark's Church, which was used to film a winter wedding
scene for the Columbia Pictures release.
[NOTE: This little article certainly dates the
material - imagine revealing the location of a performer's home
to the public, today!]
Sofa, So Good
 Five
days of red-hot love making on a battered living room sofa had
Alan Bates longing for a change -- in furniture. The actor's
marathon romancing took place during the filming of "Georgy
Girl," ultra-modern Columbia Pictures comedy at the .........
Theatre. Two girls were involved -- but at different times. Lynn
Redgrave, who co-stars in the movie with Bates and James Mason,
was his partner in thee instances and Charlotte Rampling, who
also stars in the frank love story, for two additional scenes.
All were filmed consecutively.
By the fifth day, Bates had developed an
intense dislike of the settee used as his playground. "The
front seat of a compact car would be more comfortable,"
he complained. "I've become intimately acquainted with every
broken spring in that thing."
Despite his limited, uncomfortable area of
operation, the handsome young actor's versatility with kisses,
clutches, pets and hugs delighted director Silvio Narizzano.
"Each embrace looks original,"
Narizzano gloated. "Alan is obviously drawing on a fund
of previous experiences." Bates, on the other hand, had
his own explanation: "I'm as inventive as the next guy,"
Bates groaned, "but there are only so many ways you can
use a sofa -- especially one designed by the Marquis de Sade."
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Some "Georgy Girl" Links
The
theme song
Lynn
Redgrave's official website,
which has several pages of "Georgy" info and pictures
"Georgy Girl" Trivia
What other film credits do these "Georgy Girl"
actors
share with Alan Bates?
1. Bill Owen
2. James Mason
3. Charlotte Rampling
4. writer Peter Nichols
1966 Golden Globes
Best Actress: Lynn Redgrave
Best Actor: Alan Bates (nominated)
New star of the year (female): Lynn Redgrave (nominated)
New star of the year (male): Alan Bates (nominated)
Original Song
Foreign Film (nominated)
1967 Academy Awards
Best Actress: Lynn Redgrave
Best Supporting Actor: James Mason (nominated)
Best Black & White Cinematography: Kenneth Higgins (nominated)
Best Music (Song) nominated
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