John Mortimer RIP

[Rosetta]

Does anyone remember watching the Rumpole of the Bailey series written by John Mortimer. The characters were wonderfully drawn and gently humorous.

Ah "she who must be obeyed" LOL

[Ethel]

I've just another Rumpole book for the umpteenth time - always an excellent read.

It always amused me how much Leo McKern resembled John Mortimer.

The television series was excellent but I preferred the books.

[Mr Veritas]

Of course we musn't forget that John Mortimer wrote the screenplay for 1981 TV series of "Brideshead Revisited".all 11 hours of it.
I think his screenplay was one of the reasons it was such a success.He was probably one of the few people that could transfer Evelyn Waugh's novel into a manageable and eloquent script.
It's just shows what rubbish writers there are on TV now.

[Rosetta]

Yes Ethel, Leo McKern was perfect for the role of Rumpole. Casting directors do sometimes get it right, to my mind the other great casting success was Joan Hickson as Jane Marple.

Mr Veritas, I had forgotten he scripted Brideshead. I agree about the quality of his skill in script writing compared to modern writers in general. Do you remember his Voyage Around My Father (? the correct title). Wasn't Larry Olivier the father in the TV production or am I having another senior moment lol

[afcjan]

Rumpole was always very good, and even when they showed repeats they held your interest.

John Mortimer will be sadly missed.