Hope to see some of you tomorrow. Always hard to know how many people turn up on these occasions. Looking forward to seeing a decent quality recording of the film for the first time since 1976!
In case you're coming to the White Swan tonight. Jimmy Seed having just signed for Sunderland aged 18, and John Bowler playing Jimmy in a Sunderland trial. It's a good likeness.
Well that was a very enjoyable evening. The film was relatively true to life, albeit with a few artistic licences. @JamesSeed showed us some interesting photos to illustrate the story and he is obviously rightly proud and very fond of his grandfather. He read out a really nice email from the actor who played Jimmy Seed which showed that he had done his research into the story and that it resonated with him. 'Twas nice to meet some Addick addicts there, it was good to meet you again, but sorry for not buying a book @charltonnick, I'm travelling light! Anyone reading this who has not been down to the Museum, get down there quick. It's fascinating and this club has a great history to be celebrated.
Very nice evening thanks to Ben, Jim and Steve H for sorting it out. Made me even prouder to have a stand named after Jimmy, the setbacks and adversity he had growing up, he was a special man. Up the Addicks
Top evening that kicked-off perfectly when I got to meet and chat with Charlton legend Glenn Tilbrook. He's still got a great voice (it hasn't changed from his Squeeze days) depite being about my age.
And then ten minutes before the screening I glanced at my phone, and an email popped up from from John Bowler, the actor who played Jimmy Seed. I was quite choked up, as he told me that he received a letter from my mum after the film was broadcast. Just the sort of thing she would do. [John Bowler is best known for playing P.C. Roger Valentine in ITV’s The Bill from 2004 until 2010.] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bowler_(actor)
We were all a bit disappointed that the DVD sent by the production company who own the original film rights turned out to be just a copy from VHS, and we ended up using mine because the sound was marginally better. It was pretty hard to hear some of the dialogue, unfortunately. I'm going to email Freemantle and see if we can get our hands on the original film and make a proper telecine dub. That's likely to be expensive unfortunately.
Anyway, it was great to see so many Addicks there considering the film is set 15 years or so before Jimmy came to Charlton.
Here's the email from John Bowler:
Dear Jim,
Thank you for inviting me to the screening of Ha’way the Lads at The White Swan tonight. Unfortunately, I’m not available to attend this event.
It would have been lovely - if a bit unnerving! - to watch this film, on any occasion, after all these years. But to watch it in the company of Charlton fans AND Jimmy Seed’s Grandson would have been very special!
It was, as you noted in your email, my first role on television, and therefore will always holds a very special place in my heart.
As you know, Jimmy’s reputation throughout his playing and managerial career was one of hard graft, integrity, loyalty and, above all, honesty.
Frank Cvitanovich wanted to highlight those qualities in this drama doc about Jimmy’s early life in football. Hopefully, he succeeded.
After it was shown on Television, in 1976, I received a delightful letter of thanks and approval from Jimmy’s daughter Gladys (your Mum?). It meant, and still means, more to me than any professional review!
There was no script for the actors in this film. Frank , being a documentary specialist, me a “story order” and a list of scenes. I researched, with his guidance, a few weeks before we started filming, and discussed with him the content and intent of a particular scene – with the other actors involved - the evening before we filmed those particular scenes. We rehearsed a little and then improvised on camera. There was no playback. Frank would just watch us, whisper something to one of us, do another take until he was happy and then we moved on. It took about 5 weeks to film. I do remember that he trusted his D.O.P. - the brilliant Nic Knowland, and his wonderful Sound engineer – Brian Rendle – totally.
I could go on, but I will spare you!
41 years ago. Wow! I am pretty sure that, as with everything, the film will seem dated and a bit slow, but I hope the story still resonates.
As a lifelong football fan ( Newcastle United -beyond help!) I am so proud to have played such a vital and much admired football man. The modern Game could certainly do with a few more like Jimmy Seed.
Have a good evening Jim.
All the very best to you and yours.
Kind regards
John Bowler
What a great email!
Hopefully one day we'll be able to screen a better recording at the Museum @Henry Irving ?
As someone who saw the original broadcast and remembered it's storyline pretty well I was sorry to have missed the repeat showing on Monday. To my reasonable knowledge it was only screened the once. Even the very best plays etc were rarely repeated in those days.
Would be happy to contribute to any costs involved in trying to obtain a better copy.
Another very interesting email from John Bowler. I knew there were three films, but I hadn't realised they were connected. It's obvious that the role meant a lot to John. Fantastic.
[@Tramp I'll contact Freemantle and see about the ins and outs of creating a better copy from the 16mm original.]
Hi Jim,
I’m sorry to have taken such a long time to reply to this email – I have been ‘disconnected’ from the world for most of the day! (Quite nice in many ways) I am pleased that the screening went well and delighted (and relieved!) that you enjoyed my portrayal of the young Jimmy. Thank you for the photo of Jimmy – I had forgotten that I bore such a close resemblance to him.! It reminded me of my first meeting with Frank Cvitanovich, who noticed the likeness straight away, and kept pictures of Jimmy with him throughout the filming schedule. Your Mum also mentions the “uncanny” likeness in her letter to me in 1976. And please accept my humble apologies for calling her Grace in my last email instead of Gladys. Her lovely letter is full of “Grace”.
I have a DVD copy of the film which I got transferred last year from an old U Matic tape Frank gave me 40 years ago but the quality is, as you can imagine, very poor! So, yes please, I would love a copy of the DVD -and I am very happy to pay for the postage!
A little bit of info that you may not be aware of is that ‘Ha’way the Lads’ was the first in a series of 3 films about football that Frank Cvitanovich made. There was a thread linking them from Jimmy to the modern game of 1976. The second film was about the wily young manager Terry Venables who was ‘discovered’ by the flamboyant Malcolm Allison who had been ‘discovered’ by the innovative Jimmy Seed. The 3rd Film was about Vince Hilaire, an exciting 17 year old black footballer at Crystal Palace who was ‘discovered’ by Terry Venables and was hotly tipped in 1976 to be the First Black Player to win a Senior Cap for England . (Vince was a terrific young player but Viv Anderson pipped him to that accolade in 1978.)
Another very interesting email from John Bowler. I knew there were three films, but I hadn't realised they were connected. It's obvious that the role meant a lot to John. Fantastic.
[@Tramp I'll contact Freemantle and see about the ins and outs of creating a better copy from the 16mm original.]
Hi Jim,
I’m sorry to have taken such a long time to reply to this email – I have been ‘disconnected’ from the world for most of the day! (Quite nice in many ways) I am pleased that the screening went well and delighted (and relieved!) that you enjoyed my portrayal of the young Jimmy. Thank you for the photo of Jimmy – I had forgotten that I bore such a close resemblance to him.! It reminded me of my first meeting with Frank Cvitanovich, who noticed the likeness straight away, and kept pictures of Jimmy with him throughout the filming schedule. Your Mum also mentions the “uncanny” likeness in her letter to me in 1976. And please accept my humble apologies for calling her Grace in my last email instead of Gladys. Her lovely letter is full of “Grace”.
I have a DVD copy of the film which I got transferred last year from an old U Matic tape Frank gave me 40 years ago but the quality is, as you can imagine, very poor! So, yes please, I would love a copy of the DVD -and I am very happy to pay for the postage!
A little bit of info that you may not be aware of is that ‘Ha’way the Lads’ was the first in a series of 3 films about football that Frank Cvitanovich made. There was a thread linking them from Jimmy to the modern game of 1976. The second film was about the wily young manager Terry Venables who was ‘discovered’ by the flamboyant Malcolm Allison who had been ‘discovered’ by the innovative Jimmy Seed. The 3rd Film was about Vince Hilaire, an exciting 17 year old black footballer at Crystal Palace who was ‘discovered’ by Terry Venables and was hotly tipped in 1976 to be the First Black Player to win a Senior Cap for England . (Vince was a terrific young player but Viv Anderson pipped him to that accolade in 1978.)
Ahh, I remember the series now. And what a nice bloke, John Bowler is, thanks for sharing the emails with us.
Although I remembered much of the Jimmy Seed play, I don't remember anything of the two follows although it is likely I watched them.
I saw Venables captain England Schoolboys (alongside other future full Internationals, Barry Bridges and Peter Thompson), against a Scottish team captained by Billy Bremner. Also saw his debut as a 16 year old against West Ham. He was talked about as being the next Duncan Edwards, something he didn't quite manage. As a teenager he also sang with the Joe Loss Band at the Hammersmith Palais, one of the biggest entertainment venues at that time. He was also the only player to have been capped at the five England levels available at the time, Schoolboys, Youth, Amateur, Under 23s and Full.
Comments
Sep 11th at White Swan pub, SE7
HA'WAY THE LADS, a drama documentary about the early life of Jimmy Seed.
Doors 6.45pm, film 8pm. With @CHATHMuseum
Q&A after the film.
Hope to see some of you there!
Would have triggered about 50 filthy posts from @DaveMehmet alone
Looking forward to seeing a decent quality recording of the film for the first time since 1976!
Jimmy Seed having just signed for Sunderland aged 18, and John Bowler playing Jimmy in a Sunderland trial.
It's a good likeness.
it was good to meet you again, but sorry for not buying a book @charltonnick, I'm travelling light! Anyone reading this who has not been down to the Museum, get down there quick. It's fascinating and this club has a great history to be celebrated.
Glad the evening went well.
Hope he copies and pastes it here
Top evening that kicked-off perfectly when I got to meet and chat with Charlton legend Glenn Tilbrook.
He's still got a great voice (it hasn't changed from his Squeeze days) depite being about my age.
And then ten minutes before the screening I glanced at my phone, and an email popped up from
from John Bowler, the actor who played Jimmy Seed. I was quite choked up, as he told me that he received a letter from my mum after the film was broadcast. Just the sort of thing she would do.
[John Bowler is best known for playing P.C. Roger Valentine in ITV’s The Bill from 2004 until 2010.] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bowler_(actor)
We were all a bit disappointed that the DVD sent by the production company who own the original film rights turned out to be just a copy from VHS, and we ended up using mine because the sound was marginally better. It was pretty hard to hear some of the dialogue, unfortunately. I'm going to email Freemantle and see if we can get our hands on the original film and make a proper telecine dub. That's likely to be expensive unfortunately.
Anyway, it was great to see so many Addicks there considering the film is set 15 years or so before Jimmy came to Charlton.
Here's the email from John Bowler:
Dear Jim,
Thank you for inviting me to the screening of Ha’way the Lads at The White Swan tonight. Unfortunately, I’m not available to attend this event.
It would have been lovely - if a bit unnerving! - to watch this film, on any occasion, after all these years. But to watch it in the company of Charlton fans AND Jimmy Seed’s Grandson would have been very special!
It was, as you noted in your email, my first role on television, and therefore will always holds a very special place in my heart.
As you know, Jimmy’s reputation throughout his playing and managerial career was one of hard graft, integrity, loyalty and, above all, honesty.
Frank Cvitanovich wanted to highlight those qualities in this drama doc about Jimmy’s early life in football. Hopefully, he succeeded.
After it was shown on Television, in 1976, I received a delightful letter of thanks and approval from Jimmy’s daughter Gladys (your Mum?). It meant, and still means, more to me than any professional review!
There was no script for the actors in this film. Frank , being a documentary specialist, me a “story order” and a list of scenes. I researched, with his guidance, a few weeks before we started filming, and discussed with him the content and intent of a particular scene – with the other actors involved - the evening before we filmed those particular scenes. We rehearsed a little and then improvised on camera. There was no playback. Frank would just watch us, whisper something to one of us, do another take until he was happy and then we moved on. It took about 5 weeks to film. I do remember that he trusted his D.O.P. - the brilliant Nic Knowland, and his wonderful Sound engineer – Brian Rendle – totally.
I could go on, but I will spare you!
41 years ago. Wow! I am pretty sure that, as with everything, the film will seem dated and a bit slow, but I hope the story still resonates.
As a lifelong football fan ( Newcastle United -beyond help!) I am so proud to have played such a vital and much admired football man. The modern Game could certainly do with a few more like Jimmy Seed.
Have a good evening Jim.
All the very best to you and yours.
Kind regards
John Bowler
What a great email!
Hopefully one day we'll be able to screen a better recording at the Museum @Henry Irving ?
Would love to show it in the Museum or Bartrams sometime.
Great email
Maybe we could persuade Gemma Arterton to help with a modern-day remake or sequel, seeing as she is a Charlton fan, actor and producer?!
Would be happy to contribute to any costs involved in trying to obtain a better copy.
[@Tramp I'll contact Freemantle and see about the ins and outs of creating a better copy from the 16mm original.]
Hi Jim,
I’m sorry to have taken such a long time to reply to this email – I have been ‘disconnected’ from the world for most of the day! (Quite nice in many ways)
I am pleased that the screening went well and delighted (and relieved!) that you enjoyed my portrayal of the young Jimmy. Thank you for the photo of Jimmy – I had forgotten that I bore such a close resemblance to him.!
It reminded me of my first meeting with Frank Cvitanovich, who noticed the likeness straight away, and kept pictures of Jimmy with him throughout the filming schedule.
Your Mum also mentions the “uncanny” likeness in her letter to me in 1976. And please accept my humble apologies for calling her Grace in my last email instead of Gladys. Her lovely letter is full of “Grace”.
I have a DVD copy of the film which I got transferred last year from an old U Matic tape Frank gave me 40 years ago but the quality is, as you can imagine, very poor! So, yes please, I would love a copy of the DVD -and I am very happy to pay for the postage!
A little bit of info that you may not be aware of is that ‘Ha’way the Lads’ was the first in a series of 3 films about football that Frank Cvitanovich made. There was a thread linking them from Jimmy to the modern game of 1976. The second film was about the wily young manager Terry Venables who was ‘discovered’ by the flamboyant Malcolm Allison who had been ‘discovered’ by the innovative Jimmy Seed. The 3rd Film was about Vince Hilaire, an exciting 17 year old black footballer at Crystal Palace who was ‘discovered’ by Terry Venables and was hotly tipped in 1976 to be the First Black Player to win a Senior Cap for England . (Vince was a terrific young player but Viv Anderson pipped him to that accolade in 1978.)
And what a nice bloke, John Bowler is, thanks for sharing the emails with us.
"Get the percolator on Dennis"
"You know the difference between a hedgehog and a Range Rover divint ya?.....
I saw Venables captain England Schoolboys (alongside other future full Internationals, Barry Bridges and Peter Thompson), against a Scottish team captained by Billy Bremner. Also saw his debut as a 16 year old against West Ham. He was talked about as being the next Duncan Edwards, something he didn't quite manage. As a teenager he also sang with the Joe Loss Band at the Hammersmith Palais, one of the biggest entertainment venues at that time. He was also the only player to have been capped at the five England levels available at the time, Schoolboys, Youth, Amateur, Under 23s and Full.