If you haven't seen the film 'Iris' then you wouldn't understand my occasional reference to 'it's only the postman'. Run along now to your local video shop (my local is 2 1/2 hours drive away!) and rent the film. Grab a box of kleenex and a glass of wine and watch the funny/sad moments as God slowly lowers Judi Dench into the viscid vat of Alzheimer's disease.
The film lacks the continuity of the heart string tugs that another director might provide, but offers several gluteal glimpses of the callipygian Kate Winslet.... which almost makes up for it! (actually it's worth watching just for Kate Winslet skinny dipping)
Since watching the film, my wife has adopted the phrase 'it's only the postman' to refer to the more distracted and forgetful moments in our lives.
Watch the film - you'll understand then! Jim Broadbent's performance is terrific.
As for the Royal Mail set - this falls a little short of perfect too (the actors performances were ALL brilliant by the way, it's the direction and editing that is below par) .... A few parts are missing like the mail bags and it has, most obviously, seen better days. I picked it up at Beattie's model train Mecca in London one day, when I was ....ooooh, just a tadpole. I pretended that Phil Collins had already boarded the train before I got to it and made off with the mail sacks. Now THAT is a superb film! 'Buster'. Phil Collins as Buster in the Great Train Robbery remake.
The coach has a few minor scratches and the rail is bit rough looking too, but it's an all metal version (sintered steel wheels). The switch is included as is the familiar blue and white striped box, which also bears the scars of a careless young brat. It looks like part of the mail bag exchanger mechnism is missing too.
I am making it out to be worse than it is though - i wouldn't have bought it if it had been trash.
Have another look:
All-in-all a nice addition to the set.
Well, your experience with "it's only the postman" is mirrored in our lives here at Languid Cottage, by "it only adds a ha'penny to everone's insurance policy".
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already seen it, you must see the 1953 movie with Alec Guinness (yes he quotes the above words), in "The Lady Killers".
No it doen't matter that you are only interested in trains - this has plenty of footage shot in and around Kings Cross station. Yes that's the one - the cathedral of steam to us wicked, idolatrous, short-trousered school boys.
And ....... dare i say or whisper it ...... smoke wreathed tunnel entrances in plenty ...... oh, oh,..... oh, those smelling salts again ..... thanks dear!
And one bonus - the old lady (her name escapes me) must have been Kate Winslet's grandmother, she is just so delicious.
regards
Kimball