Author Topic: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot  (Read 5839 times)

Offline marshall

  • New Rider
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • I Love Follyfoot!
James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« on: May 02, 2008, 05:03:42 PM »
 :) :)After reading Monica Dickens "An Open Book" it was indeed a nice surprise to learn that it was the great British actor James Bolam who after reading Cobblers Dream put the idea to YTV on a T.V series based on the book..it seems that the rest of the books came about on the great success of the series..would be great if new doc. could get info from Sir James on his part he played in getting Follyfoot onto our screens...well done James ;) ;) :)

Offline Sabrina

  • Administrator
  • ******
  • Posts: 8234
  • Follyfoot rules OK!!
Re: JAMES BOLAM..the unsung hero of FOLLYFOOT
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2008, 10:37:14 AM »
Oh, bless him! James Bolam is a superb actor - and a hero now! I didn't realise he was the catalyst for FF making it to the screen. Well spotted marshall  >39<
Cheers
Sabrina x
Cheers,
Sabrina
______________________________
Dreams come true if you want them to...

Offline Alfy Door

  • Carriage Driver
  • ***
  • Posts: 417
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2008, 06:26:44 PM »
This is a surprise!

I too am a big admirer of James, but I wonder what led him to make this move, since he never had a part in the series, and indeed why the TV bosses took any great notice of him. I don't think he was a hugely established actor at the time. I know the original Likely Lads was probably going, but what else?

Offline marshall

  • New Rider
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • I Love Follyfoot!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2008, 04:47:08 PM »
In the book Monica states that it was Cobblers Dream that came to the attention of "Horse mad" actor James Bolan..he must have had a passion for horses and the book must have struck a cord for him?.I wonder if his name comes up in the end credits as I suppose the series of Follyfoot is his idea...and to think that it was due to the series great success that Black Beauty t.v series went ahead..perhaps a certain James Bolan is due some royalties for his contribution to television??

Offline Sabrina

  • Administrator
  • ******
  • Posts: 8234
  • Follyfoot rules OK!!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2008, 11:42:49 AM »
And of course more recently he's been in New Tricks. A very versatile and talented actor. :)
Cheers
Sabrina
Cheers,
Sabrina
______________________________
Dreams come true if you want them to...

Offline timb9095

  • Dressage Rider
  • ****
  • Posts: 603
  • Its too hot for stew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2008, 12:18:38 AM »
Not forgetting

The Likely Lads
When the Boat Comes In
The Beiderbeck Tapes
The Beiderbeck Connection


Timb

Offline larue

  • Stable Hand
  • **
  • Posts: 81
  • greetings earthlings...take me to your larder
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2008, 09:13:00 PM »
or 'the missing postman' a 2 parter from a few years back...

and 'only when i laugh'
regards larue :(
'eggs is good for you, eggs is'

Offline lonchaney

  • New Rider
  • *
  • Posts: 5
  • I Love Follyfoot
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2008, 09:25:27 PM »
Hi all,

Fascinating to think James Bolan may have had a hand in Follyfoot reaching the small screen. As others have said, an excellent actor. As well as his already mentioned credits, I remember him as Andy Capp in the short-lived TV series of around 20 years ago.

Regards,
Brian ;).

Offline marshall

  • New Rider
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • I Love Follyfoot!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2008, 05:20:11 PM »
 :)thanks to all re above I am so glad that I read "An Open Book"and it was nice that Monica wrote the nice words about James.credit were its due, it must have been one of Monicas highpoints that the Cobblers Dream book came to be   an outstanding t.v series..hard to believe if it had not been read by James we would never have had the gift of a great series.Monica did write lots of books but I am not sure of any others that made it to the small screen..funny as she mentions that she was on her way to studio,s at Elstree,London..to write a television script for a film based on one of her books ..but alas that never was made?.It was while at Elstree that she came across the refuge for horses..which became the inspiration for Cobblers Dream..and it was this that finally reached  our screens as Follyfoot...thats fate for you?? ;) ;)

Offline garej

  • Stable Hand
  • **
  • Posts: 77
  • I Love Follyfoot!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2008, 08:03:10 PM »
I finally worked out where I had seen him - he is in New Tricks!!

Offline marshall

  • New Rider
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • I Love Follyfoot!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2008, 05:03:35 PM »
 ;D I enjoyed the bbc leeds interview with Jane Royston..I wonder if James Bolam will get a well deserved mention in the forthcoming book

Offline Michael

  • Stable Hand
  • **
  • Posts: 88
  • It's never too late ...
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2010, 02:45:30 PM »
or 'the missing postman' a 2 parter from a few years back...

and 'only when i laugh'

And a kids' programme I keep seeing in the afternoons called something like Grandfather In My Pocket!

Michael
Michael

Offline Loopy

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 35880
  • Follyfoot - My day in the sun!
Re: James Bolam ..the unsung hero of Follyfoot
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2010, 03:06:09 PM »
Recently he's been starring in 'Born and Bred'.


Someone's got to care