This poor blog space has been languishing for some time (a year maybe) until I recently updated the sidebar a few weeks ago.

The real story of the name is that, determined as I was to use a name for which the blogger url was available, there is only so much time you can spend on this bit. Finally compromised on Go-Between with the ridiculous “betweengo” for the url.

Hopefully Go-Between will be a space where I can express and reflect on what is on my mind across a few areas of interest - books, films, teaching & learning, libraries, whatever. We’ll see how it goes.

I had the good fortune as a teenager in the 60s/70s to work as an usherette (great old word) at Roseville Theatre under it’s original family management. My aunt and uncle, Pauline and Bourke O’Connor, were great supporters of students as part-time staff and us as family. Saw many great movies there - some time after time. This is where I discovered and fell in love with The Go-Between which featured Julie Christie, Alan Bates and Dominic Guard. I subsequently read the book by L.P. Hartley and then fully appreciated the beautiful adaptation to film.

Ten or twelve years later I really enjoyed the film of The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles, a book I had been introduced to by my master teacher, Olivia Chan, on prac at Chatswood High School in 1976. Another fabulous adaptation.

It was only in recent years that I discovered that both The Go-Between and The French Lieutenant’s Woman were written for the screen by Harold Pinter. What a writer!

Haven’t seen either film of late, although I have a video copy of TFLW. Am trying to get a copy of The Go-Between as it doesn’t seem to be available to rent.

Fans of the film of The Go-Between might appreciate this interesting blog post about Margaret Leighton, BAFTA Best Supporting Actress 1971. Has a series of great stills from the film, albeit focussing on Mrs Maudsley.