Flyer for The Rejuvenation Of Maggie Marks.

 

I AM NOW ADRIENNE CONWAY AUTHOR.

PUBLISHED AT LAST!  

THE REJUVENATION OF MAGGIE MARKS.

Photo to follow.

Revisiting UP THE JUNCTION.

I am feeling excited. I have been invited to a screening of UP THE JUNCTION at the Barbican

Cinema. It was my first acting job, and non of us had any idea that we were making a groundbreaking  TV film.

The screening is followed by a Q&A by the Nell Dunn -the author of the book.

MY MEETING JERRY LEWIS

MEETING JERRY LEWIS

The year was 1969 in swinging London, and I was a young inexperienced actress who had been fortunate in having worked on some prestigious Ken Loach BBC films, Like Cathy Come Home  - whilst still training at a part time course of The Stanislavski’s method.

When my agent called to say that I had an interview at the penthouse suite of the Hilton Hotel to meet Jerry Lewis,  I thought that he was pulling my leg, (No, he didn’t do that kind of thing he assured me.)

The following day, this nervous girl was in the lift ascending the long ride up to the penthouse suite,  the only other person with me was a nice young American guy, who smiled and told me not to be scared. – It must have shown. We both entered the door to the suite together – and into a very large room with many people busily working away.  I was asked to take a seat and wait.  A few tall model -girl types were coming and going into the room off, and I wondered why they wanted to see me, at 5ft 2”.    Finally, it was my turn, I entered and there he was - Jerry Lewis.

 He gave me a warm smile, shook my hand, and started to talk about the film,’ One More Time’.  Saying, “This is a comedy, but we play it straight”.  I replied “Isn’t that the way to play comedy?”

This greatly impressed Jerry, who jumped up from his chair, opened the adjoining door and declared to the room. “We have an actress here!” He was very sweet and charming and told me that had been being seeing all the wrong people. I guessed he meant the models/wannabee actresses –of whom there were quite a few around, at that time.

 We chatted some more about what I had done, and I left, having been told the usual. ‘We’ll be in touch.’ I later learned that Jerry had wanted me to play Sammy Davies Junior’s girlfriend. (A bit old for me, I thought) but that’s the movies. I didn’t get that part because Sammy – although married to Swedish, May Britt at the time, felt he should have a black girlfriend in the movie.  And so I was offered the only other part, which was one day’s filming playing a waitress to Sammy Davies.  The Casting director warned me that the part wouldn’t  do anything to help my career, however, I felt that I couldn’t turn down such an opportunity  and  was so glad that I didn’t.

It was summer and a Sunday shoot – a restaurant with outside seating just behind Selfridges.  In those days The West End was deserted on Sundays.

The scene was written solely for a verbal gag- a rather weak one. When I first came onto the set, Jerry announced again to the crew –We have an actress here now. (He seemed to have taken to me.)

I was briefly introduced to Sammy Davies Junior, but when it came to filming our scene and I found myself face-to face- with this extraordinary looking man I was completely thrown.  He was tiny, but explosive. A power- house of energy –with the eye-patch and broken nose and only a few inches from my face, (We were the same height) and I was so thrown, that all I could do was deliver my lines with a broad grin and a giggle. It didn’t seem to matter.   It was just as well that I was experienced in improvising, as Sammy, changed the dialogue on each take.

 As well as Jerry Lewis - who was directing, and Sammy Davis, there was another star - Peter Lawford.  The only person missing was Frank Sinatra!  Lawford, was waiting to do his scene - looking immaculate, cool, and very charming, and making sure that we all had champagne with our lunch.

  They were all so lovely to me, a day not to forget.

I watched and admired Jerry Lewis as a director. He was much taller and better looking than he appeared on the screen.   At one point he took me aside as though we were old friends, and in a very Jewish way confided in me that he was having a lot of problems with the shoot, as the budget did not permit him to cast the actors he really wanted. I was very flattered that he took me into his confidence like that.

The wannabee starlet –playing the Sammy’s girlfriend, was behaving badly and getting short shift from Jerry who threatened to sack her. In the end her part was cut from the film, as was mine.

My impression of Sammy Davies, was that he needed constant attention and reassurance which surprised me coming from such an accomplished famous entertainer.

My day, sadly came to an end...  but not before the nice young American, Gary Ebbins, who was the producer’s son and acting as Jerry’s assistant, took my phone number and we spent some time together. Having fun – zooming around the London scene.

 “One More Time” or “Salt And Pepper no 2”. Was a film out of tune with the times, and a flop.

 Later on, I was very annoyed with myself for not ask the stills photographer for a still of me with Sammy Davies, it would have been a great memento. However I have kept the Call Sheet.

 I received a very nice letter from Jerry Lewis before he left for the US. (Garry told me that he only sent a few). Thanking me, and saying he hoped we could do it “One More Time.”  It was signed by him in ink – his famous signature - now fading.    And so the circus finally left town... and I said goodbye to Garry - I think he came an agent in Hollywood.

I carried on acting but was never given the chance to prove myself and turned to scriptwriting in the 80’s with more success and fulfilment.

And so, with the sad death of the great man, Jerry Lewis I wanted to remember him and that sunny Sunday long ago, and to share my memory.

Adrienne Conway

Formally

Adrienne Frame

The long process of rewriting and editing,

Hi, I began this novel some time ago, It's my first, and has taken me a while to find the voice in which  I wanted to tell my story.

Writing in prose is very different to writing scripts.

I have found my stride at last and so the long journey begins. Around 450 pages. A screenplay runs to 110.

I am told that it is a page turner -hope so.  having not read it for over a year -I was getting quite excited when I came to sex scenes....

Well... somehow I didn't get around to writing another blog in the 12 years that I lived in Spain. I will have to think about why that was?   First guess would be that life there was -  for the most part, a little - boring. In the end I kind of gave up on it,

I intend to go into more detail about living in Spain in the future. Now that I am back in London and it will easier for me to be subjective.

However  - for now, I will say that I am happy to be back in the city life. (much changed as it is) but it is still here. I had a very difficult time in finding a home -in this over crowded -outrageously priced market.  But I have, and am feeling  content.

 I  now have my novel to finish. I find the English climate far more conducive to writing,  All those dark wet winter days ahead, that say' stay in and write.'  against  the blue sky's saying, 'come out and play.'

A film producer has asked to see a synopsis of my book after hearing a brief pitch. We will see, -it will take many moths to hear back  I am sure.

And so, I intend to continue with my blog this time.  It will be on my thoughts, The the day to day life of a writer and how I found ... living in Spain.


Hope to see you again.

Time for a new photo.

Adrienne Conway - Writer -Actress

Hi,



I moved to the the Costa del Sol Spain in 2002 and felt it was about time I made a blog site so that friends ( and TV producers) Would know where I was.

I would love to hear from writer /actor friends who are living here or on holiday. After taking an extended holiday myself I am back at the keyboard writing a novel. (Funny, sexy, fantasy for us older chicks.)



I live between Estepona and Marbella and occasionally run scriptwriting course, drama groups,

Give tuition on voice and presentation. have broadcast on several local radio stations.



I provide a constructive script reading service.







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