Calendar Girls (2003)

Director:

Nigel Cole

Writers:

Juliette Towhidi (written by) and
Tim Firth (written by)

Release Date:

12 September 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

They dropped everything for a good cause.

Plot:

A Women's Institute chapter's fundraising effort for a local hospital by posing nude for a calendar becomes a media sensation.

Plot Keywords:

Calendar | Yorkshire | Leukemia | Hospital | Small Town

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	Chris
Julie Walters	...	Annie
John Alderton	...	John
Linda Bassett	...	Cora
Annette Crosbie	...	Jessie
Philip Glenister	...	Lawrence
Ciarán Hinds	...	Rod (as Ciaran Hinds)
Celia Imrie	...	Celia
Geraldine James	...	Marie
Penelope Wilton	...	Ruth
George Costigan	...	Eddie
Graham Crowden	...	Richard
John Fortune	...	Frank
Georgie Glen	...	Kathy
Angela Curran	...	May
Rosalind March	...	Trudy
John-Paul Macleod	...	Jem
Marc Pickering	...	Gaz
John Sharian	...	Danny
Belinda Everett	...	Maya
Harriet Thorpe	...	Brenda Mooney
Gillian Wright	...	Eddie's Woman
Ian Embleton	...	Andy
Janet Howd	...	Julia
Lesley Staples	...	Jenny
Richard Braine	...	Policeman
Maggie McCarthy	...	W.I. Administrator 1
Diana Marchment	...	W.I. Administrator 2
Celia Henebury	...	Check-In Stewardess
Ted Robbins	...	Bike Man
Arthur Kelly	...	Bookshop Owner
Alison Pargeter	...	Chemist's Assistant
Tim Barker	...	Holiday Speaker
Angus Barnett	...	Orchid Photographer
Frank Barrie	...	Lecherous Photographer
John Sparkes	...	Welsh Photographer
Merryn Owen	...	Student Photographer
Richard Ashton	...	Policeman 2
Shameer Madarbakus	...	Policeman 3
Elizabeth Bennett	...	W.I. Judge
Simon Ludders	...	Waiter
Darren Southworth	...	Sofa Salesman
Sharon Thomas	...	TV Reporter
Christa Ackroyd	...	News Presenter
Geoffrey Wilkinson	...	Seed Company Manager
Bob Flag	...	Alan Rathbone
Mark Hayford	...	Charity Chicken Worker
Geoffrey Banks	...	Lycra Cyclist 1
Wilfred Harrison	...	Lycra Cyclist 2
Adil Hussain	...	Jem's Friend 1
Waqas Altaf	...	Jem's Friend 2
Paul McLeary	...	Husband 1
Peter Lorenzelli	...	Husband 2
Jay Leno	...	Himself
Matt Malloy	...	Hotel Manager
Patton Oswalt	...	Larry
Craig Kirkwood	...	Bellboy
Frank Bello	...	Anthrax
John Bush	...	Anthrax
Scott Ian	...	Anthrax (as Scott Ian Rosenfeld)
Ashley Niles	...	Hotel Registration
Angela Baker	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Beryl Bamforth	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Christine Clancy	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Ros Fawcett	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Lynda Logan	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Tricia Stewart	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Roy Harrison	...	Himself (as Roy the Postman)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Terry Logan	...	Paparazzo (uncredited)
Lisa Renée	...	Personal Assistant (uncredited)

Directed by
Nigel Cole

Writing credits
Juliette Towhidi		(written by) and
Tim Firth		(written by)

Produced by
Nick Barton	....	producer
Steve Clark-Hall	....	co-producer
Suzanne Mackie	....	producer

Original Music by
Patrick Doyle

Cinematography by
Ashley Rowe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Michael Parker

Casting by
Gail Stevens

Production Design by
Martin Childs

Art Direction by
Mark Raggett

Costume Design by
Frances Tempest

Makeup Department
Christina Baker	....	hair designer
Christina Baker	....	makeup designer
Kay Bilk	....	hair stylist (makeup artist)
Deborah Jarvis	....	makeup artist
Karen Sherriff-Brown	....	hair stylist (makeup artist)

Production Management
Jo Farr	....	production manager
Miranda Jones	....	post-production supervisor
Chrisann Verges	....	unit production manager: Los Angeles

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Guy Barker	....	assistant director
Rosemary C. Cremona	....	second assistant director: Los Angeles
Lee Grumett	....	third assistant director
Toby Hosking	....	co-second assistant director
Olivia Lloyd	....	second assistant director
Deborah Saban	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Grant Armstrong	....	stand-by art director
Anna Bregman	....	art department assistant
Laura Dishington	....	assistant art director
Susan Emshwiller	....	set decorator: U.S.
Paul Inglis	....	draughtsman
Jonas Kirk	....	construction coordinator: Los Angeles
Shay Leonard	....	stand-by props
Gwen Murray	....	art department trainee
John O'Shaughnessy	....	production buyer
Carisa Rosenthal	....	set dresser
John Warnke	....	set designer

Sound Department
Tom Barrow	....	sound assistant
Ricky Butt	....	foley artist
Tim Cavagin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Colin Cooper	....	adr recordist
Twydor Davis	....	dialogue editor
Graham Day	....	sound trainee
Nathan Duncan	....	sound assistant trainee
Tim Fraser	....	sound recordist
Stuart Mackay	....	assistant sound editor
Michael Redfern	....	foley editor
Steve Single	....	sound re-recording mixer
William Towers	....	boom operator
Ian Wilson	....	supervising sound editor

Special Effects by
Stuart Brisdon	....	special effects supervisor
Mark Haddenham	....	special effects senior technician

Visual Effects by
Henry Badgett	....	digital compositor
Stefan Drury	....	visual effects producer
Michael Elson	....	head of production: MPC
Charley Henley	....	digital compositor
Chas Jarrett	....	3D animator
Sabine Kertscher	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Richard Stammers	....	visual effects supervisor
Maria Stroka	....	film recording manager
Ben Thompson	....	3D animator: MPC
Daniel Walton	....	digital artist
Howard Berry	....	visual effects runner: MPC (uncredited)
Martyn Drake	....	systems: MPC (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Colin Anderson	....	Steadicam operator: USA
Jaap Buitendijk	....	still photographer
Ian Clark	....	focus puller
Andy Cole	....	electrician
Kelly Cummins	....	assistant camera
Oliver Curtis	....	director of photography: additional photography
Louis DiCesare	....	gaffer: Los Angeles
Tim Durr	....	electrician: Los Angeles
Steve Lawes	....	focus puller: "b" camera
David McAnulty	....	grip
Adrian McCarthy	....	grip
Vince McGahon	....	Steadicam operator
Pat Miller	....	rigging gaffer
Martin Scanlan	....	daily clapper loader
Paige Thomas	....	first assistant camera
Garie Wetherill	....	video playback operator
Phil Whittaker	....	second grip

Casting Department
Robin Hudson	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alix Friedberg	....	assistant costume designer
Kelly Mijailovic	....	costume supervisor (as Kelly Bowman)
Shirley Nevin	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Marsha Bramwell	....	trainee assistant editor
Lisa Clifford-Owen	....	assistant editor
Guy Ducker	....	assistant editor
Celia Haining	....	assistant editor
Lea Morement	....	assistant editor
Paisley Pappé-Iredell	....	assistant editor: Los Angeles
Matthew Streatfield	....	trainee assistant editor

Music Department
Liz Gallacher	....	music supervisor
Maggie Rodford	....	score producer
James Shearman	....	conductor
Graham Sutton	....	music editor
Nick Wollage	....	score recordist
Mike Deasy	....	musician (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Adrian Cannon	....	driver: Mr. Cole
Ian Lisi	....	facilities driver
Mike Miliotti	....	driver: production van
Enyo Mortty	....	driver: Cilia Imrie

Other crew
Kim Armitage	....	script supervisor
Erica Bensly	....	location unit manager: Yorkshire
Mandy Calder	....	finance director
Orlagh Collins	....	production coordinator
Matt Curtis	....	title designer
Dawn Darfus	....	production accountant: Los Angeles
Kristin Dehnert	....	location manager
Jo Farrugia	....	assistant to director
Polly Fletcher	....	assistant accountant
Polly Hope	....	assistant production coordinator
Christopher Hutchins	....	production runner
Patrick Isherwood	....	production accountant
Andrew Jack	....	dialect coach
Debbie Lowndes	....	assistant to producer
Paul McGavin	....	set runner
Michael Prior	....	unit nurse
Adam Richards	....	location manager
Abbe Robinson	....	production assistant
Erin Sahlstrom	....	assistant production coordinator: Los Angeles
Billy Samoa Saleebey	....	production assistant
Isaac Sananes	....	assistant accountant
Patric Scott	....	unit publicist
Allen Wong	....	first assistant accountant
Tim Ballou	....	script clearance manager (uncredited)
Sarah Shepherd	....	location assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Touchstone Pictures (presents)
• Harbour Pictures

Distributors

• Buena Vista International (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Finland (2003) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Italia (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Pictures (2003) (USA) (theatrical)
• Gaumont Buena Vista International (GBVI) (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Spain (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Video (2004) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Video (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Brazil) (DVD) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Finland) (VHS)
• Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Touchstone Home Video (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Nelonen (2006) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Moving Picture Company (MPC) (digital visual effects)
• Cine Image Film Opticals (main and end titles) (digital effects) (opticals)

Other Companies

• Shepperton Studios  movie studio
• ARRI Lighting Rental  lighting
• ARRI Media  camera and grip equipment provided by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Compuhire  video playback
• Cutting Edge  negative cutting
• Hollywood Records  soundtrack published by
• Kodak  motion picture film supplied by
• Mad Dog Casting  extras casting
• Production Copier Company  production equipment and services
• Vehicles in Vision  action vehicles supplier

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for nudity, some language and drug-related material.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:12 (video rating) (2003) | UK:12A (original rating) | Hungary:14 | Finland:K-3 | South Korea:15 | Taiwan:R-12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:12 | Canada:PG | Germany:o.Al. (bw) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39650)

Filming Locations:

Buckden, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Anne Reid was offered a major role, but choose to do Roger Michell's The Mother (2003/I) instead.

Goofs:

Continuity: When leaving the hotel for the first time before they get into the limo to go to sign autographs, one of the women takes a camera from the photographer and then, between shots, the camera changes from right hand to left and the right again.

Quotes:

Celia: It's the whole showing your breasts issues that concerns me.
Annie: The point is that we won't really be showing anything.
Celia: Yes, that's what concerns me.
Annie: Yours are good, are they?
Celia: They're tremendous.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Comedy Connections: Dinnerladies (#4.2)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

The Way You Do the Things You Do

Go see it!

I've been getting a little tired of the computer-enhanced extravaganzas that have been flung at viewers over the past few years. You know what I'm talking about--the movies that are short on plot, acting or both which are bolstered up by loud FX and revolutionary digital animation so that it becomes "special effects in search of a picture". I'm delighted to say that CALENDAR GIRLS has nothing of the kind. It's all about the plot, all about the women involved, and all about laughing so hard you cry--or maybe about being able to forget tears in deep laughter, if only for a moment.

The acting is superb. One hardly needs to mention Helen Mirren. I read one comment that pans her Yorkshire accent; well, I attended it with an Englishwoman who is very familiar with such an accent and she specifically told me that her accent never slipped, so I've no idea where that comment came from.

Having been involved with the world of cancer treatment recently (fortunately with a happier outcome for my mother, a survivor of breast cancer) this movie strikes close to home. It's completely accurate; it's not pretty and it's often degrading, no matter how much the oncological staff tries to make it easier. The movie is also accurate in the kind of sentiments it expresses about cancer. People who have been touched by that filthy disease will do ANYTHING to fight it. (I sat on a spin bike for twenty-four consecutive hours in aid of breast cancer less than two weeks ago, so I do know what I'm talking about.) Yes, a few liberties with the real story have been taken. So what? The result is a coherent progression that is more interested in human beings than plot details. And isn't that what it should be about?

I've heard this dismissed as a movie for "older people". I'm proud to be of that number--after all, at the age of thirty-five I'm ten years out of the target demographic at which Hollywood films are aimed. If by "older people" they mean people who want a movie to be about something important as opposed to the latest spectacular light show, I'm glad to be of that number. I'd recommend this to anyone who's interested in a movie that is both hysterically funny and deeply touching. It has re-inspired me in the battle against cancer, and if it does that to anyone else, it will have made a worthwhile difference.