Telstar: The Joe Meek Story
| Telstar | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
|
| Directed by | Nick Moran |
| Produced by | Aspiration Films |
| Written by | James Hicks, Nick Moran |
| Starring | Con O'Neill Pam Ferris JJ Feild James Corden Tom Burke Ralf Little Kevin Spacey |
| Music by | Ilan Eshkeri, with songs by Joe Meek and others |
| Cinematography | Peter Wignall (director of photography) |
| Editing by | Alex Marsh |
| Studio | Aspiration Films |
| Distributed by | G2 Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 19 June 2009 |
| Running time | 119 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Telstar is a film adaptation of James Hicks' play of the same name. It stars Con O'Neill as Joe Meek and Kevin Spacey as Meek's business advisor, Major Banks. The play was adapted and directed for screen by Nick Moran.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The film tells the story of record producer Joe Meek, the songwriter-producer behind the 1960s hits "Have I the Right?", "Just Like Eddie" and "Johnny Remember Me". The film charts Meek's initial success with the multi-million selling record, "Telstar", his homosexuality which was illegal in the UK at the time, and his struggles with debt, paranoia and depression which culminated in the murder of his landlady and his suicide in 1967.
[edit] Cast
- Con O'Neill as Joe Meek
- Carl Barât as Gene Vincent
- Kevin Spacey as Major Banks
- Pam Ferris as Mrs. Shenton
- JJ Feild as Heinz Burt
- James Corden as Clem Cattini
- Tom Burke as Geoff Goddard
- Ralf Little as Chas Hodges
- Mathew Baynton as Ritchie Blackmore
- Jon Lee as Billy Fury
- Callum Dixon as John Leyton
- Nick Moran as Alex Meek
- Jess Conrad as Larry Parnes
- Justin Hawkins as Screaming Lord Sutch
- Nigel Harman as Jess Conrad
- Nick Thomas-Webster as Lord Justice Wignall
- Alan Scally as George Bellamy
- Jimmy Carr as Gentleman
- Craig Vye as Mitch Mitchell
[edit] Casting
Some of those portrayed in the film assisted with the production. Chas Hodges recommended Carl Barat of The Libertines for the role of Gene Vincent, whilst Clem Cattini appeared in a scene as John Leyton's chauffeur and provided advice on set design.[1]
[edit] Soundtrack
Jon Stewart, former guitarist with Sleeper, was music supervisor for the film and secured rights to the pieces of Meek's repertoire used.[1]
Over the closing credits plays a cover of Please Stay by Duffy. The song, originally by The Drifters was recorded by Joe Meek for The Cryin' Shames.[2]
[edit] Literature
- "Telstar - The Joe Meek Story" by Nick Moran with James Hicks, Oberon Books 1/2007, ISBN 9781840025880 [3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b independent.co.uk "Telstar: Music from outer space" Chris Mugan, The Independent Friday, 7 September 2007
- ^ *http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20080523_bernard_butler.shtml
- ^ http://www.oberonbooks.com/ Oberon Books
[edit] External links
- http://www.telstarthemovie.co.uk/ Official Site
- Telstar: The Joe Meek Story at the Internet Movie Database
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