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Joe Meek movie
“Telstar”, a movie about the famous 60-s music producer Joe Meek (with a Purple connection), began filming in London this month. Both Meek’s studio and Mrs. Shenton’s shop were recreated further along Holloway Road, complete with the neighbouring bank. The movie is directed by Nick Moran with Con O’Neill (who reportedly was very impressive in the stage version) playing Joe Meek.
The cast also includes:
- Kevin Spacey plays Major Banks
- Jon Stewart plays Dennis
- Pam Ferris plays Mrs. Violet Shenton
- JJ Feild plays Heinz Burt
- Sid Mitchell plays Patrick Pink
- Rita Tushingham appears as “Essex Medium”
- Martine McCutcheon appears as “Lady Victim”
- Nigel Harman plays Jess Conrad
- Tom Burke plays Geoff Goddard
- Ralf Little plays Chas Hodges (The Outlaws’ bassist)
- Joan Hodges (wife of Chas) plays Biddy Meek (Joe’s mother)
- Callum Dixon (who played Leyton and Lord Sutch in the play) plays John Leyton
- James Corden plays Clem Cattini (The Tornados’ drummer)
- Tom Harper plays Alan Caddy (The Tornados’ guitarist)
- Craig Vye plays Mitch Mitchell (the drummer)
- Des Hamilton plays Lionel Bart
- Shaun Evans plays Billy Kuy (The Outlaws’ original lead guitarist)
- David Hayler plays John Peel
Other members of the cast:
- Chas Hodges has a cameo role in the film as Mr. Brolin
- Jess Conrad plays Larry Parnes
- Carl Barat (The Libertines) plays Gene Vincent
- Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) plays Screaming Lord Sutch
- Jon Lee (S Club 7) plays Billy Fury (The Tornados were his backing band)
Robbie Duke (aka Patrick Pink), who was at 304 Holloway Road when the fatal shootings happened (over 40 years ago now), is amongst the extras.
No mention yet of who (if anyone) is playing Ritchie Blackmore, and IMDB’s Telstar page does not list Ritchie as a credited part. David Hayler played him (with just two or three lines) in the stage version.
The two act play (based in Meek’s studio) was largely comedic for the first act but with the second act being Meek’s dark descent into paranoia and pills.
Many thanks to Nigel Young who provided all this information.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
To keep Joe Meeks instrumental sound alive I have written many of my own songs, along with others on two albums. Full details on my web site at http://www.chestnutbankproductions.co.uk There are 5 tracks on the jukebox page from my two albums.
September 6th, 2007 at 10:45Regards Byron Elwell.
this film is coming out at about the right time. we at RGMAS Joe’s first fan club had a meeting recently and Patrick Pink had email’d regular members about appearing as extras. I didn’t make it but others did so let’s give a big hand to all the Meek Freeks who have kept his name alive and in the public eye since Joe’s tragic death on that fateful morning
October 29th, 2007 at 10:17Stuart Freed Publicity RGMAS
Wonder if the film will acknowledge the work done by John Repsch ?
September 29th, 2008 at 18:41Having heard about this new film, really great as I made a record at Joes flat around 1962/3 “Cha Cha on the Moon”, it was a real eye opener using drifferent levels of the flat for sound effects. I also did a gig with Gene Vincent and the Alley Cats on the I.O.W around 1960. Just wanted to add my little bit as it was a great day wiyh a master.
October 27th, 2008 at 13:40Yours Sincerely Pat Reader.
Listen out for the track ‘Little Baby’ by ‘The Blue Rondos’ – Steals the show.
Good Luck to the Movie – Its a Cracker!
October 31st, 2008 at 23:03Great Film; Great Production and Direction; Con O’ Neill’s portrayal of Joe was skilled and awesome; supported by an enthuiastic and talented cast.
I was so pleased that ‘Little Baby’ by the Blue Rondo’s was included, featuring the class vocals of the late and lamented Mickey Stubbs, I remember Joe playing that to a fellow musician and myself just prior to its release, Joe had such high hopes for it.
Nice version of the Cryin’ Shames record ‘Please Stay’ at the end of the film by the unique vocals of Duffy.,
In 1980 I wrote and recorded ‘Lonely Joe’, produced by Clem Cattini, and engineered by Vic Keary, and released in 1980; which was a tribute to Joe.
In 2008 ‘Lonely Joe was re-mixed and re-mastered [with some additions] by Clem and Vic, and is now available on downloads including…… play.com.
Whether the majority of today’s flim-going public have ever heard of Joe Meek, or could name any of his hits, they will I’m sure enjoy this great British Gem of a film; offering a glimpse behind the glitz and glamour of an era in 1960’s Brit-Pop,
Rock on Ritchie, for your amazing andskilled musical contribution to Joe Meek productions, and all your other great achievements in Rock – We Salute you.
February 10th, 2009 at 15:50Jess Conrad As Larry Parnes is an inspired choice. I can’t wait to see this movie!!
June 1st, 2009 at 00:56