Official Trailer for ‘Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story’ Doc
by Alex Billington
September 1, 2024
Source: YouTube
“Why did this astonishing man end his life exiled from the country he came to define?” Quite a question to ask. Greenwich Ent. has revealed an official US trailer for a UK documentary titled Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story, arriving in the US this October. (Mad About the Boy is also the title of the next Bridget Jones film due out in 2025.) It already opened in the UK last year and is just now making its way to the US for those curious about the story of this enigmatic man. It tells the story of the extraordinary life of playwright, singer, actor, composer, director Noël Coward, who rose from poverty to stardom performing on Broadway and beyond, keeping his queer sexuality a secret. “He defined an era & led an extraordinary life.” Featuring Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Frank Sinatra, Michael Caine and Lucille Ball as special guests. With narration by Alan Cumming + with Rupert Everett as the voice of Noël Coward. Reviews praise the doc: “The tale of how a boy who left school at nine and had no musical training yet became one of the world’s most prolific playwrights and composers undoubtedly has something fantastical about it.” Enjoy.
Trailer for Barnaby Thompson’s doc Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story, from YouTube:
Noël Coward grew up in poverty and left school when he was only 9 years old. He was queer in a very straight world. And yet, by the age of 30, he was the highest paid writer in the world, and a star on the Broadway stage. He seemed to define British urbanity & erudition. He wrote, directed, and / or acted in some of the most celebrated movies of the era and beyond, including Private Lives, Brief Encounter, Blithe Spirit, and In Which We Serve. He also became a world renowned songwriter and performer, of whom Frank Sinatra said, “If you want to hear how a song should be sung, go see Mr. Noël Coward.” And if that wasn’t enough, he was also a spy during the Second World War! Against all odds, Noël Coward became one of the most successful multi-talented artists of the 20th century. This is his inspirational story told in his own words & music with unique home movies. Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story is directed by British producer / filmmaker Barnaby Thompson, director of the movies St Trinian’s, St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, and Pixie previously. It’s produced by Thompson and Gregor Cameron. This initially opened in the UK in June 2023 last summer, and played at the 2024 Maine Film Festival in the US. Mad About the Boy debuts in select US theaters + on VOD starting October 11th, 2024 this fall. Curious?
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