Ealing Studios goes back to school

All star line up for St Trinians remake

Jolly hockey sticks! St Trinian's is coming back to the big screen and with it a cast of Britain's finest.

Emily Watson, Colin Firth, Rupert Everett and comedian Russell Brand are all set to star in Ealing Studios' new version of the classic British comedy franchise that spawned several popular films in the 1950s and 1960s.

Following his production of 'I Want Candy', Ealing Studio's Barnaby Thompson will make his directing debut, co-directing with his regular collaborator, Oliver Parker.

For those who don't remember the original St. Trinian's, the comedies were inspired by the books and cartoons of Ronald Searle, centring  on the madcap adventures of a group of unruly girls who attend the eponymous boarding school.

This latest revival is written by Piers Ashworth and Nick Moorcroft.

The latest movie is not a remake of any previous St. Trinian's adventure but an attempt to create a 21st century version of the franchise. Watson will play the central teacher character (played in the original films by the unforgettable Joyce Grenfell), while Everett will play the double cross-dressing role of the headmistress and her unscrupulous brother (originally Alistair Sim). Brand will play Flash Harry, local small-time criminal who helps lead the girls astray.

Production is due to begin on March 26.

Spot of revision...

'The Belles of St. Trinian's' started the franchise in 1954, followed by 'Blue Murder at St. Trinian's' in 1957, 'The Pure Hell of St. Trinian's' in 1960 and the 'The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery' in 1966. The series was revived in 1980 with 'The Wildcats of St. Trinian's'.

March 16, 2007