Simon Callow Movies

This star-studded gala celebrates the centenary of the birth of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers. Rodgers' contribution to musical theatre was extraordinary, including 900 published songs, 40 Broadway musicals and several film scores. Rodgers, together with lyricists Lorenz Hart and...

The Fringe, Fame and Me is the story of how a small Scottish arts festival that began 75 years ago this year became a national institution – a crucible where new stars are forged, careers made, and sometimes, dreams dashed. Told by the stars who first found fame at the Edinburgh Fringe, this is...

A shepherd’s son befriends a dragon, who is more inclined to compose poetry than attack the frightened villagers.

A diverse collection of horror shorts by several different film makers. A few are presented as trailers.

A look at Dame Maggie Smith's life from a two-up two-down in Essex to Broadway and Hollywood. Starring in more than 60 films and 70 plays across her 70-year career, Maggie's incredible determination and talent landed her among the elite.

A Claymation version of the classic story of Don Quixote.

Leading activists and commentators explore the changes that have taken place since homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK in 1967 and the influence of gay culture on society.

Released alongside a spectacular edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets for the Apple iPad, this beautifully produced DVD features specially filmed performances of all 154 Sonnets by a stellar cast of actors including, Fiona Shaw, Sir Patrick Stewart and David Tennant. William Shakespeare’s Sonnets...

Radio producer Harry Alan Towers discusses his work with Orson Welles.

A celebration of the life and career of Sir Harry Secombe, one of Britain's best-loved entertainers.

BBC Play for Today. Maximillian Schreiber runs a series of gruelling motivational courses - all coming at a cost to the participants - including VAT.

Documentary about British artist Andrew Logan as he attempts to put on the 2009 edition of his Alternative Miss World. The film also presents a history of the contest (which has run eccentrically since 1972) which was set up firstly as an excuse to have a good party, but has grown into a...

Several guests who are lesbian or gay go to a home for Christmas.

Dodger and the gang return to London to pull off their biggest mission yet: to rob the Crown Jewels ahead of the Queen's Coronation.

Charting the evolution of public and political attitudes to homosexuality over the last four decades, from decriminalisation in 1967 to today's advances in gay sexual freedom, How Gay Sex Changed the World examines how the gay sexual revolution gathered pace in the face of gradually changing...

Schoolboy Maurice Cole, growing up in 1960s Liverpool, is picked on for being effeminate but is already making his own comedy tapes, one of which impresses agent Wilfred De'ath through whom he gets a job on a pirate radio station, changing his name to Kenny Everett. Though sacked for annoying the...

Four monologues by playwright Peter Barnes celebrating the bicentennial of the French Revolution.

One of Shaw's "pleasant plays", The Man of Destiny is a one-act lighthearted comedy of egos and social hypocrisy. Set in 1796 in northern Italy, it features a battle of wits between Napoleon Bonaparte and a mysterious, daring woman who has stolen his documents. Can she really challenge the...