Introduced by Melvyn Bragg Toback's Gambler
A film about the New York College lecturer and occasional sports-writer who has written the story and the script of Karel Reisz 's new film The Gambler, starring James Caan. MELVYN BRAGG talked to JAMES TOBACK in New York.
The Night Mare
In 1782 a new painting by the Swiss artist Henry Fuseli shocked the Royal Academy. The painting is about a dream. A woman sprawled on a bed with a goblin squatting on her chest and a horse peering through the window. It was called the Night Mare and has disturbed spectators ever since. This month an exhibition of Fuseli's work opens at the Tate Gallery and EDWIN MULLINS asked psychiatrist and writer ANTHONY STORR for some clues to the personality behind these extraordinary images.
9.40 Knots
Based on the book by R. D. LAING
He is a well-known and controversial figure in psychiatry and his previous books have been on that subject. Since Knots is a very simple text, many people were puzzled as to what they should make of this one.
Laing says, ' I have always tried to write literature, regardless of what people thought I was doing ... Several people have said that they found it a relief to see something they recognised in their lives. It turns some of the agony into humour.'
Knots was adapted for the stage by EDWARD PETHERBRIDGE for the ACTORS' COMPANY and the film is directed by DAVID i. MUNRO. Cast: CAROLINE BLAKISTON
PAOLO DIONISOTTI , SHARON DUCE ROBERT EDDISON , ROBIN ELLIS
TENNIEL EVANS , MATTHEW LONG MARK MCMANUS , JUAN MORENO
EDWARD PETHERBRIDGE , SHEILA REID
Studio director TONY TYLEY Film director DENNIS MARKS (The Night Mare)
Assistant editor TONY CASH Editor BILL MORTON
'I'm very fond of the family as a system ': pages 10 and 13