Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story
![](https://s3.focalint.org/awards/nominations/_960x540_crop_center-center_none/Mad-About-the-Boy.jpg)
- Director:
- Barnaby Thompson
- Producer(s):
- Barnaby Thompson / Gregor Cameron
- Footage Archive Researcher:
- Emma Gibbs / Chris Lovell / Mark Macey
- Footage Archive Producer:
- James R.M. Hunt
- Archival Sources:
- The Noel Coward Estate / BBC / BBC Motion Gallery / David Paradine Productions Ltd / Reelin’ In The Years Productions / ITV Archive / Sony Pictures Content Licensing
- Production Company:
- Fragile Films / Unigram / AI Films / BBC Films / BBC Arts / Altitude Distribution / Warner Music
- Country of Production:
- UK
- Original Release:
- 2023
Synopsis
Noel Coward grew up in poverty and left school when he was only nine 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 wrote, directed and acted in some of the finest plays and movies of all time, including Private Lives, Blithe Spirit, Brief Encounter 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 Noel Coward’.
And if that wasn’t enough, he discovered John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier and David Lean, and was a spy in the Second World War!
Against all odds, Noel Coward became the most successful multi-talented artist of the Twentieth Century. He defined an era and led an extraordinary life. This is his inspirational story told in his own words and music, and unique home movies. The film features Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Harold Pinter, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, Michael Caine and Lucille Ball. Narrated by Alan Cumming. Rupert Everett is the voice of Noel Coward.