Fact: The King's Speech director Tom Hooper and screenwriter David Seidler were handed the 2011 Face of Literacy Award at the Evening of Readings gala in New York City on Monday (16May11). They were handed the prize for their portrayal of stuttering royal King George VI and his journey to learn to speak.
Quote: "I would like to thank Her Majesty The Queen for not putting me in the Tower of London for using the Melissa Leo F-word. And I accept this on behalf of all the stutterers throughout the world. We have a voice, we have been heard, thanks to you, The Academy." THE KING'S SPEECH writer David Seidler pokes fun at Best Supporting Actress winner MELISSA LEO for swearing at the Oscars as he claimed gold for Best Original Screenplay.
Quote: "To my goddess Helena. Tim, watch your back mate, I'm in love." THE KING'S SPEECH writer David Seidler jokes about his love for actress Helena Bonham Carter after picking up his prize for Best Screenplay at Sunday's (13Feb11) BAFTAS.
Quote: "He wrote to the Queen Mother asking for her permission to tell the story and she said, 'Please do not do this in my lifetime, the memories are still too painful' and so he waited, and waited... I was about 12 when he first wrote that letter." Colin Firth on what kept writer David Seidler from telling the compelling story of King George VI's fight with a speech impediment until now. Firth is a favourite to land a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the stuttering monarch in The King's Speech.