Mad About The Boy: The Noel Coward Story (cert tbc)

An exploration of Coward's expansive career which features credits across the stage and screen, including Brief Encounter, Blithe Spirit, and Private Lives.

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 was also a spy during 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. It is narrated by Alan Cumming. Rupert Everett is the voice of Noel Coward. Adam Lambert sings the title track. Directed by Barnaby Thompson