Wikipedia:Peer review/Laurence Olivier/archive1

Laurence Olivier

Article is fairly comprehensive, want to know how to make it better. Thefourdotelipsis 03:51, 18 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I wrote the Vivien Leigh article earlier this year, and I intended working on Olivier also until I realised what a big task it is. His career, and reputation are gigantic and I was never sure how to condense so much into a Wiki sized article. It needs further discussion of his work, his successes and failures, his comments regarding his work, others' comments regarding him and specifically critical commentary of his work. Something of his legacy needs to be included. He's one of a very select few recent actors for example memorialised in Westminster Abbey, and the Laurence Olivier Awards are named for him for another example. The article needs to reflect how and why he's achieved this level which is so much greater than his peers. I'll look at it further when I have more time, but I think the article needs a great deal of work. It would be well worth doing though, I might add. I would move the huge list of stage and screen performances to it's own article, something like Vivien Leigh chronology of stage and film performances. References are absolutely crucial and the article currently has none. Rossrs 04:05, 18 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'll start on seperating his film and stage credits to another new article...thanks for the tip. —This unsigned comment was added by Thefourdotelipsis (talk • contribs) .

I've been thinking more about this. The "Private life" section is particularly bad, consisting of little more than rumours of his sexuality, along with an unsubstantiated reference to Esmond's supposed lesbianism. I'd remove the lot if it can't be sourced. "Private life" sections in themselves tend to veer a little towards trashy (although in this case it does more than merely veer). His marriages, divorces, children can easily be fitted into the narrative of his career, especially as all three of his wives were actresses who worked with him.

I find it easier to work out the sections and what they should contain before tackling the article. This is what I would suggest :

A lead section that sumarises the article to follow. Who he is, what did he do, what is notable or exceptional about him. It should be the last thing you do.
Early life - background, education, interests/influences regarding acting, how and why started acting
Acting career with 4 subheadings - a. early career up to about 1939, b. success in America and career up to about 1950. c. middle section of career, up to 1967 when he was diagnosed with cancer. d. later career up to retirement due to illness. In each section major successes and failures should be discussed, with critical comments included where appropriate.
Final years and death
Critical section/Legacy - general information about Olivier's views on acting, outside commentary from notable critics of the time, but also modern commentary looking back at his overall achievement, how he has influenced further generations of actors etc.
Honours and awards - maybe. It might create less clutter to mention the major ones as they occur in the career narrative, and perhaps a new article "List of honours and awards received by Laurence Olivier" could be created.

As I said, a big, big task but I think the result could be superb. Rossrs 16:11, 18 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I saw a wonderful bit of formatting in terms of Academy Awards on the Billy Wilder Page. I'll adopt that for this page.Thefourdotelipsis 00:07, 19 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I hadn't seen that before and it looks sensational. Rossrs 00:46, 19 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I've sort of done a framework for the Olivier filmography, but it's far from complete. I used your'e format, I hope you don't mind. Laurence Olivier chronology of stage and film performances

—This unsigned comment was added by Thefourdotelipsis (talk • contribs) .

of course not, I'm pleased for you to copy it. Looks like you're off to a good start.Rossrs 00:46, 19 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I must say that it's an excellent format, nice and comprehensive, but I can't find all that info on Olivier. But I am sure that someone else will know. I think that format should be used on all Actors and actresses. Thefourdotelipsis 01:01, 19 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'll add it for you, if you like. I have a book on Olivier that lists everything. I'll get that done in the next few days. Rossrs 01:08, 19 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

lead should be expanded per WP:LEAD.
Academy Awards, in the heading, should not be linked; see WP:MOS
I think Academy Awards should be merged into honours.
What happened to the rest of his career?
See also should be bulleted
If the further reading books were used as sources for the article, the section should be renamed References.

Thanks, AndyZ 02:28, 23 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]