austraLasia #2328
Thanks to E-Service, SUE, for the helpful tip from Manchester Evening News!

Director almost became a priest
 Alex Ralph 
 
MANCHESTER 16th January 2009 -- Golden Globe winner Danny Boyle's glittering film career may never have happened - if he hadn't been talked out of becoming a priest.  
    The Radcliffe-born director scooped four awards for Slumdog Millionaire and is hotly tipped to repeat the success at next month's Oscars. 
Former schoolmates said Boyle has always been destined for greatness. But they were relieved that he ditched plans to join the priesthood when he was a pupil at Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton, between 1973 and 1975. Father Gerry O'Shaughnessy, who was in the same English literature class as Boyle, said: "It is difficult to think when you are at school that your mate will get a Golden Globe, or be on course for an Oscar.  
    "He was a very pleasant lad, he called a spade a shovel. He was honest to goodness. Danny is still a Lancastrian, he has never forgotten his roots." 
    Boyle - whose father still lives in Greater Manchester - was one of the stars of the glittering Golden Globes ceremony in Los Angeles.
But Fr O'Shaughnessy said his old friend's life might have taken a different path had it not been for the school's priest. "Father Conway was an absolute gem," said Fr O'Shaughnessy. "He is dead now, but he encouraged Danny not to go into the priesthood. He told him: `The priesthood is not ready for you and I don't think you are ready for the priesthood'. 
"If Danny had joined we would not have seen the genius he is today. Although he would have made it to greatness in whatever career path he took." 
    Boyle, 52, began his career in theatre, and became a BBC television producer before going on to direct Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and The Beach. 
    He was inspired by a `great mentor' at the school called Frank Unsworth, said Fr O'Shaughnessy.  
    "We both had a dynamic drama teacher," he said. "He touched a chord with Danny. He took us to Stratford-upon-Avon to see a Shakespeare play and we also performed J.B. Priestley's When We Were Married."  
    Vinny Holland, who taught maths and sports at the school, said: "He was a solid student. He scored an A in English, and Bs in History and Economics, in the days when exams were a lot tougher." 
    Headmistress Alison Burrowes said: "Everyone was absolutely thrilled. We look forward to the next Danny Boyle coming out of the school. It provided a foundation for him. It gave him the confidence and courage to go on. He was always full of energy - a good pupil who was interested in all aspects of learning and it certainly stood him in good stead." 
    Slumdog Millionaire is the tale of a young man from the slums of Mumbai, who goes on to win Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
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Title: australasia 2328
Subject and key words: SDB General Slumdog Millionaire
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2328