Telstar: The Joe Meek Story

Telstar The Joe Meek Story is a 2008 film adaptation of James Hicks and Nick Morans play Telstar, about record producer Joe Meek, which opened at the New Ambassadors Theatre in Londons West End in June 2005. The film is directed by Nick Moran and stars Con ONeill, who also played Joe Meek in the original play, while Kevin Spacey plays Meeks business partner, Major Wilfred Banks.

Some of those portrayed in the film assisted with the production, or appeared in minor roles playing older characters alongside the actors portraying their younger selves. Singer Chas Hodges, who appears as Meeks enraged neighbour, complaining about the noise by banging a dustbin lid, recommended Carl Bart of the Libertines for the role of Gene Vincent, whilst Tornados drummer Clem Cattini appears in a scene as John Leytons chauffeur and provided advice on set design. Leyton himself plays the fictional Sir Edward, and singeractor Jess Conrad plays pop manager Larry Parnes. Meeks young protge Patrick Pink now known as Robbie Duke appears as a stagehand.After the premiere, Robbie Duke, formerly Patrick Pink, who had been Meeks young protge and was present when Meek killed his landlady and himself, was very upset how the filmmakers had portrayed his relationship with Joe Meek, suggesting that they had been lovers. He expressed his anger for the press, and also posted an open letter to the filmmakers on the Internet, where he demanded a public apology. Similarly, the family of Heinz Burt has also criticized the film for portraying him as Meeks lover, claiming that Heinz Burt did not have a close relationship with Meek, and was also not a homosexual as portrayed in the film. ........

Source: Wikipedia