British actors – Page 2 – Cottage Capers

On this day in history….5th April 1912

On this day in history : 5th April 1912 – The birth of English character actor John Le Mesurier – perhaps best known to us for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in ‘Dad’s Army’….

John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson – Fair use

Born John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley in Bedford, Le Mesurier was the son of a solicitor and spent his early childhood in Bury St. Edmunds, West Suffolk – before attending boarding school in Kent and then later Dorset…. After leaving school he was encouraged to follow in his father’s footsteps….but he had hankered after a career on the stage since an early age…. So he joined an amateur dramatic group – and then in September 1933 he left the legal profession and enrolled in the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art…. A fellow student was Alec Guinness – who became a lifelong friend….

Le Mesurier made his stage debut at Edinburgh’s Palladium Theatre in 1934, with a part in the J.B.Priestley play ‘Dangerous Corner’…. During the War years he was commissioned in the Royal Tank Regiment and in 1943 was posted to British India where he spent the remainder of the War…. After being demobbed in 1946 Le Mesurier returned to Britain to resume his acting career, making his film debut in 1948 in the short mystery film ‘Death in the Hand’….

Although Le Mesurier preferred comedy his versatility saw him in a variety of roles, from ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ to ‘The Italian Job’…. The role of Sergeant Arthur Wilson in ‘Dad’s Army’ came about in 1968…. He based the character on himself – upper-middle class, softly spoken, polite and forgiving in nature…. He was an unassuming man – playing down the BAFTA he received in 1971 for Best Actor of the Year for his role as Adrian Harris in Dennis Potter’s Play For Today ‘Traitor’….

Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of Dad’s Army – 1971 Christmas Special ‘Battle of the Giants!’ – Fair use

Behind the scenes Le Mesurier had a turbulent and perhaps tragic personal life…. He had married his first wife, June Melville, in April 1940….However, on returning home from India, after being demobbed, he discovered she had become an alcoholic…. They divorced in 1949…. In the November of 1949 he married Carry-On star Hattie Jacques and they had two sons, Robin and Kim…. But in 1962 she began an affair with her driver, John Schofield – even going as far as moving him into the family home, whilst Le Mesurier was still there…. Le Mesurier desperately tried to repair the marriage – but became quite unwell, collapsing whilst on holiday in Tangier in 1963 and needing hospitalisation…. When he returned home to find his wife and her lover still together he suffered a relapse….

Eventually Le Mesurier and Jacques divorced…. He even took the blame for the breakup of the marriage to save her reputation…. He had met Jean Malin by this time and in March 1966 she became his third wife…. Only a few months later she was to begin a relationship and move in with his friend, comedian Tony Hancock…. But being an alcoholic Hancock was to behave in an abusive manner towards her…. A year or so later she attempted suicide; she left Hancock and returned to her husband….

From July 1983 Le Mesurier’s health noticeably deteriorated, he was hospitalised after suffering a haemorrhage…. Six years before he had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver on account of his prolonged heavy drinking…. Later in 1983 he was to have a recurrence of his condition, he was admitted to Ramsgate Hospital…. Before slipping into a final coma he reportedly said to his wife “It’s all been rather lovely”…. Le Mesurier died on the 15th of November 1983…. He left behind his own death notice to be printed in The Times the following day – saying that he had “Conked out” and he ‘Sadly misses family and friends”…. His ashes were later buried at the Church of St. George the Martyr, Ramsgate…. The following year his autobiography ’A Jobbing Actor’ was published posthumously….

On this day in history….2nd April 1934

On this day in history : 2nd April 1934 – The birth of actor, teacher and writer Brian Glover, who made his acting debut in the film ‘Kes’ – but started out as an all-in-wrestler….

Wrestling was in his blood…. His father, Charles, was an all-in-wrestler going by the name of ‘The Red Devil’…. By day Brian’s parents ran a grocer’s shop – they didn’t actually get around to marrying until Brian was 20-years-old….

Brian was born in Sheffield but raised in Barnsley…. He won a scholarship for the Barnsley Grammar School and then went on to study English and French at the University of Sheffield…. To top up his student grant he started professional all-in-wrestling, with the name ‘Leon Arras the man from Paris’…. He took his name from a real life Frenchman who failed to show up at a wrestling competition – and Brian stepped in, it was his first public match…. He developed a style of his own, incorporating comic antics with catchphrases such as “ows about that then?” and “ask ‘im ref”….

In 1954 he began to teach at his old grammar school in Barnsley, drumming the delights of English and French into his students…. Also in 1954 he married his first wife, Elaine, with whom he had a daughter – they were later to divorce…. Brian continued to wrestle in matches across Europe…. He remarried in 1976, to Tara Prem, a TV producer and they had a son….

It was whilst working at Longcar Central School in Barnsley that Brian was to meet PE teacher Barry Hines, author of ‘A Kestrel for a Knave’ – which was published in 1968…. The story of Billy Cooper, a troubled young boy from a mining village, who cares for a kestrel he names ‘Kes’…. It is a book many of us will have read during our school years…. Barry went on to help adapt his book and co-write with Ken Loach for the 1969 film ‘Kes’…. He recommended Brian Glover for the part of the comical but domineering sports master, Mr Sugden….

Brian had no acting experience but was a natural as a character actor…. In 1970 he gave up teaching and his wrestling career soon after to become a full time actor…. With his broad Yorkshire accent, bald head and stocky frame he found himself cast many a time as a criminal or tough guy…. His TV work included parts in favourites such as ‘The Sweeney’, ‘Minder’, ‘The Bill’, ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads’, ‘Dixon of Dock Green’, ‘Dr. Who’, ‘Bottom’ and as prisoner Cyril Heslop in the sitcom ‘Porridge’…. He also appeared several times in the BBC’s ‘Play For Today’ series…. His dulcet tones could be heard in TV ad breaks for adverts such as Tetley’s “Tetley make teabags make tea” and Allison’s bread – “nowt taken out”…. He was even a narrator for the children’s series ‘Little Red Tractor’….

His theatre work was to include ‘The Changing Room’ at the Royal Court Theatre, London, a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company and performances of ‘The Mysteries’, ‘Saint Joan’ and ‘Don Quixote’ at the Royal National Theatre…. His film work was also extensive, with parts in ‘Alien 3’, ‘Jabberwocky’, ‘The First Great Train Robbery’, ‘An American Werewolf in London’, ‘Leon the Pig Farmer’ ‘Company of Wolves’ and the Bollywood movie ‘1942; A Love Story’….amongst others…. He also wrote over 20 plays and short films – as well as writing a regular column for a Yorkshire newspaper….

Brian died of a brain tumour in a London hospital on the 24th of July 1997…. He is buried in the Brompton Cemetery….

Image credit : Edwardx at en.wikipedia CC BY 2.5

British History

On this day in history….28th March 2004

On this day in history : 28th March 2004 – The death of actor, director, playwright, screenwriter, comedian, novelist, raconteur and humanitarian – Sir Peter Ustinov….

Sir Peter Ustinov – Image Credit : Allan Warren – own work CC BY-SA 3.0

Born Peter Alexander Freiherr Von Ustinov on the 16th of April 1921 in Swiss Cottage, London, Peter once said of himself “I am an international citizen conceived in Russia, born in England, working in Hollywood, living in Switzerland and touring the world”…. It could perhaps be said his global diversity started with the blood in his veins…. His father was half Russian, part African-Ethiopian, Polish and German….whilst his mother was also half Russian but part Italian, French and German…. The family had ancestral connections to Russian nobility and the Ethiopian royal family…. Not surprisingly Peter was brought up in a multi-lingual family – he spoke fluent English, Russian, French, Italian, German and Spanish and could get by in Greek and Turkish….

Peter attended Westminster College between 1934 and 1937 before joining the London Theatre Studio until 1939…. He made his stage debut in 1939…. His film debut came in 1940 with ‘Hullo, Fame!’

From 1942-1946 he served with the Royal Sussex Regiment as a Private…. It was during this period that he was to form a life long friendship with the actor David Niven…. Peter spent most of his service making recruitment films…. He also co-wrote the 1944 World War 2 drama ‘The Way Ahead’ starring David Niven…. After the War Peter himself was to appear in a catalogue of films, from the acclaimed ‘Lola Montes’ in 1955 to ‘The Comedians’, 1967 and ‘Robin Hood’, 1973 and ‘Logan’s Run‘, 1976 – and a whole host of other films in between…. He was awarded two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, one for ‘Spartacus’ in 1960 and ‘Topkapi’ in 1964…. He received a further two nominations both as an actor and writer…. His play ‘The Unknown Soldier and His Wife’ was the first play to be performed at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane, on its opening in 1973….

His career, as an actor, slowed down a little during the 1970s but 1978 saw him back in the role of Hercules Poirot in Agatha Christie’s ‘Death on the Nile’…. The 1980s saw him in several strong TV film roles such as ‘Evil Under the Sun’ with Maggie Smith in 1982 and ‘Appointment with Death’ in 1988…. 1992 saw him in the epic film ‘Lorenzo’s Oil’ with Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon….

Peter as Hercule Poirot with John Gielgud in ‘Appointment with Death’, 1988 – Image credit : Yoni S. Hamenahem CC BY-SA 3.0

His writing career included his autobiographical books ‘Dear Me’ in 1977 and ‘My Russia’ in 1996…. With his wit and humour he was a popular choice for TV chat shows – he was also a TV journalist himself…. His 1986 BBC TV series ‘Russia’ saw him visit more than 30 Russian cities during this well-received series….

In 1975 Peter received a CBE for his services to drama and in 1991 he received his knighthood…. He was a Humanist Laureate and from 1968 until his death a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF….

Peter was father to four….he married three times…. His first wife Isolde Dunham, who he married in 1940 and with whom he had a daughter, was the half sister of Angela Lansbury…. The marriage ended in divorce in 1950…. Peter then married Suzanne Cloutier in 1954 and they had two daughters and a son…. This marriage ended in 1971….

With Suzanne Cloutier and their daughter during the 1950s – Public domain

It was in 1971 that Peter moved to a chateau in the village of Bursins in Switzerland…. In June 1971 he married Helene du Lau d’Allemans…. He died of heart failure in a clinic in Genolier, Switzerland on the 28th March 2004…. His funeral was held at Geneva’s Cathedral of St. Pierre – he is buried in the cemetery in Bursins….

Peter Ustinov – Image credit : Alberto Botella via Flickr

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….1st March 1910

On this day in history : 1st March 1910 – The birth of English actor and writer David Niven – who’s many films include Casino Royale, Around the World in 80 Days and The Guns of Navarone….

James David Graham Niven was born in Belgrave Mansions, London, into a military family – he was the youngest of four children and he was named for the day on which he was born – St. David’s Day…. He studied at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire before taking his place at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst – where he gained a Commission as Second Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry….

Niven was keen to try his hand at acting – so he left his post in the army and travelled to Hollywood, where he managed to secure several minor roles…. He then appeared as an extra in British film There Goes the Bride in 1932 which subsequently got him more small parts….

At the outbreak of World War 2 he rejoined the army, being recommissioned as a lieutenant…. During this time he made a couple of war propaganda, morale boosting films:- The First of the Few, about the Spitfire aircraft, which greatly pleased Winston Churchill and The Way Ahead in which he starred with Peter Ustinov….

After the War Niven resumed his acting career making A Matter of Life and Death in 1946 before returning to Hollywood to star in the 1947 film The Bishop’s Wife alongside Cary Grant…. Niven had only been back in Hollywood six weeks when tragedy was to strike…. During a party at the Beverley Hills house of American actor Tyrone Power, a game of hide and seek had been taking place…. Niven’s wife, Primula, had opened the door to what she thought was a cupboard – only it was in fact a stone staircase leading to the basement…. She fell and sustained a fractured skull, dying from her injuries…. She was 28-years-old – the couple had two young sons….

In 1948 Niven met Swedish fashion model Hjordis Pauline Tersmeden – he was instantly smitten…. The pair married and had two children – but it was to be a stormy marriage, with her violent temper and his numerous affairs, including a rumoured one with Princess Margaret….

David Niven with his wife Hjordis Tersmeden, 1960 – Public domain

During the late 1940s and early 50s Niven’s career declined for a while…. However, in 1951 he made Happy Go Lovely, a musical with Vera-Ellen which was a big hit at the British Box Office…. He then went on to do a stint on Broadway which landed him a part in the film version of the stage play The Moon is Blue in 1953 – for which he won a Golden Globe….

With his career now well and truly back on track a string of successful films were to come…. One of his biggest roles was as Phileas Fogg in the 1956 hit Around the Word in 80 Days…. With his dry British wit Niven had never been more in demand…. He also did work for television with several TV dramas to his name, even hosting his own drama series The David Niven Show in 1959….

David Niven with his family, 5th August 1958 at Copenhagen Airport – Image SAS Scandanavian Airlines – Public domain

He still continued with light hearted movies such as the 1960 film Please Don’t Eat the Daisies with Doris Day, which was highly successful – but he was soon to show his versatility…. In 1961 he starred in the massive film The Guns of Navarone….which was then to see him cast in a run of war movies….

He returned to comedy in 1963 with The Pink Panther…. 1966 saw him in the horror film Eye of the Devil and then in 1967 he played the part of James Bond 007 in Ian Flemming’s Casino Royale….

He carried on working on various films during the 1970s – but by 1980 ill health was beginning to show…. During a couple of TV interviews his slurred speech left audiences wondering if he had been drinking – but it was actually a symptom of his illness, motor neurone disease…. He died at his chalet in Switzerland in July 1983….

As well as being such an accomplished actor Niven also wrote four books…. His autobiography The Moon’s a Balloon in 1971, which was very well received….and in 1975 a collection of humorous reminiscences of Hollywood…. He also wrote two novels and was working on a third at the time of his death….

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….21st January 1924

On this day in history : 24th January 1924 – The birth of Alfred Hawthorne Hill – better known to us as the slapstick comedian and actor Benny Hill….

Waxwork of Benny Hill in character as Fred Scuttle on The Benny Hill Show – Ricardo Liberato via Wikimedia Commons

Hill was born in Southampton – both his father and grandfather before him had been circus clowns…. Hill had a variety of jobs after leaving school…. He worked in Woolworth’s, did a spell as a milkman, was a driver, a bridge operator and even a drummer – before finally becoming assistant stage manager for a touring theatre company….

In 1942 he was called up – and served as a truck driver, mechanic and search light operator in Normandy, France…. However, his talent to entertain did not go unnoticed and he was eventually transferred to Combined Services Entertainment – the division which provided entertainment to the British Armed Forces…. It was at this time he changed his name to Benny – after his favourite comedian Jack Benny….

After the War he performed on radio – and made his TV debut in 1950…. He pursued a film career, with credits including ‘Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘The Italian Job’ – amongst others….

But his real glory came from his long running TV series ‘The Benny Hill Show’…. With its sketches of slapstick, parody, mime and double entendre the show ran in one form or another from January 1955 to May 1989 – and aired in over 140 countries…. In 1971 audience in the UK peaked at more than 21 million viewers…. However, declining numbers meant that in 1989 the show was axed….

Hill never married, although he proposed to at least two women – he had no children…. By the late 1980s his health had begun to decline – and in February 1992 he was advised to have a heart bypass after a mild heart attack…. He declined….a week later he was also diagnosed with kidney failure…. Benny Hill died alone, in his armchair in front of the TV, in April 1992….