Francis Matthews

[batman]

Originally Posted by Francis I am amazed, DS, that so many of you folk know so much more than I do about my past !! I thought everything I had ever appeared in (and it was a lot) was long dead and buried. And all I wanted to do was complain about being dubbed a "shuffler" !

You have a lot of fans Francis. Not only for 'Temple' but for Captain Scarlet, Crossplot not to mention your fine appearances in Hammer productions and ITC TV shows. Your work is mostly definitely not forgotten.

[smudge]

I guess a lot of actors/film-makers think similarly, that their old work is long since dead and buried. The advent of VHS, DVD and Satellite TV have made this back catalogue all the more accessible (though not as much as some of us might like!) and people are (re)discovering this stuff all the time.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be - these days it's a full blown industry, as you will appreciate, Francis, from your various appearances on the guest/signing circuit. But the point of most of this is that there are generations of performers, writers and directors (etc.) whose work is still very much appreciated and those generations that are still with us (even if they may have stopped working) are very much respected and, indeed, loved by a mass of people who to this day sit in front of the screen and have a jolly good time thanks to all of the work that went before.

This is why it is nice to be able to say 'thank you' on a one-to-one basis when people like yourself and John Llewellyn come to visit forums like this - although we appreciate that it may seem a little daunting at first...

Smudge

[Jackdaw]

Originally Posted by Francis Hello Jackdaw. I guested in two of the "Dick Emery" Shows for BBC, but the show you're thinking of is two six-part comedy sketch Series I did with Leslie Crowther and Anna Dawson. As well as all the comedy we did many musical numbers and always ended the show with a topical parody of "Let's do it", based on Noel Coward's own parody of the Cole Porter number. The shows were recorded with an audience at ATV Studios Elstree, before the Beeb took it over.They were called "The Crowther Collection"

Thanks for that, Francis.
How embarrassing, getting DE and LC mixed up, think I must be losing it!
At least I got you and Anna right.

[image45]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin That was discussed by George Cole last night in an interview on telly. They showed a brief clip with Mr. Cole in it, so something still exists.

Yes I wanted to watch that but I feel asleep and it does not seem to be lined up for a repeat yet, when I would love to see it

[Francis]

Originally Posted by julian_craster Francis, I am very interested in British second features, and wonder if you have any memories of a film in which you starred titled The Lamp in Assassin Mews (1962) The Lamp in Assassin Mews (1962) Any memories you have of the DANNZIGERS and filming at NEW ELSTREE studios would be fascinating !

Harry and Eddie Danziger owned the Mayfair Hotel in London and built their own New Elstree Studios in the days when all Cinemas had Double-Bills. They made more "B" pictures than any other company and all the sets were furnished with vanloads of dressing from their Hotel. I played the lead in 5 Productions: "A Woman Possessed", "Breach of Promise", "The Pursuers", "Lamp in Assassin Mews" and "Sentenced for Life". They were shot in just ten days, and my fee was £15 a day! However you had the full star treatment - like a mini M.G.M. Great restaurant, stand-ins, name on the chair, smooth Dressing-rooms and you met all your mates. It was Fun, and it was where I learned the technique of Film

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by Francis Harry and Eddie Danziger owned the Mayfair Hotel in London and built their own New Elstree Studios in the days when all Cinemas had Double-Bills. They made more "B" pictures than any other company and all the sets were furnished with vanloads of dressing from their Hotel.

You may enjoy a trip here (if you haven't been already):
Danzigers

[deancosmos]

Well Francis, I have to say I saw you by Claygate station a few months back and you were practically skipping ! You appeared in fine fettle sir.

[Francis]

Thank you for that endorsement, deancosmos. I notice that since my joining the forum we have not heard from "Merton Park" again on the subject of my physical incapacity. But. to be fair, it could be mistaken identity........Or Gerald Harper ? My doppleganger? I do get blamed for a lot of his work!!

[batman]

Originally Posted by Francis Thank you for that endorsement, deancosmos. I notice that since my joining the forum we have not heard from "Merton Park" again on the subject of my physical incapacity. But. to be fair, it could be mistaken identity........Or Gerald Harper ? My doppleganger? I do get blamed for a lot of his work!!

But does he get blamed for yours?

[Francis]

He should be so lucky Batman !!

[batman]

Originally Posted by Francis He should be so lucky Batman !!

I wonder what Gerald is up to here ....

[Dame Starry]

Originally Posted by batman I wonder what Gerald is up to here ....

I don’t know, but he looks frighteningly comfortable in those clothes, doesn’t he?

I cannot believe that ANYBODY could get Gerald Harper mixed up with Our Francis – in OR out of drag! My mother will be appalled when I tell her, Francis; you’re her Number Two man - second only to Sir Roger.

I CAN imagine you being mistaken for Cary Grant though, particularly on the telephone – have you ever pretended to be him? Truth now!

Starry x.

[batman]

What Gerald is up to is revealed here ...

Filming on Location at Mid-Hants Railway

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by Francis Thank you for that endorsement, deancosmos. I notice that since my joining the forum we have not heard from "Merton Park" again on the subject of my physical incapacity. But. to be fair, it could be mistaken identity........Or Gerald Harper ? My doppleganger? I do get blamed for a lot of his work!!

Oddly enough I almost made a joke very early on in this Thread about you being William Faulkner (it was going to be schh, you know kinda thing). I thought it best not to, in case you actually really were.... you! And I didn't want to seem rude....... (for a change)

I can quite see the doppellishness. I suspect it has more to do with a refinement of speech and manner of the screen characters, as much as looks. Hence my Mr. Faulkner thought as well.

Now, please tell us..... what was Destiny Angel really like?.....

[batman]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin Oddly enough I almost made a joke very early on in this Thread about you being William Faulkner (it was going to be schh, you know kinda thing). I thought it best not to, in case you actually really were.... you! And I didn't want to seem rude....... (for a change) I can quite see the doppellishness. I suspect it has more to do with a refinement of speech and manner of the screen characters, as much as looks. Hence my Mr. Faulkner thought as well. Now, please tell us..... what was Destiny Angel really like?.....

Moor, I think you mean William Franklyn?