Francis Matthews

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by batman Moor, I think you mean William Franklyn?

Of course I did.



Thank heavens I didn't call him Benjamin!

[batman]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin Of course I did. Thank heavens I didn't call him Benjamin!

Shhh ... I won't tell you know who if you don't.

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by batman Shhh ... I won't tell you know who if you don't.

Your immediate ability to figure out who the heck I was talking about does, I suppose, prove something...............

[batman]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin Your immediate ability to figure out who the heck I was talking about does, I suppose, prove something...............

.... that I am a sad old git!

[batman]

I just stumbled upon this nice picture of Francis taken in 2006 at Collectormania in Manchester.

[Dave Rattigan]

Gosh, Francis, you do indeed still look quite dashing!

Francis, has Don Fearney been in touch yet about doing another Hammer reunion at Bray this summer? I know he's keen to have one, but he hasn't had much response from those he's contacted so far. If it does happen, it would be great to see you there.

[Francis]

Originally Posted by Moor Larkin Of course I did. Thank heavens I didn't call him Benjamin!

"Billy Franklyn was one of my very dearest and longest-lasting friends. Sadly he died about 18 months ago and is missed by so many, especially for his vbrant sense of life and rich humour. Now there Is a man I don't mind being mistaken for.

[Francis]

Originally Posted by batman I just stumbled upon this nice picture of Francis taken in 2006 at Collectormania in Manchester.

Good God Batman I really could be "shuffling" there!

[Francis]

Originally Posted by Dame Starry 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.

Hey Starry! When did we speak on the telephone ?? Am I missing something? You may be interested to know that a young voice producer (earrings, skinhead, Doc Martens etc) once seriously asked me: "Who is Cary Grant?" He had genuinely never heard of him. He's probably running Sky TV or some-such now! Now......repeat after me: "Judy, Judy, Judy !)

[Francis]

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

I should not have spoken. Can we all stop being unkind to Gerald

[Francis]

Originally Posted by Dave Rattigan Gosh, Francis, you do indeed still look quite dashing! Francis, has Don Fearney been in touch yet about doing another Hammer reunion at Bray this summer? I know he's keen to have one, but he hasn't had much response from those he's contacted so far. If it does happen, it would be great to see you there.

Don Fearney has not been in touch with me re another Hammer reunion. Is there anybody left apart from Ba Shelley, the ubiquitous Christopher, and myself?

[Dame Starry]

Originally Posted by Francis Hey Starry! When did we speak on the telephone ?? Am I missing something? You may be interested to know that a young voice producer (earrings, skinhead, Doc Martens etc) once seriously asked me: "Who is Cary Grant?" He had genuinely never heard of him. He's probably running Sky TV or some-such now! Now......repeat after me: "Judy, Judy, Judy !)

Hello, Francis - you're up late tonight!

These kids today - they know nothing, do they? Fancy not knowing Cary Grant, eh? I blame the parents.

I don't think we've ever spoken on the phone unfortunately - although we may have done if you ever made any European telephone calls in the 1970s - I used to work as an operator in a very big exchange opposite the Mermaid Theatre.

I'm practising: Judy! Judy! Judy! I'm ready for my close-up now!

Did I pass muster?

Starry x.

[Francis]

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?.....

Destiny was adorable, and I think I remember her being voiced by Sylvia Anderson,......Gerry's one-time wife and associate producer.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Francis Destiny was adorable, and I think I remember her being voiced by Sylvia Anderson,......Gerry's one-time wife and associate producer.

Destiny Angel was voiced by Elizabeth Morgan



Sylvia Anderson was the voice of Melody Angel.
She was also the voice of Lady Penelope


Steve

[smudge]

Originally Posted by Francis Don Fearney has not been in touch with me re another Hammer reunion. Is there anybody left apart from Ba Shelley, the ubiquitous Christopher, and myself?

Don F had a great turnout for the last event. Jimmy Sangster was there, Renee Glynne turned up. Yvonne Monlaur and Catherine Feller appeared amongst many more, including Carol Marsh from the original Dracula. Plenty of Hammer 'staffers' were there too.

Sad to say it was the last event attended by the wonderful Peter Graham Scott, who passed away the very next day. That was a terrible shock to all who attended but his family said he had a great time on the day and enjoyed meeting both the fans and his old friends from Hammer days.

We all signed a card on the day, sending good wishes to Barbara Shelley as she was unwell at time - I hope things have improved since.

If there is to be another event, do please come if you can Francis; it was a very nice day (though blisteringly hot) on the riverbank last time.

Smudge