julian_craster

Hello: The Autobiography
by Leslie Phillips

Publisher: Orion (31 Aug 2006)
ISBN: 0752868896

Leslie Phillips's story begins with a poverty-stricken childhood in north London, made all the worse when his father died when Leslie was just ten years old. Soon after, he began his acting career, and since then he has worked with Steven Spielberg, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie, among many others. Best known for his comic roles in the Carry On and Doctor series, he took the decision in later life to take on more serious roles in films such as Empire of the Sun, Out of Africa and Scandal, as well as performing in plays such as The Cherry Orchard. In this, his long-awaited autobiography, he will recall some of the great characters he has worked with, and the book will be be packed with hilarious anecdotes. He also highlights how different he is in real life from his public image as a bounder. It is a fascinating story, brilliantly told.

Cuffy

Now that, I'll have to read.

My favourite screen appearence of his was when he stole the show in The Fast Lady/Father Came Too! films. He played the usual cad & bounder type role brilliantly, though the scenes with him crawling to James Robertson Justice were some of my particular favourites.

Not forgetting his other work too - I'm sure there's an awful lot of his later work that I've yet to discover.

Ascoyne D'Ascoyne

He was brilliant as the crusty old judge in the TV re-creation of "The Trials of Oz".
I booked theatre tickets a few years ago to see him in "Gross Indecency" (about the Wilde trials) but unfortunately he was indisposed and couldn't appear. I wonder if he's given up performing in the theatre now.

DAE

the mere mention of Leslie Phillips will almost undoubtedly bring a smile to the face of any British film fan - he is one of the most unforgettable faces/voices of British film (and like fellow greats, Ian Carmichael and George Cole to name just two, we see far too little of them and they have not yet been duly celebrated - either by way of BAFTA tribute/knighthood or preferably both)

He also appeared in some serious films early on in his career such as the 1938 classic 'The Citadel' (nearly 70 years ago!!!), 'Train Of Events' (1949) and 'The Sound Barrier' (1952).

i'm a big fan and so i will definitely be getting this book.

David Brent

Leslie Phillips may not be a bounder or cad in real life but I'd be interested to read whether he was really the womaniser that he was depicted to be in many of his film appearances.:)

One of Britain's most loved comedy actors. I can imagine he has many interesting stories to tell.
Like everyone else I'm looking forward to reading the book.

Dave.

Ascoyne D'Ascoyne

Looking through some old tapes I found a Bob Monkhouse "What a Performance" programme on "Cads."
Needless to say, along with Terry Thomas, George Sanders, Peter Wyngarde etc., Leslie Phillips was featured. Monkhouse stated that, in real life, Phillips was a gentle, private man. It was noticeable that although Peter Wyngarde was interviewed for the programme commenting on his Jason King role, Phillips was not interviewed.

Wee Sonny MacGregor

I loved him as Lord Flamborough in "Love on a Branch Line". When I met him not so long ago he was utterly charming, a nice guy. As to his womanising film image, and whether there was an element of real life, when he was asked about this at the NFT he replied "I've had my share".

David Brent

The lucky bounder!

He was bounder to say that.

Dave.

DB7

Just a heads up, he releases an autobiography ('Hello') next month.

Wee Sonny MacGregor

More details below in the thread of 27 September

Freddy

Just a quickie, Leslie Philips is on 'Loose Women' today. ITV 12.30 lunchtime.
Not a group of women I normally 'do' lunch with but on this occassion.

Only noticed this morning, late notice I know but life's a bounder sometimes

Freddy

Marky B

He is,without doubt,a national treasure.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

Steve Crook

But is the 13th Duke of Wymbourne from The Fast Show based on Leslie?

Steve

PS68060

I see that LP is scheduled to be at MK this weekend. Does anyone know which day(s) ?

"Oh! Pete!"

NappieB

I've been a fan for many years.

Apart from his numerous movie appearances, I enjoyed his radio work (e.g. THE NAVY LARK) and his unexpected "pop-ups" (as I call them), e.g. he is (or was) the voice you hear on the safety video on many long haul Virgin Atlantic flights!

"The future is yet to come" - George W. Bush