Kay Kendall

[theuofc]

Yes the serviceman is BC. Get with the programme you lot!

We're back in line, Sir! Lead the charge



Best,



Barbara

[Jack Gurney]

Michael Balfour ended his career on a high note- his one and only leading role as the farmer in REVENGE OF BILLY THE KID (1990) an excellent horror/black comedy directed by Jim Grrom (who recently made ROOM 36) and with some production involvement from a mate of mine, Paul Cotgrove. The film is also of note because it features the last appearance by Michael Ripper, an actor with whom Balfour shared a kinship as one of the great bit-parters of our time. I bet between them they could have told a few stories, but sadly they both passed on within a few years of the movie. My mate Ollie Parfitt was Ripper's care worker towards the end of his life (he had Alzheimer's) and played the organ at his funeral.



As for Kay Kendall, by god was she gorgeous.

[samkydd]

As for Kay Kendall, by god was she gorgeous.

One of Jack Cardiff's favourite photographs, and I can see why Kay Kendall was so special;

The only time you see women like that these days is if you watch old films!

[samkydd]

I didn't get any answers on my query regading Michael Balfours American accent. In 'Revenge Of Billy The Kid', did he play yet another Yank?

I've only ever heard him speak in sort of American WWII cliches like "These limeys!" or "Howdy Bud!" etc and even then I can't remember ever hearing him say more than a few words in any film I've seen him in, not enough to establish what accent he used!

[Merton Park]

He was in loads of English films playing a spiv/crook as well as an american. Underrated as an actor.

[stevie boy]

By God she was gorgeous and she also appeared in a Bilko episode and very good she was too. Her defining role was of course in Geneivieve and that scene with the trumpet to my mind was very sexy. I bet she was a sex bomb in real life. A sad early loss.

[hankoler]

I think Michael Balfour did a lot of pottery wether it was a business he had or a hobby i don't know.

[Pricey]

She was in the frame to be the girl in Chaplin's "King In New York" as it was a good role for her and I believe she was romantically linked to Sydney Chaplin at the time - obviously didn't work out which is a shame.

I think she was very beautiful and I remember my mother being very sad about her untimely death whenever one of Kay's films turned up on TV.

[Windthrop]

He was in loads of English films playing a spiv/crook as well as an american. Underrated as an actor.

He also played the tramp in the Outspan orange advert

[Sid]

I remember my late father telling me of the day he met Kay Kendall.

He was a police officer and had the task of keeping traffic away from them filming Genevieve, some of the locations being in the Staines area. During the film crews lunch break, he wandered across to where Kay and Kenneth More were chatting, obviously to have a closer look (well, he was a youngish red blooded bloke back then). They engaged him in conversation, during which KM asked him if he'd rather spend the day with KK, or playing golf. My dad, quite naturally chose the former, and far more attractive option, to which KM replied that he'd "rather play a round of golf anyday".

KK promptly treated him to a playful, but not very gentle, whack round the earhole!



What a shame that such a lovely lady, and talented actress, was taken so young.



Sid

[batman]

What a shame that such a lovely lady, and talented actress, was taken so young.

Sid

I have to agree ....







Bats.

[silverwhistle]

There is a small museum devoted to Kay in the Lighthouse at Withernsea. My parents have been to it, as it's only a fairly short bus ride from where they live on the edge of Hull.

[Pricey]

Thanks for the tip - got a brother in Hull so will definitely check out the Lighthouse at Withernsea on my next trip. As the Rutles so touchingly put it.."When you find the girl of your dreams in the arms of some Scotsmen from Hull"

[silverwhistle]

Also visit the Windmill Pub on Holderness Road, Hull: this is the converted mill which was the foundation of the rank family fortune. J Arthur Rank's birthplace is just across the road from it, and is marked with a plaque.

[Mark O]

Kay's grave, at St. John's, Hampstead.......

[silverwhistle]

Ooooh! What lovely calligraphy!

[Mark O]

Ooooh! What lovely calligraphy!

Yes!.......the tablet below is in the same style, dedicated to her Brother Cavan.....