Lionel Jeffries

[David Brent]

One of my all time favourite character actors,particularly in comedies,is Lionel Jeffries.



Hillarious in comedy classics such as "Two Way Stretch","Law & Disorder"& "Idol on Parade."



Of course Lionel later turned to film direction with the highlight being "The Railway Children."

It must also be said that he was also responsible for the movie "Wombling Free" (any Womble fans out there?)



Does anyone know if Lionel is still working?



Cheers!



David.

[Jim]

Morning again Dave,



I think I read somewhere, sometime ago that Lionel had died. He put on a bit of weight in his later years. When you consider that he was fairly slim.



Hold up! According to the IMBd he's still going! Last appearance in 1998. Born in 1926, he would be 78. Unless someone out there knows better?

[smudge]

He's still about...



Didn't he turn his hand to writing ; maybe he's doing that now ?



He was excellent as old SourCrout in TWO WAY STRETCH and as the hapless copper in WRONG ARM OF THE LAW.



One of his best later performances was in the TV film ENDING UP ; the ensemble cast of veterans wer all excellent. See it if you can. thumbs_u



SMUDGE

[MrDrakesDuck]

Does anyone know if Lionel is still working?

When I first read that I thought 'he must have died years ago', but he's actually a lot younger than I assumed.



Hardly a role that stretched him but I like him in 'Up the Creek' as the sailor who keeps chickens in the gun turret.



'The Trials of Oscar Wilde' shows he's very capable playing it straight as well.

One of his best later performances was in the TV film ENDING UP ; the ensemble cast of veterans wer all excellent. See it if you can.

Googie Withers was in that wasn't she, quite a twisted black comedy, a lot of farting IIRC.



:)

[smudge]

Spot on, Mr. Drake's...



As were Wendy Hiller, Michael Hordern and Sir John Mills. Yes,it was wonderfully anarchic and growing-old-disgracefully, after the novel by Kingsley Amis.



Lionel, I could swear has said in interviews that he was BORN old ! wink He'll be 78 now, and long may he continue !



SMUDGE

[Stephen Pickard]

"First Men in the Moon" is also one of my top favourite roles of his, but I think "Two-Way Stretch" will be the role that he will be best remembered for.

[Jim]

Saw Lionel in Lexx last week. What has happened to Lexx - it used to be good! frown

[michael dangero]

He'll always be Grandpa (Grandfather) Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"....



When I saw him in "Ending Up" here on A&E I didn't recognize him, only his name in the credits...I was happy he was still out there doing his thing".



"It's the POSH LIFE for me..."

[Marky B]

Lionel Jeffries is one of those national treasures who are beyond criticism,such as Wendy Craig,Dame Judi Dench,Alistair Sim,Margaret Rutherford,and all the great character actors of pastand present! thumbs_u

Ta Ta

Marky B wink

PS What is Lexx :)

[Gibbie]

michael dangero:

He'll always be Grandpa (Grandfather) Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"....



When I saw him in "Ending Up" here on A&E I didn't recognize him, only his name in the credits...I was happy he was still out there doing his thing".



"It's the POSH LIFE for me..."

Agreed, Dangero!



"Capital P.O.S.H. - Posh!"



Gibbie

[Gibbie]

Marky B:



PS What is Lexx :)

Lexx is one of those sci-fi cult TV shows.

[Hackett]

He will always be remembered for his comic roles but he could play a great baddie. Col. Judd in "THE SCARLET BLADE" 1963 and best of all as Lt. Graham McDaniel who comes to a sticky end after trying it on with Ava Gardner in "BHOWANI JUNCTION" 1956.

[Jim]

Yes I remember 'The Scarlet Blade' the most historically incorrect film about the Civil War; along with 'Cromwell' and 'To Kill a King', I have ever seen. Ollie was his usual rough, bad self and our Lionel was a baddie too.



As for trying it with Ava Gardner - well you can't blame him can you? blush

[Gibbie]

JIM:

Yes I remember 'The Scarlet Blade' the most historically incorrect film about the Civil War; along with 'Cromwell' and 'To Kill a King', I have ever seen. Ollie was his usual rough, bad self and our Lionel was a baddie too.



As for trying it with Ava Gardner - well you can't blame him can you? blush

You mean Ollie Reed?

[Davoo]

Anbody know what the brilliant character actor is up to these days??

[Nick Dando]

The last things that I saw him in were the excellent Ending Up (what a cast!) and the not quite so wonderful Rich Tea and Sympathy. His last entry is for 2001, but he'll be 81 in exactly one month's time.



Nick

[Merton Park]

One of my favourites. Could never forget Nosey Parker in Wrong Arm of the Law or the copper in Two Way Stretch, brilliant actor. Excellent!

[Fellwanderer]

Anbody know what the brilliant character actor is up to these days??

A few months ago I did hear from a reliable source that he was not in the best of health.

[Ady]

. . . . . . . . . . . brilliant character actor . . . . . . . . . . .

I agree , Davoo .





from Murder Ahoy

[Fellwanderer]

I agree , Davoo .


from Murder Ahoy

And also director of the finest family film this country, and arguably the world, has ever produced - The Railway Children.