Dirk Bogarde and Margaret Rutherford - Britmovie

GSMCTM · 07-10-2003, 11:44 PM

Here are my favourites (of course I could change my mind next year). Miss Rutherford could make a mediocre film enjoyable just by her presence. She always left you wanting more. Just to mention only one film "An Alligator Named Daisy" where she played the pet shop owner and didn't raise an eyebrow when Donald Sinden brought in Daisy; as if people brought in alligators every day!
Mr. Bogarde finally got the acting recognition he deserved in films like "The Servant", "King and Country" and "Death in Venice", and they're just 3 examples of his ability. He was also an excellent writer and I very much enjoyed his autobiographies.

DAVID RAYNER · 08-10-2003, 09:12 AM

I know that Dirk Bogarde wrote an autobiography many years ago entiltled "A Postilion Struck by Lightning", which, unfortunately, I never got around to buying and it's probably out of print now. But if you have this book, perhaps you could clear up a mystery for me concerning an incident in Dirk's early career.

In 1951, Dirk made HUNTED and his co-star was the then six years old Scottish boy Jon Whiteley, whose first film this was. Jon grew to love Bogarde dearly and, at the end of filming, when he and Bogarde had to part and go their separate ways, the little boy was inconsolable. Bogarde wanted to adopt Jon, but his friends persuaded him against doing so. Now, this would suggest that at that time, Jon Whiteley was an orphan and I feel sure his parents were then still alive. So how could Bogarde have adopted Jon in any case? (Happily, the pair were reunited four years later in THE SPANISH GARDENER.)

theuofc · 12-10-2003, 11:13 AM

I enjoy both Rutherford and, of course, the great Sir Dirk Bogarde, who had the courage to shake off his image as number one matinee idol and go on to choose daring roles, which allowed him to show his superb acting talent. Moreover, he developed his inate writing talent into a second career in later life with his best-selling autobiographies and novels. Add to that his talent as an artist, and we have a one of a kind. I'm very glad you have chosen to discuss him.

I moderate the Dirk_Bogarde_Brigade list. We're a cordial group of Bogarde fans who enjoy discussing his performances and books. Do join us at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dirk_Bogarde_Brigade

Cheers,

theuofc

DAVID RAYNER · 13-10-2003, 09:24 AM

I now have it on good authority that Dirk Bogarde never mentioned Jon Whiteley in any of his books, including his autobiography, which is odd. I certainly remember him speaking at length of Jon (and that of which I wrote in the above post) in a programme on BBC2 a couple of years ago concerning Dirk's life story. It may have been part of the Arena series, but I'm not entirely sure.

07-10-2003, 11:44 PM	#1
GSMCTM has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 17 Country: iTrader: (0)	Dirk Bogarde and Margaret Rutherford Here are my favourites (of course I could change my mind next year). Miss Rutherford could make a mediocre film enjoyable just by her presence. She always left you wanting more. Just to mention only one film "An Alligator Named Daisy" where she played the pet shop owner and didn't raise an eyebrow when Donald Sinden brought in Daisy; as if people brought in alligators every day! Mr. Bogarde finally got the acting recognition he deserved in films like "The Servant", "King and Country" and "Death in Venice", and they're just 3 examples of his ability. He was also an excellent writer and I very much enjoyed his autobiographies. __________________ GS

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-10-2003, 09:12 AM	#2
DAVID RAYNER has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: none Posts: 370 iTrader: (0)	I know that Dirk Bogarde wrote an autobiography many years ago entiltled "A Postilion Struck by Lightning", which, unfortunately, I never got around to buying and it's probably out of print now. But if you have this book, perhaps you could clear up a mystery for me concerning an incident in Dirk's early career. In 1951, Dirk made HUNTED and his co-star was the then six years old Scottish boy Jon Whiteley, whose first film this was. Jon grew to love Bogarde dearly and, at the end of filming, when he and Bogarde had to part and go their separate ways, the little boy was inconsolable. Bogarde wanted to adopt Jon, but his friends persuaded him against doing so. Now, this would suggest that at that time, Jon Whiteley was an orphan and I feel sure his parents were then still alive. So how could Bogarde have adopted Jon in any case? (Happily, the pair were reunited four years later in THE SPANISH GARDENER.)

12-10-2003, 11:13 AM	#3
theuofc has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Prefer to be in Provence Posts: 1,028 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	I enjoy both Rutherford and, of course, the great Sir Dirk Bogarde, who had the courage to shake off his image as number one matinee idol and go on to choose daring roles, which allowed him to show his superb acting talent. Moreover, he developed his inate writing talent into a second career in later life with his best-selling autobiographies and novels. Add to that his talent as an artist, and we have a one of a kind. I'm very glad you have chosen to discuss him. I moderate the Dirk_Bogarde_Brigade list. We're a cordial group of Bogarde fans who enjoy discussing his performances and books. Do join us at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dirk_Bogarde_Brigade Cheers, theuofc

13-10-2003, 09:24 AM	#4
DAVID RAYNER has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: none Posts: 370 iTrader: (0)	I now have it on good authority that Dirk Bogarde never mentioned Jon Whiteley in any of his books, including his autobiography, which is odd. I certainly remember him speaking at length of Jon (and that of which I wrote in the above post) in a programme on BBC2 a couple of years ago concerning Dirk's life story. It may have been part of the Arena series, but I'm not entirely sure.