Richard Beckinsale

[bhowells]

His most memorable role of course was as Lennie Godber in Porridge and Going Straight, but his other tv work deserves a mention, Geoffrey in Jack Roseshals The Lovers and Rigsbys lodger Alan in three series of Rising Damp.



His last tv series was Bloomers, he was rehearsing the sixth episode of this comedy when he died. in1979.



My favourite episode of Porridge is the brilliant two hander "A Night In."

[EllyMack]

Another great talent who died far too young. Just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.

[Wicked Lady]

Such a waste!



I had quite a crush on him in my girlish youth.



Such a likeable actor.

[Chevyman]

Here's a small tribute to him:-

Richard Beckinsale - Porridge and Going Straight



As it says, he left us a legacy of laughter

[EHV_Emmetts]

I remember watching Ronnie Barker being visibly upset when he was receiving an award (BAFTA I think) whilst paying tribute Richard Beckinsale who had died just a few days earlier.

[Dai Bando]

What a true legend this guy was.



I've got his book of poems and I can honestly say it changed my life.

[pelam123]

This Thursday, 19th March, marks the 30th anniversary of his death at just 32. I remember the BAFTA's were held just afterwards and seeing Ronnie Barker in tears collecting an award for Going Straight for that year.



It's interesting to wonder what might have happened to his career had he lived, as he was tipped for very big things, even though he was mainly a light comedy actor, but charismatic with it. He did want to move into more serious dramatic roles and was shooting a role in Stephen Frears' Bloody Kids before his death, as a social worker but the part was cut after his death and recast. I'm not sure he would necessarily have gone on to be a huge star, as he had done yet another sitcom before his death but he certainly is much missed.

[batman]

I believe RB had also filmed a pilot for a new cop series, but due to his sad death, it was shelved. I really enjoyed his perfromances in all his well known series. RIP sir.

[cornershop15]

Thanks for the reminder,Pelam. I'll never forgive myself if I forget this anniversary so I hope your thread continues for a (long) while yet. He was great, wasn't he? Richard was infact 31, something I've remembered ever since the same-initialled Reginald Bosanquet announced his death on News At Ten. And he died the same day as Eric Morecambe five years later.



Poor Ronnie looked devastated in that BAFTA moment you mentioned. He was accepting an award, though, which was for Going Straight, the follow-up to the more famous Porridge. I remember he said something like "The death of my friend and colleague has robbed me of any joy in winning". The words are clear in my memory because the clip was shown in The Unforgettable Richard Beckinsale documentary, shown a few times on ITV and a fitting tribute.



This is also where I saw extracts of his unreleased appearance in Bloody Kids. Seeing him wearing shades and looking menacing made me wonder if the public would accept him in something much darker. Obviously David Jason has managed to overcome that hurdle with A Touch Of Frost, but I just have a feeling there was a sense of destiny here. In other words, Richard was so loved as the Nice Young Man that many viewers might not have liked him as an older man so much. I'm sure his contemporary Barry Evans is still thought of as young in many people's minds yet he lived for many more years. By the way, all that talk of "destiny" brings back a more disturbing memory from that documentary - Richard's poetry and/or diaries appeared to suggest he had a premonition that he was going to die.



Personally, I always see him as the kind-heated, sometimes naive young man he portrayed in The Lovers and Rising Damp. Porridge I haven't seen for a very long time so the forthcoming 30th anniversary would be a good time to be reminded of this classic series.



P.S.: Sad or not, I think we should be allowed to see the episodes he made of Bloomers, unseen for 30 years.

[HIPPIEDAVE]

Richard was brilliant and taken from us far too soon

[Filmfan1]

P.S.: Sad or not, I think we should be allowed to see the episodes he made of Bloomers, unseen for 30 years.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yyaKjZEK8]YouTube - Richard Beckinsale - Bloomers (1979) His last TV series[/ame]

[Filmfan1]

Another tribute to Richard. Includes family videos.

[cornershop15]

Today's very sad news about Natasha Richardson unfortunately overshadows our thoughts about Richard on the anniversary of his death. At the same time, though, the terrible shock and grief admirers felt then is being experienced again now, so we have a chance to mourn two stars who've died young and in unexpected circumstances.



Of course, Richard had two young daughters, actresses Samantha and Kate, while Natasha leaves two teenage sons, so there's an eerie sense of deja vu for me at the moment. Does anyone else feel the same?

[cornershop15]

This curiosity isn't listed among Richard's credits at IMDb, but does get a mention in his filmography at the BFI Database. No details though, so this original listing provides you with all there is to know, apart from the fact that all six episodes would eventually be lost/destroyed:

It looks like the cast had a lot of fun as well. One feels so helpless at times.



I wonder if it was similar to another show from that era, Little Big Time, with Freddie Garrity (Freddie & The Dreamers)?

[didi-5]

Has anyone read the new biography that's out about Richard? Recommended?



I was 'in love' with him as a child and of course when he died it was devastating and bewildering. I've rated his work ever since, although I would love to see more than Rising Damp or Porridge. The Armchair Theatre episode which appeared on the DVD set was excellent.



I'm glad that Samantha and Kate both went into showbusiness as well. Sam is so like her father isn't she?

[AdobeFlats]

My Other Half's dad was the manager of a department store somewhere in London, a part of which was hired out for use in making a film (or TV?) starring RB. Somewhere there's photo taken by OH's dad of RB whilst making this film. She's elsewhere at the mo, and I'm ceratinly not rooting through her stuff to find said pic. But I will ask at some stage.

[didi-5]

P.S.: Sad or not, I think we should be allowed to see the episodes he made of Bloomers, unseen for 30 years.

Bloomers is really quite sweet. I've watched the five episodes a lot. And it is funny. What I am really sad about is that according to the 'Unforgettable' programme on Richard he was about to move away from comedy into something more dramatic but obviously his death caused the project to collapse (someone help me out here because I've forgotten what the programme was!). He's destined to be remembered just as Godber and Alan because those are the shows we see the most and he achieved quite a bit more in a short career. A friend of mine remembers seeing him on stage in Leeds as Romeo and says he was excellent, for example.

Incidentally not much has been seen of Judy Loe in recent years - does anyone know what she's currently working on?

[cornershop15]

I don't know about nowadays but I was happy to see Judy on DVD recently in The Upchat Line, as one of John Alderton's girlfriends. She was also good in another one-off sitcom appearance, as Tony Britton's much younger lover in Robin's Nest. In one scene, he places his hands (very firmly!) on her bum while she's standing on a chair. Outrageous behaviour!

I hope, by some miracle, your episodes of Ace of Wands can be found somewhere, Judy (if you're reading this).

What I am really sad about is that according to the 'Unforgettable' programme on Richard he was about to move away from comedy into something more dramatic but obviously his death caused the project to collapse (someone help me out here because I've forgotten what the programme was!).

You're thinking of Bloody Kids, directed by Stephen Frears. He's interviewed towards the end of the clip, which also includes extracts from the unfinished film:

[cumberbatches_woman]

as many have said on here Richard was taken well well before his time, there was a boyish side to him whatever character he played, which we all loved, i know i did, he made me feel as if i wanted to wrap him up and cuddle him.

[billy farmer]

A TV Times article about Richard Beckinsale and Paula Wilcox from the April 16th - 22nd 1977 issue of TV Times.




I have also posted this article on Paula Wilcox's Thread.