I was saddened to hear of the death of Ian Richardson, age 72. I love the picture of him above with fellow thespians Bill Nighy and Dame Judi Dench. I suppose the death of Anna Nicole Smith, age 39, is the more tragic but, ironically, you could see her’s coming and yet despite Ian’s being the more natural it was still the more surprising. Anna was typical of a certain type of person, to be found in abundance in Hollywood, trying to fill the emptiness of her life with yet more shallowness. News bulletins have been full of speculation over her demise, reducing the “story” to a freak show, and yet for what exactly was she famous? Being a gold-digger! And, wanting to be like Marilyn Monroe?!!
News is supposed to be impartial, though, more and more, journalists leap upon the sensationalist bandwagon. They couldn’t get enough of the racism on “Celebrity Big Brother”! The hounds were baying for blood, bordering on incitement. Yet seemingly innocuous comments go unnoticed. Ben somebody-or-other on bland GMTV remarked that while Kylie has a successful career, all she really wants is to be normal and have a family. It doesn’t occur to Ben that his remark might be seen as offensive in some quarters. Is he suggesting that those without families are somehow abnormal or is he just another overpaid hack reporter, careless in his turn of phrase? I suspect the latter. So what’s he doing on TV in the first place, presuming his opinion is, in some way, more worthwhile than those of us who remain anonymous and suppressed?
Anyway, I heard about the death of Ian from my parents. I’ve yet to hear it on television. I presume that’s where they heard it but I haven’t as yet. He will, undoubtedly, be best-remembered for his portrayal of Sir Francis Urquhart in Andrew Davies’ dramatisation of “House of Cards”, and its two sequels “To Play the King” and “The Final Cut”, which spawned a catchphrase that subsequently became beloved of shifty politicians of all persuasions, “You might say that, I couldn’t possibly comment”! I’ll forgive him for murdering Susannah Harker at the end of the first in the trilogy simply because, as always, he gave such a terrifically polished performance!
Some of Ian’s other notable roles include playing the Master of the College, opposite David Jason’s Scullion, in “Porterhouse Blue”; Dr. Joseph Bell, the real-life model for Sherlock Holmes, in “Murder Rooms”; Sherlock Holmes himself in both “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and “The Sign of Four”; and donning darkest apparel as Canon Black in the much-underrated “Strange” (see the small gallery below). In 1999, he appeared in children’s serial “The Magician’s House”, prompting many to suggest he’d make an excellent “Doctor Who”. Most recently, he has been seen as Chancellor of Court in “Bleak House”, another Andrew Davies’ adaptation, and one of the best interpretations of a classic novel in recent years. Mr Richardson was a truly talented actor.
9 comments:
I was saddened to hear of Ian Richardson's death too. A superb actor. Somehow without courting the media he was yet a well known acting name - and best yet, well known for his quality performances.
I take your points regarding Anna Nicole Smith but her vacuity doesn't lessen the tragdey of her death. Sure she was superficial but I suspect a lot of her odd behaviour was down to an abused childhood... all the signs are there. I wouldn't like to comment on whether she was a golddigger or not - I suspect that even if she was she's been the victim of plenty of male versions of the same - but I tend to think that she was absolutely desperate for someone to love and accept her and "make everything better" for her. She was plainly a very unhappy woman with no way out of the horrible life she'd boxed herself into. Like I said: tragic.
Hi Steve. Nice to hear from you.
My gripe wasn’t so much over the tragic nature of a woman losing her life at such a young age, more the media attention given to it. There are doubtless many people who have gone through similar, possibly more deserving, who warrant no news coverage whatsoever in the eyes of the press. It’s this endless fascination with the negative which ultimately has the effect of reducing standards and expectations. Much of the population, especially the young, now accept reality shows as the norm, for example, when, not ten years ago, these programmes wouldn’t have got past first post at the commissioning stage! There’s nothing like a bit of racism to keep the masses gossiping!!
Your remark about Anna being desperate to find love is an interesting one. I wonder what her definition of love was? I don’t suppose she ever considered it in philosophical terms but only in the way she, as with most people, had been conditioned to perceive it. She might’ve been better off if someone had told her love is merely a state of mind.
Where did my comment vanish to? I posted one before in response to your post and it's disappeared...grrr!!
Anyway, as I said before, I didn't see Ian R. in very much, but he was a great character actor. I remember seeing him in "Porterhouse Blue" years ago as the head of one of the colleges I think? In particular the tragic-comic way he dies - he hits his head on a painting, and mortally injured, phones up his wife who happens to work for the samaritans, saying "Mary, I've fallen!" She replies: "Are you a catholic?" !!
Had he been still alive and several years younger I actually think he would have made a great Dr Who villain. He had a wonderfully sly and malevolent quality about him (from the clips I saw with him as Francis Urquhart this definitely came across!) In fact he would have been perfect as the new Master! However as we know, it's strongly rumoured that John Simm is stepping into the role, what with all the recent news stories. I watched "Life On Mars" last night for the first time, and whilst Mr Simm is a decent actor, I'm not sure he's got the depth or gravitas to play the Master. Maybe they're going for a different approach though.
There was originally a comment on this post which, when I logged in to reply, had already been “deleted by author”. However, I received the comment by email, as usual, which was from Gustavo. I assumed it was your husband and that he’d simply changed his mind! Hope that clears things up and thank you for posting it again.
You have a good memory with regards “Porterhouse Blue”, Simon. I remember the painting falling on Ian’s head but not the joke when he calls his wife afterwards. I do recall her telling another character to “get a grip” when they call the Samaritans for help! I also remember John Sessions as Lionel Zipser trying to dispose of hundreds upon hundreds of condoms and Charles Gray saying, “You shouldn’t put rubber between you and life”! Funny the things one remembers!!! Again, I’m fortunate enough to know the composer a little. Chris Gunning wrote the music, best known for “Poirot” but also the SF dramas “Day of the Triffids” and “The Last Train”.
We’re back to this age thing again! How much younger would Ian have had to be to play the Master? If I had the privilege of casting the Doctor, I’ve come to the conclusion that I would look at actors around the age of 55. Sir Derek Jacobi is appearing, in the same episodes as John Simm, playing The Professor! Derek, at 68, is only four years younger than Ian. On occasion, Ace used to call the Doctor, Professor. I don’t know if I’m saying too much?!! Just for fun, I’ve written down how I think the next season ends and sealed it, to be opened when the series finishes in July, to see if my plot deductions are right!
I missed “Life on Mars”, last night. The clips looked good. I’ve only seen the first episode of the first series though I would’ve liked to have seen Marc Warren. I was watching “Trial and Retribution” with my Mum which, to my surprise, featured another brief cameo from John Normington. I saw Simm play a journalist in a C4 drama called “Sex Traffic”, a couple of years ago, in which he was ok. However, if you can be sure of anything, it’s that RTD will, in all likelihood, be going for a different approach with the Master!
Time Warden - yes Gustavo is my partner! How strange. I think it's when he's been using the PC prior to me, which is why it logs in with his name!
Indeed, the condoms bit in "Porterhouse" was very funny. Whatever happened to John Sessions? And indeed Tom Sharpe? Does he still write?
Interesting that you know the guy who did the score. The theme and titles to "Day of the Triffids" were one of the scariest things I've ever /heard seen - those eerie shots of people's faces lit up in green and the "choir" - just very creepy and effective.
I would be interested to hear your theories about how series three ends. But of course if we start discussing it online people might complain about too mamy spoilers! I have heard various things myself such as Derek J regenerating into the Master etc...
I actually forgot it was Marc Warren in that episode of "Life on Mars" - he was pretty good, although maybe not the total villain he could have been.
Mmm I wonder exactly HOW RTD will deal with the characterisation of the Master. I certainly hope it's nothing like Eric Robert's OTT/camp portrayal in the Dr Who Movie, which was pretty dreadful. Anthony Ainley, who started off quite well, descended into pantomime villainy as well. Let's hope the new Master character (if he does materialise!) is treated with deference and respect. The resurrection of the Daleks and Cybermen was handled pretty well in the new series, so I hope it's a case of third time lucky!
Marc Warren plays sleazy characters so well - I even enjoyed his performance of Tea Time in the TV adaptation of Hogfather over Christmas. My only concern with his performance in Life On Mars - and this seems very petty and hardly his fault anyway - is that the costume department gave him an awful wig which made him look like Alvin Stardust. Coo Ca Choo anyone?
Not sure about writer Tom Sharpe but actor John Sessions is still around. He was terrific in a “Marple” last year, alongside Ken Russell (as a vicar!!!), and can occasionally be seen, in the Summer, presenting the “Proms” on BBC1. Like Sam West and Simon Callow, John is pretty knowledgeable about Classical music. Preferable to Alan Titchmarsh anyway!
As much as I hate to admit it, “The Sun” newspaper is responsible for giving the game away with regards the regeneration! Outpost Gallifrey, while rightly critical of the paper, nonetheless continues to repeat what Murdoch’s tabloid “reports” and, unfortunately, what’s stated invariably turns out to be accurate. It does sound reasonable that we’re in for a “dark side” version of the season one finale and it keeps the concept of regeneration in the minds of newer viewers, who have only experienced it once, ready for Tennant’s changeover, possibly in season four.
Regarding Marc Warren, if you ever have the opportunity to see him as Dougie Raymond in the first season and a half of “The Vice” don’t miss it! I still think it’s his best performance firstly alongside and then opposite Ken Stott. He was also very good in ITV1’s adaptation of “Oliver Twist” which in other respects was disappointing. I’ll have to see if episode one of “Life on Mars” is repeated, just to see if Marc does look like Alvin (Shane Fenton) Stardust!!!
Ah - The Vice! One of the best cop shows ever shown on ITV. Ken Stott is just masterful - he played Chappel with such strength and vulnerability... I'm please that they've finally releases all the episodes on DVD. Their difficult to watch at times but the performances are so compelling!
I agree. “The Vice” is a very underrated series, especially the first couple of seasons, but the quality certainly took a nosedive after Ken Stott left. The final season had the most peculiar lighting of any series I’ve ever seen!
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