Alan Whicker, who travelled the world it seemed making TV films, has died in Jersey aged 87. He was a one-off, despite the best efforts of Monty Python.
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He always seemed genuinely open-minded about cultures in every way different from the ultra-British manner of himself he presented, and was one of the few to give us a window on life in Cuba, in one of his last series.Originally posted by amateur51 View PostAlan Whicker, who travelled the world it seemed making TV films, has died in Jersey aged 87. He was a one-off, despite the best efforts of Monty Python.
RIP Alan... -
Thanks ams, urbane, suave, a wonderful broadcaster of the old school.
RIP Alan WhickerComment
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A truly great man. RIP
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Indeed! A truly honest and great man! I rememeber from a kid watching his programmes. RIP AW
Don’t cry for me
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I treasure the memory of the film he made about fox hunting. Dick Bush, the cameraman, picked up the heavy camera and ran with it to simulate the chase. This was probably the first use of a hand held camera.
Whicker was great, and had one memorable phrase -- " There are those that say that the night air over Melton Mowbray breathes with the sighs of adulterers " I can still here the delivery of that line !
His much more recent film remembering his wartime experiences in Italy was very moving and honest.Comment
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Don't know this film. Wouldn't mind getting hold of it for my dad. He fought at Anzio and it would make a nice 89th birthday present. Any steer would be appreciated.Originally posted by Ferretfancy View Post
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This is it, I think, BeefO:Originally posted by Beef Oven View PostDon't know this film. Wouldn't mind getting hold of it for my dad. He fought at Anzio and it would make a nice 89th birthday present. Any steer would be appreciated.
There's also a "Talking Book" version, read by Whicker, which was a R4 "Book of the Week" a couple of years or so ago:
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It would have been on about three years ago, I think on BBC 2. I rather hope that it might be repeated, and it would certainly interest your father as Whicker covered the Anzio campaign travelling with military photographers right into the close action.Originally posted by Beef Oven View PostDon't know this film. Wouldn't mind getting hold of it for my dad. He fought at Anzio and it would make a nice 89th birthday present. Any steer would be appreciated.
This was a very personal film, but still with the old charm.Comment
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Our only family casualty of either of the two World Wars fell at Anzio in February 1944. I only had a sketchy idea of it all from my mother but the wonderful Commonwealth War Graves Commission website provided not only the date of his death (19/2/44) but shows exactly where he is buried. I should like to see Whicker's War as well.Originally posted by Beef Oven View PostDon't know this film. Wouldn't mind getting hold of it for my dad. He fought at Anzio and it would make a nice 89th birthday present. Any steer would be appreciated.
Incidentally, you can see Alan Whickeramongst the reporters in that bit of film where Kim Philby was denying being a Soviet spy. Probably on youTube somewhere."The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard HaitinkComment
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Many thanks fernie!Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View PostThis is it, I think, BeefO:
There's also a "Talking Book" version, read by Whicker, which was a R4 "Book of the Week" a couple of years or so ago:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whickers-War...s=alan+whicker
Birthday present easily sorted
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I joined BBC Television Film Studios round about 1958 -59 & was involved with ' Tonight ' from my first day. There were three main presenters, Alan Whicker, Fyffe Robertson & MacDonald Hastings. I started with ' Mac ' Hastings & we got on famously, I felt he needed ' looking after ! ' ( as he did ). It was only a matter of time before I was working with each of the others. My first encounter with Alan Whicker was in a small museum in Haslemere, Surrey where two doctors were using X-Rays on an Egyptian mummy in an attempt to establish a more detailed account of it's death. All went well throughout the day until late afternoon, when what was an uncomfortable feeling in my 'tum became a feeling of a more violent sickness. We had almost finished, my assistant could look after what little was left, a car was ordered & I was sent home.
Next morning feeling fine. Get to work & phone Alan at Lime Grove & apologise for my behaviour previous day;
" Best thing you ever did " said he to my astonishment. " Yes, for feeling sick & clearing off " I was shattered by such a remark. I started to explain when he burst into a positive explosion of laughter. " You not seen today's papers ? BBC cameraman struck down by mummy's curse - curse of Mummy causes halt to filming - Mummy's revenge on BBC film crew etc., etc.,. We should get about twice our usual viewers when this goes out, you've done us a great favour, thanks mate."
Yes he was a great person to work with. Although nothing prepared me for my first sight when I first entered the room we would be working in . Alan was seated at a trestle table typing away, also talking to the PA, also talking to the director. I stand in front of him & am included in the list of ongoing conversations - I hoped someone else would come in - what was his total I wondered ?
A sad loss .Comment
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Wonderful anecdote, gamba
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