George Cole RIP

[cloughie]

So that's just you and me, then (and my mother, of course)!

And me. George Cole was more than Arthur Daley but was very good as him. I remember one time when he had some wine to shift. None of rubbish this is Geoffrey Chambertin.

[gurnemanz]

I was primary school age for Life of Bliss, so probably not getting a lot of it, but I can remember it clearly - mainly for Psyche the yapping dog, as portrayed by Percy Edwards.

[french frank]

I was primary school age for Life of Bliss, so probably not getting a lot of it, but I can remember it clearly - mainly for Psyche the yapping dog, as portrayed by Percy Edwards.

Yes! I had the vaguest memory of a yapping dog. Psyche it was. Yet another starring role for the versatile Percy Edwards!

[Simon B]

Haven't felt such a jolt of sadness and nostalgia at the news of an actor's passing...

Well, that was going to be a longer sentence with a "since", but actually that covers it.

I got the complete Minder on DVD at Christmas to help cheer myself up at a very difficult time - recently worked my way nearly to the end and didn't have the heart to watch the very last. Always got the impression that the lovable part of the lovable rogue character didn't require much artifice.

Thanks George . RIP.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Another George Cole comedy series that seems to be totally forgotten is the 1970s "Don't Forget to Write". It has never been repeated but I thought it brilliant at the time (and much preferred it to the later Minder series).

I've just realised that the first episode of "Don't Forget to Write" is on YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u0NYMB3J6ac

'Don't Forget To Write' was Charles Wood's (Writer for The Knack/Help!/Charge of the Light Brigade, Tumbledown & Wagner) biting self-satire on the life of a writer which hardly disguised its origins including his friendship / rivalry with a Peter Nichols figure (played by Francis Matthews) who always seemed to be enjoying much greater success than him.

They even had a parody poster for Nichols big hit of the time, 'Privates On Parade'.

In one episode Cole's writer is desperately attempting to keep a low profile as a TV play of his (long assumed to have been shelved) gets a transmission date.

Thinking he's managed it Matthews/Nichols suddenly turns up with a video of it.

Cole delightedly points out he doesn't possess 'one of the video players'.

'No, I know', says Matthews / Nichols, 'that's why I've brought mine'.

This was precisely mirroring the fate of Wood's television play, 'Love Lies Bleeding' which didn't get a broadcasting until eighteen months after being produced.

[Richard Tarleton]

The world is your lobster

Excellent interview with Dennis Waterman on PM just now. GC always knew his lines, but they tended to carry on if anything went wrong and a lot of their ad libs were kept in. He remembered that this was one of GC's ad libs.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Mine too. I just looked through the list of Minder episodes - pure joy. Every one a masterpiece. A glance through reminds one that just about every great actor of the age guested in it - there's our own SHB's dad about half way down the list . I only cottoned on to Minder in 1982 (Series 3 episode 5, with the late Richard Griffiths and Benedict Cumberbatch's mum Wanda Ventham) but never looked back.

Yes, he was very pleased when that script dropped through the letter box. It was by Trevor Griffiths, the 'Minder' creator, and in a heavy casting hint the character was even called 'TP'. On the first morning of shooting though, Dad spoke to the director and they agreed to change it, vanity not being one of my father's traits.

But back to George Cole, Dad had worked very happily with him in the West End in 1965 in a production of Shaw's Too True To Be Good when he took over a role from Kenneth Haigh (another great name).

Also in the cast James Bolam AND Alastair Sim! Dad said he often used to watch Sim at work from the wings, marvelling at his technique.

The story of how Sim mentored Cole is fascinating.

He was the subject of one of Mark Lawson's extended interviews on BBC4 a few years back and I do hope they repeat it.

[Petrushka]

There's a very young George Cole in Laurence Olivier's 1944 film, Henry V.

[Stanley Stewart]

And an even younger George Cole in Cottage to Let, (1942). I'm still reeling from the sad news of his death, albeit conceding that the age of 90 is a good innings. My memories are personal as I joined the cast of Chris Hampton's The Philanthropist which ran for several years at the Mayfair Theatre in 1972 and, ironically, initially joined the cast as George's understudy, also covering the plum role of Braham who intimidates George's character in the title role of Philip! The plot thickens. I joined the cast of The Philanthropist two days after the unexpected closure of Siege at the Cambridge Theatre in a cast headed by Alastair Sim - another consummate actor - and George was a bit cagey when we were introduced. Cornerned me after a few days to clarify that I wasn't Alastair's understudy! "NO, I was Mike Bryant's cover" an instant relief for George. I got to know him over several months when he occasionally invited me to share refreshments in the gap between a matinee and evening performance. Never a luvvie in any respect, always direct, possibly a bit 'dry' to some people until you connected with his droll temperament. He gradually spoke of his troubled early life and experience in the streets of Morden (I think) and was delighted when I could discuss seeing him in the theatre under the direction of Alastair, as James Bridie's, Dr Angelus, in particular, circa 1948. And, of course, we could exchange views on his mentor, a most formidable but compassionate and witty man. When we toured Siege for several weeks, Alastair would always ask me what I'd lined-up for the cinema, next day, and this was always followed by an invitation to an early dinner at his hotel, say, the Turk's Head at Newcastle. We arrived in London at the start of the first miner's strike - Feb 1972 - with power black-outs and uncertain transport, the kiss of death at the box office and we folded after two weeks. Alastair interceded and told me that George needed a cover for his role gan schnell and arranged the appointments at the Royal Court Theatre who offered me the engagement which Alastair advised me to accept as it was a back door to leading roles in the West End, after several years experience I'd had in Rep in many weighty roles; indeed, I played Philip in The Philanthropist many times and Braham for several weeks in 1972/73. George was always supportive and rock solid as a stage presence, memories of working with him are still vivid and keep recurring since I heard of his death. "Goodnight sweet prince..." RIP

[Richard Tarleton]

The world is your lobster

In his Times obit yesterday, it says Cole overheard somebody say this in a restaurant, thought it would be perfect for Arthur, and went over to the speaker and paid him £25

[Ferretfancy]

There's a very young George Cole in Laurence Olivier's 1944 film, Henry V.

I'm glad you've remembered that. It was the great scene in which Henry in disguise walks among his troops and joins them round the fire. It's one of the most touching scenes in Shakespeare. George Cole played the boy soldier, perhaps it was his first role.

[slarty]

No, not his first role. I remember him in the 1941 film, Cottage to Let, with Alastair Sim and John Mills.

[Stillhomewardbound]

And an even younger George Cole in Cottage to Let, (1942). I'm still reeling from the sad news of his death, albeit conceding that the age of 90 is a good innings. My memories are personal as I joined the cast of Chris Hampton's The Philanthropist which ran for several years at the Mayfair Theatre in 1972 and, ironically, initially joined the cast as George's understudy, also covering the plum role of Braham who intimidates George's character in the title role of Philip! The plot thickens. I joined the cast of The Philanthropist two days after the unexpected closure of Siege at the Cambridge Theatre in a cast headed by Alastair Sim - another consummate actor - and George was a bit cagey when we were introduced. Cornerned me after a few days to clarify that I wasn't Alastair's understudy! "NO, I was Mike Bryant's cover" an instant relief for George. I got to know him over several months when he occasionally invited me to share refreshments in the gap between a matinee and evening performance. Never a luvvie in any respect, always direct, possibly a bit 'dry' to some people until you connected with his droll temperament. He gradually spoke of his troubled early life and experience in the streets of Morden (I think) and was delighted when I could discuss seeing him in the theatre under the direction of Alastair, as James Bridie's, Dr Angelus, in particular, circa 1948. And, of course, we could exchange views on his mentor, a most formidable but compassionate and witty man. When we toured Siege for several weeks, Alastair would always ask me what I'd lined-up for the cinema, next day, and this was always followed by an invitation to an early dinner at his hotel, say, the Turk's Head at Newcastle. We arrived in London at the start of the first miner's strike - Feb 1972 - with power black-outs and uncertain transport, the kiss of death at the box office and we folded after two weeks. Alastair interceded and told me that George needed a cover for his role gan schnell and arranged the appointments at the Royal Court Theatre who offered me the engagement which Alastair advised me to accept as it was a back door to leading roles in the West End, after several years experience I'd had in Rep in many weighty roles; indeed, I played Philip in The Philanthropist many times and Braham for several weeks in 1972/73. George was always supportive and rock solid as a stage presence, memories of working with him are still vivid and keep recurring since I heard of his death. "Goodnight sweet prince..." RIP

WOW! Mr.Stewart. Thank you so much for that. I believe it was Tooting where the young Cole grew up.

There is no doubt the debt that GC owed to Mr & Mrs Sim but also it was one of those situations where he has helped himself by helping himself, as it were.

I was watching an old Minder earlier on Youtube in which he was playing opposite Harry Fowler. They could almost have been twins for the synchronicity of their formative years,

[Stanley Stewart]

Thank you, Shb. The memories are indelible and I still recall my baptism of fire in the West End and, indeed, treasure a first night telegram from George when I played The Philanthropist in 1973. Nigel Hawthorne followed me in the role! My first West End cover was for Philip Stone in David Storey's The Contractor and my intro to your dad, TP McKenna. You and I exchanged memories of this era a few years ago by PM. Watching the John Wilson Prom on Saturday, I also remembered TP's Saturday night soirees at your home in Camden Road - you were probably asleep upstairs at the time. TP, of course, had many Irish friends and I particularly recall a fine pianist lady who played the grand piano at your home with a loving understandinging of the American Songbook and TP could always rustle up a few 'names' to deliver the songs with aplomb. We certainly heard the chimes at midnight and a performance of 'One for my baby and one more for the road', before we went on our way at 4am. Working for the fastidious Lindsay Anderson in The Contractor was also an incredible experience as we also had to master the physical erection of a marquee on-stage, timed to match the dialogue. Much frustration and mini-tantrums along the way! Lindsay would adjudicate and lower the temperature with his customary, " Matter closed. Right, onwards and upwards".

However, back on topic, and memories of George Cole. His bete noire in the The Philanthropist - mine, too - a near Beckettian rant using a whole series of non-sequiturs about the character's struggle to give up smoking. Worse, the sequence came at a time when I was playing Braham and abrasively challenged Philip (The Philanthropist) for his use of chop-logic. It really was a 'fear' moment for George although he knew he could relax as I could intervene if he got stuck with my retort, "I should have a cigarette if I were you"; usually got a laugh which also brought down the curtain. Yes, it was also a sweaty moment for me when I played Philip. Even a bit convulsive and corpsy at understudy rehearsals when I had to respond to myself. I think that George also mastered the effectiveness of terse comment from his mentor. Coming off-stage at the interval a well known actress - no names, no pack drill - said, "Sorry, George, I'm a bit off tonight". "Yes...and it showed."

I'm about to start rummaging for an off-air video of "Quartet" (1948) - a film adaptation of four Somerset Maugham short stories and George played the leading role in "Kite"with Hermione Baddeley. His timing was always precise, using fluent gestures, and he was often attracted by outsider roles. A privilege to know him reasonably well and that's as much as I could expect.

[Nick Armstrong]

Fantastic experiences, Stanley S!

I decided to set a few ITV4 'Minder' episodes to record, to rediscover the pleasures - and was delighted to find that one was Sorry pal, wrong number, featuring your ineffable pa, Shb, and as referenced here:

Yes, he was very pleased when that script dropped through the letter box. It was by Trevor Griffiths, the 'Minder' creator, and in a heavy casting hint the character was even called 'TP'. On the first morning of shooting though, Dad spoke to the director and they agreed to change it, vanity not being one of my father's traits.

His understated, high-class-conman loucheness is perfection as "J.J. Mooney" - famous, as George Cole delivers beautifully, for "pulling more strokes than Oxford and Cambridge"...