Eric Sykes:
† May 4 1923 – July 4 2012
A legendary writer and performer, respected and adored by industry and public, the last of the British post-war comedy greats. He has worked with everybody from Peter Sellers to David Bowie, Tony Hancock to Terry-Thomas, and Frankie Howerd to Vincent Price. His TV show 'Sykes', with the much missed Hattie Jacques, Deryk Guyler and Richard Wattis, was a comforting presence in British homes of the '70s, and his filmography is full of minor gems: 'The Plank' (1967), of course, plus 'Theatre Of Blood' (1973), 'Monte Carlo Or Bust (1969), 'Those Magnificent Men...' (1965), 'The Bargee' (1965), 'Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Whatever' (2005), and 'Son Of Rambow' (2007). Royalty.
A legendary writer and performer, respected and adored by industry and public, the last of the British post-war comedy greats. He has worked with everybody from Peter Sellers to David Bowie, Tony Hancock to Terry-Thomas, and Frankie Howerd to Vincent Price. His TV show 'Sykes', with the much missed Hattie Jacques, Deryk Guyler and Richard Wattis, was a comforting presence in British homes of the '70s, and his filmography is full of minor gems: 'The Plank' (1967), of course, plus 'Theatre Of Blood' (1973), 'Monte Carlo Or Bust (1969), 'Those Magnificent Men...' (1965), 'The Bargee' (1965), 'Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Whatever' (2005), and 'Son Of Rambow' (2007). Royalty.
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| With Tommy Cooper in 'The Plank' (1967) |
I wouldn't call Sykes familiar unknown. He was a very well known name as well as face.
ReplyDeleteIndeed he was and, as you say, possibly too much of a star for this series of salutes. I've noticed though, that people under forty and new enthusiasts of British film and TV from overseas don't always have the same frame of reference as those of us who have grown up with these much-loved faces.
ReplyDelete