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Bill wrote to director Val Guest. And out of the blue Val telephoned from
the USA. At 93, Val spoke with great clarity but could only recall the one
Just William film he made at Southall Studios in 1947 -1948. Val’s
autobiography has the director pictured (top right) on the set of Just
William's Luck with future wife Yolande Donlan. Sadly Val passed away on
10th May 2006 at his home in Palm Springs, California. |
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Terence Alexander phoned. Many will remember him as Charlie Hungerford from "Bergerac" on TV. Little Southall memory remains with
Terence but nevertheless was very interesting to chat to. The still is from "The Runaway Bus".
Terence Alexander, born on March 11, 1923. Died on May 28,
2009, aged 86.
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We receive a reply from Virginia McKenna. From her scrapbook she sent us
some reviews of "The Oracle". ‘Most of the film was shot on location
with only the interiors done at Southall’ Virginia concludes.
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News of John Bentley came from
his wife. At 88, John is bedridden with arthritis and any Southall
recollections have entirely disappeared from the actor’s memory.
Policing the East African territory of Kenya was the theme and setting
for "The African Patrol" series which starred John.
John Bentley,
born 2nd December 1916. Died on 13th August 2009 aged 92. |
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Although it was more than fifty years ago, Rona Anderson recollects the
films, "Double Exposure" and "The Twenty Questions Murder Mystery", both
with Robert Beatty.
"You must remember those B films were usually made in three weeks - here
and gone pretty quickly".
Rona searched her archives but unfortunately could not provide us with
any further information.
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’As a jobbing actor I often had bit parts requiring one day’s shooting.
The only Southall film I can recall was "Time Gentlemen Please" from
1952’. The letter was signed Ian Carmichael.
Ian Gillett Carmichael born 18 June 1920.
Died 5 February 2010 |
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William Tell, aka Conrad Phillips, wrote from France where
he now lives. Most of Southall had slipped Conrad’s memory except"The
Last Man to Hang?"from 1956 with actor John
Schlesinger before he became a famous director.
Conrad Phillips went on to star in the black-and-white ITV series
"William Tell". |
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Not long after, actor John Horsley rang bringing to life reminiscences
about "The Runaway Bus" starring Margaret Rutherford and Frankie Howerd;
one of five films he made at Southall.
Viewers will recognise John as "Doc" from the 1976 BBC series "The Rise
and Fall of Reginald Perrin" which also starred Leonard Rossiter.
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In July 2008 we had
correspondence from Reg Varney/Jeanne Marley.
Reg Varney, actor, was born on July 11, 1916.
He died on
November 16th, 2008, aged 92 |
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TV soap viewers will immediately recognize Richard Thorp from
ITV’s Emmerdale. But viewers may not be aware that back
in 1957 he had a small role in Southall’s comedy film
There’s Always a Thursday. In the summer of 2008
Richard spoke to us recalling the strong performance from the
lead, Charles Victor.
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In her letter of September 2008 Dilys Laye remembered her part
as a young girl on a telephone in Torment. Sadly Dilys
passed away in February 2009. Prunella Scales remembered
Laxdale Hall and her small part as a schoolmistress and
the location work near Loch Carron.
September also brought a phone call from Peter Sallis. He told
us about his first film,
Child's Play from 1954 directed by Australian
director Margaret Thompson. |
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Wishing us well were Harry Towb, Lionel Jeffries, Harry Fowler
and Honor Blackman.
Despite appearing in Southall films they were unable to supply
any specific recollections. However Harry Towb later recalled
his experiences on Quiet Woman, 1950. His description
summarises Southall’s production schedule
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'We went on location to Rye Harbour. To say it was shot on a
shoestring is putting it mildly, the production manager
borrowed John Horsley's car to ferry the actors to and fro!
We shot the last scene with Dora Bryan under great pressure
because the budget couldn’t stand an extra hour's filming!'
Harry Towb, born July 27, 1925. Died on July 24, 2009, aged
83.
Lionel Jeffries, born June 10 1926. Died February 19 2010,
aged 83.
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