Michael Hordern is an excellent choice as he starred in the very best television interpretation of an M R James story.
I was 12 when my parents sat me in front of a television set in order to imbue me with a terror of whistles, beaches and bedclothes.
I remember that it was very odd at the time as it was made as an episode of Omnibus, which was an arts documentary series.
In many respects, 'Don't blow the whistle' was wise advice in the UK in the 1960 - 70s
Unlike today when whistle-blowing is something of a dead end. It seems to be quite acceptable to be a lying cheating entitled bastard because it's "baked in" so that's OK then.
Directed, of course, by Jonathan Miller, which I guess kite-marked it as art.
I rather like Jonathan Miller. He's always struck me as being a genuine renaissance man, unlike some of the modern pretenders - I'm looking at you, Fry.
Yeah, I agree, though he's got a bit judgemental in his old age.
What's the old git been saying? There was that disparaging assessment of David Tennant a few years back when Tennant did Hamlet and Miller described him as 'that man from Dr Who' and suggested that his celebrity was the reason he got the role. I haven't kept an eye on his recent doings.
He had a pop at the BBC being run by - as I remember - "Media Studies twerps" a while ago, and another at the National Theatre for not commissioning him. He also grumbles about ageism in the arts.
Jonathan Miller: Him no longer grumbling about ageism in the arts, him gorn.
My God, I just saw that. And I'd went and poked around in the attic last night to retrieve my copy of his 1966 Alice in Wonderland after thinking about him the other day. Soz - must be my fault.
Well, I hope they stick a few of his plays and films etc on the telly.
He was the people's theatre and opera director, actor, author, television presenter, humourist, Private Eye contributor and medical doctor specialising in neurology.
OMG now Clive James has gone too. Can we stop this thread?
I mean, Alan Bennett will be glancing over his shoulder with some unease...
I know. Twattery. The world was much better with him for all his cantankerousness. Clive James, too: I think it's the prospect of a Johnson government that's dropping them.