TCM REMEMBERS J. LEE THOMPSON, 1914 - 2002
Oscar-nominated director J. Lee Thompson died August 30th at the age of 88. Though he worked in several genres, Thompson was best-known for his action films. Thompson was born in Bristol England on August 1, 1914. After graduating from college he became a playwright and it was the appearance of one of his plays on London's famous West End that got him noticed by the British film studio, Elstree. His first filmed script was The Pride of Folly in 1937 and others appeared sporadically until his career was side-tracked during the war when Thompson served in the RAF as a B-29 tail gunner. (He also reportedly worked as a dialogue coach on Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn, 1939.) Thompson's directorial debut came in 1950 when he adapted his own play Double Error to the screen as Murder Without Crime. Throughout the decade he directed a variety of dramas and comedies until hitting it big in 1958 with Ice Cold in Alex (released in the US minus 50 minutes under the title Desert Attack). It was nominated for three BAFTAs and was enough of a commercial success that Thompson landed the film that made his career: The Guns of Navarone (1961). This enormous international hit snagged Thompson an Oscar nomination for Best Director. He immediately followed that with the original Cape Fear (1962) and his reputation was set. Though Thompson remained active almost three more decades he didn't reach that level again. He worked on Westerns (Mackenna's Gold, 1969), horror films (Eye of the Devil, 1967), literary adaptations (Huckleberry Finn, 1974) and others. During this time, Thompson directed two Planet of the Apes sequels but was kept most busy working with Charles Bronson, for whom he directed nine films. Thompson's last film was in 1989.
KATRIN CARTLIDGE, 1961 - 2002
The news of actress Katrin Cartlidge's death at the age of 41 has come as a shock. It's not just the age but the thought that even though Cartlidge was already a major actress--despite a slender filmography--she held out the promise of even greater work, a promise that so few artists of any type can make. "Fearless" is perhaps the word most often used to describe Cartlidge but emotions are never enough for an actor; much more is required. Director Mike Leigh said she had "the objective eye of an artist" while remarking on her "her deep-seated suspicion of all forms of woolly thinking and received ideas."
Cartlidge was born in London on May 15, 1961. Her first acting work was on the stage, in tiny independent theatres before she was selected by Peter Gill for the National Theatre. Cartlidge also worked as a dresser at the Royal Court where she later made one of her final stage appearances. She began appearing in the popular British TV series Brookside before making her first film in 1985, Sacred Hearts. A small role in the Robbie Coltrane-Rik Mayall vehicle Eat the Rich (1987) followed before Cartlidge had her first leading role in Mike Leigh's scathing Naked (1993).
Cartlidge never took a safe approach in her films. She told The Guardian that "I try to work with film-makers who I feel will produce something original, revealing and provoking. If something provokes a reaction, it's well worth doing." You can see this in her choice of projects. Before the Rain (1994) dramatized violence in Macedonia in the wake of the Yugoslavian break-up and made Cartlidge something of a star in the area. She appeared in Lars Von Trier's controversial look at redemption, Breaking the Waves (1996), Leigh's sharply detailed story of aging friends Career Girls (1997), as one of Jack the Ripper's victims in From Hell (2001), as a call girl trying to leave the business in Clair Dolan (1998) and in the Oscar-winning film about Bosnia-Herzegovina, No Man's Land (2001). Her last work included a BBC adaptation of Crime and Punishment (2002), playing Salvador Dali's wife Gala in the BBC comedy-drama Surrealissimo (2002) and an appearance in Rosanna Arquette's directorial debut, Searching for Debra Winger (also 2002), a documentary about women in the film industry.
Cartlidge died September 7th from septicaemia brought on by pneumonia.
TCM REMEMBERS LEO MCKERN, 1920-2002
The recent death of Leo McKern, 82, marked the passing of one of Britain's finest and most respected character actors. He was suffering from ill health in recent years and was moved to a nursing home a few weeks before his death on July 23 2002 in Bath, England. An actor of commanding presence with a deep-throated voice, the portly, bulbous-nosed McKern had a long, distinguished career spanning more than half a century, earning numerous plaudits along the way in all major mediums: theatre, film and television.
Born Reginald McKern on March 16, 1920 in Sydney, Australia; he served with the Australian Army during World War II and worked in regional theatre in his native Sydney before immigrating to England in 1946. It was a slow start, but after a three-year apprenticeship of painting scenery, stage-managing and acting, McKern eventually joined the celebrated Old Vic theatrical company in 1949 and proved one of the more versatile actors in the troupe tackling diverse roles in comedy, the classics and serious contemporary parts.
His film debut came in Murder in the Cathedral (1952) but it took a few years before he made his mark in cinema. Some of his best film work included roles as Peter Sellers' comic henchman in the classic satire The Mouse That Roared (1959); a bungling train robber in the charming Disney film The Horse Without a Head (1963); a nefarious professor who kills off his colleagues for amusement in the brilliant black comedy A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964); Clang, a cartoonish villain in the Beatles' pop film Help! (1965); Cromwell, the persecutor of Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (1966) and as Thomas Ryan in the David Lean drama, Ryan's Daughter (1970).
Yet despite all the accolades McKern earned in theatre and films, it was television where he foundinternational fame as the wily, irascible barrister Horace P. Rumpole in John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey in 1975. Infusing the character with beguiling skill and energy, McKern made the acerbic, wine swilling, Tennyson-quoting Rumpole a much loved figure that was adored by critics, audiences and even its creator Mortimer. Perhaps Mortimer offered the most fitting tribute when he once referred to McKern - "His acting exists where I always hope my writing will be: about two feet above the ground, a little larger than life, but always taking off from reality." Enough said.
By Michael T. Toole
The Greek Tycoon
Brief Synopsis
This lavish drama focuses on the jet-set's continual struggle for love and power. The world's richest shipping magnate romances the widow of a United States President.
Cast & Crew
Read More
J. Lee Thompson
Director
Beulah Hughes
John Hoffmeister
Athene Fielding
Camilla Sparv
Anthony Quinn
Film Details
Also Known As
Greek Tycoon
MPAA Rating
Genre
Biography
Drama
Release Date
1978
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 45m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1
Synopsis
This lavish drama focuses on the jet-set's continual struggle for love and power. The world's richest shipping magnate romances the widow of a United States President.
Director
J. Lee Thompson
Director
Cast
Beulah Hughes
John Hoffmeister
Athene Fielding
Camilla Sparv
Anthony Quinn
Henderson Forsythe
Lucy Gutteridge
Tony Jay
John Denison
Carol Royle
Vicki Michelle
Joan Benham
Robin Clarke
Dimitris Nikolaidis
Danos Lygizos
Michael Prince
Jeff Pomerantz
Nasis Kedrakas
Charles Durning
James Franciscus
Luciana Paluzzi
Katherine Schofield
Raf Vallone
Gordon Oas-heim
Marilu Tolo
Patricia Kendall-john
Linda Thorson
Dimos Starenios
Charles Maggiore
John Bennett
Jacqueline Bisset
Zozo Saeountzaki
David Masterman
John Bolt
Mimi Denissis
Richard Fasciano
Kathryn Leigh Scott
Jill Melford
Cassandra Harris
William Stelling
John Ioannou
Guy Deghy
Carinthia West
Bonnie George
Carolle Rousseau
Sandor Eles
Roland Culver
Edward Laurence Albert
Crew
Mort Abrahams
Executive Producer
John Akroyd-hunt
Helicopter Pilot
Tony Alatis
Production Associate
Emily Baratta
Other
Steve Barnett
Assistant Director
Madeline Bell
Song Performer
Anita Bloom
Other
Mel Bourne
Art Director
Jerrold Brandt
Production Manager
Rosemary Burrows
Wardrobe Supervisor
Peter Childs
Assistant Art Director
Dr. A Chutorian
Medic
Nikki Clapp
Other
Michael Clifford
Sound Editor
Phyllis Dalton
Costume Coordinator
Lesley Depettitt
Casting
Linda Devetta
Makeup
Dino Di Campo
Sound Editor
Vernon Dixon
Set Decorator
Sue Edwards
Other
Martin Evans
Gaffer
Morton Fine
From Story
Morton Fine
Screenplay
Morton Fine
Producer
Eddie Fowlie
Property Master
Ron Frangipane
Music Conductor
Ron Frangipane
Music Arranger
Dick Frift
Construction Manager
John Golding
Camera Assistant
Regina Golodik
Other
Ken Gordon
Accountant
Michael Greenleaf
Assistant Editor
Robin Gregory
Sound Mixer
Denis Griffin
Props
Gene Gurlitz
Art Director
Gordon Hayman
Camera Operator
John Hogan
Property Master
Louise Howard
Location Assistant
Peter Howard
Executive Producer
George Iakovidis
Production Manager
Joyce James
Hair
John Jay
Photography
Jeremy Jones
Other
Stephanie Kaye
Hair
Iris Keitel
Production Associate
Basil Keyes
Location Manager
Dorothy King
Other
Allen V. Klein
Producer
Jody Klein
Camera
Robin Klein
Assistant Editor
John Kongos
Music
Ely Landau
Producer
Les Landau
Executive Producer
Deborah Lee
Other
Ariel Levy
Assistant Director
Gavrik Losey
Production Consultant
Nico Mastorakis
From Story
Nico Mastorakis
Producer
Gordon K. Mccallum
Sound
Anthony Mixaleas
Assistant Director
Mike Moran
Song Performer
Mike Moran
Song
Stanley Myers
Music
Stanley Myers
Original Music
Seith Newfeld
Production Assistant
Loretta Ordewer
Other
Roy Parkinson
Production Manager
Michael Persico
Transportation Manager
David Platz
Music Producer
Mickey Pugh
Props
Harry Rabinowitz
Music Supervisor
Harry Rabinowitz
Music Conductor
June Randall
Continuity
Eric Rattray
Associate Producer
Tony Reading
Art Director
Tony Richmond
Director Of Photography
Peter Robb-king
Makeup
Fred Ruff
Accountant
Terry Sharratt
Boom Operator
Rose Tobias Shaw
Casting
Alan Sones
Sound Editor
Allan Steckler
Sound
Michael Stevenson
Assistant Director
Alan Strachan
Editor
Michael Stringer
Production Designer
George Theodosiadis
Music Arranger
Simon Thompson
Hairdresser
Bill Trent
Sound Editor
Nico Triantafilidis
Transportation Manager
Christos Triantafillou
Photography
Derek Trigg
Editor
Paul Tucker
Accountant
Alfred Weaver
Production
Win Wells
Producer
Win Wells
From Story
Neil Williams
Pilot
Bob Wright
Assistant Director
Film Details
Also Known As
Greek Tycoon
MPAA Rating
Genre
Biography
Drama
Release Date
1978
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 45m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Technicolor)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
2.35 : 1
Articles
TCM Remembers - J. Lee Thompson
TCM Remembers - J. Lee Thompson
TCM REMEMBERS J. LEE THOMPSON, 1914 - 2002
Oscar-nominated director J. Lee Thompson died August 30th at the age of 88. Though he worked in several genres, Thompson was best-known for his action films. Thompson was born in Bristol England on August 1, 1914. After graduating from college he became a playwright and it was the appearance of one of his plays on London's famous West End that got him noticed by the British film studio, Elstree. His first filmed script was The Pride of Folly in 1937 and others appeared sporadically until his career was side-tracked during the war when Thompson served in the RAF as a B-29 tail gunner. (He also reportedly worked as a dialogue coach on Hitchcock's Jamaica Inn, 1939.) Thompson's directorial debut came in 1950 when he adapted his own play Double Error to the screen as Murder Without Crime. Throughout the decade he directed a variety of dramas and comedies until hitting it big in 1958 with Ice Cold in Alex (released in the US minus 50 minutes under the title Desert Attack). It was nominated for three BAFTAs and was enough of a commercial success that Thompson landed the film that made his career: The Guns of Navarone (1961). This enormous international hit snagged Thompson an Oscar nomination for Best Director. He immediately followed that with the original Cape Fear (1962) and his reputation was set. Though Thompson remained active almost three more decades he didn't reach that level again. He worked on Westerns (Mackenna's Gold, 1969), horror films (Eye of the Devil, 1967), literary adaptations (Huckleberry Finn, 1974) and others. During this time, Thompson directed two Planet of the Apes sequels but was kept most busy working with Charles Bronson, for whom he directed nine films. Thompson's last film was in 1989.
KATRIN CARTLIDGE, 1961 - 2002
The news of actress Katrin Cartlidge's death at the age of 41 has come as a shock. It's not just the age but the thought that even though Cartlidge was already a major actress--despite a slender filmography--she held out the promise of even greater work, a promise that so few artists of any type can make. "Fearless" is perhaps the word most often used to describe Cartlidge but emotions are never enough for an actor; much more is required. Director Mike Leigh said she had "the objective eye of an artist" while remarking on her "her deep-seated suspicion of all forms of woolly thinking and received ideas."
Cartlidge was born in London on May 15, 1961. Her first acting work was on the stage, in tiny independent theatres before she was selected by Peter Gill for the National Theatre. Cartlidge also worked as a dresser at the Royal Court where she later made one of her final stage appearances. She began appearing in the popular British TV series Brookside before making her first film in 1985, Sacred Hearts. A small role in the Robbie Coltrane-Rik Mayall vehicle Eat the Rich (1987) followed before Cartlidge had her first leading role in Mike Leigh's scathing Naked (1993).
Cartlidge never took a safe approach in her films. She told The Guardian that "I try to work with film-makers who I feel will produce something original, revealing and provoking. If something provokes a reaction, it's well worth doing." You can see this in her choice of projects. Before the Rain (1994) dramatized violence in Macedonia in the wake of the Yugoslavian break-up and made Cartlidge something of a star in the area. She appeared in Lars Von Trier's controversial look at redemption, Breaking the Waves (1996), Leigh's sharply detailed story of aging friends Career Girls (1997), as one of Jack the Ripper's victims in From Hell (2001), as a call girl trying to leave the business in Clair Dolan (1998) and in the Oscar-winning film about Bosnia-Herzegovina, No Man's Land (2001). Her last work included a BBC adaptation of Crime and Punishment (2002), playing Salvador Dali's wife Gala in the BBC comedy-drama Surrealissimo (2002) and an appearance in Rosanna Arquette's directorial debut, Searching for Debra Winger (also 2002), a documentary about women in the film industry.
Cartlidge died September 7th from septicaemia brought on by pneumonia.
TCM REMEMBERS LEO MCKERN, 1920-2002
The recent death of Leo McKern, 82, marked the passing of one of Britain's finest and most respected character actors. He was suffering from ill health in recent years and was moved to a nursing home a few weeks before his death on July 23 2002 in Bath, England. An actor of commanding presence with a deep-throated voice, the portly, bulbous-nosed McKern had a long, distinguished career spanning more than half a century, earning numerous plaudits along the way in all major mediums: theatre, film and television.
Born Reginald McKern on March 16, 1920 in Sydney, Australia; he served with the Australian Army during World War II and worked in regional theatre in his native Sydney before immigrating to England in 1946. It was a slow start, but after a three-year apprenticeship of painting scenery, stage-managing and acting, McKern eventually joined the celebrated Old Vic theatrical company in 1949 and proved one of the more versatile actors in the troupe tackling diverse roles in comedy, the classics and serious contemporary parts.
His film debut came in Murder in the Cathedral (1952) but it took a few years before he made his mark in cinema. Some of his best film work included roles as Peter Sellers' comic henchman in the classic satire The Mouse That Roared (1959); a bungling train robber in the charming Disney film The Horse Without a Head (1963); a nefarious professor who kills off his colleagues for amusement in the brilliant black comedy A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964); Clang, a cartoonish villain in the Beatles' pop film Help! (1965); Cromwell, the persecutor of Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (1966) and as Thomas Ryan in the David Lean drama, Ryan's Daughter (1970).
Yet despite all the accolades McKern earned in theatre and films, it was television where he foundinternational fame as the wily, irascible barrister Horace P. Rumpole in John Mortimer's Rumpole of the Bailey in 1975. Infusing the character with beguiling skill and energy, McKern made the acerbic, wine swilling, Tennyson-quoting Rumpole a much loved figure that was adored by critics, audiences and even its creator Mortimer. Perhaps Mortimer offered the most fitting tribute when he once referred to McKern - "His acting exists where I always hope my writing will be: about two feet above the ground, a little larger than life, but always taking off from reality." Enough said.
By Michael T. Toole
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1978
Re-released in United States on Video August 6, 1996
Formerly distributed by MCA Home Video.
Technovision
Scope
Released in United States 1978
Re-released in United States on Video August 6, 1996
