John Le Mesurier - Revision history

Kurt at 00:40, 16 August 2024

2024-08-16T00:40:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 15 August 2024
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	~~{{Short description\|English actor (1912–1983)}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley		\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley
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	\| caption = Le Mesurier in Jan 1973		\| caption = Le Mesurier in Jan 1973
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[~~w:Bedfordshire\|~~Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]		\| birth_place = [[Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1983\|11\|15\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1983\|11\|15\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[~~w:Ramsgate\|~~Ramsgate]], [[~~w:Kent\|~~Kent]], United Kingdom		\| death_place = [[Ramsgate]], [[Kent]], United Kingdom
	\| resting_place = Saint George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent		\| resting_place = Saint George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
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	'''John Le Mesurier''' ({{IPAc-en\|l\|ə\|_\|ˈ\|m\|ɛ\|ʒ\|ə\|r\|ə}},{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=2}} born '''John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley'''; 5 April 1912{{spaced ndash}}15 November 1983) was an English actor. He is perhaps best remembered for his comedic role as [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in the [[BBC]] television [[situation comedy]] ''[[Dad's Army]]'' (1968–1977).{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=ix–x}} A self-confessed "jobbing actor",<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> Le Mesurier appeared in more than 120 films across a range of genres, normally in smaller supporting parts.		'''John Le Mesurier''' ({{IPAc-en\|l\|ə\|_\|ˈ\|m\|ɛ\|ʒ\|ə\|r\|ə}},{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=2}} born '''John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley'''; 5 April 1912{{spaced ndash}}15 November 1983) was an English actor. He is perhaps best remembered for his comedic role as [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in the [[BBC]] television [[situation comedy]] ''[[Dad's Army]]'' (1968–1977).{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=ix–x}} A self-confessed "jobbing actor",<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> Le Mesurier appeared in more than 120 films across a range of genres, normally in smaller supporting parts.

	Le Mesurier became interested in the stage as a young adult and enrolled at the [[w:Fay Compton\|Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art]] in 1933. From there he took a position in [[repertory theatre]] and made his stage debut in September 1934 at the Palladium Theatre in [[Edinburgh]] in the [[J. B. Priestley]] play ''[[Dangerous Corner]]''. He later accepted an offer to work with [[Alec Guinness]] in a [[John Gielgud]] production of ''[[Hamlet]]''.		Le Mesurier became interested in the stage as a young adult and enrolled at the [[Fay Compton\|Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art]] in 1933. From there he took a position in [[repertory theatre]] and made his stage debut in September 1934 at the Palladium Theatre in [[Edinburgh]] in the [[J. B. Priestley]] play ''[[Dangerous Corner]]''. He later accepted an offer to work with [[Alec Guinness]] in a [[John Gielgud]] production of ''[[Hamlet]]''.

	He first appeared on television in 1938 as Seigneur de Miolans in the BBC broadcast of ''The Marvellous History of St Bernard''. During the [[World War II\|Second World War]] Le Mesurier was posted to [[British Raj\|British India]], as a [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)\|captain]] with the [[Royal Tank Regiment]]. Following the war, he returned to acting and made his film debut in 1948, starring in the [[B movie\|second feature]] comedy short ''[[Death in the Hand]]'', opposite [[Esme Percy]] and [[Ernest Jay]].		He first appeared on television in 1938 as Seigneur de Miolans in the BBC broadcast of ''The Marvellous History of St Bernard''. During the [[World War II\|Second World War]] Le Mesurier was posted to [[British Raj\|British India]], as a [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)\|captain]] with the [[Royal Tank Regiment]]. Following the war, he returned to acting and made his film debut in 1948, starring in the [[B movie\|second feature]] comedy short ''[[Death in the Hand]]'', opposite [[Esme Percy]] and [[Ernest Jay]].
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	====1968–1977====		====1968–1977====
	[[File:Dad's Army cast - 1971.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of ''[[Dad's Army]]'', from the 1971 Christmas Special ''[[~~w:Battle of the Giants!\|~~Battle of the Giants!]]'']]		[[File:Dad's Army cast - 1971.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of ''[[Dad's Army]]'', from the 1971 Christmas Special ''[[Battle of the Giants!]]'']]
	In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC [[w:sitcom\|situation comedy]] playing an upper-middle-class [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'';{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=208}} he was the second choice after [[Robert Dorning]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2001\|p=56}} Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of ''George and the Dragon'' and did not want another long-term television role.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=209}} He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee—to £262 10s (£262.50) per episode—and by the casting of his old friend [[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance-Corporal Jack Jones\|Corporal Jones]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=214}} Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer [[Jimmy Perry]] to make the part his own.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=217}} Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up. I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=118}} Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".<ref name="Guardian: the breed" />		In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC [[sitcom\|situation comedy]] playing an upper-middle-class [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'';{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=208}} he was the second choice after [[Robert Dorning]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2001\|p=56}} Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of ''George and the Dragon'' and did not want another long-term television role.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=209}} He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee—to £262 10s (£262.50) per episode—and by the casting of his old friend [[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance-Corporal Jack Jones\|Corporal Jones]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=214}} Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer [[Jimmy Perry]] to make the part his own.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=217}} Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up. I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=118}} Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".<ref name="Guardian: the breed" />

	[[~~w:Nicholas de Jongh\|~~Nicholas de Jongh]], in a tribute written after Le Mesurier's death, suggested that it was in the role of Wilson that Le Mesurier became a star.<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> His interaction with Arthur Lowe's character [[Captain George Mainwaring]] was described by ''The Times'' as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows".<ref name="Times Obit" /> Tise Vahimagi, writing for the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[Screenonline]], agreed, and commented that "it was the hesitant exchanges of one-upmanship between Le Mesurier's Wilson, a figure of delicate gentility, and Arthur Lowe's pompous, middle class platoon leader Captain Mainwaring, that added to its finest moments".<ref name="BFI: Le Mez" /> Le Mesurier enjoyed making the series, particularly the fortnight the cast would spend in [[Thetford]] each year filming the outside scenes.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=245}} The programme lasted for nine series over nine years, and covered eighty episodes, ending in 1977.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=257}}		[[Nicholas de Jongh]], in a tribute written after Le Mesurier's death, suggested that it was in the role of Wilson that Le Mesurier became a star.<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> His interaction with Arthur Lowe's character [[Captain George Mainwaring]] was described by ''The Times'' as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows".<ref name="Times Obit" /> Tise Vahimagi, writing for the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[Screenonline]], agreed, and commented that "it was the hesitant exchanges of one-upmanship between Le Mesurier's Wilson, a figure of delicate gentility, and Arthur Lowe's pompous, middle class platoon leader Captain Mainwaring, that added to its finest moments".<ref name="BFI: Le Mez" /> Le Mesurier enjoyed making the series, particularly the fortnight the cast would spend in [[Thetford]] each year filming the outside scenes.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=245}} The programme lasted for nine series over nine years, and covered eighty episodes, ending in 1977.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=257}}

	During the filming of the series in 1969, Le Mesurier was flown to Venice over a series of weekends to appear in the film ''[[Midas Run]]'', an [[Alf Kjellin]]-directed crime film that also starred [[Richard Crenna]], [[Anne Heywood]] and [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name="BFI: Midas Run" />{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=134}} Le Mesurier became friends with Astaire during the filming and they often dined together in a local cafe while watching horse-racing on television.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=137}} In 1971 [[Norman Cohen]] directed a [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|feature film of ''Dad's Army'']];{{sfn\|Slide\|1996\|p=151}} Le Mesurier also appeared as Wilson in a stage adaptation, which toured the UK in 1975–76.{{sfn\|Pertwee\|2009\|p=165}} Following the success of ''Dad's Army'', Le Mesurier recorded the single "[[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)\|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]" with "Hometown" on the reverse side (the latter with Arthur Lowe). This, and an album, ''Dad's Army'', featuring the whole cast, was released on the Warner label in 1975.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=311}}		During the filming of the series in 1969, Le Mesurier was flown to Venice over a series of weekends to appear in the film ''[[Midas Run]]'', an [[Alf Kjellin]]-directed crime film that also starred [[Richard Crenna]], [[Anne Heywood]] and [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name="BFI: Midas Run" />{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=134}} Le Mesurier became friends with Astaire during the filming and they often dined together in a local cafe while watching horse-racing on television.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=137}} In 1971 [[Norman Cohen]] directed a [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|feature film of ''Dad's Army'']];{{sfn\|Slide\|1996\|p=151}} Le Mesurier also appeared as Wilson in a stage adaptation, which toured the UK in 1975–76.{{sfn\|Pertwee\|2009\|p=165}} Following the success of ''Dad's Army'', Le Mesurier recorded the single "[[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)\|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]" with "Hometown" on the reverse side (the latter with Arthur Lowe). This, and an album, ''Dad's Army'', featuring the whole cast, was released on the Warner label in 1975.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=311}}

Kurt: /* Personal life */

2023-01-14T05:31:38Z

Personal life

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:31, 14 January 2023
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	After a year together, with Hancock's violence towards her worsening, Joan attempted [[suicide]]; she subsequently realised that she could no longer live with Hancock and returned to her husband.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|pp=140–141}} Despite this, Le Mesurier remained friends with Hancock, calling him "a comic of true genius, capable of great warmth and generosity, but a tormented and unhappy man".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=111}} Without Le Mesurier's knowledge, Joan resumed her affair with Hancock and, when the comic moved to Australia in 1968, she planned to follow him if he was able to overcome his [[alcoholism]]. She abandoned these plans and remained with Le Mesurier after Hancock committed suicide on 25 June 1968.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=203–205}}		After a year together, with Hancock's violence towards her worsening, Joan attempted [[suicide]]; she subsequently realised that she could no longer live with Hancock and returned to her husband.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|pp=140–141}} Despite this, Le Mesurier remained friends with Hancock, calling him "a comic of true genius, capable of great warmth and generosity, but a tormented and unhappy man".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=111}} Without Le Mesurier's knowledge, Joan resumed her affair with Hancock and, when the comic moved to Australia in 1968, she planned to follow him if he was able to overcome his [[alcoholism]]. She abandoned these plans and remained with Le Mesurier after Hancock committed suicide on 25 June 1968.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=203–205}}

	[[File:John Le Mesurier - geograph 2847147.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|The grave of Le Mesurier and his son Kim at St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent]]		[[File:John Le Mesurier - geograph 2847147.jpg\|thumb\|right\|The grave of Le Mesurier and his son Kim at St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent]]
	Le Mesurier was a heavy drinker, but was never noticeably drunk.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=143}} In 1977 he collapsed in Australia and flew home, where he was diagnosed with [[cirrhosis]] of the liver and ordered to stop drinking.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=262}} Until then he had not considered himself an alcoholic; he accepted that "it was the cumulative effect over the years that had done the damage".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=144}} It was a year and a half before he drank alcohol again, when he avoided spirits and drank only beer.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=277}}		Le Mesurier was a heavy drinker, but was never noticeably drunk.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=143}} In 1977 he collapsed in Australia and flew home, where he was diagnosed with [[cirrhosis]] of the liver and ordered to stop drinking.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=262}} Until then he had not considered himself an alcoholic; he accepted that "it was the cumulative effect over the years that had done the damage".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=144}} It was a year and a half before he drank alcohol again, when he avoided spirits and drank only beer.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=277}}

Kurt: /* 1960–1968 */

2023-01-14T05:30:21Z

1960–1968

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:30, 14 January 2023
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	====1960–1968====		====1960–1968====
	Le Mesurier appeared in nine films in 1960,<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" />{{efn\|The nine films were ''[[School for Scoundrels (1960 film)\|School for Scoundrels]]'', ''[[The Day They Robbed the Bank of England]]'', ''[[Never Let Go]]'', ''[[Doctor in Love]]'', ''[[The Bulldog Breed]]'', ''[[The Pure Hell of St Trinian's]]'', ''[[A Touch of Larceny]]'', ''Let's Get Married'' and ''[[Dead Lucky]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=310–311}}<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" />}} as well as nine television programmes, including episodes of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''[[Saber of London]]'' and ''[[Danger Man]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=308–310}}{{efn\|The nine television programmes were ''[[Saber of London]]'' (two episodes), ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''The Somerset Maugham Stories'', ''Play Gems'', ''[[The Adventures of William Tell]]'', ''Jazz Session'', ''[[Danger Man]]'' and ''The Third Man''.<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" />{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=308–310}}}} His work the following year included a part in Peter Sellers's directorial debut ''[[Mr. Topaze]]'', a film which failed both critically and commercially.<ref name="Radio Times: Topaze" /> He provided the voice of Mr. Justice Byrne in a recording of excerpts from the transcript of ''[[R v Penguin Books Ltd.]]''—the court case concerning the publication of [[D. H. Lawrence]]'s ''[[Lady Chatterley's Lover]]''—which also featured [[Michael Hordern]] and [[Maurice Denham]]. J.W. Lambert, reviewing for ''The Sunday Times'', wrote that Le Mesurier gave "precisely the air of confident incredulity which the learned gentleman exhibited in court".<ref name="S Times: Lady Chat" /> Later that year he played Hancock's office manager in the first of Tony Hancock's two principal film vehicles, ''[[The Rebel (1961 film)\|The Rebel]]''.<ref name="BFI: The Rebel" />		Le Mesurier appeared in nine films in 1960,<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" />{{efn\|The nine films were ''[[School for Scoundrels (1960 film)\|School for Scoundrels]]'', ''[[The Day They Robbed the Bank of England]]'', ''[[Never Let Go]]'', ''[[Doctor in Love]]'', ''[[The Bulldog Breed]]'', ''[[The Pure Hell of St Trinian's]]'', ''[[A Touch of Larceny]]'', ''Let's Get Married'' and ''[[Dead Lucky]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=310–311}}<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" />}} as well as nine television programmes, including episodes of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''[[Saber of London]]'' and ''[[Danger Man]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=308–310}}{{efn\|The nine television programmes were ''[[Saber of London]]'' (two episodes), ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'', ''The Somerset Maugham Stories'', ''Play Gems'', ''[[The Adventures of William Tell]]'', ''Jazz Session'', ''[[Danger Man]]'' and ''The Third Man''.<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" />{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=308–310}}}} His work the following year included a part in Peter Sellers's directorial debut ''[[Mr. Topaze]]'', a film which failed both critically and commercially.<ref name="Radio Times: Topaze" /> He provided the voice of Mr. Justice Byrne in a recording of excerpts from the transcript of ''[[R v Penguin Books Ltd.]]''—the court case concerning the publication of [[D. H. Lawrence]]'s ''[[Lady Chatterley's Lover]]''—which also featured [[Michael Hordern]] and [[Maurice Denham]]. J.W. Lambert, reviewing for ''The Sunday Times'', wrote that Le Mesurier gave "precisely the air of confident incredulity which the learned gentleman exhibited in court".<ref name="S Times: Lady Chat" /> Later that year he played Hancock's office manager in the first of Tony Hancock's two principal film vehicles, ''[[The Rebel (1961 film)\|The Rebel]]''.<ref name="BFI: The Rebel" />

	~~[[File:Peter Sellers at home in Belgravia, London, 1973.jpg\|thumb\|upright\|[[Peter Sellers]], with whom Le Mesurier appeared in several films]]~~

	In 1962 he appeared in [[Wendy Toye]]'s comedy film ''[[We Joined the Navy]]''<ref name="BFI: Cast: We Joined the Navy" /> before reuniting with Peter Sellers in ''[[Only Two Can Play]]'', Sidney Gilliat's film of the novel ''[[That Uncertain Feeling (novel)\|That Uncertain Feeling]]'' by [[Kingsley Amis]]; Powell noted with pleasure "the armour of his gravity pierced by polite bewilderment".<ref name="Powell: Faces to remember" /> She compared Le Mesurier with the well-known American straight-face comedian, [[John McGiver]].<ref name="Powell: Faces to remember" /> After appearing in another Sellers film in 1962—''[[Waltz of the Toreadors (film)\|Waltz of the Toreadors]]''—Le Mesurier joined him in the 1963 comedy ''[[The Wrong Arm of the Law]]''.<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" /> Powell again reviewed the pair's film, commenting that "I thought I knew by now every shade in the acting of John Le Mesurier (not that I could ever get tired of any of them); but there seems a new shade here".<ref name="S Times: Wrong Arm" /> The same year, he appeared in a third Sellers film, ''[[The Pink Panther (1963 film)\|The Pink Panther]]'', as a defence lawyer,<ref name="BFI: The Pink Panther" /> and in the second and last of Tony Hancock's starring vehicles, ''[[The Punch and Judy Man]]''. Le Mesurier played Sandman in the latter film; Powell wrote that the role "allowed a gentler and subtler character than usual".<ref name="S Times: Punch & Judy" /> He also appeared in a series of advertisements for [[Homepride]] flour in 1964, providing the [[voice-over]] for the animated character Fred the Flourgrader; he continued as the voice until 1983.<ref name="Mirror: Homepride" /><ref name="CET: Homepride" />		In 1962 he appeared in [[Wendy Toye]]'s comedy film ''[[We Joined the Navy]]''<ref name="BFI: Cast: We Joined the Navy" /> before reuniting with Peter Sellers in ''[[Only Two Can Play]]'', Sidney Gilliat's film of the novel ''[[That Uncertain Feeling (novel)\|That Uncertain Feeling]]'' by [[Kingsley Amis]]; Powell noted with pleasure "the armour of his gravity pierced by polite bewilderment".<ref name="Powell: Faces to remember" /> She compared Le Mesurier with the well-known American straight-face comedian, [[John McGiver]].<ref name="Powell: Faces to remember" /> After appearing in another Sellers film in 1962—''[[Waltz of the Toreadors (film)\|Waltz of the Toreadors]]''—Le Mesurier joined him in the 1963 comedy ''[[The Wrong Arm of the Law]]''.<ref name="BFI: JLM filmography" /> Powell again reviewed the pair's film, commenting that "I thought I knew by now every shade in the acting of John Le Mesurier (not that I could ever get tired of any of them); but there seems a new shade here".<ref name="S Times: Wrong Arm" /> The same year, he appeared in a third Sellers film, ''[[The Pink Panther (1963 film)\|The Pink Panther]]'', as a defence lawyer,<ref name="BFI: The Pink Panther" /> and in the second and last of Tony Hancock's starring vehicles, ''[[The Punch and Judy Man]]''. Le Mesurier played Sandman in the latter film; Powell wrote that the role "allowed a gentler and subtler character than usual".<ref name="S Times: Punch & Judy" /> He also appeared in a series of advertisements for [[Homepride]] flour in 1964, providing the [[voice-over]] for the animated character Fred the Flourgrader; he continued as the voice until 1983.<ref name="Mirror: Homepride" /><ref name="CET: Homepride" />

Kurt: /* 1968–1977 */

2023-01-14T05:28:02Z

1968–1977

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:28, 14 January 2023
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	====1968–1977====		====1968–1977====
	In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC [[sitcom\|situation comedy]] playing an upper-middle-class [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'';{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=208}} he was the second choice after [[Robert Dorning]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2001\|p=56}} Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of ''George and the Dragon'' and did not want another long-term television role.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=209}} He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee—to £262 10s (£262.50) per episode—and by the casting of his old friend [[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance-Corporal Jack Jones\|Corporal Jones]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=214}} Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer [[Jimmy Perry]] to make the part his own.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=217}} Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up. I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=118}} Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".<ref name="Guardian: the breed" />		[[File:Dad's Army cast - 1971.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of ''[[Dad's Army]]'', from the 1971 Christmas Special ''[[w:Battle of the Giants!\|Battle of the Giants!]]'']]
			In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC [[w:sitcom\|situation comedy]] playing an upper-middle-class [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'';{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=208}} he was the second choice after [[Robert Dorning]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2001\|p=56}} Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of ''George and the Dragon'' and did not want another long-term television role.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=209}} He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee—to £262 10s (£262.50) per episode—and by the casting of his old friend [[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance-Corporal Jack Jones\|Corporal Jones]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=214}} Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer [[Jimmy Perry]] to make the part his own.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=217}} Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up. I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=118}} Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".<ref name="Guardian: the breed" />

	[[~~File~~:~~Dad's Army cast - 1971.jpg~~\|~~thumb\|left\|Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of ''[[Dad's Army]]'', from the 1971 Christmas Special ''[[Battle of the Giants!]]'']]~~		[[w:Nicholas de Jongh\|Nicholas de Jongh]], in a tribute written after Le Mesurier's death, suggested that it was in the role of Wilson that Le Mesurier became a star.<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> His interaction with Arthur Lowe's character [[Captain George Mainwaring]] was described by ''The Times'' as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows".<ref name="Times Obit" /> Tise Vahimagi, writing for the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[Screenonline]], agreed, and commented that "it was the hesitant exchanges of one-upmanship between Le Mesurier's Wilson, a figure of delicate gentility, and Arthur Lowe's pompous, middle class platoon leader Captain Mainwaring, that added to its finest moments".<ref name="BFI: Le Mez" /> Le Mesurier enjoyed making the series, particularly the fortnight the cast would spend in [[Thetford]] each year filming the outside scenes.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=245}} The programme lasted for nine series over nine years, and covered eighty episodes, ending in 1977.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=257}}
	[[Nicholas de Jongh]], in a tribute written after Le Mesurier's death, suggested that it was in the role of Wilson that Le Mesurier became a star.<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> His interaction with Arthur Lowe's character [[Captain George Mainwaring]] was described by ''The Times'' as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows".<ref name="Times Obit" /> Tise Vahimagi, writing for the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[Screenonline]], agreed, and commented that "it was the hesitant exchanges of one-upmanship between Le Mesurier's Wilson, a figure of delicate gentility, and Arthur Lowe's pompous, middle class platoon leader Captain Mainwaring, that added to its finest moments".<ref name="BFI: Le Mez" /> Le Mesurier enjoyed making the series, particularly the fortnight the cast would spend in [[Thetford]] each year filming the outside scenes.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=245}} The programme lasted for nine series over nine years, and covered eighty episodes, ending in 1977.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=257}}

	During the filming of the series in 1969, Le Mesurier was flown to Venice over a series of weekends to appear in the film ''[[Midas Run]]'', an [[Alf Kjellin]]-directed crime film that also starred [[Richard Crenna]], [[Anne Heywood]] and [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name="BFI: Midas Run" />{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=134}} Le Mesurier became friends with Astaire during the filming and they often dined together in a local cafe while watching horse-racing on television.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=137}} In 1971 [[Norman Cohen]] directed a [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|feature film of ''Dad's Army'']];{{sfn\|Slide\|1996\|p=151}} Le Mesurier also appeared as Wilson in a stage adaptation, which toured the UK in 1975–76.{{sfn\|Pertwee\|2009\|p=165}} Following the success of ''Dad's Army'', Le Mesurier recorded the single "[[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)\|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]" with "Hometown" on the reverse side (the latter with Arthur Lowe). This, and an album, ''Dad's Army'', featuring the whole cast, was released on the Warner label in 1975.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=311}}		During the filming of the series in 1969, Le Mesurier was flown to Venice over a series of weekends to appear in the film ''[[Midas Run]]'', an [[Alf Kjellin]]-directed crime film that also starred [[Richard Crenna]], [[Anne Heywood]] and [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name="BFI: Midas Run" />{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=134}} Le Mesurier became friends with Astaire during the filming and they often dined together in a local cafe while watching horse-racing on television.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=137}} In 1971 [[Norman Cohen]] directed a [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|feature film of ''Dad's Army'']];{{sfn\|Slide\|1996\|p=151}} Le Mesurier also appeared as Wilson in a stage adaptation, which toured the UK in 1975–76.{{sfn\|Pertwee\|2009\|p=165}} Following the success of ''Dad's Army'', Le Mesurier recorded the single "[[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)\|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]" with "Hometown" on the reverse side (the latter with Arthur Lowe). This, and an album, ''Dad's Army'', featuring the whole cast, was released on the Warner label in 1975.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=311}}

Kurt at 05:24, 14 January 2023

2023-01-14T05:24:43Z

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	\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley		\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley
	\| image = John Le Mesurier.jpg		\| image = John Le Mesurier.jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption = Le Mesurier in Jan 1973
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[w:Bedfordshire\|Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]		\| birth_place = [[w:Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[w:Bedfordshire\|Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]

Kurt at 05:21, 14 January 2023

2023-01-14T05:21:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:21, 14 January 2023
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	{{Short description\|English actor (1912–1983)}}		{{Short description\|English actor (1912–1983)}}
	~~{{Use British English\|date=December 2012}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley		\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley
	\| image = ~~Surprise Attack (1951) film- caption John Le Mesurier.png <!--~~ John Le Mesurier.jpg ~~-->~~		\| image = John Le Mesurier.jpg
	\| caption = ~~John Le Mesurier in 1951~~		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date~~\|df=yes~~\|1912\|04\|05}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[w:Bedfordshire\|Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]		\| birth_place = [[w:Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[w:Bedfordshire\|Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age~~\|df=yes~~\|1983\|11\|15\|1912\|04\|05}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1983\|11\|15\|1912\|04\|05\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[w:Ramsgate\|Ramsgate]], [[w:Kent\|Kent]], United Kingdom		\| death_place = [[w:Ramsgate\|Ramsgate]], [[w:Kent\|Kent]], United Kingdom
	\| resting_place = Saint George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent		\| resting_place = Saint George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent

Kurt: /* 1946–1959 */

2023-01-14T05:08:46Z

1946–1959

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:08, 14 January 2023
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	Le Mesurier undertook several roles on television in 1951, including that of Doctor Forrest in ''The Railway Children'',<ref name="BFI: The Railway Children" /> the blackmailer Eduardo Lucas in ''Sherlock Holmes: The Second Stain'',<ref name="BFI: The Second Stain" /> and [[Saint Joseph\|Joseph]] in the nativity play ''A Time to be Born''.<ref name="BFI: A Time to Be Born" /> The same year [[Tony Hancock]] joined Le Mesurier's second wife, [[Hattie Jacques]] (the couple had married in 1949 following his divorce from June Melville earlier that year) in the radio series ''[[Educating Archie]]''. Le Mesurier and Hancock became friends; they would often go for drinking sessions around [[Soho]], where they ended up in jazz clubs.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=136}} After Hancock left ''Educating Archie'' in 1952 after one season, {{sfn\|Foster\|Furst\|1996\|p=188}} the friendship continued, and Jacques joined the cast of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' during the fourth radio series in 1956.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=24}}		Le Mesurier undertook several roles on television in 1951, including that of Doctor Forrest in ''The Railway Children'',<ref name="BFI: The Railway Children" /> the blackmailer Eduardo Lucas in ''Sherlock Holmes: The Second Stain'',<ref name="BFI: The Second Stain" /> and [[Saint Joseph\|Joseph]] in the nativity play ''A Time to be Born''.<ref name="BFI: A Time to Be Born" /> The same year [[Tony Hancock]] joined Le Mesurier's second wife, [[Hattie Jacques]] (the couple had married in 1949 following his divorce from June Melville earlier that year) in the radio series ''[[Educating Archie]]''. Le Mesurier and Hancock became friends; they would often go for drinking sessions around [[Soho]], where they ended up in jazz clubs.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=136}} After Hancock left ''Educating Archie'' in 1952 after one season, {{sfn\|Foster\|Furst\|1996\|p=188}} the friendship continued, and Jacques joined the cast of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' during the fourth radio series in 1956.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=24}}
	~~[[File:Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Trailer17.jpg\|thumb\|left\|[[Terry-Thomas]], alongside whom Le Mesurier appeared in ''[[Private's Progress]]'' and ''[[Carlton-Browne of the F.O.]]'']]~~
	In 1952, as well as appearing in the films ''[[Blind Man's Bluff (1952 film)\|Blind Man's Bluff]]'' and ''[[Mother Riley Meets the Vampire]]'',{{sfn\|Browning\|Picart\|2010\|p=127}} Le Mesurier also appeared as the doctor in ''Angry Dust'' at the New Torch Theatre, London. [[Parnell Bradbury]], writing in ''[[The Times]]'', thought Le Mesurier had played the role extraordinarily well;<ref name="Times: Angry Dust" /> [[Harold Hobson]], writing in ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', thought that "the trouble with Mr. John Le Mesurier's Dr. Weston is that he approaches the man too snarlingly ... [it is] a notion of genius that would be unacceptable anywhere outside Victorian melodrama".<ref name="S Times: Angry Dust" /> In 1953, he had a role as a bureaucrat in the short film ''[[The Pleasure Garden (1953 film)\|The Pleasure Garden]]'', which won the ''Prix du Film de Fantaisie Poétique'' at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 1954.<ref name="BFI: Pleasure Garden"/> After a long run of small roles in second features, his 1955 portrayal of the registrar in [[Boulting brothers\|Roy Boulting's]] comedy ''[[Josephine and Men]]'', "jerked him out of the rut", according to [[Philip Oakes]].<ref name="S Times: Worrier" />		In 1952, as well as appearing in the films ''[[Blind Man's Bluff (1952 film)\|Blind Man's Bluff]]'' and ''[[Mother Riley Meets the Vampire]]'',{{sfn\|Browning\|Picart\|2010\|p=127}} Le Mesurier also appeared as the doctor in ''Angry Dust'' at the New Torch Theatre, London. [[Parnell Bradbury]], writing in ''[[The Times]]'', thought Le Mesurier had played the role extraordinarily well;<ref name="Times: Angry Dust" /> [[Harold Hobson]], writing in ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', thought that "the trouble with Mr. John Le Mesurier's Dr. Weston is that he approaches the man too snarlingly ... [it is] a notion of genius that would be unacceptable anywhere outside Victorian melodrama".<ref name="S Times: Angry Dust" /> In 1953, he had a role as a bureaucrat in the short film ''[[The Pleasure Garden (1953 film)\|The Pleasure Garden]]'', which won the ''Prix du Film de Fantaisie Poétique'' at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 1954.<ref name="BFI: Pleasure Garden"/> After a long run of small roles in second features, his 1955 portrayal of the registrar in [[Boulting brothers\|Roy Boulting's]] comedy ''[[Josephine and Men]]'', "jerked him out of the rut", according to [[Philip Oakes]].<ref name="S Times: Worrier" />

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-11-24T20:09:08Z

External links

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	* {{IMDb name}}		* {{IMDb name}}
	* {{TCMDb name}}		* {{TCMDb name}}

	~~{{British Academy Television Award for Best Actor 1960–1979}}~~
	~~{{Portal bar\|Biography\|Comedy\|England}}~~
	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	~~{{featured article}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Mesurier, John}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Mesurier, John}}

Kurt at 21:34, 28 July 2022

2022-07-28T21:34:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:34, 28 July 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2021}}
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| ~~name~~ = John Le Mesurier		\| birth_name = John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley
	\| image = Surprise Attack (1951) film- caption John Le Mesurier.png <!-- John Le Mesurier.jpg -->		\| image = Surprise Attack (1951) film- caption John Le Mesurier.png <!-- John Le Mesurier.jpg -->
	\| caption = John Le Mesurier in 1951		\| caption = John Le Mesurier in 1951
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|df=yes\|1912\|04\|05}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|df=yes\|1912\|04\|05}}
	\| birth_place = [[Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]		\| birth_place = [[w:Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[w:Bedfordshire\|Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=yes\|1983\|11\|15\|1912\|04\|05}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|df=yes\|1983\|11\|15\|1912\|04\|05}}
	\| death_place = [[Ramsgate]], [[Kent]], United Kingdom		\| death_place = [[w:Ramsgate\|Ramsgate]], [[w:Kent\|Kent]], United Kingdom
	\| resting_place = Saint George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent		\| resting_place = Saint George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor

Kurt at 21:30, 28 July 2022

2022-07-28T21:30:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 28 July 2022
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	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = John Le Mesurier		\| name = John Le Mesurier
	\| image = John Le Mesurier.jpg		\| image = Surprise Attack (1951) film- caption John Le Mesurier.png <!-- John Le Mesurier.jpg -->
	\| caption = John Le Mesurier in ~~1973~~		\| caption = John Le Mesurier in 1951
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|df=yes\|1912\|04\|05}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|df=yes\|1912\|04\|05}}
	\| birth_place = [[Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]		\| birth_place = [[Bedford, England\|Bedford]], [[Bedfordshire]], [[United Kingdom]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:31, 14 January 2023
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	After a year together, with Hancock's violence towards her worsening, Joan attempted [[suicide]]; she subsequently realised that she could no longer live with Hancock and returned to her husband.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|pp=140–141}} Despite this, Le Mesurier remained friends with Hancock, calling him "a comic of true genius, capable of great warmth and generosity, but a tormented and unhappy man".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=111}} Without Le Mesurier's knowledge, Joan resumed her affair with Hancock and, when the comic moved to Australia in 1968, she planned to follow him if he was able to overcome his [[alcoholism]]. She abandoned these plans and remained with Le Mesurier after Hancock committed suicide on 25 June 1968.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=203–205}}		After a year together, with Hancock's violence towards her worsening, Joan attempted [[suicide]]; she subsequently realised that she could no longer live with Hancock and returned to her husband.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|pp=140–141}} Despite this, Le Mesurier remained friends with Hancock, calling him "a comic of true genius, capable of great warmth and generosity, but a tormented and unhappy man".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=111}} Without Le Mesurier's knowledge, Joan resumed her affair with Hancock and, when the comic moved to Australia in 1968, she planned to follow him if he was able to overcome his [[alcoholism]]. She abandoned these plans and remained with Le Mesurier after Hancock committed suicide on 25 June 1968.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|pp=203–205}}

	[[File:John Le Mesurier - geograph 2847147.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|The grave of Le Mesurier and his son Kim at St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent]]		[[File:John Le Mesurier - geograph 2847147.jpg\|thumb\|right\|The grave of Le Mesurier and his son Kim at St George's Church, Ramsgate, Kent]]
	Le Mesurier was a heavy drinker, but was never noticeably drunk.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=143}} In 1977 he collapsed in Australia and flew home, where he was diagnosed with [[cirrhosis]] of the liver and ordered to stop drinking.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=262}} Until then he had not considered himself an alcoholic; he accepted that "it was the cumulative effect over the years that had done the damage".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=144}} It was a year and a half before he drank alcohol again, when he avoided spirits and drank only beer.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=277}}		Le Mesurier was a heavy drinker, but was never noticeably drunk.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=143}} In 1977 he collapsed in Australia and flew home, where he was diagnosed with [[cirrhosis]] of the liver and ordered to stop drinking.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=262}} Until then he had not considered himself an alcoholic; he accepted that "it was the cumulative effect over the years that had done the damage".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1988\|p=144}} It was a year and a half before he drank alcohol again, when he avoided spirits and drank only beer.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=277}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:28, 14 January 2023
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	====1968–1977====		====1968–1977====
	In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC [[sitcom\|situation comedy]] playing an upper-middle-class [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'';{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=208}} he was the second choice after [[Robert Dorning]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2001\|p=56}} Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of ''George and the Dragon'' and did not want another long-term television role.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=209}} He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee—to £262 10s (£262.50) per episode—and by the casting of his old friend [[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance-Corporal Jack Jones\|Corporal Jones]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=214}} Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer [[Jimmy Perry]] to make the part his own.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=217}} Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up. I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=118}} Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".<ref name="Guardian: the breed" />		[[File:Dad's Army cast - 1971.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of ''[[Dad's Army]]'', from the 1971 Christmas Special ''[[w:Battle of the Giants!\|Battle of the Giants!]]'']]
			In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC [[w:sitcom\|situation comedy]] playing an upper-middle-class [[Sergeant Arthur Wilson]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]'';{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=208}} he was the second choice after [[Robert Dorning]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2001\|p=56}} Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of ''George and the Dragon'' and did not want another long-term television role.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=209}} He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee—to £262 10s (£262.50) per episode—and by the casting of his old friend [[Clive Dunn]] as [[Lance-Corporal Jack Jones\|Corporal Jones]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=214}} Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer [[Jimmy Perry]] to make the part his own.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=217}} Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up. I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness".{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=118}} Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".<ref name="Guardian: the breed" />

	[[~~File~~:~~Dad's Army cast - 1971.jpg~~\|~~thumb\|left\|Le Mesurier (second from left) with the cast of ''[[Dad's Army]]'', from the 1971 Christmas Special ''[[Battle of the Giants!]]'']]~~		[[w:Nicholas de Jongh\|Nicholas de Jongh]], in a tribute written after Le Mesurier's death, suggested that it was in the role of Wilson that Le Mesurier became a star.<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> His interaction with Arthur Lowe's character [[Captain George Mainwaring]] was described by ''The Times'' as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows".<ref name="Times Obit" /> Tise Vahimagi, writing for the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[Screenonline]], agreed, and commented that "it was the hesitant exchanges of one-upmanship between Le Mesurier's Wilson, a figure of delicate gentility, and Arthur Lowe's pompous, middle class platoon leader Captain Mainwaring, that added to its finest moments".<ref name="BFI: Le Mez" /> Le Mesurier enjoyed making the series, particularly the fortnight the cast would spend in [[Thetford]] each year filming the outside scenes.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=245}} The programme lasted for nine series over nine years, and covered eighty episodes, ending in 1977.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=257}}
	[[Nicholas de Jongh]], in a tribute written after Le Mesurier's death, suggested that it was in the role of Wilson that Le Mesurier became a star.<ref name="Guardian: star dies" /> His interaction with Arthur Lowe's character [[Captain George Mainwaring]] was described by ''The Times'' as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows".<ref name="Times Obit" /> Tise Vahimagi, writing for the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[Screenonline]], agreed, and commented that "it was the hesitant exchanges of one-upmanship between Le Mesurier's Wilson, a figure of delicate gentility, and Arthur Lowe's pompous, middle class platoon leader Captain Mainwaring, that added to its finest moments".<ref name="BFI: Le Mez" /> Le Mesurier enjoyed making the series, particularly the fortnight the cast would spend in [[Thetford]] each year filming the outside scenes.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=245}} The programme lasted for nine series over nine years, and covered eighty episodes, ending in 1977.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=257}}

	During the filming of the series in 1969, Le Mesurier was flown to Venice over a series of weekends to appear in the film ''[[Midas Run]]'', an [[Alf Kjellin]]-directed crime film that also starred [[Richard Crenna]], [[Anne Heywood]] and [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name="BFI: Midas Run" />{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=134}} Le Mesurier became friends with Astaire during the filming and they often dined together in a local cafe while watching horse-racing on television.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=137}} In 1971 [[Norman Cohen]] directed a [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|feature film of ''Dad's Army'']];{{sfn\|Slide\|1996\|p=151}} Le Mesurier also appeared as Wilson in a stage adaptation, which toured the UK in 1975–76.{{sfn\|Pertwee\|2009\|p=165}} Following the success of ''Dad's Army'', Le Mesurier recorded the single "[[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)\|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]" with "Hometown" on the reverse side (the latter with Arthur Lowe). This, and an album, ''Dad's Army'', featuring the whole cast, was released on the Warner label in 1975.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=311}}		During the filming of the series in 1969, Le Mesurier was flown to Venice over a series of weekends to appear in the film ''[[Midas Run]]'', an [[Alf Kjellin]]-directed crime film that also starred [[Richard Crenna]], [[Anne Heywood]] and [[Fred Astaire]].<ref name="BFI: Midas Run" />{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=134}} Le Mesurier became friends with Astaire during the filming and they often dined together in a local cafe while watching horse-racing on television.{{sfn\|Le Mesurier\|1984\|p=137}} In 1971 [[Norman Cohen]] directed a [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|feature film of ''Dad's Army'']];{{sfn\|Slide\|1996\|p=151}} Le Mesurier also appeared as Wilson in a stage adaptation, which toured the UK in 1975–76.{{sfn\|Pertwee\|2009\|p=165}} Following the success of ''Dad's Army'', Le Mesurier recorded the single "[[A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (song)\|A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square]]" with "Hometown" on the reverse side (the latter with Arthur Lowe). This, and an album, ''Dad's Army'', featuring the whole cast, was released on the Warner label in 1975.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=311}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:08, 14 January 2023
Line 59:		Line 59:

	Le Mesurier undertook several roles on television in 1951, including that of Doctor Forrest in ''The Railway Children'',<ref name="BFI: The Railway Children" /> the blackmailer Eduardo Lucas in ''Sherlock Holmes: The Second Stain'',<ref name="BFI: The Second Stain" /> and [[Saint Joseph\|Joseph]] in the nativity play ''A Time to be Born''.<ref name="BFI: A Time to Be Born" /> The same year [[Tony Hancock]] joined Le Mesurier's second wife, [[Hattie Jacques]] (the couple had married in 1949 following his divorce from June Melville earlier that year) in the radio series ''[[Educating Archie]]''. Le Mesurier and Hancock became friends; they would often go for drinking sessions around [[Soho]], where they ended up in jazz clubs.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=136}} After Hancock left ''Educating Archie'' in 1952 after one season, {{sfn\|Foster\|Furst\|1996\|p=188}} the friendship continued, and Jacques joined the cast of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' during the fourth radio series in 1956.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=24}}		Le Mesurier undertook several roles on television in 1951, including that of Doctor Forrest in ''The Railway Children'',<ref name="BFI: The Railway Children" /> the blackmailer Eduardo Lucas in ''Sherlock Holmes: The Second Stain'',<ref name="BFI: The Second Stain" /> and [[Saint Joseph\|Joseph]] in the nativity play ''A Time to be Born''.<ref name="BFI: A Time to Be Born" /> The same year [[Tony Hancock]] joined Le Mesurier's second wife, [[Hattie Jacques]] (the couple had married in 1949 following his divorce from June Melville earlier that year) in the radio series ''[[Educating Archie]]''. Le Mesurier and Hancock became friends; they would often go for drinking sessions around [[Soho]], where they ended up in jazz clubs.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=136}} After Hancock left ''Educating Archie'' in 1952 after one season, {{sfn\|Foster\|Furst\|1996\|p=188}} the friendship continued, and Jacques joined the cast of ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' during the fourth radio series in 1956.{{sfn\|McCann\|2010\|p=24}}
	~~[[File:Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Trailer17.jpg\|thumb\|left\|[[Terry-Thomas]], alongside whom Le Mesurier appeared in ''[[Private's Progress]]'' and ''[[Carlton-Browne of the F.O.]]'']]~~
	In 1952, as well as appearing in the films ''[[Blind Man's Bluff (1952 film)\|Blind Man's Bluff]]'' and ''[[Mother Riley Meets the Vampire]]'',{{sfn\|Browning\|Picart\|2010\|p=127}} Le Mesurier also appeared as the doctor in ''Angry Dust'' at the New Torch Theatre, London. [[Parnell Bradbury]], writing in ''[[The Times]]'', thought Le Mesurier had played the role extraordinarily well;<ref name="Times: Angry Dust" /> [[Harold Hobson]], writing in ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', thought that "the trouble with Mr. John Le Mesurier's Dr. Weston is that he approaches the man too snarlingly ... [it is] a notion of genius that would be unacceptable anywhere outside Victorian melodrama".<ref name="S Times: Angry Dust" /> In 1953, he had a role as a bureaucrat in the short film ''[[The Pleasure Garden (1953 film)\|The Pleasure Garden]]'', which won the ''Prix du Film de Fantaisie Poétique'' at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 1954.<ref name="BFI: Pleasure Garden"/> After a long run of small roles in second features, his 1955 portrayal of the registrar in [[Boulting brothers\|Roy Boulting's]] comedy ''[[Josephine and Men]]'', "jerked him out of the rut", according to [[Philip Oakes]].<ref name="S Times: Worrier" />		In 1952, as well as appearing in the films ''[[Blind Man's Bluff (1952 film)\|Blind Man's Bluff]]'' and ''[[Mother Riley Meets the Vampire]]'',{{sfn\|Browning\|Picart\|2010\|p=127}} Le Mesurier also appeared as the doctor in ''Angry Dust'' at the New Torch Theatre, London. [[Parnell Bradbury]], writing in ''[[The Times]]'', thought Le Mesurier had played the role extraordinarily well;<ref name="Times: Angry Dust" /> [[Harold Hobson]], writing in ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', thought that "the trouble with Mr. John Le Mesurier's Dr. Weston is that he approaches the man too snarlingly ... [it is] a notion of genius that would be unacceptable anywhere outside Victorian melodrama".<ref name="S Times: Angry Dust" /> In 1953, he had a role as a bureaucrat in the short film ''[[The Pleasure Garden (1953 film)\|The Pleasure Garden]]'', which won the ''Prix du Film de Fantaisie Poétique'' at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 1954.<ref name="BFI: Pleasure Garden"/> After a long run of small roles in second features, his 1955 portrayal of the registrar in [[Boulting brothers\|Roy Boulting's]] comedy ''[[Josephine and Men]]'', "jerked him out of the rut", according to [[Philip Oakes]].<ref name="S Times: Worrier" />