Michael Hordern - Revision history

Kurt at 13:06, 29 March 2023

2023-03-29T13:06:38Z

Kurt: /* Stage roles and filmography */

2023-01-13T22:11:24Z

Stage roles and filmography

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	Throughout his 1993 autobiography ''A World Elsewhere'', Hordern exhibited his pride on being able to play a wide range of parts, something which made him a frequent subject among theatrical critics. The author Martin Banham thought that many of Hordern's characters shared a general identity of "an absent-minded, good-hearted English eccentric".<ref>Banham, p. 497.</ref> The American journalist Mel Gussow, writing in Hordern's obituary in ''The New York Times'' in 1995, described the actor as being "a classical actor with the soul of a clown",<ref name="NYTOBIT" /> while the actors [[John Hurt]] and [[Michael Bryant (actor)\|Michael Bryant]] described Hordern as being "the [[Austin Princess]] among British actors",<ref>"Sir Michael Hordern obituary", ''The Times'', 4 May 1995, p. 23.</ref> which implied to the author [[Sheridan Morley]] that Hordern possessed an element of "reliability but [with] a faint lack of charisma".<ref name=dnb /> Morley, who wrote Hordern's biography for the ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]'', went on to describe the actor as being "one of the great eccentrics of his profession, perched perilously somewhere half way between Alastair Sim and Alec Guinness".<ref name=dnb />		Throughout his 1993 autobiography ''A World Elsewhere'', Hordern exhibited his pride on being able to play a wide range of parts, something which made him a frequent subject among theatrical critics. The author Martin Banham thought that many of Hordern's characters shared a general identity of "an absent-minded, good-hearted English eccentric".<ref>Banham, p. 497.</ref> The American journalist Mel Gussow, writing in Hordern's obituary in ''The New York Times'' in 1995, described the actor as being "a classical actor with the soul of a clown",<ref name="NYTOBIT" /> while the actors [[John Hurt]] and [[Michael Bryant (actor)\|Michael Bryant]] described Hordern as being "the [[Austin Princess]] among British actors",<ref>"Sir Michael Hordern obituary", ''The Times'', 4 May 1995, p. 23.</ref> which implied to the author [[Sheridan Morley]] that Hordern possessed an element of "reliability but [with] a faint lack of charisma".<ref name=dnb /> Morley, who wrote Hordern's biography for the ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]'', went on to describe the actor as being "one of the great eccentrics of his profession, perched perilously somewhere half way between Alastair Sim and Alec Guinness".<ref name=dnb />

	~~==Stage roles and filmography==~~

	~~{{further\|Michael Hordern on stage, screen and radio}}~~

	==Notes and references==		==Notes and references==

Kurt: /* Films and 1950s theatre */

2023-01-13T22:09:28Z

Films and 1950s theatre

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	Hordern was appearing in three to four films a year by 1953, a count that increased as the decade progressed. In 1956 he took a leading part in ''[[The Spanish Gardener (film)\|The Spanish Gardener]]'' for which he spent many months filming in southern Spain<ref name="HORDERN108" /> alongside [[Dirk Bogarde]], [[Cyril Cusack]], and Bernard Lee.<ref>[https://variety.com/1956/film/reviews/the-spanish-gardener-1200418207/ "Review: The Spanish Gardener"] ''Variety'', 31 December 1956, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> ''The New York Times'' called Hordern's role of the strict and pompous Harrington Brande "an unsympathetic assignment", but thought the actor did "quite well" in his portrayal.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E6DF1E3BE433A2575AC0A96F9C946692D6CF "Screen: Father and Son; Spanish Gardener by Cronin Arrives"] by A.H. Weiler. ''[[The New York Times]]'', 9 September 1957, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> By the mid-1950s Hordern's name was becoming one of reliability and good value; as a result, he was offered a clutch of roles. In 1956 he appeared as [[Demosthenes]] in ''[[Alexander the Great (1956 film)\|Alexander the Great]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712174240/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a65339c "Alexander the Great" (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> and Commander Lindsay in ''[[The Night My Number Came Up]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712171350/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b18276a "The Night My Number Came Up " (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> He appeared in two other films the following year; the medical drama ''[[No Time for Tears (film)\|No Time for Tears]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712004419/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b1ba7c4 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> and the thriller ''[[Windom's Way]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712001329/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bade840 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> The Second World War was a popular genre for filmmakers during the 1950s. Hordern said the conflict took up a large part of people's lives; "whether it be one of love, loss, nostalgia or tragedy",<ref name="HORDERN109–110">Hordern, pp. 109–110.</ref> everybody, according to the actor, had a story to tell and could relate to the situations that were being depicted before them on screen.<ref name="HORDERN109–110" /> He found his earlier naval experience to be an asset when cast in many war films,<ref name="BFIHORDERN">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120802201435/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9ef754d6 "Michael Hordern"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref>{{#tag:ref\|The war films in which Hordern appeared in the 1950s were: ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all from 1956,<ref name="BFIHORDERN" /> and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' in 1958.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712172858/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ad6ec78 "I Was Monty's Double (1958)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> During the 1960s he starred in ''[[Sink the Bismarck!]]'' (1960), ''[[The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (film)\|The Spy Who Came in from the Cold]]'' (1965), ''[[How I Won the War]]'' (1967), and ''[[Where Eagles Dare]]'' (1968).<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />\|group= n}} including ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all in 1956, and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' two years later.<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />		Hordern was appearing in three to four films a year by 1953, a count that increased as the decade progressed. In 1956 he took a leading part in ''[[The Spanish Gardener (film)\|The Spanish Gardener]]'' for which he spent many months filming in southern Spain<ref name="HORDERN108" /> alongside [[Dirk Bogarde]], [[Cyril Cusack]], and Bernard Lee.<ref>[https://variety.com/1956/film/reviews/the-spanish-gardener-1200418207/ "Review: The Spanish Gardener"] ''Variety'', 31 December 1956, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> ''The New York Times'' called Hordern's role of the strict and pompous Harrington Brande "an unsympathetic assignment", but thought the actor did "quite well" in his portrayal.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E6DF1E3BE433A2575AC0A96F9C946692D6CF "Screen: Father and Son; Spanish Gardener by Cronin Arrives"] by A.H. Weiler. ''[[The New York Times]]'', 9 September 1957, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> By the mid-1950s Hordern's name was becoming one of reliability and good value; as a result, he was offered a clutch of roles. In 1956 he appeared as [[Demosthenes]] in ''[[Alexander the Great (1956 film)\|Alexander the Great]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712174240/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a65339c "Alexander the Great" (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> and Commander Lindsay in ''[[The Night My Number Came Up]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712171350/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b18276a "The Night My Number Came Up " (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> He appeared in two other films the following year; the medical drama ''[[No Time for Tears (film)\|No Time for Tears]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712004419/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b1ba7c4 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> and the thriller ''[[Windom's Way]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712001329/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bade840 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> The Second World War was a popular genre for filmmakers during the 1950s. Hordern said the conflict took up a large part of people's lives; "whether it be one of love, loss, nostalgia or tragedy",<ref name="HORDERN109–110">Hordern, pp. 109–110.</ref> everybody, according to the actor, had a story to tell and could relate to the situations that were being depicted before them on screen.<ref name="HORDERN109–110" /> He found his earlier naval experience to be an asset when cast in many war films,<ref name="BFIHORDERN">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120802201435/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9ef754d6 "Michael Hordern"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref>{{#tag:ref\|The war films in which Hordern appeared in the 1950s were: ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all from 1956,<ref name="BFIHORDERN" /> and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' in 1958.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712172858/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ad6ec78 "I Was Monty's Double (1958)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> During the 1960s he starred in ''[[Sink the Bismarck!]]'' (1960), ''[[The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (film)\|The Spy Who Came in from the Cold]]'' (1965), ''[[How I Won the War]]'' (1967), and ''[[Where Eagles Dare]]'' (1968).<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />\|group= n}} including ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all in 1956, and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' two years later.<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />

	[[File:Playbill for Moonbirds on Broadway 1959.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|Hordern (left) and [[Wally Cox]] on ''Playbill''{{'}}s front cover for [[Marcel Aymé\|Marcel Aymé's]] comedy ''Moonbirds'' in 1959]]		[[File:Playbill for Moonbirds on Broadway 1959.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Hordern (left) and [[Wally Cox]] on ''Playbill''{{'}}s front cover for [[Marcel Aymé\|Marcel Aymé's]] comedy ''Moonbirds'' in 1959]]
	Hordern was cast in [[John Mortimer\|John Mortimer's]] 1957 play ''The Dock Brief'' in which Hordern played the [[barrister]]. The story centres on a failed lawyer who is hired at the last minute to defend a man on a charge of murder.{{#tag:ref\|A dock brief is a defunct legal procedure within a courtroom where a defendant answering a criminal charge without legal representation could, on indictment, choose any barrister within the courtroom who was not directly involved in the case to represent them in exchange for a small fee.<ref>[http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095724237 "Dock Brief"], Oxford Index, ''A Dictionary of Law'', Oxford University Press, accessed 31 August 2015.</ref>\|group= n}} Hordern played the barrister opposite [[David Kossoff\|David Kossoff's]] murder suspect. After some positive comments from the theatrical press, the play transferred to radio in May the same year.<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/287e78b0f681463dbdb12c11524809b9 "Michael Hordern and David Kossoff in 'The Dock Brief'"], [[BBC]], accessed 31 August 2015.</ref> It was broadcast on television in September,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a8534347cd3d49198927f5c8cd76a428\|title=The Dock Brief BBC Television, 16 September 1957\|work=[[Radio Times]]\|publisher=BBC\|access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> and earned Hordern a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor\|Best Actor Award]] at the 1958 [[British Academy Television Awards]].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Chit Chat\|work=The Stage\|date=27 March 1958\|page=8}}</ref><ref>[http://awards.bafta.org/award/1957/television/actor "Television Actor in 1957: Michael Hordern"], [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] (BAFTA), accessed 1 October 2019.</ref> The Horderns moved to [[Donnington, Berkshire]] in 1958 where they renovated three cottages into one; the property became the family home and is where Hordern and Eve remained until their deaths.<ref>Hordern, pp. 123–124.</ref>		Hordern was cast in [[John Mortimer\|John Mortimer's]] 1957 play ''The Dock Brief'' in which Hordern played the [[barrister]]. The story centres on a failed lawyer who is hired at the last minute to defend a man on a charge of murder.{{#tag:ref\|A dock brief is a defunct legal procedure within a courtroom where a defendant answering a criminal charge without legal representation could, on indictment, choose any barrister within the courtroom who was not directly involved in the case to represent them in exchange for a small fee.<ref>[http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095724237 "Dock Brief"], Oxford Index, ''A Dictionary of Law'', Oxford University Press, accessed 31 August 2015.</ref>\|group= n}} Hordern played the barrister opposite [[David Kossoff\|David Kossoff's]] murder suspect. After some positive comments from the theatrical press, the play transferred to radio in May the same year.<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/287e78b0f681463dbdb12c11524809b9 "Michael Hordern and David Kossoff in 'The Dock Brief'"], [[BBC]], accessed 31 August 2015.</ref> It was broadcast on television in September,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a8534347cd3d49198927f5c8cd76a428\|title=The Dock Brief BBC Television, 16 September 1957\|work=[[Radio Times]]\|publisher=BBC\|access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> and earned Hordern a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor\|Best Actor Award]] at the 1958 [[British Academy Television Awards]].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Chit Chat\|work=The Stage\|date=27 March 1958\|page=8}}</ref><ref>[http://awards.bafta.org/award/1957/television/actor "Television Actor in 1957: Michael Hordern"], [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] (BAFTA), accessed 1 October 2019.</ref> The Horderns moved to [[Donnington, Berkshire]] in 1958 where they renovated three cottages into one; the property became the family home and is where Hordern and Eve remained until their deaths.<ref>Hordern, pp. 123–124.</ref>

Kurt: /* The Old Vic */

2023-01-13T22:08:45Z

The Old Vic

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	====The Old Vic====		====The Old Vic====
			[[File:Rex Harrison Allan Warren.jpg\|thumb\|right\|[[Rex Harrison]], whom Hordern despised as a person but admired as an actor]]
	[[File:Rex Harrison Allan Warren.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|[[Rex Harrison]], whom Hordern despised as a person but admired as an actor]]

	Hordern's contract at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre lasted until mid-1952, and on its expiration, he secured a position within [[Michael Benthall\|Michael Benthall's]] theatrical company at [[the Old Vic]] in London.<ref name="HORDERN94"/>{{#tag:ref\|The 1952 company featured [[Laurence Harvey]], [[Ralph Richardson]], [[Margaret Leighton]], [[Siobhán McKenna]], [[John Gielgud]], [[George Devine]] and [[Mary Ellis]]. The designers were the [[Motley Theatre Design Group]] and [[Loudon Sainthill]]. The resident composer was [[Antony Hopkins]].<ref name="HORDERN94" />\|group= n}} The company's first play, ''[[Hamlet]]'', starred [[Richard Burton]], [[Claire Bloom]], and [[Fay Compton]],<ref name="HORDERN96">Hordern, p. 96.</ref> and opened on 14 September 1953.{{#tag:ref\| The cast included [[Richard Burton]] as [[Hamlet]], [[Claire Bloom]] as [[Ophelia]], [[Fay Compton]] as [[Gertrude (Hamlet)\|Gertrude]], [[William Squire]] as [[Horatio (Hamlet)\|Horatio]], [[John Neville (actor)\|John Neville]] as [[Fortinbras]], and [[Clifford Williams (actor)\|Clifford Williams]] as Player Queen.<ref name="HORDERN96" />\|group= n}} Hordern called it "the perfect play with which to open the season" as it featured "fine strong parts for everyone and [was] a good showpiece for an actor's latent vanity".<ref name="HORDERN97">Hordern, p. 97.</ref> Shortly after opening, it was transferred to [[Edinburgh]], where it took part at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe\|Fringe]] before returning to London. For his role of [[Polonius]], Hordern received mixed reviews, with one critic saying: "He was at his best in his early scenes with Ophelia{{nbsp}}... but towards the end of the performance he began to obscure less matter with more art".<ref>Hordern, pp. 96–97.</ref> After Edinburgh, Benthall took ''Hamlet'' on a provincial tour and the play had a successful run of 101 performances.<ref name="HORDERN97" />		Hordern's contract at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre lasted until mid-1952, and on its expiration, he secured a position within [[Michael Benthall\|Michael Benthall's]] theatrical company at [[the Old Vic]] in London.<ref name="HORDERN94"/>{{#tag:ref\|The 1952 company featured [[Laurence Harvey]], [[Ralph Richardson]], [[Margaret Leighton]], [[Siobhán McKenna]], [[John Gielgud]], [[George Devine]] and [[Mary Ellis]]. The designers were the [[Motley Theatre Design Group]] and [[Loudon Sainthill]]. The resident composer was [[Antony Hopkins]].<ref name="HORDERN94" />\|group= n}} The company's first play, ''[[Hamlet]]'', starred [[Richard Burton]], [[Claire Bloom]], and [[Fay Compton]],<ref name="HORDERN96">Hordern, p. 96.</ref> and opened on 14 September 1953.{{#tag:ref\| The cast included [[Richard Burton]] as [[Hamlet]], [[Claire Bloom]] as [[Ophelia]], [[Fay Compton]] as [[Gertrude (Hamlet)\|Gertrude]], [[William Squire]] as [[Horatio (Hamlet)\|Horatio]], [[John Neville (actor)\|John Neville]] as [[Fortinbras]], and [[Clifford Williams (actor)\|Clifford Williams]] as Player Queen.<ref name="HORDERN96" />\|group= n}} Hordern called it "the perfect play with which to open the season" as it featured "fine strong parts for everyone and [was] a good showpiece for an actor's latent vanity".<ref name="HORDERN97">Hordern, p. 97.</ref> Shortly after opening, it was transferred to [[Edinburgh]], where it took part at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe\|Fringe]] before returning to London. For his role of [[Polonius]], Hordern received mixed reviews, with one critic saying: "He was at his best in his early scenes with Ophelia{{nbsp}}... but towards the end of the performance he began to obscure less matter with more art".<ref>Hordern, pp. 96–97.</ref> After Edinburgh, Benthall took ''Hamlet'' on a provincial tour and the play had a successful run of 101 performances.<ref name="HORDERN97" />

Kurt: /* Second World War and film debut */

2023-01-13T22:08:04Z

Second World War and film debut

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	===Second World War and film debut===		===Second World War and film debut===
			[[File:HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, 1940. FL2425.jpg\|thumb\|right\|{{HMS\|Illustrious\|87\|6}}, on which Hordern served during the Second World War]]
	Hordern and Eve left Bristol in 1939 for [[Harrogate]], where Eve joined a small repertory company called the White Rose Players. After a brief spell of unemployment, and with [[Second World War\|the outbreak of war]], Hordern volunteered for a post within the [[Air Raid Precautions]] (ARP).<ref name="Hordern, pp. 57–59">Hordern, pp. 57–59.</ref> He was accepted but soon grew frustrated at not being able to conduct any rescues because of the lack of enemy action. He decided that it was "not a very good way to fight the war" and enlisted instead as a gunner with the Royal Navy.<ref name="TELEOBIT" /><ref>Hordern, p. 59.</ref> While he was waiting to be accepted he and Eve responded to an advertisement in ''[[The Stage]]'' for actors in a repertory company in Bath. They were appointed as the company's leading man and lady. Their first and only engagement was in a play entitled ''Bats in the Belfry'' which opened at the city's [[Bath Assembly Rooms\|Assembly Rooms]] on 16 October.<ref>"Bath's New Players", ''Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette'', 14 October 1939, p. 8.</ref> Hordern's elation at finally becoming a leading man was short-lived when he received his call-up that December. In the interest of helping to boost public morale, Hordern sought permission from the navy to allow him to complete his theatrical commitment in Bath and to appear in his first film, a thriller called ''[[Girl in the News]]'', directed by [[Carol Reed]];<ref>Hordern, p. 109.</ref> his request was accepted, and he was told to report for duty at Plymouth Barracks in the early months of 1940 when the show had finished and he was free from filming responsibilities.<ref>Hordern, p. 60.</ref>		Hordern and Eve left Bristol in 1939 for [[Harrogate]], where Eve joined a small repertory company called the White Rose Players. After a brief spell of unemployment, and with [[Second World War\|the outbreak of war]], Hordern volunteered for a post within the [[Air Raid Precautions]] (ARP).<ref name="Hordern, pp. 57–59">Hordern, pp. 57–59.</ref> He was accepted but soon grew frustrated at not being able to conduct any rescues because of the lack of enemy action. He decided that it was "not a very good way to fight the war" and enlisted instead as a gunner with the Royal Navy.<ref name="TELEOBIT" /><ref>Hordern, p. 59.</ref> While he was waiting to be accepted he and Eve responded to an advertisement in ''[[The Stage]]'' for actors in a repertory company in Bath. They were appointed as the company's leading man and lady. Their first and only engagement was in a play entitled ''Bats in the Belfry'' which opened at the city's [[Bath Assembly Rooms\|Assembly Rooms]] on 16 October.<ref>"Bath's New Players", ''Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette'', 14 October 1939, p. 8.</ref> Hordern's elation at finally becoming a leading man was short-lived when he received his call-up that December. In the interest of helping to boost public morale, Hordern sought permission from the navy to allow him to complete his theatrical commitment in Bath and to appear in his first film, a thriller called ''[[Girl in the News]]'', directed by [[Carol Reed]];<ref>Hordern, p. 109.</ref> his request was accepted, and he was told to report for duty at Plymouth Barracks in the early months of 1940 when the show had finished and he was free from filming responsibilities.<ref>Hordern, p. 60.</ref>

	~~[[File:HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, 1940. FL2425.jpg\|thumb\|left\|{{HMS\|Illustrious\|87\|6}}, on which Hordern served during the Second World War]]~~
	In 1940, after a minor role in ''Without the Prince'' at the Whitehall Theatre, Hordern played the small, uncredited part of a BBC official alongside James Hayter in [[Arthur Askey\|Arthur Askey's]] comedy film ''[[Band Waggon (film)\|Band Waggon]]''.<ref name=dnb /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712002322/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a4936bc "''Band Waggon'' (1940)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 4 July 2015.</ref> Soon after, he began his naval gunnery training on board ''City of Florence'', a [[defensively equipped merchant ship]] (DEMS) which delivered ammunition to the city of [[Alexandria]] for the [[Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name="Hordern, pp. 57–59"/><ref>{{cite web \|title=Sir Michael Hordern \|url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/rollofhonour/Obituaries/Summary_Obituaries.htm \|website=fleetairarmarchive.net \|access-date=12 February 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608044643/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/RollofHonour/Obituaries/Summary_Obituaries.htm \|archive-date=8 June 2007 \|url-status=usurped}}</ref> He found that although his middle class upbringing hindered his ability to make friends on board the ship, it helped with his commanding officers.<ref>Hordern, p. 61.</ref><ref name="HORDERN66-67">Hordern, pp. 66–67.</ref>		In 1940, after a minor role in ''Without the Prince'' at the Whitehall Theatre, Hordern played the small, uncredited part of a BBC official alongside James Hayter in [[Arthur Askey\|Arthur Askey's]] comedy film ''[[Band Waggon (film)\|Band Waggon]]''.<ref name=dnb /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712002322/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a4936bc "''Band Waggon'' (1940)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 4 July 2015.</ref> Soon after, he began his naval gunnery training on board ''City of Florence'', a [[defensively equipped merchant ship]] (DEMS) which delivered ammunition to the city of [[Alexandria]] for the [[Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name="Hordern, pp. 57–59"/><ref>{{cite web \|title=Sir Michael Hordern \|url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/rollofhonour/Obituaries/Summary_Obituaries.htm \|website=fleetairarmarchive.net \|access-date=12 February 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608044643/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/RollofHonour/Obituaries/Summary_Obituaries.htm \|archive-date=8 June 2007 \|url-status=usurped}}</ref> He found that although his middle class upbringing hindered his ability to make friends on board the ship, it helped with his commanding officers.<ref>Hordern, p. 61.</ref><ref name="HORDERN66-67">Hordern, pp. 66–67.</ref>

Kurt: /* Bristol repertory theatre */

2023-01-13T22:07:22Z

Bristol repertory theatre

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	====Bristol repertory theatre====		====Bristol repertory theatre====
			[[File:070522 ukbris ch01.jpg\|thumb\|right\|[[Colston Hall]], Bristol, the former home of the Rapier Players]]
	[[File:070522 ukbris ch01.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|[[Colston Hall]], Bristol, the former home of the Rapier Players]]

	In mid-1937 the theatre proprietor Ronald Russell offered Hordern a part in his [[repertory]] company, the Rapier Players, who were then based at [[Colston Hall]] in Bristol.<ref name="TELEOBIT" /><ref>Hordern, p. 50.</ref> Hordern's first acting role within the company was as Uncle Harry<ref name="HORDERN52-53">Hordern, pp. 52–53.</ref> in the play ''[[Someone at the Door (play)\|Someone at the Door]]''.<ref>"New Players in Company", ''Western Daily Press'', 22 July 1937, p. 8.</ref> Because of the play's success, Russell [[Typecasting (acting)\|employed him in the same type of role]], the monotony of which frustrated the actor who longed to play the [[leading man]]. It was whilst with the Rapier Players that Hordern fell in love with Eve Mortimer, a [[Minor (law)\|juvenile]] actress who appeared in minor roles in many of Russell's productions.<ref name="HORDERN52-53" /> Hordern considered his experience with the Rapier Players to be invaluable; it taught him how a professional theatre company worked under a strict time frame and how it operated with an even stricter budget. He was allowed two minutes to study each page of the script, but because of the frequent mistakes and many stalled lines, rehearsals became long and laborious. Hordern described the company's [[Theatrical property\|props]] as being made to a very high standard, despite being bought on a shoe-string budget.<ref>Hordern, p. 54.</ref>		In mid-1937 the theatre proprietor Ronald Russell offered Hordern a part in his [[repertory]] company, the Rapier Players, who were then based at [[Colston Hall]] in Bristol.<ref name="TELEOBIT" /><ref>Hordern, p. 50.</ref> Hordern's first acting role within the company was as Uncle Harry<ref name="HORDERN52-53">Hordern, pp. 52–53.</ref> in the play ''[[Someone at the Door (play)\|Someone at the Door]]''.<ref>"New Players in Company", ''Western Daily Press'', 22 July 1937, p. 8.</ref> Because of the play's success, Russell [[Typecasting (acting)\|employed him in the same type of role]], the monotony of which frustrated the actor who longed to play the [[leading man]]. It was whilst with the Rapier Players that Hordern fell in love with Eve Mortimer, a [[Minor (law)\|juvenile]] actress who appeared in minor roles in many of Russell's productions.<ref name="HORDERN52-53" /> Hordern considered his experience with the Rapier Players to be invaluable; it taught him how a professional theatre company worked under a strict time frame and how it operated with an even stricter budget. He was allowed two minutes to study each page of the script, but because of the frequent mistakes and many stalled lines, rehearsals became long and laborious. Hordern described the company's [[Theatrical property\|props]] as being made to a very high standard, despite being bought on a shoe-string budget.<ref>Hordern, p. 54.</ref>

Kurt: /* Early years */

2023-01-13T22:06:31Z

Early years

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	===Early years===		===Early years===

	[[File:Windlesham House School - geograph.org.uk - 1424129.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|[[Windlesham House School]], where Hordern made his amateur stage debut]]		[[File:Windlesham House School - geograph.org.uk - 1424129.jpg\|thumb\|right\|[[Windlesham House School]], where Hordern made his amateur stage debut]]

	Four years after the birth of Peter, a pregnant Margaret returned to England, where Michael Hordern, her third son, was born on 3 October 1911 in [[Berkhamsted]], Hertfordshire. Still stationed abroad, Edward was promoted to the rank of [[Captain (Royal Navy)\|captain]], for which he received a good salary. The family lived in comfort, and Margaret employed a [[scullery maid]], nanny, groundsman, and full-time cook.<ref name="HORDERN4">Hordern, p. 4.</ref>		Four years after the birth of Peter, a pregnant Margaret returned to England, where Michael Hordern, her third son, was born on 3 October 1911 in [[Berkhamsted]], Hertfordshire. Still stationed abroad, Edward was promoted to the rank of [[Captain (Royal Navy)\|captain]], for which he received a good salary. The family lived in comfort, and Margaret employed a [[scullery maid]], nanny, groundsman, and full-time cook.<ref name="HORDERN4">Hordern, p. 4.</ref>

Kurt: /* External links */

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External links

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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	~~{{Commons category\|Michael Hordern}}~~
	* {{findagrave\|107083477}}		* {{findagrave\|107083477}}
	* {{IMDb name\|394588}}		* {{IMDb name\|394588}}
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	* {{Screenonline name\|470152\|Michael Hordern}}		* {{Screenonline name\|470152\|Michael Hordern}}
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121114010408/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7589085/Sir-Michael-Hordern.html Sir Michael Hordern] – Daily Telegraph obituary		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121114010408/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/7589085/Sir-Michael-Hordern.html Sir Michael Hordern] – Daily Telegraph obituary
	* [http://www.thisoldradioshow.com/OldRadioShows/Adventure/HoratioHornblower/HoratioHornblower.php The Adventures of Captain Horatio Hornblower] radio series

	{{-}}		{{-}}
	~~{{British Academy Television Award for Best Actor 1955–1959}}~~
	~~{{Portal bar\|Biography\|Film\|Theatre\|Television \|Radio\|United Kingdom}}~~

	~~{{authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Hordern, Michael}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Hordern, Michael}}
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	[[Category:Best Actor BAFTA Award (television) winners]]		[[Category:Best Actor BAFTA Award (television) winners]]
	[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]		[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
	~~[[Category:Deaths from kidney disease]]~~
	[[Category:English male film actors]]		[[Category:English male film actors]]
	[[Category:English male radio actors]]		[[Category:English male radio actors]]

Kurt at 21:35, 13 October 2022

2022-10-13T21:35:53Z

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	}}		}}

	'''Sir Michael Murray Hordern''' [[w:Commander of the Order of the British Empire\|CBE]] (3 October 1911{{snds}}2 May 1995)<ref name=dnb>Morley, Sheridan. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/58193 "Hordern, Michael Murray (1911–1995)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition, May 2009, accessed 22 July 2015 {{subscription}}</ref> was an English actor whose career spanned nearly 60 years. He is best known for his [[Shakespeare's plays\|Shakespearean]] roles, especially that of [[King Lear]], which he played to much acclaim on stage in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] in 1969 and London in 1970. He then successfully assumed the role on television five years later. He often appeared in film, rising from a [[bit part]] actor in the late 1930s to a member of the main cast; by the time of his death he had appeared in nearly 140 cinema roles. His later work was predominantly in television and radio.		'''Sir Michael Murray Hordern''' [[w:Commander of the Order of the British Empire\|CBE]] (3 October 1911{{snds}}2 May 1995)<ref name=dnb>Morley, Sheridan. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/58193 "Hordern, Michael Murray (1911–1995)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition, May 2009, accessed 22 July 2015 {{subscription}}</ref> was an English actor whose career spanned nearly 60 years. He is best known for his [[w:Shakespeare's plays\|Shakespearean]] roles, especially that of [[w:King Lear\|King Lear]], which he played to much acclaim on stage in [[w:Stratford-upon-Avon\|Stratford-upon-Avon]] in 1969 and London in 1970. He then successfully assumed the role on television five years later. He often appeared in film, rising from a [[w:bit part\|bit part]] actor in the late 1930s to a member of the main cast; by the time of his death he had appeared in nearly 140 cinema roles. His later work was predominantly in television and radio.

	Born in [[w:Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire\|Berkhamsted]], into a family with no theatrical connections, Hordern was educated at [[w:Windlesham House School\|Windlesham House School]] in [[w:Pulborough\|Pulborough]], [[w:West Sussex\|West Sussex]], where he became interested in drama. He went on to [[w:Brighton College\|Brighton College]] where his interest in the theatre developed. After leaving the college he joined an [[w:amateur dramatics\|amateur dramatics]] company, and came to the notice of several influential Shakespearean directors who cast him in minor roles in ''[[w:Othello\|Othello]]'' and ''[[w:Macbeth\|Macbeth]]''. During the Second World War he served on [[w:HMS Illustrious (87)\|HMS ''Illustrious'']] where he reached the rank of [[w:Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)\|lieutenant commander]]. Upon his [[w:demobilisation\|demobilisation]] he resumed his acting career and made his television debut, becoming a reliable bit-part actor in many films, particularly in the [[w:war film\|war film]] genre.		Born in [[w:Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire\|Berkhamsted]], into a family with no theatrical connections, Hordern was educated at [[w:Windlesham House School\|Windlesham House School]] in [[w:Pulborough\|Pulborough]], [[w:West Sussex\|West Sussex]], where he became interested in drama. He went on to [[w:Brighton College\|Brighton College]] where his interest in the theatre developed. After leaving the college he joined an [[w:amateur dramatics\|amateur dramatics]] company, and came to the notice of several influential Shakespearean directors who cast him in minor roles in ''[[w:Othello\|Othello]]'' and ''[[w:Macbeth\|Macbeth]]''. During the Second World War he served on [[w:HMS Illustrious (87)\|HMS ''Illustrious'']] where he reached the rank of [[w:Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)\|lieutenant commander]]. Upon his [[w:demobilisation\|demobilisation]] he resumed his acting career and made his television debut, becoming a reliable bit-part actor in many films, particularly in the [[w:war film\|war film]] genre.

Kurt at 21:33, 13 October 2022

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|English actor (1911–1995)}}
 {{Use British English|date=January 2016}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
-[[File:Michael Hordern, 1970.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Michael Hordern in 1970]]
+'''Sir Michael Murray Hordern''' [[w:Commander of the Order of the British Empire|CBE]] (3 October 1911{{snds}}2 May 1995)<ref name=dnb>Morley, Sheridan. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/58193 "Hordern, Michael Murray (1911–1995)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004, online edition, May 2009, accessed 22 July 2015 {{subscription}}</ref> was an English actor whose career spanned nearly 60 years. He is best known for his [[Shakespeare's plays|Shakespearean]] roles, especially that of [[King Lear]], which he played to much acclaim on stage in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] in 1969 and London in 1970. He then successfully assumed the role on television five years later. He often appeared in film, rising from a [[bit part]] actor in the late 1930s to a member of the main cast; by the time of his death he had appeared in nearly 140 cinema roles. His later work was predominantly in television and radio.
-Born in [[Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire]], into a family with no theatrical connections, Hordern was educated at [[Windlesham House School]] in [[Pulborough]], [[West Sussex]], where he became interested in drama. He went on to [[Brighton College]] where his interest in the theatre developed. After leaving the college he joined an [[amateur dramatics]] company, and came to the notice of several influential Shakespearean directors who cast him in minor roles in ''[[Othello]]'' and ''[[Macbeth]]''. During the Second World War he served on [[HMS Illustrious (87)|HMS ''Illustrious'']] where he reached the rank of [[Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|lieutenant commander]]. Upon his [[demobilisation]] he resumed his acting career and made his television debut, becoming a reliable bit-part actor in many films, particularly in the [[war film]] genre.
+Born in [[w:Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire|Berkhamsted]], into a family with no theatrical connections, Hordern was educated at [[w:Windlesham House School|Windlesham House School]] in [[w:Pulborough|Pulborough]], [[w:West Sussex|West Sussex]], where he became interested in drama. He went on to [[w:Brighton College|Brighton College]] where his interest in the theatre developed. After leaving the college he joined an [[w:amateur dramatics|amateur dramatics]] company, and came to the notice of several influential Shakespearean directors who cast him in minor roles in ''[[w:Othello|Othello]]'' and ''[[w:Macbeth|Macbeth]]''. During the Second World War he served on [[w:HMS Illustrious (87)|HMS ''Illustrious'']] where he reached the rank of [[w:Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|lieutenant commander]]. Upon his [[w:demobilisation|demobilisation]] he resumed his acting career and made his television debut, becoming a reliable bit-part actor in many films, particularly in the [[w:war film|war film]] genre.
 Hordern came to prominence in the early 1950s when he took part in a theatrical competition at the [[Arts Theatre]] in London. There, he impressed [[Glen Byam Shaw]] who secured the actor a season-long contract at the [[Royal Shakespeare Theatre|Shakespeare Memorial Theatre]] where he played major parts, including [[Caliban]] in ''[[The Tempest]]'', [[Jaques (As You Like It)|Jaques]] in ''[[As You Like It]]'', and Sir Politick Would-Be in [[Ben Jonson|Ben Jonson's]] comedy ''[[Volpone]]''. The following season Hordern joined [[Michael Benthall|Michael Benthall's]] company at [[the Old Vic]] where, among other parts, he played [[Polonius]] in ''[[Hamlet]]'', and [[John, King of England|the title role]] in ''[[King John (play)|King John]]''. In 1957 he won a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor|best actor]] award at that year's [[British Academy Television Awards]] for his role as the barrister in [[John Mortimer|John Mortimer's]] courtroom drama ''[[The Dock Brief]]''. Along with his theatrical responsibilities Hordern had regular supporting roles in various films including ''[[Cleopatra (1963 film)|Cleopatra]]'' (1963), and ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (film)|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1966).

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:09, 13 January 2023
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	Hordern was appearing in three to four films a year by 1953, a count that increased as the decade progressed. In 1956 he took a leading part in ''[[The Spanish Gardener (film)\|The Spanish Gardener]]'' for which he spent many months filming in southern Spain<ref name="HORDERN108" /> alongside [[Dirk Bogarde]], [[Cyril Cusack]], and Bernard Lee.<ref>[https://variety.com/1956/film/reviews/the-spanish-gardener-1200418207/ "Review: The Spanish Gardener"] ''Variety'', 31 December 1956, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> ''The New York Times'' called Hordern's role of the strict and pompous Harrington Brande "an unsympathetic assignment", but thought the actor did "quite well" in his portrayal.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E6DF1E3BE433A2575AC0A96F9C946692D6CF "Screen: Father and Son; Spanish Gardener by Cronin Arrives"] by A.H. Weiler. ''[[The New York Times]]'', 9 September 1957, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> By the mid-1950s Hordern's name was becoming one of reliability and good value; as a result, he was offered a clutch of roles. In 1956 he appeared as [[Demosthenes]] in ''[[Alexander the Great (1956 film)\|Alexander the Great]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712174240/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a65339c "Alexander the Great" (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> and Commander Lindsay in ''[[The Night My Number Came Up]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712171350/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b18276a "The Night My Number Came Up " (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> He appeared in two other films the following year; the medical drama ''[[No Time for Tears (film)\|No Time for Tears]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712004419/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b1ba7c4 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> and the thriller ''[[Windom's Way]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712001329/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bade840 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> The Second World War was a popular genre for filmmakers during the 1950s. Hordern said the conflict took up a large part of people's lives; "whether it be one of love, loss, nostalgia or tragedy",<ref name="HORDERN109–110">Hordern, pp. 109–110.</ref> everybody, according to the actor, had a story to tell and could relate to the situations that were being depicted before them on screen.<ref name="HORDERN109–110" /> He found his earlier naval experience to be an asset when cast in many war films,<ref name="BFIHORDERN">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120802201435/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9ef754d6 "Michael Hordern"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref>{{#tag:ref\|The war films in which Hordern appeared in the 1950s were: ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all from 1956,<ref name="BFIHORDERN" /> and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' in 1958.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712172858/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ad6ec78 "I Was Monty's Double (1958)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> During the 1960s he starred in ''[[Sink the Bismarck!]]'' (1960), ''[[The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (film)\|The Spy Who Came in from the Cold]]'' (1965), ''[[How I Won the War]]'' (1967), and ''[[Where Eagles Dare]]'' (1968).<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />\|group= n}} including ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all in 1956, and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' two years later.<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />		Hordern was appearing in three to four films a year by 1953, a count that increased as the decade progressed. In 1956 he took a leading part in ''[[The Spanish Gardener (film)\|The Spanish Gardener]]'' for which he spent many months filming in southern Spain<ref name="HORDERN108" /> alongside [[Dirk Bogarde]], [[Cyril Cusack]], and Bernard Lee.<ref>[https://variety.com/1956/film/reviews/the-spanish-gardener-1200418207/ "Review: The Spanish Gardener"] ''Variety'', 31 December 1956, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> ''The New York Times'' called Hordern's role of the strict and pompous Harrington Brande "an unsympathetic assignment", but thought the actor did "quite well" in his portrayal.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D02E6DF1E3BE433A2575AC0A96F9C946692D6CF "Screen: Father and Son; Spanish Gardener by Cronin Arrives"] by A.H. Weiler. ''[[The New York Times]]'', 9 September 1957, accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> By the mid-1950s Hordern's name was becoming one of reliability and good value; as a result, he was offered a clutch of roles. In 1956 he appeared as [[Demosthenes]] in ''[[Alexander the Great (1956 film)\|Alexander the Great]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712174240/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6a65339c "Alexander the Great" (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> and Commander Lindsay in ''[[The Night My Number Came Up]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712171350/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b18276a "The Night My Number Came Up " (1955)], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> He appeared in two other films the following year; the medical drama ''[[No Time for Tears (film)\|No Time for Tears]]'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712004419/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6b1ba7c4 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> and the thriller ''[[Windom's Way]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712001329/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6bade840 "No Time for Tears (1957)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> The Second World War was a popular genre for filmmakers during the 1950s. Hordern said the conflict took up a large part of people's lives; "whether it be one of love, loss, nostalgia or tragedy",<ref name="HORDERN109–110">Hordern, pp. 109–110.</ref> everybody, according to the actor, had a story to tell and could relate to the situations that were being depicted before them on screen.<ref name="HORDERN109–110" /> He found his earlier naval experience to be an asset when cast in many war films,<ref name="BFIHORDERN">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120802201435/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9ef754d6 "Michael Hordern"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref>{{#tag:ref\|The war films in which Hordern appeared in the 1950s were: ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all from 1956,<ref name="BFIHORDERN" /> and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' in 1958.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120712172858/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6ad6ec78 "I Was Monty's Double (1958)"], [[British Film Institute]], accessed 27 August 2015.</ref> During the 1960s he starred in ''[[Sink the Bismarck!]]'' (1960), ''[[The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (film)\|The Spy Who Came in from the Cold]]'' (1965), ''[[How I Won the War]]'' (1967), and ''[[Where Eagles Dare]]'' (1968).<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />\|group= n}} including ''[[The Man Who Never Was]]'', ''[[Pacific Destiny]]'', ''[[The Baby and the Battleship]]'', all in 1956, and ''[[I Was Monty's Double (film)\|I Was Monty's Double]]'' two years later.<ref name="BFIHORDERN" />

	[[File:Playbill for Moonbirds on Broadway 1959.jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|Hordern (left) and [[Wally Cox]] on ''Playbill''{{'}}s front cover for [[Marcel Aymé\|Marcel Aymé's]] comedy ''Moonbirds'' in 1959]]		[[File:Playbill for Moonbirds on Broadway 1959.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Hordern (left) and [[Wally Cox]] on ''Playbill''{{'}}s front cover for [[Marcel Aymé\|Marcel Aymé's]] comedy ''Moonbirds'' in 1959]]
	Hordern was cast in [[John Mortimer\|John Mortimer's]] 1957 play ''The Dock Brief'' in which Hordern played the [[barrister]]. The story centres on a failed lawyer who is hired at the last minute to defend a man on a charge of murder.{{#tag:ref\|A dock brief is a defunct legal procedure within a courtroom where a defendant answering a criminal charge without legal representation could, on indictment, choose any barrister within the courtroom who was not directly involved in the case to represent them in exchange for a small fee.<ref>[http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095724237 "Dock Brief"], Oxford Index, ''A Dictionary of Law'', Oxford University Press, accessed 31 August 2015.</ref>\|group= n}} Hordern played the barrister opposite [[David Kossoff\|David Kossoff's]] murder suspect. After some positive comments from the theatrical press, the play transferred to radio in May the same year.<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/287e78b0f681463dbdb12c11524809b9 "Michael Hordern and David Kossoff in 'The Dock Brief'"], [[BBC]], accessed 31 August 2015.</ref> It was broadcast on television in September,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a8534347cd3d49198927f5c8cd76a428\|title=The Dock Brief BBC Television, 16 September 1957\|work=[[Radio Times]]\|publisher=BBC\|access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> and earned Hordern a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor\|Best Actor Award]] at the 1958 [[British Academy Television Awards]].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Chit Chat\|work=The Stage\|date=27 March 1958\|page=8}}</ref><ref>[http://awards.bafta.org/award/1957/television/actor "Television Actor in 1957: Michael Hordern"], [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] (BAFTA), accessed 1 October 2019.</ref> The Horderns moved to [[Donnington, Berkshire]] in 1958 where they renovated three cottages into one; the property became the family home and is where Hordern and Eve remained until their deaths.<ref>Hordern, pp. 123–124.</ref>		Hordern was cast in [[John Mortimer\|John Mortimer's]] 1957 play ''The Dock Brief'' in which Hordern played the [[barrister]]. The story centres on a failed lawyer who is hired at the last minute to defend a man on a charge of murder.{{#tag:ref\|A dock brief is a defunct legal procedure within a courtroom where a defendant answering a criminal charge without legal representation could, on indictment, choose any barrister within the courtroom who was not directly involved in the case to represent them in exchange for a small fee.<ref>[http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095724237 "Dock Brief"], Oxford Index, ''A Dictionary of Law'', Oxford University Press, accessed 31 August 2015.</ref>\|group= n}} Hordern played the barrister opposite [[David Kossoff\|David Kossoff's]] murder suspect. After some positive comments from the theatrical press, the play transferred to radio in May the same year.<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/287e78b0f681463dbdb12c11524809b9 "Michael Hordern and David Kossoff in 'The Dock Brief'"], [[BBC]], accessed 31 August 2015.</ref> It was broadcast on television in September,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a8534347cd3d49198927f5c8cd76a428\|title=The Dock Brief BBC Television, 16 September 1957\|work=[[Radio Times]]\|publisher=BBC\|access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> and earned Hordern a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor\|Best Actor Award]] at the 1958 [[British Academy Television Awards]].<ref>{{cite news\|title=Chit Chat\|work=The Stage\|date=27 March 1958\|page=8}}</ref><ref>[http://awards.bafta.org/award/1957/television/actor "Television Actor in 1957: Michael Hordern"], [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] (BAFTA), accessed 1 October 2019.</ref> The Horderns moved to [[Donnington, Berkshire]] in 1958 where they renovated three cottages into one; the property became the family home and is where Hordern and Eve remained until their deaths.<ref>Hordern, pp. 123–124.</ref>