Terry-Thomas - Revision history

Kurt: /* British film years: 1956–1961 */

2024-09-27T12:49:13Z

British film years: 1956–1961

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:49, 27 September 2024
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	===British film years: 1956–1961===		===British film years: 1956–1961===
	[[File:Terry-Thomas in Mad World Trailer.jpg\|thumb\|Terry-Thomas in ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'', 1963]]		[[File:Terry-Thomas in Mad World Trailer.jpg\|thumb\|Terry-Thomas in ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'', 1963]]
	In February 1956 Terry-Thomas appeared on ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'', and chose two songs from his "Technical Hitch" routine as part of his selection.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=42}}{{efn\|His full selection was [[George Enescu]]'s "Ciocarlia" – [[Grigoraș Dinicu]] and his orchestra; "[[Getting to Know You (song)\|Getting to Know You]]" – [[Gertrude Lawrence]]; "[[St. Louis Blues (song)\|St. Louis Blues]]" – [[Paul Robeson]]; "Cloudburst" – [[~~wDon~~ Lang (musician)\|Don Lang]]; "[[Danse des petits cygnes]]" – [[Philharmonia Orchestra]], conducted by [[Robert Irving (conductor)\|Robert Irving]]; "Heidenröslein" – [[Richard Tauber]], accompanied by [[Percy Kahn]]; [[Enrique Granados]]'s "Andaluza" from ''Danzas españolas'' – [[Andrés Segovia]]; and "Zampa Overture" – [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]], conducted by [[Basil Cameron]]. His luxury item was a saddle.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=43}}}} Later that year he appeared in his first major film roles: Charles Boughtflower in ''[[The Green Man (film)\|The Green Man]]'', and Major Hitchcock, "a charlatan military officer on the take", in ''[[Private's Progress]]'', directed by the [[Boulting brothers]].{{sfn\|Mayer\|2003\|p=355}} Terry-Thomas appeared in the latter film only briefly, with a total screen time of about ten minutes, but his biographer Graham McCann thought the actor "''came close to stealing the show from the central character''", Windrush played by [[Ian Carmichael]]. Terry-Thomas's depiction of the character was not how he wished to play it: his desired choice was that of a "silly-ass" [[sergeant major]], but the role was written as a strict, alcohol and prescription drug-dependent Army officer.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=74}} He was initially disappointed with the role, and turned it down but, after being persuaded to accept it by his agent, he embraced its possibilities.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=90}} One of his lines, delivered in his clipped upper class voice, was "You're an absolute shower", which became a catchphrase for him.{{sfn\|Hope-Hawkins\|Nicholls\|2004}} The Boulting brothers were so impressed with Terry-Thomas's performance that they signed him up to a five-film deal.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}}		In February 1956 Terry-Thomas appeared on ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'', and chose two songs from his "Technical Hitch" routine as part of his selection.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=42}}{{efn\|His full selection was [[George Enescu]]'s "Ciocarlia" – [[Grigoraș Dinicu]] and his orchestra; "[[Getting to Know You (song)\|Getting to Know You]]" – [[Gertrude Lawrence]]; "[[St. Louis Blues (song)\|St. Louis Blues]]" – [[Paul Robeson]]; "Cloudburst" – [[Don Lang (musician)\|Don Lang]]; "[[Danse des petits cygnes]]" – [[Philharmonia Orchestra]], conducted by [[Robert Irving (conductor)\|Robert Irving]]; "Heidenröslein" – [[Richard Tauber]], accompanied by [[Percy Kahn]]; [[Enrique Granados]]'s "Andaluza" from ''Danzas españolas'' – [[Andrés Segovia]]; and "Zampa Overture" – [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]], conducted by [[Basil Cameron]]. His luxury item was a saddle.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=43}}}} Later that year he appeared in his first major film roles: Charles Boughtflower in ''[[The Green Man (film)\|The Green Man]]'', and Major Hitchcock, "a charlatan military officer on the take", in ''[[Private's Progress]]'', directed by the [[Boulting brothers]].{{sfn\|Mayer\|2003\|p=355}} Terry-Thomas appeared in the latter film only briefly, with a total screen time of about ten minutes, but his biographer Graham McCann thought the actor "''came close to stealing the show from the central character''", Windrush played by [[Ian Carmichael]]. Terry-Thomas's depiction of the character was not how he wished to play it: his desired choice was that of a "silly-ass" [[sergeant major]], but the role was written as a strict, alcohol and prescription drug-dependent Army officer.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=74}} He was initially disappointed with the role, and turned it down but, after being persuaded to accept it by his agent, he embraced its possibilities.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=90}} One of his lines, delivered in his clipped upper class voice, was "You're an absolute shower", which became a catchphrase for him.{{sfn\|Hope-Hawkins\|Nicholls\|2004}} The Boulting brothers were so impressed with Terry-Thomas's performance that they signed him up to a five-film deal.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}}

	The first of the five films was ''[[Brothers in Law (film)\|Brothers in Law]]'', in which Terry-Thomas played the [[spiv]] Alfred Green, a performance which was based on Sid Field's characterisation in ''Piccadilly Hayride''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}} Roy Boulting later recounted that one short scene with Terry-Thomas, [[Richard Attenborough]] and Ian Carmichael took 107 takes because of Terry-Thomas's unfamiliarity with filming techniques; he initially struggled to [[Prompter (theatre)\|hit his marks]], or give his line and move on, while still acting. Filming the scene took two days and Boulting described it as a "unique experience for him, and had a wonderful after-effect".{{sfn\|Heroes of Comedy\|1995}} Following ''Brothers in Law'' he was cast as Romney Carlton-Ricketts in ''[[Blue Murder at St Trinian's]]'' by producers [[Frank Launder]] and [[Sidney Gilliat]],{{sfn\|Pettigrew\|1982\|p=189}} before again appearing for the Boulting brothers in the cameo role of a local policeman in ''[[Happy Is the Bride]]''.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=105–06}} Terry-Thomas starred in two further films in 1957. The first was as Bertrand Welch in ''[[Lucky Jim (1957 film)\|Lucky Jim]]'', an adaptation of the [[Lucky Jim\|novel of the same name]] by [[Kingsley Amis]].{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=97–98}} Although Amis thought Terry-Thomas has been "''totally miscast as Bertrand, the posturing painter and leading shit''" of the book,{{sfn\|Amis\|1991\|p=177}} the critic for ''[[The Guardian\|The Manchester Guardian]]'' considered Terry-Thomas as being "''the nearest to a complete success''" in the film, in a portrayal that "''suggests possibilities for more serious roles''".<ref name="Guard: Lucky Jim" /> His final part of 1957 was Lord Henry Mayley in ''[[The Naked Truth (1957 film)\|The Naked Truth]]''; this brought him together with [[Peter Sellers]] for the first time, and the two of them appeared frequently together over the next few years in scenes in which, Graham McCann considered that each actor's performance "''highlight[ed] what was special about the other''".{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=81}} During one scene Terry-Thomas was dumped in a near-freezing lake, and his health was affected for some time afterwards.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=87}}		The first of the five films was ''[[Brothers in Law (film)\|Brothers in Law]]'', in which Terry-Thomas played the [[spiv]] Alfred Green, a performance which was based on Sid Field's characterisation in ''Piccadilly Hayride''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}} Roy Boulting later recounted that one short scene with Terry-Thomas, [[Richard Attenborough]] and Ian Carmichael took 107 takes because of Terry-Thomas's unfamiliarity with filming techniques; he initially struggled to [[Prompter (theatre)\|hit his marks]], or give his line and move on, while still acting. Filming the scene took two days and Boulting described it as a "unique experience for him, and had a wonderful after-effect".{{sfn\|Heroes of Comedy\|1995}} Following ''Brothers in Law'' he was cast as Romney Carlton-Ricketts in ''[[Blue Murder at St Trinian's]]'' by producers [[Frank Launder]] and [[Sidney Gilliat]],{{sfn\|Pettigrew\|1982\|p=189}} before again appearing for the Boulting brothers in the cameo role of a local policeman in ''[[Happy Is the Bride]]''.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=105–06}} Terry-Thomas starred in two further films in 1957. The first was as Bertrand Welch in ''[[Lucky Jim (1957 film)\|Lucky Jim]]'', an adaptation of the [[Lucky Jim\|novel of the same name]] by [[Kingsley Amis]].{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=97–98}} Although Amis thought Terry-Thomas has been "''totally miscast as Bertrand, the posturing painter and leading shit''" of the book,{{sfn\|Amis\|1991\|p=177}} the critic for ''[[The Guardian\|The Manchester Guardian]]'' considered Terry-Thomas as being "''the nearest to a complete success''" in the film, in a portrayal that "''suggests possibilities for more serious roles''".<ref name="Guard: Lucky Jim" /> His final part of 1957 was Lord Henry Mayley in ''[[The Naked Truth (1957 film)\|The Naked Truth]]''; this brought him together with [[Peter Sellers]] for the first time, and the two of them appeared frequently together over the next few years in scenes in which, Graham McCann considered that each actor's performance "''highlight[ed] what was special about the other''".{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=81}} During one scene Terry-Thomas was dumped in a near-freezing lake, and his health was affected for some time afterwards.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=87}}

Kurt: /* Legacy and reputation */

2024-09-27T00:59:21Z

Legacy and reputation

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 26 September 2024
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	==Legacy and reputation==		==Legacy and reputation==
	[[File:Terry-Thomas, 1961.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Terry-Thomas in 1961, showing his [[w:Diastema ~~(dentistry)~~\|dental diastema]] which later provided the basis for naming a widening of the [[w:Scapholunate ligament\|scapholunate space]] ("[[w:Terry Thomas sign\|Terry Thomas sign]]") in a traumatic wrist injury.{{sfn\|Yochum\|Rowe\|2005\|p=914}}]]		[[File:Terry-Thomas, 1961.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Terry-Thomas in 1961, showing his [[Diastema\|dental diastema]] which later provided the basis for naming a widening of the [[Scapholunate ligament\|scapholunate space]] ("[[Terry Thomas sign\|Terry Thomas sign]]") in a traumatic wrist injury.{{sfn\|Yochum\|Rowe\|2005\|p=914}}]]
	Following Terry-Thomas's death, Lionel Jeffries called him "the last of the great gentlemen of the cinema",<ref name="WP: Death news" /> while the director [[~~w:Michael Winner\|~~Michael Winner]] commented that "''no matter what your position was in relation to his, as the star he was always terribly nice. He was the kindest man and he enjoyed life so much''".<ref name="PA: T-T Death" /> Reviewing his career in ''The Guardian'', Adrian Turner considered that "''we took him for granted and he was ideal for his time. Not to put too serious a point on it, his portrayal of crass stupidity and blatant deviousness struck a chord with British audiences during the fifties as they experienced the clumsy dismemberment of the Empire and the ‘never had it so good’ ethos of the Macmillan era. During the sixties he became a glorious anachronism, much in demand in America, who saw in him the irrelevant pageantry of Britain''";<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> he also said Terry-Thomas was "a national treasure".<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> Gilbert Adair, writing in ''[[~~w:The Independent\|~~The Independent]]'', considered that "''for three decades, and in literally scores of films, he personified the Englishman as amiable bounder''";<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Adair wrote that "''the characterisation he was to assume represented the very essence of patrician, double-barrelled caddishness''".<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Terry-Thomas's friend Jack Lemmon called him "''a consummate professional… he was a gentleman, a delight to be with personally, let alone professionally, and above all as an actor he had one of the qualities that I admire so much—he made it look simple''".{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=112}}		Following Terry-Thomas's death, Lionel Jeffries called him "the last of the great gentlemen of the cinema",<ref name="WP: Death news" /> while the director [[Michael Winner]] commented that "''no matter what your position was in relation to his, as the star he was always terribly nice. He was the kindest man and he enjoyed life so much''".<ref name="PA: T-T Death" /> Reviewing his career in ''The Guardian'', Adrian Turner considered that "''we took him for granted and he was ideal for his time. Not to put too serious a point on it, his portrayal of crass stupidity and blatant deviousness struck a chord with British audiences during the fifties as they experienced the clumsy dismemberment of the Empire and the ‘never had it so good’ ethos of the Macmillan era. During the sixties he became a glorious anachronism, much in demand in America, who saw in him the irrelevant pageantry of Britain''";<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> he also said Terry-Thomas was "a national treasure".<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> Gilbert Adair, writing in ''[[The Independent]]'', considered that "''for three decades, and in literally scores of films, he personified the Englishman as amiable bounder''";<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Adair wrote that "''the characterisation he was to assume represented the very essence of patrician, double-barrelled caddishness''".<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Terry-Thomas's friend Jack Lemmon called him "''a consummate professional… he was a gentleman, a delight to be with personally, let alone professionally, and above all as an actor he had one of the qualities that I admire so much—he made it look simple''".{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=112}}

	Terry-Thomas's image of an English cad was used by others. The personification started in the 1960s when the voice actor [[~~w:Ivan Owen\|~~Ivan Owen]], who had worked alongside Terry-Thomas in "Stars in Battledress",{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=36}} based the voice for [[~~w:Basil Brush\|~~Basil Brush]] on that of Terry-Thomas, in a characterisation which also copied Terry-Thomas's "penchant for bad, self-satisfied, golf-club-bore jokes".<ref name="D. Tel: I Owen" /> The 1960s also witnessed the fictional cartoon character [[~~w:Dick Dastardly\|~~Dick Dastardly]] in two [[~~w:Hanna-Barbera\|~~Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon series (''[[w:Wacky Races (1968 TV series)\|Wacky Races]]'' and ''[[~~w:Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines\|~~Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines]]''), who was inspired by Terry-Thomas.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=122}}		Terry-Thomas's image of an English cad was used by others. The personification started in the 1960s when the voice actor [[Ivan Owen]], who had worked alongside Terry-Thomas in "Stars in Battledress",{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=36}} based the voice for [[Basil Brush]] on that of Terry-Thomas, in a characterisation which also copied Terry-Thomas's "penchant for bad, self-satisfied, golf-club-bore jokes".<ref name="D. Tel: I Owen" /> The 1960s also witnessed the fictional cartoon character [[Dick Dastardly]] in two [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon series (''[[Wacky Races (1968 TV series)\|Wacky Races]]'' and ''[[Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines]]''), who was inspired by Terry-Thomas.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=122}}

	Other actors have used Terry-Thomas's persona as an inspiration for their characters: [[~~w:Dustin Hoffman\|~~Dustin Hoffman]] acknowledged that he based his interpretation of [[~~w:Captain Hook\|~~Captain Hook]] in ''[[w:Hook (film)\|Hook]]'' on him; [[~~w:Rupert Everett\|~~Rupert Everett]] disclosed that when he provided the voice for [[w:List of Shrek characters#Prince Charming\|Prince Charming]] in ''[[~~w:Shrek 2\|~~Shrek 2]],'' Terry-Thomas "''was vocally my role model while I was doing it''";{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=249}} and [[~~w:Paul Whitehouse\|~~Paul Whitehouse]]'s character, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, from ''[[The Fast Show]]'' was also modelled on Terry-Thomas's on-screen persona.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}}		Other actors have used Terry-Thomas's persona as an inspiration for their characters: [[Dustin Hoffman]] acknowledged that he based his interpretation of [[Captain Hook]] in ''[[Hook (film)\|Hook]]'' on him; [[Rupert Everett]] disclosed that when he provided the voice for [[List of Shrek characters#Prince Charming\|Prince Charming]] in ''[[Shrek 2]],'' Terry-Thomas "''was vocally my role model while I was doing it''";{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=249}} and [[Paul Whitehouse]]'s character, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, from ''[[The Fast Show]]'' was also modelled on Terry-Thomas's on-screen persona.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}}

	Terry-Thomas's popularity continued after his death. In February 1999 the [[~~w:National Film Theatre\|~~National Film Theatre]] (NFT) ran a season of his films;<ref name="Indie: return of the cad" /> an NFT spokesman described how attendees turned up "''in evening dress, with false moustaches and carrying cigarettes in long holders… everyone has been trying to steal the cardboard cutouts of Terry…We've never had a response like it. To be honest, we are rather unprepared. Nobody expected Terry-Thomas Fever''".<ref name="EveSt: crazy" />		Terry-Thomas's popularity continued after his death. In February 1999 the [[National Film Theatre]] (NFT) ran a season of his films;<ref name="Indie: return of the cad" /> an NFT spokesman described how attendees turned up "''in evening dress, with false moustaches and carrying cigarettes in long holders… everyone has been trying to steal the cardboard cutouts of Terry…We've never had a response like it. To be honest, we are rather unprepared. Nobody expected Terry-Thomas Fever''".<ref name="EveSt: crazy" />

	Some of the innovations Terry-Thomas brought into his earlier television programmes were later copied by others; ''[[How Do You View?]]'' provided the "prologue" format of ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'',{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=59}} and was the first to use regular BBC announcers as foils in comic sketches—a practice continued later, particularly with the shows of [[Morecambe and Wise]].{{sfn\|Lewisohn\|1998\|p=333}} Terry-Thomas's anecdotes, stringing several stories together, later inspired [[Ronnie Corbett]] in his monologue spot in his series ''[[The Two Ronnies]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}} In 2014, BBC Radio 4 broadcast ''Memories of a Cad'', a comedy drama by [[~~w:Roy Smiles\|~~Roy Smiles]] about the relationship between Terry-Thomas and Richard Briers, played by [[w:Martin Jarvis (actor)\|Martin Jarvis]] and [[~~w:Alistair McGowan\|~~Alistair McGowan]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|title=Afternoon Drama: Memories of a Cad\|publisher=BBC Radio 4\|date=30 December 2014\|access-date=23 December 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225054820/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|archive-date=25 December 2016\|url-status=live}}</ref>		Some of the innovations Terry-Thomas brought into his earlier television programmes were later copied by others; ''[[How Do You View?]]'' provided the "prologue" format of ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'',{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=59}} and was the first to use regular BBC announcers as foils in comic sketches—a practice continued later, particularly with the shows of [[Morecambe and Wise]].{{sfn\|Lewisohn\|1998\|p=333}} Terry-Thomas's anecdotes, stringing several stories together, later inspired [[Ronnie Corbett]] in his monologue spot in his series ''[[The Two Ronnies]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}} In 2014, BBC Radio 4 broadcast ''Memories of a Cad'', a comedy drama by [[Roy Smiles]] about the relationship between Terry-Thomas and Richard Briers, played by [[Martin Jarvis (actor)\|Martin Jarvis]] and [[Alistair McGowan]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|title=Afternoon Drama: Memories of a Cad\|publisher=BBC Radio 4\|date=30 December 2014\|access-date=23 December 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225054820/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|archive-date=25 December 2016\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	==Filmography and other work==		==Filmography and other work==

Kurt: /* Final years and death: 1983–1990 */

2024-09-27T00:54:59Z

Final years and death: 1983–1990

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 26 September 2024
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	===Final years and death: 1983–1990===		===Final years and death: 1983–1990===
	By 1983, with his medical bills at £40,000 a year, Terry-Thomas's financial resources were dwindling. He and his wife sold their dream house and moved into the small cottage once owned by his former wife Pat Patlanski,{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=180}} which she left to him in her will on her death in June that year.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=178}} Shortly afterwards he worked with [[~~w:ghostwriter\|~~ghostwriter]] Terry Daum on an autobiography, ''Terry-Thomas Tells Tales''.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=198}} Although the first draft was completed by late summer 1984,{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=207}} Terry-Thomas refused to release the manuscript and continued making alterations, but never completed his copyediting: the book was finally published after his death.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=193}}		By 1983, with his medical bills at £40,000 a year, Terry-Thomas's financial resources were dwindling. He and his wife sold their dream house and moved into the small cottage once owned by his former wife Pat Patlanski,{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=180}} which she left to him in her will on her death in June that year.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=178}} Shortly afterwards he worked with [[ghostwriter]] Terry Daum on an autobiography, ''Terry-Thomas Tells Tales''.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=198}} Although the first draft was completed by late summer 1984,{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=207}} Terry-Thomas refused to release the manuscript and continued making alterations, but never completed his copyediting: the book was finally published after his death.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=193}}

	By 1984 Terry-Thomas was increasingly depressed by his condition. When he was interviewed that year, he said that "''one doctor said I've got about four more years to live. God forbid! I shall probably blow my brains out first''".<ref name="D Exp: suicide" /> In 1987 the couple could no longer afford to live in Spain and moved back to London. They lived in a series of rented properties before ending up in a three-room, unfurnished charity flat, where they lived with financial assistance from the Actors' Benevolent Fund.<ref name="D Exp: forgotten cad" />{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=181–82}} Richard Briers was one of his first visitors there, and was shocked by the change he saw: "Sitting there, motionless, he was just a mere shadow. A crippled, crushed, shadow. It was really bloody awful."<ref name="D Exp: forgotten cad" />		By 1984 Terry-Thomas was increasingly depressed by his condition. When he was interviewed that year, he said that "''one doctor said I've got about four more years to live. God forbid! I shall probably blow my brains out first''".<ref name="D Exp: suicide" /> In 1987 the couple could no longer afford to live in Spain and moved back to London. They lived in a series of rented properties before ending up in a three-room, unfurnished charity flat, where they lived with financial assistance from the Actors' Benevolent Fund.<ref name="D Exp: forgotten cad" />{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=181–82}} Richard Briers was one of his first visitors there, and was shocked by the change he saw: "Sitting there, motionless, he was just a mere shadow. A crippled, crushed, shadow. It was really bloody awful."<ref name="D Exp: forgotten cad" />

	On 9 April 1989 actors [[Jack Douglas (actor)\|Jack Douglas]] and Richard Hope-Hawkins organised a benefit concert for Terry-Thomas, after discovering he was living in virtual obscurity, poverty and ill health.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=185 & 187}} The five-hour gala, held at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, featured 120 artists, with [[~~w:Phil Collins\|~~Phil Collins]] topping the bill and [[~~w:Michael Caine\|~~Michael Caine]] as chairman. It raised over £75,000 for Terry-Thomas and [[~~w:Parkinson's UK\|~~Parkinson's UK]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=188}} The funds allowed Terry-Thomas to move out of his charity flat and into Busbridge Hall nursing home in [[~~w:Godalming\|~~Godalming]], [[~~w:Surrey\|~~Surrey]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=188}} He died there on 8 January 1990 at the age of 78. The funeral service was held at [[w:Busbridge Church\|St. John the Baptist Church]], [[~~w:Busbridge\|~~Busbridge]], where the theme from ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines\|Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines]]'' was played; he was cremated at [[w:Guildford\|Guildford Crematorium]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=190}}		On 9 April 1989 actors [[Jack Douglas (actor)\|Jack Douglas]] and Richard Hope-Hawkins organised a benefit concert for Terry-Thomas, after discovering he was living in virtual obscurity, poverty and ill health.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=185 & 187}} The five-hour gala, held at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, featured 120 artists, with [[Phil Collins]] topping the bill and [[Michael Caine]] as chairman. It raised over £75,000 for Terry-Thomas and [[Parkinson's UK]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=188}} The funds allowed Terry-Thomas to move out of his charity flat and into Busbridge Hall nursing home in [[Godalming]], [[Surrey]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=188}} He died there on 8 January 1990 at the age of 78. The funeral service was held at [[Busbridge Church\|St. John the Baptist Church]], [[Busbridge]], where the theme from ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines\|Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines]]'' was played; he was cremated at [[Guildford\|Guildford Crematorium]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=190}}

	==Screen persona and technique==		==Screen persona and technique==

Kurt: /* Dealing with Parkinson's: 1971–1983 */

2024-09-27T00:47:28Z

Dealing with Parkinson's: 1971–1983

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:47, 26 September 2024
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	{{Quote box\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|quote=Some days it's worse than others. It's infuriating. One minute I can be behaving in a perfectly normal manner; the next I have become a shaking mass of humanity.\|align=right\|source=Terry-Thomas describing "perfidious Parkinson's"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}}\|width=200px\|salign=right}}		{{Quote box\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|quote=Some days it's worse than others. It's infuriating. One minute I can be behaving in a perfectly normal manner; the next I have become a shaking mass of humanity.\|align=right\|source=Terry-Thomas describing "perfidious Parkinson's"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}}\|width=200px\|salign=right}}

	While appearing in ''Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!'' at ~~the~~ [[~~w:The Metro Theatre\|~~Metro Theatre]], [[~~w:Sydney\|~~Sydney]] in 1971, Terry-Thomas felt unwell and visited a doctor, who noticed his patient's left hand was shaking slightly. The doctor suggested he visit a specialist on his return to the UK, who diagnosed him with [[~~w:Parkinson's disease\|~~Parkinson's disease]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=156–57}} Fearing the condition would affect offers of work, Terry-Thomas did not make the news public, but as the symptoms began to manifest themselves in tremors, a shuffling gait, stooped posture and affected speech, he made the news known—partly to stop rumours of on-set drunkenness.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=191}}		While appearing in ''Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!'' at [[the Metro Theatre]], [[Sydney]] in 1971, Terry-Thomas felt unwell and visited a doctor, who noticed his patient's left hand was shaking slightly. The doctor suggested he visit a specialist on his return to the UK, who diagnosed him with [[Parkinson's disease]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=156–57}} Fearing the condition would affect offers of work, Terry-Thomas did not make the news public, but as the symptoms began to manifest themselves in tremors, a shuffling gait, stooped posture and affected speech, he made the news known—partly to stop rumours of on-set drunkenness.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=191}}

	He continued to work as much as possible, although—as the film historian Geoff Mayer pointed out—the situation "reduced his film career to supporting roles and cameos".{{sfn\|Mayer\|2003\|p=356}} The lucrative voice-over role of Sir Hiss in the 1973 [[~~w:Walt Disney Animation Studios\|~~Walt Disney]] film ''[[w:Robin Hood (1973 film)\|Robin Hood]]'' was one notable part,{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=160}} while others were less well-known, such as ''[[w:The Vault of Horror (film)\|The Vault of Horror]]'', a film described by Richard Ross as a "cornball terror", in which he starred with [[~~w:Curd Jürgens\|~~Curd Jürgens]], [[~~w:Tom Baker\|~~Tom Baker]] and [[Denholm Elliott]].{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=177}} He also continued to appear on television shows in the US and UK; and in advertisements, including appearing with [[June Whitfield]] for [[~~w:Birds Eye\|~~Birds Eye]] [[~~w:fish finger\|~~fish finger]]s, a series of [[~~w:vermouth\|~~vermouth]] advertisements filmed in Italy, and an award-winning series for [[~~w:Benson & Hedges\|~~Benson & Hedges]] with Eric Sykes.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=79}}		He continued to work as much as possible, although—as the film historian Geoff Mayer pointed out—the situation "reduced his film career to supporting roles and cameos".{{sfn\|Mayer\|2003\|p=356}} The lucrative voice-over role of Sir Hiss in the 1973 [[Walt Disney]] film ''[[Robin Hood (1973 film)\|Robin Hood]]'' was one notable part,{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=160}} while others were less well-known, such as ''[[The Vault of Horror (film)\|The Vault of Horror]]'', a film described by Richard Ross as a "cornball terror", in which he starred with [[Curd Jürgens]], [[Tom Baker]] and [[Denholm Elliott]].{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=177}} He also continued to appear on television shows in the US and UK; and in advertisements, including appearing with [[June Whitfield]] for [[Birds Eye]] [[fish finger]]s, a series of [[vermouth]] advertisements filmed in Italy, and an award-winning series for [[Benson & Hedges]] with Eric Sykes.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=79}}

	During the 1970s he starred in a series of low-budget British films, including two in 1975, ''[[Spanish Fly (1975 film)\|Spanish Fly]]''—called a "gruesome smutfest" by writer [[~~w:Christopher Fowler\|~~Christopher Fowler]]{{sfn\|Fowler\|2013\|p=95}}—and ''[[The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones]]'', described by ''Film Review Digest'' as a "cheap, crude, sexed-up rehash" of the other film adaptations of [[~~w:Henry Fielding\|~~Henry Fielding]]'s [[w:The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling\|source novel]].{{sfn\|Film Review Digest\|1976}}		During the 1970s he starred in a series of low-budget British films, including two in 1975, ''[[Spanish Fly (1975 film)\|Spanish Fly]]''—called a "gruesome smutfest" by writer [[Christopher Fowler]]{{sfn\|Fowler\|2013\|p=95}}—and ''[[The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones]]'', described by ''Film Review Digest'' as a "cheap, crude, sexed-up rehash" of the other film adaptations of [[Henry Fielding]]'s [[The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling\|source novel]].{{sfn\|Film Review Digest\|1976}}

	In 1977 he starred in ''[[w:The Last Remake of Beau Geste\|The Last Remake of Beau Geste]]'' and ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978 film)\|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'', the latter starring [[Peter Cook]] and [[Dudley Moore]] as [[w:Sherlock Holmes\|Holmes]] and [[w:Dr. Watson\|Watson]]; Terry-Thomas thought "it was the most outrageous film I ever appeared in … there was no magic … it was bad!"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}} By then he had exhibited [[w:hypokinesia\|a decrease in bodily movement]], a sign of how serious his condition had become.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=173}} His distinctive voice had developed a softer tone and his posture was contorted. Between 1978 and 1980, he spent much time with medical consultants.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=175}} Despite this he was offered a few engagements and was voted the most recognisable Englishman among Americans in a poll which also featured [[~~w:Laurence Olivier\|~~Laurence Olivier]], [[Robert Morley]] and [[Wilfrid Hyde-White]]. As a result, he secured a lucrative advertising contract with the [[~~w:Ford Motor Company\|~~Ford Motor Company]]. [[~~w:Derek Jarman\|~~Derek Jarman]] offered Terry-Thomas a role in his 1979 film ''[[w:The Tempest (1979 film)\|The Tempest]]'', but the actor was forced to pull out because of his deteriorating health.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=176}}		In 1977 he starred in ''[[The Last Remake of Beau Geste\|The Last Remake of Beau Geste]]'' and ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978 film)\|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'', the latter starring [[Peter Cook]] and [[Dudley Moore]] as [[Sherlock Holmes\|Holmes]] and [[Dr. Watson\|Watson]]; Terry-Thomas thought "it was the most outrageous film I ever appeared in … there was no magic … it was bad!"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}} By then he had exhibited [[hypokinesia\|a decrease in bodily movement]], a sign of how serious his condition had become.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=173}} His distinctive voice had developed a softer tone and his posture was contorted. Between 1978 and 1980, he spent much time with medical consultants.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=175}} Despite this he was offered a few engagements and was voted the most recognisable Englishman among Americans in a poll which also featured [[Laurence Olivier]], [[Robert Morley]] and [[Wilfrid Hyde-White]]. As a result, he secured a lucrative advertising contract with the [[Ford Motor Company]]. [[Derek Jarman]] offered Terry-Thomas a role in his 1979 film ''[[The Tempest (1979 film)\|The Tempest]]'', but the actor was forced to pull out because of his deteriorating health.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=176}}

	Terry-Thomas undertook his final film role in 1980 in ''Febbre a 40!'', a German-Italian co-production that was "nondescript and barely screened", according to Robert Ross,{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=187}} and did not even have a theatrical release in its two domestic markets.<ref name="BFI: Febbre a 40" /> He continued his involvement in the film industry, where he funded three films during the early 1980s (noted by Ross to be "destined from the outset for B-picture status or straight-to-video exposure");{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=187}} he commented, "I have made a loss of one hundred per cent".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=67}} In 1982, with his condition worsening, he was featured in two episodes of the BBC series ''The Human Brain'', which examined his condition; his frank interview brought much public awareness of the disease and raised £32,000 for the [[~~w:Parkinson's Disease Society\|~~Parkinson's Disease Society]]. Privately, he was becoming more depressed; he had sold his London flat to provide badly needed funds, and his work offers were decreasing.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=177}}		Terry-Thomas undertook his final film role in 1980 in ''Febbre a 40!'', a German-Italian co-production that was "nondescript and barely screened", according to Robert Ross,{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=187}} and did not even have a theatrical release in its two domestic markets.<ref name="BFI: Febbre a 40" /> He continued his involvement in the film industry, where he funded three films during the early 1980s (noted by Ross to be "destined from the outset for B-picture status or straight-to-video exposure");{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=187}} he commented, "I have made a loss of one hundred per cent".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=67}} In 1982, with his condition worsening, he was featured in two episodes of the BBC series ''The Human Brain'', which examined his condition; his frank interview brought much public awareness of the disease and raised £32,000 for the [[Parkinson's Disease Society]]. Privately, he was becoming more depressed; he had sold his London flat to provide badly needed funds, and his work offers were decreasing.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=177}}

	===Final years and death: 1983–1990===		===Final years and death: 1983–1990===

Kurt: /* European cinema: 1966–1970 */

2024-09-26T13:11:00Z

European cinema: 1966–1970

Kurt: /* British film years: 1956–1961 */

2024-09-26T13:05:25Z

British film years: 1956–1961

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:05, 26 September 2024
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	Terry-Thomas's final film with the Boulting brothers was ''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'', a post-war follow-up to ''Private's Progress'' with Terry-Thomas reprising the role of Major Hitchcock in an industrial setting, as the "tetchily incompetent" personnel manager.<ref name="BFI: Jack" /> Many of the other cast from ''Private's Progress'' also returned, including Attenborough, Carmichael and [[Dennis Price]]; they were joined by Peter Sellers, who took most of the plaudits from the critics, although Stanley Kauffman, writing in ''[[The New Republic]]'' also delighted in Terry-Thomas's "''finesse''" and "''extraordinary skill''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=113}} The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' retrospectively considered ''I'm All Right Jack'' and ''Carlton-Browne of the F.O.'' to have been Terry-Thomas's best works.<ref name="LAT: Obit" /> His final film of 1959 was as William Delany Gordon in ''[[Too Many Crooks]]''. [[Bosley Crowther]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' thought Terry-Thomas provided "s''ome of the fieriest conniptions to be seen on the contemporary screen''", going on to say the actor's "''skill is exercised in demonstrating how magnificently and completely a mad-cap comedian can completely blow his top. His eyes flash, his lips curl, his sibilants whistle and he glares like a maniac''".<ref name="NYT: 2 many crooks" /> Filming took place during the daytime; in the evenings he appeared at the London Palladium, something he found trying on his nervous system.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=95}}		Terry-Thomas's final film with the Boulting brothers was ''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'', a post-war follow-up to ''Private's Progress'' with Terry-Thomas reprising the role of Major Hitchcock in an industrial setting, as the "tetchily incompetent" personnel manager.<ref name="BFI: Jack" /> Many of the other cast from ''Private's Progress'' also returned, including Attenborough, Carmichael and [[Dennis Price]]; they were joined by Peter Sellers, who took most of the plaudits from the critics, although Stanley Kauffman, writing in ''[[The New Republic]]'' also delighted in Terry-Thomas's "''finesse''" and "''extraordinary skill''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=113}} The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' retrospectively considered ''I'm All Right Jack'' and ''Carlton-Browne of the F.O.'' to have been Terry-Thomas's best works.<ref name="LAT: Obit" /> His final film of 1959 was as William Delany Gordon in ''[[Too Many Crooks]]''. [[Bosley Crowther]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' thought Terry-Thomas provided "s''ome of the fieriest conniptions to be seen on the contemporary screen''", going on to say the actor's "''skill is exercised in demonstrating how magnificently and completely a mad-cap comedian can completely blow his top. His eyes flash, his lips curl, his sibilants whistle and he glares like a maniac''".<ref name="NYT: 2 many crooks" /> Filming took place during the daytime; in the evenings he appeared at the London Palladium, something he found trying on his nervous system.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=95}}

	In 1960 Terry-Thomas appeared as Raymond Delauney in ''[[School for Scoundrels (1960 film)\|School for Scoundrels]]'', a film his biographer, Robert Ross, called "''the definitive screen presentation of his frightfully well-mannered, well-read and well-educated lounge lizard: T-T the man as T-T the film star''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=115–16}} He again appeared opposite Ian Carmichael, and they were joined by [[Alastair Sim]] and [[~~w:Janette Scott\|~~Janette Scott]]. Michael Brooke, writing for the [[w:British Film Institute\|BFI]]'s [[~~w:Screenonline\|~~Screenonline]] website, thought Terry-Thomas was "''outstanding as a classic British bounder''".<ref name="BFI: Scoundrels" /> [[~~w:CNN\|~~CNN]] would list the performance among the top 10 British villains, stating, "generally found twirling his cigarette holder while charming the ladies — at least, when not swindling, cheating or behaving like an absolute rotter."<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ "The Screening Room's Top 10 British Villains"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224183735/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ \|date=24 February 2008 }}, CNN. Retrieved 7 October 2020.</ref> Later the same year he appeared in ''[[Make Mine Mink]]'' as Major Albert Rayne, a veteran of the Second World War who forms a gang of [[~~w:mink coat\|~~mink coat]] thieves with his female co-lodgers.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=125}} When he made an appearance at a screening of the film in [[~~w:Dalston\|~~Dalston]], north-east London, he was presented with a white mink waistcoat by a local furrier.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=31}}		In 1960 Terry-Thomas appeared as Raymond Delauney in ''[[School for Scoundrels (1960 film)\|School for Scoundrels]]'', a film his biographer, Robert Ross, called "''the definitive screen presentation of his frightfully well-mannered, well-read and well-educated lounge lizard: T-T the man as T-T the film star''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=115–16}} He again appeared opposite Ian Carmichael, and they were joined by [[Alastair Sim]] and [[Janette Scott]]. Michael Brooke, writing for the [[British Film Institute\|BFI]]'s [[Screenonline]] website, thought Terry-Thomas was "''outstanding as a classic British bounder''".<ref name="BFI: Scoundrels" /> [[CNN]] would list the performance among the top 10 British villains, stating, "generally found twirling his cigarette holder while charming the ladies — at least, when not swindling, cheating or behaving like an absolute rotter."<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ "The Screening Room's Top 10 British Villains"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224183735/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ \|date=24 February 2008 }}, CNN. Retrieved 7 October 2020.</ref> Later the same year he appeared in ''[[Make Mine Mink]]'' as Major Albert Rayne, a veteran of the Second World War who forms a gang of [[mink coat]] thieves with his female co-lodgers.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=125}} When he made an appearance at a screening of the film in [[Dalston]], north-east London, he was presented with a white mink waistcoat by a local furrier.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=31}}

	In 1961 Terry-Thomas played Archibald Bannister in ''[[A Matter of WHO]]'', which he described as "''my first (fairly) serious role''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}} He was joined in the film by his cousin's son [[Richard Briers]],<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9877607/Richard-Briers.html Obituary: Richard Briers, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 18 February 2013]. Retrieved 26 May 2019</ref> with Terry-Thomas noting that he provided "no nepotic help" in getting Briers the part.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}}{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=147}} The film was not well received by the critics; an internal BBC memo described that in the UK the film was "''murdered by the critics''", although it was "''something of a success''" in America.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=129}} By this time Terry-Thomas had decided to stop being a stand-up comedian and compere and instead concentrate solely on making films. He stopped appearing on television and radio shows of his own, declaring "''it was the cinema for me and me for the cinema!''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=119}} Having accumulated considerable experience by appearing in British films, he decided to try Hollywood, and moved to America.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}}		In 1961 Terry-Thomas played Archibald Bannister in ''[[A Matter of WHO]]'', which he described as "''my first (fairly) serious role''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}} He was joined in the film by his cousin's son [[Richard Briers]],<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9877607/Richard-Briers.html Obituary: Richard Briers, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 18 February 2013]. Retrieved 26 May 2019</ref> with Terry-Thomas noting that he provided "no nepotic help" in getting Briers the part.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}}{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=147}} The film was not well received by the critics; an internal BBC memo described that in the UK the film was "''murdered by the critics''", although it was "''something of a success''" in America.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=129}} By this time Terry-Thomas had decided to stop being a stand-up comedian and compere and instead concentrate solely on making films. He stopped appearing on television and radio shows of his own, declaring "''it was the cinema for me and me for the cinema!''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=119}} Having accumulated considerable experience by appearing in British films, he decided to try Hollywood, and moved to America.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}}

Kurt: /* Breaking into Hollywood: 1961–1965 */

2024-09-26T12:59:50Z

Breaking into Hollywood: 1961–1965

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:59, 26 September 2024
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	===Breaking into Hollywood: 1961–1965===		===Breaking into Hollywood: 1961–1965===
	[[File:T-T in the Bing Crosby Show, 1961.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Publicity shot of Terry-Thomas for ''[[w:The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'', 1961]]		[[File:T-T in the Bing Crosby Show, 1961.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Publicity shot of Terry-Thomas for ''[[The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'', 1961]]
	Terry-Thomas spent part of 1961 in America, filming the role of Professor Bruce Patterson in ''[[~~w:Bachelor Flat\|~~Bachelor Flat]]''—his first Hollywood role{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=100}}—before flying to [[~~w:Gibraltar\|~~Gibraltar]] to film ''[[Operation Snatch]]'', in which he teamed up with [[Lionel Jeffries]].{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=101}} By the end of 1961 he was appearing on radio, such as the December broadcast of ''[[w:The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'' and in guest spots on American television shows; he was frequently the subject of US newspaper interviews.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=100 & 217}} In 1962 ''Bachelor Flat'' and ''Operation Snatch'' were both released,<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> and were followed by two more films: a large-budget biopic from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer called ''[[~~w:The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm\|~~The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm]]'', in which he shared his scenes with American comedian [[~~w:Buddy Hackett\|~~Buddy Hackett]],{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} and ''[[w:Kill or Cure (1962 film)\|Kill or Cure]]'', in which he appeared with Sykes, a friend since they worked together in ''Large as Life''.{{sfn\|Secombe\|1996\|p=36}}		Terry-Thomas spent part of 1961 in America, filming the role of Professor Bruce Patterson in ''[[Bachelor Flat]]''—his first Hollywood role{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=100}}—before flying to [[Gibraltar]] to film ''[[Operation Snatch]]'', in which he teamed up with [[Lionel Jeffries]].{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=101}} By the end of 1961 he was appearing on radio, such as the December broadcast of ''[[The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'' and in guest spots on American television shows; he was frequently the subject of US newspaper interviews.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=100 & 217}} In 1962 ''Bachelor Flat'' and ''Operation Snatch'' were both released,<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> and were followed by two more films: a large-budget biopic from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer called ''[[The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm]]'', in which he shared his scenes with American comedian [[Buddy Hackett]],{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} and ''[[Kill or Cure (1962 film)\|Kill or Cure]]'', in which he appeared with Sykes, a friend since they worked together in ''Large as Life''.{{sfn\|Secombe\|1996\|p=36}}

	On 1 February 1962 Terry-Thomas and Pat Patlanski divorced, after spending the previous eight years estranged. He had by then split from his mistress of the previous few years, [[~~w:Lorrae Desmond\|~~Lorrae Desmond]], who returned to Australia shortly afterwards and married a surgeon. Terry-Thomas resumed his bachelor lifestyle. The break-up with Desmond caused him great upset, and he sought solace with Belinda Cunningham, a 21-year-old whom he had met on holiday in [[~~w:Majorca\|~~Majorca]] two years earlier.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=125}}{{efn\|Belinda Cunningham was born in [[~~w:Lincolnshire\|~~Lincolnshire]] in 1941 and was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey Cunningham. She was working in Majorca when she first met Terry-Thomas and they remained in close contact when they each returned home to England. Geoffrey opposed the relationship and made many efforts to separate his daughter from the actor, including securing her a job as a personal assistant in [[~~w:Singapore\|~~Singapore]], which she did not take.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=125–26}} }} They married in August 1963 at [[~~w:Halstead\|~~Halstead]] Registry Office near [[~~w:Colchester\|~~Colchester]], [[~~w:Essex\|~~Essex]], and the following year she gave birth to their first son, Timothy Hoar, at the [[~~w:Princess Beatrice Hospital\|~~Princess Beatrice Hospital]] in London.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}}{{efn\|Although named Timothy at birth, he was often called Tiger by his parents.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}} }}		On 1 February 1962 Terry-Thomas and Pat Patlanski divorced, after spending the previous eight years estranged. He had by then split from his mistress of the previous few years, [[Lorrae Desmond]], who returned to Australia shortly afterwards and married a surgeon. Terry-Thomas resumed his bachelor lifestyle. The break-up with Desmond caused him great upset, and he sought solace with Belinda Cunningham, a 21-year-old whom he had met on holiday in [[Majorca]] two years earlier.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=125}}{{efn\|Belinda Cunningham was born in [[Lincolnshire]] in 1941 and was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey Cunningham. She was working in Majorca when she first met Terry-Thomas and they remained in close contact when they each returned home to England. Geoffrey opposed the relationship and made many efforts to separate his daughter from the actor, including securing her a job as a personal assistant in [[Singapore]], which she did not take.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=125–26}} }} They married in August 1963 at [[Halstead]] Registry Office near [[Colchester]], [[Essex]], and the following year she gave birth to their first son, Timothy Hoar, at the [[Princess Beatrice Hospital]] in London.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}}{{efn\|Although named Timothy at birth, he was often called Tiger by his parents.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}} }}

	In 1962 Terry-Thomas was offered the role of Lt-Colonel J. Algernon Hawthorne in ''[[~~w:It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World\|~~It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'', and turned it down before leaving for the UK. By the time his flight arrived in London he had changed his mind, so he telephoned producer [[~~w:Stanley Kramer\|~~Stanley Kramer]] from the airport and "''popped back on a plane to be fitted for the part''" the same day.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=103}} He was not comfortable with many of the other actors on set, later commenting that "''I was the only non-American, and I found it exhausting and embarrassing because they never relaxed. They were always ‘on’.''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=76}} One of the American stars was [[~~w:Spencer Tracy\|~~Spencer Tracy]], whom Terry-Thomas considered "''an extra-special man''"; Tracy and [[~~w:Buster Keaton\|~~Buster Keaton]]—who also appeared in the film—were described by Terry-Thomas as "''the only two people who ever produced in me this awe of greatness''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=188}}		In 1962 Terry-Thomas was offered the role of Lt-Colonel J. Algernon Hawthorne in ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'', and turned it down before leaving for the UK. By the time his flight arrived in London he had changed his mind, so he telephoned producer [[Stanley Kramer]] from the airport and "''popped back on a plane to be fitted for the part''" the same day.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=103}} He was not comfortable with many of the other actors on set, later commenting that "''I was the only non-American, and I found it exhausting and embarrassing because they never relaxed. They were always ‘on’.''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=76}} One of the American stars was [[Spencer Tracy]], whom Terry-Thomas considered "''an extra-special man''"; Tracy and [[Buster Keaton]]—who also appeared in the film—were described by Terry-Thomas as "''the only two people who ever produced in me this awe of greatness''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=188}}

	Later in 1963 he picked up his second film nomination, the [[w:Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy\|Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor]], for his portrayal of Spender in ''[[The Mouse on the Moon]]''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />{{efn\|The award eventually went to [[~~w:Alberto Sordi\|~~Alberto Sordi]] for his performance in ''[[w:Il diavolo\|To Bed]]'', also known as ''Il diavolo''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />}} He also tried his hand at production, with three 15-minute travelogues: ''Terry-Thomas in Tuscany'', ''Terry-Thomas in the South of France'' and ''Terry-Thomas in Northern Ireland''.<ref name="BFI: T-T in Tuscany" />{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=234}} He did not enjoy the producer's role, complaining that "''for some extraordinary reason that I could never understand, everybody was always out to do the producer of any film whoever he was. I had to be on the watch the whole time''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=65}} He worked consistently during 1963, appearing in television programmes on both sides of the Atlantic; these included ''Terry-Thomas'', a one-off variety show on [[w:BBC One\|BBC Television]] in July that included [[~~w:Donald Sutherland\|~~Donald Sutherland]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}{{efn\|Other appearances included ''[[w:What's My Line?#United Kingdom\|What's My Line?]]'' in April; ''The British At Play'' in August (both on BBC television); ''The Judy Garland Show'' on [[~~w:CBS\|~~CBS]]; and ''[[w:Burke's Law (1963 TV series)\|Burke's Law]]'' on [[w:American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]] (both in October).{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=217–18}}}}		Later in 1963 he picked up his second film nomination, the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy\|Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor]], for his portrayal of Spender in ''[[The Mouse on the Moon]]''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />{{efn\|The award eventually went to [[Alberto Sordi]] for his performance in ''[[Il diavolo\|To Bed]]'', also known as ''Il diavolo''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />}} He also tried his hand at production, with three 15-minute travelogues: ''Terry-Thomas in Tuscany'', ''Terry-Thomas in the South of France'' and ''Terry-Thomas in Northern Ireland''.<ref name="BFI: T-T in Tuscany" />{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=234}} He did not enjoy the producer's role, complaining that "''for some extraordinary reason that I could never understand, everybody was always out to do the producer of any film whoever he was. I had to be on the watch the whole time''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=65}} He worked consistently during 1963, appearing in television programmes on both sides of the Atlantic; these included ''Terry-Thomas'', a one-off variety show on [[BBC One\|BBC Television]] in July that included [[Donald Sutherland]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}{{efn\|Other appearances included ''[[What's My Line?#United Kingdom\|What's My Line?]]'' in April; ''The British At Play'' in August (both on BBC television); ''The Judy Garland Show'' on [[CBS]]; and ''[[Burke's Law (1963 TV series)\|Burke's Law]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]] (both in October).{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=217–18}}}}

	In 1964 he started filming the role of Charles Furbank in ''[[~~w:How to Murder Your Wife\|~~How to Murder Your Wife]]'', a part which brought him £100,000,{{efn\|Approximately £{{formatnum:{{Inflation\|UK\|100000\|1965}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{inflation-fn\|UK\|df=yes}}}} his largest fee to that point.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=111}} He said it was his favourite to make, "''because I felt that I did a very good job''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=105}} He enjoyed working with [[~~w:Jack Lemmon\|~~Jack Lemmon]], the film's star, partly because Lemmon played jazz and sang while the scenes were being lit.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=122}} They became friends and Terry-Thomas was invited to Lemmon's wedding.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=143}} Throughout the rest of the year he continued to appear on US television—again in ''Burke's Law'', and on ''[[~~w:What's My Line?\|~~What's My Line?]]'' and ''An Hour with Robert Goulet'', both on [[~~w:CBS\|~~CBS]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=218}} He also released another record, ''Terry-Thomas Discovers America'', a collection of songs and sketches{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} described by ''[[w:Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' as "a ''funny'', ''funny'' comedy masterpiece".<ref name=Billboard /> His earlier record, ''Strictly T-T,'' was also released in the US.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}		In 1964 he started filming the role of Charles Furbank in ''[[How to Murder Your Wife]]'', a part which brought him £100,000,{{efn\|Approximately £{{formatnum:{{Inflation\|UK\|100000\|1965}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{inflation-fn\|UK\|df=yes}}}} his largest fee to that point.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=111}} He said it was his favourite to make, "''because I felt that I did a very good job''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=105}} He enjoyed working with [[Jack Lemmon]], the film's star, partly because Lemmon played jazz and sang while the scenes were being lit.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=122}} They became friends and Terry-Thomas was invited to Lemmon's wedding.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=143}} Throughout the rest of the year he continued to appear on US television—again in ''Burke's Law'', and on ''[[What's My Line?]]'' and ''An Hour with Robert Goulet'', both on [[CBS]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=218}} He also released another record, ''Terry-Thomas Discovers America'', a collection of songs and sketches{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} described by ''[[Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' as "a ''funny'', ''funny'' comedy masterpiece".<ref name=Billboard /> His earlier record, ''Strictly T-T,'' was also released in the US.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}

	Alongside ''How to Murder Your Wife'', he was in two other films released in 1965: ''[[w:Strange Bedfellows (1965 film)\|Strange Bedfellows]]'', where he played a mortician; and ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines]]'',<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> where he played Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, a character film historian Andrew Spicer calls "''a cartoon version''" of his usual persona in a "''bloated mid-Atlantic comed[y]''".{{sfn\|Spicer\|2003\|p=121}} In the film, Terry-Thomas appeared again with Sykes, an experience Sykes later described as magical.{{sfn\|Sykes\|2003\|p=168}} The roles of Ware-Armitage and his sidekick were written especially for Terry-Thomas and Sykes at the behest of the director [[Ken Annakin]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=271}}		Alongside ''How to Murder Your Wife'', he was in two other films released in 1965: ''[[Strange Bedfellows (1965 film)\|Strange Bedfellows]]'', where he played a mortician; and ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines]]'',<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> where he played Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, a character film historian Andrew Spicer calls "''a cartoon version''" of his usual persona in a "''bloated mid-Atlantic comed[y]''".{{sfn\|Spicer\|2003\|p=121}} In the film, Terry-Thomas appeared again with Sykes, an experience Sykes later described as magical.{{sfn\|Sykes\|2003\|p=168}} The roles of Ware-Armitage and his sidekick were written especially for Terry-Thomas and Sykes at the behest of the director [[Ken Annakin]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=271}}

	===European cinema: 1966–1970===		===European cinema: 1966–1970===

Kurt at 03:30, 26 September 2024

2024-09-26T03:30:13Z

Show changes

Kurt at 13:09, 25 September 2024

2024-09-25T13:09:47Z

Show changes

Kurt: /* European cinema: 1966–1970 */

2022-12-31T22:16:24Z

European cinema: 1966–1970

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:16, 31 December 2022
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	Although the European films allowed him to travel and gave him a constant source of income, he received bigger fees from his less-frequent engagements in US films,{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=124}} which he continued to appear in, joking that he "knew the fat cheques in the pipe-line were endless".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=156}} One of the bigger fees came with [[w:Gene Kelly\|Gene Kelly]]'s 1967 film ''[[w:A Guide for the Married Man\|A Guide for the Married Man]]''; he was disappointed by Kelly's direction, later saying "''I found him a very prudish director, not as imaginative or experimental as I would have liked''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=112}} Terry-Thomas had more time for the actress with whom he shared his short scene, [[w:Jayne Mansfield\|Jayne Mansfield]], commenting that "''I found her rather intelligent to talk to and felt quite shattered when I read about the gruesome car accident that killed her''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=113}} An actress he had difficulties in working with was [[w:Doris Day\|Doris Day]]: in the 1968 film ''[[w:Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?\|Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?]]'', which was produced by her husband [[w:Martin Melcher\|Martin Melcher]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=124}} Day would instruct Terry-Thomas how he should act in a scene (he would "listen … politely, then do it my own way, as if the conversation had never taken place").{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=114}} She would also launch into improvisations while filming; director [[w:Hy Averback\|Hy Averback]] would mimic a scissor action behind her back to signal to Terry-Thomas that the material would be duly cut from the final print.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=114}}		Although the European films allowed him to travel and gave him a constant source of income, he received bigger fees from his less-frequent engagements in US films,{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=124}} which he continued to appear in, joking that he "knew the fat cheques in the pipe-line were endless".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=156}} One of the bigger fees came with [[w:Gene Kelly\|Gene Kelly]]'s 1967 film ''[[w:A Guide for the Married Man\|A Guide for the Married Man]]''; he was disappointed by Kelly's direction, later saying "''I found him a very prudish director, not as imaginative or experimental as I would have liked''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=112}} Terry-Thomas had more time for the actress with whom he shared his short scene, [[w:Jayne Mansfield\|Jayne Mansfield]], commenting that "''I found her rather intelligent to talk to and felt quite shattered when I read about the gruesome car accident that killed her''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=113}} An actress he had difficulties in working with was [[w:Doris Day\|Doris Day]]: in the 1968 film ''[[w:Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?\|Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?]]'', which was produced by her husband [[w:Martin Melcher\|Martin Melcher]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=124}} Day would instruct Terry-Thomas how he should act in a scene (he would "listen … politely, then do it my own way, as if the conversation had never taken place").{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=114}} She would also launch into improvisations while filming; director [[w:Hy Averback\|Hy Averback]] would mimic a scissor action behind her back to signal to Terry-Thomas that the material would be duly cut from the final print.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=114}}

	[[File:Terry-Thomas & Doris Day in Where Were You When the Lights Went Out.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Terry-Thomas and [[w:Doris Day\|Doris Day]] in ''[[w:Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?\|Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?]]'' (1968)]]
	In 1967 Terry-Thomas met his long-time friend [[Denholm Elliott]] in Bel Air and the pair talked about Elliott's new villa in [[w:Santa Eulària des Riu\|Santa Eulària des Riu]] on the Spanish island of [[w:Ibiza\|Ibiza]]. Terry-Thomas was intrigued by the possibility of a Mediterranean retreat and visited the island on the way to sing in the [[w:television special\|television special]] ''[[w:Monte Carlo: C'est La Rose\|Monte Carlo: C'est La Rose]]'' (1968), a musical tour of [[w:Monte Carlo\|Monte Carlo]] hosted by [[w:Grace Kelly\|Princess Grace of Monaco]].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Telleen\|first=Carla\|date=24 February 1968\|title=TV radio\|volume=179\|page=30\|work=The Dispatch\|url=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|date=20 January 1968\|title=Princess Grace to offer musical tour of Monaco\|volume=91\|page=23\|work=Dayton Daily News\|url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|last=Cochrum\|first=Glenn\|date=6 March 1968\|title=Second 'Cousteau' Special scheduled\|volume=91\|page=19\|work=The Paducah Sun\|url=}}</ref>{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=133–34}}{{efn\|The programme was later broadcast on 6 March 1968 on the American [[w:American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]] network.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=220}}}} Although he initially struggled to find the right plot of ground for the right price, he eventually settled on an appropriate location; declaring he was "allergic to architects", he designed the house himself.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=163}} His former wife Pat moved to the nearby island of [[w:Majorca\|Majorca]], and Terry-Thomas's relationship with her became warm and friendly; Patlanski also had a firm friendship with Terry-Thomas's wife.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=141}}		In 1967 Terry-Thomas met his long-time friend [[Denholm Elliott]] in Bel Air and the pair talked about Elliott's new villa in [[w:Santa Eulària des Riu\|Santa Eulària des Riu]] on the Spanish island of [[w:Ibiza\|Ibiza]]. Terry-Thomas was intrigued by the possibility of a Mediterranean retreat and visited the island on the way to sing in the [[w:television special\|television special]] ''[[w:Monte Carlo: C'est La Rose\|Monte Carlo: C'est La Rose]]'' (1968), a musical tour of [[w:Monte Carlo\|Monte Carlo]] hosted by [[w:Grace Kelly\|Princess Grace of Monaco]].<ref>{{cite news\|last=Telleen\|first=Carla\|date=24 February 1968\|title=TV radio\|volume=179\|page=30\|work=The Dispatch\|url=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|date=20 January 1968\|title=Princess Grace to offer musical tour of Monaco\|volume=91\|page=23\|work=Dayton Daily News\|url=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news\|last=Cochrum\|first=Glenn\|date=6 March 1968\|title=Second 'Cousteau' Special scheduled\|volume=91\|page=19\|work=The Paducah Sun\|url=}}</ref>{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=133–34}}{{efn\|The programme was later broadcast on 6 March 1968 on the American [[w:American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]] network.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=220}}}} Although he initially struggled to find the right plot of ground for the right price, he eventually settled on an appropriate location; declaring he was "allergic to architects", he designed the house himself.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=163}} His former wife Pat moved to the nearby island of [[w:Majorca\|Majorca]], and Terry-Thomas's relationship with her became warm and friendly; Patlanski also had a firm friendship with Terry-Thomas's wife.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=141}}

			[[File:Terry-Thomas & Doris Day in Where Were You When the Lights Went Out.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Terry-Thomas and [[w:Doris Day\|Doris Day]] in ''[[w:Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?\|Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?]]'' (1968)]]
	In between films Terry-Thomas appeared on television on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US in March–April 1967 he was in "The Five Daughters Affair", a two-part story in the TV series ''[[w:The Man from U.N.C.L.E.\|The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'', and on 22 May he appeared on ''[[w:The Red Skelton Hour\|The Red Skelton Hour]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=219}} On British television, in an episode of the ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' called "The Old Campaigner", he played James Franklin-Jones, a salesman for a plastics company who was continually searching for love affairs while travelling on business. This character was "''yet another variation on his rakish cad persona''", according to Mark Lewisohn.{{sfn\|Lewisohn\|1998\|p=510}} The episode was well-received, and a six-part series was commissioned that ran over December 1968 and January 1969.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=124}} Although the series performed well in the ratings, a second series was not commissioned.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=150}} In between the pilot and the series of ''The Old Campaigner'', in April 1968, Terry-Thomas appeared on the British [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] network in a one-off variety special, ''The Big Show'', which combined musical numbers and his urbane monologues. Robert Ross commented that Terry-Thomas "''seemed to delight in resurrecting his vintage sophisticated patter after years in movies … the top raconteur was back where he belonged''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=77}} In 1969 he again teamed up with Eric Sykes and director [[Ken Annakin]] for a joint Italian, French and British production ''[[Monte Carlo or Bust!]]''. The film was "the only copper-bottomed sequel to ... ''Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines''", according to Richard Ross.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=169}} Terry-Thomas played Sir Cuthbert Ware-Armitage, the "thoroughly bad egg son of flying ace Sir Percy Ware-Armitage", his role in ''Those Magnificent Men''.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=169}} Terry-Thomas secured four other roles in minor films that year, including ''[[Arthur? Arthur!]]'' (which he joked had "never been shown anywhere—as far as I know!"),{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=163}} as well as on television in the UK, US and Australia.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=221–22}}{{efn\|These programmes included ''[[w:This is Tom Jones\|This is Tom Jones]]'' and ''The Liberace Show'' in the UK; ''[[w:The Hollywood Palace\|The Hollywood Palace]]'' and ''The Peapicker in Piccadilly'' in the US and ''Music Hall'' in Australia.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=221–22}}}}		In between films Terry-Thomas appeared on television on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US in March–April 1967 he was in "The Five Daughters Affair", a two-part story in the TV series ''[[w:The Man from U.N.C.L.E.\|The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'', and on 22 May he appeared on ''[[w:The Red Skelton Hour\|The Red Skelton Hour]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=219}} On British television, in an episode of the ''[[Comedy Playhouse]]'' called "The Old Campaigner", he played James Franklin-Jones, a salesman for a plastics company who was continually searching for love affairs while travelling on business. This character was "''yet another variation on his rakish cad persona''", according to Mark Lewisohn.{{sfn\|Lewisohn\|1998\|p=510}} The episode was well-received, and a six-part series was commissioned that ran over December 1968 and January 1969.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=124}} Although the series performed well in the ratings, a second series was not commissioned.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=150}} In between the pilot and the series of ''The Old Campaigner'', in April 1968, Terry-Thomas appeared on the British [[w:ITV (TV network)\|ITV]] network in a one-off variety special, ''The Big Show'', which combined musical numbers and his urbane monologues. Robert Ross commented that Terry-Thomas "''seemed to delight in resurrecting his vintage sophisticated patter after years in movies … the top raconteur was back where he belonged''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=77}} In 1969 he again teamed up with Eric Sykes and director [[Ken Annakin]] for a joint Italian, French and British production ''[[Monte Carlo or Bust!]]''. The film was "the only copper-bottomed sequel to ... ''Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines''", according to Richard Ross.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=169}} Terry-Thomas played Sir Cuthbert Ware-Armitage, the "thoroughly bad egg son of flying ace Sir Percy Ware-Armitage", his role in ''Those Magnificent Men''.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=169}} Terry-Thomas secured four other roles in minor films that year, including ''[[Arthur? Arthur!]]'' (which he joked had "never been shown anywhere—as far as I know!"),{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=163}} as well as on television in the UK, US and Australia.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=221–22}}{{efn\|These programmes included ''[[w:This is Tom Jones\|This is Tom Jones]]'' and ''The Liberace Show'' in the UK; ''[[w:The Hollywood Palace\|The Hollywood Palace]]'' and ''The Peapicker in Piccadilly'' in the US and ''Music Hall'' in Australia.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=221–22}}}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 26 September 2024
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	==Legacy and reputation==		==Legacy and reputation==
	[[File:Terry-Thomas, 1961.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Terry-Thomas in 1961, showing his [[w:Diastema ~~(dentistry)~~\|dental diastema]] which later provided the basis for naming a widening of the [[w:Scapholunate ligament\|scapholunate space]] ("[[w:Terry Thomas sign\|Terry Thomas sign]]") in a traumatic wrist injury.{{sfn\|Yochum\|Rowe\|2005\|p=914}}]]		[[File:Terry-Thomas, 1961.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Terry-Thomas in 1961, showing his [[Diastema\|dental diastema]] which later provided the basis for naming a widening of the [[Scapholunate ligament\|scapholunate space]] ("[[Terry Thomas sign\|Terry Thomas sign]]") in a traumatic wrist injury.{{sfn\|Yochum\|Rowe\|2005\|p=914}}]]
	Following Terry-Thomas's death, Lionel Jeffries called him "the last of the great gentlemen of the cinema",<ref name="WP: Death news" /> while the director [[~~w:Michael Winner\|~~Michael Winner]] commented that "''no matter what your position was in relation to his, as the star he was always terribly nice. He was the kindest man and he enjoyed life so much''".<ref name="PA: T-T Death" /> Reviewing his career in ''The Guardian'', Adrian Turner considered that "''we took him for granted and he was ideal for his time. Not to put too serious a point on it, his portrayal of crass stupidity and blatant deviousness struck a chord with British audiences during the fifties as they experienced the clumsy dismemberment of the Empire and the ‘never had it so good’ ethos of the Macmillan era. During the sixties he became a glorious anachronism, much in demand in America, who saw in him the irrelevant pageantry of Britain''";<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> he also said Terry-Thomas was "a national treasure".<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> Gilbert Adair, writing in ''[[~~w:The Independent\|~~The Independent]]'', considered that "''for three decades, and in literally scores of films, he personified the Englishman as amiable bounder''";<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Adair wrote that "''the characterisation he was to assume represented the very essence of patrician, double-barrelled caddishness''".<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Terry-Thomas's friend Jack Lemmon called him "''a consummate professional… he was a gentleman, a delight to be with personally, let alone professionally, and above all as an actor he had one of the qualities that I admire so much—he made it look simple''".{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=112}}		Following Terry-Thomas's death, Lionel Jeffries called him "the last of the great gentlemen of the cinema",<ref name="WP: Death news" /> while the director [[Michael Winner]] commented that "''no matter what your position was in relation to his, as the star he was always terribly nice. He was the kindest man and he enjoyed life so much''".<ref name="PA: T-T Death" /> Reviewing his career in ''The Guardian'', Adrian Turner considered that "''we took him for granted and he was ideal for his time. Not to put too serious a point on it, his portrayal of crass stupidity and blatant deviousness struck a chord with British audiences during the fifties as they experienced the clumsy dismemberment of the Empire and the ‘never had it so good’ ethos of the Macmillan era. During the sixties he became a glorious anachronism, much in demand in America, who saw in him the irrelevant pageantry of Britain''";<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> he also said Terry-Thomas was "a national treasure".<ref name="Guard: Obit" /> Gilbert Adair, writing in ''[[The Independent]]'', considered that "''for three decades, and in literally scores of films, he personified the Englishman as amiable bounder''";<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Adair wrote that "''the characterisation he was to assume represented the very essence of patrician, double-barrelled caddishness''".<ref name="Indie: Obit" /> Terry-Thomas's friend Jack Lemmon called him "''a consummate professional… he was a gentleman, a delight to be with personally, let alone professionally, and above all as an actor he had one of the qualities that I admire so much—he made it look simple''".{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=112}}

	Terry-Thomas's image of an English cad was used by others. The personification started in the 1960s when the voice actor [[~~w:Ivan Owen\|~~Ivan Owen]], who had worked alongside Terry-Thomas in "Stars in Battledress",{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=36}} based the voice for [[~~w:Basil Brush\|~~Basil Brush]] on that of Terry-Thomas, in a characterisation which also copied Terry-Thomas's "penchant for bad, self-satisfied, golf-club-bore jokes".<ref name="D. Tel: I Owen" /> The 1960s also witnessed the fictional cartoon character [[~~w:Dick Dastardly\|~~Dick Dastardly]] in two [[~~w:Hanna-Barbera\|~~Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon series (''[[w:Wacky Races (1968 TV series)\|Wacky Races]]'' and ''[[~~w:Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines\|~~Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines]]''), who was inspired by Terry-Thomas.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=122}}		Terry-Thomas's image of an English cad was used by others. The personification started in the 1960s when the voice actor [[Ivan Owen]], who had worked alongside Terry-Thomas in "Stars in Battledress",{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=36}} based the voice for [[Basil Brush]] on that of Terry-Thomas, in a characterisation which also copied Terry-Thomas's "penchant for bad, self-satisfied, golf-club-bore jokes".<ref name="D. Tel: I Owen" /> The 1960s also witnessed the fictional cartoon character [[Dick Dastardly]] in two [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon series (''[[Wacky Races (1968 TV series)\|Wacky Races]]'' and ''[[Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines]]''), who was inspired by Terry-Thomas.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=122}}

	Other actors have used Terry-Thomas's persona as an inspiration for their characters: [[~~w:Dustin Hoffman\|~~Dustin Hoffman]] acknowledged that he based his interpretation of [[~~w:Captain Hook\|~~Captain Hook]] in ''[[w:Hook (film)\|Hook]]'' on him; [[~~w:Rupert Everett\|~~Rupert Everett]] disclosed that when he provided the voice for [[w:List of Shrek characters#Prince Charming\|Prince Charming]] in ''[[~~w:Shrek 2\|~~Shrek 2]],'' Terry-Thomas "''was vocally my role model while I was doing it''";{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=249}} and [[~~w:Paul Whitehouse\|~~Paul Whitehouse]]'s character, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, from ''[[The Fast Show]]'' was also modelled on Terry-Thomas's on-screen persona.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}}		Other actors have used Terry-Thomas's persona as an inspiration for their characters: [[Dustin Hoffman]] acknowledged that he based his interpretation of [[Captain Hook]] in ''[[Hook (film)\|Hook]]'' on him; [[Rupert Everett]] disclosed that when he provided the voice for [[List of Shrek characters#Prince Charming\|Prince Charming]] in ''[[Shrek 2]],'' Terry-Thomas "''was vocally my role model while I was doing it''";{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=249}} and [[Paul Whitehouse]]'s character, the 13th Duke of Wybourne, from ''[[The Fast Show]]'' was also modelled on Terry-Thomas's on-screen persona.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}}

	Terry-Thomas's popularity continued after his death. In February 1999 the [[~~w:National Film Theatre\|~~National Film Theatre]] (NFT) ran a season of his films;<ref name="Indie: return of the cad" /> an NFT spokesman described how attendees turned up "''in evening dress, with false moustaches and carrying cigarettes in long holders… everyone has been trying to steal the cardboard cutouts of Terry…We've never had a response like it. To be honest, we are rather unprepared. Nobody expected Terry-Thomas Fever''".<ref name="EveSt: crazy" />		Terry-Thomas's popularity continued after his death. In February 1999 the [[National Film Theatre]] (NFT) ran a season of his films;<ref name="Indie: return of the cad" /> an NFT spokesman described how attendees turned up "''in evening dress, with false moustaches and carrying cigarettes in long holders… everyone has been trying to steal the cardboard cutouts of Terry…We've never had a response like it. To be honest, we are rather unprepared. Nobody expected Terry-Thomas Fever''".<ref name="EveSt: crazy" />

	Some of the innovations Terry-Thomas brought into his earlier television programmes were later copied by others; ''[[How Do You View?]]'' provided the "prologue" format of ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'',{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=59}} and was the first to use regular BBC announcers as foils in comic sketches—a practice continued later, particularly with the shows of [[Morecambe and Wise]].{{sfn\|Lewisohn\|1998\|p=333}} Terry-Thomas's anecdotes, stringing several stories together, later inspired [[Ronnie Corbett]] in his monologue spot in his series ''[[The Two Ronnies]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}} In 2014, BBC Radio 4 broadcast ''Memories of a Cad'', a comedy drama by [[~~w:Roy Smiles\|~~Roy Smiles]] about the relationship between Terry-Thomas and Richard Briers, played by [[w:Martin Jarvis (actor)\|Martin Jarvis]] and [[~~w:Alistair McGowan\|~~Alistair McGowan]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|title=Afternoon Drama: Memories of a Cad\|publisher=BBC Radio 4\|date=30 December 2014\|access-date=23 December 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225054820/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|archive-date=25 December 2016\|url-status=live}}</ref>		Some of the innovations Terry-Thomas brought into his earlier television programmes were later copied by others; ''[[How Do You View?]]'' provided the "prologue" format of ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'',{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=59}} and was the first to use regular BBC announcers as foils in comic sketches—a practice continued later, particularly with the shows of [[Morecambe and Wise]].{{sfn\|Lewisohn\|1998\|p=333}} Terry-Thomas's anecdotes, stringing several stories together, later inspired [[Ronnie Corbett]] in his monologue spot in his series ''[[The Two Ronnies]]''.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=7}} In 2014, BBC Radio 4 broadcast ''Memories of a Cad'', a comedy drama by [[Roy Smiles]] about the relationship between Terry-Thomas and Richard Briers, played by [[Martin Jarvis (actor)\|Martin Jarvis]] and [[Alistair McGowan]] respectively.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|title=Afternoon Drama: Memories of a Cad\|publisher=BBC Radio 4\|date=30 December 2014\|access-date=23 December 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225054820/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04vkjsm\|archive-date=25 December 2016\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	==Filmography and other work==		==Filmography and other work==

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	{{Quote box\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|quote=Some days it's worse than others. It's infuriating. One minute I can be behaving in a perfectly normal manner; the next I have become a shaking mass of humanity.\|align=right\|source=Terry-Thomas describing "perfidious Parkinson's"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}}\|width=200px\|salign=right}}		{{Quote box\|bgcolor=#E0E6F8\|quote=Some days it's worse than others. It's infuriating. One minute I can be behaving in a perfectly normal manner; the next I have become a shaking mass of humanity.\|align=right\|source=Terry-Thomas describing "perfidious Parkinson's"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}}\|width=200px\|salign=right}}

	While appearing in ''Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!'' at ~~the~~ [[~~w:The Metro Theatre\|~~Metro Theatre]], [[~~w:Sydney\|~~Sydney]] in 1971, Terry-Thomas felt unwell and visited a doctor, who noticed his patient's left hand was shaking slightly. The doctor suggested he visit a specialist on his return to the UK, who diagnosed him with [[~~w:Parkinson's disease\|~~Parkinson's disease]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=156–57}} Fearing the condition would affect offers of work, Terry-Thomas did not make the news public, but as the symptoms began to manifest themselves in tremors, a shuffling gait, stooped posture and affected speech, he made the news known—partly to stop rumours of on-set drunkenness.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=191}}		While appearing in ''Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!'' at [[the Metro Theatre]], [[Sydney]] in 1971, Terry-Thomas felt unwell and visited a doctor, who noticed his patient's left hand was shaking slightly. The doctor suggested he visit a specialist on his return to the UK, who diagnosed him with [[Parkinson's disease]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=156–57}} Fearing the condition would affect offers of work, Terry-Thomas did not make the news public, but as the symptoms began to manifest themselves in tremors, a shuffling gait, stooped posture and affected speech, he made the news known—partly to stop rumours of on-set drunkenness.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=191}}

	He continued to work as much as possible, although—as the film historian Geoff Mayer pointed out—the situation "reduced his film career to supporting roles and cameos".{{sfn\|Mayer\|2003\|p=356}} The lucrative voice-over role of Sir Hiss in the 1973 [[~~w:Walt Disney Animation Studios\|~~Walt Disney]] film ''[[w:Robin Hood (1973 film)\|Robin Hood]]'' was one notable part,{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=160}} while others were less well-known, such as ''[[w:The Vault of Horror (film)\|The Vault of Horror]]'', a film described by Richard Ross as a "cornball terror", in which he starred with [[~~w:Curd Jürgens\|~~Curd Jürgens]], [[~~w:Tom Baker\|~~Tom Baker]] and [[Denholm Elliott]].{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=177}} He also continued to appear on television shows in the US and UK; and in advertisements, including appearing with [[June Whitfield]] for [[~~w:Birds Eye\|~~Birds Eye]] [[~~w:fish finger\|~~fish finger]]s, a series of [[~~w:vermouth\|~~vermouth]] advertisements filmed in Italy, and an award-winning series for [[~~w:Benson & Hedges\|~~Benson & Hedges]] with Eric Sykes.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=79}}		He continued to work as much as possible, although—as the film historian Geoff Mayer pointed out—the situation "reduced his film career to supporting roles and cameos".{{sfn\|Mayer\|2003\|p=356}} The lucrative voice-over role of Sir Hiss in the 1973 [[Walt Disney]] film ''[[Robin Hood (1973 film)\|Robin Hood]]'' was one notable part,{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=160}} while others were less well-known, such as ''[[The Vault of Horror (film)\|The Vault of Horror]]'', a film described by Richard Ross as a "cornball terror", in which he starred with [[Curd Jürgens]], [[Tom Baker]] and [[Denholm Elliott]].{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=177}} He also continued to appear on television shows in the US and UK; and in advertisements, including appearing with [[June Whitfield]] for [[Birds Eye]] [[fish finger]]s, a series of [[vermouth]] advertisements filmed in Italy, and an award-winning series for [[Benson & Hedges]] with Eric Sykes.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=79}}

	During the 1970s he starred in a series of low-budget British films, including two in 1975, ''[[Spanish Fly (1975 film)\|Spanish Fly]]''—called a "gruesome smutfest" by writer [[~~w:Christopher Fowler\|~~Christopher Fowler]]{{sfn\|Fowler\|2013\|p=95}}—and ''[[The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones]]'', described by ''Film Review Digest'' as a "cheap, crude, sexed-up rehash" of the other film adaptations of [[~~w:Henry Fielding\|~~Henry Fielding]]'s [[w:The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling\|source novel]].{{sfn\|Film Review Digest\|1976}}		During the 1970s he starred in a series of low-budget British films, including two in 1975, ''[[Spanish Fly (1975 film)\|Spanish Fly]]''—called a "gruesome smutfest" by writer [[Christopher Fowler]]{{sfn\|Fowler\|2013\|p=95}}—and ''[[The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones]]'', described by ''Film Review Digest'' as a "cheap, crude, sexed-up rehash" of the other film adaptations of [[Henry Fielding]]'s [[The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling\|source novel]].{{sfn\|Film Review Digest\|1976}}

	In 1977 he starred in ''[[w:The Last Remake of Beau Geste\|The Last Remake of Beau Geste]]'' and ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978 film)\|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'', the latter starring [[Peter Cook]] and [[Dudley Moore]] as [[w:Sherlock Holmes\|Holmes]] and [[w:Dr. Watson\|Watson]]; Terry-Thomas thought "it was the most outrageous film I ever appeared in … there was no magic … it was bad!"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}} By then he had exhibited [[w:hypokinesia\|a decrease in bodily movement]], a sign of how serious his condition had become.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=173}} His distinctive voice had developed a softer tone and his posture was contorted. Between 1978 and 1980, he spent much time with medical consultants.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=175}} Despite this he was offered a few engagements and was voted the most recognisable Englishman among Americans in a poll which also featured [[~~w:Laurence Olivier\|~~Laurence Olivier]], [[Robert Morley]] and [[Wilfrid Hyde-White]]. As a result, he secured a lucrative advertising contract with the [[~~w:Ford Motor Company\|~~Ford Motor Company]]. [[~~w:Derek Jarman\|~~Derek Jarman]] offered Terry-Thomas a role in his 1979 film ''[[w:The Tempest (1979 film)\|The Tempest]]'', but the actor was forced to pull out because of his deteriorating health.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=176}}		In 1977 he starred in ''[[The Last Remake of Beau Geste\|The Last Remake of Beau Geste]]'' and ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978 film)\|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'', the latter starring [[Peter Cook]] and [[Dudley Moore]] as [[Sherlock Holmes\|Holmes]] and [[Dr. Watson\|Watson]]; Terry-Thomas thought "it was the most outrageous film I ever appeared in … there was no magic … it was bad!"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=193}} By then he had exhibited [[hypokinesia\|a decrease in bodily movement]], a sign of how serious his condition had become.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=173}} His distinctive voice had developed a softer tone and his posture was contorted. Between 1978 and 1980, he spent much time with medical consultants.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=175}} Despite this he was offered a few engagements and was voted the most recognisable Englishman among Americans in a poll which also featured [[Laurence Olivier]], [[Robert Morley]] and [[Wilfrid Hyde-White]]. As a result, he secured a lucrative advertising contract with the [[Ford Motor Company]]. [[Derek Jarman]] offered Terry-Thomas a role in his 1979 film ''[[The Tempest (1979 film)\|The Tempest]]'', but the actor was forced to pull out because of his deteriorating health.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=176}}

	Terry-Thomas undertook his final film role in 1980 in ''Febbre a 40!'', a German-Italian co-production that was "nondescript and barely screened", according to Robert Ross,{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=187}} and did not even have a theatrical release in its two domestic markets.<ref name="BFI: Febbre a 40" /> He continued his involvement in the film industry, where he funded three films during the early 1980s (noted by Ross to be "destined from the outset for B-picture status or straight-to-video exposure");{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=187}} he commented, "I have made a loss of one hundred per cent".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=67}} In 1982, with his condition worsening, he was featured in two episodes of the BBC series ''The Human Brain'', which examined his condition; his frank interview brought much public awareness of the disease and raised £32,000 for the [[~~w:Parkinson's Disease Society\|~~Parkinson's Disease Society]]. Privately, he was becoming more depressed; he had sold his London flat to provide badly needed funds, and his work offers were decreasing.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=177}}		Terry-Thomas undertook his final film role in 1980 in ''Febbre a 40!'', a German-Italian co-production that was "nondescript and barely screened", according to Robert Ross,{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=187}} and did not even have a theatrical release in its two domestic markets.<ref name="BFI: Febbre a 40" /> He continued his involvement in the film industry, where he funded three films during the early 1980s (noted by Ross to be "destined from the outset for B-picture status or straight-to-video exposure");{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=187}} he commented, "I have made a loss of one hundred per cent".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=67}} In 1982, with his condition worsening, he was featured in two episodes of the BBC series ''The Human Brain'', which examined his condition; his frank interview brought much public awareness of the disease and raised £32,000 for the [[Parkinson's Disease Society]]. Privately, he was becoming more depressed; he had sold his London flat to provide badly needed funds, and his work offers were decreasing.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=177}}

	===Final years and death: 1983–1990===		===Final years and death: 1983–1990===

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	Terry-Thomas's final film with the Boulting brothers was ''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'', a post-war follow-up to ''Private's Progress'' with Terry-Thomas reprising the role of Major Hitchcock in an industrial setting, as the "tetchily incompetent" personnel manager.<ref name="BFI: Jack" /> Many of the other cast from ''Private's Progress'' also returned, including Attenborough, Carmichael and [[Dennis Price]]; they were joined by Peter Sellers, who took most of the plaudits from the critics, although Stanley Kauffman, writing in ''[[The New Republic]]'' also delighted in Terry-Thomas's "''finesse''" and "''extraordinary skill''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=113}} The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' retrospectively considered ''I'm All Right Jack'' and ''Carlton-Browne of the F.O.'' to have been Terry-Thomas's best works.<ref name="LAT: Obit" /> His final film of 1959 was as William Delany Gordon in ''[[Too Many Crooks]]''. [[Bosley Crowther]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' thought Terry-Thomas provided "s''ome of the fieriest conniptions to be seen on the contemporary screen''", going on to say the actor's "''skill is exercised in demonstrating how magnificently and completely a mad-cap comedian can completely blow his top. His eyes flash, his lips curl, his sibilants whistle and he glares like a maniac''".<ref name="NYT: 2 many crooks" /> Filming took place during the daytime; in the evenings he appeared at the London Palladium, something he found trying on his nervous system.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=95}}		Terry-Thomas's final film with the Boulting brothers was ''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'', a post-war follow-up to ''Private's Progress'' with Terry-Thomas reprising the role of Major Hitchcock in an industrial setting, as the "tetchily incompetent" personnel manager.<ref name="BFI: Jack" /> Many of the other cast from ''Private's Progress'' also returned, including Attenborough, Carmichael and [[Dennis Price]]; they were joined by Peter Sellers, who took most of the plaudits from the critics, although Stanley Kauffman, writing in ''[[The New Republic]]'' also delighted in Terry-Thomas's "''finesse''" and "''extraordinary skill''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=113}} The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' retrospectively considered ''I'm All Right Jack'' and ''Carlton-Browne of the F.O.'' to have been Terry-Thomas's best works.<ref name="LAT: Obit" /> His final film of 1959 was as William Delany Gordon in ''[[Too Many Crooks]]''. [[Bosley Crowther]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' thought Terry-Thomas provided "s''ome of the fieriest conniptions to be seen on the contemporary screen''", going on to say the actor's "''skill is exercised in demonstrating how magnificently and completely a mad-cap comedian can completely blow his top. His eyes flash, his lips curl, his sibilants whistle and he glares like a maniac''".<ref name="NYT: 2 many crooks" /> Filming took place during the daytime; in the evenings he appeared at the London Palladium, something he found trying on his nervous system.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=95}}

	In 1960 Terry-Thomas appeared as Raymond Delauney in ''[[School for Scoundrels (1960 film)\|School for Scoundrels]]'', a film his biographer, Robert Ross, called "''the definitive screen presentation of his frightfully well-mannered, well-read and well-educated lounge lizard: T-T the man as T-T the film star''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=115–16}} He again appeared opposite Ian Carmichael, and they were joined by [[Alastair Sim]] and [[~~w:Janette Scott\|~~Janette Scott]]. Michael Brooke, writing for the [[w:British Film Institute\|BFI]]'s [[~~w:Screenonline\|~~Screenonline]] website, thought Terry-Thomas was "''outstanding as a classic British bounder''".<ref name="BFI: Scoundrels" /> [[~~w:CNN\|~~CNN]] would list the performance among the top 10 British villains, stating, "generally found twirling his cigarette holder while charming the ladies — at least, when not swindling, cheating or behaving like an absolute rotter."<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ "The Screening Room's Top 10 British Villains"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224183735/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ \|date=24 February 2008 }}, CNN. Retrieved 7 October 2020.</ref> Later the same year he appeared in ''[[Make Mine Mink]]'' as Major Albert Rayne, a veteran of the Second World War who forms a gang of [[~~w:mink coat\|~~mink coat]] thieves with his female co-lodgers.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=125}} When he made an appearance at a screening of the film in [[~~w:Dalston\|~~Dalston]], north-east London, he was presented with a white mink waistcoat by a local furrier.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=31}}		In 1960 Terry-Thomas appeared as Raymond Delauney in ''[[School for Scoundrels (1960 film)\|School for Scoundrels]]'', a film his biographer, Robert Ross, called "''the definitive screen presentation of his frightfully well-mannered, well-read and well-educated lounge lizard: T-T the man as T-T the film star''".{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|pp=115–16}} He again appeared opposite Ian Carmichael, and they were joined by [[Alastair Sim]] and [[Janette Scott]]. Michael Brooke, writing for the [[British Film Institute\|BFI]]'s [[Screenonline]] website, thought Terry-Thomas was "''outstanding as a classic British bounder''".<ref name="BFI: Scoundrels" /> [[CNN]] would list the performance among the top 10 British villains, stating, "generally found twirling his cigarette holder while charming the ladies — at least, when not swindling, cheating or behaving like an absolute rotter."<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ "The Screening Room's Top 10 British Villains"] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224183735/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/25/top10.britishvillains/ \|date=24 February 2008 }}, CNN. Retrieved 7 October 2020.</ref> Later the same year he appeared in ''[[Make Mine Mink]]'' as Major Albert Rayne, a veteran of the Second World War who forms a gang of [[mink coat]] thieves with his female co-lodgers.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=125}} When he made an appearance at a screening of the film in [[Dalston]], north-east London, he was presented with a white mink waistcoat by a local furrier.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=31}}

	In 1961 Terry-Thomas played Archibald Bannister in ''[[A Matter of WHO]]'', which he described as "''my first (fairly) serious role''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}} He was joined in the film by his cousin's son [[Richard Briers]],<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9877607/Richard-Briers.html Obituary: Richard Briers, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 18 February 2013]. Retrieved 26 May 2019</ref> with Terry-Thomas noting that he provided "no nepotic help" in getting Briers the part.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}}{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=147}} The film was not well received by the critics; an internal BBC memo described that in the UK the film was "''murdered by the critics''", although it was "''something of a success''" in America.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=129}} By this time Terry-Thomas had decided to stop being a stand-up comedian and compere and instead concentrate solely on making films. He stopped appearing on television and radio shows of his own, declaring "''it was the cinema for me and me for the cinema!''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=119}} Having accumulated considerable experience by appearing in British films, he decided to try Hollywood, and moved to America.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}}		In 1961 Terry-Thomas played Archibald Bannister in ''[[A Matter of WHO]]'', which he described as "''my first (fairly) serious role''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}} He was joined in the film by his cousin's son [[Richard Briers]],<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9877607/Richard-Briers.html Obituary: Richard Briers, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 18 February 2013]. Retrieved 26 May 2019</ref> with Terry-Thomas noting that he provided "no nepotic help" in getting Briers the part.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=46}}{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=147}} The film was not well received by the critics; an internal BBC memo described that in the UK the film was "''murdered by the critics''", although it was "''something of a success''" in America.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=129}} By this time Terry-Thomas had decided to stop being a stand-up comedian and compere and instead concentrate solely on making films. He stopped appearing on television and radio shows of his own, declaring "''it was the cinema for me and me for the cinema!''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=119}} Having accumulated considerable experience by appearing in British films, he decided to try Hollywood, and moved to America.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=75}}

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	===Breaking into Hollywood: 1961–1965===		===Breaking into Hollywood: 1961–1965===
	[[File:T-T in the Bing Crosby Show, 1961.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Publicity shot of Terry-Thomas for ''[[w:The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'', 1961]]		[[File:T-T in the Bing Crosby Show, 1961.jpg\|right\|thumb\|Publicity shot of Terry-Thomas for ''[[The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'', 1961]]
	Terry-Thomas spent part of 1961 in America, filming the role of Professor Bruce Patterson in ''[[~~w:Bachelor Flat\|~~Bachelor Flat]]''—his first Hollywood role{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=100}}—before flying to [[~~w:Gibraltar\|~~Gibraltar]] to film ''[[Operation Snatch]]'', in which he teamed up with [[Lionel Jeffries]].{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=101}} By the end of 1961 he was appearing on radio, such as the December broadcast of ''[[w:The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'' and in guest spots on American television shows; he was frequently the subject of US newspaper interviews.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=100 & 217}} In 1962 ''Bachelor Flat'' and ''Operation Snatch'' were both released,<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> and were followed by two more films: a large-budget biopic from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer called ''[[~~w:The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm\|~~The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm]]'', in which he shared his scenes with American comedian [[~~w:Buddy Hackett\|~~Buddy Hackett]],{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} and ''[[w:Kill or Cure (1962 film)\|Kill or Cure]]'', in which he appeared with Sykes, a friend since they worked together in ''Large as Life''.{{sfn\|Secombe\|1996\|p=36}}		Terry-Thomas spent part of 1961 in America, filming the role of Professor Bruce Patterson in ''[[Bachelor Flat]]''—his first Hollywood role{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=100}}—before flying to [[Gibraltar]] to film ''[[Operation Snatch]]'', in which he teamed up with [[Lionel Jeffries]].{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=101}} By the end of 1961 he was appearing on radio, such as the December broadcast of ''[[The Bing Crosby – Rosemary Clooney Show\|The Bing Crosby Show]]'' and in guest spots on American television shows; he was frequently the subject of US newspaper interviews.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=100 & 217}} In 1962 ''Bachelor Flat'' and ''Operation Snatch'' were both released,<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> and were followed by two more films: a large-budget biopic from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer called ''[[The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm]]'', in which he shared his scenes with American comedian [[Buddy Hackett]],{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} and ''[[Kill or Cure (1962 film)\|Kill or Cure]]'', in which he appeared with Sykes, a friend since they worked together in ''Large as Life''.{{sfn\|Secombe\|1996\|p=36}}

	On 1 February 1962 Terry-Thomas and Pat Patlanski divorced, after spending the previous eight years estranged. He had by then split from his mistress of the previous few years, [[~~w:Lorrae Desmond\|~~Lorrae Desmond]], who returned to Australia shortly afterwards and married a surgeon. Terry-Thomas resumed his bachelor lifestyle. The break-up with Desmond caused him great upset, and he sought solace with Belinda Cunningham, a 21-year-old whom he had met on holiday in [[~~w:Majorca\|~~Majorca]] two years earlier.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=125}}{{efn\|Belinda Cunningham was born in [[~~w:Lincolnshire\|~~Lincolnshire]] in 1941 and was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey Cunningham. She was working in Majorca when she first met Terry-Thomas and they remained in close contact when they each returned home to England. Geoffrey opposed the relationship and made many efforts to separate his daughter from the actor, including securing her a job as a personal assistant in [[~~w:Singapore\|~~Singapore]], which she did not take.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=125–26}} }} They married in August 1963 at [[~~w:Halstead\|~~Halstead]] Registry Office near [[~~w:Colchester\|~~Colchester]], [[~~w:Essex\|~~Essex]], and the following year she gave birth to their first son, Timothy Hoar, at the [[~~w:Princess Beatrice Hospital\|~~Princess Beatrice Hospital]] in London.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}}{{efn\|Although named Timothy at birth, he was often called Tiger by his parents.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}} }}		On 1 February 1962 Terry-Thomas and Pat Patlanski divorced, after spending the previous eight years estranged. He had by then split from his mistress of the previous few years, [[Lorrae Desmond]], who returned to Australia shortly afterwards and married a surgeon. Terry-Thomas resumed his bachelor lifestyle. The break-up with Desmond caused him great upset, and he sought solace with Belinda Cunningham, a 21-year-old whom he had met on holiday in [[Majorca]] two years earlier.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=125}}{{efn\|Belinda Cunningham was born in [[Lincolnshire]] in 1941 and was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey Cunningham. She was working in Majorca when she first met Terry-Thomas and they remained in close contact when they each returned home to England. Geoffrey opposed the relationship and made many efforts to separate his daughter from the actor, including securing her a job as a personal assistant in [[Singapore]], which she did not take.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=125–26}} }} They married in August 1963 at [[Halstead]] Registry Office near [[Colchester]], [[Essex]], and the following year she gave birth to their first son, Timothy Hoar, at the [[Princess Beatrice Hospital]] in London.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}}{{efn\|Although named Timothy at birth, he was often called Tiger by his parents.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=127}} }}

	In 1962 Terry-Thomas was offered the role of Lt-Colonel J. Algernon Hawthorne in ''[[~~w:It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World\|~~It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'', and turned it down before leaving for the UK. By the time his flight arrived in London he had changed his mind, so he telephoned producer [[~~w:Stanley Kramer\|~~Stanley Kramer]] from the airport and "''popped back on a plane to be fitted for the part''" the same day.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=103}} He was not comfortable with many of the other actors on set, later commenting that "''I was the only non-American, and I found it exhausting and embarrassing because they never relaxed. They were always ‘on’.''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=76}} One of the American stars was [[~~w:Spencer Tracy\|~~Spencer Tracy]], whom Terry-Thomas considered "''an extra-special man''"; Tracy and [[~~w:Buster Keaton\|~~Buster Keaton]]—who also appeared in the film—were described by Terry-Thomas as "''the only two people who ever produced in me this awe of greatness''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=188}}		In 1962 Terry-Thomas was offered the role of Lt-Colonel J. Algernon Hawthorne in ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'', and turned it down before leaving for the UK. By the time his flight arrived in London he had changed his mind, so he telephoned producer [[Stanley Kramer]] from the airport and "''popped back on a plane to be fitted for the part''" the same day.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=103}} He was not comfortable with many of the other actors on set, later commenting that "''I was the only non-American, and I found it exhausting and embarrassing because they never relaxed. They were always ‘on’.''"{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=76}} One of the American stars was [[Spencer Tracy]], whom Terry-Thomas considered "''an extra-special man''"; Tracy and [[Buster Keaton]]—who also appeared in the film—were described by Terry-Thomas as "''the only two people who ever produced in me this awe of greatness''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=188}}

	Later in 1963 he picked up his second film nomination, the [[w:Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy\|Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor]], for his portrayal of Spender in ''[[The Mouse on the Moon]]''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />{{efn\|The award eventually went to [[~~w:Alberto Sordi\|~~Alberto Sordi]] for his performance in ''[[w:Il diavolo\|To Bed]]'', also known as ''Il diavolo''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />}} He also tried his hand at production, with three 15-minute travelogues: ''Terry-Thomas in Tuscany'', ''Terry-Thomas in the South of France'' and ''Terry-Thomas in Northern Ireland''.<ref name="BFI: T-T in Tuscany" />{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=234}} He did not enjoy the producer's role, complaining that "''for some extraordinary reason that I could never understand, everybody was always out to do the producer of any film whoever he was. I had to be on the watch the whole time''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=65}} He worked consistently during 1963, appearing in television programmes on both sides of the Atlantic; these included ''Terry-Thomas'', a one-off variety show on [[w:BBC One\|BBC Television]] in July that included [[~~w:Donald Sutherland\|~~Donald Sutherland]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}{{efn\|Other appearances included ''[[w:What's My Line?#United Kingdom\|What's My Line?]]'' in April; ''The British At Play'' in August (both on BBC television); ''The Judy Garland Show'' on [[~~w:CBS\|~~CBS]]; and ''[[w:Burke's Law (1963 TV series)\|Burke's Law]]'' on [[w:American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]] (both in October).{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=217–18}}}}		Later in 1963 he picked up his second film nomination, the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy\|Golden Globe for Best Comedy Actor]], for his portrayal of Spender in ''[[The Mouse on the Moon]]''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />{{efn\|The award eventually went to [[Alberto Sordi]] for his performance in ''[[Il diavolo\|To Bed]]'', also known as ''Il diavolo''.<ref name="GG: Mouse" />}} He also tried his hand at production, with three 15-minute travelogues: ''Terry-Thomas in Tuscany'', ''Terry-Thomas in the South of France'' and ''Terry-Thomas in Northern Ireland''.<ref name="BFI: T-T in Tuscany" />{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=234}} He did not enjoy the producer's role, complaining that "''for some extraordinary reason that I could never understand, everybody was always out to do the producer of any film whoever he was. I had to be on the watch the whole time''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=65}} He worked consistently during 1963, appearing in television programmes on both sides of the Atlantic; these included ''Terry-Thomas'', a one-off variety show on [[BBC One\|BBC Television]] in July that included [[Donald Sutherland]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}{{efn\|Other appearances included ''[[What's My Line?#United Kingdom\|What's My Line?]]'' in April; ''The British At Play'' in August (both on BBC television); ''The Judy Garland Show'' on [[CBS]]; and ''[[Burke's Law (1963 TV series)\|Burke's Law]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company\|ABC]] (both in October).{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|pp=217–18}}}}

	In 1964 he started filming the role of Charles Furbank in ''[[~~w:How to Murder Your Wife\|~~How to Murder Your Wife]]'', a part which brought him £100,000,{{efn\|Approximately £{{formatnum:{{Inflation\|UK\|100000\|1965}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{inflation-fn\|UK\|df=yes}}}} his largest fee to that point.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=111}} He said it was his favourite to make, "''because I felt that I did a very good job''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=105}} He enjoyed working with [[~~w:Jack Lemmon\|~~Jack Lemmon]], the film's star, partly because Lemmon played jazz and sang while the scenes were being lit.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=122}} They became friends and Terry-Thomas was invited to Lemmon's wedding.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=143}} Throughout the rest of the year he continued to appear on US television—again in ''Burke's Law'', and on ''[[~~w:What's My Line?\|~~What's My Line?]]'' and ''An Hour with Robert Goulet'', both on [[~~w:CBS\|~~CBS]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=218}} He also released another record, ''Terry-Thomas Discovers America'', a collection of songs and sketches{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} described by ''[[w:Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' as "a ''funny'', ''funny'' comedy masterpiece".<ref name=Billboard /> His earlier record, ''Strictly T-T,'' was also released in the US.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}		In 1964 he started filming the role of Charles Furbank in ''[[How to Murder Your Wife]]'', a part which brought him £100,000,{{efn\|Approximately £{{formatnum:{{Inflation\|UK\|100000\|1965}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{inflation-fn\|UK\|df=yes}}}} his largest fee to that point.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=111}} He said it was his favourite to make, "''because I felt that I did a very good job''".{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=105}} He enjoyed working with [[Jack Lemmon]], the film's star, partly because Lemmon played jazz and sang while the scenes were being lit.{{sfn\|Terry-Thomas\|Daum\|1990\|p=122}} They became friends and Terry-Thomas was invited to Lemmon's wedding.{{sfn\|Ross\|2002\|p=143}} Throughout the rest of the year he continued to appear on US television—again in ''Burke's Law'', and on ''[[What's My Line?]]'' and ''An Hour with Robert Goulet'', both on [[CBS]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=218}} He also released another record, ''Terry-Thomas Discovers America'', a collection of songs and sketches{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}} described by ''[[Billboard (magazine)\|Billboard]]'' as "a ''funny'', ''funny'' comedy masterpiece".<ref name=Billboard /> His earlier record, ''Strictly T-T,'' was also released in the US.{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=106}}

	Alongside ''How to Murder Your Wife'', he was in two other films released in 1965: ''[[w:Strange Bedfellows (1965 film)\|Strange Bedfellows]]'', where he played a mortician; and ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines]]'',<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> where he played Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, a character film historian Andrew Spicer calls "''a cartoon version''" of his usual persona in a "''bloated mid-Atlantic comed[y]''".{{sfn\|Spicer\|2003\|p=121}} In the film, Terry-Thomas appeared again with Sykes, an experience Sykes later described as magical.{{sfn\|Sykes\|2003\|p=168}} The roles of Ware-Armitage and his sidekick were written especially for Terry-Thomas and Sykes at the behest of the director [[Ken Annakin]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=271}}		Alongside ''How to Murder Your Wife'', he was in two other films released in 1965: ''[[Strange Bedfellows (1965 film)\|Strange Bedfellows]]'', where he played a mortician; and ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines]]'',<ref name="BFI: T-T filmography" /> where he played Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, a character film historian Andrew Spicer calls "''a cartoon version''" of his usual persona in a "''bloated mid-Atlantic comed[y]''".{{sfn\|Spicer\|2003\|p=121}} In the film, Terry-Thomas appeared again with Sykes, an experience Sykes later described as magical.{{sfn\|Sykes\|2003\|p=168}} The roles of Ware-Armitage and his sidekick were written especially for Terry-Thomas and Sykes at the behest of the director [[Ken Annakin]].{{sfn\|McCann\|2009\|p=271}}

	===European cinema: 1966–1970===		===European cinema: 1966–1970===