A Sad day for film lovers
 

Sir Peter Ustinov died in Switzerland at the age of 82.
Alistair Cooke died at the age of 95.

They lived long full lives and brought pleasure to many people, something we all could strive for~

Yes a sad day indeed.
These things often come in three's
I wonder who will be the third??

Muck

Ustinov was one of my very favorite actors--and writers, too, as I periodically re-read and enjoy his autobiography, "Dear Me."

I just re-read the first paragraph about Alistair Cooke--another great loss. Masterpiece Theater was never the same after he left the program.

Alistair Cooke loved America. He knew and wrote of H. L. Mencken and many other literary lights. He was the quintessence of refinement - a splendid gentleman. His letters from America will always read well.

As for Sir Peter Ustinov, he was sui generis. I remember the series he had on cable describing Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven in his inimitable manner. I also remember him on the "Jack Paar Show" describing his service during WW II on a London anti-aircraft battery with an unintllegible Arab....

Requiescat in Pace.

I agree abour Sir Alistair, he brought something to that show that was never the same. And what a long rich history of work they both leave behind!

I felt as if I had lost a friend when I heard last evening that Peter Ustinov was no longer with us. His versatility was phenomenal. The last thing we saw him in was a several part travelogue on PBS a year or so ago, and he looked rather frail then.

Loved his Hercule Poirot portrayals in several movies, thankfully that I have copies of and will be able to enjoy in years to come.

Alistair Cooke is a giant for those who love geography, not just moving pictures on the screen. A friend of mine once told me that in "America" Cooke gives a fact something like "there are 3020 counties in America and I have been in 3000 of them". I have taken this little piece of trivia as the gospel for almost thirty years - - does anyone know if something like that actually appears in print? I have never bothered to try to verify this.

(And I have no idea if this includes Alaska and Louisiana, which do not have "counties").

Urban legend or not, his "Masterpiece"-ness will live on.

Best wishes,

Rex

An English friend of ours told us that she and her friends never missed Cooke's weekly program on America, often meeting as a group to enjoy and discuss his comments.

I will always remember Peter Usinov as the Old Man in LOGAN'S RUN, living with his cats in the U.S. Library of Congress. The scene where Jenny Agutter and Michael York come upon him reminds me of the words of Miranda in Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST, "O brave new world that have such people in it."

I missed this thread! Maybe they can delete mine. I once sold monogramed custom made shirts to Alister; a very funny laid back man he was. No wonder he had such a long distinquished career.

topping... for my question about 3000 out of 3020...

Peter Ustinov was living in Switzerland. Can anyone tell me where he will be buried? I would like to pay my respects to this treasure of a man. Thanks. J.

His funeral took place at St Peter's Cathedral in Geneva, attended by a congregation of 400, and was buried in his home village of Bursins on the shore of Lake Geneva, his home for 35 years.

Thank you, Alec. J.

Scarlett,

Ustinov was a true giant of the entertainment/literary world. He will be missed.

Upon hearing of Ustinov's passing, it caused me to reflect on my introduction to his artistry, that of his memorable performance in the early 60s movie epic, Spartacus. Surrounded by giants in the trade - Laughton, Olivier, Douglas, among others - it was Ustinov's characterization that rises to the top. Check it out if you've not seen it in a while.

My best movie memory of Sir Peter is from "Quo Vadis," the scene in which Ustinov's Nero is told of the death of Petronius--upon which he squeezes out a few tears into a teardrop "vase" to save as a memento. It was brilliant.

"Ustinov was a true giant of the entertainment/literary world. He will be missed."

Please, give me a break. He was a minor actor of modest talent. What I remember most about him is that during the cold war he was something of a mouth piece for the Soviet Union.

Yes, he was magnificent in Spartacus - he stole the show.

Here are details on his burial:
http://globeandmail.com/servlet/stor...Entertainment/

It was his wit and humour that I loved. When asked his judgement on Toronto, he commented that it was New York, run by the Swiss. To this day, Torontonians wonder if this was meant as a compliment or an insult :)

Minor actor????? With two Oscars, three Emmies, and a Golden Globe????

Gosh, with that heading, being a professional photographer of long standing, thought it was something about the fact that everyone has gone DIGITAL. An interesting topic however, can never replace the greats of movie film. These new characters all look alike to me. Halfpint

He was the best Poirot!

Giovanna & all -PBS is running a broadcast of Alistair Cooke's address on the occasion of the Bicentennial of Congress. I never realized he was so witty. See this if you have a chance. It's quite good, and they close with his final closing notes of MT. While I was an avid reader of Russel Baker's books and NY Times columns, I agree, Masterpiece Theatre just wasn't the same without Alistair Cooke.