Dead People In The News

[poliphilo]

1. Guillaume le Marechale aka William Marshall: Well, not exactly in the news but he was the subject of a TV documentary last night and that's close. He's someone we ought to remember but don't. He has three claims on our admiration/affection. Firstly he was the twelfth century's top knight- famous both for his martial prowess and his loyalty to whatever monarch had a claim to it. Secondly he faced down King John and was a prime mover of Magna Carta. Thirdly, at the age of 70, he fought a game-changing battle at Lincoln which got rid of an invading French army and ensured the succession of Henry III. Really he should be up there in the pantheon of national heroes alongside Drake and Nelson and Richard Coeur de Lion- whom he once famously beat in single combat. "You tried to kill me," says Richard."  "Indeed not" says William- who had skewered the horse and not the man- "I'm strong enough to aim my spear."

2. Diana Dors. Now she really is in the news. The Telegraph has her picture on the front page- which will set a few withered old loins a-tremble. We're learning (actually I think we already knew) that Max Clifford (currently on trial for sex crimes) used to attend "parties" at her gaff. Dors got billed as the English Marilyn Monroe but was more like the English Mae West. She was a a lovely young thing who turned into a game old bird and never entirely found the proper vehicle for her talents. When I was about ten and thought she was silly I began a scurrilous poem about her that never got further than the opening couplet...

Diana Dors
Fell on the floors.

Comments

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a poem best left unfinished.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think that too.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Marshall can be seen as an early example of the sports personality- he made his pile as a professional jouster.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, but it's a pretty extreme sport, eh! Makes today's sports heroes look like proper softies.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

I guess something like F1 motorcycle racing would be the modern equivalent.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Or boxing.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

No steeds involved in boxing though! :o)

[setsuled.livejournal.com]

Guillaume le Marchale aka William Marshall: Well, not exactly in the news but he was the subject of a TV documentary last night and that's close. He's someone we ought to remember but don't.

He was played by William Hurt in Ridley Scott's mostly lousy Robin Hood from a couple years ago. I remember thinking how much better a movie about him would have been than the one about Russell Crowe's dull and surly Robin.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I believe the original script cast the Sherrif of Nottingham as the good guy. Now that would have been interesting.

[ideealisme.livejournal.com]

I remember Diana Dors - she was Mrs Bott in Just William. Then she was on the celebrity edition of Blankety Blank. Then she died. The end.

I was not the most analytical nine-year-old I guess.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

She appeared as a fairy godmother in Adam Ant's Prince Charming video.

And as an evil old boot in the nearly forgotten "The Amazing Mr Blunden".

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

And on the front of the Sergeant Peppers album sleeve.

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

My father bought "Swingin' Dors" and my mother was scandalized by the dress on the cover. (She took the purchase as a personal attack.)

You say Diana Dors and I hear this immediately:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypO6XMhn99s

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

What a great song!

I'd never heard it before, so thanks. :)

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

She was also in the 1948 version of Oliver Twist with Alec Guinness as Fagin. It's on YouTube.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

She was a good actress. I suspect the whole sex kitten business stopped her from getting the roles she deserved.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

DD used to come to tea with my mother. Did you see her in A Kid For Two Farthings and The Amazing Mr Blunden?