Richard Todd

RIP Richard, a true gentleman.

Living not far from my present location, Grantham, Richard Todd was very much one of the Town’s adopted “sons.” Earlier this year, I was preparing for an evening (Railway) club meeting in the town when, out of a lovely summer’s early evening sky roared those 4 merlin engines and that black bomber. Richard Todd was having a “small” birthday party at Grantham House down the road. An unforgettable sight seeing the Lanc flying (relatively) low over the small town to salute him.

I think i remember him on the BBC news flying in Lancaster G-ASXX in the 1960s. When it was moving some where. One of the exhust stubbs fell off in flight!

Dave

Channel 4 News will be screening a bit about him later.

Over on the Empire forum there is a thread in the News section about him, and I posted my favourite moment from the film:

Well, the training’s over. For obvious reasons, you’ve had to work without knowing your target, or even your weapon. You’ve to put up with a good deal from other people who think you’ve been having a “soft time”. But, tonight, you’re going to have a chance to hit the enemy harder, and more destructively, than any small force has ever done before! You’re going to attack the great dams of Western Germany!

I defy anyone not to get just a little bit misty-eyed at that scene.

(And, in fact, it was the last line of that scene that Channel 4 News screened at the start of the programme.)

A great loss but what a wonderful life and career. Apparently he was also Ian Flemings choice to play James Bond but was unavailable at the time!

Sad news, but as Moggy C said, a good innings.

The Dambusters will be the choice of viewing for this evening (like others), with a raised glass of wine in grateful thanks for his life on his first appearance. Rest In Peace, Mr.Todd, one of the heroes of Pegasus Bridge and a fine actor who enjoyed a deservedly long, award-laden career.

Can’t be many actors who starred in two major D-Day films surely?

Some photos on the Guardian website from his career.

It’s also nice to see that IMDb.com has seen fit to put the news about his passing on its front page.

A very modest person and a wonderful actor.

I believe he was asked to act in the film “The Longest Day” as himself but said “as who – as I did nothing”?

You will be solely missed Mr Todd, RIP.

Brian.

BBC news just showed a clip where he was being interviewed at Pegasus Bridge – and about his role in the Longest Day.

He played his CO in that film – and had to give orders to another actor – who was playing him !!

As he intimated, it was very surreal !

Ken

I believe that he has recorded a commentary for the original film, to be released when the remake is screened, with that film now hanging in the balance, it would be nice to hear his words sooner rather than later; he was for me a true icon.

A fine soldier,a great actor and a lovley man, RIP.

Sad news..Will watch the orignal Dams movie tonight.

Sad news, RIP.

I have been lucky to meet him a couple of times, a charming gentleman of the old school.

I have just seen this and Ren Frew has a thread running in General Discussion. My comments there are echoed here.

“Hold until relieved. Hold until relieved”

RIP Richard Todd

A very modest person and a wonderful actor.

I believe he was asked to act in the film “The Longest Day” as himself but said “as who – as I did nothing”?

You will be solely missed Mr Todd, RIP.

Brian.

I just heard this on the radio, and the news sites have just started to pick it up.

Rest in peace, Richard Todd.

I adopted the first words Richard Todd speaks as my signature on joining various aviation forums some years ago. Hopefully it’ll remind me of what a great actor ( and wartime veteran) he was.

He’ll be missed by many I’m sure.

Sad news.. but not a bad innings.

Moggy

What an influence that man had!
Jim

Not forgetting, of course, that he had “been there – done that” – IIRC, he was in the relief for the first wave that had captured Pegasus Bridge?

God rest.

Adrian