So here we are, 26 December 2014, what would have been Richard Widmark's 100th birthday. At about 6pm UK time I'll be raising a glass to the memory of a man whose acting talents brought so much pleasure to so many people and who, through the various fan clubs, has united people from all over the world who come together in friendship because of that common ground - we admire and like Richard Widmark.
Like seems too weak a word but 'love' can be overused and misunderstood. I'm reminded of an interview where he commented once that he hadn't slept around with other women "because I happen to like my wife a lot." I think that use of the word 'like' says so much more than 'love' would; implying a deep relationship based on friendship and respect.
I've had some comments that it's a bit sad to be celebrating a dead actor's 100th anniversary; sad in the derogatory sense and applied to those celebrating that is! In one sense it could be sad; sad that he's no longer with us, sad that he didn't do more films, sad that he didn't do things that we'd have particularly liked to see - (my wish would be for him in Shakespeare, as Richard III, Iago, Caesar) - sad that he wasn't recognised with an Oscar as he certainly should have been, an omission which seems egregious to his fans. But the politics of Oscars are what they are and their decisions are not always based on the talents of those getting an award.
So instead of being sad, let's celebrate. There's a huge range of films and radio work that we can enjoy and many bear repeating several times over. Let's enjoy it all, celebrating a long life well lived, a great actor admired by many, and by all accounts from those who knew him, a truly lovely person as well.
God bless you, Richard Widmark, and thank you.
Like seems too weak a word but 'love' can be overused and misunderstood. I'm reminded of an interview where he commented once that he hadn't slept around with other women "because I happen to like my wife a lot." I think that use of the word 'like' says so much more than 'love' would; implying a deep relationship based on friendship and respect.
I've had some comments that it's a bit sad to be celebrating a dead actor's 100th anniversary; sad in the derogatory sense and applied to those celebrating that is! In one sense it could be sad; sad that he's no longer with us, sad that he didn't do more films, sad that he didn't do things that we'd have particularly liked to see - (my wish would be for him in Shakespeare, as Richard III, Iago, Caesar) - sad that he wasn't recognised with an Oscar as he certainly should have been, an omission which seems egregious to his fans. But the politics of Oscars are what they are and their decisions are not always based on the talents of those getting an award.
So instead of being sad, let's celebrate. There's a huge range of films and radio work that we can enjoy and many bear repeating several times over. Let's enjoy it all, celebrating a long life well lived, a great actor admired by many, and by all accounts from those who knew him, a truly lovely person as well.
God bless you, Richard Widmark, and thank you.
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