The award-winning director remembers Finney’s unique bonhomie, from his shining legacy at Salford grammar school to his support of Leigh’s film debut Bleak Moments
When I arrived at Salford grammar school in 1954, Albert Finney had just left for Rada, the glittering star of the school’s dramatic society. My school friend and future colleague Les Blair, a year my senior, witnessed his legendary performance as Sweeney Todd. Albert’s legacy shone its light on all of our productions and we tracked his meteoric progress in awe. My final-year production of a very forgettable play won the brand new Albert Finney cup, donated by his parents.
By the time I followed him to Rada in 1960, Albert had become an RSC star, understudying and going on for Laurence Olivier as Coriolanus; he had toured with Charles Laughton, had just completed Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, and was appearing in the West End as Billy Liar.
When I arrived at Salford grammar school in 1954, Albert Finney had just left for Rada, the glittering star of the school’s dramatic society. My school friend and future colleague Les Blair, a year my senior, witnessed his legendary performance as Sweeney Todd. Albert’s legacy shone its light on all of our productions and we tracked his meteoric progress in awe. My final-year production of a very forgettable play won the brand new Albert Finney cup, donated by his parents.
By the time I followed him to Rada in 1960, Albert had become an RSC star, understudying and going on for Laurence Olivier as Coriolanus; he had toured with Charles Laughton, had just completed Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, and was appearing in the West End as Billy Liar.
- 2/15/2019
- by Mike Leigh
- The Guardian - Film News
Richard Attenborough is back in front of the cameras in a movie version of Spike Milligan's comic novel Puckoon. The British author's surreal tale focuses on a pub split by the new border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic in 1922. The romp, which is being backed by the Arts Council Of Northern Ireland, also includes Irish comic Sean Hughes and American star Elliott Gould, and will be directed by Les Blair. Attenborough and Gould are long-standing pals of Milligan and have agreed to work "for the price of a pint", according to friends. A colleague of Milligan says, "Getting this film underway has been a dream for Spike. He says it may be the last dream he ever has as he is now 82 and not in the best of health. But he is just so proud that he will be seeing Puckoon on the Silver Screen. He has told Les Blair, 'No hold-ups. I may pop off at any time'!"...
- 6/12/2001
- WENN
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