Very sad news about the death of critic and author-about-town Sheridan Morley, although it would be nice to think he's chuckling over the Gielgudisms recounted in the Telegraph's obituary. (Morley published a biography of the actor in 2001.) The theatrical knight was, you see, a great one for saying the wrong thing:
John Gielgud once telephoned Morley with urgent news: "You'll never believe this: in America they are actually about to name a theatre after a drama critic." Then, remembering whom he was talking to, Gielgud exclaimed: "Oh my God, you are one!" and slammed down the receiver.
This is even better:
One Sunday in 1939, with Europe on the brink of war, Gielgud returned to a friend's home carrying the newspapers and wearing a devastated look. When asked if war had been declared, he responded: "Oh, I don't know anything about that, but Gladys Cooper has just got the most terrible reviews."
Then there's this gem:
Morley recalled an occasion in the 1980s when, walking along Piccadilly with Gielgud, they spotted Margaret Thatcher, then at the height of her powers, coming towards them. As they both knew her slightly, they stopped. Gielgud asked where she was now living. "No 10, Downing Street," replied the Prime Minister with some surprise. "Oh, you women!" exclaimed Gielgud, full of admiration. "Always so clever at buying the right kind of property!"
Oh, and I can't resist this story about another giant of the stage, Noel Coward:
Once, crossing Leicester Square, Morley and Coward saw a poster for an adventure movie starring Michael Redgrave and Dirk Bogarde entitled The Sea Shall Not Have Them. "I fail to see why not," Coward remarked. "Everybody else has."
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