Nicholas Courtney 1929 - 2011

I found it interesting that on one of the commentaries on one of the early Pertwee DVDs Nick (I think) was talking about a scene where they had to get someone else in to do his lines for that day because he was too nervous to leave his trailer/dressing room. Does anybody else recall this, or have any background?

Rich Flair wrote:I found it interesting that on one of the commentaries on one of the early Pertwee DVDs Nick (I think) was talking about a scene where they had to get someone else in to do his lines for that day because he was too nervous to leave his trailer/dressing room. Does anybody else recall this, or have any background?

i think it was filming terror of the autons. as i remember he had a mini breakdown...

Perhaps Nick didn't like daffodils.

Fantom Films have uploaded a few minutes of footage from Nick's final convention appearance last summer. Him and Angela Bruce bounced off each other quite brilliantly.

That was absolutely lovely - and more than a little touching. Oh, and Moffat - bring back Angela Bruce!

That was lovely. yep. Thanks for posting it, C=O.

That was a very nice video, C=O. Thanks for sharing it here.

Always a pleasure.

Babelcolour has put together a most stunning tribute to The Brig.

Stunning indeed. Thanks for that, old man. Very emotional - and very apt.

Thanks for linking that, very nice indeed. Makes me want to watch all of those episodes again.

That Babelcolour - he makes a mockery of us lesser mortals.

I was sent this poem which author described as "maybe a little too twee, but it's heartfelt." I actually think it's rather charming, and have blogged it.


CHAP WITH WINGS (FOR MR COURTNEY)

Not that I ever met you
But I hear you were a gent
A fine, upstanding gentle man,
And Honorary President.

A known face on the T.V.
With a life of many parts
Then a troubled space agent
Brought you closer to our hearts

But the one I most remember
Carved in my youthful mind
Was a Colonel then a Brigadier
Who weekly saved mankind.

Just an ordinary soldier
Facing such inhuman foes
Always leading from the front
With that ’tache under your nose.

Daleks, Cybermen, the Yeti,
Autons, Axons and the rest
You bravely stood before them
And gave them quite a test.

An animated statue
Might well prove bullet-proof
It still got “Five rounds rapid”
Before a pint in the “Cloven Hoof”

You flew across the universe
To worlds beyond our reach
But still maintained you’d just been sent
To good old Cromer Beach.

Your oldest friend might change his face
To your cries of “Not again!”
You remained our “Greyhound Leader”
With your trusty swagger cane.

You continued to be loyal
To a “Splendid chap, all of them!”
Who’d turn up before the nick of time
And sort out the problem.

Whenever danger showed its face
You’d face it like a man
With nothing but your modest claim
“I just do the best I can!”

Your blood and thunder days
As Earth’s champion are now past
But we knew as long as you were there
We’d be defended to the last.

No-one who ever met you
Has a bad thing they can say
A man’s finest legacy to leave
As he passes life’s highway.

So we all stand and salute you
But miss your warmth and charm
We hope you can depend on us
To keep the world from harm.

You're right. It is charming - and definitely falls on just the right side of heartfelt, rather than twee.

Crumbs. This has all got to me.

Thanks for posting the films and poem, C=O.

Absolutely. Yet another fine job, C=O old fellow.

I had the honour of attending Nick's funeral today. It was a wonderful service, and throughout Nick's great humanity enlightened proceedings.

I've been to family funerals before. I've been to friends funerals before. But I've never attended that of a hero. Because, if I ever doubted it, for me at least these past 10 days have confirmed that's what Nick was.

People who actually live up to the term hero are rare indeed, these days. By attending you were not only paying personal tribute - but also representing the thoughts and feelings of us all. For that I know I'm certainly grateful.

I hope you've all got your DWM tribute edition. Tom Baker reveals that as Nick lay dying he asked him "were you a tit man or an arse man?". The reply "I think I was both, Tom". The interviewer asks if they were his last wprds, but Tom avoids the answer!

Might have to take that with a pinch of salt Rich!

Either way, the issue was a great tribute to the man. Nicholas Pegg's tribute was quite pretentious, but that's me nitpicking. It was obviously heartfelt.

Yes, I did kind of skim read the Nick Pegg one.

Nick's Memorial Service is this afternoon.

What a wonderful,final, farewell to Nick. The Actor's Church in Covent Garden was packed with many alumni from the world of acting and beyond.

Amongst the Who glitterati were Tom Baker (who made a wonderful 'top of the bill' tribute); Richard Franklin John Levene and Stephen Thorne (who all gave readings); Fraser Hines, Sophie Aldred, Nicola Braynt, Terrance Dicks, Terry Molloy, Peter Miles and many, many more. Plus a certain Mr. Tennant. It was wonderful to see David there. The service culminated with us all particpating in an extended and heartfelt final standing ovation.

Afterwards I managed to capture this photo.

The Co=Ordinator wrote:What a wonderful,final, farewell to Nick. The Actor's Church in Covent Garden was packed with many alumni from the world of acting and beyond.

Amongst the Who glitterati were Tom Baker (who made a wonderful 'top of the bill' tribute); Richard Franklin John Levene and Stephen Thorne (who all gave readings); Fraser Hines, Sophie Aldred, Nicola Braynt, Terrance Dicks, Terry Molloy, Peter Miles and many, many more. Plus a certain Mr. Tennant. It was wonderful to see David there. The service culminated with us all particpating in an extended and heartfelt final standing ovation.

Afterwards I managed to capture this photo.

aw. sounds like a lovely tribute.



(must admit when i saw on facbook that you had a picture of yourself and mr t i got really excited)