Sir Christopher Lee was declared dead last Sunday in a hospital in the Chelsea section of London. Being only 93 and not known to be suffering from sunlight or holy water poisoning, Scotland Yard suspects foul play was involved. Inspector X commented, "His sort are usually good for at least a millennium or two." The undead turned actor performed in 250 films- sometimes even playing a human- in a career that spanned over six decades.
Unlike Bela Lugosi who famously turned down the role of Frankenstein's Monster after creating a sensation as Dracula, Lee portrayed Drac, Frank and their Mummy along with many other of the most memorable villains of the past half century of film. At 6'5", with piercing eyes and a Shakespearean voice, Lee menaced heroes from the blood and cleavage Hammer Horrors, to James Bond, Star Wars and the Hobbit.
Serving in intelligence and the original Special Forces of the Royal Air Force during Britain's finest hour, Lee was knighted for his service to his country in both war and in film. He gained the grudging respect of Horror aficionados worldwide including yours truly portraying his monsters as tragic figures driven by their natures and suffering in isolation. He was the last of the great actors of Horror.
Don Arrup
Satire1
No comments:
Post a Comment