Richard Todd - WW2 D-Day Veteran
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- Опубліковано 22 чер 2024
- Richard Todd - who played Major John Howard in the epic film about D-Day 1944 ("The Longest Day") was actually a D-Day veteran.
Indeed, he was part of the airborne landings that had captured Pegasus Bridge, alongside Major Howard.
This is the story of his D-Day experiences.
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Having embarked on an acting career after school in the 1930's, Richard Todd had enlisted in the british army the day after the Second World War (World War 2) was declared.
desperate to take part in action, in 1943 he volunteered for the newly formed Parachute regiment.
He became an officer in the 7th battalion of the Parachute Regiment, part of the 6th Airborne Division.
The 6th Airborne was commanded by General Richard Gale, who came up with a plan to protect the eastern flank of the Normandy landings (Operation Overlord) on D-Day (6th June 1944).
His own division would deliver a coup de main (or surprise attack).
180 men of the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry under Major John Howard would land in gliders and capture two key bridges over the Caen Canal and the River Orne.
They would be reinforced by the Parachute regiment landing half an hour behind them.
Amongst those parachutists was lt. Richard Todd.
Howard's airborne glider glider was a complete success.
By the time Todd and the other parachutists arrived, both bridges had been captured intact.
For the next 11 hours, Todd was involved in a bitter battle to retain the bridges as the Germans counter-attacked.
Meanwhile, allied troops were landing on the beaches of Normandy.
At around midday, the advance part of those troops relieved the airborne men at the bridges.
The eastern flank had been protected.
During D-Day (6th June 1944), nearly 150,000 allied troops landed in France. it was the beginning of the end for the Germans.
In 1962, Richard Todd was to play the role of Major John Howard in the film: "The Longest Day."
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:00 Early Life
2:00 Enlists WW2
5:00 Joins Parachute regiment
6:25 Operation Tonga
7:47 Planned Para landings
8:53 D-Day -1
10:41 Glider Landings - Pegasus Bridge
12:30 Todd jumps
14:57 German counter-attack
16:17 Todd in action
18:32 Todd under fire
19:21 Lord Lovat arrives
19:59 Pegasus Bridge
20:27 Post-war career
21:30 6th Airborne casualties
22:06 Todd on 40th anniversary
22:35 The History Chap
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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or UA-cam animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Richard todd not just an actor a patriotic man who served our country with bravery and honour
He was indeed
I was privileged to meet Captain Todd at a function in 1990. He was an absolute gentleman, humbly greeting all of us with a humour and grace missing in so many top stars. They say never meet your heroes but this man made it a pleasure. 🇬🇧🏴
What a wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing.
@@TheHistoryChap Might be worth doing a video on the cast of the 1958 Dunkirk film. Many of who would have been ex military.
I've had the good fortune of meeting a few of my own heros, and have yet to be disappointed. I would recommend people disregard that "don't meet them" advice and take the opportunity when it presents itself.
@@TheHistoryChap thank you sir for all your hard work.
He was playing a colonel in the oxs and bucks L.I. which became the 1st battalion of the Royal green jackets . It is one of our proudest battle honours not the parachute regt 😮
Back in the 80s Richard Todd, was appearing in a play at the long gone Mayfair theatre,When he arrived in a taxi,The doorman an ex para, in full top hat and livery coat would open the door and salute him.that was the respect that was shown to this brave solider
Thanks for sharing that story.
As an ex Para from Kent, the village is pronounced DIM not Dyme. .....Dymchurch
The Beret that he wore in the Longest Day was actually his from his time in the Para's, he just changed the regimental crest on it
I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing.
The helmet he wore in the film belonged Major John Howard
He wasn't in the paras at all he was in the ox and bucks light infantry which was part of the 6,th airborne brigade 👍
He was in the Parachute regiment. The Ox and Bucks didn’t join 6 airborne until July 44. Either way he was never in the ox and bucks.
@@user-xw3zu1gm4q I need to do your research more thoroughly 6th airborne div was specially formed for the assault on d day and particularly ,the assault on Pegasus bridge. Ox and bucks was the forerunner of my old regt RGJ specifically the 1st battalion . As it's a named battle honour on our cap badge ,!!!
"Hold until Relieved" the line that always comes in to my mind when i think of Richard Todd
Thanks for watching my video
As a Veteran myself I love these films because they wear their uniforms and berets correctly. A smart salute is amazing to see. Aldershot misses Airborne Forces. I am an old lady now but the Para smocks and cherry berets were a sight to behold.
Smiling. Thanks for sharing.
I was just going to say the same thing Ma'am. Aldershot born & bred, ex-St Mick's Secondary Modern (and Primary when it was the Nats on the High Street!... Now flats) and joined the Army (when we had one) at 15 years of age after as a kid watching my dad & grandad (an Old Contemptible, who was RO of the RE Stores down Queen's Avenue and lived in Steele's Road before it was all wired off.) ....march up Wellington Avenue before it was a Tesco Car Park. I weep for the town now. I was delivery boy before that at J Salter & Son nipping up and down to the Post Office to dispatch the polo sticks we made to all corners of the globe. I can even recall the vandalism of destroying the old Cavalry Barracks and putting up those awful prefab units. The only thing left is Edgar Jerome. The lot has been trashed.
@@johnbobson1557 I know everything you have hi-lighted. I also remember Airborne Forces day and the Army show in the Aldershot stadium. Now we have a Defence Force not an Army. I remember picking up my son from Sth Farnborough Infants and after school his treat was eating a sandwich whilst watching the Paras doing balloon jumps. I also used to run in the Para 10. I haven’t been to the shopping centre for years but do attend the new health centre. Worst decision was to sell of The Cambridge Military Hospital.
On the other hand, the Army saves a fortune in travel costs by moving the Paras to Colchester… :)
@@bob_the_bomb4508 If only that were true.
I've seen the movie so many times and always appreciated Richard Todd's performance - "hold until relieved" - but never was aware of his actual participation in the Pegasus bridge assault - amazing - thanks for this back story.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Somewhere I have a signed photo of Richard Todd from the longest day
He didn't actually participate in the assault itself. The reinforced company commanded by Maj Howard (GLIDER borne troops) had already taken the bridges. Todd was part of the PARA dropped reinforcement.
Not only did Todd play John Howard in the film, but in one scene he is himself portrayed by another actor
I just asked Chris that question. If Todd played Howard then who played Todd ? I'm just curious.
Yes indeed.
I'm sure I read that he actually issues himself an order on screen .
He was given the chance to play himself, but turned it down saying it had too few speaking parts.
Todd tells himself to dive into the water to look for explosives
"Hold until relieved".... Todd's most favorite quote from the film
Thanks for watching my video.
When I was a young boy, Richard Todd was my hero. Of all the films I watched in my early years, the Dam Busters is the one I recall the most. RIP Mr. Todd.
Great film.
I'm in my 70s and a brit army veteran, I also loved Richard Todd films, in fact I loved all those films including reach for the sky about Douglas Badder, I didnt realise how time has flown, I one heard how the days drag but the years fly by.
@@pjmoseley243 I'd forgotten Reach For The Sky. I did see it and was inspired. I'm 77 and you're right- the years do fly by.
@@bruceboome I am old enough to be so very patriotic and proud of my country and its history. I spent 11 years joined at age 15 I was in junior leaders , spent 11 years in the Army.
@@andyyoung5972 I have seen a version on TV recently where the dogs name was used with out any censor ship.. I was quite surprised at that but pleased as well. I also saw an article in the Telegraph where they also refferred to the raid as 'infamous' and I commented strongly against the use of the word.
Richard Todd told an interviewer that the hardest scene he ever had to film in his whole career was the final conversation between Guy Gibson and Barnes Wallace, where he passed on getting coffee, saying he had some letters to write. He knew exactly what that meant!
Gibson himself was later killed in action.
Thanks for sharing.
That scene breaks my heart. It brings home the human cost of the mission, and of just one Lancaster not making it back to Scampton, but also of the weight that fell on Gibson's shoulders.
I saw Richard Todd on stage in Blackpool in 'An Inspector Calls'. He received a standing ovation when he walked on stage. Well earned.
Thanks for sharing.
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool?
His role in The Longest Day must have brought back some traumatic memories for him. Imagine playing the part of someone you knew, in a battle that you were actually part of.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was incredibly lucky to see him at Pegasus bridge in 2004. A truly great and humble man .
great memory. Thanks for sharing.
What a man!, Brave soldier, Officer, gentleman and a fine actor 👍👏👏👏👏👏🇬🇧👍
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
A brave patriot and a great actor. My heart went out to him when he lost both his sons to suicide. I know it caused him a lot of pain. I hope all three are at peace.
Lovely words.
Rimshot22: I had never heard that before. What a tragedy for him to bear, he must have been heart-broken.
@@StevenKeery I learned about it on the internet 🛜. It would have destroyed me. I don’t know 🤷♂️ their reasons. It’s very sad.
@@TheHistoryChap Thank you. He was one of my favorite actors.
I made a pilgrimage to the graves of Richard Todd & his 2 sons. It was very poignant. While he was still alive, we drove through Little Humby where he lived & saw him at his desk. The cottage was by the roadside & there he was by the window.
I was lucky enough to meet Richard Todd, at RAF Fairford, in about 2003. A superb chap, and a real gentleman of a calibre rarely seen.
Thanks for taking the time to share.
He was GORGEOUS when he was young. But he's even better than I realized because of his heroic service to his country.
I am now 85 yrs old but in the 1960's I fancied Richard Todd. Lovely man.
Nice words.
He turned heads as an older immaculate gent in a tweed 3 piece suit striding through Kings Cross to get the train home. I saw him a couple of times, always smiled.
@@nicolad8822 Wonderful memory!
Mr.Todd narrates on Dulcimer's 1971 album, "And I turned, as I had when a boy". The original album is now worth a lot. One can buy the reissue on vinyl and CD. My late father was on channel patrol on D-Day with the RN. He never spoke about what he saw through the high-powered binoculars on those dreadful beaches.
A fantastic story you tell, please keep up all the good work. As a 25 years service veteran we must not forget all the young people who paid the price for us..
Never Forget, to forget is to let enemy game a mile for a inch gained
Lest we forget.
This is brilliant. Hero’s every man who fought for our country in both world wars. All gave some….some gave all. We will remember them 🇬🇧
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
A great story about a wonderful gentleman who didn't shirk his duty to his country!
Nice words.
I really did enjoy his style and his acting too.
A very handsome man too.
Indeed.
My uncle Harry was the second man off his landing craft on D-Day. He was an army cook…he laughed about it all his life. My uncle Ray (the good old days when an uncle could be a family friend), was the first man off his landing craft. Our dear friend Ian Christie RCN, was IC of a landing craft on D-Day, he landed the Hamilton Light Infantry under heavy fire in the first wave. Richard Todd...great actor and man.
Wow, what a great story. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
A good few years ago, I remember Richard Todd being interviewed on Radio by Aasmah Mir, an Asian heritage presenter on one of the Anniversaries of D-Day. I think he was in a care home at the time, but he was brilliant, " What was it like parachuting into Normandy ", " Well, it was jolly windy, and we just did the job we were trained for ", he was the epitome of a modest English gentleman ... on thanking Todd at the end of the interview, she just said to her co-presenter, Peter Allan, " I think I'm a little bit in love with Richard Todd " .... two British people from totally different backgrounds ... it was a lovely piece of radio !
What a wonderful story. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Listening to good stories on the eadio is the best!
@@TheHistoryChap I think a nice idea would be to put the Last Post after all videos
When you watch an old war film with Richard Todd, David Niven, Lee Marvin or other actors who saw real action it gives it credibility because you know these guys have been there.
Can i put in a mention for James Stewart, who served in the US air force and flew combat missions over germany. He could have easily stayed at home, but was willing to serve and put his neck on the line.
@@pauldurkee4764 Yes, I totally agree
I guess they didn't need to act in some cases.
I often wonder if lead actors like Gregory Peck felt intimidated playing action characters when their supporting roles were filled by men who'd been there and done that in what we now call SF. Imagine playing a role with Richard Todd or Lee Marvin who was a Scout Sniper, David Niven, a Cdo, Christopher Lee who was in the SOE from the RAF and the list goes. on.
@@pauldurkee4764 You should also mention his last logged combat flight was in the 1960's.
An interesting aside in the film, 'The Longest Day', was when Major Howard (played by Richard Todd) actually gave an order to 'Lieutenant Todd'. Next time you watch the film, look out for this scene.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Once again you outshine all the others with a fascinating story, well told and with style. Knew RT as an actor from the movies but never knew that he was actually a soldier and not only a soldier but one of the tougher ones. As a veteran of the US Army, I met men who were in American units like the British ones. They were really tough guys. My father was a US Army tanker in the war told me how he fought alongside British troops and about his stay in England before D-Day. All those men were men of "The Greatest Generation." Never forget!
Glad you enjoyed my video. Thanks for your support.
Richard Todd was amazing and he deserves more credit for his service to our country and his acting was top notch also, his films are excellent and he portrays his characters perfectly and always leaves you with a deeper thought about what you have seen. One of the very best.
Nice words.
Chris, I will tell you my Dad was on Omaha 6/06/44 with the 1st. Infantry Division. He was awarded , The Bronze Star with 'V' for valor, for his actions that day. God Bless them all...
Nice words. Thanks for posting.
Jeffsmith2022 Was talking with a man who was a. 17 year old RN rating on one of the ships who took the Americans to Omaha, and he said he would not hear a. word said against the young GI's, young hero's who were slaughtered wholesale. Thank you. yanks.
O
Many thanks for this. My Father served in France during WW2. He was at the battle of Fallaise Gap.
Always found his stories fascinating.
Bloody fighting at Fallaise Gap.
One of my hero actors when I was young.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for running this special. I've always enjoyed Todd's acting, particularly in the Disney live action ROBIN HOOD. One of his best roles is forgotten. Danny Thomas had a great but short-lived anthology series in the 1960's, wherein Tood played a Nazi hunter, using an old Nazi's daughter (Olivia DeHavaland) as bait. The old Nazi (Alfred Ryder) takes the bait, and is quickly caught. He asks Tood, "I must know. Are you a Jew?" Todd answers: "It doesn't matter. The crime was against all of us."
He was also in the lead role in the Disney movie classic “ROB ROY THE HIGHLAND ROGUE”.
Thanks for watching my video
Superb documentary 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😊👍👍 Richard Todd was one of my favorite actors growing up in England, handsome, a great voice and remarkable top actor on stage and in film….as well….as a WWII hero too….may he…and his fallen comrades rest in peace 😔
Lovely comment. Thank you for taking the time to post.
My best friend and I were huge fans of Richard Todd when we were in our early teens, and watched as many of his films as we could! We loved the fact that he was a genuine war hero!
The Pine and Coffin families date back a long way. One came over with William the Conqueror while the other family was on King Harold's side. One of the officers who served under Pine-Coffin was a captain by the name of blood. Imagine, as one young lieutenant did, that your immediate superior officer was called Blood and above him was a man by the name of Pine-Coffin. As it happened he and the rest of his glider troops got through the D-Day with barely a scratch.
Always good to see your contribution sir..good point well made...E..
@@eamonnclabby7067 thanks, much appreciated
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
Big Blue: Imagine if his first name had been Jack, he could have been known as Jack in the Box.
I live on land that was once owned by the Pine-Pine Coffin family here near Bideford. The land they owned was vast back in the day. The Portledge where they lived is huge as is the house. All very private and the owners now are also very international and mysterious.
Richard Todd was very nearly James Bond and was Ian Fleming's choice, but Cubby Broccoli had discovered Sean Connery. True story.
Had heard it, but not sure how true.
He would have been a better Bond than Connery.
Well, Connery was the 8th choice after James Mason, Rod Taylor, Cary Grant, Peter Lawford, Richard Burton, Richard Johnson and Patrick McGoohan turned down offers for Dr No. Stanley Baker was interested but wouldn't commit to a 3 picture deal. Todd was considered but not offered a deal.
Sidney Poitier would have been a great James Bond.
And Sean Connery was in the Longest Day too
I watch 'The Longest Day' every 6th of June. This was a great video. I've seen an interview with Richard Todd in which he described his misgivings about portraying Major Howard. He was not at all sure that he should do so, but the producers specifically wanted him because he had actually been there on D-day..
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Funny, I'm an American, and do the same on Jun 6th every year. Now, I have the DVD, but years back, I had the VHS tape. One of my Uncles took part in the European Theatre, his younger brother, went to the Pacific.
What a guy!!! was never really that keen on watching him but now I have a clearer view of his spirit and courage I will watch with a new respect, thanks so much for this epic doco.
Thanks for watching.
I've been to Pegasus Bridge a couple of times when in this area to visit my uncle's grave a few kilometres south at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery (Captain George Stewart of the Gordon Highlanders). He was one of many who died in the brutal battles around Caen which gradually wore down the German defences over a month or so and opened the way for the American armoured punch which swept round from the West, trapping the enemy in the Falaise Pocket between them and the British and Canadians to the North.
It always amazes me how the lightly armed airborne troops and Paras were able to stand-off the counterattacking forces until they were relieved. The Bridge and the landing sites are still very much intact and one shudders to see how little cover they had for the hours until the first of the beachhead troops arrived.
If you are ever anywhere near that area of Normandy, it is well worth a visit and the local people are always welcoming. I plan to return within the next couple of years before I start running out of steam and the stupidity of Brexit makes me too poor.
Equally, if your up in Scotland, Dundee - where Richard Todd learned much about his craft at Dundee Rep (the picture is the 'new' Rep which opened in 1982) - is well worth a visit. It's been my home town since 1969 and besides the Rep is home to the V&A Dundee, Royal Research Ship Discovery (Scott of the Antarctic) and its museum and visitor centre, HMS Unicorn (frigate of 1824) with many other attractions in the neighbourhood (Glamis Castle, St Andrews, Arbroath, numberless golf courses, beautiful glens and mountains etc etc!) I wonder if I'll get fees from the Scottish and Normandy Tourist Boards?
Thank you for taking the time to write that in-depth post and share so much additional information.
I re-watched The Longest Day on June 6, 2023 to remember their sacrifices and knew that Richard Todd was a veteran there but never knew the full back story. Thanks so much, great history channel!
Thanks for watching.
Quite a few of the actors were veterans. Richard Todd was not the only one who was there. In the scene where the Rangers are setting up to scale the cliffs at Point du Hoc, there is a fairly muscular blond lad struggling with the grappling hook then the scaling the cliff; I believe his name was Joseph Lowe and he played himself, a U.S. Ranger scaling the cliffs at Point du Hoc.
Thanks for another great tale, Chris. Richard Todd was a wonderful actor. I saw him on stage once, as the crotchety old Lord Caversham in Oscar Wilde's 'An Ideal Husband' in the mid-90s and he was very funny. As an aside, I have the unusual distinction if having met both Bill Millin "The D-Day Piper" and Pipe-Major Leslie de Laspey who played him in The Longest Day. Bill Millin retired to Dawlish in Devon, near where I grew up, and was a regular on the circuit, talking to school children about his experiences. Leslie de Laspey had been the personal piper to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and retired to my village, where he would pipe in the Revel Queen at our annual fair, in full highland dress. He also taught us school children scottish reeling, and was quite the task master!
Wow, what a great story. Thank you for sharing your memories.
A brave Para, a great actor and a very well related story of supreme heroism. I am always amazed at Lord Lovat''s insouciance as he strolled across the bridge with his bagpipe-playing piper - what an example of the stiff uppper lip! A video of Lord Lovat would be good, Chris!
Someone else has also requested so i will add to my (ever-growing) list.
@@TheHistoryChap VMT!
Unfortunately I think snipers killed some of his men when they strolled across. So they changed their tactics and ran across.
Remarkable story. In the 1962 film The Longest Day, there was a memorable scene when the relief force that Major Howard and his men were expecting at Pegasus Bridge, came in from Sword Beach in the fearless form of Lord Lovat with his commandos and piper Bill Millen playing Highland Laddie amidst German artillery shelling exploding around them. When Howard met and shook hands with Lovat, Lovat greeted him with-Sorry I’m late olde boy!!…with such reassuring and inspiring nonchalance. Perhaps, you’d consider doing a story on Lord Lovat and piper Bill Millen. Really enjoy and appreciate your channel with its fascinating content.
I will add Lord Lovat & Piper Millen to my (ever-growing) list.
@@TheHistoryChap the story of the ancestry of Lord Lovat is quite fascinating. The Lord Lovat of Normandy fame was the 15th of his lineage to carry the peerage of chief of the highland Clan of Fraser of Lovat. Ironically, his 18th century ancestor, Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat known as the Old Fox was executed by the Hanoverian Crown in 1847 for supporting the Jacobite rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie that ended at the Battle of Culloden. The Old Fox character was featured in the popular Outlander tv series. Quite a redemption from traitor to heroic military service for this peerage.
@@briandubois-gilbert8182 Brigadier Simon "Shimi" Christopher Joseph Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, 4th Baron Lovat, DSO, MC, TD, JP, DL (aka MacShimidh or "The Fraser", 25th Chieftain of the Fraser Clan) was also Sir Archibald David Stirling DSO OBE's first cousin. Both served in the Scots Guards and then both went to Cdo's. Two hard, if colourful, characters.
Lord Lovat, was actually violating policy by bringing his piper, Bill Millen, on the invasion. Due to the high casualty rate among the Pipers in the Great War, a policy was adopted by the Military, of not putting the Pipers in harms way, as they were unarmed. They were to remain in the rear.
Bill Millen, a Canadian, was an incredibly brave man. Going into battle armed only with a set of pipes and his sgian dbu in his hose top, wore his father's kilt in Cameron Tartan. The same kilt his father had worn as a piper in Flanders during the Great War.
Millen and Lovat had first met in Commando Training. Lovat immediately appointed him his personal piper after hearing Millen play.
Millen, honored his Chief, by piping at Lovat's funeral in 1995. Sadly, Piper Bill passed away in 2023.
I stood behind Richard Todd at a Game Fair in the 60's he was clay pigeon shooting. He was a bloody good shot. 😊 And a brilliant actor 😊
What a great story. Thanks for sharing.
My god this story makes me so proud to be British. Normal men doing heroic and amazing things, bravery beyond imagination which we should be forever grateful. Lest we forget indeed. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
G'day Chris, Thank you so much for this engrossing story on Richard Todd's military career in WW2. I'm ex-RAAF and from the time of my enlistment, I became fascinated by military history; first of the RAAF and then over the years I developed my specialty subject, WW2. I became a journalist and after I retired from that I took the plunge into university as a mature-age student to become a military historian.
I've been aware of Richard Todd's exploits in WW2 because, as you said, so many British and American actors, directors and screenwriters etc. actually went to war. Here my journalism work as a film and TV critic/reviewer and military history, happily overlapped.
Apart from Richard Todd, one of my other all-time favourite British actors, David Niven had an interesting time in uniform which he, typically, played down in humorous stories 'against' himself.
One of the 'stringing' jobs I had was to cover the Cannes film festival each year. In the mid-90s I, literally, bumped into Christopher Lee as he was coming out of a shop, not far from the Petit Carlton.
I'm not a small bloke and Mr Lee, then was quite my senior, but he nearly knocked me over, he being 6'4" or thereabouts. He was so genuinely apologetic; although it was due to my haste that probably caused our collision. Being a film journalist, I simply couldn't pass up my opportunity so, I asked him for an interview. He politely declined, saying he was only in Cannes for a few days but had a luncheon appointment, he suggested we repair to the Petit Carlton for a drink.
I spent, in total, about 40 of the most fascinating minutes of my life talking with a true star of so many interesting films where he didn't have to wear fake fangs.
I knew he was not fond of his 'Dracula' work so, I opened with a film of his I truly liked, 'The Wicker Man' (1973), starring Edward Woodward. I told him that, early in 1980, quite by chance I'd met Edward Woodward in my regular lunchtime Melbourne pub, not far from a studio where he'd been doing publicity grabs for the Australian film, 'Breaker Morant'. All I had to do then was sit back, sip my drink and let Mr Lee ("Please, do call me Christopher...") recount highly entertaining stories of those films he found particularly memorable, and the casts he had worked with; his memory was phenomenal. He also had a wicked sense of humour, also self-deprecating, like David Niven.
When I let slip that similar to him, I had been in the RAAF, he was truly pleased and I felt he became more open with me from that moment on. What he told me about his wartime exploits could, and did, fill part of a book he wrote. Sadly no room for his stories here. He did say, however, thanks to his fluency in many European languages, German included, he got the greatest satisfaction during the "...short time" he was attached to an Army 'War Criminals' Unit; locating and doing initial interrogations of Nazis suspected of mass murder.
Already late for his lunch date, it was he, ever the gentleman, who thanked me for our time together.
Chris, might I strongly suggest you do a video on Sir Christopher Lee's wartime exploits which took him to some fascinating and unexpected theatres of WW2, beginning in Finland, of all places; to South Africa to the Desert Campaign, Sicily, Monte Cassino and Rome where he caught up with members of the former Italian nobility branch of his family.
Thanks again Chris, I've, of course, subscribed and 'rang the bell'. Cheers, Bill H. Tasmania
P. S. After my memorable encounter with Mr Lee, I made extensive diary notes but, true to my word, I never submitted the story of meeting him to my editors; even though my brief was do just that; secure 'insider' interviews with famous film people.
Coming across my diary entry on, by then, Sir Christopher Lee, some years later, I was no longer connected with the media so it took a great deal of time finding a reliable address for me to write to Sir Christopher.
As he never would have seen any of the publications I had written for; my motive was to merely drop him a note to say that I had kept my promise not to publish anything about our chat that morning in Cannes; also, to be honest, I was hoping such a note might be the start of regular written contact with him. Sadly, I had no way of knowing if my note, when I eventually sent it, ever arrived at the right address for I didn't receive a reply. After he passed away, I felt comfortable about recounting our meeting on UA-cam and in private letters but I never profited from my talk with him... indeed, I would have paid to meet with him on the same terms of confidentiality. B.H.
Fascinating story, I believe Sir Christopher trained as an opera singer before his acting career
A highly intelligent man
I myself "met" Christopher Lee in London at 'The Forbidden Planet' bookshop in Central London where he was signing copies of his autobiography 'Tall Dark And Gruesome'. Just to be in his presence was a thrill but let down by our instructions "Not to talk to him, not to make eye contact and DEFINITELY not to ask him to sign anything else!
The book which seemed to linger far too long on his tenuous links to spanish nobility was as dry and interesting as a text book on algebra.
@@fus149hammer5 G'day Fus, Yes, sadly, you're right. Sir Christopher's book is a 'hard read' by anyone's estimation.
I only purchased a copy after I posted my original comment. It was disappointing to say the least.
Having had the pleasure of meeting him, it seems to me that it was written by someone other than the charming gentleman I chatted with so engagingly back in Cannes.
Still, as I've had several (awful) attempts to write an autobiography I can understand the difficulties of such a book; and I used to write for a living, plus I have two published books under my belt! (I'm now working on my third, non-autobiographical MS).
Many people have great difficulty with writing and so many authors have told me that the hardest writing project has been trying to 'scribble' about themselves.
I totally agree.
I won't be reading Sir Christopher's book again. I prefer to remember him as an amazing, underappreciated, actor and a brilliant conversationalist.
Cheers, and all the best. Bill H.
Mate you have had one hell of an interesting life and meeting two of my favourite actors and true heroes would have been the most amazing thing.
Two men who epitomised the true meaning of gentlemen
The Dam Busters was one of my all time favourite films , and any film with Richard Todd was a must see . Interesting footnote , Chester Wilmot was killed in the first Comet air crash travelling from Italy to London in 1954 , He was on his way home after covering the Queens visit to Australia .🇬🇧
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing.
My mother was a fan of Richard Todd. As far as I know no family were part of the landings. My old man was in the far east servicing RAF B24s and Uncle Vernon was wounded at Monte Casino and finished the war in Yugoslavia
Thanks for sharing.
If you ever find yourself in Exeter, go find the bridges over the canal and river at Countess Wear. They formed an almost exact facsimile of the river and canal , even the bridge was the same 'bascule' type (and still is). So this was a prime training ground for the Ox&Bucks. A small plaque commemorates it. In fact several soldiers were locked up in the Guildhall Cells for misbehaviour and when Howard got the order to 'Go' he had to persuade the Chief Constable to release them! Nice walks around there too.
I've often thought that nothing tells of Todd's genuine service more than his line at the end of Dambusters - "I have some letters to write" - which he somehow delivers in a way that is so utterly authentic.
he later said that he struggled with those lines because he had had to write letters during WW2 himself.
God bless you Richard Todd ❤️
Thanks for commenting.
@@TheHistoryChap he a hero he deserves a lot of respect...he protected our future by allowing bullets to penetrate his skin... All soldiers are heroes and deserve to be heard. God bless ❤️
I am fast running out of superlatives for your educational, informative and highly entertaining productions, great job old boy.
Thank you. Please make sure you subscribe to my channel and sign up for my newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com
He always came across as stern & authorative. Actually regarded as a really great guy.😊
Thanks for sharing.
"He always came across as stern and authoritative." - Not always! For three or four pounds on eBay, treat yourself to a DVD of an excellent, gritty 1960 British crime film called "Never Let Go" in which Richard Todd stars as an ineffectual, struggling salesman who faces ruin when his uninsured car is stolen - no transport to meet his customers, payments to meet, and a wife and child to support: Desperation makes him find the strength to pursue the gang of car-thieves. Excellent performances too from Peter Sellers showing that he could be convincing as a ruthless gangster as a change from the light comedy roles he was known for / pop star Adam Faith as a teenage car-thief / and Carol White as the gangster's abused young mistress.
Great War story and excellently narrated as usual, I remember Richard Todd from the Longest Day and the Dambusters , he was a war hero in real life, WW2 should have been the last war , I’m sure all those men who fought and died in it , hoped that it would be, sadly not.
thankyou chris you keep history alive least we forget god rest there sacrifice
Thank you for posting.
What a courageous man ,I wonder if we could muster such men again in time of need,I somehow doubt it.
As a 22 year old I spent the summer in the Normandy in 1976, in a farm in the countryside.
I used to go for a run every morning & chanced on a British war cemetery,commonwealth I'm pretty sure they are called & there were two groundsman maintaining the place, but to my surprise they were both British who had married local French women & stayed on after the war.
The truly sad thing is when you read the names, is how young these men were, my age (at that time) & younger. So many who never lived a life ,never got older, never had a family or grandchildren, that's truly sad & I believe the world & Britain especially a poorer place for their loss.
We should all pray for the cessation of war in present day Europe, "blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God", as the good book tells us.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Do not doubt we can muster such men, and women these days. I have seen young men and women enlisting at a time where they were better than 90% chance of going into harms way. I spent a memorable chunk of time in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) with those men and women.
@@BeardedChieftain it's good to know, thanks for sharing that, we, the public, owe a debt of gratitude to these brave souls & all they do, I think we are all very proud of our armed forces & they often get the job done in spite of the difficultys presented to them, the most truly distressing part is how little support these people are given after serving, king & country.
Richard Todd was in my grandfather's battalion, there's a book all about the 7th on D-day called "The Tail of two Bridges".
A very good read.
Thanks for sharing. I will add to my list.
Cracking, thanks. The actions of Pegasus Bridge and Merville Batteries are just amazing. I was very privileged to meet the "Sisters" in the early 90's. A friend and I visited, including the cafe. We'd only just walked in, were still taking in the historic cafe when we were quiet directly asked who we were by one of the Sisters. She had a huge presence, pushed us and; as soon as we said were where British Soldiers stationed in Germany a huge beautiful smile came out and her Sister was shouted over. We spent hours there talking to both the Sisters over many teas, until we had to drive back to work. Two very amazing ladies with fantastic stories of being the first family liberated by the British in France.
Thank you for taking the time to post your comment.
@@TheHistoryChap Cheers, appreciate the time you took to make an awesome post
Thank you very much for the story. I would like to share with you and all the subscribers two excellent films with Richard Todd. The first one is called "Interrupted Journey" (1949) a thriller with twist. The second is a drama called "Never let go" (1960), this film is also memorable because it was the only dramatic role played by Peter Sellers in his life. Have a nice weekend!
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend too.
G'day @arslongavitabrevis5136, 'Never Let Go' is a fine drama but I'd say there is at least one other film in his career that is, well, bleak.
It is 'The Blockhouse' (1973) and then, perhaps just squeaking in as a drama there's 'I'm Alright Jack' (1958).
It is a biting satire on all that was wrong with the UK at that time. Yes, there is some 'humour' in Sellers' character's blatant 'pig ignorance'. I seem to recall reading that the director told Sellars to play his role 'straight'. This film wouldn't be the first time that Sellers ignored a director.
But I'm getting on now and I could be wrong.
I'm 100% right in saying that Richard Todd was an incomparable actor. His demeanor in most of his films is admirable and faultless. As an actor Todd had an inherent, almost natural, honesty in any role he took on. Even if he accepted the roles of Mussolini or Santa Claus, he'd make them as real as they could be. He had that 'magical' knack that many actors never find. Cheers, Bill H.
@@BillHalliwell Thank you very much for your feedback and comments. Yes, I agree with you 100%, Richard Todd was a natural. I watched "I'am allright Jack" nearly 20 years ago, therefore I must watch it again. I am also a great fan of Peter Sellers.
Off-topic, but Peter Sellers memorably played SEVERAL dramatic roles in "Dr Strangelove" and starred as naif Chancey Gardner in "Being There".
@@Philcopson G'day Phil, I understand where you're coming from with Peter Sellers in "Dr Strangelove...", however I and many other critic/reviewers felt that Sellers 3 roles in that film were more satirically based than dramatic. Because an actor doesn't get conventional 'gags' in their dialogue doesn't always mean they are playing drama. The 3 roles Kubrick gave Sellers are all 'idiots' even if they're playing a deadly serious President, like 'Muffley' and Seller's RAF Group Captain is a mere caricature, although brilliantly done, of a silly idea of what a twit of a person a senior RAF officer could be. Seller's 'Dr Strangelove' character is all out comedy played way over the top.
Kubrick wanted Sellers to play the role that eventually went to Slim Pickins.
Sellers really thought 3 roles was enough and (no more money for the 4th part) so, Sellers actually pretended to strain or break his ankle. It worked and Pickins was brought in at a moment's notice. Pickins had no idea the film he was suddenly in was a satire and so, played it perfectly straight, as he saw it. It's a brilliant performance and, still, funny.
As to Seller's role in 'Being There' I believe it is neither a dramatic or comedic portrayal. The central character in that film, and indeed, the film itself is one of those rare films that falls into its own sub-genre. There is no other film like it to my knowledge.
Kind regards,
Bill Halliwell
I bumped into richard todd in my local wilkinson store here in grantham many years ago...he lived just down the road and drove an old audi 100...often saw him about...RIP richard.
Lots of stories about people meeting this humble man in Lincolnshire
I truly love the way you bring the stories to life, not just a simple rendition or retelling of something which happened long ago but you make it feel like you're actually there. I completely agree that Lord Lovett needs his own story! That man was too colorful a character to be ignored any longer! LOL I think you should get on that right away, old Bean! 🎉😊
Very kind of you. Thanks.
If memory serves, in The Longest Day, Richard Todd, as Major John Howard at Pegasus Bridge quips that: "the Paras are always late", as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that the Paras were indeed a little late in joining the fight.
Cheeky line!
As an aside, is there any evidence that Major Howard was connected to the Howard family? Howard is a common English surname but I vaguely recall that the Howard family were a powerful family in the North of England in past centuries and, as far as I know, were responsible for raising the (now amalgamated with others) 'Green Howards'. Also the stately home in Yorkshire (which I have visited some years ago, but not to Pegasas Bridge or even Normandy; although my younger brother (serving paratrooper) has attended several D-Day commemorations as an attendant to the veterans.)
The beret that Richard Todd wears in The Longest Day, is the same beret he wore on D-Day.
Thanks for sharing.
I have always thought that it was either a stroke of tactical genius or dark realisation on the part of very senior officers to land the British squaddies on the other end of the bridge to the pub. If they had landed on the same side of the waterway as the pub, things might have unfolded very differently...the bar would have been liberated, but the bridge forgotten about.
A bit like the French soldiers in my story about their last invasion of mainland Britain 🤣
Like the Falklands joke where an Argentine officer asks a British officer why they fought so hard to take Port Stanley. 'Well, we told the lads that there's only one pub on the island...'
Now that's good sound military planning right there.
Wonderful observation! 😂😂😂
Great documentary video. Richard Todd was so handsome and brave! We were blessed to have these courageous WWII men.
Nice words.
A Great story of a Great man, and well narrated, keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching.
Another great video Chris
Richard Todd was one of our finest actors. He was so versatile. I would rank him alongside Richard Burton and Olivier. He also played Robin Hood and I remember him as Sir Walter Raleigh playing opposite Bette Davis as Elizabeth 1. For me his finest performance was portraying Guy Gibson! He was also excellent as the Commander of the Amethyst. It is no surprise he was again outstanding at Pegasus Bridge.
At the Midnight Commemoration in June 2019 I learned so much about the gliders. I was staggered at the short landing distance between the first glider piloted by Wallwork and Ainsworth and the bridge!
On the 6th June 2019 a few hours after the Midnight Commemoration another one took place to honour the glider pilots. Just standing there I suddenly felt the presence of somebody next to me. I looked left and it was Major Howards daughter, Penny. A fine lady with striking blue eyes and I recognised her immediately. She just smiled and said, 'Hello'. I felt terrific. Shaking hands with relatives of these heroes was greatly rewarding. It was then I heard of Jim Wallwork and Ainsworth were so accurate that they were thrown through the windscreen on landing.
I actually walked across the original bridge in the museum grounds, brilliant, a must visit place.
A fine memorial to Piper Millin is at Sword Beach.
Would love to see a video from Chris of that night in 1944.
Thanks for taking the time to share so many thoughts and your experiences of walking across the bridge.
I never cease to be amazed at the skill and courage of those young glider pilots.
@@TheHistoryChap Hello Chris, Yes I stood in amazement at the distance of landing to the bridge. Kept saying 'it must be a mistake' It looks impossible but these men were special.
Very moving, and incredibly brave.
Thanks for watching.
For lack of a better word, this is the most 'beautiful' presentation of a WW2 battle I have ever heard.
Tha is very kind of you. Thanks.
He played H.M.S Amethyst commanding officer Lt. Commander Kerans. Another well put together film.
Another one on my hit list. Please make sure you subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss it (www.thehistorychap.com)
Thanks for another interesting story. I imagine that many actors from the 50s and 60s did indeed serve.
I guess it was a nature of the times. Nevertheless, brave men.
A story of heroes - - wonderfully recounted. Thank you, thank you so very much.
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed. it.
I think that he is one of a select breed of human who are truly humble, truly kind and truly heroic. There are few actors and actresses of whom never a bad word ever seemed to be said, and he is most certainly among that number. Effortless, meticulous and emotionally compelling in everything he did on the silver screen and warm, sincere and brave off it. A true gentleman in the very best sense of the word 🥃🪽🍀
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Great presentation as always Chris. I always wanted to visit Pegasus Bridge after watching The Longest Day on TV as a kid.
Glad you enjoyed it.
A brilliant and very vivid re-telling of this battle. At the Swedish P2 Regiment, Royal Scanian Dragoons (second armour) in 1983, "The Longest Day" was mandatory viewing, on screen in the main assembly hall...There, I watched Mr Todd's classic performance for the first time...
Glad you enjoyed.
Thank you so much for your wartime service Richard.
R.I.P.
Nice words.
I remember an interview with an old para veteran, recalling his time at the Battle of Arnhem. Asked what he thought about the memories of the fallen, he simply said “they were my friends”………..
Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share
Thanks Chris, absolutely brilliant telling. I did not know about Richard Todd playing those parts. I actually recently purchased a brand-new copy of the movie " The Longest Day". Just to put away to watch in the future. Thanks again for another enthralling episode, cheers.
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great story, well told as usual!
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Hi there! enjoyed your video with interest... My Dad from The Royal Engineers 245 Field Company made the landing in 'Sicily' in 1943 after the war ended he secured the appointment of being 'clerk of works' and caretaker in 'Arras' War Graves Cemetery. He never talked much about war as I have seemed to notice of a lot of old soldiers who have experienced combat but he did tell me some stories that would have made some very gripping films!! All best ...........
Thank you for sharing that story about your Dad.
Chris thank you so much for this story, definitely stirring stuff, I've shared it on my Facebook page, let's hope it brings you more listeners. I actually knew of Richard Todd's army experineces because I read about him on Wikipedia, but, reading it is not the same as hearing it, because hearing it brings it to life. There are many actors who have played their part in the two world wars, some of whom, like sir Christopher Lee, and Sir Anthony Quayle, their stiries make interesting reading, and of course dear old David Niven. I believe that their work as actors prepared them for what was to come.
My father served in the same unit as David Niven ( GHQ Liaison aka "Phantom" ) and often saw him out and about during the NWE campaign.
Thanks for both your comment and the suggestions about Christopher Lee an Sir Anthony Quayle. I have added both of them to my list for future talks.
I've added David Niven to my list for potential future talks.
@@TheHistoryChap we're in for some lnteresting talks then
"Up the Ox and Bucks! Up the Ox and Bucks!"
Wound my heart with a monotonous languor.
Thanks for posting :)
Ham and Jam
Great report (thank you) and what a fantastic, decent person Richard Todd was - very much of his generation.
Yes, very much of his generation.
Thanks Chris A very detailed history of Pegasus and Richard Todd.
Thank you for watching.
Another great video today thanks for what you do Chris
My pleasure. Please sign up for my weekly newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com
Another superb episode of storytelling Chris. One of your best! 😊
Very kind of you. Thanks.
I just rewatched The Longest Day this week and just found out that Richard Todd was veteran of of that battle. I have watched him in several of his movies but did not know till now that he walked the walked. I liked him before, but much more now.
Thanks for watching my video.
Wonderful presentation, I could almost picture myself there.
The parachutists were certainly a brave bunch, to lead the attack, behind enemy lines and then, object taken,having to defend and ....wait for reinforcements, the wait must've been unbearable.
I'd like to request a presentation on the British experience in Palestine...yet another chapter in British history that largely goes untold.
I will cover Palestine at some stage. A lot of misconceptions and ignorance about British involvement.
@TheHistoryChap it seems that modern society are using the British as a scapegoat for many of the problems that we currently face, but a little historical knowledge seems to show otherwise.
Well done Chris, as always a pleasure.👍👍👍
Pleased you enjoyed it.
What an event, I have been there with the family, one thing is the landing so close to the bridge.Cant and dont forget the boys who are still there. It upset my wife looking at the graves and the ages.
Thanks for posting.
My father-in-law was at Normandy. One of the unsung heroes, but he was a hero to his grandsons.
Nice comment
Which side was he on?
There seems to be a paucity of stories from the German side but I'd like to find some to hear what they thought.
I've been to Normandy several times and each time have gone to Pegasus Bridge. The first time, the original bridge from the war, that had been removed several years earlier, was sitting in a nearby scrap yard. Then, thankfully, it was rescued and put into its current place at the museum. Fantastic story. All of the Allied airborne forces each faced their unique challenges and the stories that come from the individual paratroopers are terrific.
Pegasus Bridge is a fantastic visit - as is the museum across the road.
Brave man, who never shirked his responsibility. What was not mentioned here is that when the Commandos arrived, Major Howard warned Lord Lovatt to be careful because snipers were active. Lovatt, sneering, formed his men up and marched them across the bridge, several being shot dead as they crossed; needless casualties of Lovatt's ego.
Interesting and sad.
Wonderful story, excellently told. Thanks for an amazing video, Chris.
Thank you. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel.
Outstanding!
Very kind of you. Please subscribe to my channel.
An amazing man and superb actor. Powerful words from a powerful man.
Whot a great story , thank you 🙏
Love your channel 🎉 cheers Simon
My pleasure.
I was lucky to have been a friend of Peter Boyle who was one of the Co pilots on the Pegasus raid we drank often and quite a lot he taught me to fly his Cessna lovely guy buy he had terrible nightmares of his experiences
Wow, what wonderful memories. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Congratulations on 100k, i say that early as it'll not doubt me a matter of hours until you hit it. Very well deserved. Heres looking forward to a million subscribers!
Nearly there. Just 100 to go as time of writing :)
Not only a fine Actor, but a brave man, who served his country when it needed him, along with many others.
A Salute from an American to Sir Richard Todd OBE.
Who I'll always remember as Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue, and Charles Branson in the Sword and the Rose (the first 2 movies I saw him in).
Thanks for watching and also taking the time to comment.
Richard Todd a real British Hero 👏👏👏👏👏 just saying from Glasgow 👍💙🇬🇧😎
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent 👌 thanks
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