RIP continues ...

Dora Bryan (1923-2014), aged 91. Dora, a British icon of stage, screen and television, got to a good age but had been unwell for some time. She was well known in Brighton where I lived a decade or so ago, as she had a hotel business there. Its always a pleasure seeing her in a small part in films as varied as THE FALLEN IDOL or ODD MAN OUT from the '40s onward, where she was often a good time girl in a mac. She is particularly hilarious as the other  less-attractive (than Glynis Johns) mermaid in MAD ABOUT MEN in 1954 - below with Glynis, in DESERT MICE and of course her best known role in A TASTE OF HONEY, which she made her own, and for which she was a BAFTA (more on this at Rita Tushingham label). Later of course she popped up in everything from DINNERLADIES to AB FAB to ST TRINANS and LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE. I saw her in a revival of CHARLEY GIRL in the '80s where her co-star was no less than Cyd Charisse.

And of course who could forget her 1963 novelty hit single: "All I Want for Christmas is a Beatle"!

James Shigeta (1933-2014), aged 81. The first Asian-American leading man? Born in Hawaii, he had a long career in television and film, playing leads in BRIDGE TO THE SUN opposite Carroll Baker, in 1961, and of course FLOWER DRUM SONG. He also appeared in DIE HARD, LOST HORIZON (1973) and a host of TV shows from MURDER SHE WROTE to MATT HOUSTON and IRONSIDE.

Alan Stanbrook (1938-2014) aged 76. respected writer about cinema, writing for magazines like "Films & Filming" (I remember his by-line well) and writing obituaries and showbiz featuresfor newspapers like "The Daily Telegraph".