Freddie

Only just heard about the news of Freddie Jones passing (I'm way outside the pop cultural news cycle). Why wasn't this broadcast far and wide as the genuine loss of a national treasure?

Freddie, the greatest scene stealer of them all, a genuine "ITS FREDDIE!" enjoyment of mine, from a very young age, when he rolls up in a film and owns the screen. Take a look at his CV, go on, take a look. He appears in them all and I am personally of the opinion that any film was made better by his being in it.

#1 appearance? Its difficult to say, it really is. The newspaper journo in Assault leaps to the mind straight away, but then Professor Keeley in Satanic Rites. Maybe being the best Frankenstein "monster" that Cushing ever created, bringing honest empathy to his dilemma? Sitting Target? Masterclass in being plan crim, that one. Who can say?

 I think, push comes to shove, that my favourite Freddie is his waspish turn in Goodbye Gemini (not just because its one of my favourite films) when he spends most of it beautifully dressed, lounging around in a hammock, sipping a drink and passing comment on all around him, culminating in the fantastic "I suppose that's what they mean by...........beautiful people.........." as the twins take a turn on the dancefloor.

Such a small part, such a masterful way of making a character. Thats Freddie.

A huge loss to a certain kind of British culture. My culture, frankly.