OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP

Subject: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Fiolar
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:09 PM

Sadly the death has been announced of the actor and comedian Dudley Moore. A spokes person said it was due to pneumonia as a complication of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy which is related to Parkinson's Disease. Born in 1935, Moore gained a scholar to Oxford where he studied music. In 1960 he joined Peter Cooke, Jonathan Miller and Alan Bennet to present "Beyond the Fringe." In 1965 he teamed up with Peter Cooke in the television series "Not Only.....But Also" which ran until 1971. He became a success in such films as "Arthur" and "10." He continued his musical interest and played jazz and classical piano in concert as well as writing for films and the stage. Many people will have their favourite episode from his television series. For me the one where he played a one-legged man auditioning for the role of Tarzan is one of the great comedy routines. Peter Cooke as the interviewer had me in stitches when he said, "I've got nothing against your leg, but neither has your leg." He was married four times and his last years were marred by illnes and marital acrimony. He leaves four sons. Sadly missed.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:14 PM

Actor Dudley Moore Dies at 66
By JEFF WILSON Associated Press Writer
published 02:03 PM - MARCH 27, 2002 Eastern Time


FILE--British actor Dudley Moore poses in this Feb. 3, 1992, file photo Moore died Wednesday, March 27, 2002 at his home in New Jersey, a spokeswoman said. He had been battling a rare, incurable brain disorder similar to Parkinson's disease. Moore was 66 years old. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler,file)
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Actor Dudley Moore, who became an unlikely Hollywood heart-throb portraying a cuddly pipsqueak whose charm melted hearts in "10" and "Arthur," died Wednesday at his home in New Jersey, a spokeswoman said. He was 66.

Moore died at 11 a.m. EST, said publicist Michelle Bega in Los Angeles. The British-born actor died of pneumonia as a complication of progressive supranuclear palsy, she said.

There was more than a touch of autobiography in "10," the 1979 film in which Moore played a musician determined to marry a perfect woman. But the happy ending eluded him in real life. Four marriages ended in divorce.

He confessed to being driven by feelings of inferiority about his working-class origins in Dagenham, east London, and because of his height of five feet, 2 1/2 inches. In later life he also spoke of the pain of being rejected by his mother because he was born with a deformed left foot.

Comedians, he said in an interview with Newsday in 1980, are often driven by such feelings. "I certainly did feel inferior. Because of class. Because of strength. Because of height. ... I guess if I'd been able to hit somebody in the nose, I wouldn't have been a comic."

Music was Moore's entree into public performance, first as a chorister and organist in his parish church in Dagenham, near London, and then in 1960 as a young Oxford graduate recruited for the hit four-man comedy review "Beyond the Fringe."

"Fringe," which played two years in London and then moved to Broadway, was perhaps the greatest assembly of young comic talent in Britain in this century. Moore was teamed with Alan Bennett, later a successful playwright; Jonathan Miller, the cerebral opera producer and medical doctor, and Peter Cook, a surreal comic talent and a famously dissipated talent.

Moore's whimsical sense of humor fitted oddly with the more savage satirical style of his partners. "Apart from his musical contributions to the show," Cook wrote in Esquire in 1974, "Dudley's suggestions were treated with benign contempt by the rest of us."

One of Moore's celebrated contributions to the show was his impersonation of the pianist Dame Myra Hess, playing a bombastic version of "Colonel Bogey's March" which he couldn't seem to end.

Moore and Cook formed a fast friendship and later teamed on television as Dud and Pete on "Not Only ... but Also," a sketch comedy series. They also plumbed the depths of taste and decency in a series of recordings as "Derek and Clive."

Cook and Moore made their screen debuts in "The Wrong Box" in 1966, and followed up the next year with another success, "Bedazzled."

Moore wrote, starred and composed the score for his next film, "30 is a Dangerous Age," in 1968.

Moore and Cook teamed again in 1971 for a comedy review titled "Beyond the Fridge," which was a success in London and a smash on Broadway in the 1973-74 season, with the pair winning a special Tony award for their "unique contribution to the theater of comedy."

Cook returned to England but Moore settled in Southern California, where he met the director Blake Edwards in a therapy group. When George Segal walked out of Edwards' p roduction of "10," the director turned to Moore.

The 1979 film, co-starring Bo Derek, established Moore as a Hollywood star. Two years later, he had another: "Arthur," playing a rich drunk who falls for Liza Minnelli.

That marked the peak of Moore's film career, though he made several more films including a sequel to "Arthur" in 1988.

Music remained part of Moore's life, both as a jazz pianist and as a parodist.

"I can't imagine not having music in my life, playing for myself or for other people. If I was asked, 'Which would you give up,' I'd have to say acting," he said in an interview with The Associated Press in 1988.

Moore married Suzy Kendall in 1958, Tuesday Weld in 1975, Brogan Lane in 1988 and Nicole Rothschild in 1994. He had a son, Patrick, by his second marriage and a son, Nicholas, by his fourth.

.......and I join with the many who will miss him greatly.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: okthen
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:36 PM

To quote him, when informed of Peter Cooke's death,"that's strange, he never said goodbye".
I remember his "this is your life" program when he made all the right noises when meeting schoolchums he hadn't seen for 40 years, and the look of amazed joy when they brought on his musical hero, Oscar Peterson.

'Bye Dud, thanks for the larfs

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:37 PM

A very sad note to the day. I enjoyed his work and he will be missed. Neil

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: fat B****rd
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:39 PM

Sad news indeed. In the mid-sixties his playing on Not Only But Also was one of the highlights of the show.I still giggle (as did he) at the Pete and Dud sketches but let's hope he'll also be remembered for his fine Jazz trio. So long Dud. RIP

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:46 PM

This is sad news indeed. He sure was a funny man, I especially the stuff with Peter Cooke.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Kim C
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 03:56 PM

Was he not married to Susan Anton, or did they just live together?

"Don't worry, Arthur, when all of this is over we'll go for ice cream." ;-)

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From:
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:05 PM

Derek and Clive indeed. What would those two miscreants think of Dudley and Derek, (Mo & Bo)? His passing is sad indeed. So long to The Goons; so long to the Beyond the Fringers; so long to George and Johnny; so long England of my youth. What about the English Isle produced mirth and music; vain and glorious personalities; and the psychedelic absurdities of the late 50's, all the 60's, and even some fo the early 70's? The world was Bedazzled by the products of this strange land. Alas, one Moore of the zanies has left the temporal plane, leaving our plane all the Moore plain. May his feet now be as nimble as his hands; may his physical stature match his innate stature; may his loves be as constant as his vices. Like the Peters (Cooke and Sellers) he was always English in the best sense of the word. May his eternity be as quixotic as his life, and as full of ironic juxtapositions. Peace to you little big man. Control the chaos by letting the mystery be.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Amos
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:07 PM

Hope he doesn't get lost between the Moon and NEw York City.... so long, pal. Many, many thanks.

A

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Pseudolus
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:08 PM

"Arthur" imho is one of the funniest movies ever. I can't tell you how many times I've seen it but if it's on TV, I will get sucked in to watching the rest of the movie. The scene with Mr. Johnson and the Moose knocks me on my ass to this day. Favorite line, "This is a really tough room, (to the Moose on the wall) I guess I don't have to tell you that".

I might have to rent the movie tonight....

Frank

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:25 PM

"I'll alert the media": Geilguid to Arthur, upon being informed that Dudley was gonna have a bath!

Does anyone remember "The worst Job you ever had"? NO DON'T elaborate!

Cheers Dudley

Rick

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: RolyH
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:32 PM

Saw him with Peter Cook in 'Behind the Fridge ' in London in the 70's which was brilliant and can never watch an episode of Thunderbirds witout thinking of Superthunderstingcar.Excellent! Cheers Dud

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:41 PM

"Don't look now doctor, but someone has eaten all of your popcicles..."

See you after, Dudley!

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Amergin
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 04:43 PM

thought he died ages ago.....

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 05:00 PM

I always find it sad that so often a disease seems to strike at the very things which a person enjoys most. I felt for him over the past years because he had been robbed of the ability to do the things he loved most. I find that happens a lot.................

Rick mentioned a line which is a part of my almost daily speech and I think has entered the jargon of much of the world. Moore and Gielgud were soooo great together in "Arthur" and although the line belonged to Sir John, I always think of it as a Dudley joke........When my kids tell me something I don't need to know like, "Dad, I'm gonna' go pee," I always answer, "I'll alert the media."

'Guest efellis' up there wrote a beautiful post and I can but echo the sentiment. A true genius in so many ways and also a true survivor. I am so glad that film exists that recorded the wonderment that was Dudley Moore.

Spaw

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 05:15 PM

I saw "Beyond the Fringe" in Philadelphia back in whenever it was, and it was fantastic. My favorite sketch was "The Frog and Peach", about a restaurant whose owner started it because he "realized there was nowhere in town where you could get both a really good frog, and a really good peach." They had two special dishes: "Frog a la Peche", which was a roasted frog with a peach in its mouth, and "Peche a la Frog", which was a very large peach, stuffed with dozens of little tiny frogs.

"Bedazzled" was one of the three movies I saw at least 7 times in the 70s (the other two were "Harold and Maude" and "King of Hearts"). A fine, funny, sad man, who brought joy to many.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 05:32 PM

I completely fell in love with Dud and Pete when I was about 13 and "Not only but also" was on telly in black and white. The Order of trampolining nuns, the bottoms that followed you around the room at the National Gallery (when Dud corpsed on his sandwich), and Dud hopping about as the one-legged Tarquin Arbuthnot who wanted to play Hamlet ("I have nothing against your left leg, Mr Arbuthnot, unfortunately neither have you"). I am very sad that now is the time to yield a sigh (yield it, yield it) and say "Goodbye".

Kitty

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 06:10 PM

I was lucky enough to see Dudley Moore give a Sunday afternoon concert of jazz piano, must've been about 25 years ago. Just Dudley, no trio. Superb playing, and then he had us all in stitches with his clowning around, particularly his strangled vocals on "Die Flabberghast", a surreal take on "Die Fledermaus".

I'm very much saddened by his passing.

LFF

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Art Thieme
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 06:14 PM

We had to go to special stores to get those imported LPs by Dud and Cook. May not've ever heard of them if not for the WFMT radio show out of Chicago called THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL. Ray Nordstrand and Norm Pellegrini played their stuff and taught us to love 'em.

Very sad. This disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, is the same one that killed folksinger Bob Gibson. Losing yet another link to my raucus youth has left me feeling more alone tonight.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Mrs Cobble
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 06:15 PM

Remember seeing him in 'Beyond the Fringe' in the sixties.. He was a good jazz pianist too.. The world is a sadder place for his passing..

Mrs C.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 07:30 PM

Saw him in a classical concert at Coventry Cathedral with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra -many years ago -a wonderful musician. I used to love him with PEter Cook -especialy the sketches where a Hollywood starlet -usually Jane Russel or Dorothy Lamour would be desperate to engulf them with their busty substances! Hollywood did nothing to enhance his genius.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 07:59 PM

OK Rick, what about: 'I said, with all the dignity I could muster: "Is this any way to run a ballroom?"'

For the record, Derek and Clive were not mere recordings, they were live shows and totally ad libbed. (No-one would script that stuff.) I remember the long silences from Dud, while he stifled helpless laughter until it exploded out of him, as well as I remembr the wilder excesses of Cooke's exotic imagination.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: sophocleese
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:12 PM

Damn! Another one gone. Heaven (or somewhere) must surely be shaking with laughter now.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: 53
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:30 PM

Seems like the people in the entertainment business are going fast these days. Sorry to hear about Dudley Moore.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:42 PM

Might at least get the line right:

"I have nothing against your right leg. A lovely leg for the role. That's what I said the moment I saw it come in, a lovely leg for the role. I have nothing against your right leg. Trouble is, neither have you."

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Peter T.
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:57 PM

Oh, hell, the rest (one of my favourites -- I was in a production of Beyond the Fringe, many years ago, and this part is stamped on the brain):

INTERVIEWER: Stella, my love, send in the next applicant. (Spigot stumps in). Er -- Mr. Spigot?

SPIGOT: That's right, Spigot by name, Spigot by nature.

INTERVIEWER: Mr. Spigot. You are applying for the role of Tarzan.

SPIGOT: That's right.

INTERVIEWER: A role which traditionally involves the use of a two legged actor.

SPIGOT: Yes.

INTERVIEWER: And yet you, a unidexter, are applying for the role.

SPIGOT: Absolutely.

INTERVIEWER: Mr. Spigot, need I point out to you your deficiences as regards landing the role?

SPIGOT: Yes, I wish you would.

INTERVIEWER: Mr. Spigot, you are deficient in the leg division.

SPIGOT: In the leg division.

INTERVIEWER: Yes, Mr. Spigot. You are deficient in the leg division to the tune of 1.

SPIGOT: Oh.

INTERVIWER: Your right leg I like (see above, etc.)

SPIGOT: So you think it is inadequate.

INTERVIEWER: Inadequate, Mr. Spigot. And to my mind, the British public is not yet ready for the sight of a one legged Tarzan flying through the jungly tendrils.

SPIGOT: Oh.

INTERVIEWER: But take heart, Mr. Spigot. You score over a man with no legs at all. Should a no legged man come in here demanding the role, I should have no hesitation in saying scoot, run away.

(after that I forget.... Something like Don't call us, we'll call you)....

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:58 PM

Ahhhhh, Jayne Mansfield......ahhh Lobsters......

Fionn, those pauses were hilarious. I always suspected that they were both drunk as skunks when they did Derek and Clive.

.....so how big's your thing......?

Not YOURS Fionn....just remembering the records!

Rick

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 11:40 PM

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: GMT
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 03:48 AM

I have Derek and Clive on video somewhere, but it is
nowhere near as just funny as listening to the records.

I wonder which persona turns up at the pearly gates.

Goodbyeee Dud

Cheer Gary

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 04:22 AM

Peter T.

Reading those lines again had me laughing and crying.

All in all, that's not surprising really.

Bye Duds!!!

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: mooman
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 06:10 AM

Rest in peace Dud.

I'll miss you.

mooman

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 06:11 AM

Did a gig with him once at Stratford - a fine musician and gentleman

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: GUEST,Dagenham Doc
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 06:52 AM

Goodnight Godbless. Heathway to the Merry Fiddlers,Oxlow Lane to the Chase. Sleep well now Dud... we'll catch you again.

Charlie

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Joe in the'pool
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 07:26 AM

As a Black man growing up in Liverpool in the 60's, I welcomed the humour from Dud as a breath of fresh air, life dewlt him some cruel blows, but, he got on with it and turned what could have been a life of regrets into one of engaging with millions of people and making them laugh..

Job well done Dud, your legacy will live on..

Joe

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: van lingle
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 07:31 AM

According to Johnathan Miller on a radio tribute that just played on NPR Dudley desrcibed himself as a "sex thimble". That radio report can probably be heard at npr.org in the Morning Edition archive. vl

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: SharonA
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 10:54 AM

Man, even when he died, this guy could not get the recognition he deserves: upstaged by the death of Milton Berle the same day. How ironic.

Farewell, Dudley, and may you now find the peace that eluded you in life.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 03:19 PM

"Not only but also" was one of the jewels of British comedy for me. It was the force of Peter Cook's imagination which drove it, but it would not have been the same without Dudley Moore. Boy was I lucky to grow up at a time when people like that and Spike Milligan were still working.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Dave Swan
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 05:53 PM

Blow your raspberry.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Mudlark
Date: 28 Mar 02 - 06:44 PM

My 2 BTF records have always been and will remain my favorite humor skits of all time. I was so sorry when Peter Cook died...and some time later, visiting in London, saw a really touching interview with Dudley, relaxed, elequent, as always funny as hell, and very moving as he spoke of Cook.

I hope the last words I hear on this earth (On the wot?...Eeeearrrrrth!) are his voice croaking "Have you got the picnic basket?"

Geez, I hate to lose these guys.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 29 Mar 02 - 06:29 AM

No-one mentioned a curious but engaging little tv series about music that was presented jointly by Sir Georg Solti and Dud, sitting side by side at the same piano. They did some electrifying duets, and the respect was mutual.

Subject: RE: OBIT: Dudley Moore - RIP
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Mar 02 - 12:32 AM

Thanks, Peter. I remember it as, "Spigot's the name, Spigot's the game."

That skit spawned a sobriquet among telephone-answering service operators (I may have started it), to refer to operators who could not multitask and be on several lines at once. A good operator could have six or more lines plugged into six or more connections on her own 100-line board (or the next board over if it was untended), flipping the hold key to move between the conversations ("Dr. Scholl's office, wung momend puleeze"). If you were good you wanted good ones next to you on a Friday afternoon as all the docs and lawyers blew out of town and the boards would light up like crazy. So an operator with a one-track mind, who could plod through only one call at a time, was called a Unicorder.

~Susan