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Obit: Thora Hird - RIP

16 Mar 03 - 09:20 AM (#911194)
Subject: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Fiolar

One of the best loved actresses of the British scene has sadly passed away at the age of 91. Thora Hird who was born in 1911 came from a theatrical background and made her stage debut at the age of two months. Probably one of the best known faces on TV, she appeared in hundreds of plays, films as well as on television in such comedy series as "Meet the Wife"; "In Loving Memory" and for the last 19 years as Edie in "last of the Summer Wine." She was made an OBE in 1983 and a DBE in 1993 as well winning Best Actress in the 1999 BAFTAs. She is the mother of Janet Scott also an actress and was married to Jimmy Scott for 58 years. He died in 1994. Re-united.Farewell Thora.


16 Mar 03 - 11:54 AM (#911264)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Sooz

She was absolutely brilliant in Alan Bennet's "Talking Heads". Hope the BBC have the good sense to give us lots of repeats of her best moments on TV.


16 Mar 03 - 12:23 PM (#911277)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: fat B****rd

I remember her playing the snobby mother-in-law in "A Kind of Loving" bollocking Alan bates as he threw up on her carpret. She played this sort of character brilliantly. RIP Thora.


16 Mar 03 - 01:54 PM (#911337)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: nutty

She played so many characters brilliantly ..... she was a true gem.

Apparently, in the latest series of The Last of the Summer Wine that she did, they provided a body double as she was a little bit too frail to do all the scenes on her own.


16 Mar 03 - 02:24 PM (#911353)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Firecat

RIP Thora. I don't believe it.


16 Mar 03 - 03:49 PM (#911406)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Felipa

Fiolar, I opened this thread just to see whether you started it!


16 Mar 03 - 03:59 PM (#911410)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: open mike

please explain for those not familiar with these:
OBE, DBE and BAFTA
sorry-an ocean away...


16 Mar 03 - 04:16 PM (#911416)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Penny S.

Order of the British Empire, Dame of the British Empire (knight equivalent, not pantomime part), BAFTA is an arts award - Brit version of Oscar.

Penny


16 Mar 03 - 04:41 PM (#911434)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: bill\sables

I worked with Thora in every episode of "In Loving Memory". She was a true professional as an actress but still had time to get to know the crew who worked with her. I spent many happy hours chatting with her about her family, about her husband "Scotty" and daughter "Our Janet" who was doing well in Hollywood. She asked about my children, Andy and Cathy and always seemed very interested in "how they were getting on". The crew always refered to her as "Aunty Thora"
At the end of one series there was about a year while Thora had her hips replaced before she started another series. We were on location in Luddendun near Halifax when she arrived and the first thing she said was "Hello Bill. How are Andy and Cathy"
She will be sadly missed.
Bill


16 Mar 03 - 05:08 PM (#911453)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Willa

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
was created to promote and foster excellence
in the film, television and Interactive industries.


16 Mar 03 - 06:11 PM (#911494)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Walking Eagle

I loved her in the LAst of the Summer Wine. Such dry understated humor really made me chuckle. I wonder how many people 'get it' in these times?

She'll be missed by a lot of people in the WHYY Philadelphia, PA. USA. viewing area.


16 Mar 03 - 07:07 PM (#911536)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Ian Darby

A very clever and funny Lady. The last thing I saw was the thing she did with Pete Postlethwaite which was brilliant.

Hope she's riding the 'Stairlift to Heaven' as we speak.


16 Mar 03 - 07:09 PM (#911538)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: My guru always said

A lovely Lady, peace to her!


16 Mar 03 - 08:00 PM (#911565)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: stevetheORC

She will be sadly missed but i dont think ever forgoten.

Orc


16 Mar 03 - 08:12 PM (#911570)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: alison

awww what a shame

slainte

alison


17 Mar 03 - 06:35 AM (#911771)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Steve Parkes

She was like Nelson's Column or the BBC: she was always there, and I can't believe she's not there any more.

She was in a wartime film called "Went the day well?" as a land-girl from Oop North, potting German invaders from an upstairs window: a bit part, but so well acted.

Steve


17 Mar 03 - 08:15 AM (#911800)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Fiolar

The BBC are still running the present series of "Last of the Summer Wine." I sat and watched her in the episode of Sunday March 16th. ("Shut up and drink your coffee.") Let's hope the BBC will do the same honour to her as they did for Bill Owen (Compo) that is show an episode in which the cast are seen going to Compo's funeral, although it wasn't the actor's real one.


17 Mar 03 - 08:36 AM (#911813)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: mooman

A fine actress and lovely person. May she R.I.P.

moo


18 Mar 03 - 12:01 AM (#912276)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: GUEST,Peter Sumner

What a wonderful performer.....before the TV stuff she trod the boards with Grimsby Lad Freddie Frinton...the latter end of music hall...variety shows etc...he played the typical 'falling down drunk'.....one of the best....you only have to imagine how she kept him in his place....
Sleep well Thora
Peter Sumner
California


18 Mar 03 - 06:11 AM (#912384)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: fogie

She kept going to the end. In the last presently running series she seemed to have difficulties with her lines as if she'd had a stroke or parkinsons or something which made me wince- my problem not yours. I'm amazed and heartened that they kept her going, like they kept Bill going before he died. The cast are quite an institution, still funny, and seem to be growing in numbers. By the way what ever happened to Edie's long suffering husband ?


18 Mar 03 - 08:38 AM (#912449)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Fiolar

Sadly, Gordon Wharmby who played Wesley, also passed away last year. There has been no mention of him in the latest series and no effort to explain his absence.


18 Mar 03 - 09:55 AM (#912521)
Subject: RE: Obit: Thora Hird - RIP
From: Lanfranc

A great lady. She had "a good innings", made many people happier in the course of her long life and will be fondly remembered.

What more could anyone ask?

Not only that, she should take with her any remaining excuse to perpetrate the excruciating "shaggy dog" tale that punned her name!

RIP

Alan