Sir John: The Many Faces of Gielgud

by Clive Francis (Compiler and caricaturist), Alec Guinness (Foreword)

Sir John Gielgud is one of Britain's leading and best-loved actors and, in a sparkling career that has spanned seven decades, he has played myriad character roles on stage and screen.

Now, in a joint celebration of a distinguished career and Sir John's nintieth birthday, actor and artist Clive Francis has compiled an evocative book of caricatures, complemented by many anecdotes and reminiscences provided by Sir John's chums and colleagues in show business. Peter Hall, John Mortimer, Robert Lindsay, Maggie Smith, Christopher Fry, Anthony Hopkins, Paul Scofield, Judi Dench, Donald Sinden, Glenda Jackson, Irene Worth - these are just a few of the luminaries who have more than a word to say on this theatrical legend whose face became a fascination for Clive Francis after Sir John told him many years ago that Dame Edith Evans thought his face resembles that of a camel ...

Sir Alec Guinness, who has written the Foreword says of Sir John: 'Not all of us will survive to celebrate John G's 100th birthday in ten years time but I will bet my Equity subscription that he is as upright, debonair and brilliantly tactless as he is now.' All those facets of his character and many, many more are explored in this vivid and sharp portrait which at last does justice to a remarkable life and career.

158 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clive Francis has not only compiled a most fascinating anecdotal view of John Gielgud's life and career but he has adorned it with a series of brilliant caricatures of the great actor and his peers that make this book an absolute delight to read and view.

There are comments, many most amusing, from such as Maggie Smith, Anthony Hopkins, John Mills, Laurence Olivier, Joyce Grenfell, Emlyn Williams, James Agate, Donald Sinden and many more. They all bring out what a nice guy Sir John was to know, how dry and amusing he could be, how superb his portrayals of any number of Shakespearean characters could be and how dedicated he was to his profession.

Constance Cummings, for instance, thinks, 'John and Shakespeare have much in common. The few descriptions we have of Shakespeare's character from his contemporaries assure us that he was a man of wit ... of a sweet disposition ... always a pleasant, courteous companion ... he was highly esteemed by his contemporaries in and out of the theatre ... all this is said of John.'

Robert Hardy felt he had 'a mercurial and incisive mind', 'a speed of thought', 'kindness and generosity' and 'clear judgement' while Dulcie Gray remarks 'John's contribution to the theatre of the last sixty years has been unique'. John Mills, meanwhile, in one element of his comments gives another view of Sir John when he says, 'I can't remember a dull moment. He has a wonderful sense of humour, and is famous for dropping the most marvellous clangers.'

And Dirk Bogarde demonstrates his sense of humour when he tells a story about when Sir John was due to record a tape message for Alain Resnais' birthday. Gielgud initially refused but when Bogarde pleaded and said, 'John. Please. You probably have one of the most beautiful speaking voices in the world.' Gielgud looked up over the top of his glasses and said sharply, 'THE!' And then spoke the message.

And Sir John himself makes a comment that reflects the changing times from when he began to later days, 'When I was a young man we wore our best suits to rehearsal and called the leading man 'Sir' - now they wear jeans and call me John.'

All in all the book presents a charming portrait of a great and much-liked actor.