PETER WYNGARDE
PETER WYNGARDE (23 RD AUGUST 1933 - 15TH JANUARY 2018)
I have been a huge fan of Peter for many years and was fortunate to work on his comeback film FLASH GORDON in 1979. I played three characters: A Mongo man, Aborian Priest and an Aquarium Fish man. My dear friend Alan 'Butch' Meacham worked on this standing in for Peter who he was close friends with since the early 1960's.
Butch over the years told me many stories about Peter and Tony Curtis who were friends and they had stayed at Butch's house many times.
Recently I was appearing at the NEC Birmingham on 23rd-24th November 2013 for my good friend Paul Miley. There were many wonderful guests including the very Lovely Anita Harris.
During the afternoon I wandered over to have a chat with Peter who had been signing for hours. I approached him with my usual smile and shook Peter's hand and whispered in his ear. He then asked me to sit beside him. I told him about my friendship with Butch over the years in the film industry, that I stood in with him on a few films and also played his boyfriend in the movie 'Personal Services'. He found that very amusing! I then told Peter that I worked for 8 weeks on 'Flash Gordon'. He said what did you play? I told Peter I played three characters including one which was called an Aquarium (Fish Planet people).
I also mentioned that I knew he went to Butch's funeral a few years ago. Peter then said ''we have met before,you were at the funeral I remember now''. I replied that sadly I could not make it there Peter. He then said ''I do recognise you still my dear boy''
During my chat with Peter, I mentioned that I was a fan and loved his work on the TV series 'Department S' and Jason King and Films such as 'The Innocents' with Deborah Kerr and was sad that I never saw him on stage.He told me that he was thankful for my kind words.
I mention what Butch had told me about what he had said. I replied in my Camp Butch voice. ''You Know that Peter quite fancies you Derek''. Peter then smiled and said what were you wearing? I told Peter that I had a see-through plastic costume with very small Silver swimming trunks . Peter looked straight into my eyes and said ''Derek you can guess where I was looking , don't you?''. He then smiled. I told Peter that he was a very naughty man!! LOL!
I mentioned that I forgot to bring his Album in to sign. He told me that fans had asked about that album and that he did not have any. I told him I had the CD and would be happy to make some copies for him. Peter said ''really would you do that for me?'' I said of course. He then gave me his address. I said my goodbyes to him and kissed him on the cheek. I sent Peter 10 copies and am awaiting a reply.
It's funny really how my life has been full of connections. My late friend Sir Nigel Hawthorne was good friends with the actor Alan Bates. Nigel told me that everyone close to Alan called him 'Betty', LOL!
I had worked on two films in which Alan starred, 'The Return of a Soldier' (1982) and the other 'We Think the World of You ' (1988). And in 1990 happened to be on the same flight as Alan. We were flying from Lisbon airport. Portugal on my way home after my Honeymoon.
I was a little tipsy at the that time, having had 5 glasses of Champagne. I approached Alan and said Hello Betty! LOL! I told him who my friends was and that I had worked on two films with him. He was very pleasant to me and talked about Nigel.
Now the amazing thing about all of this is that Peter and Alan had a long relationship over the years.
I have been a huge fan of Peter for many years and was fortunate to work on his comeback film FLASH GORDON in 1979. I played three characters: A Mongo man, Aborian Priest and an Aquarium Fish man. My dear friend Alan 'Butch' Meacham worked on this standing in for Peter who he was close friends with since the early 1960's.
Butch over the years told me many stories about Peter and Tony Curtis who were friends and they had stayed at Butch's house many times.
Recently I was appearing at the NEC Birmingham on 23rd-24th November 2013 for my good friend Paul Miley. There were many wonderful guests including the very Lovely Anita Harris.
During the afternoon I wandered over to have a chat with Peter who had been signing for hours. I approached him with my usual smile and shook Peter's hand and whispered in his ear. He then asked me to sit beside him. I told him about my friendship with Butch over the years in the film industry, that I stood in with him on a few films and also played his boyfriend in the movie 'Personal Services'. He found that very amusing! I then told Peter that I worked for 8 weeks on 'Flash Gordon'. He said what did you play? I told Peter I played three characters including one which was called an Aquarium (Fish Planet people).
I also mentioned that I knew he went to Butch's funeral a few years ago. Peter then said ''we have met before,you were at the funeral I remember now''. I replied that sadly I could not make it there Peter. He then said ''I do recognise you still my dear boy''
During my chat with Peter, I mentioned that I was a fan and loved his work on the TV series 'Department S' and Jason King and Films such as 'The Innocents' with Deborah Kerr and was sad that I never saw him on stage.He told me that he was thankful for my kind words.
I mention what Butch had told me about what he had said. I replied in my Camp Butch voice. ''You Know that Peter quite fancies you Derek''. Peter then smiled and said what were you wearing? I told Peter that I had a see-through plastic costume with very small Silver swimming trunks . Peter looked straight into my eyes and said ''Derek you can guess where I was looking , don't you?''. He then smiled. I told Peter that he was a very naughty man!! LOL!
I mentioned that I forgot to bring his Album in to sign. He told me that fans had asked about that album and that he did not have any. I told him I had the CD and would be happy to make some copies for him. Peter said ''really would you do that for me?'' I said of course. He then gave me his address. I said my goodbyes to him and kissed him on the cheek. I sent Peter 10 copies and am awaiting a reply.
It's funny really how my life has been full of connections. My late friend Sir Nigel Hawthorne was good friends with the actor Alan Bates. Nigel told me that everyone close to Alan called him 'Betty', LOL!
I had worked on two films in which Alan starred, 'The Return of a Soldier' (1982) and the other 'We Think the World of You ' (1988). And in 1990 happened to be on the same flight as Alan. We were flying from Lisbon airport. Portugal on my way home after my Honeymoon.
I was a little tipsy at the that time, having had 5 glasses of Champagne. I approached Alan and said Hello Betty! LOL! I told him who my friends was and that I had worked on two films with him. He was very pleasant to me and talked about Nigel.
Now the amazing thing about all of this is that Peter and Alan had a long relationship over the years.
