Quotes

Sometimes I think back to Father's pronouncement that I would never succeed at anything. I remember the variety of schools where I never achieved much - the times of childish despair. I never quite dared dream then that I would actually manage to earn my living in my chosen profession. I may be sentimental but I can't deny that I have been luckier than most.

Professionally, I have lived long enough in the business to have played a wide variety of characters, from heroes and amiable silly asses to dignified old gentlemen. For good measure I have even played a wicked villain, dying with a bullet in my chest in the back of a plane, the only time, as far as I can recall, when I wasn't basically a "nice guy".

It seems to me a remarkably full life that I have to look back on. Though everything is transient there has been so much crammed in to it. It is something to have lived through two world wars, to have served in the Army and the Air Force (and professionally to have completed the cycle by playing naval officers on several occasions). I have weathered major tragedy and have had my triumphs and joys. Most of all I have had the blessings of a wonderful family life.

"You will either be a film star or nothing"! David told his understudy Roger Moore during the run of "The Little Hut" at the Lyric Theatre, London, England.

I think that actors in the theatre invariably are as good on screen, but I think that a film actor who has not such experience will very often come to grief in the theatre.

It never ceases to be a profound shock to see oneself on the screen. I have seldom found an actor who likes to see himself on the screen. I have never liked myself on the screen at all.