REMEMBERING: Born today, Simon Ward. If you
take a look at the raft of obituaries for Simon Ward who sadly passed
away in 2012, it's a common fault that they state that his career was
kick started when he was 'plucked from obscurity' and appeared
in Richard Richard Attenborough’s 'Young Winston' in 1972. Maybe that
is how the press and publicity agents remember it....but for Ward, it
was not so.
Ward
acknowledged Hammer films 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' made in 1969
as the film 'that started it all' and the generous help and assistance
from his co star Peter Cushing, that made anything afterwards
possible... In a interview with pcasuk in 1979, Ward acknowledges his
debt to Cushing, who he said, '..had time and patience with me. I knew
nothing of the technique needed for working with a camera or about the
studio floor. Peter was extremely kind, taking time to explain the
simple but very important rules of pace and nuance, so the editor can
get in there. This and try to not fall over the cables. He did so much
for me. Quite extraordinary. I mean, no one has the time to do that,
everyone is busy. But he did it for me, many times through out the film.
And it's something I've always remembered, and not come across since...
a very kind, gentle, gracious man. He really did save my skin'.
Simon Ward
sadly left us in 2012.
