Always good to see a fine Wimsey performance. Dorothy Sayers was a genius here: love of the language, wit and wisdom in the books. I have to admit though, I read all the books before I saw either the Carmichael or the Petherbridge intepretations, and I really think Edward Petherbridge captures Lord Peter's personality better: quiet cheerfulness with an intelligent and sensitive depth to him which, in odd moments, flash out of those eyes. He looks, behaves & breathes Wimsey. (Carmichael..no)
@violetfieldflorence And he simply LOOKS like him. Not only that -- the books mention over and over that peculiar athleticism and grace, as well as musicality, that Wimsey has under all the dithering, and Petherbridge moves (finely trained mime that he is) in a way that any move he makes whatsoever will be perfectly believable. I like Carmichael's work as Wimsey very much, but he had to work so hard against Sayers' explicit description.
Excellent performance by Darrow. Murder Must Advertise is one of my favorite Wimsey novels. Being in the US, we don't really get to see these(although I DID just find out I can request them from my library, yes!), so I cannot comment much on Carmichael's version of Wimsey compared to Petherbridge.
Carmichael is nice to listen to, but he was not at all "tow-headed supercilious blighter," or "well-preserved for 40," or "Bertie Wooster in hornrims." Lord Peter's appearance is important in all the stories, but most especially in this one, in which he plays the lithe Harlequin. Carmichael was too old, too large, and too heavy for this role. It is, however, a lovely production if you haven't read the books. Darrow is perfect in the role.
I agree - I love Ian Carmichael in all the radio versions of Lord Peter Wimsey and all the Wodehouse stuff (Jeeves and Blandings), but he's VERY miscast from a physical perspective here.
It is nice to see Paul Darrow in a different role which proves just how good his acting talent is. I have only ever seen him in Blakes 7 until now. Thank you for posting this video.
As mentioned in his biography, playing Wimsey was a labour of love for Ian Carmichael. Edward Pethebridge's Wimsey may be more accurate in relation to the novels, but his lacks any warmth. Particularily so in the recently-screened and utterly BORING 'Gaudy Night'. It is the early 1970s productions that I go back to repeatedly, having enjoyed them since they were first broadcast.
Carmichael did a series of British comedies during the 1950s and 1960s, some of them featuring fellow English comic actors Peter Seller and Terry Thomas. He was in the original School for Scoundrels, and a satire about union labor disputes in England called "I'm Alright, Jack", co-starring Sellers and Thomas. He was 51 when the Wimsey series started, in which I think he displayed his exceptional talents in both comic and dramatic acting.
Carmichael is excellent as Wimsey, this whole series is like a wonderful mingling of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse. Carmichael's portrayal wins me over more readily than Petherbridge's, with Carmichael's sublime combination of charisma, wit, humility and sincerity. I guess all those years doing British farces really paid off.
Serious, more than the Petherbridge? Sorry, I've always found the Petherbridge series more serious. Far less humor, with Harriet Vane always sniping and depressing Peter.
well, i suppose i havn't seen enough of charmichael to make an informed opinion. nothing against charmichael, but the other series is more the wimsey I imagined.
Much as I loved Avon and B7, Paul didn't always get the chance to really exercise his acting ability in that role. It wasn't until I saw him playing Scott in the play "Terra Nova" that I realised the full extent of his talent. This clip is brilliant, because it reminds me of that.
There was a guy outside waiting for him. He was hired to kill Tallboy. Tallboy didn't know this, but Lord Peter guessed this was the case when he looked out of the window earlier. So he let Tallboy know this was the best option he had.
Excellent. It was also great to see Ian Carmichael as Wimsey again...wish he could've played the role when he was younger, to fit Sayers' character better. Darrow is indeed terrific.
Thank you for posting. Such an unusual, moving finale.
manthasagittarius 1 year ago
Always good to see a fine Wimsey performance. Dorothy Sayers was a genius here: love of the language, wit and wisdom in the books. I have to admit though, I read all the books before I saw either the Carmichael or the Petherbridge intepretations, and I really think Edward Petherbridge captures Lord Peter's personality better: quiet cheerfulness with an intelligent and sensitive depth to him which, in odd moments, flash out of those eyes. He looks, behaves & breathes Wimsey. (Carmichael..no)
violetfieldflorence 2 years ago
@violetfieldflorence And he simply LOOKS like him. Not only that -- the books mention over and over that peculiar athleticism and grace, as well as musicality, that Wimsey has under all the dithering, and Petherbridge moves (finely trained mime that he is) in a way that any move he makes whatsoever will be perfectly believable. I like Carmichael's work as Wimsey very much, but he had to work so hard against Sayers' explicit description.
manthasagittarius 1 year ago
"He asked me if I'd liked to make an extra thousand [Federation credits] a year...."
apl175 2 years ago
Excellent performance by Darrow. Murder Must Advertise is one of my favorite Wimsey novels. Being in the US, we don't really get to see these(although I DID just find out I can request them from my library, yes!), so I cannot comment much on Carmichael's version of Wimsey compared to Petherbridge.
worldofsilence 2 years ago
Carmichael is nice to listen to, but he was not at all "tow-headed supercilious blighter," or "well-preserved for 40," or "Bertie Wooster in hornrims." Lord Peter's appearance is important in all the stories, but most especially in this one, in which he plays the lithe Harlequin. Carmichael was too old, too large, and too heavy for this role. It is, however, a lovely production if you haven't read the books. Darrow is perfect in the role.
merbelle 2 years ago
I agree - I love Ian Carmichael in all the radio versions of Lord Peter Wimsey and all the Wodehouse stuff (Jeeves and Blandings), but he's VERY miscast from a physical perspective here.
swelstead 2 years ago
8:38 Heart wrenching...
joel1923 2 years ago 2
Paul Darrow was magnificent - I have always adored him.
spazzy69 2 years ago 5
i love paul darrow he is a top notch actor.
doctorw2 2 years ago 2
It is nice to see Paul Darrow in a different role which proves just how good his acting talent is. I have only ever seen him in Blakes 7 until now. Thank you for posting this video.
KleverGirl1 2 years ago 2
Carmichael, what a superb voice.
Ivanhoe2 2 years ago 3
Absolutely spot on
Ettrick8 3 years ago
As mentioned in his biography, playing Wimsey was a labour of love for Ian Carmichael. Edward Pethebridge's Wimsey may be more accurate in relation to the novels, but his lacks any warmth. Particularily so in the recently-screened and utterly BORING 'Gaudy Night'. It is the early 1970s productions that I go back to repeatedly, having enjoyed them since they were first broadcast.
cosycleaner 3 years ago
Petherbridge WAS Wimsey. Carmichael was like an actor pretending to be Wimsey.
bundleHastings 3 years ago 2
Petherbridge wimset was excellent but its bit like Dr Who, IAn Carmicahel was teh first actor I saw as Wimsey and he always be my favourite
Didn't recognite Paul 'Avon' Darrow in this so different from the parts he now plays.
Ettrick8 3 years ago
Thanks for this! Lovely to see PD restraining the campness (although I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kerr Avon.) He's so good.
And very, very, VERY pretty...
x
crycraven 3 years ago
I just don't think Carmichael worked. Petherbridge was perfect.
madamewoselle 3 years ago
Yes Petherbridge was brilliant and looked the part.
twoslices 3 years ago
Ian Carmichael is the ultimate Peter Wimsey.
oxford14 4 years ago
Carmichael did a series of British comedies during the 1950s and 1960s, some of them featuring fellow English comic actors Peter Seller and Terry Thomas. He was in the original School for Scoundrels, and a satire about union labor disputes in England called "I'm Alright, Jack", co-starring Sellers and Thomas. He was 51 when the Wimsey series started, in which I think he displayed his exceptional talents in both comic and dramatic acting.
Flowbee79 4 years ago
Carmichael is excellent as Wimsey, this whole series is like a wonderful mingling of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse. Carmichael's portrayal wins me over more readily than Petherbridge's, with Carmichael's sublime combination of charisma, wit, humility and sincerity. I guess all those years doing British farces really paid off.
Flowbee79 4 years ago
this wimsey is too serious, and not at all like the wimsey in the books. i like the Edward Petherbridge versions better :P
gronow189 4 years ago
Serious, more than the Petherbridge? Sorry, I've always found the Petherbridge series more serious. Far less humor, with Harriet Vane always sniping and depressing Peter.
Flowbee79 4 years ago
well, i suppose i havn't seen enough of charmichael to make an informed opinion. nothing against charmichael, but the other series is more the wimsey I imagined.
gronow189 4 years ago
I see.
Flowbee79 4 years ago
He's very good!
sg1danny11 4 years ago
My favorite Sayers novel.
I love this rendition of the story.
Ian Carmichael is a great actor.
lilypondlane 4 years ago
Wow, it 's so strange seeing him so different and so fragile !
sg1danny11 4 years ago
Much as I loved Avon and B7, Paul didn't always get the chance to really exercise his acting ability in that role. It wasn't until I saw him playing Scott in the play "Terra Nova" that I realised the full extent of his talent. This clip is brilliant, because it reminds me of that.
Oh, I love that voice.
lozziecap 4 years ago
I think he looks better in leather. Especially tight leather........
pryorj2011 4 years ago
mmmmmmmmmmm, Paul Darrow
Vixen018 4 years ago
I've read the book ^^
I've been loocking for movies about Lord Peter Wimsey and was really happy when I saw this! :D Thank you.
But I think that Ian is older, bigger and alot more serious then the Wimsey I've read about... :/ Good actor though.:)
TheBlackSquirrel 4 years ago
Try watching the Edward Petherbridge versions. He was much more near Sayers' version of Lord Peter. :)
ashastephen 4 years ago
There was a guy outside waiting for him. He was hired to kill Tallboy. Tallboy didn't know this, but Lord Peter guessed this was the case when he looked out of the window earlier. So he let Tallboy know this was the best option he had.
RuneThandy 4 years ago
What WAS the solution Tallguy was offered?
I don't get it.
JimHewittWhite 4 years ago
Excellent. It was also great to see Ian Carmichael as Wimsey again...wish he could've played the role when he was younger, to fit Sayers' character better. Darrow is indeed terrific.
thegreatyoda 4 years ago
Great vid. Thanks for posting it. :)
VauxhallViva1975 4 years ago