Guest Book – Please Leave a Comment

Welcome to the Ian Hendry’s Official Website Guest Book!

Please leave a message using the Contact Form and we will then enter it into the Guest Book below:

The main focus of this website is to remember, celebrate and discuss the work of Ian Hendry and that Golden Age of Film and Television.

If you have any anecdotes, material or old recordings that you feel would benefit this site then we would also love to hear from you!

Please note that we do monitor all comments and request that you abide by our one rule:

– Please be respectful of others!

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(1) Chris Williams
24 March 2013 15:37:02 +0000

Congratulations on the launch of this website. Looking forward to keeping in touch as it grows and also looking forward to Gabriel’s biography.

Chris

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Chris and welcome! We are building the site out and adding content daily so you should see a lot of progress in the coming days and weeks.
You are in for a treat with Gabriel’s biography. I was fortunate to have a preview and it is thoroughly well researched and a great read.

Neil
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Response: Chris Williams

Thanks for your reply to my guestbook comment. Ian Hendry has always fascinated me. So enigmatic and charismatic and never seemed to get the roles he clearly deserved. He’d appear in something and you’d think to yourself ‘Oh yes, he’s brilliant. I remember him. Wonder why he’s been off the telly for a while?’ and then you’d wonder why he disappeared again. I always got that feeling when he popped up from time to time.

 

I’m a big Lotus Eaters fan and have watched series 1&2 many many times. I never fail to enjoy it. Ian and Wanda Ventham are just wonderful and you could be forgiven for thinking that they really were a married couple. Ian is effortless in his portrayal of Erik Shepherd. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to the biography by Gabriel. Excellent website. Keep up the good work.

Your Uncle would have been very proud I’m sure.

Regards,
Chris Williams

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Response: Chris Williams

15th August 2013

Hi Neil, just dropped by to say keep up the good work. The updated website is excellent and there have been some wonderful articles added recently that have been as interesting and enjoyable as they have been amazing to discover. The website is going from strength to strength and continues to be an outstanding and informative tribute to Ian Hendry.

 

Regards,
Chris Williams

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Chris for keeping in touch and for your encouragement. It’s nice to hear that people are enjoying the site and seeing it develop. Amazing to think it only began in March 2013!

 

We are fortunate to have uncovered some great press cuttings on Ian recently and also grateful for the people who have contacted the site and passed on some rare magazines with articles on Ian . It certainly makes all the hardwork worthwhile.

 

Keep in touch!
Neil

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(3) Dave Rice
24 March 2013 19:41:58 +0000

Its been a long time coming, but I am delighted at last to see a website dedicated to Ian Hendry – such a talented actor.

I have already added a link from my site.

Dave Rice
Keeper of the Michael J. Bird Tribute website
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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor

Thanks Dave for your comment and we’ll do our best to make this site a fitting tribute for Ian. We’ll also be setting up a system for providing links to all relevant sites, such as yours.

Regards,

Neil

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(4) Andrew Stephenson
30 March 2013 13:22:03 +0000

Fantastic to finally see a tribute to one of the greatest British actors of this or any era.

Andrew

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor

He certainly had a special gift for acting that a lot of people appreciated. Thanks for the comment Andrew.

Neil

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(5) J. Ferguson
12 April 2013 19:04:44 +0000

How wonderful to see a website dedicated to the life and career of Ian Hendry. I’m a huge fan of The Avengers, but of all the principal cast, Ian is the one I know the least about, simply because there are very few sources out there. I look forward to filling this gap in my knowledge with this site and the new biography, and learning more about the man behind Dr. David Keel.

J. Ferguson

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor

Thanks for taking the time to comment and welcome to the site. I am very pleased to announce that the biography has finally been launched this evening:

The book and this site aim to fill that gap in information on Ian which you mentioned. Long overdue for such a fine actor and the original Avenger. The book is superbly researched by Gabriel and a great read. Enjoy!

Neil

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(6) Martin Daniels
13 April 2013 13:53:38 +0000

I’m 71 years old. I still remember Ian Hendry’s performances in The Informer series, which were so cool and cleverly understated. There was a scene where he had to make a decision for a client in a jam and he was silent for almost a minute (so it seemed at the time) and the face close-up told you everything about what he was weighing up. That’s acting! Burton did it a couple of times in The Spy Who Came In From The Cold but Hendry held that silent acting for longer without it flagging. I don’t suppose any of you Ian Hendry fans know where I could buy vhs’s or dvd’s of all or some of this series? It’s terrible how big or small screen art is treated to negligently – it’s not supposed to be a consumable. Viva this website!

Martin

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor

Thanks Martin for those great recollections of watching The Informer. We heard that two episodes may be still intact but as yet, no knowing where to get hold of a copy. Rest assured that we will be on the look out. Totally agree with your thoughts on the terrible loss of all these programmes….so short-sighted by the people in ‘charge’. If anyone does have any copies of these, or other performances by Ian, then please send us a message through the form on the Contact page. Thanks

Neil

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(7) Ellen Papenburg, Ontario Canada
16 April 2013 02:53:54 +0000

Thanks to David Rice to point to this website from his Michael J Bird newletter. When I was in my old country (Netherlands) I became a fan of MJB’s series: Who Pays the Ferryman and Aphrodite’s inheritance and in Canada later wit my husband we were fascinated by Maelstrom. Found David’s website.. Then heard of the Lotus Eaters etc. So I just watched the Lotus Eaters a month ago and first it looked dated (well it is a bit, of course) and very calm, happily floating like a babbling brooke.Then it hit us with a two by four, wham. We started to like it very much and found Ian quite an amazing and convincing actor (as well as co=actor Wanda Ventham and of course Stefan Gryff) and saw him in other series too.

The Sweeney had an episode he appeared in and the way he (playing the “villain”) was so upset to have shot his friend, was so convincing and heartbreaking, I will never forget that. It would be nice to see more of him. If you can find any recordings, let us know on this website. Interesting though how we can become fans way after a person has gone. Thank you for this website, it’s a lot of work to create and maintain a site Proficiat!

Ellen

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor

Thanks Ellen for the great description of how you discovered his work and then how you became a fan (thanks also to David Rice for sharing this site).The fact that so many people loved The Lotus Eaters is a real testament to the quality of the writing by Michael J Bird, Ian and the cast and of course the location. The website is meant for fans (old and new) and so encouraging that people are still discovering his work, after so many years.

We are looking out for new work. Some good news already, in that we have been given a copy of the 1974, Dial M For Murder episode ‘Contract’. This had been ‘lost’ for nearly 40 years! The full show is posted on the new Ian Hendry Youtube Channel (again, a work in process!) Link below:

Ian Hendry Youtube Channel

 

Keep in touch!

Neil

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(8) Phil Clarke

16 April 2013 22:11:25 +0000

A big thank you to Dave Rice for pointing the way here. This really is a wonderful site dedicated to a very talented actor. I was a big Lotus Eaters fan when I was still in school and have just had a nostalgic look at “A cold wind from the north” now I long to see the whole series again. I have a feeling this site is going to be very popular. Well done.

Philip Clarke.

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor

Thanks for your kind comments Philip. I know people who have to watch The Lotus Eaters regularly….or they get withdrawal symptoms…..:) Glad you like the site and do keep in touch. Still much to add to it.

Neil

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(9) Lesley Robinson Mrs
24 April 2013 14:36:56 +0000

Thanks, Neil, for setting up this tribute web site to that well-known member of your family, actor Ian Hendry. He would be so pleased to see it. As the archivist for Culford School, which Ian attended from 1945-47, I am most interested in any news of Old Culfordians. Being made aware of this site has honestly been the big highlight of my week. I was also delighted to be of service to author Gabriel Hershman, Ian’s biographer, by checking the old school magazines for him for mentions of Ian and any relevant photos. From them it’s very clear to see that Ian thoroughly enjoyed his time at Culford and apart from being academically sound was a great sportsman. He was Captain of the First Rugby and Hockey Teams in 1947 and was a member of the First Cricket Team, too. The magazines also revealed his early leanings towards the stage, from his several postively reviewed appearances in plays and comedies.

My favourite of Ian’s films is Girl in the Headlines (1963), in which Ian plays a sombre, academically minded Detective Chief Inspector. This enigmatic copper likes to listen to opera in the rare hours he is off duty and drives a red Jaguar 2.4 litre with a black vinyl roof. Remind you of anyone? It was some years before John Thaw took hold of the Jag’s steering wheel! I wish you every success with the web site, Neil, and I’ll be checking back regularly to see news and updates. Thank you for presenting it in such a useable and friendly way.

 Lesley

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks so much Lesley for sharing your thoughts and anecdotes of Ian’s time at Culford. I know he spent two very happy years there and I am sure that is down to the quality of the school, the teachers, the facilities and the friends he had whilst he was there. I was fortunate to meet one his very best Culford school-friends, Ian Ferguson, some years later in 1978.

The remark about Girl in the Headlines being the possible inspiration for Morse is fascinating. I think we will dig deeper into that and perhaps and article for the website too?!

It’s great that this website is not only helping connect fans with his work, but also acting as a platform for people to share. That is what we want to encourage. Ian was always appreciative of his fans and admirers and we plan to carry on in that tradition. Keep in touch Lesley!

Neil

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(10) Martin Banks
22 May 2013 13:20:06 +0000

I was a student at The New College of Speech and Drama 1967-70 and our “local” was the Bull and Bush pub opposite the College. Ian was often in the bar and was friendly with the drama students and came over as a thoroughly decent guy.

He was always approachable and was never guilty of “pushing” his star status. He was always interested in what we were studying. I remember him fondly from those times.

Martin Banks
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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Martin for taking the time to leave your message. It’s great to hear your anecdotes and really refreshing to hear your thoughts and memories of Ian. I can imagine that living and studying in London in the 60’s would have been a lot of fun at times!

It seems to be a recurring theme throughout his life and career that he never seemed to let his fame interfere with the way he treated people. He was genuinely interested and helpful towards a lot of younger actors/ actresses that he met and worked with (a common theme in the biography). Thanks again for your input to the site and keep in touch.

Best regards.

Neil

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(11) John Anderson
14th September 2013, 8.15pm

An amazing movie with a number of first rate performances – Ian Hendry, Sean Connery’s and particularly Harry Andrews. Terrific cinematography. And a terrific ending. Your performance was spot on – a perfect villian with the Hill as your henceman. Harry Andrew’s scene inside the prison is one of the best scene’s ever shot. And his banter back and forth with the prisoners followed by his stinging ultimatum has to rank as one of the greatest movie moments of all time. I finally found a copy on CD and have recommended it to all my friends.

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks for leaving the comment John. It’s a wonderful film and as you quite rightly say, great cinematography and a stellar cast. Some of the close-ups of Harry Andrews using a wide angle effect just adds to the tension, with the distortion of his face in that scene.

Neil

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(12) David Naden
24th September 2013, 5.49 pm

I met Ian when he was married to Janet Munro and I was a musician working for Janet’s father Alex. It was in Llandudno and Ian had just filming The Hill. I spent a week with him and he was so generous and fun to be with, I always remember the smell of Gualoises cigarettes, the first time I had seen them.

David
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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks David for sharing your memories of meeting both Ian and Janet. Many peoples recollections of Ian are similar to yours, that he was fun-loving and generous in his nature.

If you look for the following press article on the In The Press – 1970’s page, you will see a picture of Ian and Janet with Alex which was probably taken during that visit to Llandudno:

See: TV Times – 31st October – 6th November 1970 ‘ Adventures of Don Quick’ Cover and Hendry Family Article

As a child I also have strong memories of a slightly crumpled light blue pack of Gualoises cigarettes (see image below) that he would have with him and the very distinctive strong smell of the burning tobacco.

Ian Hendry Gauloises Caporal 1970's

The packaging was so unlike the British packs of the time, a light weight card, wrapped in cellophane which could be crumpled easily in one hand when empty. Ian used to perform a trick with an unlit cigarette, which he used to good effect in the film Live Now Pay Later (1962). Whenever, we met him we would beg him to do the trick for us……all retold in the biography Send in The Clowns…….

 

Best wishes

Neil

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(13) Dianne Blackwell
26th September 2013, 9.24am

I would like to thank you for all the hard work and enthusiasm you contribute to this website, it looks like a terrific amount of hard work and love has gone into it. And it’s nice to see pages devoted to a somewhat neglected and underrated performer such as Ian hendry. Thank you.

Dianne

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Dianne and glad you enjoy the site…..it really is a labour of love! Ian had a special gift and this site is a way of bringing his life and work together for fans, old and new.

Neil

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(14) Malcolm James
26th September 2013, 12.38pm

Congratulations on doing something to keep alive the memory of Ian Hendry. I wish you well for the future of your new site.

Malcolm

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks for the kind words Malcolm, keep following the site as it develops.

Neil

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(15) Fraser Tennant
26th September 2013, 1.18pm

I didn’t know there was a biography available until I stumbled across this website.

The site is a good piece of work.

Regards

Fraser

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Fraser, glad you found the biography through the site. It was a major undertaking by Gabriel and nice that a book has at last been written about Ian.

Neil

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(16) Ruth Booth
26th September 2013, 3.48pm

So pleased for your website on Ian. He was a great actor, my favourite film is The Hill…..where Ian played The cruel Staff Sergeant Williams He was fantastic. He was very good looking as well.

Ruth

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Ruth, appreciate your comments here and on the Facebook page.

Neil

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(17) Antonio Bosano
16th October 2013, 3.09pm

A special thank you for the link to my website. I have had some communication with Gabriel and wondered if he had informed you, or perhaps you were simply surfing?

Editor: See Ian Hendry Drawing and Commentary ]

Either way, I much appreciate the link reciprocation.

There aren’t too many rich ALIVE artists but my business is slowly building. In any event, I don’t enjoy seeing talented people being overlooked and Ian is one of them so I contribute, in my own small way, what I can, to maintaining their public profile.

The commentaries are a challenge to write – maintaining objectivity and a balanced view is difficult to say the least, but at least I try. In any event I only comment on information freely available. I am not in the business of creating fresh myths!!!

Wishing you continued success with your first rate tribute site.

Antonio

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Antonio for your message and congratulations on your artwork and commentaries, not just of Ian, but of many fine actors and television stars. A actually found your site whilst ‘surfing’. Thanks also for your compliments of this website, which I’ve taken the liberty of reproducing an extract of here:

Antonio Bosano Ian Hendry Extract

Neil

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(18) Paul Collins
4th November 2013, 7.37pm

Excellent – finally Ian gets the proper consideration he deserves. Yes he was a troubled soul and difficult at times, but he was also capable of giving mesmerising and powerful performances and was always very watchable!

Paul

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Paul, yes whilst he certainly had his share of problems, his ability always seemed to shine through regardless…..thanks for taking the time to comment.

Best wishes

Neil

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(19) Tom Danielsen
16th November 2013, 9.32pm

From the day back in 1962/63 when I watched the movie Live Now Pay Later, I have been an Ian Hendry fan.

I have seen all his films. I have just now, ordered a copy of Send In the Clowns.

Thank you Neil, for this wonderful website – what a find for me!

Tom

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Tom, great to hear about how you first discovered Ian and how much you then went on to follow his career and work. Keep in touch as the website will continue to grow……as and when I get the time…!

Neil

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(20) Fraser Tennant
26th December 2013, 7:41 pm

Not sure if you are looking for feedback or not, but I thought I’d let you know that I have read the Hershman book and thought it compelling.

Ian Hendry was a talented but troubled fellow.

Regards

Fraser

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Fraser and glad you enjoyed the book….not an easy story to tell at times but Gabriel did a great job…

Neil

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(21) Steve Clark
16th March 2014, 10.51 pm

Hi Neil,

Best wishes from a fan of Ian Hendry. My memories are of watching “The Internecine Project” and “The McKenzie Break”, and while in the RAF in Gibraltar seeing “For Maddie With Love”. I have recently read “Send In The Clowns”. I find I identify with Ian, perhaps as he reminds me of my own late dad in many ways. I shall add to my DVD collection some of Ian’s movies (I have “Internecine”). I did have the “For Maddie” book but that disappeared during my move from the marital home recently. Well done on the website, I shall add it to my favourites.

Cheers,

Steve Clark

Gloucester

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Steve for the message and thanks for sharing your memories of Ian and your late father……I can certainly recommend The Hill as a movie/ DVD to pick up….as well as The Lotus Eaters of course…….glad you found the site, keep in touch.

Neil

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(22) Andy Hargreaves
9th June 2014, 11.16 pm

A great web site for a much loved actor and well thought of man. What an amazing thing to do for the memory of your uncle. I just watch This is Your Life what a trooper to go on even with the Red Flu. I’m a little shocked they still got him to perform his one legged golf fall.

Your Uncle was a truly loved actor. And to be honest yes of course I recall the stories of drink etc, however for me at least he was an actor who truly inhabited his roles. He had real depth and a truth even when playing slightly comic or off beat rolls. It actually made me a little bit sad when I watched Theatre of Blood last week, the League of Gentlemen actors did the commentary and you can tell are huge fans of your Uncle’s work. As I say Neil I think to people like myself there is something about your uncles work that is very personal and moving…..I only wish that Ian Knew how import is work is to so many of my generation.

So many people know Ian’s work because of the shear amount of work your uncle was part of. So many genres. I really am looking forward to reading the book. Ian’s work was always shown during the early 80s when I was growing up. Thank you for doing this for fans new and old of your Uncles work .

Andy Hargreaves

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks for those kind words Andy. Well what you have said is a recurring theme. Despite his troubled life, the majority of people who worked with him were very fond of him. From young up-and-coming actors to established stars, to the people he met in everyday life. There are countless anecdotes in the book. It’s great to hear that people like yourself are discovering and appreciating his work anew, he would have been thrilled I am sure. I think when you read the book, many more ‘dots will be connected’ as to why many people enjoyed his work so much. Great to hear that you find his work so moving and that you can relate to him so well.

Neil

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(23) Harry Morrison
26th June 2014, 5.34 pm

I have been a long-time fan of Ian, have many scrapbooks and memorabilia of his career, and was very interested in reading Gabriel Hershman’s book on him. I was thrilled to meet Ian when he was touring in The Owl & The Pussycat with Hilary Tindall, and managed to see him in his dressing room at Harlow Theatre in the late ‘s. He signed one of my scrapbooks and we had a really nice chat. He was a real charmer. He thanked me for several letters I had published in the press about him.

I have all his films on Dvd, and among my favourites are Live Now Pay Later, This is my Street and Girl in the Headlines. He had such a wonderful distinctive voice and just made any film great by appearing in it !

Harry Morrison

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks Harry for your recollections on Ian’s work and glad that you actually had a chance to meet him. This Is My Street was re-released on DVD recently and hopefully Live Now Pay Later will follow too. It certainly deserves to be recognised.

Thanks for taking the time to contact us.

Neil

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(24) Tom Weston
25th September 2014, 11.34 pm

I look forward to reading Send In The Clowns, I have been a fan of his work on TV and Film, I go back to the early sixties, if I knew Ian was in it, I would enjoy it.
You must be very proud of your Uncle

Congratulations on an excellent website

Tom Weston

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Great to hear from you Tom.

Thanks for writing about Ian and also for complimenting the website. Lovely to hear that you’ve been a lifelong fan, he would have been thrilled to hear that!

I had thought about building a website for a while and then when the biography was due to be published it spurred me into action. It’s a work in progress.

I do hope you enjoy the book. He certainly had a roller coaster life, captured at last in words by Gabriel…..

We also have a Facebook page which you are welcome to join. We post all updates there.

Official Ian Hendry Facebook Page

Best wishes

Neil

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(25) ‘Via Mortality’
27th June 2015, 5.34 am

It was very touching to be whizzed back to 1978, and to watch the episode of This Is Your Life, featuring Ian. The degree of warmth bestowed upon Ian, not only his family, but also so many of his lifelong friends and fellow stars, was most touching; especially given how unwell at the time he clearly looks, and yet one sees him nonetheless ploughing on like the finest of troopers… My guess is that Staff Sergeant Williams (Ian’s character in The Hill) would have been incredibly proud. God Bless.

‘Via Mortality’

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks for getting in touch and glad you appreciated the show. Yes, it’s like being is a time-machine back to the 70’s – the classic theme tune for This Is Your Life brings it all back!

Yes, Ian was not well at all but fortunately the show went ahead and we now have a memorable record of that evening. Given the recent loss of Patrick Macnee, it’s also great that we have their reunion to treasure too.

Best wishes

Neil

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(26) Peter Madden
27th August 2015, 3.34 am

I am currently reading Gabriel Hershmans book, Mr Hendry was a great actor.

I grew up in the sixties in England and always admired his work. I dont ever recall seeing him give a bad performance. He would have been perfect as Bromhead in Zulu and there is no question he would have been far better than Michael Caine. In fact all those contemporaries of his Finney, Courtney Connery Caine were not in the same class as him. The book is a good read thank you very much!

I remember seeing Live Now Pay Later when I was 13 years old with,my Mum she just loved him and as mentioned in the book he at the very least deserved an oscar nomination for The Hill.

Thanks again

Peter

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Thanks for the email and for sharing your memories of watching Ian at the cinema. I’d love to be able to go and see one of his old films on the big screen! Glad you are enjoying the biography and thanks to Gabriel we now have a well-researched record of his life. Keep in touch!

Best wishes

Neil

 

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(27) Ed Rolko
1st June 2016, 5.34 am

Ian Hendry is a Legend, one of the all time greats! Although I’m just one guy, a fan, I’m thankful to have “known” Ian through his work on screen. I look forward to watching his brilliant work again many times on my DVDs, as I know I will !

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

 

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the great message. I’ll add it to the guest book on the website shortly.

Good to hear that his work is still being appreciated! Enjoy the DVD’s and do follow us on Facebook if you haven’t already:

https://facebook.com/ianhendry.actor

Kind regards,

Neil

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(28) Ian Charles
14th September 2016, 5.19 pm

I met Ian when my daughter Karin and his daughter Emma became classmates and friends at primary school. Of course until then I only knew him as a terrific actor. on a personal level I found him interesting, funny, insightful and very sociable although he was clearly in poor health and frequently in a lot of pain. Sadly missed, very pleased to have discovered the website.

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Hi Ian,

Thanks for sharing your memories and thoughts on Ian – he certainly was a gifted actor. What you say chimes true with what many that said about his latter years and glad that you have fond recollections, despite it obviously being at a time when his health was deteriorating. Glad too that you have found this website, which tries to cover the many facets of what was a very colourful life.

Kind regards,

Neil

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(29) Roger Wood
30th September 2016, 7.20 pm

Hi,

I came across this site while looking up about Ian, and the first thing to strike me was what a wide-ranging career he had, and how well it has been documented here.

One of the things I’d been hoping to find was something that would give me clues towards finding the name of a film or tele-drama he appeared in. It’s about him travelling solo on a car journey (for some reason I’ve a recollection of it being a Jaguar), where every now and then he finds a phone box to call home to say the trip is going OK. Unfortunately, however, it ends with the car going off the road in the middle of nowhere and landing, upside down – with Ian trapped inside it – high in the branches of a pine tree.

It’d be great if this rings any bells and you could name it.

Best regards,

Roger

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Hi Roger

Thanks for getting in touch and your kind remarks about the website – glad you found it useful. I’ll add them to the Guest Book.

Off the top of my head I wonder whether it could have been Ian’s part in Tales From The Crypt (1973)? That ends with him being involved in a car crash, with some nasty consequences!

You can watch it here:

If not, please let me know and I’ll see if his biographer, Gabriel Hershman has any other ideas or what else I may be able to find out.

Best regards

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(30) Michael Harrison
26th October 2016, 5.55 pm

I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the work you have done to produce a most striking web page centered on your father.  At ABC Teddington on the sound crew I worked on many of the Avengers productions both on the boom and on grams. Great times for all of us who made those productions happen.

Michael Harrison (Aged 84)

and later:

Thank you for your email. Yes I worked on series One and I probably worked on most of the Avengers from ABC Teddington but alas I have no stories to tell you, for it was so long ago. In any case I did not mix with the actors – just stuck to my job.  Doing grams was a bit terrifying – a most difficult operational job (two tape machines and three turntables.). The day previous to rehearsals I would spend dubbing music and sound effects on to tape and marking the joins accordingly and the script had to be marked very clearly too. Having said the job was difficult I did fairly well except on one occasion when (panic) I missed a “sting” and Phillip Saville complained a bit  – in a nice way. It was a live transmission of course.

Although at the time we were most proud of what did, production standards have now risen enormously and when you watch Tunnel of Fear you will need to take account of that.

I hope you have on your bookshelf Both Sides of the Camera (if you have, the photo on the inside front cover shows me on the boom) and The Armchair Theatre – two books I value greatly.

A great shame your uncle died so young but he left behind a fine record a work- (my wife told me she saw him in a Robert Bolt play at the Oxford Playhouse back in the 50s.)

With good wishes and luck

Michael Harrison

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Dear Michael,

Lovely to hear from you and thank you for writing to me. Glad you liked the webpage. It’s great to hear that you were actually there at the time – working on the series. There are so many people/ fans around the world who still love The Avengers, so you have played a big part in creating something that people still cherish today!

Just to clarify, Ian was my uncle, but don’t worry as many people think he was my father! Did you work on Series 1 with Ian? And do you have some memories and stories of him and Patrick and the making of the shows? I’d love to hear anything, even if they are from other years/ series. It’s not often I get to ‘chat’ with people who worked with Ian and/or The Avengers.

Kind regards,

Neil Hendry

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(31) Robert Campbell
23rd August 2017, 1.33 pm

Hi Neil,

I just want to say what a great tribute this site is to a great actor. Seen “Crossfire” for the first time via this site. How brilliant was Ian Hendry in that. Keep up the great work .

and:

I watched This is Your Life with Ian doing that one legged golfer gag. He did it briliantly and with the red flu.
And on reading Send In The Clowns for Ian Hendry in true show biz style the show must go on.

Kind regards
Robert Campbell,
Greenock, Scotland.

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the message and encouragement – glad that the site is appreciated.

The Crossfire is a great play and that copy was sent to me by someone who had it in their collection. Peter Wyngarde actually got in touch last year and asked if I could send him a copy too!

Kind regards,

Neil Hendry

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(32) Mick Taylor
9th June 2020, 21.56 pm

Hi, I’ve just watched ‘The Hill’ again on DVD and just want to say Ian Hendry’s powerful performance as the bullying Staff Sergeant was sensational, and I’d even go so far as to say he just about stole the show from Connery and Andrews..:)
Best wishes,

Mick in Plymouth UK

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Response: Neil Hendry, Editor:

Hi Mick,
Thanks for the message and glad you enjoyed it

Great cast and cinematography – a real gem.

Yes, one of Ian’s finest moments on the big screen.

All the best, stay safe, and thanks for getting in touch.

Best wishes,

Neil Hendry