No.2: The Ian Hendry Files. Rare Scrapbook Extracts From The 1950s – 1980s
In the second part of the series, we look at the next three pages in the rare Ian Hendry scrapbook – collated over three decades by Ian Scoones.
Scoones was both a friend and a fan of Ian’s work and was also well known in his own right for his career in special effects, including work on the BBC series Dr. Who.
Part one of the series can be found via the link below:
1974 features prominently in the following extracts from the scrapbook. But before diving into the musty, Cellotape covered pages, here’s a few potted highlights of what else was happening in the UK that year.
1974 – UK
It may be of little consolation that whilst things are not exactly a ‘bed of roses’ politically in the UK at the moment – 1974 really wasn’t that great either:
1974 was marked by the Three-Day Week, two general elections, a state of emergency in Northern Ireland, extensive Provisional Irish Republican Army bombing of the British mainland, several large company collapses and major local government reorganisation.
Inflation rate was at 17.2%.
IRA begins bombing campaign
- IRA begins bombing campaign on mainland Britain and bombs The Tower of London on July 17th and the Houses of parliament and pubs in Birmingham.
and in the US:
1974 – US
Richard Nixon becomes the first US president forced to resign
- Following impeachment hearings started on May 9th Richard Nixon becomes the first US president forced to resign after the Watergate Scandal on August 9th
Edward Heath at London Zoo
Edward Heath [Conservative] was the Prime Minister until 4th March 1974. when Harold Wilson [Labour] became Prime Minister.
Before Edward Heath departed, he would carry out one very significant public engagement. He visited London Zoo to officially ‘unveil’ the gift of two Giant Pandas from the Chinese Government. I know, because I was there that day!
I can also report, from my first-hand account, that Guy The Gorilla spat an orange out at Heath as he walked past. This may, or may not, have been reported at the time, so you may be reading a world exclusive ‘scoop’ even if it is some 45+ years after the event. I digress.
Then in 1974 the Prime Minister Edward Heath brought two new pandas from China Ching-Ching (Female) and Chia-Chia (Male) …
Ian Hendry Scrapbook Extracts
Scrapbook Page 3 – Includes several extracts for TV series, ‘The Lotus Eaters‘, from The Radio Times TV listings.
Also, listings for the film, The Southern Star [on Anglia TV] which featured Orson Welles, George Segal, Ursula Andress and Harry Andrews. And Children of The Damned [1963], a repeat showing on Southern TV in 1974.
There is also a newspaper extract for an advert to watch ‘The Girl With The Thunderbolt Kick‘ and ‘Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter‘ at The Gillingham Plaza. Surely, an unmissable experience!
There is also an article that mentions Ian Hendry’s role as Peregrine Devlin in ‘Theatre of Blood‘ [1973]. The journalist who met Ian on set is not mentioned by name, but the piece is complementary nonetheless.
Scrapbook Page 4 – Includes further references to The Lotus Eaters, again with several extracts from the Radio Times TV listings. There is also a short feature on Ian in which mention is made of his efforts to raise funds, some £250,000, for a feature film version of ‘The Lotus Eaters‘.
It also features quite a rare press picture from c. 1963, with Ian Hendry and Janet Munro. Ian is wearing a pair of Coco The Clown’s enormous boots, taken during a visit to Olympia where Bertram Mills’ circus was in residence during the winter/ Christmas season. Ian Hendry was, of course, great friends with both Coco and his wife, Valentina.
He worked for Coco as his stooge whilst studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama from 1953-55. At that time, the drama school was based in rooms at The Royal Albert Hall and the circus always set up it’s London base in the park nearby. Exactly how Ian first met Coco is not known, but one can easily imagine him wandering through the ‘circus town’ on a cold London winter’s day – intent on meeting the UK’s most famous clown.
Nicolai Poliakoff (2 October 1900 – 25 September 1974) was the creator of Coco the Clown, arguably the most famous clown in the UK during the middle decades of the 20th century. Technically, Coco is an Auguste, the foolish character who is always on the receiving end of buckets of water and custard pies. The auguste often works with the more clever white-faced clown, who always gets the better of him.
You can read more about Ian Hendry and Coco The Clown, via the link below:
There is also reference to ‘Dial M For Murder’ [1974] – in which Ian Hendry starred alongside Robert Lang – as his gay partner – in the episode ‘Contract’.
The complete episode can be watched below:
Scrapbook Page 5 – Ian Hendry features in a promotional advert for Imperial Cigars, published in the Radio Times on 27th June 1974. Above the picture is a brief resume of his life and career. The handwritten note immediately above the advert mentions ‘The Sphinx Pharaohs Island, Shepperton/ Sunbury, Middlesex’. It is possible that this waterside photograph was taken at ‘Sphinx‘, Ian and Janet Munro’s former home, or at a nearby location.
Gallery – Ian Hendry Scrapbook. Cover and Pages 3 to 5
Ian Hendry Scrapbook – Page 3
Ian Hendry Scrapbook – Page 4
Ian Hendry Scrapbook – Page 5
Ian Hendry – Roles as Peregrine Devlin/ Theatre of Blood Review [1973]
Ok, hope you enjoyed the latest trip down memory lane. Watch out for the next instalment in the series.
Until next time,
Neil Hendry
Editor, Official Tribute To Ian Hendry
Further Reading
A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:
Read: ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman?
More From Ian Hendry
- The Informer (1966-1967) – Theme Tune ‘Superformance’ By David Lindup + An Original Episode Script By Michael J. Bird!
- Ian Hendry In The Secret Place [1957] – Video Of His First Speaking Role In A Film
- Rare Still – Ian Hendry + June Ritchie: This Is My Street (1964)
- Ian Hendry + Diana Rigg – Theatre Of Blood [1973] Original Still – Two Former Avengers Reunited In A British Film Classic
- Get Carter [1971] ‘Shotguns, Coal And Sex’ – Original GQ Magazine Article from The 90s
- Promotional Pictures – The Early Years
- Ian Hendry + Director Robert Parrish Discussing A Shot For The Film, Journey To The Far Side of The Sun aka Dopplegänger [1969]
- Stefan Gryff – In Memory Of The Actor Who Played Captain Michael Krasakis, Alongside Ian Hendry In The Lotus Eaters [1938 – 2017]
- The Avengers (1961) Original Theme Tunes Vinyl LP Album – Ian Hendry + Patrick Macnee
- Birth Of The Avengers
- The Avengers Promotional Photoshoot In Soho, London – Ian Hendry + Patrick Macnee + Ingrid Hafner (5th December 1960 ABC TV)
- Quality Concerns Over The Avengers, ‘Tunnel Of Fear’ DVD Released By Studio Canal On April 9th 2018 [Review]
- Ian Hendry and Janet Munro At Home c.1964
- On The Set Of The Avengers (1961)
- Murder On Arrival (1959) Westminster Theatre, London – Rare Poster + Programme Found!
- Tom Clegg – Director – A Tribute: The Sweeney, McVicar + Much Much More
- Ian, Jo, Janet, Britt And A Neurotic Peter Sellers!
- Early Promotional Photograph (1963) – Ian Hendry With Gauloises Cigarette
- Film Still – The Beauty Jungle (1964)
- Ian Hendry – The Adventures of Don Quick [1970] – Rare London Weekend Television Promotional Still
- Professional Debut – ‘Reluctant Heroes’ At Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch (August 1955) – With Bernard Cribbins + Ronnie Fraser
- WATCH – Live Now Pay Later (1962) Complete Film – Ian Hendry + June Ritchie Experience The Joys Of Parenthood! Plus Jack Trevor Story And The Trouble With Harry
- Staff Sergeant Williams’ Hat – The Hill (1965)
- Ian Hendry – ‘Star Special’ June and School Friend Magazine 10th December 1966
- Culford School Sports Day (1947) – Extremely Rare Footage Of A Young Ian Hendry ( Just 16 Years Old ) + His Brother Donald Hendry At The Culford School Sports Day
- Welcome to the Official Website of Ian Hendry
- Repulsion [1965] Original Stills Discovered In Paris
- The Avengers (1961) – Ian Hendry In Make-Up With Joan Watson Prior To Filming
- Repulsion (1965) 50th Anniversary Tribute Part #3 – Catherine Deneuve + Ian Hendry + John Fraser + Yvonne Furneaux (dir. Roman Polanski)
- Ian Hendry + Orson Welles – Rare Original Still Photograph – The Southern Star (1969)