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Weirdly enough, I had been thinking of this scene yesterday, for no reason it just kept running through my mind, then this video gets posted!
(*cue Twilight Zone theme*)
Happy Birthday, Peter Sallis!!
From Wikipedia:
Peter Sallis OBE (born 1 February 1921) is an Annie Award-winning English actor and entertainer, well-known for his work on British television. Although he was born and raised in London, his two most notable roles require him to adopt the accents and mannerisms of a Northerner Sallis is best known for his role as the main character Norman Clegg in the long-running British TV comedy, Last of the Summer Wine, set in a Yorkshire town. He is the longest serving cast member. He is also famous for providing the voice for Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit films, utilizing another Northern accent. However his long career has included many other stage, film and TV appearances.
Sallis was born inTwickenham, then Middlesex now Greater London, England. After attending Minchenden Grammar School in North London, Sallis started as an amateur actor in the RAF during World War II. He failed to get into the aircrew because of a medical problem and so taught radio procedures at RAF Cranwell. During his four years with the RAF, one of his students offered him the lead in an amateur production. His success in the role caused him to resolve to become an actor after the war, and so he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, making his first professional appearance on the London stage in 1946.
So without going into TONS about him, Peter Sallis has had quite a career!
The first time I came in contact with his work was in the 90’s, I wish I could remember just when, but, like many in my country, it started with Wallace and Gromit. I’m guessing it was A Grand Day Out that got us going on Nick Park’s brilliant shorts. Now unlike most, Wallace was my favorite, as apposed to Gromit, mostly because of that lovely voice that came out.
Years later, we were in the habit of watching reruns of Yes, Prime Minister, and this show would start afterwards. I never really paid much attention, until one evening when I decide to stick around and see what these seemingly empty shorts of a beautiful countryside would lead me. Three men stood on a high cliff, all you could see were the shadows as the talked to each other. Not much, until I heard, “I like tortoises!” Oh, my GOD!! My brother was sitting with me, and we both screamed:
THAT’S WALLACE!!
Had it not been for that, I don’t know what would have gotten me into Last Of The Summer Wine, but I’m glad I did!
I like Sallis, I really do! For me, he is the continuation of my ever feverish love affair with character actors, the kind that came out of a different era, populating the stage, television and movies from the 1940’s on. Just a really great performer!
I love Clegg, the middle man and sometimes voice of sanity between two ext reams, but Wallace will always be my favorite! I was just watching the new short, A Matter of Loaf And Death, and although it’s not my favorite, Sallis may have been his best ever! Great energy, sincerity, everything just felt right with him. (As Well as Sally Lindsey.) What a joy!
Peter Sallis the man, is rather quiet, rather monotone at times. He can be sort of curt, yet he can be very polite charming, in my opinion. I say this, not because “I know” him, but I read his autobiography, Fading Into The Limelight last Christmas, a good time to for some reason, and more then the stories he told, the actors and plays, it was the way he said it – like he was talking. I have no doubt that he was, probably had the book transcribed from audio, on account of his sadly losing his sight. He would start a story, stray from it, “Now I’d like to tell you how Bill Owen saved my life.” Then only to go into to something else, stop himself, “Oh, I’m sorry, did I tell how Bill Owen saved my life?” and like that. He would refer to certain people after a lengthy description of them and working with them was “dear Anne Reid,” or whoever he was talking about. It was informal and rambling and just very human. I found a smile on my face for reasons you don’t usually, from it’s refreshingly natural tone.
It’s wonderful to know that the Wallace and Gromit shorts aren’t taking as long as they used to, so we may see another Wallace adventure come 2010! However, to learn we will see less of Sallis on LOTSW, after over 30 years, will certainly be sad. But he’s given us so many years of fun and laughter, and hopefully, whether as a quiet. Beetle loving, woman hating, gentleman who resides in a little cottage in Holmfirth, or as an eccentric, cheese loving, love forlorn inventor, we shall have the pleasure of him more years to come.
… Thank you for coming by, Mr. Sallis…
