I had a crack at writing his biography. It's okay but he deserves a much better locally published, generously illustrated book. So far, my effort is the only book available on his life and career. It ticks along.
During my research, I wrote to his wife Elizabeth and I did not expect a reply. But a reply came and this is it - a treasured possession:
In 2010, I contributed to a BBC NI TV documentary on Stephen Boyd. James Ellis was involved too. I mentioned my book idea on Stephen Boyd and without hesitation Jimmy said he would be privileged to write the foreword, which he did:
“Stephen Boyd was one of the nicest, kindest people I have
met in my lifetime, rare in this profession.”
Euan Lloyd, film
producer (“Shalako”, “The Man Called Noon” and “The Wild Geese”)
FOREWORD BY JAMES ELLIS
I first met Stephen Boyd, or Billy Millar
as he was then known, around 1950 when I joined the Group Theatre in Belfast
where Billy was already a member of the company. He had already made a bit of a name for
himself on radio where he played the part of a lugubrious detective in his rich
County Antrim accent with the catchphrase “I’m just making wan or two
enquiries.” One day over coffee Billy
told me in confidence that he was thinking of trying his luck in England but
since nobody with an Ulster accent had succeeded in breaking down the wall of
prejudice that surrounded English directors and casting directors, I didn’t
think he had much chance. Sam Kydd from
the Donegal Pass was a possible exception.
He had solved the problem by assuming a cockney accent, not just for
auditions but also in everyday life.
Back home we waited for news of Billy’s progress but were unaware of the
struggle and the privations he was going through. One rumour that emerged was that he had got a
job as a commissionaire in a cinema in Leicester Square where he was spotted by Michael Redgrave. Another story was that in desperation he had
re-invented himself as a Canadian.
After he had found fame he withdrew this story in a magazine called
“Picturegoer” and proclaimed himself a proud Ulsterman.
Around this time - the nineteen-sixties –
we often met up when he was in London, together with another old friend J.G.
Devlin who had also appeared in films directed by John Ford and Walt
Disney. I myself had also found fame in a television series
in which J.G., himself a former Group Theatre actor, often appeared.
Stephen for preference would join us for a
drink in the club at the BBC’s Television Centre where he was less likely to be
pestered by autograph hunters. There we
learned about his famous leading ladies including Gina Lollobrigida, Brigitte
Bardot and many more. One story was
that he was to star opposite Elizabeth Taylor in the film “Cleopatra” but due
to Elizabeth’s minor illnesses the film was delayed so his agent lost patience
and withdrew Stephen, arranging for him to play opposite Sophia Loren in “The
Fall of the Roman Empire.”
“Well”, said J.G. with a smile and a shrug, “that’s
not a bad swap, Sophia Loren for Elizabeth Taylor.” Richard Burton was cast as Anthony and the change
most likely altered the course of cinema history.
Joe Cushnan’s excellent biography of
Stephen Boyd, the forgotten film star and a fellow countryman of mine, fills a
disgraceful gap in cinematographic history and should be read by all who are
interested in that fascinating subject.
James Ellis
December 2012
Author’s note: Jimmy Ellis passed away on 8
March 2014 at 82. I had known of his work for decades but only met him in July
2010 when we were contributing to a TV film on Stephen Boyd. He was a generous,
gracious and supportive man, offering to write this foreword without any prompt
from me. It is one of the pleasures of my life to have spent time in this
company.
I'm quite proud of this stuff.
Stephen Boyd is one of the greatest actors ever. When you watch Turner Classic with all the great actors you notice Steve's obvious acting abilities and charisma which put him in the Gable, Flynn category. A life to short but not forgotton. He jumps off the screen like only great actors can. He belongs on Hollywood walk of fame.
ReplyDeleteStephen Boyd belongs on the Hollywood walk of fame.He had as much talent and charisma as any actor who ever lived
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