John Inman and Leonard Rossiter
were the first choices for two of the characters in this series, the Sergeant Major and Gloria. How would they have fared if they had been played the parts?
shareAre you kidding? I can't think they would be as good. Windsor Davies and Melvyn Hayes are so perfectly cast!
To me it is impossible for anyone else to play these classic heroes!
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(¸.·´ (¸.·´ It's a load of old Pony...
Exactly. Windsor Davies and Melvyn Hayes were so perfect! I don't think anyone could have played those parts better. Besides, when I think of John Inman, I immediately think of Mr Humphries, and although Mr Humphries and Gloria have a few things in common, they are definately not interchangeable. And Leonard Rossiter, as I have read in David Croft's autobiography and on IMDb, was (excuse my French) a bit of an arrogant bastard.
Darling, We're the Young Ones
Hammersmith Hardwoman #11
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Leonard Rossiter did not endear himself to Croft and Perry in his initial consultation about the part, he immediately began demanding changes in the script, the characters etc before he would accept the part. Indeed he annoyed one of them (Croft, I think) so much that he made a signal to the other indicating that he didn't want him. Windsor Davies was invited to discuss the part, he was instantly enthusiastic and minor changes were made to the script to make the Sgt Major a Welsh character and the series went from success to success.
shareIndeed he annoyed one of them (Croft, I think)Must have been Croft, yes...he states in his autobiography (which is called You have been watching... and is definately worth reading, by the way) that he immediately disliked Rossiter for being so demanding and uncompromising... Thank god they chose Windsor Davies even though Rossiter was quite popular at the time...he was brilliant as the Sergeant Major, and the Welsh thing was a great idea. I know the Welsh are often ridiculed in Britain, but they do make great comedy actors (after all, don't forget Ruth Madoc as Gladys Pugh from Hi-de-Hi!). Hurray for the Welsh, I'd say! And I love the accent.
Darling, We're the Young Ones
Hammersmith Hardwoman #11 share
They made the right choice. The RSM and Gloria were great.
sharealthough she played the part as Welsh, and she had married a welsh actor, philip madoc,ruth was born in east anglia
shareIt says on IMDb that her birth name is Ruth Llewellyn, which is a Welsh name, so I also assume she comes from a Welsh family.
Darling, We're the Young Ones
Hammersmith Hardwoman #11
I have to agree, Windsor was great as the RSM, whenever I read any books about that ear that mention Sergent Majors, it him that I see in my minds eye
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