MovieChat Forums > Evil Under the Sun (1982) Discussion > All the male leads have died.

All the male leads have died.

posted 18 years ago by MikeGrossman34
10 replies | jump to latest

When I watch this film, I'm always reminded that all of the male leads in this film have died. James Mason, Roddy McDowell, Peter Ustinov,Dennis Quigley and even the stunning Nicholas Clay. Peter Ustinov lasted the longest, passing a way just within the past couple of years. That just leaves the ladies, although I'm not sure about Sylvia Myles. She must be plenty old by now, but I do know that Maggie Smith, Jane Birkin,Emily Hone and Dianna Rigg are still kicking. I wonder if they ever watch this movie and reflect on what must have been a terrific experience.

[–] moviefanTP 18 years ago

Sylvia is still very much alive and kicking. She lives a few doors down from me on Central Park South in NYC. I used to see her occasionally at the New York Film Festival, where she would sit and eat lollipops and other candy during the movie (though not distractingly). She was adorable. One day I was crossing CPS near Broadway and I saw her and although I'm usually too shy to approach stars in my neighborhood, I said hello to her and told her what a fan I was (this was 6 or 7 years ago). She started chatting with me like I was an old friend and told me (in her delicious, raspy, New Yawk voice): "I just came from a launch party for the Backstreet Boys----they were fabulous!!!" She's really quite a character. I still see her around once in a while, and I kinda know when she's home, because she pointed up to show me which window in her building was hers. Whenever I see the lights on in that window, I think of her. Oh man---now I probably sound like a stalker!

I just finished watching EUTS for the umpteenth time and that's what brought me to this board. You're absolutely right, Mike, it must have been a terrific experience shooting this film. From the cast to the locations to the Cole Porter music to Diana Rigg's gowns to Maggie Smith's catfighting to Roddy McDowall's bitchy remarks to Nicholas Clay in that black Speedo---it's like a gay guy's dream come true!

[–] MikeGrossman34 18 years ago

Thanks for the post about Sylvia! It's great to know that she's still kicking. Don't get me started on Nicholas Clay and that black speedo. He was practically falling out of it!!! Such a tragedy that he's gone. I don't think I've ever seen someone more attractive. If you see Sylvia again, let her know she has fans here in Wisconsin!

Famous Myra Gardner line "What if the bitch refuses to do the show?"

[–] Fleurus 11 years ago

From the cast to the locations to the Cole Porter music to Diana Rigg's gowns to Maggie Smith's catfighting to Roddy McDowall's bitchy remarks to Nicholas Clay in that black Speedo---it's like a gay guy's dream come true!

That made me laugh so much !

[–] bedrock1960 10 years ago

Not all gay guys. Don't profile, please.

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

I don't think it was intended in a malicious way...

[–] bedrock1960 10 years ago

I'm sure it wasn't, but I get tired of all gay men being painted with the same brush. It's as offensive as saying all black people love watermelon and fried chicken and are shiftless and lazy. Gay men are as diverse and varied as any other group of people. I don't give a damn about women's gowns, I find bitchiness tedious and unpleasant and Nicholas Clay and his bathing suit did absolutely nothing for me (okay, I do like the songs of Cole Porter).

[–] Fleurus 10 years ago

I see what you mean... And you're right ; Gay men are indeed as diverse as any other group of people.

[–] Prismark10 10 years ago

Its a surprise that main male leads have died especially as Nicholas Clay died rather young.

Its that man again!!

[–] avenger-16 8 years ago

I am sure that there is a sort of Agatha Christie curse on actors. Most of the male actors from Murder on the Orient Express have died as well, some of them relatively young by today's standards. The following are no longer with us:

Sir John Gielgud
Jean Pierre Cassel
Colin Blakely
Dennis Quilley
Martin Balsam
Anthony Perkins
Richard Widmark
George Coulouris
Jeremy Lloyd
John Moffat

Of course the ladies are now catching up but the male cast did die off at an alarming rate.

Death on the Nile followed a similar pattern:

Peter Ustinov
Jon Finch
George Kennedy
Simon MaCorkindale
David Niven
I.S. Johar
Jack Warden
Harry Andrews
Sam Wannamaker

Nearly all of the female cast from the latter production are still with us.

Did Dame Agatha have a down on actors?!!

[–] Coventry 8 years ago

The director Guy Hamilton survived them all, but died also this year (2016)

I felt the knife in my hand, and she laughed no more...