Sometimes an actor can be hamstrung by physical appearance, and the inevitable physiological shorthand that attaches itself to them via the medium of the lazy critic. Hence, ‘jut-jawed’ and ‘heavy-browed’ dogged Harry Andrews for most of his career, despite being a thesp of towering abilities. So, while the bulk of his mighty repertoire tended towards the hard – Ice Cold in Alex, 633, Squadron, Play Dirty – he also majored in brooding period roles – The Agony and the Ecstasy, Barabbas – and could revel in uncharacteristic shtick like the closet-camp Ed in Entertaining Mr Sloane.
FINEST HOUR: For all that, you can’t beat hard man Harry, and as the lower half of the sadistic discipline camp officer duo in The Hill, Andrews sets a benchmark of bastardry.
George White
March 31, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Plus he made a random appearance in Dynasty, of all places, as Blake’s dad.