Remembering a great

Published Tuesday 22 April 2008 at 10:35

It was good to read the article on Robert Donat (The Stage, page 52, April 10) - I find so many young actors today don’t know of him and he’s one of our greatest actors of the past.

There are two inaccurate statements in the article. He did not continually move between the West End and Hollywood, his only Hollywood venture was The Count of Monte Cristo. The 39 Steps and Knight Without Armour were made in Britain. In fact he disliked Hollywood so much, he never returned after Monte Cristo. Among the roles he turned down from Hollywood were Captain Blood, Romeo in the MGM Romeo and Juliet, Robin Hood, Anthony Adverse and others.

Among his theatre appearances in the forties in Britain was Shaw’s Heartbreak House not Heartbreak Hotel as mentioned in the article.

He always showed an interest in young actors and helped them enrich their talents, among whom were Alan Badel, Deborah Kerr and myself.

Jack Lynn

Denville Hall Home For Retired Actors

Ducks Hill Road

Northwood

Middlesex