R.I.P. Leo McKern
Just learned from Ansible that Leo McKern died a few days ago. He was best known in sf circles as the most memorable Number Two in The Prisoner and as the monk (Father Imperius) in Ladyhawke; in fact, he had my favorite line in the latter:
Imperius: What do you want?
Phillipe: I was told to bring you this hawk, father. It's been wounded.
Imperius: Good shot! Bring it in, we'll dine together.
Phillipe: We can't eat this hawk, father!
Imperius: What? Oh God, is it Lent again already?
But he also featured prominently in many other movies and TV shows. I suspect he's best known outside of sf circles for being the star of Rumpole of the Bailey, or possibly for his excellent work as Gloucester in the BBC's King Lear. He also appeared in Help!, A Man for All Seasons, and The Mouse that Roared, among others.
I haven't seen anything he was in since Ladyhawke, not that there's been much. He was in his sixties then, and 82 when he died. I see he played Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (referred to as "Q" in 84 Charing Cross Road) in a TV movie in '91; wonder if it was any good.
Anyway. I'm sorry to see him go.