31 replies to this topic

[petefenelon]

Sir Peter Ustinov has died aged 82 - a man of almost infinite talents and achievements, but as far as this forum is concerned, he'll be forever remembered for The Grand Prix of Gibraltar - certainly one of the funniest comic monologues I've ever heard and the product of a true sporting enthusiast.

Sadly missed.

[karlcars]

I was very sad indeed to hear today of his death. What a great talent and magnificent human being. Fortunately we have lots by which to remember him.

Just noting recently that on one of his birthdays his surprise present from his wife, with the help of Bernard Cahier, was a Hispano-Suiza V-12!

Had the pleasure of seeing him on stage, meeting him briefly and...dating his daughter Pavla...

A big loss...great career...wonderful life.

[ian senior]

Oh no. Another one of my heroes departs. He seemed immortal, somehow...

[Arjan de Roos]

Tonight I will play again the GP of Gibraltar starring the Schorrcedes and Count Von Grips...

A mega-talent left us.

[masterhit]

Adieu, Sir Peter.

[Vitesse2]

Arjan: I'll be playing it in the car as I drive back to work

[Arturo Pereira]

[SEdward]

To be honest, a tiny part of his time and his talent was devoted to our beloved past-time.

But he was a man of great talent and immeasurable knowledge and culture. Like Richard Burton, he was a great actor who played in many poor films...

Another flash of the shine of motorsport has died forever.

Edward.

[Richard Jenkins]

Always entertaining, whether in film or in life - a great talent & a great man. RIP

[Costaz]

RIP

[ensign14]

A slightly more prosaic vehicle than a Fanfani...

RIP. 82 is a good innings, let's celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing.

[Don Capps]

Anyone who thought he was an Amilcar as a boy was destined to be someone very special whenever he grew up. Fortunately, he never really grew up and we were given a most delightful and talented man to enrich our lives -- someone who was perhaps still that Amilcar.....

[Tim Murray]

I know this is a well-worn cliche, but - I doubt we shall ever see his like again. He was unique.

[Frank S]

He knew how to have fun. We should celebrate his life and passing by emulating him in that wise, and helping others to do the same.


--
Frank S

[Option1]

Originally posted by ian senior
Oh no. Another one of my heroes departs. He seemed immortal, somehow...

I remember reading an auto-biography of him when I was a kid and long before I became interested in motor-racing. One of the funniest, most intelligent people to have graced us with their presence. He'll be missed on so many levels.

Neil

[Paul Taylor]

How sad

[quintin cloud]

RIP

[Mihai]

Romania's Petre Cristea (winner of the Monte Carlo Rally 1936) was invited in 1976 by Ford to that year's Monte and he mentions is his memories article that he had a pleasant conversation with his old friend, Peter Ustinov, at the awards ceremony.

[Racer.Demon]

Originally posted by Vitesse2


Arjan: I'll be playing it in the car as I drive back to work

Same here.

My moments of (though hopefully in the interest of safety I will be able to contain those when in the car!) will be the best way to honour him.

"Ve believe zat ze car is ze main zing to conzider, and zat man must be slave of ze machine."

Priceless...

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by Racer.Demon
"Ve believe zat ze car is ze main zing to conzider, and zat man must be slave of ze machine."

Priceless...

Hermann Lang meets Fritz Lang?

[Frank S]

Public Television reminded me of Ustinov's desired epitaph:

"KEEP OFF THE GRASS"

[SEdward]

Nothing to do with this forum or motor sport at all, but Alistair Cooke has gone too...

Edward

[David Birchall]

Great Loss.
Apart from his performance n "Grand Prix del La Roc" his "swimming" in the inspector Poirot series has to be seen to be appreciated. And I agree, anyone who thought he was an Amilcar growing up has to be worth remembering.

[Tim Murray]

Originally posted by SEdward
Nothing to do with this forum or motor sport at all, but Alistair Cooke has gone too...

Edward

I was shattered when I heard the news this morning. Two of my favourite people, in two days. Sunday mornings just won't be the same after the series of recycled 'Letters from America' comes to an end.

[TFBundy]

May both RIP!

As well as having a stint as an Amilcar and owning a 37.2 Hispano, I rather liked Ustinov's description in his autobiography "Dear Me" ...

‘I was even more sinister at the wheel of my Mercedes-Benz S-wagen, a supercharged two-seater like a propelling pencil on four huge wheels, linked by cable brakes, about as unsafe a vehicle as it was possible to conceive’

I think he lived long and prospered partly by disposing of the car .....

[smithy]

Dear me.... I'm about to show my age and ignorance but........

What is the Grand Prix of Gibralter?

[Brun]

Ustinov dead...

Ach, already?

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by smithy
Dear me.... I'm about to show my age and ignorance but........

What is the Grand Prix of Gibralter?

http://forums.atlasf...&threadid=37778

The extracts quoted only give a tiny flavour of the superbly sustained and concentrated humour of this monologue, in which Ustinov does all the voices and all the special effects - including the engine noises, sirens and even a military marching band! It's a late 50s piece and manages to perfectly convey the characters involved in the real world of 50s racing, while creating a complete fantasy GP based in Gibraltar, including a section through the harbour (the Schnorrcedes were at an advantage here due to their U-Boat experience). The Orginis smelled wonderful .... when asked what it was, Monsieur Orgini answered "Crepes Suzette" .....

And it just goes on like that! A masterpiece.

[Brun]

Originally posted by Vitesse2


http://forums.atlasf...&threadid=37778

The extracts quoted only give a tiny flavour of the superbly sustained and concentrated humour of this monologue, in which Ustinov does all the voices and all the special effects - including the engine noises, sirens and even a military marching band! It's a late 50s piece and manages to perfectly convey the characters involved in the real world of 50s racing, while creating a complete fantasy GP based in Gibraltar, including a section through the harbour (the Schnorrcedes were at an advantage here due to their U-Boat experience). The Orginis smelled wonderful .... when asked what it was, Monsieur Orgini answered "Crepes Suzette" .....

And it just goes on like that! A masterpiece.

Indeed it was... And it triggered some memories of last year's Revival Meeting!

[lanciaman]

Sir Peter reputedly went into the recording studio with a fistful of notes and winged it from there to create the Grand Prix du Roc. Funniest thing ever recorded.

He was so witty and entertaining for so long that we thought he would always be with us.

[tam999]

Gary Horstkorta contributed this photo to my website tonight. It shows Peter Ustinov and David Niven chatting with Count Wolfgang von Trips at the first L.A. Times Grand Prix at Riverside in October, 1958. Car #59 is Joe Lubin's Aston Martin DB3S. I'm glad this photo came in while this thread was still current.

http://www.tamsoldra...erUstinov1.html

[Frank S]

I have a story from Phil Binks:

At the Questor Grand Prix, after hostilities had subsided, Phil met Ustinov and entourage (or was it retinue?) marching toward an exit.

Phil: Mr. Ustinov, will you make the sound of one of those Matras?

Ustinov: (Without missing a beat) Nevah!

Retinue: (Pandemonium ensues)


------

Phil, Dolphin America racer, photographer, and participant in experiences with nearly every California racer from Miles to Monise and beyond, is going to LeMans this year. His son Dan is a crew chief on the Pratt & Miller Corvette team. Any of the TNF horde who will be there should look him up. Phil is the fellow with a new Fuji S7000 and excellent eye.


Frank S