15 replies to this topic

[f1steveuk]

I always liked this actor, and today in Brighton, I bumped into an old neighbour of his. Thirty minutes into our chat he mentioned he used to help him build and race his Formula Vee cars. The only place in the world that might be able to stump up a picture has to be TNF, doesn't it??

[RTH]

Was he a film actor Steve? I don't remember the name. There was a Nigel Green who started the NG car company who made Kit cars a little in the style of pre- war Aston Martin Ulster based on MGB mechanicals. But I guess its a very common name I do not expect its the same person.

http://www.ngcars.co.uk/

[alansart]

Can't help with the Formula Vee info, but if it's the same Nigel Green I'm thinking of he's in the Film Tobruk, which happens to be on ITV while I'm typing this!

[f1steveuk]

Richard I'm surprised at you, he was in "The Avengers"!! (and funnily enough the episode with Arthur Lowe and the electric shock car was on Friday! did you see it?)



(Copyright attached)

He was indeed in Tobruk, and the Ipcress File. His old mate, said that he was just getting a lot more work, and accidently overdosed on sleeping pills. He was, it was said, quite quick in his own cars, but not so in "factory" built ones. He had no idea what the cars were called.

[RTH]

Ah, yes I do know the face, yes I did see that Avengers episode on Friday........perhaps the name just wasn't distinctive enough? Yes he was a good actor, had no idea about FVee though.

[f1steveuk]

It isn't a name that jumps out at you is it? I must admit that I had to google the name, and then recognised him! Tall man for an FV!

[Gary C]

.....he was certainly in one of Michael Caine's 'Harry Palmer' films, it wasn't 'Funeral in Berlin' as I watched just last night! Not 'Billion Dollar Brain' either, so it must be 'The Ipcress File'!!

[lanciaman]

He was the turncoat villain in "Ipcress" and the commander (major?) of the commando unit in "Tobruk" (upon being captured by the Germans he shoots the spy who infiltrated his unit, knowing it means his own immediate execution).

He was an engaging screen presence but I cannot help with any racing he may have done.

[Stirling]

Nigel Green's (1924-1972) greatest role was surely that of the stoic RSM in 'Zulu'.

- "Why us Sar'n Major?"

- "Because we're 'ere, lad. There's nobody else."

[f1steveuk]

Ah we're getting there, at least he has a helmet on in that picture! I've done a bit of searching, but nothing as to when he raced, what he called his cars, nothing

[metalshapes]

Was this the same actor that built a ( SBC?) V8 powered EType?
I remember reading about that car in Cars & Car Conversions, long time ago...

[f1steveuk]

Originally posted by metalshapes
Was this the same actor that built a ( SBC?) V8 powered EType?
I remember reading about that car in Cars & Car Conversions, long time ago...

There was no reference made to an E type, just a home built series of Formula Vee cars, but you never know!

[ErleMin]

Name doen't ring a bell, FVee-wise. I'll have a little routle. Recognise the face from the Ipcress file as in "Listen to me".

[Quixotic]

I never knew Nigel Green Raced Vees.

As an Infantry Sergeant myself, I always wished I could come up with lines like the ones that he did in the movie Zulu.

How good was he in Vees?

[retriever]

[quote name='Stirling' date='Jul 8 2007, 14:03' post='2778043']
Nigel Green's (1924-1972) greatest role was surely that of the stoic RSM in 'Zulu'.

- "Why us Sar'n Major?"

- "Because we're 'ere, lad. There's nobody else."


[/quote
That film had wonderful casting - apart from Caine and Baker - but for me his playing of the RSM was and is the most memorable.

Edited by retriever, 02 August 2010 - 18:15.

[Daren W]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0338210/ try this link for all his acting roles he had 82 of them from 1952 thru 1973 Regards Daren