Two Anecdotes from Peter Ustinov by Tony Piazza
Sir Peter Ustinov
Sir PETER USTINOV…actor, author, and man of too many other accomplishments to fully do him justice here. I took this photograph (below) just before a personal introduction we were given him during a reception in San Francisco back in the early 1990’s.
During that visit he told us anecdotes about some of the actors that he worked with. Two of them particularly stand out in my mind. One had to do with CHARLES LAUGHTON. He was a house guest of the Ustinov’s and came down to breakfast one morning with pink curlers in his hair. Promptly at his appearance, one of Peter’s children spoke out and asked (to Ustinov’s embarrassment), “Who the lady was?”
Charles Laughton in “Witness for the Prosecution”
As some of you mystery fans know, he played Poirot in both motion picture and television movies. This second story has to do with that. When he was going to do “Death on the Nile” he was introduced to Dame Agatha Christie’s daughter Rosalind as Poirot, in which she responded, “You are NOT Poirot!” To which he replied, “I am now, Madame!”
Sir Peter Ustinov as Poirot
As an aside: It was a thrill meeting Mr. Ustinov, and I walked away with a wonderful souvenir that I’ve cherished to this day- an autographed copy of his last novel.
Ustinov Poirot Filmography:
Death on the Nile (1978)
Evil Under the Sun (1982)
Thirteen at Dinner (1985)
Dead Man’s Folly (1986)
Murder in Three Acts (1986)
Appointment with Death (1988)
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Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was next released early 2012, and in July of 2013, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. A new Tom Logan novel has been completed and is scheduled to be released in 2015. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.
Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.
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The novel that started it all. The first in the Tom Logan mystery series- read by actor James Romick,will be available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.
LOOK for the new Tom Logan novel. Tentative release date late 2015!
Also:
My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.
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Always liked Peter Ustinov–especially his voice! Must confess though, didn’t think he was a great Poirot–though who can compete with Suchet’s Poirot!
I agree, Madeline. He was fun, and did his own take on the character, but was nowhere the definitive Poirot as Christie wrote him. Suchet nailed it. Just as I enjoyed Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple. Her interpretation was also her own…cute character. But, I believe the later actresses seemed to fit the bill better.I especially liked Joan Hickson. Again, thanks for reading and commenting!