Always liked the debonair Niven. While he had a reputation as a bit of a rake (justified), he took time away from the set to serve in WWII: "Joined the British Army's Rifle Brigade regiment and served through Dunkirk, joining the commandos and later the secret Phantom Reconnaissance Regiment. He spent most of the time behind German lines with the latter outfit, a rough, tough, hit-and-run group harassing the enemy." He was reticent about his war service, stating, ""I will, however, tell you just one thing about the war, my first story and my last. I was asked by some American friends to search out the grave of their son near Bastogne. I found it where they told me I would, but it was among 27,000 others, and I told myself that here, Niven, were 27,000 reasons why you should keep your mouth shut after the war." " On his return to Hollywood after the war he was made a Legionnaire of the Order of Merit (the highest American order that can be earned by an alien). This was presented to Lt. Col. David Niven by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower." A great actor from the greatest generation.
Always liked the debonair Niven.
ReplyDeleteWhile he had a reputation as a bit
of a rake (justified), he took time
away from the set to serve in WWII:
"Joined the British Army's Rifle Brigade regiment and served through Dunkirk, joining the commandos and later the secret Phantom Reconnaissance Regiment. He spent most of the time behind German lines with the latter outfit, a rough, tough, hit-and-run group harassing the enemy."
He was reticent about his war service, stating,
""I will, however, tell you just one thing about the war, my first story and my last. I was asked by some American friends to search out the grave of their son near Bastogne. I found it where they told me I would, but it was among 27,000 others, and I told myself that here, Niven, were 27,000 reasons why you should keep your mouth shut after the war."
" On his return to Hollywood after the war he was made a Legionnaire of the Order of Merit (the highest American order that can be earned by an alien). This was presented to Lt. Col. David Niven by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower."
A great actor from the greatest generation.
Remember how he humiliated that streaker at the Oscars that year? Too funny!
ReplyDeleteWasn't he the second James Bond also? Or third.
ReplyDeleteNo, but he would have been a damned good one. Debonair, as BB would say.
ReplyDelete