BOB DEARBERG

Sad news has reached The Unmutual Website that Bob Dearberg, who was music editor on the first four episodes of 'The Prisoner', sadly died on May 6th 2017 after a battle with leukemia.

Bob (pictured, left) oversaw the initial music recordings for the series which were composed by Robert Farnon, and was heavily involved in creating 'the music bible', the large hand-written exercise book which catalogued the series' specially composed music and that which came from Chappel's library, some of which he selected for episodes such as 'Arrival'.

Bob then got an opportunity to work with Gerry Anderson on some of his landmark puppet series, and handed The Prisoner's music editing duties over to Eric Mival for the rest of the series.

The Unmutual Website would like to extend its sincerest sympathies to Bob's family and friends.

PETER SALLIS

June 2nd, 2017: Peter Sallis OBE has died, aged 96.

Born in Twickenham, Middlesex, Peter Sallis trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He worked with Patrick McGoohan several times, perhaps most notably in Ibsen's "Brand" where Mr Sallis' facility for playing men who are slightly uncomfortable, ill-at-ease, and frequently disapproving in their situation, made him a perfect counter to McGoohan's fanatical priest. Later, he played opposite McGoohan again in one episode of Danger Man.

His appeal to all ages was remarkable, whether as retired insurance man Norman Clegg in Last Of The Summer Wine (he was the only actor to appear in all 295 episodes between its first in 1973 and its last in 2010), or in the Wallace and Gromit series of animations as enthusiastic amateur inventor Wallace. Incidentally, Wallace's last name is never given in any of the stories but it is probably "Park" as Nick Park, Wallace's creator, named Wallace after his older brother.

Mr Sallis' voice was his fortune and he played in hundreds of radio and television plays as well as over 20 films, frequently calling up an accent that was not his own if the role required it. Having been diagnosed with the eye condition macular degeneration, Mr Sallis retired from acting in 2010 and passed away in a London nursing home. His only child, Crispian Sallis, is an Oscar-nominated film set designer.

Peter Sallis in performance was frequently portraying "stressed" but the playing was always understated: and he was always perfect in that understatement.

-- Brian Watson

With thanks to Eric Mival and Brian Watson for this news item. Image (c) and thanks to SR.

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