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Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:05 am
by RK_Striker_JK_5
He never worked with the new Doctors.
Nicholas Courtney, best known for his role as Brigadier in the UK's original "Doctor Who" series, has passed away at the age of 81. Courtney actually worked with more versions of the Doctor than any other actor, having appeared in 107 episodes of the sci-fi series, several TV shorts, and reprising the role of Brigadier in "The Sarah Jane Adventures."
Born in Cairo, Egypt on Dec. 16, 1929 as William Nicholas Stone Courtney, Courtney served in the British Army before becoming an actor. Before breaking out on "Doctor Who," Courtney was in several cult hit television series.
He first appeared on "Doctor Who" in 1965 in "The Dalek's Master Plan." Ultimately, when David Langton gave up the role of Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Courtney was cast in the role, which became his best-known "Doctor Who" role.
Courtney, whose most recent acting credit is 2009's "Liberty Hall" short (as Lethbridge-Stewart) was also an accomplished writers. He's published memoirs "Five Rounds Rapid!," "A Soldier in Time," and "Still Getting Away With It"
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 11:21 am
by colmquinn
RIP.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:26 pm
by Griffin
RIP.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:50 pm
by Captain Seafort
RIP
An interesting note: Courtney appeared in more episodes than any but the first four Doctors, even if you count the 45-minute ones as double and "The End of Time" Pt 2 as triple.
He first appeared on "Doctor Who" in 1965 in "The Dalek's Master Plan." Ultimately, when David Langton gave up the role of Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, Courtney was cast in the role, which became his best-known "Doctor Who" role.
They haven't done their research particularly well. Lethbridge-Stewart was a Colonel in his first appearance.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:14 pm
by RK_Striker_JK_5
I remember him punching out the Master in 'The Five Doctors'. *Sigh* Memories.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:18 pm
by Mikey
Captain Seafort wrote:They haven't done their research particularly well. Lethbridge-Stewart was a Colonel in his first appearance.
Yes, but was he yet a brigadier when Langton was replaced by Courtney? If so, then the article's statement is completely accurate.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:33 pm
by Captain Seafort
Mikey wrote:Yes, but was he yet a brigadier when Langton was replaced by Courtney? If so, then the article's statement is completely accurate.
Courtney played the Brig right from the start in "Web of Fear" - Langton binned it before they started filming.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:35 pm
by Captain Seafort
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:I remember him punching out the Master in 'The Five Doctors'. *Sigh* Memories.
"Jenkins! Chap with wings there - five rounds, rapid."
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:44 pm
by RK_Striker_JK_5
Captain Seafort wrote:RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:I remember him punching out the Master in 'The Five Doctors'. *Sigh* Memories.
"Jenkins! Chap with wings there - five rounds, rapid."
"Just once I wish we weren't facing an enemy who was immune to bullets!"
Oh, they'd better do a tribute to him in the new series. And
not just a title card at the beginning or end of an episode!
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:53 pm
by Captain Seafort
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Oh, they'd better do a tribute to him in the new series. And not just a title card at the beginning or end of an episode!
That's all Jon Petwee got, though I entirely agree. There may have been many great companions of various Doctors over the years - Jamie and Two, Sarah Jane and Four, Romana and Four, Ace and Seven, but they've always been limited in that respect. Only the Brig can truly be called a companion of the Doctor, not just of a given incarnation, even though he'll always be associated with Three.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 8:58 pm
by RK_Striker_JK_5
Captain Seafort wrote:RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:Oh, they'd better do a tribute to him in the new series. And not just a title card at the beginning or end of an episode!
That's all Jon Petwee got, though I entirely agree. There may have been many great companions of various Doctors over the years - Jamie and Two, Sarah Jane and Four, Romana and Four, Ace and Seven, but they've always been limited in that respect. Only the Brig can truly be called a companion of the Doctor, not just of a given incarnation, even though he'll always be associated with Three.
If you factor in 'The Five Doctors', he's been with the first seven, right? That's probably more than any other companion ever will. And that's all Pertwee got? Damn.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:01 pm
by Captain Seafort
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:If you factor in 'The Five Doctors', he's been with the first seven, right?
Only 1-5 and 7. He should have appeared with 10 in the SJA, but Courtney's schedule didn't work out unfortuantely.
that's all Pertwee got? Damn.
He died between the US and UK broadcasts of the TVM, and the UK broadcast was dedicated to him.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:03 pm
by Captain Seafort
On another note, I think this belongs here rather than PCE
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:05 pm
by RK_Striker_JK_5
Captain Seafort wrote:RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:If you factor in 'The Five Doctors', he's been with the first seven, right?
Only 1-5 and 7. He should have appeared with 10 in the SJA, but Courtney's schedule didn't work out unfortuantely.
He never appeared with Six? Shows the man's got taste.
that's all Pertwee got? Damn.
He died between the US and UK broadcasts of the TVM, and the UK broadcast was dedicated to him.[/quote]
Ah, thanks. A shame, there.
Re: Nicholas Courtney, the Brigadier, dead at 81
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 9:13 pm
by Captain Seafort
RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:He never appeared with Six? Shows the man's got taste.
Personally, I like Six, if not his dress sense.