You were the epitome of style and sophistication, Mr. Wyngarde, to the point that some have even claimed you inspired Mike Myers to base Austin Powers on your suave character, Jason King. Others state that you mirrored the classy sensibilities of author, Ian Fleming, but in any case, your mirthfully contagious charm was purely original: every bit your own.
The evidence can be found in all facets of your career, though it rises especially high in those products of distinct, flamboyant atmosphere, such as "Alexander the Great"; "The Innocents"; "Night of the Eagle"; "The Avengers"; "I Spy"; "The Saint"; "The Prisoner" (as No. 2); "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes"; "Hammer House of Mystery" and the eternal "Doctor Who".
However, space-opera fans will remember you best as the golden-faced Klytus, henchman to merciless Ming, in "Flash Gordon '80". Lord only knows that if things had been played fairly, your characterization could have inspired an endless spree of collectibles that would have been produced to this day.
You'll be missed, my friend, but your legacy will stand as a blueprint for anyone who dares to be different, special and of course, super cool.
Oh, how I'd have relished the chance to see Wyngarde on stage in the musical version of "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", but alas, he never got beyond only half a night's production. Pity... (I'm hoping to find photos of what might exist of the truncated production, but at this point, I'm coming up short. If anyone should have some to share, I'd be most appreciative.
ReplyDeleteBTW: Many have compared Klytus to Darth Vader. I appreciate the comparison, but I always saw more of Dr. Doom in Wyngarde's "Flash Gordon" persona. Wyngarde, for that matter, would have made an excellent Doom or any villain in any Marvel or DC film.
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