Disney’s British Gentleman: The Life and Career of David Tomlinson
£4.70
‘A wonderful account of a life filled with far more ups and downs than its subject’s languid demeanour ever suggested.’
Miles Jupp.
Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’d recognise David Tomlinson’s face – genial and continually perplexed, he was Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, Professor Browne in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Peter Thorndyke in The Love Bug. To many, he’s the epitome of post-war British comedy.
But at times his life was more tragedy than comedy. A distinguished RAF pilot in the Second World War, his first marriage was to end in horrific tragedy and his next romance ended with his lover marrying the founder of the American Nazi Party. He did find love and security in his second marriage, but drama still played its part in his life – from the uncovering of an earthshattering family secret to the fight for an autism diagnosis for his son, up against the titans of the British medical establishment.
Tomlinson may have died over twenty years ago, but his star continues to shine. In Disney’s British Gentleman, Nathan Morley reveals the remarkable story of one of Disney’s most beloved icons for the very first time.
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Additional information
| Publisher | The History Press (30 April 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 7883 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 348 pages |
by healthysean
Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’d recognise David Tomlinson’s face – genial and continually perplexed, he was Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, Professor Browne in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Peter Thorndyke in The Love Bug. To many, he’s the epitome of post-war British comedy. He really was Disney’s British Gentleman, always remembered for his great comedy performances
But at times his life was more tragedy than comedy. A distinguished RAF pilot in the Second World War, his first marriage was to end in horrific tragedy and his next romance ended with his lover marrying the founder of the American Nazi Party. He did find love and security in his second marriage, but drama still played its part in his life – from the uncovering of an earthshattering family secret to the fight for an autism diagnosis for his son, up against the titans of the British medical establishment.
The stories are great, the list of films are great his friendships, learning about his life, especially his early life and heartbreak, his love of sport, especially tennis, his love of art, his long lasting friendship with Robert Morley.
David Tomlinson may have died over twenty years ago, but his star continues to shine. In Disney’s British Gentleman, Nathan Morley reveals the remarkable story of one of Disney’s most beloved icons for the very first time.
Great story, great book.
Four stars
by bunster
Very interesting to learn about this persons life . Much more to him than you think’
by Mrs. J. Cross
What a joy this book is. As a great fan of the wonderful British actor,David Tomlinson, I was a tad disappointed with his autobiography published some years ago as it lacked, what I thought to be,the full story. Nathan’s terrific biography fills in all the details and contains many surprises and secrets. There are many pieces to savour especially DT’s dislike of the Mary Poppins movie which he nearly expressed to a jubilant Walt Disney who was overjoyed with what he helped create. I have not been surprised at the excellent reviews this book has received in the British press and I hope its success will prompt Mr Morley to come up with more of the same. Well done on terrific read. Pete Cross
by Jill Harrison
Really enjoyed this book
by Christopher Elliott
A fairly pedestrian biography
by samingosailing.com
Very very few knew of David Tomlinson’s turbulent life. Written as fiction you would have to say it could not be true. Many people today remember DT only for the role, George Banks in Mary Poppins, but the bulk of his career was pre Mary Poppins. DT was a British Film and Stage star of the 1940’s and 1950’s. By the time the actor went to Hollywood for the first time in 1963 to make Mary Poppins he had made 35 films and appeared countless times on the London stage. This painstaking and carefully researched biography by Nathan Morley fills in the gaps and tells a hitherto untold story of a life and career and those it touched. It is also important historically for the time David Tomlinson was alive. All but 16 years of the 20th Century. It follows the recent one man show about David Tomlinson written by James Kettle with David Tomlinson played by the masterly Miles Jupp. David Tomlinson’s star still shines twenty years after his death and forty years after he retired.
by Mr Fergus James Hooley
This is a beautifully presented and wonderfully well-written book ab6out a great British actor
It moves along at a cracking pace and is full of anecdotes and stories through the years
I would recommend it without hesitation
by GAVOLT
What an amazing life. So much I didn’t know