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Actors at their final curtain call bring up memories.

7/12/2015

8 Comments

 
PictureMorguefile: lisasolonynko
Actor Omar Sharif, best known for his roles in classic films Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, is the latest actor to leave the physical stage. Earlier this year, his agent confirmed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Yesterday, his heart gave out in a Cairo hospital.

Egypt-born Sharif won two Golden Globe awards and an Oscar nomination for his role as Sherif Ali in the 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia. Three years later, he received the Golden Globe for Doctor Zhivago.


I loved him in that role, as did many people around the globe. I saw the movie in Australia.

Shortly after that time, my husband played cards with him at a London hotel late one night.

Yes! You guess correctly that my present husband and I didn't know each other at the time, living on opposite sides of the planet.

PictureMorgueFile - cracker123
Omar acted with a gentle, gracious manner during the card night and even bought everyone a round of drinks. I asked my husband if this was normal, and he said players usually bought their own libation. Well, he didn't say 'libation' because he's a Cockney (Londoner), uses everyday words to make his point, and speaks with a funny accent. But, so do I. Isn't it great that people from different places can appreciate the best in one another?

Did you know that, as an actor, Omar went through a daily routine of hair-straightening and skin-waxing in order to disguise his Egyptian looks? So shocking that people all over the world feel the need to conform to a certain appearance. Even now, women with dark skin and curly black hair routinely straighten their hair. Back in the 70s, everyone wanted a frizzy Afro. Even those people with white skin adopted the hairstyle. Crazy. But, I guess we've always had fads.

As each old actor passes on to their great reward, those of us who are left behind remember parts of our youth.

In 1962, my little family moved to Goolwa on the coast of South Australia. Mother's relationship had developed with her employer, Romilly Harry, who owned a 'holiday park' there made up of old trams bought from the Glenelg line. His workmen ripped the interior partition walls out of the beautifully appointed, interior walls lined with gleaming wood, so they formed a bedroom each end and the living space in the middle. We moved into one of the cabins, opposite the central 'store', where we sold supplies to the holiday makers.

I enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle, living in a cabin with my new baby, who was a happy child. Most days, I would take him to the Murray River's edge close by, where Romilly owned a boat shed. Sometimes, we'd dip in the water. Both of us had a good tan. Back then, I didn't know I should protect a baby's delicate skin—and mine. Wearing short shorts, I'd stroll to the main township with Kym in his beautiful cane pram, styled like the prams of old. The locals called us hippies but we weren't practising free love, we were married.


What do you remember of the time when you first watched Doctor Zhivago?

8 Comments
Amy link
7/11/2015 09:34:12 pm

Would you believe it, Francene, I've never seen "Dr. Zhivago" but now I know that I must make the time to watch it, in honor of Omar Sharif. I think he was in a Barbara Streisand movie (Funny Girl, perhaps) that I saw when I was a girl, and I had the wildest crush on him! What a gorgeous man, with those sparkling dark eyes. Why would he want to change THOSE looks, I ask you, Francene? So sad to hear of his passing.

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Ajay Pai link
7/11/2015 11:06:59 pm

Every time I read the posts you've written, I am always amazed. You have experienced so much in life, that you have connected each posts of yours, to atleast to a tiny part of your life incident.

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Nick #thisyearinmusic link
7/11/2015 11:17:43 pm

Omar Sharif was such an amazing actor! Very sad about his death.

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Alana link
7/11/2015 11:41:10 pm

It brings back memories of watching Lawrence of Arabia (not for the first time - I also saw it, in the movies, in its original release) with my husband in a Christian coffeehouse called The Great Pumpkin at the Air Force base in Wichita Falls, TX in 1976. We lay on the floor held up by floor pillows - it was an amazing night.

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Debbie D. link
7/12/2015 12:37:02 am

R.I.P. Omar Sharif. ♥. Don't remember exactly when I watched Dr. Zhivago, but it was a long time ago. The role I remember him best for is Nick Arnstein in "Funny Girl" and "Funny Lady". He had the most divine voice and exotic good looks.
Your memoirs would make a good book, Francene. Thanks for sharing snippets of your life, as well.

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Amy Bovaird link
7/12/2015 04:37:34 am

I agree with the first commentator. All your posts are so interesting and you always link them to your life! I haven't watched Dr. Zhivago either, which is a little strange to me, considering that I lived in Egypt, was married to an Egyptian and all. I will watch it, though. I did watch Lawrence of Arabia but want to see it again. Great actor!

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Lolette Stephenson link
7/12/2015 06:09:52 am

Hmmmmm, I do remember watching Omar, but I have not seen the movie you talked about. Excellent post.

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Esha M Dutta link
7/13/2015 03:46:45 am

Francene, lovely post! Very thoughtful post and sad indeed to say goodbye to a wonderful actor! I'm glad to tell you that Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago happens to be one of my most favourite books ever and the movie was simply magic to me. Watched it first in the late 80s when I was 16 and fell in love with Lara's theme and the dashing Omar Sharif! The movie brings back memories of my teenage years and an era that is lost forever :-)

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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