2007 BAFTAs Judi Dench made her professional debut career in 1957 and her career has spanned nearly six decades. Now, at the age of 80 with failing eyesight, she has revealed her opinion about ageing.
Dame Judi Dench’s portrayal of older characters in film such as Mrs Brown, and 'Q' in the latest James Bond movies has brought dignity to the representation of the elderly on screen. We certainly need to see the older generation portrayed rather than young actresses acting the part of an older woman. And I'm thoroughly sick of seeing young beautiful women playing the part of a high court judge or a commander.
In an interview with the US celebrity magazine People she says: “There’s nothing good about being my age. Someone said to me, ‘You have such a wealth of knowledge,’ and I just said ‘I’d rather be young and know nothing, actually.’” She has no plans to slow down and wants to keep trying new things. Source: BBC.
Although eight years younger, I have plenty of experience. Some could say that's a wealth of knowledge. As it's Sunday, the day when I reminisce, I'll tell you about my relocation in the late 50s, when I was the tender age of 14 to 16.
Living in Australia at the time, I started high school as a natural progression to my schooling, although not gung-ho about learning. I would rather get on with all the exciting things life tempted me with. Needless to say, I didn't do well at my studies.
Dame Judi Dench’s portrayal of older characters in film such as Mrs Brown, and 'Q' in the latest James Bond movies has brought dignity to the representation of the elderly on screen. We certainly need to see the older generation portrayed rather than young actresses acting the part of an older woman. And I'm thoroughly sick of seeing young beautiful women playing the part of a high court judge or a commander.
In an interview with the US celebrity magazine People she says: “There’s nothing good about being my age. Someone said to me, ‘You have such a wealth of knowledge,’ and I just said ‘I’d rather be young and know nothing, actually.’” She has no plans to slow down and wants to keep trying new things. Source: BBC.
Although eight years younger, I have plenty of experience. Some could say that's a wealth of knowledge. As it's Sunday, the day when I reminisce, I'll tell you about my relocation in the late 50s, when I was the tender age of 14 to 16.
Living in Australia at the time, I started high school as a natural progression to my schooling, although not gung-ho about learning. I would rather get on with all the exciting things life tempted me with. Needless to say, I didn't do well at my studies.
In 1956, the Olympics came to Melbourne, close to my home in Prahran. Everybody watched the opening ceremony by standing in the street outside the closest shop which would display the wonderful invention. During the weekend, athletes roamed the city streets with nothing to do. At that time, shops didn't stay open and the only thing drawing people to the built up area were the theatres. I got tons of autographs, including that of Ron Clarke, who lit the torch at the opening ceremony.
The highlight of 1957 was going to see Elvis Presley in Jailhouse Rock with a naughty girl from school. I'd persuaded my mother to let me stay with her for the weekend, and I saw a different side of life from my normally prim existence. Boys drove by the streets in her neighbourhood, whistling and shouting comments, which went to my head. I'd arrived. I was a flirting woman, not a girl.
Soon after that, Mother, my sisters and I moved to Glenelg, a seaside town in Adelaide, South Australia, to be with my Uncle Pete, whose wife had left him with two small children. We moved into my grandmother's house, built by her grandfather during the early settlement.
Of course, I enrolled in the local high school, but beforehand, the headmaster confronted me with the question of whether I really wanted to learn. I said no, and bowed out of further education.
The first job I found was a junior in a city advertising agency, hired by a very understanding boss. I didn't do much and after a year, he arranged for me to go to his friend on the other side of Adelaide, working as a doctor's receptionist. In the quiet suburb, I met some boys who took me for rides in the back of their 'ute', all laughing and joking, with never a hint of impropriety. How innocent those days—both the era and my own naivety.
The highlight of 1957 was going to see Elvis Presley in Jailhouse Rock with a naughty girl from school. I'd persuaded my mother to let me stay with her for the weekend, and I saw a different side of life from my normally prim existence. Boys drove by the streets in her neighbourhood, whistling and shouting comments, which went to my head. I'd arrived. I was a flirting woman, not a girl.
Soon after that, Mother, my sisters and I moved to Glenelg, a seaside town in Adelaide, South Australia, to be with my Uncle Pete, whose wife had left him with two small children. We moved into my grandmother's house, built by her grandfather during the early settlement.
Of course, I enrolled in the local high school, but beforehand, the headmaster confronted me with the question of whether I really wanted to learn. I said no, and bowed out of further education.
The first job I found was a junior in a city advertising agency, hired by a very understanding boss. I didn't do much and after a year, he arranged for me to go to his friend on the other side of Adelaide, working as a doctor's receptionist. In the quiet suburb, I met some boys who took me for rides in the back of their 'ute', all laughing and joking, with never a hint of impropriety. How innocent those days—both the era and my own naivety.
My young sisters attended the local primary school, and my mother looked after my nephew and niece while Uncle Pete went to work as a photographer. The happy time I spent with them all back then remains clear in my memory. Pete was my favorite person in the world. He never tried to conform to the norm. He rigged the house with speakers in every room, and we could set up a vinyl record to replay. I nearly wore the grooves out of 'Won't you wear your ring around your neck'. As a yo-yo champion, he taught me some tricks, spending hours with me until I mastered the art. The only way he could wake was by using a fire alarm, which rang beside his bed for about 10 minutes at a time. The neighbors were so forgiving back then. Once he kept me dangling with hints of a wonderful Christmas present. When I opened the parcel, I found a peg apron with the words 'I hate work'. What a disappointment.
I loved life at the time, loved going to the beach close by, sitting on the white sand in the sunshine beside the Life Saving Club, rubbing coconut oil on my skin, flirting with the boys, and swimming in the gentle waves. Ah, yes, Judi, being young takes a lot of beating.
Would you rather have knowledge or youth? How unfortunate that you can't have both.
I loved life at the time, loved going to the beach close by, sitting on the white sand in the sunshine beside the Life Saving Club, rubbing coconut oil on my skin, flirting with the boys, and swimming in the gentle waves. Ah, yes, Judi, being young takes a lot of beating.
Would you rather have knowledge or youth? How unfortunate that you can't have both.
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