John Miller (3) (1937–2022)

That most perfect gift – laughter. ”Which has always seemed to me” says Ustinov,” that most civilized of music”. And what a lot he gave us. An international figure and face that I met in most of my travels from video-presentations on cognac barrels in France to posters and books and photos in Latin America, Australia, and Indonesia … never failing to bring forth an affectionate smile wherever Peter Ustinov was found.

More of a joint-collaboration on an Autobiography rather than a ‘life’, this book echoes and rings with Ustinov’s own laughter. A truly gifted artist in authorship, reportage, acting, script and play writing, comedian, “the world’s best after dinner speaker”, raconteur, mimic and philanthropist Sir Peter Ustinov passed away in his eighty-first yearly (2004) reluctant to stop the performance being given in any of his multiple languages or disciplines.

A tremendous life and talent portrayed in a book (written by a carefully chosen biographer) that Ustinov very actively participated in creating – with his usual enormous enjoyment and mischief – that is a thoroughly recommended read.… (mais)

Dame Judi Dench is one of our historic period's greatest actors. I felt this way long before reading this book, written by John Miller. But there are several elements of this book that lifted my praise for her work even higher.

Firstly, there are pictures of Judi sprinkled throughout the book that take the reader from her earliest days on stage (the 1957 production of "The Cherry Orchard") to her 2003 appearance as the Countess Rossillion (in "All's Well That Ends Well.") Seeing her through the years, accompanied by the stories of each of the picture's theatrical experiences brings the lady's professional story even closer to home.

Secondly, John Miller writes from a similar feeling to my own. He praises not only her professional work on the stage, but her famous generosity, humility, and sense of humor.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Judi Dench at some of her stage doors, and she is all those lovely things above and beyond her command of her acting talent.… (mais)