Somebody requested David Niven as a Man Candy Monday — I can’t remember who, when, or why, I just made a note of it. Well, I hope that person is watching because your time has come! Don’t say we never did anything for ya ;)
Capt. Randall in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936)
Edgar in Wuthering Heights (1939)
Lt. Terence McCool in The Real Glory (1939)
Aaron Burr in Magnificent Doll (1946)
Prince Charles Edward Stuart in Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948)
Sir Percy Blakeney / The Scarlet Pimpernel in The Fighting Pimpernel (1949)
Capt. Pindenny in Soldiers Three (1951)
James, Duke of Brampton, in The King’s Thief (1955)
Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
Cpl. John Anthony Miller in The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Maj. Richardson in The Best of Enemies (1961)
Sir Arthur Robertson in 55 Days at Peking (1963)
Dicky, Lord Lendale, in Lady L (1965)
Major Burnside in Before Winter Comes (1968)
The Ghost, Sir Simon de Canterville, in The Canterville Ghost (1974)
Colonel Race in Death on the Nile (1978)
Sir William Stephenson in A Man Called Intrepid (1979)
What’s your favorite historical costume role of David Niven’s?
Thank you! Don’t know if it was just me, but I know I requested a Niven MCM quite some time ago.
Awesome! Glad you like it.
Thanks again, but where’s The Dawn Patrol (1938)? Love that film, and you also get Flynn and Rathbone.
David is always dapper and sure looks good in a uniform! My favorite role of his is not a Frock Flick – the hilariously funny Bachleor Mother with Ginger Rogers – so to pick a 2nd and qualifying as a FF, I would chose Death on the Nile. Thanks for the post!
Yes, David Niven almost always looked dapper in any role he took on.
I really liked his portrayal of Lynton in ‘Wuthering Heights’. He was so truly British, with such an “Officer & Gentleman” look about him. So I was surprised, to read that he was never Knighted by the Queen. When one knows he even joined the Military – again (having served as a young man, after leaving Sandhurst Military Academy) – to fight in WWII. And even mmaking the time to star in 2 propaganda War films). He was close with Winston Churchill and if you look at who showed up to his funeral…
But maybe the Queen suspected/found out that Niven was rumoured to having had an affair with her Sister – Princess Margaret (20 years his junior).
It can’t have been his tax evasion move to Switzerland.
Many famous Brits did and still got Knighted.✌🏻😉
There is a great story that Niven met Churchill in 1940, after he’d left Hollywood and returned to the British Army. Churchill said, ““Young man, you did a fine thing to give up your film career to fight for your country. Mark you, had you not done so it would have been despicable.”
“The Way Ahead” was one of the WWII films he made, but it wouldn’t count as a Frock Flick, since it was contemporary! He was partnered with his friend Peter Ustinov for many of these films, and needed a special arrangement: Ustinov was assigned to be Niven’s batman (servant) because under normal circumstances Niven (an officer) could not associate with Ustinov (who was an enlisted man).
Not a historical flick really, but he was lovely in A Matter of Life and Death. That opening sequence where he bravely and calmly says his goodbyes over the radio as he plummets to what he believes will be his death made me weep.
Such a great movie, but then again, you can’t go wrong with Powell and Pressburger!
I had a big crush on him as a youngster. This was inordinately boosted by reading ‘The Moon’s a Balloon’ his hilarious autobiography. Wuthering Heights would never be the same again…
Indeed!
His best role was as a commando in WWII. Niven was the real deal. So was his cousin, Patrick MacNee, who served in the Royal Navy.
Well it wasn’t my request, but I wish it had been. I do love me some David Niven.
‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ was one of the big films of my youth. I was taken more than once because it was used as a birthday party treat by friends’ parents. The theme music can still transport me back.
Absolutely, one of my faves of all time. He sets a high bar for Phineas Fogg.
So many of these I didn’t know about! Thanks for sharing.
I want to drink champagne in a hot air balloon.
David Niven is a vibe.
David Niven really was one of the most iconic and most British actors of his period. It’s interesting to see that he was Sir Blakeney. Although I can imagine him to be the most Dandy-like aristocrat and I’m sure that he could fight with a small sword.
I remember him very well for his performances as Phileas Fogg (and I don’t know a better version) and as colonel Race in “Death on the Nile”.
David Niven was marvelous. Does The Prisoner of Zenda not count as a Frock Flick? He was great in that too.