Synchronicity Corner... I'd just finished copying to CD a long-deleted double LP of Poe's Tales of Mystery and Imagination, and was wondering what had become of Bill Mitchell, the actor who so effectively read the stories, when BBC Radio 4 provided the answer in this half-hour programme.
"Miriam Margolyes presents a documentary charting the life and career of her late colleague and friend Bill Mitchell, the voice-over artist who informed us the latest blockbusters would be 'at cinemas near you from Sunday', told us 'Carlsberg was probably the best lager in the world', and that Denim was 'for men who didn't have to try too hard'.
"Born in Canada, he admitted that heavy drinking and smoking from his teens helped preserve the voice, and indeed drove his excessive lifestyle. He 'had to' abuse his body to maintain the voice and he 'had to' be in a Soho pub because it was handy for the recording studios.
"Bill's career spanned acting, voice-over work, plus a brief spell as 1970s pop outfit Yin and Yan with friend Chris Sandford. His remains ranked as one of the greats within the advertising industry.
"Featuring contributions from Bill's daughter Amanda McAllister, musicians and friends Zoot Money and Kenny Clayton, and industry moguls Nick Angell and Rob Townsend."
"Bill Mitchell, the Man Who Wrestled Pumas - Probably" was broadcast on the 18th June 2009. Yesterday, in fact!
RogerBill Mitchell 18 June 2009.mp3
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