Just back from watching Watford FC play Bournemouth and at least I got to see four goals. I am not a football fan but went for a day out and naturally enjoyed the hospitality suite. Does anyone want to watch a football game without padded leather seats, a three-course meal and interval and post match snacks plus a drink or two? It was on my bucket list of things to do with a couple of good pals and, as the clock ticks, why not?

When I came home I watched a 1960s classic war film called Where Eagles Dare that was actually shot at the old MGM Studios in Borehamwood and on location. I suspect you have all seen it but I still find it entertaining. It is very much a boys' own-style adventure with a lot of killing but that entertained us back then and death was less graphic than it would be shown today.

The film starred Richard Burton, who had that wonderful speaking voice and a great talent, but alas met Liz Taylor and so began a slippery slope into that fake world Liz grew up in and became an alcoholic. The Government of the day never gave him any honour as he was seen to be a tax exile and not a great image. Towards the end of his life Richard was a physical mess but I guess he enjoyed his time, although I think he wasted his talent.

In those days you needed a Hollywood star on board to ensure some box office in America so his co-star was Clint Eastwood, who I still remember in that early 1960s series called Rawhide. Does anyone remember the memorable theme tune? Of course Clint has since enjoyed a wonderful career and I think next month celebrates his 88th birthday. I wish him well.

The female lead in the film was a tragic figure in real life. Mary Ure was married to film star Robert Shaw, who I hope some of you recall. Alas, Mary was also fond of the bottle and died aged just 42 from an overdose of drugs.

The villain exposed at the end of the movie was that great actor Patrick Wymark, who came to stardom in a couple of television series made at ATV in Borehamwood during the 1960s called The Plane Makers and The Power Game. He also liked a drink and I recall a director of one live episode telling me that Patrick grabbed a glass of brandy whilst rushing between two sets. His character was not supposed to have a drink in the scene so they shot him from the waist up while an assistant director crawled along the floor and took the glass out of his hand. That was the fun of live television drama, which was of another age. Sadly, Patrick died aged just 50 in 1970 while in Australia about to start a stage play. I am sure I spotted his grave in the old Highgate Cemetery many years ago.

Two of the horrible Nazi villains in Where Eagles Dare were often cast as heavies, as we used to call them in movies of that era. Anton Diffring was actually born Alfred Pollack and appeared in several movies as a Nazi officer. The irony was in real life he was a gay Jewish actor who escaped Germany before the war. I only met him once, which was at Shepperton Studios in 1973 on a terrible picture called The Beast Must Die. He was starring with another great screen villain and gay actor Charles Gray. I was there to interview Peter Cushing, but that is a tale for another day. I think they were all great and love watching them on my old film collection.

I only really knew two of the cast. Ingrid Pitt, who also starred in Hammer horrors, was always fun but alas is no longer with us. However the great Derren Nesbitt, born in 1935, is still going strong and played the SS officer. We last met a few months ago at the memorial service for Sir Roger Moore at Pinewood Studios and I keep pestering Derren to write his autobiography. Several old stars tell me that publishers are not interested. Sadly it is true some here-today-gone-tomorrow celebrity will sell more copies but I think for instance The British Film Institute should publish these books, but that organisation does not impress me.

Well you must have had enough of me for another week so from your old name dropper it is over and out.