Skip to main content

Robert Newton - Dorset Pirate King

Why do all pirates talk with an exaggerated Dorset accent? Blame rests firmly on the shoulders of Dorset actor, Robert Guy Newton born in Shaftesbury in June 1905.

A colourful, hell raising individual, both on and off stage, Robert had a long and distinguished career in the theatre, in films and on television. For anyone who wants to talk like a pirate, it is almost obligatory to copy the vocal intonations of Robert Guy Newton. He excelled at playing cunning villains. With his thunderous voice and rolling eyes he mesmerised audiences. He is best remembered for playing the rapscallion one-legged pirate Long John Silver in the Disney film, Treasure Island and in its sequel made in Australia four years later. This was followed by a television mini-series filmed on Sydney beaches and on South Sea Islands in the mid 1950s. He had also played the two-legged but bearded pirate, Edward Teach in Blackbeard the Pirate in 1952.

Robert was married four times and is remembered also for his partiality to alcoholic drink. He was once nicknamed the ‘terror of Pinewood Film Studios’. On one occasion, Newton was so drunk he turned up at the wrong film set and started acting. Realising his good fortune, as he had such a big star and did not have to pay a fee, the director kept Robert in four scenes before the drunken actor realised his error and left. Another time Robert assaulted a car with a horse whip because it would not start. In 1952, he spent some time in a Hollywood Jail when he was taken drunk from a night club. Then in 1954, an application was made for his bankruptcy as he owed the British Inland Revenue £46,300.

Robert Newton was the son of talented landscape artist, Algernon Newton whose painting ‘a Dorset Landscape’ recently sold for £225,000. His four wives were Petronella Walton (1929-35), Annie McLean (1936-1945), Natalie Newhouse (1947-52) & Vera Budnik (1952). During World War II, Robert joined the Royal Navy and served on the Arctic convoys to Russia. In 1951, he was voted one of the most popular stars in Britain.

For his role in Around the World in 80 Days, Robert had agreed to keep off the booze while filming – a pledge he faithfully honoured. However, when it ended, he went on a colossal bender which probably killed him. Robert Newton died on the 25th March 1956 in Beverley Hills, California following a heart attack. Sadly, in his later years he had suffered from chronic alcoholism.

It seems entirely appropriate that Robert Newton is the patron saint of International Talk like a Pirate Day - celebrated each year in September. With his popping eye and husky exaggerated Dorset voice, he will always be the top movie pirate of all time.

So, ‘avast ye mateys, let’s raise a non-alcoholic toast in pirate patter to the memory of Shaftesbury’s iconic and original pirate, Robert Guy Newton!’




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

True Lovers Knot - a Tragic Tale

True Lovers Knot public house describes itself as a traditional  inn set in a picturesque Dorset valley in Tarrant Keynston. Yet, this historical hostelry is said to have gained its name from a particularly tragic tale and still to be haunted by a distressed former publican. This publican’s son met and fell in love with the daughter of the local squire. Because the young lad was not from the gentry they decided to keep their relationship secret from her father. Unfortunately, a stable hand saw the two young lovers together and told her father. Set firmly against this friendship the squire made plans to send his daughter away from the district. Not able to face up to life without her boyfriend, the young girl decided to commit suicide and hanged herself from a tree in the village. So upset was the publican’s son of hearing of his girlfriend’s death he too hanged himself from the same tree. The Tarrant Keynston publican had, himself lost his wife at child birth and now losing his s...
4 comments
Read more

Holton Heath's Tragic Explosion

Ten were killed and 23 were injured according to newspaper reports at the time. This made it one of Dorset’s worst ever industrial accidents. Holton Heath employees were blown into unrecognisable fragments necessitating a roll call of the factory’s entire staff before the identities of those killed were identified. Eleven men were originally believed to have been killed but when a roll call was held one turned up. A crimson red plume of acid vapour had towered into the sky resembling the shuddering eruption of a volcano. It was caused by the bursting of a sulphuric acid tank. Close by low buildings vanished and the shock affected houses for 20 miles with roof slates dislodged, ornaments knocked down and windows broken. The sound of the explosion could be heard at Shillingstone some 18 miles away. Closer to the factory, a hoe was wrenched from the hands of a gardener who was flung against a tree. One fortunate employee, Charles Rogers owed his life to having to leave, just before the ...
1 comment
Read more

Tarrant Rushton's Nuclear Secret

Tarrant Rushton was a large RAF base used for glider operations during World War II. It was then taken over by Flight Refuelling for the conversion of aircraft for the development of aircraft in-flight refuelling. However, between 1958 & 1965, the Tarrant Rushton airfield had a much more secretive and less publicised role. This was in support of the nation’s nuclear bomber deterrent, as Tarrant Rushton airfield became a QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) dispersal unit.   During 1958, contractors Costain reinforced the main runway and carried out other work to ensure the giant bomber aircraft could be accommodated. At times just a few miles from Blandford, there would have been up to four RAF Vickers Valiant bombers at Tarrant Rushton ready to become airborne in minutes charged with nuclear weapons. The bombers were from 148 Squadron at RAF Marham in Norfolk. As there was no suitable accommodation at the airfield, an old US Air Force Hospital building at Martin was used. At the time,...
10 comments
Read more