Desmond Leslie
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Desmond Arthur Peter Leslie (b. 29 June 1921, County Monaghan, Ireland- d. 21 February 2001, Antibes, France) was an Anglo-Scottish-Irish pilot, film maker, and writer. Desmond Leslie, born at the height of the Anglo-Irish War, was the younger son, and youngest child, of Sir Shane Leslie, 3rd Baronet and Marjorie Ide.
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[edit] Biography
During his lifetime he served as a Spitfire pilot in the RAF during World War II, became one of the first pioneers of electric music, and co-authored one of the first books on UFOs entitled Flying Saucers Have Landed (1953), with writer George Adamski.
Desmond is probably most famously known for punching theatre critic Bernard Levin in front of eleven million viewers during an edition of the satirical TV show That Was The Week That Was in 1962.[1][2][3] Arguably his intention was to protect the honour of his then-wife (Agnes Bernelle) in response to Levin's critical review of her show "Savagery and Delight". Agnes states in her biography 'The Fun Palace' that the show was poorly received due to Desmond's custom built speakers being moved below the stage, and that Desmond had failed to check the situation, missing the show for a social appointment. As a consequence no one behind the front two rows heard a word she sang. She questioned his reasoning for feeling he should punch Mr Levin, stating it was probably more out of embarrassement than loyalty. Levin's obituaries described Leslie only as an expert on UFOs.
[edit] Screenwriting/directing career
Desmond Leslie was briefly a screenwriter/director for film and television.
- My hands are Clay (1947)
- Stranger at my Door' (1950)
- Stranger from Venus (1954)
- Them and the Thing' (1960)
During financial difficulties during the production of Stranger at my Door, Desmond opted to compose the music for the film himself. Some stated the music was the best part of the film. In the early 1950s Leslie designed the world's first effective multi-track sound mixing desk which he had built by Rupert Neve. It can still be seen in his family home Castle Leslie, Monaghan, where it has been an object of reverence for visitors such as Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney.
[edit] Marriages and children
His first wife was Agnes Elizabeth Bernauer (Agnes Bernelle) on 18 August 1945. That marriage ended in divorce. They had two sons and one daughter:
- Shaun Rudolf Christopher Leslie (b. 4 June 1947), married Charlotte Bing; no offspring. He is the heir of the Leslie Baronetcy, of Glaslough, County Monaghan, that his uncle, John Leslie, currently (as of 2007) holds.
- Christopher Mark Leslie (b. 7 December 1952), married Cliona Manahan and had two children, Leah Leslie and Luke Leslie.
- Antonia Kelvey Oriel Leslie (b. 1963), married Colm Nolan, and raised one daughter, Lola Leslie.
He then married Jennifer Helen Strong in 1970. They had two daughters:
During the 1990s he devoted his time to restoring the ageing family home of Castle Leslie which eventually opened to the public. He later relocated to Nice in the south of France due to emphysema where he died in 2001, aged 79.
[edit] References
- Desmond Leslie. Telegraph.co.uk (November 22, 2001). Retrieved on 2007-04-27.
- Yockel, Michael (April 11, 2001). They Came from Out of the Sky. New York Press (Volume 14, Issue 15). Retrieved on 2007-04-27.
