HORACE JAMES IS
DEAD
By Sunday Newsday
Reporter
Newsday
June 18, 2000
Page 7
Horace James, San Fernando born actor, playwright and television
producer, whose television series Play of the month entertained Trinidad
and Tobago viewers for several years, died yesterday morning at his Diego
Martin home at the age of 72.
He
died peacefully of heart failure. Prime
Minister Basdeo Panday yesterday extended condolences to his family. He said he was saddened on learning of his
death.
"We
were fellow thespians and I admired the work he had done. He was a tremendous asset to Trinidad and
Tobago as far as our writing and acting and the area of culture were
concerned."
"I
think the country is going to miss him and I wish his family well and send out
sincere condolences to them."
He
pointed out that James had done so much work for which the country could feel
proud.
James
had begun his career as a teacher at the Moulton Hall Methodist School,
Belmont, shortly after leaving the Government Training College. He was soon off to England, however to take
up a Trinidad and Tobago government scholarship in drama at the Royal Academy
of Dramatic art (RADA).
James
had been well known as an actor and public speaker, even in his youth, and was
founder and head of the San Fernando Drama Guild, which had included such
outstanding names in drama as James Lee Wah, Dr. Clarence and Mavis Douglin and
Dalton and Gisella Lake.
Lee
Wah took over as head of the Guild when James left for England.
James
had also been an active member of the San Fernando Literary and debating Club
in which his father, the late Mr. WAM James, had been a towering figure until
his early death in 1938.
Following
his stint at RADA, James acted for several years on the British stave, screen
and television. James was persuaded to
return to Trinidad and Tobago to encourage a heightened interest in drama
through the producing of a television series here by Dr. Eric Williams, late
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who was then on an official visit to the
UK.
Dr.
Williams had been keen on Trinidad and Tobago nationals who had accomplished
much overseas returning home to pass on the benefits of what they had acquired
to fellow Trinidad and Tobago citizens.
James
accepted the challenge and joined Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT)
on his return as producer of the long running and widely acclaimed Play of the
month television series.
Some
of his better known television productions would include Let's Laugh, Play
your cards right, and Know your Country well.
But,
even before Dr. Williams' intervention had resulted in James' returning permanently
to his homeland, the late Ronnie Williams, then chairman of the Carnival Development
Committee, had been somewhat instrumental in getting him to return briefly for
a major contribution in the early 1960s to a Dimanche Gras show.
A hectic
schedule had brought on an early heart complaint with James having to undergo
not one but three heart bypass operations, the last being about three years
ago.
Holly
Betaudier well known television producer and former colleague of James, was
saddened by James' passing yesterday, describing him as one of he top comedians
and actors in the early days.
Funeral
arrangements are expected to be announced shortly.