Calling Dr. Bombay: Actor Bernard Fox

From the April 7-13 American Profile Magazine "Ask American Profile."

A reader wrote in asking, "What is up with Bernard Fox of Hogan's Heroes, Bewitched and Titanic fame?"

I didn't recognize the name, but sure did spot him in the photograph accompanying the answer.  None other than my favorite "Bewitched" character, Dr. Bombay (well, other than Abner and Gladys across the street).   "ABNER!!!!!"   "What now, Gladys???"

That poor guy was always interruped while doing something exotic and would be twitched into Samanath's home to solve some sort of a witch problem.  Poor guy never got much relaxation or fun.

"After making 30 films between 1956 and 2004, Fox, 85, who lives in Los Angeles, retired from show business.  The native of Wales (hence the accent) was featured in two films about the night the Titanic went down: He delivered the line "Iceberg dead ahead, sir!" (from the crows nest) in "A Night to Remember" (1958) and played Col. Archibald Gracie IV in "Titanic" (1997).

He's best-known for his TV roles as Malcom Merriweather on "The Andy Griffith Show, Dr. Bombay on "Bewitched" and British Col. Crittendon on "Hogan's Heroes."  Also, there were several appearances on "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

I especially liked the role he played as the retired and somewhat senile British Air Force officer on the "The Mummy."  Well, until he went down with his plane into the sand.

Quite the Character.  --Cooter

Lowe Got His Plaque

The previous post was two years old, so I went to Wikipedia and found out that the plaque Maddie Matthews wanted was unveiled on the centennial anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, just as she had wanted.  The slate plaque is in Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales, and is inscribed in both English and Welsh with picture of Harold Rowe and the Titanic.

It reads: "In Commemoration of 5th Officer Harold Godfrey Lowe who left Barmouth aged 14 to go to sea.  He played a heroic role in the rescue of survivors during the sinking of RMS Titanic on 15th April 1912."

The plaque was unveiled by his grandson, Captain John Lowe.

Glad to See It Came About.  --DaCoot