Angela Scoular/ Elisabeth Sladen: Lost Companions
Talent…
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… These are the lovely ladies and gorgeous girls of eras gone by whose beauty, ability, electricity and all-round x-appeal deserve celebration and – ahem – salivation here at George’s Journal…
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One made a name for herself as a flighty bit-of-all-right in 1960s and ’70s movie comedies, as well as securing a place for herself in that oh-so rare sorority of actresses who have played two separate Bond Girls; the other became the darling of Doctor Who fans forever for portraying the heroic Timelord’s most loveable, nay, most recognisable, companion – in three separate series. Yes, they’re Angela Scoular and Elisabeth Sladen and, yes, so sadly both of them passed on long before their time earlier this year. Here then, folks, is my wee little tribute to them both, indubitably delightful lovelies from back in the day…
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Profiles
Names: Angela Margaret Scoular/ Elisabeth Claira Heath Sladen
Nationalities: English
Professions: Actresses
Born: Angela – 8 November 1945, London/ Elisabeth – 1 February 1946, Liverpool
Died: Angela – 11 April 2011, London/ Elisabeth – 19 April 2011, London
Known for: Angela – Playing Swinging ’60s free spirits in two separate Bond films, 1967’s ‘unofficial’ spoof Casino Royale (Buttercup) and 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Ruby Bartlett) and comedies Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush (1968), A Countess From Hong Kong (1967) and Doctor In Trouble (1970), as well as appearing in the bawdy Adventures Of A Taxi Driver (1976) and Adventures Of A Private Eye (1977), plus TV series The Avengers (1968), Penmarric (1979), You Rang M’Lord (1988-93) and as Cathy in the BBC’s 1967 version of Wuthering Heights/
Elisabeth – Appearing in Doctor Who (from 1973’s The Time Warrior through to 1976’s The Hand Of Fear) as perhaps The Doctor’s most popular companion Sarah Jane Smith,, opposite both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker in the title role, as well as returning in the ‘new series’ opposite David Tennant’s Doctor (2006) and reviving the character in the spin-off dramas K-9 And Company (1981) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007-11).
Strange but true: Pregnant by another man, Angela moved in with household name Leslie Phillips in 1977 and together they raised the child as their own, marrying in 1982. Elisabeth attended Grammar School with Edwina Currie, future cabinet secretary in Margaret Thatcher’s government; they appeared alongside each other in at least one school drama.
Peak of fitness: Angela – always flirty and comely, but most of all in the nuddy under a sheet, as she’s willingly seduced by James Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service/ Elisabeth – lovely throughout Sarah Jane’s original run, but perhaps most of all when dressed in her blue, one-piece swimsuit in the 1974 Doctor Who story Death To The Daleks.
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Trackbacks
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- 007/ 50: “My name’s Bond, James Bond” #2 ~ the fiasco at Casino Royale? (1967) « George's Journal
- Tardis Party: Who’s birthday? #2 ~ rare but brilliant images from Doctor Who (1970s) | George's Journal
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George's Journal 
I do not remember Angela Scoular very much because I was still at primary and early secondary school when she was at her sexiest! However, I remember her most because of her husband, Leslie Phillips!
I still remember the first episode of Doctor Who, even though I was at infants school! So, Sarah Jane Smith was there in my late teens! I admit I thought her character was the equivalent of today’s “Essex blonde”, but she was undoubtedly attractive… if you did not listen to her scripted lines! She improved a lot when Tom Baker became Doctor.
It was a great shame they both were the victims of cancer, because they were youthful, fit and healthy. It seriously makes you wonder about the goodness of being fit and healthy. I had 2 family friends who were like that and they died in their late 50’s.
I may not remember Angela Scoular, but I will never forget Sarah Jane Smith, sexy up to her death.
Lovely comment there, Peter; thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, must admit, both Angela and Lis were really before my time in terms of their best recalled eras, but I’ve always loved their work. Both, I feel, were terrific at portraying attractive, positive, modern and independent women. And both were touched by a fine talent for humour too. Their passing is indeed tragic and sad – far too young, far too young…
I do not know who Angela Scoular was- I’ve never seen any of the films she was in, or even heard of her up until now, although I will search her on Google- but I certainly know who Elisabeth Sladen was.
I’m 21 so Lis first came onto our screens before I was born, but she was in the first ever episode of Doctor Who I watched (School Reunion FTW), and I remember wondering what Doctor Who was doing leaving Sarah Jane on Earth.
She was talented, beautiful, clever and funny- I met her many times in London, seeing as I live in Ealing, which was a bit of an advantage.
Now, I’m getting into the Tom Baker era, i.e Sarah Jane’s time with him, and I’m enjoying it a lot although it’s sad knowing she’s never coming back onto our screens.
The best actress in Doctor Who, forever and always.
Gone but never forgotten. Rest in Peace Lis.
And Angela.
Taken too soon & far too young.
Do you know what cancers they died of?