An interesting picture here of Richard Todd with his first wife Catherine and two children Peter and Fiona.

They look to be on holiday – possibly Ibiza where he owned a holiday property in the days before the island became popular – they all look happy here.

On the other hand it could be during the filming of ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’ in 1961 but looking again the two children look older than they would have been in 1961 when this film was made,  although they don’t look too warm here.    If it was during the filming of Don’t Bother to Knock then this would be at West Wittering in Sussex.

As only Fiona of the above is still alive, it may be something that we will never know.

It is funny that when doing an article for this Blog, how a picture like the one above leads to speculation as to where it was taken, a nd then linking that to a film and after that coming up with a NEW Cinema IN Sheffield   – with its very first film ‘Don’t Bother to Knock’  – as below:

The ABC Sheffield was opened on May 17th 1961 with Richard Todd in “Don’t Bother to Knock”. It was the most modern cinema of its day, fully equipped with 70mm facilities and full six track stereophonic sound system with a 60ft wide screen (one of the largest in the UK). For the opening week, a Hammond portable organ was installed and was played by Albert Brierley.

Built in a stadium style with a large stalls area and more steeply raked lounge area with more luxurious seats at the rear, the total seating capacity was 1,327. The yellow house tabs spread half way along the side walls and were illuminated with concealed fluorescent lighting, while the silver screen tabs were illuminated with flood lights along the deeply curved stage edge and coloured lighting up the sides.

ABOVE A scene from Don’t Bother to Knock’

This film opened in Sheffield at the New ABC Cinema – and as Richard Todd said the audience reaction was very good – but at a previous London showing the Press hammered the film. Coupled with that Richard Todd who had produced the film decided on  a Summer release – it turned out to be a lovely summer and the crowds did not go to the cinema – certainly not to see this one.

He had turned down an Easter release which is usually good for film takings – so it just makes you think ‘stick to what you are best at’

Richard Todd may have been a gifted actor and a successful and, I would say, a lucky one – however this ability and luck did not seem to follow him into the world of business