Give the gong to a god-like talent from Venus

SO Peter O’Toole wryly contemplates his eighth Oscar nomination. For my part, I am of an age and was sufficiently star-struck to have followed his career play-by-play and film-by-film from the 1950s.

I remember reading Kenneth Tynan’s Observer review of O’Toole’s 1959 stage performance in Willis Hall’s The Long and the Short and the Tall: “In the case of Mr O’Toole I sense a technical authority that may, given discipline and purpose, presage greatness”.

Magnificent and stunningly contrasting movie roles followed with Lawrence of Arabia and Becket. A parallel theatrical career saw him in the title role of Hamlet and playing Shylock in the Merchant of Venice — the latter prompting the Daily Express critic to ask: “Is this the next Olivier?”

Among later films, the 1969 remake of Goodbye, Mr Chips was notable for O’Toole’s characterisation of the shy but inspirational English public schoolteacher in a manner that wasn’t in thrall to Robert Donat’s memorable portrayal in the 1939 original, but in which the actor became his own man.

For his current movie, Venus, and a god-like talent on display for so long, it will be a travesty of justice if O’Toole doesn’t collect the 2007 Oscar.

Oliver McGrane

32 Marley Ave

Rathfarnham

Dublin 16.