Ronald Millar

Sir Ronald Graeme Millar (12 November 1919 – 16 April 1998) was an English actor, scriptwriter, and dramatist. He also had a noteworthy career as a political speechwriter in the Conservative Party, and was particularly known for his collaboration with Margaret Thatcher.

Background

Millar was born in Reading, Berkshire, on 12 November 1919. Millar was the son of a professional actress, Dorothy Dacre-Hill, and his father died when he was a year old. After attending Charterhouse School, Millar studied at King's College, Cambridge for a year before joining the Royal Navy in 1940, during the Second World War.

Prior to becoming a full-time dramatist and then a speechwriter, he acted in a number of West End productions during and after World War II, in the company of luminaries as Ivor Novello, Alastair Sim and John Gielgud. He also appeared in the 1943 war film '' We Dive at Dawn'' directed by Anthony Asquith. One of his most well-received productions was ''Abelard and Heloise'' featuring Keith Michell and Diana Rigg.

Career

He established himself as a playwright after the war and, between 1948 and 1954, worked in Hollywood, writing scripts for MGM. These included '' The Miniver Story'' and '' Scaramouche'', both with George Froeschel.

On his return to Britain, he successfully adapted several C. P. Snow novelsand, in 1967, William Clark's novel ''Number 10''for the stage. He also wrote the book and lyrics for the musical '' Robert and Elizabeth''. He was deputy chairman of the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 1977 until his death.

Speechwriting

Millar began his speechwriting career in 1969, writing for Edward Heath, but Heath reportedly did not appreciate his work. He had a far longer and more successful collaboration with Margaret Thatcher when she became Conservative leader in 1975. He would edit drafts in a process called "Ronnification", condensing long phrases and fitting the speech to the style of the speaker. Among his most famous contributions for Thatcher was the line " The lady's not for turning".Berlinski, Claire, ''There Is No Alternative: Why Margaret Thatcher Matters'', Basic Books, First Trade Paper Edition, 2010, p. 37. He was knighted after Thatcher became Prime Minister in 1979. He wrote the line, ''Where there is discord, let us bring harmony'', which was one of her promises on arrival at 10 Downing Street. He worked with her all throughout her premiership, and continued with John Major.

Death

Millar died at King Edward VII's Hospital in London on 16 April 1998, at the age of 78. Paying tribute, Thatcher said that he helped her "express what I felt and meant" and John Major called him "a source of wise advice and wry comment".

Selected filmography

* '' Frieda'' (1947)
* '' So Evil My Love'' (1948)
* '' Train of Events'' (1949)
* '' The Miniver Story'' (1950)
* '' The Unknown Man'' (1951)
* '' Scaramouche'' (1952)
* '' Never Let Me Go'' (1953)
* '' Rose Marie'' (1954)
* '' Betrayed'' (1954)

Selected plays

* '' Frieda'' (1946)
* '' Waiting for Gillian'' (1954)
* '' The Bride and the Bachelor'' (1956)
* '' The Big Tickle'' (1958)

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Millar, Ronald
1919 births
1998 deaths
20th-century English dramatists and playwrights
20th-century English male actors
20th-century English male writers
20th-century English novelists
20th-century English screenwriters
British male dramatists and playwrights
British speechwriters
English male novelists
English male stage actors
English gay actors
English gay writers
English LGBTQ novelists
British LGBTQ screenwriters
British male screenwriters
Royal Navy personnel of World War II
20th-century English LGBTQ people