Hi °C | Lo °C Madam – I greatly enjoyed Ulick O'Connor's article on Brendan Behan (Sunday Independent, February 10, 2013) celebrating the 90th anniversary of his birth, and his clever juxtaposition of Behan and Oscar Wilde, both of whom were the toast of New York in their time.
O'Connor wrote an excellent biography of Behan quite a number of years ago now which he quotes from in the article. Behan was such a wonderful character that there are countless hilarious anecdotes and quotes that capture his unique if frequently off the radar talent.
One of my favourites is from the famous American actor Jackie Gleason, who really hit it off with Behan when he took America by storm. There is a wonderful picture of Behan and Gleason together which captures two "larger than life" characters with their foot firmly down on the accelerator, demonstrating not only their camaraderie but also their mutual respect. Gleason's quote is pure class: "Behan was 100 per cent proof, not so much an Act of God as an Act of Guinness."
Mark Lawler,
Liberties Heritage Association, D8
