ScreenTalk

A few months back, I saw Sir Howard Morrison on television, and it got me thinking
that he was not yet well represented on the NZ On Screen site.  We set to work remedying that, and have recently added a great selection of his TV shows to the site.  Last month I watched Sir Howard's 74th birthday celebration on TV ONE's Good Morning.  It was an excellent programme and very moving. 

Sir Howard was gracious in an elder statesmen of New Zealand entertainment kind of way, but he still had that cheeky twinkle in his eye, and he still sang his heart out.  I logged the date of his birthday then, and made plans to do a collection of his work on our site to mark his 75th next year. 

But today comes the news of his death.  New Zealanders will mourn the passing of this showbiz favourite and Maori leader.  He had been in my thoughts lately and now he is in them again.  Please celebrate Sir Howard's life with us by enjoying these titles, and feel free to give us your written tributes too.

Oh that is really sad. Sir Howard was a great entertainer, and there are always memories whenever I hear his songs. RIP Sir Howard.

NZ History Net has just posted a lovely biography of Sir Howard. Go here to view. 

Growing up in Rotorua in the sixties we were surrounded by people of Sir Howards ilk. Great fathers, uncles, ex battalion men, singers, workers, mentors.  Some a little older than Sir Howard had been in the battalion and had spent time in Italy.  Those that returned had learnt a few Italian waiata to add to their Maori repertoire, and boy could they sing.  Sir Howard was a great elder, father, uncle and mentor to many.  He was also a hell of a singer and entertainer. Moe mai e koro i to moengaroa. Your body is laid to rest, your spirit begins its journey, your legacy lives on.

In this amazing feature film "Don't Let It Get You" from 1966 see Sir Howard singing and performing - along with Kiri te Kanawa, Lew Pryme and others.  

I was the DOP on Don’t Let it Get you, and Howard was such a dynamo to work with. John O’Shea asked me to direct and edit the musical numbers and Howard responded to being in front of the camera like a true pro.  On set and in front of a microphone, Howard had an international stature which put him in a different league to a lot of the other performers.  He had a wonderful sense of fun, and never let ego or temperament get in the way of his work.  Along with Ed Hillary – it’s very sad to see these NZ icons passing on.