Our London Tour took us past the famous Savoy Hotel. According to Wiki, The Savoy was the first luxury hotel in Britain, introducing electric lights throughout the building, electric lifts, bathrooms in most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold running water, and many other innovations.
Actor Richard Harris, aka Dumbledore, took up residence at the Savoy at age 70. He loved the fact that if he wanted a sandwich at 4am, he could get one. (for 6,000 Pounds/week, I would hope so!)
Harris was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, and became quite ill at the end of his life. Eventually, an ambulance came to take him from the Savoy. Our guide told us this story and I found it at The Daily Mail, so we know it’s true, right?
“When they took him away to hospital,” recalls director Peter Medak, “the lobby of the hotel just completely stopped.”
“Richard sat up on the stretcher and turned back to the whole foyer and shouted, ‘It was the food! Don’t touch the food!’ That was typical Richard.”
Love you history lessons — keep them coming!