Patricia Roc touring the Old Course with her Scottish co-star Will Fyffe as her guide. Taken from ‘Scots Accent Beat Film Star’. Dundee Courier. July 30, 1946. 3.

In 1946, the English actress Patricia Roc visited St Andrews twice to generate publicity for The Brothers (David MacDonald/ U.K. / 1947), a film set in Scotland and targeted at Scottish audiences. These visits constituted unique occurrences in the town’s history of star appearances, helping to identify, associate and position this English actress within Scottish culture.

Although not widely remembered today, Patricia Roc was well known in the 1940s for her roles in English historical melodramas like The Wicked Lady (Leslie Arliss/ U.K. / 1945). British audiences even voted her their third favourite film star in the 1946 Daily Mail National Film awards (De Lafayette , 2011, 21). On July 29, 1946, Patricia Roc came to St Andrews to visit her co-star in The Brothers, famous Scottish comedian Will Fyffe, who lived in the town (The Citizen, 3 August 1946, 3). Roc received a tour from the kilt bedecked Fyffe and they posed for press photographs on the Old Course and throughout the town. She discussed her first trip to Scotland with the local newspapers, stating ‘the people I have met have been most charming; I shall certainly be delighted to come back’ (Dundee Courier. July 30, 1946. 3). She did return, on October 26, to rehearse with Fyffe for a promotional radio broadcast they would perform in Perth the next day (The Citizen, 2 November 1946, 5). Roc again posed for press photographs and conducted a further interview in which she claimed that The Brothers was her best film (Dundee Courier. October 28, 1946. 3). These brief visits created plenty of publicity for The Brothers within Scotland.

Much of the publicity for The Brothers stressed the film’s Scottish roots, a Scottish story filmed in Scotland with a mostly Scottish cast. Yet, Roc was an English outlier, a fact made obvious when she was forced to admit in her interview that she could not produce an authentic Scottish accent for the film and used an Irish one instead (Dundee Courier. July 30, 1946. 3). Roc’s visits were meant to compensate for her ‘foreignness’ in the eyes of Scottish audiences. They gave her an opportunity to express her newfound love of the country and its people, and be photographed with the Scottish icons that resided within St Andrews. Roc’s visits helped bring her the attention of the Scottish public, and St Andrews became a place where she could embrace Scottish culture and heritage in order to promote her role in a Scottish film.

Patricia Roc did not visit St Andrews to play golf, but instead used the instantly recognisable sights and celebrities within the town to position herself within a particular vision of Scotland and to foster good will amongst the Scottish audience targeted by her film, The Brothers. This somewhat unusual purpose illustrates a particular role that St Andrews once played within Britain’s star culture, as a star publicly visited St Andrews as a means to adapt her thoroughly English image.

Brenda Nowicki (May 2016)

Works Cited:

Maximillien De Lafayette, World Cinema: The Greatest Actresses of All Time: Goddesses, Divas, Femmes Fatales, Legends, Mega Stars. Vol. 2. (New York, London: Times Square Press, 2011).

‘Scots Accent Beat Film Star’, Dundee Courier. July 30, 1946. 3.

‘Putting Scotland on the Film Map’, Dundee Courier. October 28, 1946. 3.

‘Film Personalities in St Andrews’, St Andrews Citizen. August 3, 1946. 5.

‘Film Company at St Andrews’, St Andrews Citizen. November 2, 1946. 5.

John Cleese’s Rectorial Drag.

In 1970, St Andrews students elected John Cleese as their Rector and chair of the University Court. Cleese’s installation marked the first Rector of St Andrews to have film and television stardom, the first Rector to appoint a student as Assessor, and at 6 feet 4 ¾ inches, he became ‘the tallest Rector in the history of the University’ (Citizen, 21 November 1970). As Cleese noted in his Rectorial Address, ‘For the first time in St Andrews’ long and distinguished history you have elected a “Silly Rector”. Where stood John Stuart Mill, Balfour, Sir James Barrie, Kipling, Earl Haig, Smuts and Sir Walter Scott, now stands a 31-years-old TV funny man […] an electronic buffoon’ (Citizen, 24 April 1971).

After the Second World War, film and television stars, with merits often perceived through their fame, became candidates for rectorships. From Alastair Sim in 1948 at Edinburgh, to Stephen Fry in 1992 at Dundee, comedy stars proved popular choices amongst university students. Cleese’s election reflected a student desire to be represented by someone nearer their age, an iconoclast from outside the status quo; indeed, he was looked on with dismay by many who feared that the office would be reduced to a ‘spectacle’ like ‘the television show’. National newspapers stoked fears with headlines such as ‘Monty Python’s flying rector’ (The Guardian, 21 April 1971). Forty years later, Cleese’s work in film and television continues to define him as a star, but in coming to know the man, St Andrews grew to appreciate him differently.

Despite Cleese’s sincere desire to be a working Rector (the first in twenty years), he was aware of the derision arising from his star status, and used self-deprecating humour, beginning with his Rectorial Address, to win over academics, students, and the press. A witty satire of J.M. Barrie’s address on courage, extolling instead the merits of ‘cowardice’, Cleese’s Address expressed radical anti-war sentiments, reflecting the activist, politically engaged 1970s St Andrews student population – but no offence was taken; he delivered it with comic invention. Over the course of his term, Cleese performed with students for the Students’ Charities Campaign, addressed the community Round Table, participated in St Andrews Day, and officially opened the Student Union. Any initial fears regarding his capability were quelled. One professor at the opening of the Union praised the Rector, ‘John Cleese has brought a new meaning to the rectorship. On the Court he has always safeguarded the students’ rights. He has been one of our most successful rectors. More than being a rector, he and his wife have played a part in University life’ (Citizen, 21 April 1973).

Upon finishing his term, Cleese was honoured as a regent of the colleges of St Salvator and St Leonard, and his character from the ‘Ministry of Silly Walks’ has become a popular figure in the Kate Kennedy Procession. While Cleese may have been fun, he was in no way a ‘Silly Rector’. The placement of his name among the notable rectors of St Andrews indicates that his comedy star status evolved from suspicion to respect as the University grew to know him.

Bronwyn Ring

Works cited:

‘Students’ New Rector.’ St Andrews Citizen, 21 November 1970.

‘Monty Python’s flying rector.’ The Guardian, 21 April 1971.

‘Cleese on Cowardice, New Rector makes good impression, Drag and Installation Scenes.’ St Andrews Citizen, 24 April 1971.

‘John Cleese Opens New Union.’ St Andrews Citizen, 21 April 1973.

Wintersgill, Donald. The Rectors of the University of St Andrews, 1859-2005. Edinburgh: Dunedin, 2008.

Michael Douglas received an honorary degree in 2006.

The University of St Andrews will soon celebrate its 600^th anniversary. Throughout its long history the University has established a tradition of awarding honorary degrees to notable scholars, writers, scientists, athletes, and actors and actresses. Entertainment stars such as Dame Helen Mirren (1999), Dame Judi Dench (2008), Sir John Cleese (1971), Dirk Bogarde (1985), Sir Sean Connery (1988), Joanna Lumley (2006), Siobhan Redmond (2000), Dame Maggie Smith (1971) and Michael Douglas (2006) have all received honorary degrees within the last 40 years.^[1] Conferring an honorary degree on an influential figure pays tribute to that person’s accomplishments and makes a powerful statement about university values.

The guidelines for submitting a nomination state that:

1. the nominee has public distinction, relevant to Scotland and particularly to St Andrews; and
2. the award would contribute to an appropriate image of the University and reinforce a continuing beneficial association with the University.

The University has selected award winning and talented actors and actresses, and their election depicts a certain type of prestige that coincides with the university’s educational standards. It can be determined that these stars offer an attraction, something for both students and the general public to talk about, and also recognition on an international level. In examining the honorary degrees handed out to these actors, the prevalence of British aristocracy is evident. Among the names lie some of Britain’s most notable theatre and film actors, many of whom also have the selective title of Dame of Sir and received countless awards including BAFTAS and Academy Awards. These selections are thus a way for the University to acknowledge its British roots and recognise British talent. Also of significance, the fame of these stars stretches beyond the United Kingdom onto an international level. Inevitably, the proliferation of such degrees to celebrities draws media interest.

It is important for the university to choose wisely as it is a risky decision that has at points lead to criticism by the press. Such was the case in 2006 when American actor Michael Douglas was awarded a degree. The University faced criticism for populism, however, Niall Scott, director of corporate communications at the university, stood by the decision stating, ‘the critical reception misrepresented the institutions intentions-to celebrate Douglas’s work with golf and charity’.^[2]

Upon receiving her honorary degree Dame Judi Dench noted: ‘I feel very excited and I’m absolutely delighted to have an association with St Andrews. I had never been to St Andrews before, so I’m very pleased and I’m going to boast about it a lot…it is a huge day of celebration and I’m frightfully pleased to have been asked’.^[3] The star and the University seem to share an admiration for each other. Almost all of these stars who have received honorary degrees from the university have continued to hold a link to the university. For instance, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Judi Dench, and Sir Sean Connery have all since become patrons of the student run On the Rocks Arts Festival and Dame Mirren was named the first patron of the University’s Institute for Capitalising on Creativity.

Kylie Jeunette

Courtesy University of St Andrews

On Thursday 17 May 2012, Sir Sean Connery and Principal Louise Richardson rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. This honour was in part to celebrate the University’s 600th Anniversary. It also marked the US premiere of Ever to Excel, the new film about the history of the University of St Andrew, to which Connery contributed. The film screened at the French Institute Alliance Française on Wednesday 16 May 2012, with both Connery and Richardson in attendance.

Hugh Grant at the Dunhill (photo by author)

During the event St Andrews town is taken over by the Hollywood bug, with fans taking to the greens to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars whilst the press scramble to snap up the latest star story. The stars themselves frequent many of the restaurants and bars around the town, interacting with local business owners, students and tourists. It is these local interactions that lead to the Dunhill being a hotbed of gossip for the press. The small town atmosphere of St Andrews means that bumping into a celebrity is a likely occurrence during the week, and this fosters a feeling of prestige about the town, as celebrities and fans rub shoulders in restaurants or bars.

The Dunhill is an event that only takes place over one week in October, yet star tourism can be found all year round in St Andrews. In order to keep star tourism alive, businesses around the town have begun to create a St Andrews ‘Walk of Fame’. If you take a walk around the town, many of the restaurants display pictures of stars that have visited their restaurant in the front window or in the welcoming foyer. Some examples of this are Maisha, Balaka, Jahangir, Rendezvous and the Ardgowen Hotel. This practice not only promotes the business as worthy of big name stars, who have experienced the best restaurants and hotels in the world and therefore act as a mark of quality, but it also makes the location become a stop on the Walk of Fame. Even those who miss out on the action of the Dunhill can experience their own little bit of Hollywood in St Andrews as a result of this specially cultivated star site all year round, feeling as if they are close to certain stars who have stepped foot in the same places. Many businesses also promote their famous visitors in their advertising, websites, and Facebook pages, thus making the information available worldwide and not just available to those directly in St Andrews.

All these sites, however, are but brief stops in the lives of the likes of Hugh Grant or Samuel L Jackson. They may only visit St Andrews once a year, yet their influence is a year round presence. This is what makes St Andrews such a unique example of a star site. It is so not because of its immediate link to the film industry, but because of its links to golf. St Andrews is a place where fans can come to see how their favourite stars spend their time outside of the backlots and studios, thus situating the star as an ‘ordinary’ person, as well as someone of note.

Emma O’Brien

In heavy rain, Crosby lost his first round match to Wilson, who was described in the press as an ‘amateur crooner’ who ‘frequently vocalises at amateur theatricals.’ Film crews were on hand to record the event for newsreels, while newspaper reports emphasised the popular excitement generated by Crosby’s appearance. Sample headlines included ‘Golfer Crosby Greeted at Scottish Links by One Man and 2000 Giggling Lassies’ and ‘Crosby Loses Match, Wins British Fans.’ Crosby’s appearance in the tournament was followed a year later by his great friend, Bob Hope, who also lost in the first round of the tournament at Porthcawl, Wales.

When Bing Crosby returned to St Andrews in 1971, he again played the Old Course with his old partner Jim Wilson. The two men, who had remained in contact, now discussed setting up a new tournament for senior golfers. In September 1972, Crosby was back once more and again played with Wilson. He was also now on hand to present the silver bowl to the winner of the Bing Crosby Trophy. The tournament continues to this day (played at St Andrews in September) and in 1995 was won by Sean Connery.

Tom Rice

Sean Connery (1988, courtesy University of St Andrews)

As a native of Edinburgh, Sir Sean Connery’s connection with Scotland started long before he received an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews. After serving in the Royal Navy, working as a bricklayer and coffin polisher, and competing for the title of Mr Universe in 1950, Connery rose to fame as an actor in 1958, when he was cast opposite Lana Turner in Another Time, Another Place. Four years later, he was cast as James Bond, a role he defined over six 007 films.

Made an honorary Doctor of Letters by St Andrews in 1988, Connery began a relationship with the university and the town that continues today. He serves as a patron of the Byre Theatre, as well as the student-run arts festival On The Rocks. For the past two years, he has surprised organizers and staff by personally calling to offer his support and best wishes for the festival, and apologizing for not attending.

In receiving an honorary degree, Connery joined an elite group from the film world, including filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, actor Michael Douglas, and actor and comedian John Cleese (who also served as Rector from 1970-73). Outside of film, his fellow degree recipients include names like Rudyard Kipling, JK Rowling, Bob Dylan, and Arnold Palmer.

For Connery, his commitment to St Andrews arises from his famed loyalty to Scotland, viewing the university as one of the best in the world: “Scotland has a few precious claims to be world class – her first university is one of them.” The golf connection doesn’t hurt either, as Connery, an avid golfer, was also the winner of the Bing Crosby golf tournament in 1995.

Retired from acting since 2004, Connery made a brief 2009 appearance in a Homecoming promotional video for the university. Recently, he came out of retirement for the second time in support of St Andrews, announcing he will contribute to a documentary charting the university’s official history in honour of the 600th anniversary in 2013.

Chelsea Wessels