David Niven and Friends
Morning Lecture
17 June 2026
David Niven
Rising from studio extra to Hollywood leading man, although David Niven remained characteristically modest about his abilities they were in fact considerable, as this lecture demonstrated.
Our Speaker, Richard Burnip, drew particular attention to Niven's military film roles, and offered insights into his writings and the huge range of his wartime activities. From his personification of an ideal young subaltern in The Way Ahead, to the reality of being a Lt.-Colonel on Eisenhower’s staff, there was much more to this unique actor than a moustache and a smile.
Richard also brought along some original film stills, magazines and other memorabilia to the lecture for us to examine.
Richard Burnip took a BA Hons in English Language and Literature from the University of Manchester, followed by an acting diploma at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. He combines acting, writing and lecturing.
He has lectured in many venues including the National Army Museum and the Museum of London, as well as presenting a variety of virtual lectures online. Richard has contributed to, among others, The Journal of Popular Film and Television, The Sherlock Holmes Journal, and the P G Wodehouse journal Wooster Sauce. A specialist in voice work, he has narrated numerous television documentaries and 180 audiobooks.
Richard Burnip