In Memoriam of producer William P. Cartlidge (1942-2021)

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2021-03-08

FSWL is very sad to have to report the death of yet another Bond alumnus, the British assistant director and associate producer William P. Cartlidge, or Bill has was called by his closest, at the age of 78. Our thoughts now go to his family and friends.

James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli confirmed the sad news via 007.com:

“We are very sad to learn of the death of William P. Cartlidge at the age of 78.

Bill worked on three James Bond films all directed by Lewis Gilbert. He was First Assistant Director for Lewis on You Only Live Twice (1967). A few years later, became Associate Producer on two additional Bond films, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).

He and Lewis formed a directing and producing team that spanned 30 years.

Bill had a wicked sense of humour which made him a brilliant raconteur. After 40 years as a producer, he retired with his wife to the Portsmouth area where the two become avid sailors.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Friend and special effects maestro John Richardson shared a personal recollection of Bill for From Sweden with Love's readers:

“I first worked with Bill on a film called Duffy in 1967 and he was the Production Manager. Bill had just married the lovely Denise who he sometimes referred to as his rudder and I believe our location in Almeria was their honeymoon. Over the next 20 years we worked on some big movies together including Young Winston, The Adventurers, Phase IV and the Bond film Moonraker.

Bill was wonderful to work with, he always spoke his mind and he had a wonderful sense of humour which was infectious. He became a great friend, and we shared many interesting meals together along with some fairly outrageous “Firework Parties”.

He was a great raconteur, and he could usually manage to see the funny side of any situation which is a particularly useful trait when working on long film locations overseas. He deservedly advanced from First Assistant Director to Producer and he was loved and respected by all who knew him.

Our thoughts are with his children, Claire and Ted, and all his grandchildren at this sad time.

RIP Bill thank you for the fun, the friendship and the laughter.”

James Bond director John Glen also shared his thoughts on William P. Cartlidge's passing for FSWL's readers:

“Sad to hear of the passing of Bill, a friend and colleague and someone who supported me in the early stages of my career.

Apart from being a consummate "man handler" he had the most delightful sense of humour and never let work get in the way of a bit of fun. He told me once that on Lewis Gilbert's You Only Live Twice he was enroute to Japan when approached by the union reps who wanted an extra day's pay for crossing the international date line. Bill readily agreed and of course then deducted a day's pay on the return trip.

My condolences to his family.”

Sean Connery and Bill Cartlidge in Japan for You Only Live Twice in 1966

Sean Connery and Bill Cartlidge on location in Japan for You Only Live Twice in 1966. Photo from Laurent Perriot's private collection. Copyright © 1967 Danjaq S.A. & United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

Photo on top:
William P. Cartlidge with his long-time colleague and collaborator Lewis Gilbert.

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In Memoriam of producer William P. Cartlidge (1942-2021)

Friend and special effects maestro John Richardson shared a personal recollection of Bill for From Sweden with Love's readers:

James Bond director John Glen also shared his thoughts on William P. Cartlidge's passing for FSWL's readers:

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