Blue plaque unveiled at Sim's home

3:42pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

A blue plaque is due to be unveiled to mark the home of the late character actor Alastair Sim.

Sim is best known for playing the leads in Scrooge and School for Scoundrels but also for his comedy turn as Miss Fritton, the headmistress of St Trinian's.

Sim was born in Edinburgh in 1900 but spent his final years in London.

An English Heritage plaque will be unveiled at 8 Frognal Gardens, Hampstead, north west London, where he lived for more than 20 years.

Sim was celebrated as both a stage and screen actor but his most celebrated performance was as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 classic film version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

He revisited the role in 1971 when he voiced an Oscar-winning animated version.

Critics also praised his portrayal of Miss Fritton - and her brother Clarence - in the 1954 film The Belles of St Trinian's.

He played the headmistress again in the 1957 film Blue Murder at St Trinian's.

Sim was made a CBE in 1953 but later refused a knighthood.

He was married to Naomi Plaskitt for 44 years until his death in 1976, aged 75, from cancer.

Editor's Choice