1962 |
Jack takes up sailing (Went to
the boat show; ordered small ketch; bought 6 books on sailing; spent weekend on friend Tom
Farmiloes boat and set off for France. Miraculously survived many mishaps.
Known as "Basher" Whittingham at Solent boatyard. |
1964 |
Jack writes
Danger Man scripts for television |
August 1965 |
Sylvan
launches Jacks boat and her pop record "We Dont Belong". |
1967 |
Jack writes
screenplay about Ian Fleming based on John Pearsons
biography for The Sunday Times. |
1969 |
Jack writes
screenplay about Oleg Penkovsky with Greville Wynne as consultant. |
1971 |
Operation
for throat cancer at Royal Marsden Hospital. Continued to smoke in spite of Doctor's
advice thought it highly amusing to blow smoke rings through hole in throat!! |
1972 |
Jack dies in
Malta aged 62 of merciful heart attack one month, sadly, before the birth of first
grandchild Samuel to Jonathan and Jessica Whittingham, and Suilvens (Sylvans)
wedding to songwriter Barry Mason. |
1975 |
Ivor Bryce
libels Jack & Kevin in his book "You Only Live Once" and Kevin McClory sues.
The allegations were categorically withdrawn and Kevin was awarded "a substantial
sum" for damages. |
Apology made in the High Courts in 1975
to Kevin McClory and Jack Whittinghams widow |
1975 |
In
the statement in the High Court in the libel action on You Only Live Once, it
was stated that it was "a matter of sadness" to the plaintiff, Kevin
McClory," that Jack was not there to defend himself against the wanton libel".
The publishers and the author of the book, it stated, have withdrawn these allegations
without reservation; agreed to apologise and to pay substantial damages to Kevin, which,
it was added, "would remove the unwarranted blemish upon the late Jack
Whittinghams name".
"The publishers and the author
stated in Court that they recognised these allegations should never have been made and
apologised to Kevin and to the widow of the late Jack Whittingham". |
1975 - 1985 |
Jack
Whittinghams widow and family remained unaware of this case, (and indeed, the book),
as they had not been notified about the proceedings by Kevin McClory or told of the
apology that had been directed to them, nor was any offer made to his widow for a share of
the damages awarded.
In law, no right of redress survives
for relatives of a deceased person who has been libelled, so that although the book
seriously libelled Jack with a number of entirely false allegations, there were no means
of redress for his widow. Nonetheless, the apology in Court was made for the
"distress suffered by Jacks widow" and it was felt that Kevin should
surely have paid a share of the damages he received to her, for the unjust and ill-founded
attack on Jack. |
1983 |
NEVER
SAY NEVER AGAIN
is released by Kevin McClory. This film was based on the original screenplay of
Thunderball written by Jack Whittingham. No credit for this fact was given to Jack by
Kevin, only a shared Story credit. Jacks widow & family were not
notified that this film was to be made nor invited to Premier. |
2004 |
Sylvan Mason is currently collaborating with
author Robert Sellars who is preparing a book on the history of Thunderball, to be
published in 2005, to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1st screening of the film" |