Matthau

Born on this day in 1920 was Walter Matthau (who was not, as he liked to claim, born Walter Foghorn Matuschanskyasky, but plain Walter John Matthow). With his hangdog face and wisecracking cynicism, he was the perfect foil to his friend Jack Lemmon, with whom he made ten films. Here is my favourite Matthau anecdote: Walter was staying with his wife in a hotel which he discovered was quite close to Auschwitz, so he asked the manager to fix them a car and driver so they could pay a visit. 'Certainly Mr Matthau, no problem at all, you go up to your room and I'll fix it straight away.' Half an hour later, Walter and wife still in room, no sign of car. He phones down. 'Ah Mr Matthau, I'm sorry for the delay. What it is, I'm getting you a very special car, we can't have a star like you arriving there in the village taxi', etc. OK. Another half hour passes. Same conversation. He's found a car and it's being valeted, won't be long, any minute now, etc. Matthau getting very annoyed. Another…